Union Square all snowy:
Rockefeller Center:
And the rest...
Pretty NYC
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Christmas in NYC Pictures
More pictures! (See last post for others).
Union Square all snowy:
Rockefeller Center:
And the rest...
Pretty NYC
Union Square all snowy:
Rockefeller Center:
And the rest...
Pretty NYC
Pictures of my crazy Union Square Apartment
HI! So life is crazy, I am busy and happy and enjoying Austin SO much! My friends are awesome :-). And swimming and Kung Fu are awesome. It's good to be back.
FYI - I am in Arizona for Christmas Dec 19 - Dec 28. I am really happy about going to see friends and family there!
So in the meantime I've been organizing pictures. I wanted to post some of the last crazy apartment I lived in in New York City by Union Square. Put some pictures to the words :-).
My bedroom, the big room:
Big room plus kitchen:
The room with the skylight and door on the right goes to the bathroom:
The big room's radiator:
My roomate's larger radiator:
If you want to see more:
16th St. Apartment
FYI - I am in Arizona for Christmas Dec 19 - Dec 28. I am really happy about going to see friends and family there!
So in the meantime I've been organizing pictures. I wanted to post some of the last crazy apartment I lived in in New York City by Union Square. Put some pictures to the words :-).
My bedroom, the big room:
Big room plus kitchen:
The room with the skylight and door on the right goes to the bathroom:
The big room's radiator:
My roomate's larger radiator:
If you want to see more:
16th St. Apartment
Sunday, December 9, 2007
I am loved
Hi - so I owe you a blog. Whoever you are. Which, I've found out since I've been back is more people than I expected :-).
So, oh my God has Austin been good to me. I love this city, I love my people in it, I really am loved. One friend even apologized that they were out of town when I got back and couldn't welcome me back in person! I have awesome friends. And I needed to communicate that. Wow, do I feel loved. After all the hardships and growing and adventuring of New York - the ease of Austin is just what I needed. Given I will always love my time in New York and be nostalgic about it. But... Austin is where the heart is. I have not had a meal yet without being with a good friend. And actually, I think that will continue until at least Wednesday :-). And I know I'm geeky, but going to the grocery store Thursday and doing laundry today - first time ever that they are fun! I can stock up (being in 1 place for awhile and having a kitchen)! And drive my car (first time in 6 months)! And have everything be at my finger tips! Everything is just twice as easy here. And so many people to talk to and to have fun with. Ah - happy sighs.
But let me rewind a bit to Monday and replay a bit for you. Because that's who I am :-). Sorry the posts can be long - I will get better at that!
Monday - my last day at IBM. Unfortunately my carpool guy was sick and I had to take the train to work for the first time ever from Grand Central! Bummer - I was sad to not say goodbye to my carpool guy. But I did go out with him last week and give him a bottle of wine as a present... So anyway. Had my last day, with a good meeting at the end of it (and exercise of course). Then at night, despite my sickness, I went to Rockefeller Center to check out ice skating. I figured Monday night wouldn't be AS crowded, and I was right! I only waited like 10 minutes to get in, and I was at the start of the 8:30-10 slot. I paid a slightly obscene amount ($25) and got my skates. Went around the ice the first time, and thought I'd skate for like 5 minutes and be done! Was very shakey. Had some nice ladies on the side take pictures of me :-). Chatted with the lady from Miami and the Grandma from Vermont. But then I skated, and I got the hang of it. It was fabulous! I even danced a bit to the music and was able to dodge skaters who were really novice or bad. I got better and better as I went, and just enjoyed the holiday scene - being under the huge tree. Very magical. I skated until right before time was up, and didn't fall!... except on my very last go round, a boy ran into me from behind full force and took my legs out from under me. I was a little annoyed, but he said he was trying to avoid a baby. Oh well. So I had a great skating time! Then went home and decided to get comfort food for my cold. Went down to a cool homey place down the road - Chat and Chew. I had been there before, and sat at the bar again because the same bartender was there and we had fun chatting. So I had a fabulous chicken pot pie and hot cider and chatted with him about life, travel, living in Europe, football which was on TV. When he asked me what I do, I said "Computer Science". I got the regular answer - "You don't look like a Computer Scientist." I always figure it's because of the boobs that people say that, so I didn't expect different here. But he surprised me. He offer instead what I should be: A TEACHER! He said I had a pleasant face, a patient and friendly demeanor, a nice way of talking and listening. He thought I should be a teacher. So it's settled:
I AM MEANT TO BE A TEACHER BECAUSE THE BARTENDER TOLD ME SO!
