random thoughts.

check out my new diesel kicks

I have been trying not to buy so much shit all the time.
but i got them at super discounted price since my roommate works there.
havn't had high-tops since 4th grade or something like that.

i have learned that retail is not the best way to make a living... no matter what, you are usually under-appreciated. i feel like the stores i work at should have a more official either one-on-one or group meeting instead of reprimanding people after they have done something wrong. I feel like people should be trained precisely and that expectations should be outlined. especially when there are changes in management. even though they have different expectations/problems/issues... they are all the same in that, none of them have it down to a perfect science. well maybe just wal-mart... ha

i have done a little bit of freelance design work, and even though the pay isn't immense it still feels great to be doing it.

is it wrong to want a roommate that you would like to hang out with?
i was under the impression that it was normal to be social with those that you live with.
I guess new yorkers are just different, seems like everyone likes to just be alone... but collectively?

why are pizza combos so hard to find in the city?

snowed for the first time this morning, and i slept through it :D
i was in NJ and i slept until about 11:40am

I am slowly learning about what type of crap is needed for the winter.
I recently ordered this from target.com
















it supposedly has a sweet nightlight feature too. didn't have the most amazing reviews, but i'm willing to give it a shot.
never needed this in FL... in FL you could cut the air with a knife.

I think next i'll get curtains for my windows or something

also got this at target to put my roommate's spare tv on
















it should work out well. however, i just read a review about it being difficult to assemble... hm

recently finished reading Dogrun by Arthur Nersesian... liked it a lot. I got into his stuff from first reading The Fuck Up, which i wasn't as into at first. Just started reading Unlubricated.
I probably go through a book in about 3wks... i just read on the train to and from work.
I was thinking maybe i should borrow books from a library or something since i don't know if I will ever re-read these books.

scheduled a haircut for tomorrow night, pretty psyched. i'm going to get it done by this lady who used to manage the toni&guy stuff for the premiere hair/beauty convention in orlando. i used to get my hair cut at toni & guy in orlando but when i went back it was gone. so she happened to come into my store one day and so we exchanged numbers. my hair is in serious need of some style.

ok, enough for now.

thanksgiving weekend

alright so here are the highlights... well... actually just whatever pics i had on my camera


it was a lot of fun to see everyone... and i'm back to work now.... and i think i have a cold... sucks.
been taking tylenol cold, nyquil, and airborne.... i need rest.

thanksgiving

pretty stoked that all of my family is coming in to town.
also mega stoked on making breakfast for everyone the day after thanksgiving! we're gonna have sausage-gravy and biscuits. YUM!

nothing new to report, just been working.

been thinking about buying or building a fixed bike... I want one badly. I don't know a lot about bikes though, so i'm not sure what's good.
any suggestions?

things that i "need"

so I bought this new bag from LeSportSac
love the print, for some reason it and 3 other prints were 25% off. which is awesome since i liked it anyway. plus the size is great and it's super light-weight


















Also bought this new lipgloss, Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss, been meaning to try it for a while, since it claims to be non-sticky
tried it once when i got home, really liked the color, and it wasn't sticky. but the true test is using it throughout the days with out getting the tiny globs in the corners of my mouth, i hate when lipgloss does that.













ok, so this is how my room used to look.
queen size bed in a small room, it just wasn't a very efficient use of space


this is my rom now, turned the bed sideways and put it up against the wall. and added the wall tapestry and new rug.... trying to keep with the pinks and yellows

Sunday, on my day off... I slept in a bit. I believe it was daylight savings, even better.
went out to get some groceries and heard cheering... looked down the street to my right and this is what i saw

...yes, that's the New York Marathon, running past my new apartment on Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn

it made me feel... lazy and also miss my running days back when i did Cross Country in high school. I was going to buy food, and these people were running their asses off. I think it was roughly already 2hrs into the race. It could have been worse, I could have been going to get doughnuts.


Sunday night:
saw this outside Spike Hill, Brooklyn... I think. A stump turned art.

New purchases i made yesteraday:
The pea-coat is from the Gap and the scarf is from Urban Outfitters. I had my eye on that scarf for a while now... finally decided it's cold enough to buy it

This morning... heard a voice over a speaker/megaphone or something and lots of other sounds like construction or something... decided to finally take a peek out my window and see what was going on


i don't really know what happened...

