Our Adventure to East Harlem

Target's are not easy to find in New York. Actually, comprehensive stores in general are not easy to find. I understand it, as large amounts of square footage are difficult to find and expensive to rent in Manhattan. It does add to the charm of the city that you have to stop by your local market and drug store each day. Fruit is best from the man with the cart on the corner and the liquor/wine shop on 3rd is by far the most helpful. You get to know people and they you, making the big city smaller and creating your own little community.

But I digress....Target. Target has everything as we know, and is cheaper. We refuse to keep paying $6 for a box of cereal so we decided enough was enough and mapped out the plan. Victoria and I boarded the 6 train together, thinking that Harlem and Target were both 2 person jobs, and headed up to 116th. After almost taking out some rude 15 year olds with serious A.D.D. we ran off the subway and found ourselves deep in the heart of Harlem. Now, as some of you know, Victoria and I were always looking for a cost effective place to live in New York and have a set budget, so Harlem, was at one point a thought. I think we have officially ruled that out now. Let me try to paint the picture.

Close your eyes......wait, you have to read...On the corner of Lexington and East 116th Street you will find 3 taquerias, 2 panaderías, a Wendy's, 1 Irish Pub, 2 tech stores with obviously hot items, 3 pop up stands with used or at least rain worn back packs and kids bicycles and a hodge podge of other shops. There are people everywhere of all shapes, sizes and ages with music playing from every store; one has Spanish, the other Hip Hop. With all this commotion, you would think a few white girls (well at least half white) would go unnoticed, which may have been the case, but we certainly felt out of place. It was as if a Leonardo De Vinci had painted us into a Monet.

Nevertheless, there we were. The Target was located on 117th in between 1st and 2nd Ave according to the map. This means that it was 1 block and about 4 avenues (about 2 blocks each) away. We got about 4 blocks in and thought, who are we kidding? Even if we find the elusive Target, there is no way we are carrying big red dotted bags 8 blocks back through this neighborhood! As tough as we are, we are also realists.

Victoria and I look at each other as we pass two very large dogs (some kind of German Sheppard mix) and make a u-turn around the block. Keeping the pace up and our eyes down (mostly to keep from laughing,) back to the subway we went. A 30 minute ride got us back to Murray Hill where we made a command decision. The Food Emporium on 3rd and an occasional run to the Target on Staten Island will have to do. You live, you survive, you learn.

With love and a sigh of relief,
Lucy

Some firsts....

Friday night was a New York first. Our first "open bar". It is a concept that I still don't fully grasp. How can a bar offer a full open bar? This particular bar offered an open bar from 10pm-11pm. We are thinking that the intention is to get people in early (remember folks, bars don't close until 4am,) get them a few deep so they just keep ordering all night. The other open bar format is a flat rate of say $15, and it is all you can drink essentially from 5-8pm. This is more of a happy hour format but still; we don't get it it. How do they make money, and how is that not a huge liability? Anyway, we partook thanks to our real estate broker who had the inside scoop. Fun bar, good music (even some West Coast stuff) and good company.

The next first was on Sunday night. We left Joshua Tree our usual Sunday football spot realizing that we were the only people rooting for the Jets...I guess it is a Boston bar with no wiggle room. We made our way to our trusty corner bar which we can always rely on to be full of Irish firefighters. (Irish + Firefighter = Jets Fan. It wasn't difficult for me to choose a NY team after learning this, but Victoria has claimed the Giants. Something I will never understand.) Anyway, at the bar, we were introduced to their California bar tender, who happens to be a Monte Vista Alumni. So it was the first person who knew me. Well actually she knows my brother better, but the fact that she knows where Danville is and is a Mustang, means she knows me. It's a small world.

The last first was a triumphant one. Our first GOOD Mexican food. It was complete with fresh guacamole, spicy pork tacos with homemade tortillas and strong margaritas!! Victoria was so happy, I think her chair was actually floating. Mercadito on 7th is our new go to when we need a little taste of home. Ahhhhhhhh!

~Lucy

Lessons from NY

So we have been here for less than a month, but man have we learned a whole lot. Just a quick synapses of some of the key things we have observed or personally experienced:

1. Never look down at the Subway tracks. Ever. No good can come of it. Though if you are as fortunate as me you may end up on the same train as the man holding his pet rat outside of the cage.
2. Every woman in New York carries both a purse and an oversize tote. Inside the tote is the required second pair of shoes, lightweight sweater, scarf/hat and possibly a laptop.
3. “You’re mad cool.” = “We like you.”
4. We really live on the 4^th floor of a 3^rd floor walk-up.
5. New Yorkers don’t wait on the curb or for a signal to cross the street. You just double check for speeding taxis coming your way.
6. We should NEVER be allowed to drive in New York. We can’t understand the parking signs. I don't know how I got away with it before.
7. Plus, you cannot make a right turn on red. Even after stopping. (John laughed at me when I asked what he was waiting for. His reply, “a green light.”
8. 20 street blocks = 1 mile. Avenues are more.
9. One can usually score a free drink from the bartender by sitting at the bar. From our experience it is usually more.
10. “I’m a hustla baby” should be the theme song for New York. We learned this on day three.
11. Fruit from the man on the corner is cheaper than the supermarket.
12. Every place delivers. Even the liquor stores.
13. New York firefighters really are THAT cute!
14. Happy hour drinks are cheaper in NY than CA. Surprising we know.
15. You have to go to a drug store, grocery store, liquor store and deli to get everything you could have gotten in one trip to Target.

