It's almost Christmas time!!!!

So I am officially getting excited about Christmas. It's been more difficult this year just because without school to help regulate when Christmas is coming, it's kind of snuck up on me this year. Until I started packing last night, it felt like it was so far off, but now that I'm packed and ready to fly out tomorrow morning it finally feels like Christmas! I'm excited to see everyone and hang out with the fat cat. Bunking with David will most likely mean little sleep, but it will feel like old times when we use to sleep together on Christmas Eve so one didn't have the advantage over the other the next morning.

I've also noticed a slight drop off in tourists lately, like over the last couple of days, which is starting to excite me greatly. That means places are easier to get in to and the lines are not nearly as long as they were back at the beginning of the month. The window displays are great to look at and everything and the city is so beautiful during this time of year, but I'm ready for more dead periods and less mess to push through on the sidewalks. Being home will be nice too. Sleeping in complete silence is going to be a challenge, and as soon as I get use to it, it will be time to leave and return to the concrete jungle.

Along with the new year will come time for assignments! I am still debating which assigments I am wanting to apply for, so I will have to make a decision soon. I am ready to start wearing regular clothes in to work and not just a tshirt and jeans and change in to the blues 6 days a week. I'm excited about dressing up for a holiday/Christmas party tomorrow night just for the fact that I get to wear nicer clothes. I'm also excited about real food, too. A friend and I walked past a restaurant last night and we saw the people eating gourmet, "real", food and it looked SO GOOD! Ahh, to get to stuff myself with real food over the next few days is going to be amazing. Then come the first of the year, I'm getting my precore!!!! I'm so excited about that one. I know it's a chunk of money and I shouldn't spend it, but in the long run it's an investment in both my health and my behind, so that's my excuse for spending all of my Christmas money as soon as I get back. As much as a new shoe collection would be to have, the elliptical machine will be better. More later - Merry Christmas!

It's official. . . I wear old lady fashions!

OK, so I finally gave in this week and ordered little old lady shoes for work. I had been wearing two different pairs of ergonomically (sp?) correct shoes to make my days as comfortable as possible. Yeah, even though they were ergonomical and all that jazz, they still hurt after 12 and 16 hour days. So, after this whole ordeal with my ingrown toe nail, which is getting better every day!, I broke down and ordered a pair of super stylish (not!) softspots navy loafers. The squishy bubble insoles are AMAZING and have made my day. My 9 hour day has been comfortable and for the most part pain free! The reason I say mostly is because I was starving this morning b/c I chose sleep thru breakfast. However, I have had the most amazing tour partner today and I love him b/c every time we tour together, we have cancelled tours!!! Yay for cancelled tours! Speaking of tours, I have one now. More later.

It's a festering puss filled monstrocity!

OK, it's really just an ingrown toenail, but it's gross. I got it taken care of tonight thank goodness, but it still is disgusting none the less. That's all. The end.

One, two, three . . . they're everywhere!

OK, so I knew working in the television capital of the world I would from time to time see or work with a celebrity. What I did not realize was how often that would actually be true. Since starting at NBC, I've met so many unbelievable people and that list does include a number of celebrities. On day one, we saw a comedian in a green room prepping to go on air and I still can't remember what his name is (it's driving me insane!). Then, on day two, we saw Richard Belzer shooting a commercial or promo for the gift shop and all the Law and Order stuff in it. Day three rolls around and we see Giada de Laurentis, Natalie Morales, and Conan. The next week, I get the privilege of working a Sci Fi premier event for the miniseries "Tin Man". I got to meet Alan Cumming, Kathleen Robertson, Christy Turlington, Ed Burns, and the woman who played the waitress in SATC for several seasons. It was a long night for sure, but soooo worth it. Conan crashed a tour of mine one day and that was the best thing that's ever happened on tour as of yet. He was nice, talked with the people, and truly was genuine. Then, one day we're going through security and Rupaul walks through - random! Today is the tree lighting ceremony and there are several celebrities involved with that. However, many of the things airing tonight are pretaped (Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, etc.), but rumor had it that Nick Lachey was in the building. I of course was like "yeah, yeah, I'm sure he's upstairs in an executive office somewhere hiding for the day like I would be doing". Then, Joshua and I are heading towards the elevators and who walks in but Nick and his entourage!!!! Not only did we get to stand with them waiting on an elevator, but we also got to ride in the elevator with him!! And he is literally THE SEXIEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN. He was nice and appreciative and just "one of the guys". Then his friend from Newlyweds who lives in Kentucky and I struck up a conversation about Nashville. I was on cloud nine for hours and still kind of am. Oh, and I think I saw Allie Landry yesterday walking into the building, but I'm only like 90% sure it was her. She did have a scarf and coat on, so that slightly obstructive her, but she has that very distinct smile, and she definitely smiled at me when I walked past her. Oh, I love NYC.

