Oh the Places I Go

Can anyone get the reference of the title?

So I'm sorry my last post was negative. It doesn't mean everything is horrible, or I'm super depressed. I was just having a bad day. And this is my outlet. But things are cyclic and they go up and down and I'm fine.

First happy thing - I found a GOOD place to live. I was feeling really stressed about the loft place. Felt like they were very demanding and almost extorting money from me. And they kept calling and asking what was up with the money (they needed a bank check for all 3 months - their time frame not mine - plus 1 month deposit all UP FRONT!). I respect that NY is different than other places, and people can't be trusted - especially these people seem to be used to artists. But I already felt like it was a lot of money for a cubicle living space in a loft. And I felt hassled by them. And if I choose the place because the people seemed cool - well, they didn't seem cool anymore. So I found a different place that I really like! It's in the West Village - really close to my carpool guy (he's happy about that). Cute little place above a Chinese restaurant. It's a 1 bedroom and I'll be sharing it with Paulette, but I get the bedroom. She works from home as a notary public for loans. And she has a really cute bird - Birdette! I lovebird. I love birds - I hope I can play with this one - she seems friendly :-). The place is cute - decorated with Betty Boop. And I actually get the top bunk of a bunk bed! Well, the bottom is actually a futon that she keeps as a couch instead of a bed. But that's cool! So I'm really excited about my new place and new area - I move in a week! I'm a little worried about packing everything up, but this lady seems like such a better deal than the last people - and trustworthy - she printed up an agreement we both signed. So yeah - there are still good people - I just need to find them :-). So yay - a place to move into. Unfortunately it's only available until mid November - will figure that out later.

So that was good news. Then Thursday had a good day at work, and went out to dinner with softball guy again. It was a nice time - we had some good conversation. We found a really cute place that had good beer! I almost got my favorite - Douchess (tastes like sour cherries - you have to like it :-)), but it was only available in a huge bottle. So I got a tasty Delirium Tremens. We shared some calamari for an appetizer, and surprise of surprises - I got NY Strip Steak! With some creamy tarragon sauce that the waiter recommended. It was actually pretty tasty, but I couldn't finish it. And it was sorta pink in the middle - too pink for me. And too thick for me. But something different :-). Cute place. Fun times. I definitely appreciate having a friend in the city - I miss people who know me.

Friday was fun - I worked from home. Slept in a bit, went to my favorite farmer's market right outside for the last time - sniff! Got some goodies. Then went biking in central park - my 10 miles. Was nice! Challenging hills, nice day. Green :-). Happy. Worked all afternoon, then got ready for my adventure - to the OPERA!! So I got a discount ticket in the New York Opera in their Opera For All program - for every performance, they have a limited number of orchestra tickets for only $25. Was so happy to go - I dressed up and went down to Lincoln Center. Beautiful night - we got back up to 80 lately. And I saw La Boheme! I was pleasantly surprised - my ticket ended up being front row center! I couldn't believe my seat - didn't think I totally deserved it! But I could look over the wall at the orchestra - wow. It was a great story - what Rent was based on and that's why I wanted to see it. Of course Rent modernized it, but it was the same story! Very poignant, nicely sung. I had fun - even by myself :-). Then, even with my slightly painful heels, I walked down to a place where my carpool guy (Ramon) recommended the Mexican tacos. Said they were the best he's had oustide of Mexico - they were sold in the back of this tiny Mexican grocery store! I got 1 of spicy pork, and 2 little others of something liek mushrooms and corn (but spice-ized) - all recommended by Ramon. They were tasty - I liked the corn-type filling the best. Felt adventurous! And of course had Jarrito beverage :-).

