What I've Been Doing Lately

New Year, new me right? Blogging hasn’t been on the tip top of my list of priorities, but it is definitely on my list of resolutions! I would like to realistically do a few posts a month, aka what I have been up to, recipe ideas, running, etc.

So since we’ve last chatted, life has been pretty sweet to me. I spent Thanksgiving with my dear friend Grace at her home in New Hampshire and had such a wonderful time. We went to the beach on Thanksgiving Day (her family tradition), her amazing mother made me a completely vegan meal, and took a drive up to Mount Washington and along the scenic Kancamagus Highway. We didn’t get to hike, but I will definitely be planning a trip to do just that this coming summer! It was bittersweet to be away from my family, but knowing I would see them for Christmas and having such an incredible time with Grace made for a very memorable trip.

My mom came to NYC (quickly becoming her favorite city I do believe) for a Christmas extravaganza! We ate lots of vegan dishes, saw the incredible Rockettes show, ice skated in Bryant Park, and toured the Rolling Stones exhibit in the West Village. We also got to see the film Jackie that I was dying to see, and it proved to be absolutely incredible. Of course we had several AMAZING vegan meals at my favorite spots! Her visits are always a whirlwind of fun, and never last long enough.

Jujube Tree in Astoria

Kimchi at Chelsea Market

As far as running goes, I took on my first (and maybe last) cross country race at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. My enthusiastic teammates talked me into it, and I am very easily influenced into signing up for any and all racing events. My sister, Tara, an avid cross country runner in High School and college gave me some tips, and I strapped on my trail shoes and took the train out to the park on a very chilly and wet morning. Standing at the start I realized “what have I got myself into” as we spread out and headed out quickly into a flooded field. Soaking wet, we turned onto the trail and began a very steep ascent into the hills. My legs burning, I put everything I had in me into finishing as fast as possible and trying to not finish last. As a distance runner, speed isn’t my thing and multiple times as I tried to speed up I told myself I hated running and would never race again. Crossing the finish line was a relief, and about 2 minutes later I decided it was really fun to race such a difficult trail! Runner’s brain for you…

I also ran the Ted Corbitt 15k in Central Park with my team, which was a lot of fun and I set a nice new PR! Other than that, I have been adjusting to winter running in the cold and snow and really enjoying it so far. Other than freezing hands, having no issues and I think that winter really is my favorite season! Another little note: started a new job as a Catering Sales Coordinator planning all weddings at the Plaza.. a real dream come true!

Keep running friends!

The Three People You'll Meet in NYC

Serendipity: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

I believe in fate, moments, and the power of the universe bringing important people and experiences into your life during crucial periods of time. My recent adventure to New York City brought me three very important people and conversations that will leave a lasting impact on me, and at a very influential time of my life.

#1: The Creative

While strolling through the streets of the very beautiful Dumbo area of Brooklyn, I noticed a little shop with the words "art" and "music" listed on the Windows and I made the decision to further investigate. Upon entry, a woman who greeted me with a welcoming smile that radiated the most beautiful rays of sunshine with a warm hello. Her name was Natchie. Natchie is a singer, songwriter, and illustrator by way of colored pencil who creates art inspired by her music. Many of these are scenes of New York City, like the Empire State Building and the main pathway of Central Park with tiny unique people on their merry way. Her art is very whimsical, bright, cheerful, and moving. The songs that inspired her art are breathtaking and some heartwrenching. She spoke to me like an old friend describing her way of creativity and her passions flowing from her voice. She helped me pick out a gift for my sister that could not be more perfect for her, and of course a couple for myself as well.

She followed her passions as a singer, songwriter, artist, and took these three things and cultivated them into an original career where she goes to work everyday doing the things she loves and helps to inspire others. I look up to Natchie for creating a niche and flourishing business for herself where she can go to her store everyday, draw, sing, talk to customers and give them a memorable experience that many artists can't by explaining her art to them and share her inspirations for them.

#2 The Entrepreneur

Being the tourist that I am, on my list of "must sees" was The High Line Park in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. It was later in the day around 7pm, and while peeking in the windows of the chic little shops of the Meatpacking District, I noticed a Christmas tree in one window made out of vinyl records. While I stopped to admire it, my friend and I realized our friend from college was also inside! We went in to say hello, and I got caught up speaking to a man selling his women's fragrances. (Excuse me for misplacing his business card and his name.)

His spirit really captured me. He told me about his career working for big name fragrance brands and his resume bursting with things like creating Clinique Happy, a scent I told him reminds me of my mother too. He wanted to create a more simple scent, something with the essence of a woman rather than an alcohol based over powering scent. He created his line from inspirations like a flower he admired in Central Park, which really struck home for me that people who love things like this could also fall in love with his fragrance. He asked me about my passions, I told him travel, and he urged me to take every opportunity I could and to chase my dreams no matter how far they take me. "Think outside of the box," he told me. Meeting him helped me to realize that a move to the city might be the next leap for me. A city full of passion, innovation, and constant inspiration and creativity. Just what I need.

#3 The Dreamer

I'll admit I have been slacking a little on this blog (working 50+ hours a week will do that do you.) 