No doubt there is more to come, but we are truly feeling more at home with each passing day. Our place is coming together nicely and we are getting into the swing of working and school. Can’t wait for you all to come and visit us in our new hometown!

Victoria

Real Furniture!

Yesterday was furniture day. We could take the air mattresses no more so we made plans to venture to the Ikea in Brooklyn with the help of John’s brother’s truck and Mike, who proved to be not as helpful. Before hopping on the train, we did a little pre shopping of sheets at the Macy’s in Herald Square. Victoria’s discount along with the one-day sale made it the perfect day for textiles. Once we had a plan for the beds we caught the N train and crossed the Hudson.

Victoria and I are very efficient shoppers both with time and money. So with our list and our keen eye for discounts we found what we needed. A few accessories, 2 beds, a coffee table, kitchen table and chairs, a dresser and some shelves fit onto 2 pallets and one shopping cart and then into one jeep and across the bridge we went. Well, wait, the Brooklyn boys refuse to take bridges so through the tunnel we went. We arrived at our building but not before I had to cover my eyes and gasp for my life. New York drivers are something else. Meanwhile, to keep from crying, Victoria is laughing in the back seat. 

Dear Lucy,

Do not ride in the front seat of Mike’s car.

            Sincerely,

            Lucy

This is where Mike (God bless him) was not so helpful….Needless to say Victoria and I carried the furniture up the 3 flights of stairs and into the apartment. All the while Mike is saying, “You okay girls?” It’s not that he didn’t help, he just lost focus so much that we always had to take over. It’s a good thing we are not prissy girls so we made it and back to Macy’s we went.

I have to hand it to this city, there is ALWAYS something going on. This week is fashion week, so to kick off the good times, last night (September 10^th) was Fashion’s Night Out. For the spring fashion week we will be fully prepared, but last night we were not having it. All we wanted were our beds and some DVDs. So…as we walked up 34^th just a block from our apartment we hear a very rambunctious double decker tour bus and I was thinking, “Wow, those people certainly got a lively guide.” As I looked up to see him, I realized that it was not a guide at all but Puffy. (aka -P Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean “Puffy” Combs.) His fashion week launch involved renting a double decker bus and cruising through Murray Hill. Victoria and I both concluded that we had chosen well with the neighborhood.

Once we got to Macy’s the festivities were in full swing and we realized how quickly we had turned into pushy New Yorker’s. We were huffing and puffing at the lost tourists trying to get into the parties and catch a glimpse of someone. When we checked out at Macy’s we were told that J-Lo was on 8 signing for her new perfume and Tommy Hilfiger was somewhere in the building. We couldn’t have gotten out of there faster. I guess you know that you have embraced life in New York when you run from celebrities. Kimora was about to hop out of a car as we walked by another store on the way home and we decided we had to get off this street. It was like a flood was coming.

With tired arms and rumbling tummies we made it home. Pizza and champagne sounded like the perfect combination. (We got a recommendation earlier for Bravo’s on 42^nd and we are not disappointed.) It was fantastic! We assembled the beds and the coffee table and crashed.

Today involved a run in Central Park, the farmers market in Union Square and the Federer match with our loot in Madison Square Park. Tonight sure to bring more furniture building and perhaps Joshua Tree if we dare. Pictures of the improved place soon.

Love you all!

            Lucy

Labor Day in New York

After a whirlwind first week in NY, we decided to keep it low key and local Sunday night so we headed to our friendly neighborhood bar, Joshua Tree, to take in the late night US Open tennis match. We grabbed a couple seats at the bar and quickly made friends with both bartenders, Zimon and Brian.

The vibe of the bar seemed vaguely reminiscent of one of our favorites back home – cheap drinks and classic 80’s music, complete with cheesy music videos. We sat watching John Isner give it his best before ultimately loosing to Youzhny, all the while “Jesse’s Girl” is playing in the background. Lucy was bummed and commented how her opportunity to meet her future husband has gone out the window since he lost and would most likely be leaving NY before the end of the tournament. Trying to reassure my roommate that there was still hope, I told her that he most likely is out drinking his sorrows away from his loss.

