Thoughts About Living on the East Coast

To this day some people think Joe and I are out of our minds to voluntarily live on the east coast and commute to work to NYC. Most people that are born and raised in New York or the surrounding areas count down the days to retirement when they will be moving away from the cold and snow. In my opinion if you were born and raised on the west coast seasons are a luxury. I feel extremely blessed to experience not only the famous NYC but to live some place so extremely different from where I was born. It's officially three winters later and I have to admit I still find myself staring out the window loving my view of the snow. Since moving to New York I have officially become a winter lover. This by no means means that I don't crave higher temperatures when its zero degrees out but for the most part I get excited for the cold and snow. Commuting can be strenuous and sometimes frustrating but who gets this view:

I know we won't live here forever but for the meantime I am enjoying every single thing New York has to offer.

Record Breaking Winter

This post may cause me to eat my words but I believe that we have officially left Winter 2014/2015 in the past. This was officially our third winter on the east coast and the coldest by far! Our first winter was extremely exciting and every snow storm was welcomed with open arms. Last year we ate our words when we basically got a snow storm every week. Preparing for this winter everyone was saying it was going to be mild because last year was so bad. We didn't end up getting any real snow until mid January but it came with a vengeance. After the snow slowed down the east coast was hit with a cold front. The photo above shows that on our way to work in January the temperature plummeted to negative ten. This is coldest I have experienced here on the east coast. We will have to see what next year has in store for us!

Super Bowl 49

I am not sure about you but when I think of Super Bowl I think of great food, ice cold beer, and amazing company. This year our neighbors reserved us well in advance for Super Bowl 49. We decided the game would be best viewed at our place. Our TV is a mere 5 inches larger and of course this made all the difference. ;) 

Joe and I have had a crazy couple of months and the upcoming months don't look to be any different. To take away some of the stress of hosting Super Bowl at the house, the boys offered to take care of it and opted to let our local grocery store's deli handle the preparations.

Now, it's not pretty and it's no where near gourmet but this kind of low key event is just what I needed. Don't get me wrong, I love to host people at our home and make new dips and dishes for them to try but I can't tell you how nice it is not to have to clean an entire kitchen afterward.

Of course I had to bake something, per the boys request I baked a cake that turned out more like a giant doughnut:

Not exactly my proudest moment but it was what was requested.

We had a very relaxing day and I actually watched 75% of the game.

How did you spend the Super Bowl?

Sunday Funday?

(this is all clean laundry)

Has this ever been you?

Before the weekend Joe and I both agreed that this weekend was going to be dedicated to chores. We have multiple vacations in the near future and we need to start preparing. Saturday we started off strong by making a hot breakfast and running to the bank, library, gas station, and grocery store. Then things came to a screeching halt. Joe and I decided to take a little break and catch up on a TV show or two. This lead to an afternoon nap and I did not get back on my feet until 6pm! Usually I would be embarrassed to admit I slept for hours during the day but we have no kids yet so we might as well take advantage.

Our sleep filled Saturday caused us to have a less than relaxing Sunday. Six loads of laundry and some house cleaning later it was 9pm on Sunday night. This morning I am still exhausted but feel great that I am going to be going home to a clean house. (Even if it's not until 11pm)

Now, I can focus on packing for vacation!

A Lost Weekend

Have you every taken a weekend just to yourself to get things done for you and not for anyone else? Joe and I decided this past weekend was going to be for just this. We both had homework to do but other than that we decided we were going to "check out." The main purpose of the weekend was to get ahead in school but to also completely relax and enjoy some down time.

With our current work/school schedule we do not get the sleep we need or deserve. So one of my main goals was to get caught up on my sleep. I think I went a tiny bit overboard when I went to lie down to read a book at 6:00pm on Sunday, accidentally feel asleep did not... I repeat did not wake up until Monday morning. Not only did I not eat dinner but failed to make anything for lunches this week and will not have a chance to do so until Tuesday night.

So as I sit here on the Monday after our lost weekend I am no more relaxed than usual! I know I may be alone on this I feel like I need to get chores and errands done on the weekend to feel more relaxed when Monday comes.

Can I get a re-do?

Let's Talk Weather

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make living here on the east coast has to be the weather. Most of the non-east coasters think this is the land of humidity and sweaty exhausted people. On any given day this can be true but we are certainly not the Caribbean. Yes, august is a month some people dread but the rest of the year I really can’t complain.

