#25 The Cold

The weather is a great identifier that it is winter and the holiday season. Moving to NYC from San Diego by way of Georgia — well, I was not prepared for the cold again. Where did I find my gloves, ear muffs and scarves? In my ski gear suitcase, along with my snowsuit and ski goggles. But to my advantage, the winter season is my favorite season (mostly tied with fall and spring).

I'm probably still not prepared enough for the impending winter weather here. (Notice this post is about the Cold. I'm hoping I can add a Snow post to my 25 Days of Christmas list!) I do not have snow boots, only one scarf that I really like, one pair of gloves and a borrowed hat from my roommate. I never liked these hats because I think they make my head look fat. That's why I always wear my cute ear muffs. But they are good for my ears, but not for keeping the heat from escaping through my head.

Exactly how I feel walking around with this hat on my head.

Here, you have to be even more bundled up in layers because you're walking around everywhere. And taking Cody to the bathroom at 7:30 a.m. each morning, having that cold air blast you in the face when you walk out the door... THAT will wake you up my friends.

On my To Do list: A couple new hats, scarves, gloves and socks (didn't need socks in San Diego!). And boots. Basically, a whole new wardrobe.

Cody's not too sure about the sweater...

Remembering, reflecting.

Fawn and Greg came to visit Thanksgiving weekend, and we went to the World Trade Center Memorial Saturday evening. It is pretty unbelievable to stand near the north and south pools, each placed at the base of where each of the towers stood, knowing just how tall those buildings were by the size of the surrounding buildings...and imagine being there in person as they came crashing down. 

Chasing Teddy.

Standing at the entrance to Roosevelt's Home. (Photo Credit: Liberty Schauf)

Last Saturday, for the first time in my life, I stood in a room where a President of the United States was birthed. I touched the stair railing of his boyhood home (it was the only thing we could touch...).

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, is the only president born in New York City.  His boyhood home can be toured at 28 East 20th Street in Gramercy Park/Union Square area of Manhattan.

Did you know that the Teddy Bear was invented in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt?  Also, he apparently drank a gallon of coffee a day.

I know we learn about Presidents in elementary/middle/high school, but these tours make learning so much more fun than reading in a history book.  It has actually peaked my interest in reading his biography.  His mom was born and raised in Roswell, Ga., from a very confederate family.  And his dad was a fourth-generation Dutch New Yorker, and he was one of the founders of the American Museum of Natural History in 1869.

While waiting for the tour to begin, I had my first stare down with a city squirrel.  (Photo Credit: Liberty Schauf)

Well hello there Nor'easter

It's snowing! And sticking! I love New York!

One week ago today.

One week ago today, I was readily anticipating three things: 1) Being without power, 2) Having to swim or slush my way around the city and 3) Being stuck in my apartment (alone but with canine companion) for a couple days without power and water.

As much as I wanted to USE my flashlight, I thankfully didn't have to do any of those three things. I never lost power. We didn't get any flooding. And I wasn't stuck inside my apartment — well maybe somewhat because of the intense winds whipping outside.

Here are some of the days events that come to mind when I look back...

Three Days Before Sandy Hits:
Wasn't really thinking much about Sandy because I was running around Manhattan in the morning trying to find a new outfit for my job interview that evening, giving myself enough time to walk Cody beforehand and get ready to leave. We talked nonchalantly about Sandy during interview.

Two Days Before Sandy Hits:
I get this feeling that I shouldn't disregard what the news is telling me and that I should go while I have time to get some essentials. Everyone in New York talks about "Go Bags." So I go to Rite Aid and the grocery and buy items on my list. Yes I made a list. The only thing I didn't get was candles. Total cost: $115. The first aid kit was $20...and $40 of it was cash. 

One Day Before Sandy Hits:
I didn't think I had enough water, so I went to the 99 Cent store across the street and got some more bottles. Total cost: $7. As 5 p.m. approached, the local news was non-stop about Sandy. Press conference after press conference. Prep, prep, prep. My landlord stopped by to tell me if the power goes out to call her, no matter what time, because she had to come here to make sure the basement didn't flood. This area flooded last year with Hurricane Irene. I spent most of the day finishing a midterm exam and working ahead for the week in case I lost power. Then the mayor suspended all transportation at 7 p.m. The city was shutting down. Sandy was real.