I was surprised that he got me pretty quickly. It was refreshing :-). And of course, now that I was leaving New York, I found a friend. But finally I did have to go home and pack up the rest of my stuff! Which wasn't actually that bad. The next morning I took my box to be mailed to myself, and it was actually a nice bright day with even some snow flurries - ah. Got an everything bagel as my last New York meal :-). And said goodbye to the Empire State Building. My kooky roommate actually helped me bring all my suitcases downstairs to get the Super Shuttle. She wasn't so bad after all :-). Always somehow I had unexpected help just when I needed it in New York :-).
On the way out (after delays because of weather), I had a magnificent view of Manhattan, my city. It was time to leave, but she was still beautiful and I watched the view until I couldn't anymore. All the tall buildings, and the Empire STate Building and the Chrysler building. And Central Park. So beautiful. And I loved how when the plane got exactly north of the city, all the avenues were strips of either red, white, or red and white lights. Cracked me up that not only could you see exactly which avenues were one way north or south, but that the grid was obvious from the sky. So, I said goodbye to New York. I actually went Tuesday to Chicago, which was having a huge snow storm. It was beautiful in Chicago - all white. I spent the evening there hanging out with Naveen, actually. We had a nice time. That is all I'll say here, but if you want more information, talk to me in person :-). Then I stayed with my aunt that night, and winged off to Austin Wednesday (with more delays).
So, I got home to Austin! You already know I cried when I got here. I was emotional :-). I was met by good friend Negin who gave me a ride home. Then the first thing I wanted to do was go to Kung Fu, so I did (despite my cold). And I got a Cheers welcome when I went! "Jenn!" Got tons of hugs and "How was New York?"s. Maybe that's why I wanted to go there :-). It was fabulous to be back and with friends. I went to advanced Kung Fu class, and the warmup kicked my butt, but I was so into the regular class. My body just said "yep, I remember this" and loved it. Fun. I'm still a black sash! Then went to dinner with Tom, Mary, and Mary's daughter Daria at Hyde Park. So fun to be with friends again - my family here! They were so appreciative of me. And I them. You know the saying "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"? Well, totally true here. Totally.
Thursday I went to school and I couldn't get a free 20 minutes! So many nice visits from friends, and welcome backs! And invites to do stuff... Good times. In the afternoon I went swimming - yay back to swimming! - with 2 friends in the CS department. They go twice a week, and now I'll join them. And let me just say, Austin is warm and sunny and beautiful. Even though I didn't remember my room exactly, the city itself is familiar to me, even if it takes a minute to recall :-). So we swam outside in warm weather - 80 degrees! - and I swam A MILE! With the cold! Was so impressed by myself. :-). Love being back to swimming. Of course doing a mile took me 54 minutes, but it was good. Then went out to dinner with Maria and caught up. Talked about eating healthy and doing fun adventure multi-sport races and all. Life is good again :-). And I ate Tex Mex - yay! Then afterwards I was excited to go grocery shopping! And do a load of laundry! :-). It became easier :-).
Friday went into school again. Went out to lunch with good friend Harry and had fun catching up. It's interesting to hear where friends are - what has changed. And how people more more towards graduation. No - people can't leave! And what's up with (not Harry) people having babies?! Wigging me out. People growing up and all. But good times. Got some work done that afternoon, then went to the gym. Then home to be ready for dinner with friends Justin, Carol, Negin and Greg! We tried a new Greek place, and had fun catching up. I talked a lot - told them about my research sagas. Felt slightly bad about being all jaded about things, but that's how it is I guess. It was nice to just have friends who listen again :-). Then we went and did a fun craft project at Negin's while waiting for a party to begin. We went to a party late - probably didn't get there until close to midnight. So stayed late there, and didn't get a lot of sleep Friday night. But the party was fun! Saw some old friends, but 1/2 the CS people I didn't know. Feel old school :-). Drank some champagne and hot cider (spiked) and saw people do the mentos and diet Coke trick, and try to shoot champagne corks farther. So, pretty fun.
Saturday I had to get up a little early to go hiking - but the hike was great! I wore pants and was hot - it was a nice sunny day. Went to Pedernalles Falls - beautiful area. Nice little creeks and springs to take breaks next to, and a nice trail with bright green bushes around. Some nice views as we hiked on the side of a hill and could see across the hill country beyond. So much space here! And so pretty! Saw the big river too - just calm, quiet and nice hike. Then came home and got ready for dinner with a Kung Fu friend. Hadn't really hung out with him outside of class before, but he's been a good friend to me. And we had fun catching up at Kerbey Lane! Talking about relationship stuff and Kung Fu of course :-). He's really into self-awareness, and improving oneself and giving off good energy, being supportive. It was nice. Then went to join his friends for "Golden Compass" movie which was cool adventure movie, but basically ended making you wait for the next movie where the saga continues. So we went to Spiderhouse and I met some of Alan's friends there. They are all people who meditate and give off friendly, good vibes. Neat people. Really like giving off positive vibes, and bettering oneself, so it felt good. I'm working towards understanding, and it's all good :-).