I guess you don't have to go far to see something new and interesting in New York

feeling old

so the other day at paul frank, one of the other girls i work with was like... "so you're going to be turning 23 next year?" and my jaw almost hit the floor... i can't believe it, i'm turning 23 already... I just want to turn 21 every year...
it's just pretty crazy, that's all. hard to grasp.

then again I have been here in NY for 3 months and 4 days exactly and it seems like it flew by but also seems like i've been here forever....
working two retail jobs is pretty draining so i was pretty stoked that i got off of work sunday and monday.

sunday i had breakfast in hoboken with my aunt. then i headed back to brooklyn but stopped in to visit my roommate/friend at work. then before i hopped back on the train i got to watch this
not the best dragon dance i've ever seen but i still enjoyed it, i am just nostalgic about my heritage i guess.

later i went to a bike store with my cousin pat since i am thinking about getting a track bike.... thinking about getting a fuji track bike. it's hard to find the size i need since i'm mad short. and they don't really make womens' fixed gear bikes.

then later i went to see The Darjeeling Limited, the new Wes Anderson film.
the movie was good.... weird as usual, but entertaining. I dug it.

Monday I did laundry and grocery shopping. Later on i went to Century 21 with anabel and bought a shower curtain, sheets and a tea kettle

my new copco kettle. i totally dig the color and the size. reminds me of an egg yolk


got these reeboks in orlando for like... $26. pretty much fits what i've been looking for and the price was really good too
got these from zappos.com basics are always good to have. I had been wanting them for a while. I have been an avid chuck taylor fan for years but after i started wearing vans checkered slip-ons I might be a convert. I still sport the chucks but they tend to be more narrow in the front and they rub my pinky toes. havn't worn these yet, but they are probably wider, and more cushy goodness. comfy footwear is vital in the city now that i walk a lot more.
btw- free next day shipping!

tried out the thai place near me. got shrimp pad thai... good but strangely lacked in color...

To orlando and back again

So the new place is becoming more like home. didn't take me very long at all to get used to the commute. I've been venturing along other subway routes...

I actually just got back from Orlando. went for a short 3-day visit.

didn't really get too many great pics. didn't really get to see everyone i wanted to either.
next time.

it was awesome getting to see my babe, definitely too short of a trip though :\
felt like old times being back there with all my orlando buddies... i miss it.

enjoyed a grilled cheese dinner on the rooftop tonight, i'll admit...it's good to be back.

new things

since the last post... i have worked at wesc about three weeks. liking it.
it's a nice break from the craziness that is paul frank

paul frank is good too, been getting closer with my co-workers which makes the hours go by less slowly

This is a few of us at Alligator for Big-J's bday (three cheers for free pizza with every beer!)
but the headliner of this blog is my official move to brooklyn!
I moved in with my former paul frank manager.
so now i'm all up in green point! and i even get a free min-pin outta the deal!
this is actually my first night here

today was also my last day of sewing class. completed a pair of pajama pants!

ooh! the church bell is ringing for midnight... i really like it... not sure if it will be waking me up though...

alright... more updates when the past weeks events come to mind

feeling like a New Yorker...

So my aunt and I checked out some more apartments. There was one in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, large living space, 2 small bedrooms, shower in the kitchen... the girl was really cool, and she has a little pug and a cat too... it was just a bit out of my price range I think, for it to be in Brooklyn...

Looked at one in the same building as my cousin's- 2 bdrm 1.5 bath, large living space which we think could be a makeshift 3rd bedroom. it would be about the same price as the williamsburg one, but if it's in manhattan that's even better!

got the job at WeSC!!!!!
I start next friday- thought i was going to leave paul frank, but i decided to stay there too and just cut my hours down a bit. this way i can still pull like 40hrs a wk.
went by today to pick out some new digs since we are required to wear them, that was fun.

bought a new book, The Fuck Up by Arthur Nersesian. heard good things about it, can't wait to finish my current book so i can start this new one! i feel like such a nerd!

also got some new kicks... they were on sale for 39.99, you can't beat that... ok maybe... but it was a good enough deal for me

Also got my hair colored yesterday in Chinatown, with my aunt... it looks alright, but i don't love it.