Anyways, Sunday afternoon after a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and meeting person #1, we got thirsty and stumbled into a bar in the Meatpacking District called The Brass Monkey. We sat down at the bar upstairs, and immediately our bartender came to greet us and I felt an instant connection to him and a desire to get to know everything about him. 

He told us about how he packed a suitcase four years previously and moved to New York City without knowing a soul there in order to peruse a career in acting. While in persist, he became a personal trainer and bartender to support himself while he auditioned and did shows in and around the city. His ambition and drive was so inspiring me to do whatever it takes and to "be bold." To live without fear of failure is something I can't say that I embody; I always have a plan and a fall back plan for everything I do. Upon departing, I asked if he would like to hangout the next day and bravely left my phone number.

The following day was more than a dream for me; we met for breakfast at Alice's Tea Cup. A quaint tea parlor there's after Alice in Wonderland was right up my alley being a Disney lover. We enjoyed breakfast and then walked around Central Park for hours and discussed love, ambition, dreams, and life. It was more than ever before like I was talking to an old friend and remembering someone I had forgotten. We met again that evening for dinner and to see the Christmas decorations and the tree at Rockefeller Center before we said goodbye (for then, the rest is history.)

Sometimes, life throws people at you just when you need the inspiration. This trip forever changed my life forcing me to think about my creativity, my career, and who I am meant to be. So buy a plane ticket, take a chance, explore. You never know who you may meet ;)

Thank You, New York City

I have a huge sense of wanderlust, to explore, to find new places, meet new people. Even in the areas I live in I am constantly exploring and trying to uncover new places and find little gems. A few weeks ago, I was toying with what to do with a few days off I had, and after a glass of wine I purchased a ticket to New York City.

New York City has always represented creativity and boldness to me ever since my first visit when I was 19 years old, when I announced to my family that one day I would be a resident of the city. Obviously, that has not happened, but visiting will have to do for now.

I flew in very early on Saturday morning to be greeted by the brisk chill of the air tickling my face as soon as I stepped out of the airport. Cold air makes my soul dance for joy, in a past life I must have resided in a cold climate. I began my adventures with a filling breakfast at Brickyard Gastropub NYC in the Hell's Kitchen area, overflowing with eatery's, bars, and bakery's. I selected a veggie burger with sauteed mushrooms, a side salad, and a mimosa (go big or go home NYC.) One of the best and most distinctly different veggie patties I have ever had, 10/10.

After another mimosa or two, we frolicked (literally) to Central Park to meet a couple of my college sorority sisters to join them for ice skating. The rink is located on the south side of the park, and boasts beautiful views of the trees in the park, the skyline, and the stunning Plaza Hotel. This was truly a dream come true for an ex-figure skater; I have had skating outside on my bucket list for years. Having not skated in over 2.5 years and wearing rental skates, I picked up where I left off and joyously glided around the rink with a giddy grin on my face.

Sunday morning began as all good mornings do, with incredible vegan breakfasts. We made our way to a vegetarian restaurant I had read about online, The Butchers Daughter (what a pun.) I opted for Tempeh Lettuce Tacos topped with avocado, and a Cacao smoothie. I really loved the communal seating and getting to talk to other tourists and locals about their plans and experiences for the day. 

Afterwards, we walked across the stunning Brooklyn Bridge, another dream of mine. The sights from the bridge were breathtaking and one of those moments that truly make you realize how massive the city is. We spent sometime at the Brooklyn Bridge Park and strolling the streets of the Dumbo area of Brooklyn.

After exploring the Chelsea Market and a few drinks in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, we stopped by Too Boots Pizza and split a vegan pizza. You can't go to NYC without pizza, even as a vegan, and this pizza was pretty incredible. 

Even more incredible, was seeing my favorite musical and probably favorite story of all time, Les Miserables on Broadway. Tears were flowing the entire time as well as holding myself back from bursting in song along with the actors. This was a definite highlight of all my trips to the city and another check off my bucket list.

Central Park has always been a defining symbol of the city to me as well and how easily you can walk in and get lost in the many different areas of the park, and really forget you are in one of the biggest cities in the world. Another bucket list item in my running life was to run in the park, and that I did. Breathing in and out the energy of the other runners, the greenery, and the tops of the skyscrapers you can barely make out from inside the park fueled my run twisting and turning across the bridges and fields of the park. It is quite a wonderful place to run, with pedestrian lanes for safety as well as hills to get in a solid workout. Truly one of the most joyous runs in my book.

Visiting New York during Christmas is in my opinion, the best time to visit. From the glistening ice of the many open air ice rinks, the intricate window displays of stores like Lord & Taylor, resident's fire escape lights, and of course the Rockefeller Center Tree, there is no more beautiful a place in my mind. Living in Central Florida and without family, this year has been hard to get into the spirit of Christmas. The crisp air, the sounds of laughing, blades scraping ice, twinkling lights, and the smell of fresh Christmas trees finally got me into the excitement of the holidays. New York captured my happiness and the non-stop way of my spirit. Thank you New York, for an incredible visit. I will be back, and soon.