Today - Sunday. More time with friends! Slept a lot, but then got up and went to lunch with Mary from Kung Fu who is just an awesome person. We chatted a lot, and she's so good at understanding. Again, loved :-). And now I'm enjoying doing laundry at home! Funny that. It's always the small things :-). Eventually I will have to clean up my cyclone of a room...
So, that's my saga! I'm home and loving it. And the adventures, except of a different nature, continue. Happy December all!
*Love*
So, oh my God has Austin been good to me. I love this city, I love my people in it, I really am loved. One friend even apologized that they were out of town when I got back and couldn't welcome me back in person! I have awesome friends. And I needed to communicate that. Wow, do I feel loved. After all the hardships and growing and adventuring of New York - the ease of Austin is just what I needed. Given I will always love my time in New York and be nostalgic about it. But... Austin is where the heart is. I have not had a meal yet without being with a good friend. And actually, I think that will continue until at least Wednesday :-). And I know I'm geeky, but going to the grocery store Thursday and doing laundry today - first time ever that they are fun! I can stock up (being in 1 place for awhile and having a kitchen)! And drive my car (first time in 6 months)! And have everything be at my finger tips! Everything is just twice as easy here. And so many people to talk to and to have fun with. Ah - happy sighs.
But let me rewind a bit to Monday and replay a bit for you. Because that's who I am :-). Sorry the posts can be long - I will get better at that!
Monday - my last day at IBM. Unfortunately my carpool guy was sick and I had to take the train to work for the first time ever from Grand Central! Bummer - I was sad to not say goodbye to my carpool guy. But I did go out with him last week and give him a bottle of wine as a present... So anyway. Had my last day, with a good meeting at the end of it (and exercise of course). Then at night, despite my sickness, I went to Rockefeller Center to check out ice skating. I figured Monday night wouldn't be AS crowded, and I was right! I only waited like 10 minutes to get in, and I was at the start of the 8:30-10 slot. I paid a slightly obscene amount ($25) and got my skates. Went around the ice the first time, and thought I'd skate for like 5 minutes and be done! Was very shakey. Had some nice ladies on the side take pictures of me :-). Chatted with the lady from Miami and the Grandma from Vermont. But then I skated, and I got the hang of it. It was fabulous! I even danced a bit to the music and was able to dodge skaters who were really novice or bad. I got better and better as I went, and just enjoyed the holiday scene - being under the huge tree. Very magical. I skated until right before time was up, and didn't fall!... except on my very last go round, a boy ran into me from behind full force and took my legs out from under me. I was a little annoyed, but he said he was trying to avoid a baby. Oh well. So I had a great skating time! Then went home and decided to get comfort food for my cold. Went down to a cool homey place down the road - Chat and Chew. I had been there before, and sat at the bar again because the same bartender was there and we had fun chatting. So I had a fabulous chicken pot pie and hot cider and chatted with him about life, travel, living in Europe, football which was on TV. When he asked me what I do, I said "Computer Science". I got the regular answer - "You don't look like a Computer Scientist." I always figure it's because of the boobs that people say that, so I didn't expect different here. But he surprised me. He offer instead what I should be: A TEACHER! He said I had a pleasant face, a patient and friendly demeanor, a nice way of talking and listening. He thought I should be a teacher. So it's settled:
I AM MEANT TO BE A TEACHER BECAUSE THE BARTENDER TOLD ME SO!
I was surprised that he got me pretty quickly. It was refreshing :-). And of course, now that I was leaving New York, I found a friend. But finally I did have to go home and pack up the rest of my stuff! Which wasn't actually that bad. The next morning I took my box to be mailed to myself, and it was actually a nice bright day with even some snow flurries - ah. Got an everything bagel as my last New York meal :-). And said goodbye to the Empire State Building. My kooky roommate actually helped me bring all my suitcases downstairs to get the Super Shuttle. She wasn't so bad after all :-). Always somehow I had unexpected help just when I needed it in New York :-).
On the way out (after delays because of weather), I had a magnificent view of Manhattan, my city. It was time to leave, but she was still beautiful and I watched the view until I couldn't anymore. All the tall buildings, and the Empire STate Building and the Chrysler building. And Central Park. So beautiful. And I loved how when the plane got exactly north of the city, all the avenues were strips of either red, white, or red and white lights. Cracked me up that not only could you see exactly which avenues were one way north or south, but that the grid was obvious from the sky. So, I said goodbye to New York. I actually went Tuesday to Chicago, which was having a huge snow storm. It was beautiful in Chicago - all white. I spent the evening there hanging out with Naveen, actually. We had a nice time. That is all I'll say here, but if you want more information, talk to me in person :-). Then I stayed with my aunt that night, and winged off to Austin Wednesday (with more delays).