September so far...

So after my mom left to go back to Florida, my aunt and I checked out some apartments.

One was from craigslist and to be honest... the guy kind of weirded me out, especially since the ad said "Japanese a plus" and he was this older white dude with his pants all hiked up. Also, the tub was in the kitchen and the toilet was separate...

then we refueled at Max Brenner... Dark Choc Granita, yum!


Then we checked out another really cute place, a friend of my cousin's, and it was awesome but really out of my price range.

Thursday night there was a Scion art show thing at my cousin's store. A lot of people + no AC + free beer= a hot mess, and i don't mean that kind of hot. We opted to hang outside.

Friday I woke up at 7am to go and catch the 8:30 train to Belmar, NJ to go see Mike.
He was in town at the Wall Speedway for Formula Drift.
It was fun to see everybody and of course really great to see Mike as bitter sweet as it was.
Here are some shots from the event


if you couldn't tell from the pics he's with Enjuku Racing
one of their drivers got into top 16 but that was it for this event

Two days was just not long enough... :[

so I'm back in the city... had and interview with American Apparel, WeSC, andMediaEdge: CIA.

I am hoping for MediaEdge: CIA for career and learning purposes but also WeSC because it seems like a really chill place to work. I guess we'll see what happens.

looking forward to my days off, gonna hang out with my aunt in NJ :)
take a little break from all the hustle and bustle.

trucking along...

So... i started working at Paul Frank. Never really thought of what it would be like to work retail. It is a bit frustrating and exhausting. But it is what it is. The people are cool.

My mom is visiting, she got in on Friday, so I've been all cheery. It's really great to see her.
I get to see Mike this weekend too at Wall Speedway for Formula Drift.

I also signed up for a sewing class at FIT. I am hoping I'll make some friends and then maybe be more willing to stay... or at least hopefully I'll enjoy the skills I learn.

the class runs until mid-October... so I am drafted to stick around NY for at least that long...

my cousin thinks i need to find a place to settle down (instead of crashing at my relatives')... looked on craigslist at some rooms for rent. but i honestly think i'll be more comfortable living with someone i become friends with on my own, hopefully a friend from the sewing class, or even a friend of a friend.

My friend Fran said her friend from Orlando may be moving up this way... so that would be a nice option. Just have to get in contact with her and see when she's thinking about coming up.

I've had Bandit a yr now! (since Aug 30th 2006)

alright... i think that's about it

cut and paste

so i left off before i went to long island for the wedding.

the wedding was a lot of fun... it would be an understatement to say that The Palmers know how to get down... we got rowdy

spent some qual relaxation time in Sayville with mike's family. lounged by the pool, had egg sandwiches every morning, played beer pong against my boyfriend's dad! lol

then mike and i came back to the city and stayed at the Union Square Inn... it was sort of funny, when we went to open our room door, the comforter from the bed was in the way... that's how small the room was. it was clean and pretty new though regardless of the small size.

then I had some interviews back to back- Giant Robot Store, Thunderdogs, Paul Frank Store...
so insane... at least mike was around to keep me from losing it.

we did fun stuff like walked around the city, had some good eats at Teany, and some other veg joints. hung out with an old friend... picnicked in Central Park, saw real live masterpieces at MoMA. it was sooo so soooo great to be able to spend so much time with mike.

but i was a definite wreck after he left... :[

got an internship with Thunderdogs so that's been pretty sweet.
start work at paul frank this week too.

been feeling pretty homesick... but i am trying to think positively and stick it out...
that's the long and short.

Long Island, here I come!

