Moving Day

Peter and I had a few people over yesterday for the Superbowl (literally, 3 people, since we can't fit any more than that), and we got some particularly nice and genuine oohs and ahhs over how great our space looks. Granted, we cleaned for 2 solid days before our three guests arrived, and it doesn't always look so great, but the comments got me thinking: why don't I appreciate this space more? It really IS adorable! And it cleans up so nice. And compliments can make a cramped space seem gigantic, I guess. But, I feel like this apartment, in all of its railroad tiny-ness, has always felt like a halfway house for the "real" New York City apartment we are going to get. It's simply not big enough for us to sustain a life here for a while...we can only have one overnight guest at a time, and there is nothing I want MORE than visitors.

In the three years since we've lived together, we have lived in 3 apartments. This June, we'll move into our 4th. And it may be a tall order, but I am so. damn. tired. of moving. 

So, why the hell are we moving? Because this place is tiny, and we want a place where we can start to "build." The next place we move into needs to be a place we can stay for at least the next 3 - 4 years, until we feel either ready to buy a home, or perhaps resign ourselves to life as renters. Yes, that means a space where we can have some babies. So, it means a two bedroom in a safe / quiet neighborhood. Our sights are set on Astoria at the moment, but if you have a better place in mind, give a holler!

Update!

My hair is getting longer...I'll update with pictures soon. I'm still not sure if it's going to be how I want it at the wedding, but at least I can put all of my hair up in a ponytail now.

In other news, NYC is getting coooooOOOooold. Not used to this type of cold.

Kay, just checking in to say hello blog - I'm still around!

The Iced Coffee Problem

As fall winds down, I am taking in my last few precious iced coffees for the season. I miss iced coffee a lot over the winter, because I love to take long, refreshing sips of my drinks. Real coffee (or hot coffee) dictates that you take small dainty sips, otherwise you'd burn your mouth. Nothing better than a long gulp of icey coffee goodness. Iced coffee is simply more refreshing than hot coffee.

Which brings me to my problem.

What the hell is up with baristas, pourers, and iced coffee drinkers distributing and consuming LUKEWARM iced coffee?!

When I order an "iced coffee," from most establishments, I am given a lukewarm coffee drink with a few small bits of ice floating at the top. Often, this drink is not icey, but cool, or even lukewarm (yuck).
Behold:

(not my photo...I would immediately dispose of this nastiness.)

My personal solution to the problem is to always, ALWAYS order with "extra ice." I often get the side-eye from cashiers (because people normally want more drink for their buck, I guess), but I stand firm. My rule of thumb is that the cup should be filled AT LEAST hallway with ice before any coffee or milk is poured in.


Here are some recent examples of correctly poured iced coffees:

 

Notice my instructions clearly printed on the first drink. You can't really see the ice-line due to the writing, but I assure you the ice was correct. The coffee in the second photo was lovingly poured by my coffee cart guy who sets up shop on my corner every morning. He gets it, and I don't ever have to order extra ice from him. He will get his own post, but that's for another time.

In conclusion, next time you go for an iced coffee, ask for extra ice. You won't be disappointed.

NYC

Been living in the city for a few short months, and I've realized a few things.

Everything moves so fast here. The people on the streets, the hours in the day.

If I were starting a job straight out of college, I would be steamrolled by stress. I mean, I'm stressed, but I really don't know how the (relative) young'uns here do it. I feel like the few years of job experience I have under my belt are essential to my success here.
Black and white cookies are a thing. And they're good.
Bagels are a thing. And they're very good.

Doughnuts are not a thing...I figured, oh wow, so many tasty bagel places, I bet they have great doughnuts! I walked like 25 blocks one morning trying to find an NYC doughnut, only to sulk back to Dunkin' Donuts to get a stale chocolate frosted. Don't even get me started on the place called Three Star Donut that does not in fact sell any doughnuts.

And lastly, the people here are very nice. I don't mean that sarcastically.

So far I do this a lot.

Guys...

How do you budget? Is it normal to be really bad at it? I mean, I'm 28...I feel like I should have more money saved up, although I guess everyone feels that way. But really, I'm stressed today about not having budgeted well for the month of August. August means back to school shopping, and that means I just blew a bunch of money on REALLY cute fall clothes - but now what?!

I like to budget by the day, so after bills and putting 20% into savings (when I'm being good), I divide the amount I have left by the number of days in the month. According to my plan, I only have 23 dollars PER DAY left to spend this month, and it's only August 16th...eesh. Looks like I'll be eating my share of PBJ's this month.

DAMMIT I just remembered I am going to a wedding this weekend, so the gift brings it down to...18 dollars a day. UGH.

Whatever, this sandwich DOES look pretty good. 

 

(image from seriouseats.com)

Runner's Regret

This past weekend I ran in my first ever road race. Even though I ran it purely due to family peer pressure, I still did "train" (sort of), and had worked my way up to doing a solid 2-3 miles without dying. So, even though the race itself was 5.2 miles, I figured I'd be fiiiiine and the adrenaline would take me the rest of the way. Wrong. For some reason, even the very first steps of the race were hard. Like, I was winded in the first 2 minutes of the race, and every single step thereafter was hard. I forgot to wear a watch, and the course was poorly marked, so I was asking random people how far we were the whole time. It was bad. It was hard. It was not at all fun. 

This photo was taken when my brother, who had long since finished, ran an entire mile back to help me finish the end of the race. And I look like I've had an accident - awesome. 

Here's to next year! Since my family has already decided to make it an annual "thing."

IT'S MA PARTY

It's so stupid, but I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY. Today is my birthday, and it's always the best when it falls during the summer olympics. I was born during Mary Lou Rhetton's routine in the summer olympics in Los Angeles...I choose to believe this fact has influenced my love of all things Southern California, and all things Olympics.

Turns out, Ryan Lochte's birthday is ALSO today, same year and everything. So what if I don't have a gold medal yet? Learning curve?

Happy birthday Ryan Lochte! That grille is so awkward, but today is your day - you do you boy!