Peace in the Middle of Chaos

Before living here, I always thought of Times Square as so exciting and amazing.  It was what came to mind when I heard "NYC".  However after working basically in Times Square, I've become annoyed by the ridiculous amounts of people and overcrowded streets.  After work I can't wait to get to my neighborhood (Gramercy).  There's room to walk at your own pace and people seem a little more relaxed and nicer.  

It wasn't until this weekend, when my Mom and I visited Bryant Park, that I realized there was a place to find peace of mind in the middle of the noise, lights and crowds of Times Square.  Bryant Park has to be one of the most inspirational places.  It's not very big, but there are a million things going on.  There are chess clubs, ping pong tournaments, a beautiful fountain, an outdoor movie screen, a carousel (we even saw a little private birthday party at the ride), and a reading area, with books and signs reminding people to be quiet.  It amazes me how many things can be going on in such a peaceful area.  We did take advantage of being in midtown, and split a Raspberry Swirl cupcake from Crumbs (the cupcake place right outside the park), a little table close to the Carousel.  It was delicious!

I Got an Inside Tip....

Luckily, I don;t work on Fridays.  I heard that Gossip Girl was filming today at the crossing of Broadway and Prince in Soho.  Obviously I took the subway down there with hopes of celebrity sightings, maybe even the role of an extra (haha).  At first I was unsuccessful.  I couldn't find them anywhere.  So, I went shopping for a little bit and pretty much gave up my search.  

But, it was my lucky day!  On my way back to the subway to go home, I came across some trailers.  Movie star trailers!
I knew that I found what I was looking for when I saw the line of girls standing outside one of the trailer doors.  I got a great picture taking spot.  The actors weren't talking to anyone, and there was a lot of security walking them by, so it was hard to get good pictures.  However, I snapped a few!  

The first picture is of the roof that they were filming on.  (They were just rehearsing, because they were waiting for it to get dark for filming.  It was for the first episode of season 3.)  The picture that I'm in, is in front of the trailer that Leighton Meester (Blair) was getting her hair and makeup done in (at that very moment).  I saw the car drop her off and saw her walk in!

The Upper West Side and more dessert (I lost count)

After work Kaitlyn and I decided to meet up on the Upper West Side for another dessert trip at Levain Bakery.  I got up there before her so I had some time to walk around (it was my first time on the upper west side).  It was a really cool area.  I took a picture of one of my living options for the future (haha).  It was right by Central Park, which we walked through and pretended we were in a movie (friends always seem to meet up after work in Central Park in the movies).  

The cookies really were the best Chocolate Chip cookies in the world.  The bakery was a little hole in the wall, but it was so delicious.  My cookie went directly from the oven to my mouth (it actually burnt my tongue, it was so fresh).  

We walked through Central park to the Upper East side (another desirable place to live).  We saw the place where Blair and Chuck kiss on Gossip Girl and the Plaza, which was beautiful!  (I might go to a Gossip Girl taping tomorrow!)

Another high stress sale!

I don't think you ever get used to the feelings you get from a sample sale.  There was a shoes and handbag sale today.  Normally, I would just be excited, but last night and today I was actually nervous, stressed, anxious!  Why was I suffering like this?  Because they tortured us!  Yesterday, we had to set up the sale.  Pairing shoes worth hundreds of dollars and placing beautiful leather bags on tables is not fun when you know that there is a chance the vultures will pick up these treats before you.  I was expecting them to let us put aside our favorite bags and pay for them the next day, but that was not the case.

I had two favorite bags.  All night I thought about them.  The next morning, I was so anxious to get there, but no other interns would leave right away.  So, I waited trying to pretend I wasn't as anxious as I was.  We finally got there, and were among the first to arrive.  I grabbed the two bags that I dreamt about the night before and my stress level dropped dramatically.  I proceeded to find three more bags and two wallets, all for the price of less than one bag.  Within a half hour all the bags were gone.  

I have a serious problem.

Every New Yorker for themselves...

Trader Joe's in NYC is always an interesting experience.  It's the only Trader Joe's in Manhattan, so it's incredibly crowded.  One time I went and had to wait 10 minutes in line outside on the sidewalk, just to enter the store.  (The lines are definitely worth it.  The food is so good, and there are always free samples to eat while you're shopping.)

Anyway, I went food shopping yesterday.  I was so excited because I had no food and Trader Joe's is so fun to shop in, especially when you actually need food.  After finding everything that I wanted, I got in line (starting on the opposite side of the store from the cashier).  I don't mind waiting in line, but apparently some people get quite irritable.  There was a fight!  Not just any fight, but a fight between two middle aged women!  It started because one lady wasn't moving fast enough, and it escalated from there.  Names such as "fat liar" were thrown, along with threats about sending each other to the hospital and a few punches.  It took about 6 employees to break it up. 

 Luckily I made it out alive and with my food!

Who ever said NYC was expensive?

This sunny weekend was amazing!  We went kayaking on the Hudson.  It was so relaxing (we did more tanning than paddling), and the views were exceptional.  The statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were visible from our kayak.  But, the best part about this whole adventure is that it was completely free!  The kayak was free for an unlimited amount of time, the lockers and changing rooms were free.  It was a rare find.

Tribute to the Security Guard

It was a beautiful day all yesterday (while I was in work).  Of course as soon as I get out of the elevator to walk to the subway, it starts down pouring.  It was so dark out, it seemed like it was night.  I didn't have an umbrella.  Just as I was about to brave the walk and accept that I would get home soaking wet, the security guard offered me his poncho.  Leaving a major fashion company in a huge blue poncho (with a hood), would be the nightmare of most.  However, I really feel that he saved my life.  So, though I may have looked ridiculous running through NYC (on a swollen foot) in a blue poncho, I was dry and probably provided entertainment for many.  I returned the sacred poncho to him today.