The Day Sandy Hit:
Didn't lose power overnight. But I knew (from watching the news non-stop) that I had to get Cody on his walk early in the morning and then at noon. Because at noon the winds were going to be bad. And they were BAD. At about 5 p.m., I took my aunt's advice and blew up my air mattress just in case I needed a flotation device. This is when I also start thinking I should have bought more junk food because canned green beans, tuna and Ravioli just wasn't going to cut it. I was thinking about chips, candy...

The Day After Sandy:
Extreme boredom sets in. It is still really windy, so going outside for a long walk wasn't something I could do with Cody. I should have read books, but instead I got caught up in the news again. It was a ghost town. Nobody was outside. No cars on the street. No buses or taxis. Trains were still down. Cody tried to get me to read my book, but I couldn't.

So yes, Sandy cost me $122. But I'll be ready for the next natural disaster or whatever comes our way. I put my "Go Bag" up, but nearby. I'm thankful I have had power, heat, water, food and shelter for the past week, unlike a lot of other people. The only thing affecting my area now is the gas shortage. One gas station is closed with a sign that says "No Gas." And the other gas station has a long line.

And that folks is my Snor'eastercane 2012 wrap up.

Hurricane Sandy.

Quite a different scene from last week's post of the beautiful trees! I lucked out here in my area. No flooding, and I didn't lose power. There was some tree damage two blocks away. And I have a restless pup who just wants to run (hence the blur of Cody running through the apartment).

Morning walk in the neighborhood

From the sidewalk

Night time in the city, walking to get a slice of pizza around the corner for dinner. I see three things:
1.) A couple having dinner at their table and another lone (third wheel) woman sitting on a bar stool behind them.
2.) A middle-aged man playing his violin in a very bright blue room.
3.) A grizzly bear talking on a cell phone.
                ...wait...
That last one was actually just a very, very hairy shirtless man walking around a room in circles talking on his cell with the blinds up.

Finally met a Kennedy.

It was one of those once in a lifetime opportunities, that as much as I really didn't want to wait in a line for two-plus hours, I knew I had to just do it. Caroline Kennedy had a book signing at the Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue Tuesday for the book, "Listening In: The Secret White House Recordings of John F. Kennedy."

I've been fascinated for a long time with the JFK presidency, his death and his life — and the Kennedy family in general.

So I purchased a White Chocolate Mocha Latte, a Spinach/Cheese pretzel, and the book and got in line outside of the store.

When it was time to have my book signed, I had prepared what I was going to say, because it was going to be quick.

"Hi. It's nice meeting you. Thank you for being here."

Kind of lame and boring, but I wanted to be "polite." I can't really remember what she said to me. I think she said, "Nice to meet you too. Thank you."

Part of me has a feeling by her somewhat surprised face expression that when I said, "Thank you for being here," that she took it as "Bless the Gods that you were born." When I really meant, "Thank you for coming to do this book signing today." I guess such tragedy in one's life can take what I said as to meaning another thing.

Remembrance, class, coffee & books.

Today's an exciting day for me, and a day of remembrance. It's the first day of my first in-class course — Electronic Publishing for Publishers — at Pace University. So every Tuesday night I get to go into this building adjacent to two of my favorite things: books and coffee. There is a Barnes & Noble on one side of the building and a Starbucks on the other.

It has been the most beautiful two days here. Cool breeze, no sweating, windows still open. And there's a different feeling to actually being in NYC on the Sept. 11th anniversary. *I remember.

Window viewing.

Yesterday I saw a guy fall off his bike HARD while sitting at my desk. Looks like his dry cleaning got caught in the wheel... He was OK though. Probably didn't even know I saw it happen. Which always has me thinking as I'm walking Cody, "I wonder who's watching me?"

