Living the Dream

My apartment is behind that tree, I promise.

When I moved to New York a little over a month ago, I had a few interviews lined up, but no solid job prospects and stayed on my friend's couch for almost two weeks. I had planned to sublet a room temporarily while I looked for a job, and I found a great place on Central Park North that I moved into on July 11th. The sublet is only until August 31st (my birthday?) however, so the pressure was on to find something more permanent before then.

I probably don't need to tell you how crazy competitive the New York housing market is, and most people won't even show you a place if you don't have a job. Luckily, I got a great job working at W.W. Norton as a designer in the college division, so all that was left on my list of life goals (for the moment) was to find an apartment.

Well, last week I did that too!

Everything moves so fast here: I went to see a place on Sunday, put a deposit down on Monday, found out I was approved the same day, and by Wednesday I was signing the lease papers. It's such a relief to know that I won't be homeless come the 31st (happy birthday — you're homeless!), and even more exciting that I'm moving into a place I really love.

The apartment is on Amsterdam Ave. btwn 106th and 105th streets on the upper,

upper west side. The neighborhood is technically called Manhattan Valley, but I rarely hear that term used here. It's definitely not Morningside Heights or Harlem, so to anyone not familiar with the ridiculousness that is New York neighborhood naming conventions, it's easier to just say the Upper West Side. It's an amazing neighborhood, and I'll be only a few blocks away from where I stayed when I came here in January/February of this year.

I'll be two blocks from Riverside Park, three blocks from Central Park, five blocks from Morningside Park, right across the street from Mama's Pizzeria and four subway stops from Trader Joe's. There's a laundromat literally in the ground floor of the building, a Duane Reade one block away, a 24-hour deli on the corner and a Dunkin' Donuts half a block away. There are a ton of great restaurants that I can't wait to try, Chinese and Mexican places that I can't wait to order delivery from and great markets and coffee shops super close by.

My move-in date is August 21st, which gives me some overlap time to slowly move the things I have over to the new place, while still having a bed (and Internet!) until the 31st. I'll be going back to Ohio on Labor Day weekend to grab the rest of my belongings, but most importantly I'll be returning WITH MY CAT. I can't express how much I've missed that perfect specimen of a feline, Mozart, and I think she'll be very happy in her new home. A few of the windows in the apartment overlook an alleyway, and when I was there three pigeons were hanging out on the windowsills. I imagine they will keep her very entertained, and the place has a railroad-style layout with a long hallway perfect for playing fetch. It's been lonely living in a new place without my best friend. I really hope she likes being a New Yorker as much as her mom does.

Until then, every spare moment I spend daydreaming about how I'm going to decorate my adorable new place. Everything seems to have happened so fast and I'm trying to let it all sink in, but I'm officially a New Yorker with a real New York job (!) and a real New York apartment (!!). I know it's corny and emotional, but I can't stop thinking about the part in Willy Wonka (probably because I saw it twice in two different parks?) when Willy turns to Charlie and says:

"But Charlie, don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted."

"What happened?"

"He lived happily ever after."

Shakespeare in the Park

One of the things I knew I had to do during my last week of unemployment was wait in line for Shakespeare in the Park tickets. The Public Theater does two shows during the summer season, and this year's schedule included The Comedy of Errors in May/June, and Love's Labour's Lost in July/August.

I had gone twice before when Meryl Streep was doing Mother Courage, so I knew the process very well. A few things have changed since I went in 2007 — they now distribute the tickets at noon instead of 1pm, for example — but mostly it was a similar experience. I wasn't quite as fanatical about being first in line this time, especially after learning that the seating is distributed randomly — first in line only guarantees that you'll get a ticket, not necessarily a great seat. I understand why they do it this way, but it's still a little annoying. Knowing that, however, took a bit of the pressure off and I got there around 6:30 am instead of 4:30 am.

There were probably 30 people in front of me, but I had a great spot. I was on the grass (instead of the asphalt or mulch), under a huge, shady tree and had a nice view for people watching. I've been getting pretty good at picnicking lately, so my blanket and food situation was perfect. I know it's totally weird to say, but napping in the park is one of my very favorite things to do. I certainly don't envy homeless people, or wish to make light of their situation, but there are certainly worse spots to sleep than under a shady tree on a breezy, bright sunny day in Central Park.

I understand why people are appalled at the length of the line, or how early you have to arrive, but it's really just about the easiest thing you can do: you nap a little, eat a little, read a bit, listen to some music and before you know it you have two FREE tickets to some of the best performances in the world.

Back in June, I waited two hours to see the Rain Room and I would take the six-hour wait for theater tickets in the park over standing in the hot sun on the asphalt in Midtown outside of MOMA, any day. I've noticed that living in New York makes you get used to waiting in line for almost anything: last night I had to wait in line just to enter a Trader Joe's. It's not so bad if you have the right supplies or the right company, and most often the payoff is totally worth it.

Noon came before I knew it, and I was actually reluctant to abandon my cozy spot. So reluctant, in fact, that I pocketed my tickets, moved about ten feet over to Turtle Pond and set up another picnic spot. If picnicking was a job, I'd be employee of the month.

At about 8 that night, my friend Katie and I headed back to the Delacorte to see the show, and I'm happy to report that it was great. I wasn't sure what to expect, having never read the play, but I'm kind of glad I went in without any preconceived notion of the story. This production was actually made into a musical and performed in a very modern, present-day setting.

Sometimes I groan when companies try to "update" Shakespeare, but this one worked extremely well. Once I got used to the tone, it was hilarious and the music was surprisingly heartfelt and catchy. If you only listen to one of the songs, definitely make it "Love's a Gun." I've been playing it on repeat since last Tuesday and I actually got chills seeing it performed — Lindsay Mendez was a stand-out among the ridiculously talented cast.

Everyone in the cast was a brilliant triple threat — dancing, singing and speaking Shakespeare with ease. The most famous cast member was Rachel Dratch, who played a professor reminiscent of her "lahhvers" character, and got huge laughs whenever she was on stage.

