Taking a Step Back

"I ask each of you to take the time to be a Hokie this week. Appreciate life a little more, take in every moment around you, count your blessings, tell the people around you that you love them, slow down, remember what's truly important in life … And live for those 32 that do not have that chance anymore."

Hard to believe tomorrow marks the three year anniversary of the tragedy that occurred at Tech. Tell someone you love them today.

Living for 32- neVer forgeT 4.16.07.

Dating in the Big Apple

I have a confession to make: I joined a dating site.

Before you go judging me and/or snickering at my expense, hear me out. I work from home, so I don't have that outlet to meet potential gentlemen suitors. In addition, I have been less than satisfied with the selection (or lack there of) of New York men at bars around the city. Most of these "men" have one agenda: to get you to go home with them. Call me crazy, but getting treated like a cheap prostitute doesn't exactly make me want to give a guy the time of day. I guess I was under the false impression that my chances of finding that elusive thing called love would be greater, due to living in one of the largest cities in the world. Think again-- apparently dating in large cities is actually harder. Go figure.

So, after a few interesting experiences with New York's finest, I decided I needed to try something new. I looked at the various options in the online dating world and decided to go with OkCupid because it was free. Paying for something I didn't know would work didn't seem like a plausible decision to me.

I joined the site about a month ago, made my profile, and told some of my friends what I had done. Most of them looked at me like I had 50 heads, and I'll admit I was a little mortified to tell them at first, but hey you gotta do what you gotta do.

Up my profile went and the awkward (and sometimes creepy) messages came piling in. What constitutes awkward and creepy, you ask? Well, here are some of my favorites for your viewing pleasure:

* Suitor #1: "good evening young lady make a date to dine with me mr howard"

("Mr. Howard" happens to be 53. Where's the big red button?)

* Suitor #2: "Hi sweety u re fantastic hot I have no comments but I don't think so u wanna talk to somebody like me I am just trying ti see my luck but u re really really hot hot hot I think this is not humans beauty u got it from somewhere else. All this words comes straight from my heart u believe or not but this is tue"

(Uhh what?)

* Suitor #3: "amg want to fly yo new yotk lmao!"

(Do you speak English?)

* Suitor #4: "Hi Beautiful, We seem to match well. I'd love to talk and see if we click, then possibly meet up for drinks. I am looking for someone for friendship/romance, companionship, possibly something more if the chemistry is right."

(Whoa buddy!)

* Suitor #5: "looking beautiful babe!How you doing?Just stop by to show u some love and I'm interested in getting to know you"

(As Gaga sings, "I'm not your babe, I'm not your babe.")

* Suitor #6: "Great smile...you'd make a great tickling model."

(Tickling model??)

I was about to cancel my membership to good ole OkCupid, but then I started receiving messages from normal guys. I've been on a handful of dates and have really enjoyed myself. Are any of them Prince Charming? Who knows, but its been fun to meet new people and have buddies to explore the city with.

I still don't really know what I think about online dating, but I will say it has been an interesting experience.

Drawing Inspiration

"My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices." -Ruth Handler

As a little girl, I was a huge Barbie fan (we'll pretend I didn't get Fashion Designer Barbie my freshman year of high school for Christmas.) I loved that Barbie could transform into anyone I wanted her to be and I found myself immersed in my imagination each time I pulled out my tub of dolls.

One day Barbie would be a lawyer, the next a doctor, and so on. I remember wishing I could be half the woman Barbie seemed to be and sat there countless afternoons daydreaming about who I would become as a "big girl."

Fast-forward to today: I don't have blonde hair, nor do I have a perfect -100 waistline, but I'm living my dream. I must give credit to my parents, who always taught me no dream could ever be out of reach if I truly wanted it. They always encouraged me to shoot high and to never give-up until I had touched the stars. I realize my last statement is a bit on the corny side, but my parents have no idea how grateful I am for pushing me to go after what I've wanted throughout my life.

