I think Maverick might have more friends than I do...

So Maverick and I are starting to develop a bit of a routine. I guess according to Caesar Milan (the dog whisperer) you are supposed to walk your dog at least twice a day for at least 30 minutes each. So that is what Mav and I are doing. He, of course, has to stop at every tree, try to pick up every crumb that someone has dropped, and jump into the fenced in flower beds.

He has so many admirers around the neighborhood. We can't walk without getting stopped and told what a sweet and adorable dog he is. He is also a big hit with the children.

But I am intrigued by the number of people (children AND adults) who seriously swerve to get away from him. Like he looks like a remotely viscous dog. I know some people have been traumatized and all but I think they are being a bit dramatic. He doesn't even go towards them. Weirdos.

He also sometimes takes so long to pee on one tree, that a pigeon pooped on my shoulder the other day. Yes, it finally happened. My big fear of being pooped on by a bird and it is a pigeon. I kid you not, it actually burned a little. Like acid or something. I have heard that it is a good sign when a bird poops on you, so maybe it will bring me good luck. Or at the very least, increase the odds that it won't happen again anytime soon. Sort of the like lightning, right?

Got through my first cold by myself up here. It sucked not being able to go home and have my mom take care of me. She usually fixes me homemade chicken noodle soup and toast. I had to fend for myself. I actually think I got better in record time. Pretty much just slept a lot and drink lots of OJ.

Fall shows are starting again. Thank goodness. I am so glad to have something to watch. :)

Also, very exciting my cousin, Chad, and his wife just gave birth to their beautiful baby girl. I am sad I wasn't there and I won't get to officially see her until Thanksgiving. It is so weird seeing my cousin holding his daughter. I am so proud of both of them.

First chilly day and I turned off the air conditioner. Can't wait to save money on the bill but I am not excited about it getting cold. AT ALL.

No plans for this weekend yet but I did find out about a Mizzou bar on the Upper East Side so I might go watch the football game and maybe make some friends.

Oh yeah, recently a friend from high school starting messaging me on facebook. I have always liked this guy (as a friend) and was happy to hear from him but now he is texting me all the time and wanting to hang out when I come home for Thanksgiving. I don't want to sound like a selfish bitch but I am probably not going to have much time. There are so many people I am going to need to make time for. Plus, I just don't want to do the whole text message conversation all night. When I am watching a movie, watching a tv show, out doing something, I don't want to constantly be getting messages or having to come up with nice and witty remarks. I know this sounds ungrateful and mean but I just don't have it in me. I don't mind sometimes but if I respond, it NEVER ends. Not kidding. And he was planning on cooking me dinner. Already thinking of the recipes. Too much pressure. So I just suggested we get together for coffee or something.

Here are some tips from me to you:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Concrete at Shake Shack. GOOOOOOD. Also the burgers are really great too.

Street meat, more specifically a lamb gyro with tzatziki is even better cold the second day.

Crazy night out and being my own handywoman...

So Thursday I went to see Follies on Broadway for my first Broadway experience. It was awesome. Reminded me of being in musicals in high school.

Last night I met up with my new friend Bryce who was meeting a bunch of her former coworkers. We went to this place in the West Village called Wicked Willy's. It was awesome. Some of the cheapest drinks I have seen in NYC. Like $3 miller lights. Hell Yeah! They had real beer pong tables set up and a band was playing. It was a really good time. Did at least two tequila shots. Ended up making out with a guy who was pretty cute. Looked kind of like Taylor Lautner. But after awhile, and I do this a lot, I just don't like having someone following me around constantly. So I started talking to another guy. And of course, the first guy was like what is going on. He actually handled it pretty well and was like, do you want to be talking to him now? I was like I am just talking to him. I just was not in the mood to be glued to anyone. It was fun for a little while but I wanted to talk to people. Then I guess Bryce liked the 2nd guy who I had talked to so I stopped talking to him. Then I was trying to get the first guy to stop hanging on me but he didn't get it.

Then one of the other girls had to catch a train to connecticut at Grand Central which is a stop on the green line that takes me home. So I took advantage and was like I am going to go home too. The guy was all like can I come home with you? I was like no sorry. I want to be alone and go to sleep. He asked several times. He did ask for my number and I was like I am not going to give it to you if you aren't going to call me. But he said he would. Whatever.So I just shared a cab with that girl and got out of there. Another thing that is funny is before this guy showed up, his brother's girlfriend told me he was coming but also warned me that he is a player. Why are the players always attracted to me???

