giving credit...

where credit is deserved- its days and weeks like this where I just feel the grace and mercy of God! This is all so beyond my doing!

So I have had a great week so far- first the weather is starting to get very nice here and I have just realized more and more how much I do enjoy my job. And now I have two cities of amazing people! (although I can't imagine Atlanta not being home) Its exciting when you find yourself getting wrapped up in all the details of life and just living in the moment! Life is happiest when it is the simplest- we are all in it together!

I love this quote...
"We have been created for greater things, not just to be a number in the world. Not just to go for diplomas and degrees, this work and that work. We have been created in order to love and to be loved" Mother Teresa

That quote just inspires me! I am so thankful!

Catching up...

Here is a quick recap of what I have been up to the past few weeks...

Snow!- the most snow (other than skiing)- I have ever seen. Fun at first but then a hassle when walking to work and lunch and gross when it got dirty! :) Overall...Beautiful!

at work...loving it, I am on the sales floor selling now- I have made a few sales which has been a great learning process- just this week I have pulled out greeting with..."How are y'all doing!" don't know if this is being well received or not :)--needless to say can't wait to work in Atlanta though- they are tough here- my southern charm does work as well :)

Friday I spilled half a bottle of water in my purse :( I noticed something was wrong when water was coming out from the bottom of my purse- it was mostly funny- but I am still hoping that my camera works when it dries out :)

Yesterday when to dinner and then drinks in Hoboken at a place called Louise and Jerry's (I liked the name that is why we went in :)- we were the only ones in our 20s probably but it was a blast (like Cheers)--this is the extent of my "social" life- out until 11 or only once 12- I get so tired here :)

Today I walked around lower Manhattan- East Village (very cool area- full of unique places), Battery Park (to spell the sea) South Street Sea Port (great views but mainly a mall and tourist attraction) and the BROOKLYN BRIDGE (amazing views of the city and an amazing bridge) enjoyed the day :)

Loving NYC but starting to really miss Atlanta for the people and way of life (aka my life)

Love and miss you all! This experience continues to teach me new things daily and I am so thankful for this chapter in my life!

I've got my new shoes on...

I finally got a new pair of tennis shoes this weekend- for those of you that don't know- tennis shoes are my new best friend here. Mine were getting run down though- so this weekend I figured I needed a new set of shoes to carry me through this adventure! No I've got my new (tennis) shoes on now.

After walking (...in my old tennis shoes) throughout New York City streets- I have decided...I love Soho and the Village the most of all the neighborhoods of NYC! I may be bias but Soho has the best of everything to me...restaurants, shopping, and even furniture stores. :) Today I went back to work today after having 4 days off- so fun and very freeing to wonder the city for two whole days of that time. I happily frolicked throughout the city in the cold- as I would say it! On Saturday I walked from the World Trade Center Site (where they are actively building two new taller towers) to Battery Park then up through SoHo on West Broadway to the beginning of Fifth Avenue all the way up to the Empire State Building. (i know that was a huge run on sentence :))

sidenote...
I must admit that Fifth Avenue would be a wonderful place to live- its a beautiful street with lots of good window shopping. It is so easy to shop in New York City (as I learned this weekend)- luckily I made it through all four days only getting a few things- mainly what I needed for work.

On Monday I out did myself though when I decided to walk from the 33rd street Path station to E 90Th street and back. I calculated the distance today and it totals 6.6 miles! No wonder I was exhausted on Tuesday. :) It was all worth it though- I saw so much of Midtown and enjoyed the walk around Central Park to the huge reservoir on 90Th street. This weekend I also discovered my new favorite place in Jersey City along the waterfront. The views are breathtaking-you can see all of Manhattan. It makes you feel so small- I love it! Isn't it mind blowing to think that man built all of it- the huge island of buildings?

I could go on all day... exploring this city is such an adventure

Returning to work today reminded me how much I love my job- I can't wait to work for a company I love- in a city I love soon! I actually missed working a lot over the weekend and today felt so much more settled at work. Such a blessing to me. :) Thank you for all your prayers- I miss you all but I am learning a lot about myself and life here. Its a huge blessing I know I will keep with me the rest of my life! Love you all and can't wait to talk to you all soon!

it snowed today!!

Today it snowed in Soho! The snow was falling as though someone was dumping it from a bag in heaven. The backdrop of the brick buildings across the street defined each snow flake. It was great- the little things in life- right! We have huge windows in the store that overlook the rough street below us. Its a cobblestone one way street and you can hear the cars hit the potholes throughout the day. I wonder why anyone even drives on them.

I love daydreaming out the third floor windows, looking out into the lofts across the way...dreaming about what it would be like to live in one. The design is so "New York" as I would put it- small but surrounded by everything you love. What more could you ask for!?! Its a great location- but quite pricey. I found out the other day- that one sold for over 7 million dollars about a year ago and it probably doesn't have much over 1,000 sq feet. You could buy a huge mansion in Atlanta for that!

