Chapter 42 - Visitors Welcome

My parents arrived last Friday afternoon and it felt like as soon as they landed they left. It was defiantly a great time. We did so much in the little time we were here. I took a lot of pictures the days it was sunny but unfortunately it was raining on Sunday and Monday so there are hardly any from those days.

A few favorites:

 Cotton Candy always wins in my book.

Joe's Coffee, freaking delicious!

My Parents at the Top of the Rock.

Interesting fact: A woman symbolizes freedom and suffarge, however when she was finished and there was a parade and celebrations, women were not allowed to attend.

Globe that sat between the two world trade center building that survived their collapse.

Beyond my parents coming to visit there hasn't been a lot on my mind except family. My aunt who I am really close with is going through a difficult time. So difficult, if things don't change I am thinking about moving back to Dallas next year to be with her. Don't get me wrong, I love this place and the potential opportunities that could be unleashed here. However, family is family. I hate that she is hurting and I am so far away. Especially when I know I could help her out so much. Ten months is still very far away and I am well aware things can change drastically. But it could be on the table come February 2011.

I miss my Dallas friends terribly.

Savor the Moments arrived in the mail on Tuesday. It's the third book in the Quartet Series by Nora Roberts. I will forever be a hopeless romantic and she captures that in every book she writes. Is it sad that fiction gives me hope in my personal life? Maybe.

Teddy and Winston are getting along pretty well. Better than I expected actually most likely due to the fact that I put Teddy in the crate at night so both Winston and I can sleep in peace.

Oh that reminds me, Tuesday at the dog park I almost got into a little altercation with some fellow dog owners. They did not like how Teddy was playing with their dog. I kept pulling him away from their puppy but it kept coming to play with Ted. The man said, " I don't like how that dog is playing with mine.", "Get that dog out of here.", If you don't take your dog out of here I am going to leave." I just smiled politely and said, "Sir, they are dogs." The couple eventually left. Freaking people. Don't get me wrong, Teddy can be rough and has been known to get into fights but he was hardly playing with the dog and it kept coming back for more. Ugh. DOGS ARE DOGS.

T is in town this weekend! We are going to happy hour tonight with another co-worker. That should be fun. I can't wait to have some fun with him!

Um, what else is new? Not much. Later gators.

Chapter 41 - Lazy Weekends and Upcoming Fun

I really need to stop being lazy on the weekends. My bed is this comfy abyss of utter satisfaction that constantly calls my name. It sure as hell didn't help that I signed up for Netflix either.

Friday I came home, cleaned, ate take out with A, and we proceeded to head to a local bar to people watch. It was the same bar I fell in love with and have been to every week since discovering it. However, their only good drink specials are their $10 pitchers of bud. How did I learn this? Well you see, I went in needing an energy boost so I opted for RedBull and Vodka. I figured it was probably going to be around five bucks a pop since they used well vodka, however at the end of the night when I closed my tab I discovered they were not. They were double the price of what I expected and honestly didn't really give me the boost I needed. Its times like those when I miss Texas.

Saturday A and I woke up way too late. I am too embarrassed to even say the time. Okay, three in the afternoon. I never used to feel guilty about waking up that late, however I am no longer in college and it just seems irreponsible seeing as though I only have two days a week devoted to doing whatever I want.

Sunday I woke up at eleven (some what better).

Throughout all this sleep and laziness, I did take Teddy to the dog park twice so the little monster could release all of his pent of energy. They reopened the small dog run and it is great. Teddy didn't get in any fights. Yes!

My parents are arriving Friday in the early afternoon. I honestly can't wait. Hopefully my dad has prepared himself for the ridiculous city prices because I really don't feel like dealing with a grumpy old man the entire time they are here. The only for sure thing we are doing so far is going to the Statue of Liberty. I am thrilled to get close-up pictures of her. Maybe then I will have some photos that I can be proud to hand in my apartment of the city.

I still need to plan out a few of the days, clean my apartment from top to bottom, as well as buy a few things such as cat litter and box since Winston is arriving for his big debut! Exciting!

Oh and my new ring should be arriving tomorrow morning!

Chapter 40 - Two Posts in One Week, CRAZY

For the past two months I have had a new BFF... I bought myself one freshman year of college and never used it so I eventually sold it. But now walking at least two miles a day and riding the subway I find I go absolutely crazy if I don't have it. Plus it has all the music that reminds me of where I am from and what I love, the country!

I was going to post a picture of my new haircut but when I took a picture of myself I didn't like how any of them came out. Mostly because I look like I'm five years younger. How in the hell does that happen? Isn't chopping off your hair supposed to make you look older and more mature? What the hell? Oh well.