My first summer living in New York it was HUMID! Humid to the point that I gave up blow drying my hair all together. Last summer on the other hand surprised both Joe and I because we can barely remember a day when it was uncomfortably humid. (I’m thinking we just had a good year.) Even while in Aruba last September we experienced minimal humidity and that was a major bonus! Our great summer we had last year lead into a winter for the books. We received countless snow storms and had over two feet of snow in our backyard at any given time. (Secretly I loved it because the novelty of snow has not worn off yet.) Now entering my third summer in New York I am hoping to have an enjoyable summer forecast similar to last year. So far, the past two months have been staying around eighty degrees with minimal humidity. Some days feels as if we are entering some very humid times but then the rain comes and washes it all away. We have even had to bundle up at BBQs as the temperature is currently mirroring the west coast and cooling down significantly at night. So far so good, let’s hope this is the new trend of the east coast!

The Adventures in Dog-Sitting

This week Joe and I have the PLEASURE of baby-sitting the most amazing puppy in the whole world! This is Butch and he is the biggest teddy bear you will ever meet. Butch has stayed with us once before and trust me when I say that I would adopt this dog if he didn't have the greatest owner already. We look forward to hosting him months before his arrival. Our landlord even gets in on the fun and lets Butch out into the yard while Joe and I are at work.

We took him to Petco on Sunday and picked up his new little friend. It's only been a couple of days with Butch but I am already dreading his departure.

Get Outside: Butler Memorial Sanctuary

This weekend Joe and I woke up at 8am and were instantly bored. We decided we would get out of the house and explore a hiking trail or two. From there Joe whipped up some eggs for breakfast, packed a bag, and was ready for instructions. I on the other had went straight for Google and started to see where some of the local hiking trails were. To my surprise there was a hiking trail not five minutes from our house. Butler's Sanctuary had many trails to choose from and you can mix and match to your choosing. 

Click Here to View 

In the first couple of minutes we encountered our first snake. (I came to realize there were a lot of snake encounters in our future.) We stood and watched it for a few seconds before we realized what the little guy was up to.

Can you see it?

I am sure you can see that.

Seeing this little critter had such a huge appetite we left him to his breakfast and moved on. We had heard that not far into the hike there was a spot that overlooked the Westchester County border, Connecticut, as well as Long Island and the Long Island Sound. This area is frequented during the fall to bird watch. There are bleachers to relax on and rumor has it you can spot anything from a hawk to a bald eagle.

We hiked around five miles and will be returning to explore more of the trails. If you take a look at the map Joe and I started off on Yellow, followed to Blue, looped back to Yellow, followed to Red back to the parking lot. These are just some of the beautiful sights of nature we experienced during our hike:

Now get outside!

Snow Lessons

Last Tuesday night we got hit with 8 inches of snow. During the snow months we mainly drive our truck so our little Audi gets a break. After the snowstorm hit we were so busy with work and school we forgot to dig out our poor Audi. On Saturday we thought it was time, it took us a full hour and a half just to get the driver door unfrozen enough to open. I know now that no matter how busy we are we need to dig out the cars as soon as we can so the snow doesn't freeze to the car.

Lesson learned!



Bookshelf Update

To keep on the theme of books I thought I would share a picture of our ever growing bookshelf. (If this does not interest you I understand) Joe and I started acquiring books from our favorite but expensive used bookstore Strand in New York City. We got lucky a couple of times at our library when they were trying to get rid of inventory. Sense I began to work in New York City I started to venture out to explore what was located in my neighborhood. I found a bookstore a couple blocks from my office and took Joe to explore the next day. Book Off (my new go to) has a huge selection of dollar books and most of the time they have a five books for three dollars sale. Needless to say our bookshelf is growing at a rapid rate.

May 2012 

February 2013

January 2014

The Winter Months Have Begun

This year I am fully able to enjoy the winter months because I no longer have to drive to work. In fact I have the best of both worlds because I get to take the train and commute with my Husband. We have welcomed two winter storms this past week and I couldn't be more excited. I have always had a soft spot for photography so during this last snow storm I decided to dust off the old camera (that was gifted from my dad a few years ago) and have a little fun. Enjoy:

Snow & Blue Skies = Perfection!

So long snow... see you soon!

It's Fall... or it was

The seasons on the east coast are unforgettable, living in California I never really knew what true seasons were. Commuting everyday to New York City really gives me the opportunity to look around a watch as each season transforms into the next. Here are a few photos I snapped while admiring what Fall really looks like:

If you look you can see our shadow as we stand on the platform waiting for our morning train.

I really love this time of year, everything feels so alive;

But you better enjoy it while it lasts because before you know it....