There's really nothing like seeing a great performance in an open-air theater on a perfect summer night in the middle of Central Park. It's one of those magical New York moments that I'm so grateful I got to attend at all, let alone three times already. I'm sad I missed out on Comedy of Errors, but I'm excited to be able to make Shakespeare in the Park a regular tradition. I'm hoping Meryl decides to return to the Delacorte stage soon and I guarantee I'll be there, enjoying my time in line almost as much as the play itself.

Free: Botanic(al) Gardens

As I near the end of my nearly five weeks of unemployment (!!), I'm trying to fill my remaining days with activities that, as a normal working person, I won't be able to do. Last week this meant taking advantage of the free admission weekdays at both the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the New York Botanical Garden.

The BBG is free all day on Tuesdays (and Saturdays 10 am - Noon), and the NYBG has free grounds-only admission on Wednesdays (and 10 am - 11 am on Saturdays). I have been to the BBG a few times, and although it's much smaller, I actually like it much better than the NYBG. It's much easier to get to, involves much less walking and I think it's a prettier space overall.

I don't think anything will ever beat cherry blossom season, but every time I go there's something new and beautiful in bloom. Even when I went in March it was still interesting to see the grounds right at the start of spring, and there's always something to see inside the pavilions. The indoor greenhouses are super warm, which is a total plus when it's winter but not so pleasant in the summer. It was incredibly hot when I went, and I opened the door, stepped in, and turned right back around.

I took a few snacks with me and sat in the Cherry Esplanade and people watched for a while. You can picnic on the lawn, under the trees, and although I'm very vocal about my disdain for screaming children, for the most part it was pretty peaceful.

It's such a beautiful space to just sit and relax. The roses were mostly still in bloom, and I saw a crane in the Japanese pond for the first time. He just kind of stood there and was so still I thought for a moment that he was fake (he wasn't). I saw the lily pads in bloom for the first time as well. They are so strange, incredibly beautiful and unexpected. I'm not sure how long they last, but I think I'm kind of into lily pads now?

I had been to the NYBG only once before, for the amazing Orchid Show, and hadn't yet explored the rest of the grounds. It's much, much larger than the BBG, but I feel like there is also a lot less to look at.

The buildings are beautiful, and the Rockefeller Rose Garden was worth going for alone, but I was a little disappointed overall. I think it was an expectation problem, because by now I'm used to the BBG and they're so different.

The NYBG is actually mostly forests and hiking trails, which are really beautiful. The native plant garden was also nice, but the rose garden was definitely the star. Although I think it's the tail end of the rose season, there were still tons of flowers in bloom. The layout of the garden is wonderful as well, and there's an elevated overlook so you can really take in the design of the entire space.

When you buy the all-inclusive pass, you get to ride a tram tour, which might be the best way to see all of the garden. I love walking and even I was a bit over it by the end. The NYBG is also way pricier normally ($20 adult, $18 student) than the BBG ($10 adult, $5 student), and while I'm sure their special exhibits are interesting, I don't really see how it's worth that much more.

The Orchid Show is definitely the exception, and was worth every bit of the admission price — which also includes the rest of the garden, but it was snowing the day we went. I wouldn't mind checking out their cherry blossoms as well, they kind of have to be amazing.

I am definitely going to return to both gardens in the fall to see the leaves change colors, and as I was walking the trails at the NYBG I was imagining how beautiful it will all be — I think fall will really make me love the NYBG much more. Unfortunately I won't be getting in free again on the weekdays anytime soon, but I love that they both offer Saturday options to (in New York time) early risers. Every once in a while it hits me that I'm going to be here for the entire fall season and I just about die of happiness.

My First Month as a New Yorker

Unless you've just discovered this blog, you're well aware that one month ago, I officially moved to New York City. I was reminded of this when I went to swipe my 30-day Metro Card yesterday and received the dreaded "insufficient fare" notice. I moved here on July 1st on a one way flight from Ohio, with one enormous suitcase (50 pounds exactly ask me how I know), one large duffel bag, my computer, and a dream. Feel free to never read this blog again after realizing that I actually type sentences that end like that.

In just one month I've found an amazing, albeit temporary, place to stay right across from Central Park, a block away from the express 2/3 trains, and Dunkin' Donuts adjacent. I've been on six interviews for six different but equally exciting-sounding jobs, and accepted an offer from one of them (I start Monday!).

I've eaten Shake Shack three times, gone to Long Island (Long Beach) for the first time, watched fireworks from the New Jersey waterfront, fell under the spell of Fishes Eddy, had my first Dallas BBQ margarita, and walked the Williamsburg bridge.

I bought two items of cat-printed clothing, ate naked balls at two different Meatball Shop locations, watched Willy Wonka on two different occasions in two different parks, walked the Brooklyn Bridge at night, found a place that serves an amazing gluten-free waffle, and visited Staten Island for the first time.

I've seen two different 9/11 memorials, had some amazing iced coffees, had a perfect day exploring Long Island City, stumbled upon 5 Pointz, found gluten-free "Cheetos" and attended the Post-Pride Party (it was free!) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I went to two botanic gardens in two different boroughs, had the most amazing baked Alaska (also a first), went to Governors Island for the second time to see Fête Pardiso, spent a touristy day in Lower Manhattan, saw a cloud shaped like a bunny and waited in line for Shakespeare in the Park tickets (I got 'em!).

Looking back on everything I did exhausts me, and I'm the one that actually did it all. I'm sure as I get more settled and start my job, my sightseeing will slow down a bit, but I don't ever want to lose my sense of wonder about the city. I'm going to still try to have adventures whenever I can, and my list of places to see grows every day. One of the most amazing things about the city is that it's constantly evolving and changing — I can't imagine ever actually running out of things to do.

It all still sort of feels like one big dream, but it's slowly sinking in that I actually live here now. It's ok if someone is busy one night or it rains on the weekend because I have my entire life to see and do the things I want to do. I miss my family and friends back in Ohio (of course), but now I get to experience the excitement of having visitors and showing the city I love to the people I love. I hope I never lose the sense of gratitude that I feel every single day that I get to call this amazing place my home.

