It’s hard to believe February is almost over. A LOT has been going on around here lately, and I finally have a little free time so here you go:
This time last year, I had just been in New York for a little over two months. There was at least three feet of snow everywhere you looked, and I was struggling to balance being a part-time intern and rest-of-the-time struggling freelance writer with having to pay for my Metrocard and other little luxuries like sandwich-making materials for lunch. I skipped a few nights out with cousins and friends, scrimped and saved all my measly freelance earnings (I’m talking $10 an article at the beginning, although eventually higher paying ones did come along), and had to adjust to being so far away from the place I’d called home for the last nine years.
A year later, I’m happy to report everything has paid off. I am the postergirl for “a little hard work, dedication, and persistence goes a long way.” I worked my way from intern to freelance Real Deals writer, to person-who-covers-other-editors-on-vacation, and eventually by January had turned it all into my first ever full time job as Digital Editorial Assistant for Budget Travel, a magazine I have been reading since I was about 12. Never give up, never surrender. You just never know what’s in the cards.
That being said, things have been going pretty well at work so far, and I’m in the process of saving up for our trip to Italy–it’s Dad’s graduation present to April (I’d gotten a down-payment on my first car) and neither of them have been to Europe before, so this should be a really exciting trip for all of us. We’ve managed to buy the airline tickets so far, flying into Venice and out of Rome, and are now trying to find hotels and train tickets around, and book anything (like the museum that has David in Florence) ahead of time that needs to be done now. It’s amazing how expensive these hotels are at the end of May, supposedly just before prime tourist season starts. Ugh. We’re planning to spend time in Venice, a day on Lake Como, a little time in the Cinque Terre area, see the art in Florence, and wind up in Rome. We’re going May 18-29 so hoping we have enough time. I’m just thrilled to be going back. In July of 2009, I was lucky enough to go to Milan, Lake Como, Venice, and Rome with my friend and her family, and have trying to get back ever since.
In other news, it’s been really great getting to see all the cousins I missed growing up with all these years, and we’ve been having a blast. I’m starting to get more girly–a special thanks to my cousin Nicole for helping me navigate the way over-complicated world of make-up, and for all those awesome trips to Macy’s. It’s great to go shopping and find stuff I like that fits me. I’m usually always in between sizes for everything! I can also understand now why mani-pedis are so popular, and super relaxing. I have more shoes than I have in my entire life, although I have yet to wear the pointier ones, and actually have fun picking out outfits in the morning. Who knew?
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my cousins’ friends, too. It’s great going to hang out with the Long Beach side and almost always ending up at Tim’s house for a jam session with Rusty Willy and the Grenade Whistle Orchestra, and, of course, the “after-parties” at The Inn. I love finding new places on Bell Blvd. in Queens and sneaking into our studio at 4 or 5 in the morning after a night out with Laura and the girls, having Dad wish me a good morning as I crawl into bed and sleep past noon. It’s been awesome hanging out with Joe and his friends in Astoria, a neighborhood I’m currently scouting out as my first place with roommates (The thought of a 20 minute commute rather than an hour and 20 minute commute everyday is WAY too tempting). I am saving up big time, keeping my ears open for anyone wanting a roommate, and if all goes well, plan to move out by the fall.
Still getting used to the swing of things. I’ve been taking a lot of Zumba classes lately and they really help if I’m stressed out from work or just have tons of energy to burn and no one around to help. Those classes are great–you don’t even realize you’re exercising. It’s almost like a salsa class with bits of other dance styles integrated, and all of it with the explosive energy of a Richard Simmons ‘Sweatin’ to the Oldies’ video. The only thing we need in those classes: MEN. Attention, men of the world. Women love Zumba. Every class has been 99.9% female, and the one time there was a guy in the group, the whole atmosphere changed. It was fun flirting while seeing a guy with great rhythm and dance moves working out with us, and frankly, it was more motivating that way. It’s funny how I can be self-conscious at a gym with other guys around, but when any hint of dancing is introduced, bring it on!
I’ll try to do a better job at keeping this updated. Wish me luck and Happy Mardi Gras to everyone! Tomorrow is Lent, and I’ve officially given up giving up stuff this year. I can’t give up Facebook (it’s my job now…), and any other thing like soda or ice cream is something I haven’t eaten in months, so that wouldn’t make a difference. I’ll donate to a worthy cause instead. At least my “sacrifice” will make a difference that way.