Much needed update

Wow, didn't think it had been this long, but I guess it has been. So, to catch everyone up on the last 9ish weeks - I GOT A JOB AT NBC!!!! OK, now that I've completed my moment of insane happiness we can move on. It's been the best 3 1/2 weeks I could have asked for. The people are amazing, the job is amazing, and best of all life is amazing. So far the celebrity sightings have been Richard Beltzer, Giada de Laurentis, Natalie Morales, Conan, Alan Cumming, Kathleen Robertson, and the woman that plays the waitress in my personal favorite SATC episode "the real me". Yes, I officially have the coolest job EVER. It's long hours and I am constantly exhausted, but that's ok. I really don't mind being that tired oddly enough. I think I'm still in awe that I actually pulled it all off.

Just ready to end it all

At this point, I've waited so long, I'm just ready for the interview to be over and done with. I'm passed the stage of nausea, nerves, and the unknown. We passed that bridge weeks if not months ago. I am just so tired of WAITING. God obviously was running low on His supply of patience when he made me. I JUST WANT A JOB! Ah! OK, now that that's out of my system, I can carry on. So I am so excited for the two new books I got today - Blue Like Jazz and Mark Acker (yes, Mark Acker actually wrote a book! So exciting!) 's The Passion Driven Youth Choir. Lee said it was most like a book of favorite Sonshine memories, which is the best thing I could read at this point in my life. Of all the things I had to miss about high school, Sonshine is the one thing I wish I could do all over again. I might even consider reliving through high school if it meant my Sonshine experience was just as good as the first time around. It's what made me who I am today. Without the BUMC group and Mark and Sonshine, I know without a doubt that I would not have the faith I have today, and for that I will forever be grateful. I could not have made this move without the solid faith I possess, for that is what has gotten me this far in the journey. I know God will take care of me, but as I've come to say, "I wish He would not take the scenic route in getting me there!" Anyways, in other news, it's now officially been 6 weeks since we bought the couch and it still isn't here. I know the sales girl said it would be 6 - 8 weeks, but wishful thinking of course led to convincing myself that it would be ready earlier than that. My bowflex stuff came today which was exciting. It took about two hours to put together, and tomorrow I'm going to bust a move on it. I'm excited to get back into lifting. I really enjoyed the weight class I took my last semester of school, and hopefully can get back into the routine. Other than that, nothing much is new here. Tomorrow will be spent watching the clock tick by painfully slowly and not being able to sleep I'm sure. But Marissa has agreed to go get her nails done with me, which will take a good hour and a half to do. I also have to go buy flowers for my presentation (and prepare that little thing) and buy toilet paper. We are in emergency conservation mode. Ahh! I still can't get over the fact that I moved to NYC and I'm going through final rounds of interviews with NBC in less than 36 hours!!!! I love my life.

So much to do, yet so much time

Do you ever have so much to do and yet can't seem to get it done not because of little amounts of time, but because of sheer laziness? That's how I've been over the last few weeks. All of our "household" errands are coming to an end - the furniture buying, appliance and bed bath and beyond trips, and delivery guys have all come and gone and now I'm left with little to do except prepare for my upcoming interview. I know I need to start preparing, but I'm like "it's in three weeks, I'll start next week". Which is fine to say now, but by Monday I need to seriously get started on my research of NBC (at least I bought the books!) and preparing my schpeal (sp?) for the panel of interviewers. Oh well, hopefully it will rain one day soon so I will have an excuse to sit indoors and do nothing but read - a lot!

Another late night

So here it is past 2 am again and guess what . . . I can't sleep! I know it's the called the city that never sleeps, but I didn't think I would take to the meaning so quickly! I can't stop my mind from going over and over what I have to do and all that I have not even begun to think about. Then my mind turns to my upcoming interviews and then it really starts to race. I know they are still a couple of weeks out, but I can't help but dwell on them. And of course it's never during the middle of the afternoon when nothing decent is on tv or when I have 20 blocks to walk and a good 15 minutes to kill while doing so. No! It's when I'm lying in bed late at night attempting to sleep like the rest of the world outside the city. Oh well.

Next week marks the 10th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, and it's got me thinking about all the things I've witnessed over the past few years. I still can't believe she's been gone for that long. I remember it like it was last week. Time literally stood still for that entire week in disbelief. The impact that one woman was able to make on the world makes me wonder in awe at what we could all be capable of doing. I realized how much I had witnessed and/or experienced over the past year working in the newsroom - Tennessee voting down an amendment to allow same sex marriage, a For almost making it into the Senate, Saddam Hussein's execution, the deadly plane crash in Kentucky that left everyone but the pilot who caused the crash dead, the murder of a UT student just a few miles from where I slept, and of course the deadly hit and run on campus last year. And that's just off the top of my head! It makes me wonder what else I have left to experience in my life and at times I'm excited for the good things, but scared for the bad. But that's what life brings with it. I was reading on a website today about a release party in Vegas for Celine Dion's new album coming out in a few months, and she was quoted as saying, "It's the moment you think you can't, you discover you can" and for some reason that just hit me right smack between the eyes. I continue to have my days with doubt, while others I am more than sure of a great success that is out there just out of reach. For those who know me, I was born with little if any patience, so this waiting game is killing me, but what's a girl to do but wait?