I really am living the dream.

Long Island City: 5 Pointz

Somewhere between visiting

four different parks

, drinking one amazing

iced coffee

, touring the

Noguchi Museum

,

having a picnic

and watching the

sunset

over Manhattan, I also managed to stumble across the 

5 Pointz

 complex in Long Island City.

Described as the "world's premiere graffiti Mecca," 5 Pointz is a building complex covered, for the most part, in really beautiful "graffiti," or as I see it, art. I was vaguely aware of its existence, and when I looked it up I found that it was actually only a few blocks from where I had tried to eat at Garage Burger. As I got closer it became easier to find by the loud music and cheering crowds, and when I rounded the corner I immediately knew I was in the right place. There was a bike competition going on that day too, with cyclists racing each other and weaving in and out of cones down the street.

Apparently the complex is in danger of being torn down and turned into high-rise residential towers, and a few booths were set up selling merchandise and providing petitions to help preserve the area.

Every angle and possible surface of the huge building is covered in works of art, each more complex and beautiful than the next. The scale and colors are really stunning, and definitely something best seen in person. I was lucky that it was a beautiful, bright and sunny day which really made the colors pop.

If you ever make it out to 5 Pointz, be sure to take in the entire 360 view. As I was getting ready to leave, I realized that the artwork continued onto the other side of the building, as well as the sides, sidewalks, fire hydrants, fire escapes, doors and lampposts.

Since 2002 the artwork has been curated by a graffiti artist, who apparently asks for samples and layout sketches from every potential artist before they can contribute to the project. A lot of graffiti you see on the streets is sloppy and abstract, but the screening process is obviously working because 5 Pointz showcases the best of the best.

After seeing it in person, I can completely understand the passion that people have toward saving the complex. I love that it's a totally accessible (and free!) way to view (and make) art in the city, and tearing it down would be completely unfair. You want to believe that the building owner has an investment in the area that means more than the millions he would make from a high-rise, but unfortunately that's not very likely.

Governors Island: Fête Paradiso

I went to Governors Island for the first time earlier this summer, and this past Saturday two of my best friends and I went back to see Fête Paradiso, a festival of vintage carnival rides and carousels that made its American debut on the island in June.

We had planned on taking the ferry from Manhattan, but thanks to the MTA being kind of a free-for-all last weekend (90% of the lines were experiencing some sort of change/delay), we ended up in Brooklyn. Thankfully we remembered that there is also a Governors Island ferry that departs out of Brooklyn, so we decided to just catch that one. Not so thankfully, it only departs every hour and they cut off the line about 20 people in front of us so we had to wait for the full hour.

I recommend taking the ferry from Manhattan, if you can, now that I've done both. The Manhattan one leaves more frequently, and the waiting room and ferry terminal are definitely worth seeing. That being said, I had no idea that Brooklyn Bridge Park continued so far south, and what we saw of the park was very nice — while I won't be back to catch the ferry, the park deserves some exploration on its own.

When we finally got to the island, we found a shady spot and laid out our much-deserved picnic.

Pro-tip: the official posted island rules might state that there is no alcohol allowed, but our bags were searched twice before we boarded the ferry and two of our three bags very obviously contained wine. I think it's one of those scenarios where as long as you're not doing a keg stand in the middle of the lawn,* you should be fine.

Pro-tip no. 2: You might be able to see a bit of Alisha's hand in the top of the photo holding keys — we sadly discovered that one of our wines was not a screw top and tried poking it with everything we had to get it open. After our unsuccessful attempts, she asked a group of fellow wine-toting picnic-ers for help. They didn't have a corkscrew, but they did have a spoon, which we used to push the cork into the bottle and we all lived happily ever after.

After our leisurely (and very delicious) picnic, we headed over to see the carnival. The rides aren't free ($3 a ticket), unfortunately, but they sure were pretty to look at. It's crazy to think that they've survived all of these years, and are still in working, rideable order.

They were all completely charming and the operators in cheesy French costumes added to the ambiance. There were little wooden boats for kids, a few different carousels, skill games and even a bicycle carousel that you had to pedal yourself — one of only two ever created.

It's a much more interesting installation than the "art" performances that were there the last time I was on the island. Fête Paradiso is on the island until September 29th, so I still have plenty of time to go back and explore further.

Speaking of Governors Island, a friend of mine sent me this video of the plan for the under-construction parts of the island, and it looks so exciting. I love that the city is in a constant state of change, and there's always something new and in the works to look forward to. I'm already reserving a large portion of my 2015 to be spent picnicing in the hills, who's with me?

*As deduced by my very wise friend, Alisha.

Noguchi Museum + Socrates Sculpture Park

About a week ago, I went to Long Island City for the first time, and loved it so much I stayed all day. After exploring Gantry Plaza State Park, I walked along Vernon Blvd, making a few stops along the way. My main destination was the Noguchi Museum, but first I stopped at Queensbridge Park.

I have to say, that I wouldn't really recommend walking all the way from Gantry to the Noguchi. Google tells me that it's exactly a 2 mile walk, and if that seems short then I'll tell you it felt longer. If that seems like kind of a haul, then I'll agree with you. It was pretty hot that day and Vernon Blvd is basically an industrial park, so you don't get much shade or nice scenery.

There's probably a bus or better way to get from one end to the other, but sometimes I hate trying to figure out the transportation system when it's so clear how to walk somewhere. It's a straight shot, which was nice, but I won't be doing it again anytime soon. That being said, at least there were a few stops along the way, and great views of the Queensboro Bridge.

Queensbridge Park is nice, although the entire waterfront is currently under construction. Like Brooklyn Bridge Park, you're almost directly under the bridge which gets you a great photo, and if the waterfront hadn't been fenced off, the skyline views would be wonderful too. The park is a little run down and scrappy, but it's a nice shady spot to chill out for a minute.

