Things I've learned about NYC...

People:
- they're a lot nicer than everyone says (or I'm alot meaner than I think?)
-everyone dresses amazingly
-everyone is in a hurry... they can't even wait for the walk signal
-everyone has a dog (most of them are ugly, and where they run around only God knows(look under apts.*))
-most people use terms of endearment (my barista calls me sweetie, my deli guy calls me sweetheart and bartenders on occasion have called me luv)
-community becomes the people you see everyday (i.e. the doorman, the barista, the deli guy)
-they love to engage in conversation if they see you with a stroller (esp. tourists)
-most speak a different language than English
-most are superheroes in disguise, I have been rescued from taxis and cars that don't stop, and have witnessed others being rescued as well


Men:
-are very straightforward
-are very good looking
-give compliments any where any time
-dress better than most men I've seen in my life
-carry luggage
-if you walk behind them in crowded areas create a path for you
-let you on the subway first (if they're gentlemen)
-hold doors open for a stroller (again, if they're gentlemen)
-they are more often seen taking care of the children than women here (I know where to find my husband)

Jobs I wouldn't do even if it meant staying or leaving:
-window washing (umm have you seen how tall these buildings are?)
-dog walking (excuse me, I have to pick that up? are you serious?)
-food delivery (umm.. on bike? walking? no thanks)

Jobs I envy;
- any job you get to dress up for
-doorman (yes, I know the title alone disqualifies me)
-bartender (I bet I would get killer tips)

TRANSPORTATION

Cars:
-everyone honks (it's like a greeting)
-they have padding on their bummers (to anticipate the tight parking spots, or moments they can't stop in time, dangerous)
-yellow taxis don't stop for pedestrians
-cab drivers usually ignore you

Trains:
- no one talks on the subway, even though you are most of the time sharing a very intimate space
-people don't really smile (unless you smile first, which is sometimes a game I like to play)
-some people listen to their music too loudly
-some people sing... with their headphones in.. out loud
-lots of heartbreaking stories are shared on the subway
-any given day waiting for the train you could hear a band, a lonely violin, a foreign instrument, an acapella group.. etc...

Bikes:
-seem like a death wish
-suck in the rain
-are EVERYWHERE
-I have almost been hit by 2
-I have seen 3 almost be hit by cars

Month in STATS

Hello all,
It's been awhile since I checked in, so here are some stats from my first month in NY...
First, Where I live: the upper west side
(basically home to lots of schools and families) 2 blocks from central park and 2 blocks from Broadway, life is pretty good
Floor we live on: the 4th
# of stairs from the street to our front door: 66
# of roommates: 2
# of trains I take to work: 2
Cups of coffee I drink a day: 2-3
# of elevator trips in a day: 6-8
# of children I take care of: 1 (sometimes 2)
# of nannies phone #s I have acquired: 5
# of playdates we have been on: 3
# of pull ups I change a day 3-5
# of churches I have tried: 4
glasses of wine/sangria I have had since my arrival: 8
# of bars I've been to: 6
# of states I've been to outside of NY: 3 (New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia)
# of drinks bought for me: multiple
# of times I've reminded myself I really live here: a million
# of times that reminder made me smile: a million
# of times I've called home: many
# of text messages sent to people I love and miss: too many to count
# of Westmont people I've hung out with since being here: 6
My thoughts on being here: best decision of my life.

There's the quick update.  Look for more soon.

xoxo
josslynn nicole
the girl in gotham city

Happy Monday

2weeks....

What a whirlwind of fantastic-ness.
Xoxo
Josslynn Nicole
The girl in Gotham city

Remember this

Sometimes this consoles me

Via pinterest.com

Strolling through the city

I, being the book nerd that I am, started my adventure at the public library, the grand one on 5th avenue. I then strolled over to Grand Central Terminal (station) and went to Magnolia Bakery. After that I went to Rockefeller Center and visited the Free People store there. And then I grabbed mini cupcakes at Baked by Melissa cupcakes (the best ever!!! And they deliver!!). And then I went to the movies and saw the Lucky one. It was random that I ended up at that theatre but as I was exciting there were all kinda of film crews and photographers and people in fancy outfits, I excited through the back so as to avoid the crazy. But it turns out the TriBeCa film festival was being hosted there. That was just a taste of the crazy experiences I've encountered. I walked down the street to Strand books, which is basically ever English majors paradise. It's an incredible bookstore full of all kinds of books and booky paraphernalia. It's a good thing I didn't live that close to it bc I could foresee many wasted afternoons there (not wasted perhaps, but not the most productive either). It was a lovely afternoon and then I headed to the MoMa and was able to walk around for free!!! I went straight to see my favorite painting of all time... Starry Night!!!! I was transfixed by it, utterly and completely encapsulated by its magical quality. I fell in love with it and hope to go back to visit soon. It seemed to me to be a symbol of how I have felt about this whole experience. Its absolutely magical and so fantastical I can't even believe I'm really here.

Xoxo
Josslynn Nicole
The girl in Gotham city