Sunday, went to the mall with rob and dined on some Teriyaki Boy

then decided to head up to Weehawken and hit up Mitsuwa- Japanese Market
got some food to bring back and cook

played some quality Wii bowling
had some Sapporo

yesterday my aunt came back home and we went into the city in the afternoon.
got some bubble tea! yummmm
and also some fake chicken to try out later.

then met up with the cuz and his gf and ate at Lan
pretty good... ordered miso scallops with shaved truffel which turned out to be really just a single scallop.
also had sake creme brule

finally was able to grab my boxes of stuff from my cousin's office and bring them back to NJ

Today I went into the city and hung out with my cousin a bit... had a delicious veggie croissant at 88 Orchard. the buttery croissant with the avocado, tomato, and cheese, was just a great combo.
then the rest of the day i helped pack and move boxes... gah so heavy!
came back to Weehawken on the ferry and my aunt and i made some dinner.
Salad, fish, and miso soup, also tried the fake chicken- about as good as Garden Cafe

gotta pack for my trip to Long Island. I'll be taking the LIRR from penn station to Ronkonkoma.
it's like everyday is a first for something lol. even rode the subway by myself this morning.

Mike's cousin's wedding is Friday.
ok- i'll report on the wedding later. might not have much time though since sunday i will be coming back with mike and we'll be exploring the city together!

:D

Floating about

So friday night i met up with my cousin rob and his friends at Porky's. It was... different. we paid some like $25 thing to get appetizers (mozz sticks, wings, etc) and an entree (burgers, grilled cheese, chicken fingers). This also include open bar from 10-11. it sounded like a good deal, but really it was the most expensive 1/2 grilled cheese (my first order came with bacon on it so i had to send it back and then i didn't really even want it anymore) and 2 bud lights. the "open bar" was pretty restrictive. only house alcohol and then for beer only bud light or miller light. I dunno... seemed like it wasn't worth it.

anyway, a lot of 15 sec blips of "80's classic rock" and a lot of bad dancing. I guess i wasn't drunk enough or something.

i have to say that the company was good though. I have never hung out with so many Asians at one time that weren't family members.

slept over Rob's gf's place

mainly hung out a BBQ with Rob's friends. tried a rumpleminze and choc syrup (peppermint patti) shot. and "the green monster" lol. had some good times and just hung out at this big house in the woodsy part of NJ

hanging out at Rob's now, gonna crash here, not sure what will be going on tomorrow. hopefully some quality sleeping-in time.

mike comes on wednesday!

interview/StapleXparty

So as for yesterday, didn't get to visit my friend since i realized she was waaaaay uptown which would be super out of the way plus i havn't venture up that far on my own yet.

barely made my 2:00 interview. i was planning on stopping by my cousins office (my temporary storage) to get my interview outfit but was running SUPER late and just showed up to my interview in jean shorts, a t-shirt, and my checkered vans. But at least I was on time... and majorly sweating. It must have been one of the hottest days to be running around- not to mention it was my first time taking the bus from weehawken into the city. got off of the bus in the station and didn't even know where to get out of the building. panicked a bit and then asked how to get to the street. then i tried hailing a cab for my first time ever... it seemed like every cab already had someone in it, so i tried to walk up a block but then it would be the same cabs at each light which i realize now was kind of dumb... anyway. finally got a cab and was headed toward the office and then realized how extremely late i was and had to change course.

anyway, the interview went well. there were those questions like "why do you feel I should give you the job and not someone else?" and "tell me about yourself" "what are your interests?"
I guess one has to be really comfortable talking about themselves. I am generally somewhat modest, so talking myself up is a bit of a struggle.
the guy said he liked me and that they would get back to me on Monday.
dress code isn't too bad. All black, sneakers are allowed, collared shirt.
but they said to be prepared to work nights and weekends, but that is to be expected in retail.
this is all i have so far, not too bad.

then after the interview i had to catch a cab uptown to the event venue to help setup.
helped set up mannequins to display tees and then helped cover some pillars with basically giant decals in the design of one of the mt. dew green label bottles by Staple.
time flew by pretty quick and didn't get back to the LES til like 7:15, had to scramble to get ready and then headed back a little bit late.

The event was awesome though. felt cool to have a "staff" pass and have no problem getting in. the music was great, i admit i don't know who was DJing and performing because i know nothing about hip hop, not a drop. the setup looked great, the place was packed, made some new friends, went on the roof to check out the amazing view.

went back to NJ for the night with my aunt and got to check on my hamster. he is doing just great :]
back in the city today until Monday.

probably gonna hit this place called Porky's tonight with another cousin to celebrate his gf's ex-roommate's b-day lol. i heard the attire is ripped shorts and flip flops, just my kind of place!