The next park I came across was Rainey Park, which had a nice waterfront view of the city and Roosevelt Island. Right in between Rainey and Socrates Sculpture Park is the Noguchi Museum. The museum itself was built by Noguchi to hold pieces that he considered to be representative of his life's work. My uncle had suggested that I go, and being that he is a man of impeccable tastes, when he says to go somewhere, I go.

I didn't know much about Noguchi before I went, but the museum was a great place to take a break and cool off. It's an incredibly peaceful and calming space, with indoor and outdoor galleries and a garden. I watched the film they show about Noguchi's life and career, which definitely helps to explain a lot of the meaning behind the mostly abstract works.

My favorite pieces were the striped ones, but there is such a variety that it's hard to pick a stand-out style. The museum was only $5 for students ($10 adults), and it's definitely worth that. It was larger than I expected, but not very crowded which I always appreciate.

After I left the Noguchi, I walked across the street to Socrates Sculpture Park. This is the part where I mention yet again that I don't really understand installation art, which is what is mostly in the park. There are a few actual sculptures, but most of the "art" is meant to be interactive (I think?). I sat on a large wooden stage — which I think was part of the "art" — and ate peaches that I had brought along, which is about the extent of my participation in any type of public art piece.

I still have one more post about Long Island City (it was a good day) but I definitely recommend the Noguchi, even if it is a bit difficult to get to. I'm am continually being pleasantly surprised by neighborhoods that I previously knew little about, which is something I love about New York. I still have a few more LIC destinations that I didn't get to that day, including the Museum of the Moving Image and walking across the Queensboro Bridge, so I'll definitely be back.

Restaurant Week: Summer 2013

I had such an amazing meal during the last Restaurant "Week" here in the city that I was grateful when my friend Trent invited me again this time around. He made reservations at Delmonico's in the financial district, and it was my first time there.

I will now refer to Restaurant Week as "the best meal I eat every six months," because that's exactly what it is to me. For $38 (plus tax, tip and any add-ons) you get an amazing three-course meal that would ordinarily cost much, much more. For example, just the filet mignon entree at Delmonico's is $47 normally, but is included in the Restaurant Week line-up. We were discussing whether the portions are smaller for the special price, but none of us are fancy enough to have gone to any of these places outside of Restaurant Week, so we may never know.

You can see the full menu here, but I chose the Acquerello Risotto (my first-ever risotto —delicious), filet mignon (mmm hmm) and the baked Alaska for dessert. There were 7 of us total, 5 of which had been to Delmonico's before and they all raved about the baked Alaska. So much so, that I was prepared to be disappointed but they assured me that it was more than worth the additional $5 supplement.

I had never had baked Alaska and I only had a vague idea of what it actually was. I did know, however, that theirs was made with banana gelato which pretty much sounded like the most amazing thing in the world, and it was.

When all seven of them arrived we were so excited and awed by their beauty that we actually cheers'd with our entire plates. Most of us just stared at them a while or took photos of them from every possible angle before digging in because they were almost too beautiful to eat (almost).

It was truly a work of art, and far exceeded my expectations. I felt bad destroying the perfectly charred meringue, a feeling that quickly disappeared when I discovered that it tasted as good as it looked.

While the other portions were on the small side, the baked Alaska was a monumental undertaking and by the end of it we were all completely stuffed. Restaurant Week is another fun event to add to my list of New York traditions-in-the-making and I'm already looking forward to my next fancy meal — I'm only sad that I have to wait all the way until January for it.

Post Pride Party at the Met Museum

On Monday I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Post-Pride Party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In what is basically just an awesome show of support of the LGBT community, and following a VIP reception, the Met opens its doors at night, providing an open bar and access to the special exhibit.

The event is ticketed, but tickets are free and sell out in seconds. I wasn't exactly sure I believed this, but the day they became available I literally refreshed the page at precisely 11am, and by the time I had entered my info they were already "sold" out. A friend of mine got wait-listed exactly at 11, but ended up getting a ticket, so if you're interested you definitely have to be vigilant. I keep discovering new, free things to do here in the city, but I'm quickly learning that most definitely require a bit of tenacity to secure a spot.

The party was fun, and it all felt special and a little fancy. Being the in the Met after-hours is always a treat, even if I didn't indulge in the open bar as much as I could have (I might have concentrated my efforts on the cheesy-stick appetizers, instead). After some drinking and socializing, our group of friends headed to see the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit. It was a bit underwhelming, but I find it hard to complain too much about things I get to do for free. We also basically had free reign to take photos, which is not usually allowed in the special collections.

The exhibit was colorful and a few pieces memorable, but I don't know enough about fashion (or punk) to really make informed comments. I've heard complaints that the show misses the mark, but it was fun to look at and small enough that I didn't really even have time to lose interest.

I was definitely into the Dr. Seuss-trufffula-tree wigs, and the Project-Runway fan in me will always appreciate clothing made from "unconventional materials" — the bottle-cap skirt and trash-bag dresses were favorites.

The Met is so classically New York to me, and every time I'm within its stone walls I can't help but feel special. I do wish we had had access to the entire museum (especially the Temple of Dendur), but when I think about how much people were drinking (in such a short time) I totally understand why galleries filled with priceless works of art were off-limits.

Tony Kushner was actually there briefly (he was the guest speaker at the VIP event earlier) and Mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn gave a (very loud) speech in praise of the Met and their inclusive events. I wish I had been able to hear Kushner's speech or at least more from him than "hello, goodbye" — he's one of my idols: Angels in America, Lincoln, Mother Courage— but it was cool just to think we were sharing the same space for a moment. It was a great night, and I definitely hope to make it a tradition.

Gantry Plaza State Park

After a few days of doing my best not to burst into flames in the ungodly heat, I needed an adventure. Thankfully, the weather cooperated and yesterday was actually breezy and beautiful. My destination was Long Island City (in Queens). I ended up loving it so much that I spent the entire day there, so I'll break up my day into a few posts.

First up is Gantry Plaza State Park: To get to Long Island City, I took the 7 train to the Vernon-Jackson station, which is only three stops from Times Square. I'm on the 2/3 line, so it was super convenient for me but the 7 also stops at Bryant Park and Grand Central before heading into Queens.