Fall will be over. Another season change in the making, bring on the SNOW!

It's Offical...

I now have an accounting position in New York City! I have completed two full days working in my new position and I really think I will love working here. I will post again soon with more details but wanted to share this little fun fact.

And why do I think I fit in at my new company...

They have bookshelves in our lunch room. =D

It's Not Just the Leaves That Are Changing...

Tomorrow is the day that I begin my new job and career. I didn't think about the changes that this new position would bring but I am surprised to find there are more than a few. Aside from the normal nervousness/excitement that a new job creates there was more preparation required for this transition. Here are just a few:

• Set up an account for my monthly train pass.
• Had to visit town hall to apply for a parking pass at the train station.
• Cancel my current gym membersip.
• Join a new local gym in New York City.
•  I can no longer wear jeans to work. (Which I actually like)
• I cannot wear any of my 5 inch heels because I will be walking a lot.
• I need to shop for wedges and flats.
• I need to hem some of my work pants so I can wear flats.
• I have to finally invest in an umbrella. (No, aside from stealing my mother's I have never owned one.)
• Break out the fall/winter clothes so I don't freeze while walking from Grand Central Station to work.

This is all I can think of at the moment but I am sure there is more that is currently slipping my mind. One thing about my new job that I thought was a little strange was my schedule. Keep in mind I am a salary employee but I will work 9am - 5pm each day and get a full hour lunch. In summary I am only scheduled to work seven hours a day after subtracting my one hour lunch. I am used to working eight plus hours per day so this is a pleasant change.

Wish me luck for tomorrow!

Bargain Hunters

I have to brag just a little about my latest find...

My mother is in town :) and on a normal trip to our local library we walked in and saw hundreds of books set on tables in the lobby of the library. =D To make this even more exciting all the tables were marked "Books - $1 Per Grocery Bag." If there was no one there I probably would have screamed I was so excited. There is nothing more exciting to me than cheap books. After picking up books for myself and Joe, mom and I got a total of 20 books for $3!

I love small town living!

One Day at a Time

How is it that one day everything in life seems completely relaxed and manageable then the next day it feels as if you've run face first into a wall...

There are times in your life you need to sit back, take a huge breath, and realize how truly blessed you are. Many things are made stressful not by us but by our busy brain. Tasks can seem so much more difficult then they are in reality. 

So lets start with an update, I got a new JOB! Lets make this just a little more exciting.... I will now be working in NEW YORK CITY! It's both an amazing and stressful change. I received an accounting position at a very large law firm in the city and could not be more excited. Joe and I will be commuting together each day to the city and back via train.

I am very grateful for this opportunity because I have always wanted to work in accounting. I am currently on schedule to receive my AA in Criminal Justice this semester. From there I will be transferring to a four year school to pursue my bachelors degree in accounting. I have yet to begin my journey to receive my degree in accounting so I am threw the roof to receive this opportunity. 

So in summary I will be changing my job, commute, gym, and  basically everyday life.

Wish me luck!!!

Save the Boobies 2013

Year after year we continue to celebrate for a good cause. Save the Boobies has become one of the most anticipated events of the summer. It gives us the chance to get everyone together to eat, drink, and raise money for breast cancer. There were of course some appropriate decorations:

Another successful year for Save the Boobies!

Let Laughter Happen

Over the weekend Joe and I were able to see our all time favorite comedian. We purchased these tickets months ago and were extremely excited to see Enrique Iglesias at the world famous Radio City Music Hall.

This was by far one of the best shows we've seen. We cannot wait to see him again!
Below is just a picture of Grand Central Station that I love...

Nemo

I am sure most of you are aware that we recently had a blizzard. The morning of the blizzard Joe and I went to work as normal, Joe was able to get home before it got too bad but I ended up spending the night at my friends house close to work. Here are just some of the photos from the day after:

The storm was not as bad as they said it was going to be for our area but I sure had a good time freeing my car!

All in all Nemo just made things a little difficult but nothing crazy. So far I have experienced a hurricane and blizzard and all in my first year in NY. Lets hope I've seen the worst of it!

It's the Simple Things...

Sometimes there are things in your life that give you that feel good feeling. Living in California most of my life I was used to the usual way apartments looked, but when we moved to New York we were able to rent a little apartment that had a ton of character. Even though our apartment is on the smaller side we feel so at home here. One thing in this house that I love (and I am sure I've mentioned this before) is our bookshelf. I love that it is always changing as we get more books or put up holiday cards. Lets take a look at what it looked like when we moved in compared to now:

Then

Now

Whats your favorite thing in your house?