I can honestly say I have not been this happy in a long time. New York just fits for some reason. Not to mention the fact that I've been fortunate enough to meet fascinating people, in addition to experiencing numerous unique opportunities. Granted, I've also experienced hardships, such as worrying about making rent and covering all of my expenses. Yet, I have found the wonderful aspects of New York far outweigh the negative and I am enjoying the ride immensely.

To my parents and Barbie: thank you for helping this little girl become a woman on top of her world.

New York, New York

I grew-up with my grandfather belting out Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" any and every chance he got. Weddings, christenings, bbqs, and holiday meals were all excuses for my Pop-Pop to be the center of attention and sing Frank's (yes, Frank and Pop-Pop were on a first name basis) anthem.

Although this song became a fixture in our family, we were raised to dislike anything that had to do with New York. We are a Philadelphia family you see, so New York teams were and continue to be the bane of our existence.

Five years ago, I packed my bags to head down to Blacksburg, Virginia to enter my freshman year at Virginia Tech. I was a double-major in Communication and Fashion Merchandising and had always been told I'd end up in New York City. I shook my head and laughed each time, because there was no way I'd cross enemy lines.

Well, here I am and the lines have been crossed. Minus the plethora of Yankees hats that seem to be everywhere I turn, New York isn't that bad. Ok, I actually really like New York, but shhh don't tell my dad.

With this blog I hope to chronicle my journey as I navigate the streets of the Big Apple. I'm not arrogant and I doubt many people will read this, nor care what I have to say. That's ok with me, because I actually have a pretty selfish reason for starting the blog. I miss writing. A lot. I figure this outlet will help satisfy my hunger to write and maybe give a few people a good chuckle with my naive attempts to figure out NYC.

As Frank sang, "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere. It's up to you, New York, New York."

Here goes nothing!

**I'm working on the format of my blog. Please be patient, as I work on making it more aesthetically pleasing.

Week #1: Baby Steps

Baby Steps.

A wise friend of mine (and seasoned NYC transplant) advised me to take New York on in baby steps. She informed me that I would quickly become overwhelmed with the city otherwise.

I'll admit I scratched my head at this statement because let's be serious, how DON'T you get overwhelmed in New York City?! At the same time, this is exactly what I needed to hear. I moved up on a Saturday and by Sunday I had hit the panic button. Was New York right for me? Had I made a mistake? Would I ever be able to figure out the subway? So many questions ran through my head, but then came the two golden words: baby steps.

As I sit here and reflect on my first full week in the Big Apple, I find it was chock full of these aforementioned baby steps. To most other people these "baby steps" would be considered nothingness, but to me they were huge feats. For instance, I ventured out of my apartment to find a Staples after Google mapping a location near me. I found myself giddy with excitement as I came across the red awning with white letters scrawled across it. An accomplishment worth bragging about? No. Am I still excited about it? You betcha.

Another item that stands out after week one, is the generosity and kindness several New Yorkers have shown me. Growing up outside of Philadelphia, I had a less than flattering impression of my northern neighbors before I moved here. I can tell you first-hand that the cold/uncaring New Yorker stereotype is unwarranted. Between my lessors' broker taking time out of her busy afternoon to show me around my new neighborhood on a fly, to my friend and coworker who constantly goes out of her way to help me figure out any and everything, New Yorkers have bent over backwards to welcome me. I will never be able to convey to all of these people how much their help truly means to me. Thank you for helping this clueless girl from the suburbs navigate the concrete jungle that is New York.

So, as I move on to week 2 in NYC, I must remember to take everything in stride and tackle the city in baby steps. As someone with zero patience, this will be a challenge, but one that I am up for. Stay tuned...

Week 2 goals: 1. Spend less money (Why must you hurt my bank account so?!), 2. Figure out the subway, 3. Get rid of this $%$^ cold that won't seem to go away.