Before the park, I stopped into Sweetleaf Coffee and Espresso Bar to grab a drink. The shop is so incredibly cute and well designed, with a ton of vintage details — comfy leather chairs, a record room and an industrial wooden table designated as a computer work station. I ordered the iced Voodoo Child, which was described as a Vietnamese-style drink, sweet and creamy. It was incredibly delicious and unlike anything I've ever had before.

I keep discovering these wonderful places to eat and drink, and the worst part about them is that they're not right outside of my apartment. Their website hints at the possibility of a second location — may I suggest 110th street, Central Park North? Or maybe a food truck that just follows me around providing me a never-ending supply of delicious coffee drinks?

Think about it.

While I savored my drink, I walked a few blocks over to the park. I was expecting great skyline views — and I got them — but the park far exceeded my expectations. There are piers to get the good views, amazingly comfortable lounge-style benches, shady lawns and a well-maintained waterfront walkway.

I read in a Yelp review of the park (because I sit at home, alone on Friday nights and read Yelp reviews of parks) that there were hammocks in the summer, and I saw some poles that looked like they used to hold hammocks, but they were empty. If I had to name one thing that would make the park even more lovely it would definitely be a hammock. Now, of course, I've typed the word "hammock" so many times that it no longer sounds real, but dear NYC Parks Dept, bring back the hammocks (please?)!

I also came for the famous Pepsi sign, which was much bigger than I expected (I'm actually the worst when it comes to judging things — distance, numbers, weights, etc.). I am obsessed with signage, typography and all things vintage, so seeing the sign so close was pretty much a dream.

Full disclosure: I totally prefer Coke to drink, but the original Pepsi logo has always been the best iteration, in my opinion.

I had intended to go to the Burger Garage for dinner, but it was mysteriously closed and I had loved the park so much that I decided to return. I stopped into a market, bought some picnic supplies and stayed to watch the sunset. I sat in a lounge for a few hours, reading a book (a dollar find at the Strand!). I'm trying hard lately to do this elusive "relaxing" that I apparently need, and I think I came as close as I'll ever get, reading under a tree with the breeze blowing over the water.

As the sun began to set, I walked on the waterfront a bit, taking in the different views. I was thrilled to discover that the Pepsi sign lit up (I'm sure I knew that, but it was still somehow surprising), and proceeded to take approximately 3 million photos of it at every stage of the sunset.

I was actually staring right at the Chrysler building (my favorite) as the top lights came on — everything about the evening was pretty perfect. Out of nowhere the sky turned a brilliant pink, and in a few seconds it was dark. The sunset was actually so beautiful that I teared up a little bit (nerd alert) thinking about how lucky I am to finally call this city home.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't homesick, or that I didn't miss my family and friends back in Ohio, but every day that I discover something new, or see something beautiful I know that I've made the right decision. It's easy to get discouraged when it's a billion degrees outside, or I'm sitting next to someone on the subway who smells like turds, but for every bad moment there have been many, many more magical ones.

Long Island City is a total gem, and I have already added it to my list for the big apartment hunt. My commute to work would be a breeze, I could have picnics under the Pepsi sign and a lot of Gantry Plaza Park is a dog-free zone (I'm sorry, I don't like your dog) — when can I move in?

Weather Complaint

BREAKING NEWS:

It's the middle of July and it's hot outside. But seriously, at least here in the city, it feels like we're living inside of a dog's mouth.

I never really had a problem with the heat when I was younger, and as someone who is perpetually cold (or so I thought), summers were a welcome respite from my layers upon layers of sweaters and jackets. But suddenly (or not so suddenly) now I'm old, and living in New York City where you (or rather, I) don't have the luxury of bouncing from air-conditioned house, to car, to office and back.

Instead I am living in an apartment without AC, temporarily so there is no point to me even thinking of buying a window unit until things are more settled. I haven't started my new job yet, so there is no freezing office to escape to, and the subway stations are stagnant cesspools that feel like you're walking into an even hotter mouth within that original disgusting mouth.

That's how hot.

While I'm certainly no expert, I have found a few things to help me make it through this heat wave, and summer in general:

Shorts

As I discovered during the winter (oh what I wouldn't give to relive this day right now), it's all about appropriate clothing. Before I moved, I was adamantly against shorts. They're strictly for models and children, I thought, and my ankles were the only part of my legs that ever saw the light of day. This philosophy quickly dissipated, however on July 4th.

After walking around all day in my rolled up jeans, I grabbed a pair of scissors and made one of the best decisions of my life. I am now the proud owner of two pairs of shorts (my cutoffs and one legit pair that I've since purchased) and much like the hat before them, they've changed my life. Sure my legs are white as a fresh snowfall (ahhhhhh), but not having to drag around that sweaty, heavy denim below my knees is totally priceless.

I'm also trying to be more of a dress and skirt person (maybe even sans leggings— baby steps), and H&M is certainly helping me out by putting cat faces on everything so that I have to buy them. Are cat face-print dresses and skirts considered business casual?

I'm asking for a friend.

Iced Coffee

Sure, sure I've read the reports that say you're supposed to drink hot beverages and eat chili peppers to cool yourself down. But there's no amount of science that can convince me to walk around the city carrying a huge hot coffee while everyone else prances by me sipping their icy, sweating, totally delicious and refreshing iced versions.

I've actually become quite obsessed with iced lattes from Dunkin' Donuts, which is probably horrific to the cold brew coffee snobs, but who cares. There's a DD on practically every corner (and right near my subway stop) and they're about half the price of a similar drink from Starbucks. Although I did splurge on an iced latte from the Doughnut Plant the other day, and I have to admit it was one of the best (and most expensive ones) I've had.

Water Bottle

One of the first things I bought upon arriving in the city in the middle of a heat wave, was a water bottle. I originally wanted a glass one, but decided on this aluminum model that I picked up at Whole Foods. It's incredibly lightweight (at least when it's empty), and seals completely without spilling a drop.