So I made it home and it was a fun night out. There were lots of cute guys and I talked to several of them. :)

So this morning once I slept in, I figured I need to build my couch that I bought from target and that was delivered yesterday. So I included pictures of the process for your viewing pleasure. At first I was afraid I would need real tools and then it didn't seem to come with instructions but I managed to get it put together and I finally have a place to sit besides my bed!!! And it is a futon too so more sleeping places for people who visit!!

My tiny apartment seems huge now...

Maverick says, "Hi!"

So my mom left today. Not on a plane but on a train. She is crazy. But I guess at least there is a mode of transport that will get her to visit. So glad to have Maverick here. Would definitely be very lonely without him.

Her visit was good. Started very frantic with losing out on a couple of days due to the hurricane but we got soooo much done while she was here. My couch should get here by this weekend and then it will be almost done and I will post pics. I am pretty proud of it. Not too much decorating done yet but I have ideas. So Sunday we took the ferry to IKEA (because it is in Brooklyn) and that was an experience. Mom and I were only a couple of blocks from where the WTC towers were but she was too tired. Again, my mom is interesting. Well, IKEA was an experience too. One of the most crowded places I had ever seen. THe kind of crowded that just drains any kind of energy you have. I will have to order from there online. YIKES. Or go during an off peak time (if they have one). I took her to Times Square yesterday and I think she really liked it. She wasn't so impressed with the East Village but I was! They had lots of bubble tea places!! Now, I love my neighborhood and everything but I really should have researched the bubble tea ratios. :)

So I think Mom really liked New York. While I was at work most days, she took Mav on several walks and got to know more people in the neighborhood than I do. Like there is a little coffee shop just down the street that these cute Asian girls run who LOVE maverick. They even let him in the store. My kind of place. I think she really liked having the freedom to walk anywhere. She did drive me crazy on how slow she walked. In NY you need to walk pretty fast to avoid multiple things such as being trampled by cars, taxis, busses, bikes, people, hoverrounds, etc. I was so afraid on multiple occasions that she would get lost and/or trampled but she made it through unscathed.

Also, I heard from "Bart" today. He emailed (and texted) saying he got tickets to a broadway show for Thursday, if I was interested. Part of me says, "RUN!" but the other part says, "Well, you have always wanted to go to a Broadway show." Decisions. If he tries anything, or didn't quite get the message from last time, then it will be the last time. I promise. :)

Mom and I also tried this cute little bakery in the 'hood called, Two Little Red Hens. If you are in the area, hell the tri-state area, please try them! I had the Brooklyn Blackout cupcake and mom had the carrot cake cupcake. The most moist and delcious cupcake ever. Must limit to once a week.

-S

Random Revelation of the Day: The subway smells like Worlds of Fun.

A home isn't a really a home...

...until you have furniture. So my apartment is really starting to feel like a relaxing place to come home to. They only things I have left to do is buy a couch, hang some pictures, and organize my pantry/linen closet. Oh yeah I need a nightstand too. But it is really awesome. Plus on tuesday night when mom and I were letting Maverick out before we went to bed, there was, sitting right outside of my building, a coffee table and a desk. So I told mom to stay by them and not let anyone get them while I took Maverick inside. We got the furniture inside and looked them over. They are both in pretty good shape. One of the legs of the desk needs to be tightened but other than that two free pieces of furniture! YAY!! (I think I found my new way to shop!) Then I discovered a thrift store around the corner and found a really nice inflatable bed (brand new) for half the normal price and a microwave cart for half price. This is the way to go!! I am going to IKEA tomorrow to check out a couch so when people visit me (ahem) they have a place to sit. :)

So my mom is here with me and it is interesting. She has the type of personality that is usually very hard to impress and underwhelmed about anything. Up until today, we haven't been able to do any sight-seeing because I have had to work and then we spent all our other time on getting the apartment organized. Trying to get what she would like to see or do out of here is like pulling teeth but when I came home early from work today she said she wanted to go to Central Park. So we walked around Central Park and I finally found the castle! I think she enjoyed that. Then we came back to my neighborhood to this little mexican bistro and had appetizers and margaritas.

Then we took Mav to the dog park. Which was fun. I met some people. Dog owners are the best and friendliest. I think Mav had a lot of fun. We will try to go there at least once a week.

Just got back from having dessert and coffee at this cute little place on 85th and Lex called Little Brown.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Mom wants to see Times Square, Little Italy, Chinatown, World Trade Center, and the New York Public Library. I am not quite sure she can handle the walking that will include but she asked for it. ;)

And great news, I guess dad is going to try to swing it so him and mom can drive up here next month! I can't wait!

-S