NYSee: Soy Sauce Anyone??

What Would Beyonce Do?

Moving to New York, living with my boo, and sharing our life together has been awesome. With little to no hiccups, I feel like the biggest adjustment so far has been the balance of income, or lack thereof rather.

Before moving up here, I was living on my own, supporting myself and blaring Destiny Child's Independent Woman. But, now that I'm in what seems like the most expensive city on the planet, I feel overwhelmed and underfunded. It's a hard adjustment for me to have a partner that can help out and contribute more not only now, but indefinitely. Being a life long tattletaler and Anal Annie, I always want things to be fair, and equal. So how do you throw all of that out of the window when you commit to a relationship? And if he's happy to do it, why can't I?

I know money isn't everything. We don't have extravagant dreams of luxury yachts or BMWs in the driveway. But a house, a wedding, a hoard of kids, animals and vegetable gardens all cost something, and you'd be kidding yourself to think it doesn't take some financial stability. And while I know I will be contributing in different ways to the life of our dreams, including sacrificing my bodacious body, zen sanity and much appreciated me-time, it's still going to take some money, honey. Money that doesn't exist yet. (and yes, bodacious is used with utmost sarcasm - I'm not that vain, or delusional)

So as I slip into the role of a domestic partnership, I'm still concentrating on my own career goals and financial achievements. I just wish there was a way to ease some of the pressure in the meantime, and feel like I'm doing my part. Winning the lottery should do it. Just putting it out there Universe...

Today's To Do: If you are, have been, or dream of being in a relationship one day, how do you imagine handling the finances? Are you or would you be ok with your partner bearing the brunt of the expenses? What if you are the breadwinner in the relationship, would you be happy to contribute more?

 

NYSee: Overflow

 

NYSee: The O.G.

 

Stranger Danger

Since moving to NYC, one thing has become very apparent. New Yorkers could care less about you, your story, or where you're going. Everyone is in a hurry, so get out of the way. But that all becomes remarkably opposite when you add in one special ingredient. A dog.

I can't tell you the amount of times people have come up to my dogs and started talking to them, asking them how they're doing, and commenting on how gorgeous they are. I mean, look at them, they are some pretty good looking dogs. But, does anyone else find it weird that not one person as much as glances at me? What is it about dogs that attracts strangers to them, puts their guard down, and makes them feel comfortable enough to start a conversation with them?? One lady even said "Bye, friends!" as she was walking away. I don't know what Sam said to her, but it must have made a real impression.

Is it the innocence, the unconditional love, the adorability? Is it that they can't talk back? Is it their child-like essence that makes us humans want to coddle, nurture and ask them how their day went? Is it their simplicity that a pat on the head is all it takes to genuinely make them happy?



So why is it, especially in a city like New York, where we come into contact with dozens of people each day, that the majority of us don't bother to acknowledge each other's presence. I mean, we're all human. We all have interesting stories to tell. We all have commonalities that bond us together. I find myself literally making physical contact as we're all smushed in the packed subway car, but yet the thought never crosses my mind to strike up a conversation with anyone.

To New Yorker's defense, even though I'm from the South, I never talked to strangers in line at the grocery for no reason either. The only time I remember being comfortable talking to strangers is during a football tailgate. LSU Tigers unite for one day a week, to drink, eat and laugh together, and then back to stranger status the next day.

I know, and can think of, many people who are more out going than me, and do approach strangers on a more regular basis. But I feel the majority of times, there is this underlying code to not talk to the other person riding 10 floors up next to you in the elevator. Or that people walking down the street are too busy to strike up a life story convo with. Unless they have a dog. And then, they must have all the time in the world waiting for Fido to do his business.

Today's To Do: Think about a moment today where it might be nice to compliment a stranger on their outfit. Or, exchange stats with a fellow sports lover wearing your team's hat. Do you think there is a moment today, where you could say something to a stranger, and brighten their day?




 

NYSee: Traffic Jam

 

Once Upon a Time...

When we were children, we'd believe anything our parents told us. Santa Claus? Real, duh. Tooth Fairy, nothing crazy sounding about that chick. And, haven't you been to Disney World? That's where all the princesses live. True story, I've been. Even ate lunch in Cinderella's castle. So of course it's ok for little kids to have big imaginations, and believe in make believe, because at the end of the day, it makes them happy. It's fun to think the ashy shoe prints coming from the fireplace really are from some fat guy stuffing down the chimney to come leave me gifts, that shit blew my mind. And totally makes sense if you think about it. Just ironic that he wears the same size as dad.

So when was it that we had to stop believing in things just because they don't have a logical answer to them, because they're not based on 100% backed scientific facts, or because someone else said it's not so? Why can't we just believe in something we're unsure of, just because it makes us happy and we want to believe in it?

I still believe I can be anything I want to be when I grow up, and although I'm pushing 30 and have yet to figure out what that is exactly, I believe it because, why not? I do believe in miracles of unexplained phenomenas without the need for a fact finding mission, because, why not? I also choose to believe in the powers of self conscious healing and recovery, because just maybe that shit works. What could a little positive thinking hurt anyway? And lastly, I believe in the Long Island Medium. There, I said it. Because, why not? How else would Theresa know you stuffed your dead father's pocket watch in the couch cushions to see if she'd find it?


If you think about it, all of our scientific, technological and evolutionary facts started out as crazy beliefs. You believe if you sail your ship westward, it's not going to fall off the face of the Earth? Good luck with that. You're telling me that if I shoot this medicinal cocktail through my veins it's going to protect me from getting sick? You're trippin'. And there's no way you can hammer together a mashup of metal and fuel and actually get it off the ground, much less to the moon.

But let's be serious for a moment. There is an ounce of common sense that needs to come into play before you let just anyone knock your socks off with some crazy concoction and take advantage of you. And it's usually pretty easy to spot because it probably involves money. Your money. But if it doesn't hurt anyone, including yourself, then why not believe in what you want to make believe in? This is the stuff fairytales are made of. It's just up to you to believe.

Today's To Do: What's one crazy thing you want to believe in but feel like an ass if you do? What's one thing you secretly do believe in, but are too afraid to admit it? In the words of Justin Bieber, just believe!

NYSee: Smart Art

 

Happy Belated Birthday!

I just realized the other day, that I let a pretty important milestone slip by. Ridden with guilt, I must now acknowledge that this little blog is 1 year and 5 months old! Somebody cue the balloons and confetti! Now that it's well into its second year of existence, this little blog has made me think back on all the posts of the past year (and a half, shh) and what started as a crazy idea to write for fun, the things and thoughts that were happening to me, to not only share with you, but to amuse myself as well. And I realized it's not just posts, but a chronicle of my life.

From my first post ironically posted on my birthday, where I thought I had it all figured out...to jammin' out barefoot at Jazz Fest...to getting my first tattoo...to the depths of the Amazon jungle...to the depths of a broken heart...to a poem for love that was answered in a matter of days...to taking the plunge, literally...to saying goodbye, and starting anew...to just having fun. It's all led me to here. Right now. A moment of reflection, of reminiscing, of happiness. The past year has been a journey. And I'm proud of my journey.

Today's To Do: Write something! Who cares if anyone besides you reads it, but write down what you feel, where you are, what you're doing. You know how exciting finding a message in a bottle is? Well, I don't either, but I imagine it to be pretty dang exciting. Now imagine that message is from you, to the future you, reminding you to not forget the little stories of your life. Of how they felt, and how they went. Doesn't that sound like a good read?!


 

NYSee: Secret Garden

The Cloisters