I figure I'm saving at least $2 a day by not impulse-buying Snapples at every street cart I pass, so it's definitely worth the investment. There are enough water fountains throughout the city that it's easy to keep filled, and New York City tap water is famously tasty so it's not that much of a sacrifice.

Movie Theaters

Going to see a movie for the AC is certainly not a new concept, but one for which I've definitely developed a newfound appreciation. So far I've done a double-feature of The Heat (seriously hilarious) and Despicable Me 2 (the first one's better), and yesterday I saw The Bling Ring (wait for it to come to Netflix).

Tomorrow I'm planning on trying to squeeze in another double-feature, this time with Girl Most Likely (Kristen Wiig AND Annette Bening??) and The Way, Way Back (Steve Carrell is a fox, and I can't resist a coming-of-age story). Would you judge me if I said that by "double-feature" what I really mean is "pay for one, sneak into the other?" What about if I told you that it cost $14 to see a movie and some theaters don't even have a matinee option (and if they do, it's usually only before noon)??

No judgment, it's too hot for that.

Picnics in the Park

I've actually only got a few more weeks of unemployment ahead of me (I accepted a job here today!), so I'm trying to relax and enjoy my last free days. Which translates to me having had three picnics in Central Park in the last two days, and I'm not complaining. It's pretty much too hot and humid here to do much actual moving of body parts. so laying on a blanket in heavily shaded areas eating chilled foods is pretty much all I'm capable of achieving lately.

On Monday I headed out for a late lunch solo picnic right by Turtle Pond, which is one of my very favorite areas in the whole park. While I was leisurely devouring my cherries, strawberries and tomatoes, I noticed that they were setting up for a concert on the Great Lawn. I did my research, and found out that the NY Philharmonic was playing that night for free. I ended up making some quick plans, ran back to the apartment to grab a bigger blanket and was back in the park by 6:30 pm with even more picnic foods to grab a spot. My friend Katie joined me, brought even more food and we sat in the shade and dined like kings (who happen to love a variety of organic snack foods).

When the Philharmonic started at 8, they were actually pretty hard to hear — we were seated about halfway back, and to the left — but mostly because the crowd was still filing in and making a lot of noise. By the time the second act came around it had gotten dark, and calmed down a bit, and we could hear much better.

I love classical music (hi, my cat is named Mozart) and it was my first time hearing the Philharmonic. It was a beautiful night, and another I-can't-believe-it's-free New York moment that I seem to be having a lot lately. The night ended with a nice fireworks display, although the trees surrounding the Delacorte Theater blocked about half of it from view (and my phone died so there exists no evidence that it even really happened).

Next time I think I'll choose a spot better conducive to listening (and fireworks watching), but in this ridiculous heat the shade was pretty necessary, too. I've also added "wine" to my picnic must-haves list, and next time I'm making friends with the guy that had 6 whole pizzas delivered right to him in the middle of the Great Lawn. I could definitely learn a thing or two about picnics from that dude.

Staten Island

As I mentioned yesterday, I took my first trip to Staten Island on Sunday. To get there, I took the Staten Island Ferry, which is as far as I know, the only way to get to the island from Manhattan. From Brooklyn you can take the Verrazano-Narrows bridge, which has the tenth longest main span in the world and is the longest bridge span in the Americas. You can see the bridge clearly from the ferry, and I've already added it to my list of bridges I'd like to walk across.

One of the best things about the Staten Island Ferry is that it is free, roundtrip. The other amazing thing about it is, of course, the views. The ferry I took was full of tourists who had zero interest in the island itself, and boarded the return, Manhattan-bound ferry as soon as we arrived. The views are pretty spectacular, and I recommend boarding on the right side of the ferry (for the Manhattan -> Staten Island trip) for the best views of the Statue of Liberty.

On my return trip I also boarded on the right for the opposite experience, which is a wonderful view of lower Manhattan. I think my skyline interest is bordering on obsession at this point, but I just can't get over how impressive and magical it all looks from different vantage points.

Once you arrive on Staten Island you pass through St. George terminal, which has restrooms and the usual food-court type food. You can catch a SI Railroad train or bus from the terminal, and I took the S-40 to Snug Harbor for the day. After I had explored the cultural center and gardens, I returned to the terminal on the same bus line.

I had done a little research beforehand on restaurants in the area, and I decided to check out Pier 76. It's only a short walk down Bay street from the terminal, and I had read good things about their pizza. I was ready to break my gluten-free streak for a slice when I noticed that they actually had a lot of GF options on their menu.

They had GF pizza, but not by the slice, so I decided to try their pasta in vodka sauce. Even if you couldn't care less about GF options, I highly recommend the vodka sauce. The whole dish was incredible and I barely even had leftovers (and what I did have I ate a few hours later). The worst part about it was that the restaurant is in Staten Island, so it won't exactly be in my regular rotation.

After dinner I headed back to the terminal and took a short walk along the waterfront. The views are, of course, amazing, as is the 9/11 memorial to the Staten Islanders who lost their lives in the attacks. The two, swooping white, wing-like columns are really incredible, and frame the spot where the towers stood (and now, One World Trade Center).

On the interior walls are the names and occupations of the people who lost their lives, with jutting profiles carved from stone. It's a really well-designed space, and a nice spot to stop and sit for a minute.

I was so pleasantly surprised with my day in Staten Island that I'll definitely be making return trips. I'd love to see the Staten Island museum or even take in a "Yankees" game in the stadium over-looking the water (again with those views!). I'm surprised it took me nearly 14 years from the first time I came to Manhattan to finally visit the last of the five boroughs, but it definitely won't be that long again before I return.

Snug Harbor

Yesterday, after a few days of trying to do that relaxing thing that people seem to be fond of, I wanted an adventure. I like to call them adventures, but really it's just me walking around places by myself and taking a million photos.

Staten Island was the last of the five boroughs that I hadn't been to, so I finally decided to make the trip. My main destination was the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, which was so wonderful that it deserves its own post. I took the Staten Island Ferry (more on that tomorrow) and then hopped on the S-40 bus to Snug Harbor. I was kind of dreading figuring out the bus situation and had even considered walking, but trust me, you want to take the bus. It leaves out of terminal D (in the St. George Ferry Terminal), and while you may have to wait a little bit, it's only a short ride to Snug Harbor.

