City Life

 

Entrance to Prospect Park

I am having a love affair with New York. Sometimes, when I step in to the city from the subway station, or see the Williamsburg Bridge lit up at night, I catch myself smiling, mesmerized by it all. Even thought I love Manhattan, I am also having a love affair with Brooklyn. I live in an adorable neighborhood in Brooklyn. I am in walking distance to the cutest shops and restaurants. Everything here is so charming. Living in Brooklyn is a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city, while still offering all of the perks of city living. My roommates and I love to explore our neighborhood. Every time we explore, we find something new and exciting. Last week, we walked to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. This park was HUGE! The park was filled with people and their dogs enjoying the last few weeks of warm weather. We discovered running paths, a skating rink, a zoo, and even a place to paddle boat!

 We also like to walk to the Brooklyn Bridge. You get excellent views of the city while getting great exercise. The picture to the left is a picture of the Freedom Tower. (This is where the World Trade Centers once stood). I thought this picture was beautiful, yet erie all at the same time.

Brooklyn Bridge

I still can't believe I am actually here! I am living every minute of it and can't wait to see what other adventures I get my self in to! 

Meet Mr. Penguin Garcia Ashley Lucas!

 There is nothing like coming home from a long day to find a package waiting for you at your door. Especially when you see that is from a dear friend all the way in Alabama! There is really nothing like opening that package to find...

A Penguin!!

I know this seems odd, but I promise, it's not as strange or random as it sounds! My friend, Ashley May has known about my love and admiration for penguins ever since I asked her for one for my birthday. One day last week, Ashley let me know that she had found poor Mr. Penguin Garcia Ashley Lucas abandoned on the side of the road. Being the wonderful friend that she is, she remembered that I still wanted a pet penguin. Even though my penguin doesn't require a "doggy door" to get in and out of the freezer, I still love him and can't wait to take him on NYC adventures! 

Feels Like Fall In NYC

Statue in Madison Square Park

Concert at The Living Room 

"One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years." ~ Thomas Wolfe

My First fill weekend in New York was wonderful. I could not have asked for a better time. After work on Friday, I met up with some friends in Madison Square Park. We headed to a fun bar where we all pretended we were friends with some guy named Nigel in order to get the VIP wristbands. Little did the guy at the door know, that we had NO CLUE who Nigel was. We just wanted half price drinks! Later that night, I met up with some friends from Auburn to catch a small concert at a cozy little place in the Lower East Side called the living room. The music was amazing and the musicians were so nice. They came up and talked to us like we had known them for years. 

Former UA Quarterback and NY Jets player Greg McElroy

View of Union Square from Forever 21

Saturday was a great day to explore Manhattan. Ashley and I spent the day walking around the city hoping in and out of any store that caught our eye. From Kate Spade to Madewell, we found something that we would kill to have. The Free People store is AMAZING. It looks exactly like you would imagine. Once you walk in, you will never want to leave! After shopping all day, I decided it was time for some Alabama football. I headed to the Alabama Alumni Association of New York viewing party to watch the game with fellow Bama Fans. I met my future husband that night. His name is Greg McElroy. A former QB for Alabama, and a current player for the NY Jets, I know that we will have a great life together full of football and fun! After out shutout against N. Texas, I met up with some friends in the Financial District. We went to one of their friends apartments on Wall Street. This apartment was MASSIVE. The apartment had 5 bedrooms and several bathrooms which is extremely rare in NYC. The Apartment was directly across from Trump Tower, to the right of the New York Stock Exchange, and next door to Tiffany's. Perfect Location! 

View o the Trump Tower from Wall Street Apartment 

 On Sunday, Ashley and I explored Brooklyn. I felt like I was on a movie set. Fall was in the air and people were milling all about. We walked past beautiful brownstones and through a small country fair. We stumbled upon many unique things on our walk. From a massive outdoor book fair, to a small local product market, I discovered that Brooklyn is a well kept secret. Brooklyn is an escape from the city, while still being a big city. Its tree lined sidewalks and pedestrian filled streets make you feel as though you truly belong in New York.Later that day, Ashley and I took the Subway into Manhattan to try out a new church. We both enjoyed it and are planning on getting involved! After church, we headed to the Tribeca Hotel for a free screening of "The September Issue"' a documentary about Vogue magazine's September 2007 issue. We really enjoyed the movie! It was interesting to learn about all the work that goes on in the magazine world. I am exciting about learning more about free stuff to do in the city!

First Cold Night In New York!

 This Building Is Across From My Office! In the daytime, you can see the gold on the pointy party of the building!

This is my desk! Send me pictures so I can put them on my sad picture-less bulletin board!