Then it was Saturday! Tried to sleep in, but don't know if it's my mind, or the sun, but I wake up anyway. Not terribly early, though - 9:30. So got up and biked down to the Hans Christian Anderson statue in Central Park to catch the fairytelling hour! They were telling "The Ugly Duckling" which is a good story. I just love stories. I sat there in this beautiful setting and listened while enjoying my zucchini muffin. A guy told one story first about 2 princesses - a beautiful charming dainty one, and her twin - an ugly haggard, rough-around-the-edges one who liked to ride a wild goat and carry a wooden spoon and dress in rags. He said it was sort of an Ugly Duckling story too, and I really enjoyed it. So had a fun storytelling hour, then thought about sitting in the park and reading, but it started raining! So perfect time to do what else I wanted to do - go to the Natural History Museum! For free with my IBM badge - love these free things :-). And it was magnificent - so huge. Naveen would've loved it. There were exhibits about the Big Bang and stars and planets, and how the Earth was formed, then there were exhibits about all the people and animals on this planet - mammals from each continent, birds, artifacts from ancient people of each continent, ocean animals, oh yeah - and minerals, and how humans became humans from chimps and neanderthals, and then last but not least, dinosaurs :-). Magnificent museum. Too much to see really, and as always with museums - I appreciate it, but am exhausted after an hour or 2 and can't take in more. But it was fun. So I headed home to drop off my bike, then decided to heat to Brooklyn to try the Red Hook Latin American food stands that I heard were fabulous! Yes, I know - I love to do everything. So I subwayed over, and tried El Salvadorian pupusas - corn dough wrapped around your ingredients (I got cheese and jalapeno because it was recommended by NY Times) and fried which were awesome. Then Mexican huaraches - sort of like a big tortilla (which has beans built into it) then I got chorizo as a filling and cheese, though traditionally they don't have cheese), then toppings - lettuce, tomato, salsa. Yum - awesome! So happy :-). And I go the Horchata drink - sort of cinnamony white drink that's Mexican. And got a bag of mango for dessert - and of course they put some lemon-lime and chilli powder in the bag which made it taste very nice! Loved my experience - adventures, right? :-). So awesome food - too much of it. I stopped to watch the soccer for a bit, and an interesting guy came up and talked to me for awhile. A 30 year old born in El Salvador, living in Queens since he was 12. Had a dark beard, tattoes all over his arms, and a chin piercing. But he was nice :-). Random conversation - talking to real people is nice, even if they don't know you. Then we parted and I took the subway home. I laid on the couch watching movies on TV the rest of the night - too tired for anythign else. I could've joined a friend Rishi, but they headed to Brooklyn for drinks at like midnight, and I couldn't make myself go out that late.

Sunday! I woke up after my usual 8 hours, but I forced myself to go back to sleep so I could catch up a bit. And it worked! Felt good when I woke up at 11 :-). Did stuff around the house until I roused myself to leave into the beautiful day! Rode my bike down Riverside Park until I reached the dock. I had grabbed a bagel on the way to eat - yum :-). So I ate that while enjoying the sun sitting on the lawn. Then I found the free kayaking! Got a lift vest, and jumped in the kayak. Went by myself, as I did the rest of the weekend, but as I said it was a beautiful day and it was nice to be on the water and enjoying the views. They really didn't give me instructions after I said I'd been once before. And I took off! Did 4 laps in their little area until my arms got tired, then went back in, but it was nice to just be out on the water, enjoy the summer, and exercise my arms. But my butt was sitting in water the whole time! So had wet butt the rest of the afternoon :-). Then went back to my bike, and rode down to Columbus Circle. Had a fun ice cream :-). Then road to the exact opposite of the park - 106 and 5th Ave! Beautiful day to be out :-). Went to see the Harlem Meer Performance - free again. 4-6 there was a Jazz band playing. The leader was a bass player - Bobby Cunningham I think. He played wonderfully. Then had a piano player and drummer. For some songs they pulled in a lady to sing which was my favorite. Again - beautiful day, sitting in the park next to a beautiful lake with willows dipping down into the water. I felt totally relaxed just hanging out and listening to jazz. Very relaxing stuff. Happy times. And the people there are really nice - friendly folk. Talked to a retired Lit professor for part of intermission. He was super nice - said academia was the way to go - he just got back from an 9 month trip in SE Asia that he said cost him $6500 total! Holy cow - that's the life I want! Love these random conversations with nice people :-). So very relaxing and I let my mind wander over my life.

So I felt very good about taking advantage of being in NY in the last vestages of summer, and doing my last few experiences in the upper west side - really taking advantage of my parks! I feel good about all I've experienced here in New York - there is so much to do here. Adventures make me happy! But I do miss people, miss the shared experience a bit. But I will definitely enjoy that when I get back to Austin! And next weekend when my Mom is visiting - yay! So life is good - I'm enjoying a relaxing night at home tonight - making lamb stew with lamb I got from my farmer's market. Hope it turns out ok :-). Have a good week to all!