I just got confirmation of another friend coming to visit me. I'll call him T. T and I met a couple years ago back at A&M when he was in town visiting a friend that I also knew. Long story short, I moved to Dallas and he was there too. He introduced me to the amazing group of friends there and who I truly miss every day. I can't wait to go to the Gayborhood of NYC and have some carefree fun! Last time T took us out to Cedar Springs in Dallas and damn it was a good time! Looks like the weekend after my parents are here T is arriving on a jet plane. Exciting times!

With all these upcoming visitors I really need to stick to my budget and eat cereal for breakfast and bring lunch into work everyday. Not only will it help my wallet but my waist as well. How the hell do people afford raising children in this city?!

Oh I get my replacement Aggie Ring next Tuesday. Eeek! I lost it when I lost my wallet in November when I was up here visiting. Don't tell my parents... they still don't know and I won't tell them unless they ask. But apparently I have to re-dunk the damn thing in a pitcher of beer. Ha, maybe, maybe not.

Back to work. Short lunch today. I am feeling productive!

XOXO - Chapa Girl

Chapter 39 - Sunny Weekends Bring Lots of Happiness

One week later brings a whole new view on city life. I knew the only reason I was homesick was due to the holiday, but I had to give myself some time to get over that hump. I don't regret my move at all and I am pumped to see what the big apple is going to bring to my life.

I have always counted on the weekend for a break from work in order to rebuild sanity. This past weekend wasn't any different and to sugar coat everything.. it was absolutely beautiful.

Friday evening started out with a new purchase of sandals and a haircut. It had almost been a year since my last one and I was ready for a change. The hairdresser did a great job! I got two free glasses of wine out of it which made getting eight inches cut off a little easier. How could my weekend start any better? Okay, maybe not spending $100 for a haircut. But hey its New York and for a decent haircut that price really isn't bad.
I headed home did my mommy duties and then went out to meet some coworkers at Cooper 35 in the Village. Fun time with lost of drinks and at the end of the night my bill only totaled $50, not bad considering that was for the entire night...

Saturday I honestly didn't do much besides take Teddy to the dog park and sit on the bench watching boats go by. It was very relaxing. I slept a lot of the day away and ended up waking up at 9PM and staying up till 5 on Sunday morning. Oops.

Sunday I woke up at ten and was bound and determined to make something out of my day. Yes I should have gone to church but I headed out to enjoy what God blessed us all with: nature. Teddy and I went on a two hour walk up to Harlem via the sidewalk on the UES that is made for people to bike, walk and run. We ended up crossing a bridge to another island. Here is the view from the bench:

After resting a bit we headed back to Carl Schurz park. Best choice because Teddy got to play with all his friends in the dog run, I got use the park bathroom, and then we relaxed by basking in the sun.  :)

here are a few pictures of the amazing flowers that are all over the park. I knew I should have taken my camera!

It was a wonderful weekend and I will pray for another beautiful one for the weekend my parents come. April 23rd they will be here! I am so excited, especially for my mom since she has never been here. She might hate it but at least she'll get to experience it!

Everything is great here in the city. Until next time...

Chapter 38 - Homesick

It's official, I am homesick. I have this horrid feeling of wanting to quit, move back to Texas and take pictures full time. This feeling has to pass by tomorrow or it might just happen. Nothing bad has happened here so far to make me want to move back home. It's just that yesterday was Easter and my entire family was celebrating it in Texas without me. 

I had an awesome weekend here in the city. A and I went to Central park with our puppies. We thought it was going to be relaxing but we should have known better. Taking Teddy and Stanley to a park FULL of distractions was probably not the smartest idea.

Teddy is so photogenic. He loved looking at all the people and dogs. There was definitely never a dull moment.

Aww, Theodore. :)

Stanley was a yellow highlighter for the day. A said she was bored and dyed him. Who knows what really happened. o.O

Mr. Yellow Highlighter.

Mr. GQ - Who wouldn't want him?

 Sunday I took Teddy to the park near my house and let him play. He is getting so touchy these days. He got in a fight and I had to take him out to calm down. Child!?I went back to my apartment, showered and headed back out for a mini adventure. It consisted of a great bar I stumbled across on Thursday, Bull Pen. They allow dogs and play country music, couldn't get any better than that! I looked up reviews on Yelp and they mentioned a backyard patio. I decided to take Teddy and my book to the bar for lunch. It was a beautiful day and I stayed for two hours drinking my $10 pitcher of Bud (cheap for the city), eating chicken strips, listening to great music, and basking in the warm sun.

View from where I was sitting. I am returning ASAP.