Work life

It's been a while since I've written due to a lot of recent activity in the job department! I accepted a job with the media agency, MediaCom a few weeks ago, and recently completed my first two weeks with the company. I am so fortunate to be working with a great group of people, and my office just happens to be on the 22nd floor, five blocks south of Times Square overlooking beautiful downtown NYC. I have finally officially transitioned into adulthood, and I couldn't be happier.

Before my employment, I had not completely been a part of the New York lifestyle, but I also didn't notice. Since I had not previously had to ride the subway at the exact same time as everyone else in the city, having to ride the subway at prime working hours is a big difference for me. Now that I am with the wave of the majority, I know exactly what being a New Yorker is all about.

No matter what time between the morning hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. you are attempting to catch the subway to work, you will be forced to make like a sardine and cram into the cars. Yes, it is exactly like what you'd imagine millions of people trying to arrive in one central location at the same time would look like. Luckily my commute only calls for a 15 minute ride, so the claustrophobia is bearable. On the other hand, the 20 minutes of walking should be interesting in the winter time, as I’ve already experienced it in the rain. I was saved during one downpour when I forgot my umbrella because a vendor was selling cheap umbrellas outside of my subway stop. I swear I will always bring my umbrella from now on, even if there isn't a cloud in the sky!

New York is a very work-oriented city, also, which is probably why it is so prosperous. Although mine and Alex's jobs do not call for a strict 9 to 5, it makes things more efficient. I think the motto for work in NYC is stay until all work is complete, which sometimes can make for a long night.

Weekends are the times when we really explore the city, in between our adult responsibilities. This weekend we explored the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or “The Met.” Seeing artifacts and original paintings from the world's most renound artists like Monet and Van Gogh really made me understand just how much I have still yet to do and see in the city. Fall is around the corner, along with the cold weather, so I’m anticipating the new season in the city.

Work hard, play hard.

Life in the fast lane

Today marks the official two-month anniversary of moving out to the big city. I feel like certain things are becoming the norm for me, and to be honest, it kind of scares me. No longer am I studying a map when jumping on the subway line, but rather I’m simply making my way while not even having a map with me! While at first, the Macy’s store seemed overwhelming and impossible to navigate, now I have no problem making the trip downtown to the store to pick up my makeup or shop for a new pair of shoes. Things that I figured I would never get accustomed to, I am now somewhat taking for granted. The tall buildings and bright lights of Times Square have become an area in which I try to avoid simply because of the heavy traffic of tourists. What have I become?!

I am still mesmerized by the view of the city from the tall buildings, as I have been interviewing at companies directly downtown. Each time I enter the HR office that overlooks the city and sours 30 to 40 floors high, and I hope that the view I am greeted with never becomes old to me. In fact, on more than one occasion I have actually had my ears feel pressure while riding the elevator up to the offices. This is a unique feature of city life that I enjoy.

Alex and I had dinner last week at The Boathouse, a well-known restaurant on the lake in Central Park. It is mostly well-known for its cameos in “Sex and the City,” and is a place I would recommend to anyone visiting the city. The restaurant literally is opened completely and while it is covered overhead, you are practically outdoors. The view on the lake at sunset is amazing, and the food, while on the pricey side, is just as remarkable. When we left the restaurant, I finally experienced Central Park at night. Now I know why it is so dangerous. Although there are lamps lining the paths, they are dim and there are many secluded areas that could encourage dangerous activity. I would recommend not venturing to the park at night, and especially not alone.

We have been fortunate to eat out at several amazing restaurants in the city and have not yet visited the same one twice. One thing I have noticed about restaurants is their need for originality to keep them unique in a city where they are in competition with about 20,000 other eating establishments. For example, at one restaurant we visited, we were given grapes at the end of the meal that had been soaked in a homemade wine. The server brought out the large vase and speared the grapes with a long spear and fed them to everyone in our party. Although they were disgusting, the traditional aspect was amusing. At another restaurant, we were given small desserts and shots at the end of the meal. Again, not the most appetizing selection, but enough to make us remember our visit. Each restaurant we have visited was unique and delicious.

I’m still a sucker for the tourist attractions and hope to see the Statue and go to the Empire State Building soon, but for now, I am living the NYC life like a native.