On a funny note...
After work we unknowingly ate at a sushi restaurant that had live opera every Wednesday night. It makes me laugh thinking about it- I wish I could video tape everyday for you. It was like karaoke for opera singers- they were all great- just a random combination. I had my spicy tuna roll and then listened to opera. Only in NYC!

You never know what to expect- life has proven that to me lately! Smile in the moments when life is not one bit what you would have ever dreamed. I am so grateful for this path I am on and looking forward to what is ahead!

rhythm of the city

Hey!!
I miss you all- if you all could be here- life would be a little too perfect for me. :) Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support!

I am finally starting to get used to life here and everyday I am a little more excited about the Atlanta store opening. This company is amazing!

I have been so busy since I last wrote last week (and the internet has been down at the hotel- that is another story:)- everyday is so different and exciting. No two days are the same- and you all know I love that! Next Wednesday I begin selling, after I finish my two weeks of training on Friday. This excites me- I can't wait to make my first sale next week. I am looking forward to a four day weekend this week- and going to the MOMA on Friday!

I didn't get home yesterday until about 10pm and all I did was go to dinner after work. (that is what it means on #8 (first post)- sometimes I stay in the city with my other coworkers and go to dinner/ drinks after work) The food here is great- there is so much to choose from. Last Thursday we ate at a restaurant called Cowgirls, it happened to be thier 20th anniversary on Thursday. While we were there, a blue grass band played and a woman that sounded like she was in a karaoke bar sang "Stand by your man, you had to be there but it was hilarious. Nothing surprises me anymore in New York City. I had some amazing mac and cheese there- so I was happy! Yesterday I ate at a bakery where I had homemade hummus and cous cous salad- so good!

Yes, sometimes I do have to pinch myself and I remind myself that not only do I love my job (the days go by so fast) but I am in New York City. What excites me the most is that the possibilites are endless here. Everyday I am surrounded by the most interesting people, great architecture, and fashion. They say it takes awhile to get the "rhythm" of New York City. That was a very apparent to me last week- I felt as though I was in the Visa or MasterCard commercial where everyone is moving a mile a minute using their credit cards until someone writes a check- everyone piles up. Last week- I was the one with a check. (haha if you know what I mean- its a good way to put it). Now with my tennis shoes on, leather gloves, and puffy jacket (so warm)- I am getting in the "rhythm of the city"!

There is too much to talk about- so feel free to ask questions- I will write about it!

Pictures are coming... I am going to work on this over the weekend.

LOVE!

a day in my life...

It has been quite the life change over the past few days. Monday and Tuesday I had to remind myself..."you work in New York City, you work in New York City"! It wasn't quite real to me and I was still getting used to all that goes along with a new job...alot of training and having no idea what is going on. There is lots of training- I will be training for two weeks before I actually start being a "real employee". I love the store, I LOVE the product, love the people, and love the little street I work on.

So here is a "typical" day... although as you can imagine no day is typical for me in New York City. (at least not yet) :)

1) Wake up- I wake up about 8:00 or so (this is going to need to change next week for morning runs and workout time for me)

2) Get Ready- after getting ready and eating some food... its down to the lobby by 9:30 (with no caffeine- this will need to possible change too- don't ask me how I am doing this)

3) Walking- the three of us walk together to the path station which is about a 5-10 min walk (I am a proud tennis shoe commuter- my heels live in my locker in Soho or in my purse while I commute)- not bad at all- I say I could skip through the streets is so comfortable wearing tennis shoes

4) NJ to NY train- on to the path train (which is standing room only even at this time!) for one stop
this takes about 5 to 10 minutes too while take the bumpy at times ride under the Hudson river (the first day we randomly stopped in the tunnel to pick up and then drop off some workers in the tunnel)

5) Walking- then we walk from the path station to work which is about 10 minutes (fun fact- I walk by the Friends TV show apartment every morning- it's on Grove street)-
along the way sometimes (one time) I stop to get coffee :) other wise I have it at work

6) In the Store- then its up to the third floor of our building where we have our 10:30 meeting in the kitchen/ lunch room (I get there about 10:15-10:20)
all of the employees meet for a staff meeting every morning- its great because I love staff meetings
I love this building- its an old pillow factory then the corporate headquarters for Knoll- very vintage and clean lined

7) Working in the store-from 11 to 7 when the store is open- this will never be typical from day to day and I LOVE this fact!

8) Reverse...not quite:)- after the store closes at 7- the commute home begins- if I am going home :)
a quick walk to the subway station about 4 blocks away

9) Subway- 3 stops on the subway to the world trade center station

10) Train to NJ- take this train to the same path station I get on in the morning and the same walk home :)

its a fun filled day- and ALWAYS different :)

I think this covers my "typical" day...its so different but I am learning to love it! :)