In 1801, Snug Harbor was created as the first home for retired sailors in the United States, was converted to a cultural center in the '70s and the botanical gardens were added in 2008. It's a wonderful place for a meandering day trip, and even though it was a Sunday there were hardly any other people there. I love discovering new, interesting places in the city, and it's even better when it feels as if I have them all to myself. I spend most of my time in New York defending my small amount of personal space from 8 million people that want to invade it, that sometimes it's nice (and even necessary) to have fields and gardens and lawns to roam, (mostly) undisturbed.

Snug Harbor has a lot to see, but it's not unmanageably huge — I walked the entire grounds in a few hours, making many stops along the way. Make sure to grab a map at the Main Hall, and there are signs along the paths so it's fairly easy to find your way. The Chinese Scholar's Garden is the only attraction that costs money — $5 for adults, $4 for students — and the entrance is a bit tricky to find. I actually walked right into it without having to show anyone my ticket, so I suppose I didn't have to pay at all, but I figured that $4 was a small price to pay for such a beautiful day.

My favorite part was definitely the Allée, a walkway lined with arching European hornbeams — it seriously felt like a dream. I walked through it a few times, not only feeling far away from New York, but feeling as if I was in a different world entirely.

There is a rose garden, a row of cute cottages, beautiful fountains, and even a secret' garden that is only accessible by successfully navigating a tiny hedge maze. The path was a little unsteady, and the garden wasn't exactly bountiful, but it was a great, shady place to rest. I know a lot of my friends dread doing things solo, but I actually crave solitude and I think I even thrive off of it. It's a nice change of pace to be in complete control of your day, not relying on anyone else has a freeing aspect to it that has always appealed to me.

The Music Hall is one of the oldest concert halls in the City (second only to Carnegie Hall) and the Harbor Lights Theater Company is currently putting on a production of Oliver! until July 28th.

I also checked out the Noble Maritime Collection (because I'm eighty years old), a donation-based museum filled with nautically-themed treasures. The museum itself is in a gorgeous building, and occupies three floors. It was a great place to cool off, and had some pretty impressive artwork, model ships and relics from Snug Harbor's days as a retirement community (side note: is there anything creepier than a wicker wheelchair??).

The whole institution feels a tad rundown and neglected, but it feels as if it may be more from a lack of funding than a lack of interest. I love a bit of character and crumble to my buildings, though, so in my opinion it only adds to the charm of the whole place.

I will definitely be back, especially in the fall and spring — I bet the grounds are absolutely breathtaking when the leaves start to change. Snug Harbor felt like another slightly secret, hidden gem well within city limits, and it's only a 25 min ferry —and 10 min bus — ride away.

Brooklyn at Night

The other day I was feeling stressed out by a variety of probably non-stressful things, and I knew I had to find a way to relax (apparently stress is bad for you — something I'm just recently finding out. In related news, I'm old.) Instead of trying something new, I decided to head to an old favorite: the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

I've written about the virtues of the Heights before, but no matter how many times I walk the leafy streets, every time I emerge on the Promenade is pure magic. I'm a sucker for a good skyline view, and there is no shortage of those here in New York. I'll always be partial to the Promenade's, however, and the bench-lined walkway will always be one of my very favorite places on Earth.

Right next door to the Heights is DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park, ever-expanding and recently connected to the Promenade by a pedestrian bridge. The bridge is a nice and scenic way to get to the park from the Promenade, but beware of the sway. I noticed it the first time I set foot on the bridge, and this time I noticed a sign explaining that the bounce is totally normal and not an indication that you're about to die.

Which is good to know, but still the bouncing is hard to get used to. Luckily it's a short walk, and the breathtaking views do their best to distract you from getting too motion-sick.

Once I was in Brooklyn Bridge Park, I stopped into the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. I'd been wanting to eat there for a while, but they were closed for quite some time because of damage from Hurricane Sandy. They're reopened now, and I got a scoop of peaches & cream that was divine.

The view of the Brooklyn Bridge (and the Manhattan) doesn't get any better than from the pier, and it's wonderful at night or in the daytime. As I savored my ice cream I made my way to the pedestrian entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. I've mentioned my love affair with bridges quite a lot lately, but it's becoming clear that my go-to relaxation technique is to walk the Brooklyn. Maybe it's the enormity of the stone or the symmetry of the cables, or the incredible views, but my stress literally melts away as soon as my feet hit the wooden boards.

The bridge has been under construction for quite a while, and much more of it has been covered in sheeting and fenced off since the last time I walked it. I'm anxious for the views to be restored (apparently the construction won't be finished until 2014), but a walk across it is still beyond compare.

It was the perfect night and treat to myself (all for a total of $4), and I continue to be amazed that it's all just a subway ride away.

Willy Wonka in Bryant Park

New York is notorious for being annoyingly expensive, but for every

$5 Cronut

there is something equally or more amazing to do that is 100% free. On Monday, after getting back from an impromptu shopping trip (where I bought a dress with a screaming cat face on it?), I was browsing the

NYCGO

site for upcoming events. Mostly by accident I discovered that Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was playing in Bryant Park, so of course I had to go.

I watched Willy Wonka

every single day

when I returned from pre-school, so much so that I wore out the VHS tape. My sister and I used to buy Hershey's bars and unwrap them at the exact moment and in the precise way that Charlie does when he finds his golden ticket. While I have come to appreciate the Tim Burton remake for certain things (the kids are great, it looks awesome), Gene Wilder is beyond compare.

The Bryant Park Film Festival series starts in June, and ends in August with a new movie every Monday. The lawn opens at 5:00pm, and Willy Wonka started at 9 (or a little after, there was a preview and a Looney Tunes short). I recommend getting there early, especially if you have a large group or plan on spreading out. I knew I wouldn't have too much trouble squeezing myself (and eventually my friend Alisha joined me) into an open patch of grass, but it was already packed when I got there a little before 6.