Check this out . . .

So I ordered groceries this week (way cheaper than going and buying in the store) and was perplexed when ordering carrots because I had to tell them how many I wanted. I found this slightly odd because I've always just bought them by the bussel/bag/whatever and never an individual carrot before. So I ordered 4 thinking that would be plenty for a salad. Yeah . . . . . so the boxes come and what is in the box is four of these . . .needless to say I was speechless (hard to believe, I know). I now know why you have to order carrots individually - because they are the size of a watermelon!

Way Overdue Update

OK, so it's been FOREVER since I've kept everyone up to date on what's happening here in New York. So, a correction is in order first off the bat - we are NOT staying in the place we originally thought we would be on 89th at Lex. We are now moved in to a very cute place on 89th at York Ave and we have a lovely garden view! And it's QUIET, which is the best thing. For those somewhat familiar with the Upper East Side, we are a block from Gracie Mansion (the mayor's house) and near Museum Mile and more specifically the Guggenheim (sp?). WE LOVE IT HERE! It's been the most amazing four weeks I can't even begin to describe it.

We now have furniture and are still awaiting the arrival of the couch, chairs, and table. The table and chairs will be here in September (backordered) and the couch and comfy chair will be here in 6 weeks. Since no one in Manhattan has the money or room for a stockroom to store large pieces of furniture, it's all custom made, which sounds expensive, but it's really not. If anyone wants to see what we got, we got the Huntley woods apartment sofa and swivel chair from Crate and Barrel and the Shayne table and chairs from Pottery Barn. We were able to find all of our stuff from those stores and Bombay. I'll post pictures of what we have (I swear the camping chairs are only temporary). We also have plenty of room for guests, so if anyone needs a free place to stay, just let us know when you're coming!

Marissa and I went out thrift store shopping today and it was so much fun. I got a green alligator purse for 8 bucks, and found Manolo Blahniks for 50 bucks! Too bad they weren't my size. I think one my favorite things about this city is the small collection of little old ladies who live on Park Avenue and come out fully dressed in their classy Chanel suits and are so adorable!

I will be very glad when the weather cools off and the tourists begin to dwindle. I have discovered that the weekends are the best time to shop. I know that sounds insane, but it's true. New Yorkers flee the city on the weekends for the Hamptons, and so the shops are empty (almost). I was out last Sunday and was on Madison and Lexington in Midtown and the streets were virtually deserted. It was a weird twilight zone feeling, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, the closer we got to Times Square and 5th Avenue, the more tourists showed up. It was funny because we had to go up 5th to get to the 4,5,6 lines to go home and as soon as we rounded the corder at 58th and 5th (which is where the awesome 24 hour Apple store is located) it was like a deluge of people. It makes my head spin! It's great that so many people come to see the city, but they really need to learn how to navigate the city. I'm not talking about simple finding your way around, but rather don't stand in the middle of the sidewalk with your backpack, camera bag, video camera, and all five kids staring at a map trying to figure out which direction to go. If they would kindly step to the building or even go inside a small cafe or deli and complete their task of finding themselves (literally), it would make the rest of us New Yorkers' lives SO MUCH EASIER.

Needless to say, this has been an amazing adventure so far and I cannot wait to see what else it brings. I'll try and be better about updating and

First Week

Well, I have officially arrived and it has been a whirlwind few days. Sunday was crazy with delays at the airport. Monday was chaos running errand after errand, but I did get to spend the day with Miss Amanda which was great! Tuesday was spent sweltering in the no air conditioned apartment waiting for the delivery man to deliver the new air conditioner. The great thing was he finally arrived around 5:30 that night and I spent the night in a lovely cold bedroom. Then Wednesday arrived and the impossible happened - I FOUND MY DREAM APARTMENT!!! And to top it all off, the new realtor we found is fabulous! Marissa and I will be living on the corner of East 89th and Lexington with our very own personal doorman to greet us every day! Other than it being on the Upper East Side and oh so cute, I feel like I'm living in my own never ending episode of Sex and the City. Oh, and I saw Campbell Brown today. The woman is hugely tall and gorgeous! Also spent the afternoon with David in Times Square and loved showing him around. Then this afternoon the steam pipe eruption occured and I have never been more scared in my life. I was 8 blocks from where it happened and the steam/ash/dust whatever was billowing everywhere. It was surreal, like I was experiencing 9/11 all over again. When it first happened, people were flooding into the streets screaming and trying to call everyone they knew. Word passed quickly that a building had collapsed and all I could think about was calling home to tell everyone that I was ok. Then it hit me that David had just left on a bus and I didn't know which direction he went. I could not get a call connected for several minutes and then I finally got through to him and they were far away by then. Of course then came the fun task of walking home because the subway lines had been shut down. 61 blocks is much farther than I had originally thought. I can still feel my feet pulsing. But tomorrow is another day and with it comes new possibilites. Tomorrow is Sonshine concert in NYC and then who knows? Only time will tell!