So, I got home to Austin! You already know I cried when I got here. I was emotional :-). I was met by good friend Negin who gave me a ride home. Then the first thing I wanted to do was go to Kung Fu, so I did (despite my cold). And I got a Cheers welcome when I went! "Jenn!" Got tons of hugs and "How was New York?"s. Maybe that's why I wanted to go there :-). It was fabulous to be back and with friends. I went to advanced Kung Fu class, and the warmup kicked my butt, but I was so into the regular class. My body just said "yep, I remember this" and loved it. Fun. I'm still a black sash! Then went to dinner with Tom, Mary, and Mary's daughter Daria at Hyde Park. So fun to be with friends again - my family here! They were so appreciative of me. And I them. You know the saying "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"? Well, totally true here. Totally.
Thursday I went to school and I couldn't get a free 20 minutes! So many nice visits from friends, and welcome backs! And invites to do stuff... Good times. In the afternoon I went swimming - yay back to swimming! - with 2 friends in the CS department. They go twice a week, and now I'll join them. And let me just say, Austin is warm and sunny and beautiful. Even though I didn't remember my room exactly, the city itself is familiar to me, even if it takes a minute to recall :-). So we swam outside in warm weather - 80 degrees! - and I swam A MILE! With the cold! Was so impressed by myself. :-). Love being back to swimming. Of course doing a mile took me 54 minutes, but it was good. Then went out to dinner with Maria and caught up. Talked about eating healthy and doing fun adventure multi-sport races and all. Life is good again :-). And I ate Tex Mex - yay! Then afterwards I was excited to go grocery shopping! And do a load of laundry! :-). It became easier :-).
Friday went into school again. Went out to lunch with good friend Harry and had fun catching up. It's interesting to hear where friends are - what has changed. And how people more more towards graduation. No - people can't leave! And what's up with (not Harry) people having babies?! Wigging me out. People growing up and all. But good times. Got some work done that afternoon, then went to the gym. Then home to be ready for dinner with friends Justin, Carol, Negin and Greg! We tried a new Greek place, and had fun catching up. I talked a lot - told them about my research sagas. Felt slightly bad about being all jaded about things, but that's how it is I guess. It was nice to just have friends who listen again :-). Then we went and did a fun craft project at Negin's while waiting for a party to begin. We went to a party late - probably didn't get there until close to midnight. So stayed late there, and didn't get a lot of sleep Friday night. But the party was fun! Saw some old friends, but 1/2 the CS people I didn't know. Feel old school :-). Drank some champagne and hot cider (spiked) and saw people do the mentos and diet Coke trick, and try to shoot champagne corks farther. So, pretty fun.
Saturday I had to get up a little early to go hiking - but the hike was great! I wore pants and was hot - it was a nice sunny day. Went to Pedernalles Falls - beautiful area. Nice little creeks and springs to take breaks next to, and a nice trail with bright green bushes around. Some nice views as we hiked on the side of a hill and could see across the hill country beyond. So much space here! And so pretty! Saw the big river too - just calm, quiet and nice hike. Then came home and got ready for dinner with a Kung Fu friend. Hadn't really hung out with him outside of class before, but he's been a good friend to me. And we had fun catching up at Kerbey Lane! Talking about relationship stuff and Kung Fu of course :-). He's really into self-awareness, and improving oneself and giving off good energy, being supportive. It was nice. Then went to join his friends for "Golden Compass" movie which was cool adventure movie, but basically ended making you wait for the next movie where the saga continues. So we went to Spiderhouse and I met some of Alan's friends there. They are all people who meditate and give off friendly, good vibes. Neat people. Really like giving off positive vibes, and bettering oneself, so it felt good. I'm working towards understanding, and it's all good :-).
Today - Sunday. More time with friends! Slept a lot, but then got up and went to lunch with Mary from Kung Fu who is just an awesome person. We chatted a lot, and she's so good at understanding. Again, loved :-). And now I'm enjoying doing laundry at home! Funny that. It's always the small things :-). Eventually I will have to clean up my cyclone of a room...
So, that's my saga! I'm home and loving it. And the adventures, except of a different nature, continue. Happy December all!
*Love*
I love my city
And I love me. For whatever craziness is swirling around me cannot stop my self-growth that I've been going through for the last year plus. That is mine, and I embrace it and am proud of it. I have never felt more me. And I know I'm not done yet. More awareness, more amazement at people and myself, more knowing myself. And finding some peace, finding happiness. It's tough, but I'm in the right place - the right mindset. All is growth. Yay :-).
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