Of course you should also be prepared to deal with hundreds of people trying to stake out a perfect spot for themselves, which involves a lot of bare feet touching your blanket (ew), and people walking wherever they can or want.

They were checking bags as you entered, but apparently you're allowed to bring alcohol. I brought some snacks, but I was having major food envy looking around at what others brought: whole pizzas, Chipotle, sandwiches, Magnolia cupcakes. Next time I'll plan a slightly better feast, but Alisha saved the day and brought Kit Kats after I realized that no viewing of Willy Wonka is truly complete without at least a little chocolate.

I had tried to see a movie in Bryant Park a few years ago, but left when I couldn't hear at all. I noticed they switched the location of the screen (now you sit with your back to the library), and I was a lot closer this time and had no problems at all. We really had an amazing spot, and I can't think of a better way to watch a movie — aside from a totally random five-minute downpour around 8, the weather was breezy and perfect.

Bryant Park isn't the only place where you can see a free movie outside in the city, and I'd love to try out some of the other spots. They're actually showing Willy Wonka again on July 28th in Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is one of my favorite parks in the city. Now I have a few weeks to plan my picnic, and this time I definitely won't forget the chocolate.

Williamsburg Bridge

I'm not sure exactly when I became a bridge person, but it would seem from my recent need to walk over them (or beneath them, or near them) that that is what I have become. It started with the Brooklyn Bridge (blame Sophie's Choice?), which I still maintain is my favorite and the most magical. I've walked it three times during the day and twice at night. Then I walked the Manhattan, which is grittier, less crowded and all-around more terrifying than the Brooklyn.

On Sunday, I decided to finish off the trio of Manhattan-Brooklyn bridges by walking the Williamsburg. If we're comparing, I would say that the Williamsburg falls somewhere in the middle of the two others (geographically it's north). It has the grit and rumble of the Manhattan — graffiti covered walkways, a subway train running down the middle — but is a much more pleasant walk. It has separate pathways for bikes and pedestrians, which is something the Brooklyn is sorely lacking. This makes for a much more leisurely stroll, although the views of Manhattan are to be had mostly from the bike (north) side of the bridge.

It was almost unbearably hot when I first started out, but once I was over the actual water it was shady and breezy. Maybe because it was so hot, or maybe hipsters are lazy on Sunday, but it wasn't crowded at all (and not in a rapey-way like the Manhattan).

It also felt like a longer walk than the other two, a fact confirmed when I looked up the total lengths of each bridge (1.38 mi vs. the 1.13 mi Brooklyn, and 1.29 mi Manhattan).

Once in Williamsburg, I decided to stick to the waterfront for a while and visited both Grand Ferry and East River State parks. Grand Ferry was a nice little surprise, and a great shady spot to cool off by the river.

I have only been to Williamsburg a few times, and I've never really explored much of the neighborhood. I'm not nearly cool enough to even think of trying to fit in there, but I was surprised at how not annoying and actually authentic the waterfront area felt. Apparently there are huge plans to redo the Domino Sugar Refinery complex into something new and expensive-looking, but for now the old factory is still just sitting there looking cool and abandoned.

Better views can be had from the East River State park, but there was hardly any shade so I didn't linger too long after snapping some photos (because I don't have enough photos of every angle of the NY skyline).

I then headed in the direction of the Bedford Ave L, stopping at McCarren Park (meh) and a few hipstery (how many times can I use that word!) shops. I wasn't starving, but I saw a Meatball Shop and had heard good things, so I stopped in and ordered their signature "naked balls (photographic proof below that that is their actual name, also $7.62 for dinner is pretty awesome for New York).

I chose chicken because they were the only gluten-free option (I didn't touch that bread, I swear), and they were incredible. I don't know that I've ever ordered meatballs at a restaurant before, and I've certainly never eaten a meal consisting of just that, but I highly recommend giving them a try.

There are a few more locations around the city, and I need to go back and try their ice cream sandwiches, but I wasn't at all hungry after the meatballs.

It also seems worth nothing that the Bedford Ave L station has been the coolest (temperature-wise) subway station I've been in since it decided to be a thousand million degrees outside. It actually felt air-conditioned, which I have no way of knowing (or caring) if that's true, but if that's what being a hipster (3!) feels like, then sign me up.

Fishs Eddy

Now that I'm officially a New Yorker (or, I live here for good, at least) I have been trying to adopt a more leisurely pace to my city adventures. In the past, I've always followed a pretty rigorous, self-imposed site-seeing schedule, feeling as if I needed to cram as much as humanly possible into what little time I had here. But now that I'm facing years ahead of me instead of hours, I am trying to remind myself that I needn't fill every single second with an amazing, photo-worthy adventure. If you know me at all, you know that's an incredibly tall order for me, but I am trying.

One thing that is actually helping me to slow down is the weather. In the week I've been here it has been Hot (note the capital H) and Humid, and that is putting it lightly. Let me put it another way: on July 4th, I cut one of the the three pairs of jeans that I brought with me into shorts and I haven't taken them off since.

Since I am currently unemployed for the first time since I was 15 (holla at me companies that I've interviewed/applied at!), I spent Friday morning wandering and ended up inside of a Fishs Eddy store, beckoned by their window display of colorful glove molds. I have always loved/collected body parts (is there a less creepy way to say that??) so I had to investigate further.

What I found was a treasure trove of interesting and delightful dishes, linens and housewares — despite not even having a permanent place to stay, I wanted everything. They have teeny tiny glove molds in beautiful pastels, Weck jars in every shape and size and even an entire line of cat-themed towels and glasses.

I could have spent hours browsing their bins and shelves, and I finally had to leave before I bought a hundred things I have no home for, and can't really afford right now.

Now that I'm aware of its wonderful existence (I'm kind of mad at my "friends" who have seemingly known about it for years without alerting me), it will definitely be my first stop upon securing more permanent housing. In the meantime it appears that most of their items are available online, for purchasing or dreaming about, whichever one better meets your current needs.