Today was the first cold day in NYC. Compared to how cold its going to get though, today was nothing. Today was another good day at work! I sat in some meetings to discuss what the Heineken products are going to look like for the end of the year and the beginning of next year. For lunch, I ate on the roof top again. It was a little chilly and it started to sprinkle just was we finished. The roof top is absolutely LOVELY. You have a great view of Madison Square park, and the Empire State Building. 

You can see the tip of it in this picture! Towards the end of the day, I actually got to try my hand at some of the things I will actually be doing! It took a few minutes to decide the best and most efficient way to do it, but I got through it!

As many of you know, I made a trip to NYC in July to interview. When I was there, I met a really sweet girl on the train who is my age and working in the city. We kept in touch over the summer at met for after work drinks tonight at the Black Door. It was a short walk from both of our offices and a great place for the young professional crowd. After a few minutes at the Black Door, we took the train to Hoboken, New Jersey to hang out with some of her friends! It was so great meeting other girls my age who work in the city! We all had a lot of fun together and plan to hang out again soon.

Did I mention that someone asked me if I was from England the other day? I wish I had a British accent, but I had to inform him that my accent is in fact, Southern.

As Rebecca Black would say, "Its Friday (In NYC that is) Friday gotta get down on Friday"

Looking forward to my first weekend in the city!

5th and 23rd

I love where my office is located. It is in an area called the Flat Iron District. This area is named for a building that looks like...you guessed it...an iron!  My office is located on 5th ave and 23rd street. It is close to great restaurants and shopping. Today I found out that there is a beer garden on the roof deck!  Anyway, today the Heineken production team went to Hampshire Country Club in Mamaroneck, New York for a cookout. The country club was beautiful. The outdoor patio looked out over the river. We had a great view of beautiful sail boats. We enjoyed great food, wine, and Heineken products, of course. Around five, I hopped on a train and headed to TriBeCa to meet my friend Jenna for dinner. TriBeCa stands for Triangle Below Canal Street. Leonardo DiCaprio, Mariah Carey, Robert DiNiro, and Meryl Streep live in this area. Jenna and I ate at an amazing tapas place called Flor De Sol. We shared some tapas and celebrated being in New York City by toasting with White Wine Sangrias. So far, I am loving NYC and can't wait to explore some more!

http://www.flordesolnyc.com/index2.htm

First Day On The Job!

My Office!

Today was my first day of my new job! So far, I really think I am going to like it! I took the subway in to Manhattan and had sometime to kill before I had to be in the office at 9:30. In the picture, you can see green railing in the background. That is where I get of the subway! Very Convenient! When I got off the Subway, I walked across the street and sat on a bench in Madison Square Park. I enjoyed people watching while reading the news paper! I spent the first few hours of the day learning about the company. My co-workers took me out to a DELICIOUS restaurant called Punch! They have the best sweet potato fries I have ever had. (Although J Clyde's in Birmingham has great ones too) The rest of the day, I just learned about what I will be doing! I am excited about learning more about what I will be doing and really getting a feel for everyday life in NYC!

9/11/2011

Today is the ten year anniversary of September 11. When the planes struck the Twin Towers ten years ago, I was in seventh grade. I had no idea that the twin towers even existed. Who would have thought that ten years later, I would be living in that very city. Ten years ago, I couldn't fully grasp how terrible the attacks were. I can only imagine how terrified everyone must have been. Tonight, were are going to the Brooklyn Academy of Music for a free screening of the movie Manhattan and to remember those who were lost that day and to honor the heroes that served. *Never Forget*

I'm Officially a New York Resident!

After two flights and a long nauseating taxi ride, I am officially a resident of NYC! I never thought this day would come, but after several late nights of sending out resumes an two trips to the city over the summer for interviews, I have finally made it. Tomorrow is my first day at my new job! I am incredibly excited to learn about what I will be doing, but I am terrified that I won't do a good job. I am working for G2 Branding and Design as a Production Associate for the Heineken advertising account. I'm sure things will be great and I will update tomorrow!

Start Spreading The News

The time has come! After many years of dreaming to live in New York City, I am finally taking the plundge and moving to the city. If you asked me where I would be a year ago, the last place I thought I would be in New York. But after many unexpected events, it seems as though New York is where I am meant to be. I have an amazing job that I am extremely excited about and lucky to have. I am nervous about starting, but I have a feeling I am where I am suppossed to be. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Birmingham. I have family and many friends in Birmingham whom I will miss everyday, but for now, I am ready for a change of sceanery. (I wish this new sceanery included SEC football) I'm not putting a time limit on how long I will be there. I could be one year, or maybe forever. I am incredibly scared, but so excited to take on this new adventure!