My last semester of grad school started Wednesday. So things are in full swing. DeDe was my first NYC visitor. She was here for work, but we were able to meet up Wednesday night and last night for dinner. Somewhere in the mix of all that and tonight's adventure to Staten Island for a graduation party... I'm fitting in studying for this week.

Lesson of the Week: Do not bike ride with your dry cleaned items in the city. You're bound to eat the cement. 

Socrates Park Farmers Market.

Lettuce, apples, plums, tomatoes and jalapenos! 

Jars of jalapenos are so expensive here, so I bought some fresh ones to cut up. I'm making it a goal to go to the Farmers Market every Saturday to buy fruits and veggies. 

Locked out.

I locked myself out of the apartment building this morning, taking the trash out. Just this one time I decided not to take my keys with me because I was going to prop the door open.... Well the door won and slammed shut. First reaction was to just cry. I knew it was early and our landlord wouldn't be over till noon. That's four hours without keys, a phone, or money to even wait out the time at a coffee shop. But I knew the upstairs tenants might be home. Great, now I'm the crazy, annoying, downstairs neighbors who's going to buzz your apartment early in the morning. They're going to hate me.

Buzzed a couple times. No answer. I pretty much knew they were sleeping.

Sat on the stoop for forever, contemplating life and why I didn't bring my keys. (Wanted to cry and scream, but didn't.)

Waiting won't be so bad.

I wish I would have at least had cash on me to get a coffee.

Time to buzz again. One short one. Two longer ones.

Finally! A voice on the other end.

What makes me feel worse is that the guy came out after buzzing me in and apologized for not answering when I buzzed earlier. Are you kidding me!? Thank you, I said, and I'm so sorry I kept buzzing and woke you up.

Turns out I was only outside for 30 minutes, but it felt so much longer, and it would have been.

Lesson learned. Then I cried a teensy bit for being saved from the stoop with no cash, keys or phone.

Here.

We arrived Saturday before noon. Unpacking the car was quick, as was the quick trip to Home Depot to get rugs and other items. Mom and dad had a short window of time in NYC (their first trip to the Big Apple), so we wanted to make time to do some sightseeing. And we did, but obviously there is so much to see and do, you can't fit it all in in 24 hours. A GREAT excuse to come back and visit! 

Happy to report that the Astoria area and my apartment has surpassed my expectations. So far, I'm very comfortable and happy with where I'm at. I think mom and dad were happy with the area and apartment as well. Dad had a couple beers on the porch area Saturday night -- my guess to scope out the area for any late-night shenanigans in the area. No suspicious activity was reported. 

Here's my subway stop:

Trains outside of Manhattan run above ground and go underground in Manhattan.

Cody and took a walk yesterday afternoon over to my nearest park -- Astoria Park. It's about a half a mile away, so not a bad walk at all. It's got great views!

The park has a track. People walk, run, jog... I love the bridge view. This is the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, which connects to Randall's Island. 

This is the opposite side of the Robert F. Kennedy bridge along the East River. Great view of Manhattan from here.



And I leave you with Dad trying to find himself in the street cam in Times Square. Talk about sensory overload with all the lights, sounds and people! (That's his arm waving.)

Another new adventure

Well it's finally happening... after 12 years of dreaming about it. I'm off to a new adventure in New York City. Cody has also become quite the road trip traveler. A year and a half ago, we were driving from San Diego to Georgia. The time, obviously, has gone by in the blink of an eye. It seems to be doing that a lot these days. 

As much as I loved -- and continue to love -- San Diego, I have no regrets whatsoever spending time with my family. I needed it. I needed to establish a special bond with my nephew. I needed to be near my sister, my till-death-do-us-part best friend. I needed to annoy my brother-in-law with my stubbornness to do things my way and not his, and visa versa. I needed to remind mom that she could have just as much leisure time as dad takes ... the laundry CAN wait. 

For what I realized about myself... well, I think the worst in situations as some sort of coping mechanism. This was in full effect during the NYC apartment hunt. I also eat way too much ice cream -- still. My dog is like my child, so I really dislike when people talk bad about him. And I'm still ready for more adventures in life.

So we'll see how the big city treats Cody and I this next year. I'm excited and nervous, but more excited.