As the bar got busier we quickly started up a round of “shoot, shag or marry?” The highlight was when our bartender, Brian, joined in and threw out Brad Pitt, lead singer of some random band (we had to Google him) and Johnny Depp. You can learn a lot about a person based on this game. For example, I ALWAYS end up marrying the nerd and I need someone who would do well in social situations. Lucy on the other hand requires someone tall J

So we are mid-round and talking with a random Aussie and his Greek buddy from Queens when Lucy screams at me, “Oh my God! He’s here!” Me, not knowing what the hell she was talking about, turned around to see a giant 6’9” guy walking into the bar. Yes, it was John Isner! Of all the bars in New York, he walked into our bar in Murray Hill. Needless to say, we both saw this as an opportunity for Lucy to make a move and land her husband.

After a mini pep talk Lucy went for the attack. In hindsight a better opening line could have probably been used, or perhaps the offer to buy him a drink but I give Lucy a big thumbs up for going for it. This will no doubt make a great opening line when they meet again….and they WILL meet again. It turns out it only took a couple minutes to see him again. We left Joshua Tree and were heading home (or at least I thought so) when Lucy pulls me into the bar next door. There is John, sitting having a drink. Lucy’s ever keen eye spotted him from the street! After staying til closing (that’s 4am on the east coast) we finally headed home. Laughing all the way at the turn of events from the evening and how our “order” to the universe had been filled. This has me wondering, where’s James Franco?? I hear he goes to NYU too…

Victoria

First day in the new home...

View from the bedroom window.

           Having an address is NOT overrated. Even though, our furniture suggests that we are camping in New York, we are happy to have a place to call our own. The day began with Mike helping with the bags, which was really more like Dr. Seuss playing bell hop. The bags were piled high and teetering on the cart as Victoria and I watched in hysterics. God bless his little heart. (As Dorothy would say.)  Farewell Staten Island, hello Manhattan.

        After Mike said his goodbye curbside (no doubt to avoid injury) we lugged our bags up the steep and narrow stairs to our new place. Note to future visitors, only pack what you can carry up 3 flights. Elevators are not a high priority in the Big Apple and we are not bell hops. ;-)

       The remainder of the day was spent with our new friend Jose who put the finishing touches on the apartment. He also scored us an air conditioning unit, which is like gold in New York. 

NOTE: In the back of our minds through the whole thing, is.."We better hurry, because hurricane Gloria is on her way." Somehow moving during a hurricane did not seem appealing. But alas, her direction changed and we didn't even get a storm. Whew!

Victoria's bed, and part of mine.

            After covering the apartment with 409, filling the closet (that's right, just one), and blowing up our luxurious new air beds (thanks John), we grabbed champagne to celebrate. (A side note for all of you that know Lucy well, before the champagne I did manage a Christening fall in the apartment. That's right, sat down on our lounge chairs, and WHAM! Crashed to the floor and got stuck in the chair. My loving room mate did manage a helpful hand through the tears from laughing.)

The green one is said chair that I tumbled from....

           Later on, we decided to explore the neighborhood and stopped into the local deli for something sweet for later and what do you know, there's Jose at the counter! Apparently, he moonlights there after his handy work. (Mom: They had killer cupcakes and I asked if they shipped for you, but only got an, "Are you crazy!?" look from the owner. I tried.) 

             A few bars and some crazy Bulgarians later, we made our way home where we crashed. 

            Saturday was spent running errands. Through which we discovered, a live feed of the US Open in Madison Square Park, a Farmer's Market in Union Square Park and a street fair down University Place. I love this city! A few more pictures of the place are below. Write again soon!

~Lucy

Kitchen. (Thanks Sherlock...)

The spacious entry way...

Our first week in the big apple....

             Thank goodness for friends and couches! As we arrived in New York we quickly discovered that finding a place to land in the Big Apple lacks the laid back, "show me a pay stub and your license, and here are the keys." Attitude that many California apartment buildings have. By day 3 in the search we were beat. However, perseverance paid off and you will all  be happy to know that today, (after a week,) I picked up the keys to a lovely one bedroom in Murray Hill, (and for NYC, it is actually HUGE. All 550 square feet of it... It is amazing how one's standards change.) 
            Despite the stresses of finding an apartment in The Empire State, we have made several new friends and have learned that the stereotype of rude New Yorkers does not hold up at all.  So far, we have been greeted by friendly and extremely helpful people. A special thanks to John and Mike who have taken us in and showed us all that the 5 Boroughs (well, we still need The Bronx) have to offer. 

       So far we have explored Central Park, Midtown, Times Square, The Village, Washington Square, Upper West Side, and many others by averaging 60+ blocks daily. When the legs gave out, we tried the Subway, Buses, the Staten Island Ferry and numerous bridges (thanks to our Brooklyn friends.) We've even made it to the Mets game (see right), and yes sports fans, we saw the "big apple" pop up. 
       So....so far, so good.....more to come and yes, I will post pictures soon. 


~Lucy