The NYC side is overtaking my Long Island side

I've lived in the city heavily populated city-like area of Astoria for what? 3 or 4 months now? Now, I am hardly an authentic NYC girl - in my mind I am, but I can face facts and admit that since my childhood was spent on Long Island and I only have a few months under my belt, I am still a Long Island girl at heart. A bridge and tunnel-er at my core. I will say that I feel like I should get some city gal points for city next to a homeless man with a straight face as he de-robed on the subway the other day. That's his home, who am I to judge?

I won't say that I'm giving up on the Long Islander in me, but I am suppressing her. I'm becoming one of those people who hustles across the streets of manhattan avoiding lights, looking like they know where they're going, and I've finally figured out how to tell the cardinal directions of the streets without holding my iPhone up in the air and praying for a signal. Progress? I'd say so.

I even find myself getting annoyed by Long Island sometimes. Like why are Metrocard machines so damn hard to find out there? There are buses! I actually hadn't left the boroughs since Thanksgiving before my mom's birthday on Sunday, and you know what? It didn't feel like it. Maybe the city's stuck in a time loop because I swear it felt like 2 weeks.

With that being said, this video helped me realize that the New Yorker in me has been coming out, full-force. To my followers  that aren't New Yorkers - what do you think? Unfortunately (and not unfortunately), this is exactly how a lot of New Yorkers are. It's kind of funny!

Next up: Valentine's Day

I am over joyed for Valentine's Day this year.

If you haven't noticed, I completely feed in to commercialized holidays. I like the idea, and them forcing you to spend time with your loved ones/friends to celebrate unnecessary spending. To me, it's only for a couple of days out of the year when (almost) everyone's mood is elevated because of all the love in the air.

Cheesey, fine. I can admit to that, but why not celebrate it? It shouldn't be once a year - it should be every day - but because this ONE day was singled out and you get to be surrounded around other sweethearts, just enjoy it. Even if you're single, I'm sure there are people around you who you love. Enjoy that. And if there's no one around you who you love, love yourself especially hard for the day.

Another reason I'm excited for Valentine's Day is because I can't wait to ball my eyes out for The Vow. I purposely try to provoke emotions out of myself so I'll go pay to see movies I know I'll be too scared to watch through open eyes and that are guaranteed to make me cry.  I have convinced J to take me to see this even though he's a regular guy who hates romance movies and this movie is like about 3 other Rachel McAdams movies I've seen before. 

Be honest, doesn't an itty bitty teeny tiny part of you kind of want to see this movie? 

My Not-So-New-Years Resolutions

I don't want to call these my New Years Resolutions because these are not new resolutions. A lot of these are actually repeats *shrugs*. I could tell you about my usual resolutions like "reading more", "getting a promotion", and my ever-popular "finally get that license!", but those are tired. So here are the real little things I'd like to say I did by the end of 2012.

1.) Learn more about the world around me. For example: it would be nice to really know what's going on with the upcoming election. Do I really care? Nope. Will I deliberately start debates about it? Absolutely.

2.) Get my own Netflix account. It's not that I'm not happy using my boyfriend and roommate's, but there's something liberating about knowing you're watching your own Netflix with your own extremely descriptive favorite movies coming up. Clearly "supernatural thrillers with a strong female lead" is ALL me.

3.) Continue to get carded at every bar, restaurant, and rated-R movie I go to. Makes me feel young again.

4.) Hit the gym like it's going out of style. I've been doing it so far, but I can step it up. Like a lot. And now that I'm getting paid to look good, why wouldn't I keep it up? An elongated "daaaaamn" once and a while doesn't hurt either.

5.) Meet one of my followers. I'm usually somewhat wary about being new people, especially on the internet but this blog has turned out better than I've expected (just being honest here). I'd love to meet a follower from NY for lunch or coffee or something. And obviously, I'd blog about it RIGHT after. It would only be right :]

6.) Spend my usual time on Youtube learning how to do new nail designs, hairstyles and supporting emerging internet talent. You'd be surprised what Youtube has done for me lately.

7.) Develop a stronger relationship with Angel. If you don't already know, I name all of my electronics. My laptop's name is Miracle and my iPhone 4s is Angel. Angel and I have only met recently and there's still a whole lot more I need to learn about him.

You should know that I'll continue to be on my grind in 2012, because it's a part of who I am. These "resolutions" are just bound to help make the ride fun along the way.

Tell 'em how you feel Tuesdays: Woman of her word

 

Oh, how I've missed blogging.

I won't say I've missed writing though, because I do that 24-freakin-7 at my job, but it's what I love to do. I have plans of quietly stalking all of your blogs during the week though so look out for comments from me on posts you made a week ago, haha.

Some things:

- Thanks to everyone who voted! Now, I'll admit that at first the vote was just to see if any of you agreed with the decision I had secretly already made in my mind - who doesn't like reassurance? - but I'm going to hold up to my word because the more comments I read, the more convinced I was. This Halloween I'm going with the winning votes and I'll be dressing as Storm from X-men (15 votes) AND Dionne from Clueless (6 votes) (with my roommates who agreed to do the rest of the trio with me! Love those chicks.)

Meet Cher, Dionne, and Tye. Before Costumes.

- Because Halloween happens to fall on the same weekend as when I plan to get my new iBrain, I'll be tweeting about all the debauchery, apparently 4x as fast as I use to.

- This past weekend was my first homecoming as an alumni! It was a different vibe, as I expected, but I loved being able to see everyone and hear how they are doing. It's hard to believe that just a few months ago I was still in school. Actually, scratch that. Since most of my furniture in my apartment is from college, the living situation still kind of feels the same.

- I will officially be spending Christmas in Florida! I've never spent a holiday away from my immediate family but there's a first time for everything.

There are other things I'd love to share with you all such as how damn hard it is to keep friends after college, why I hate the N/Q line, and my first bar fight but I'll save that for a rainy day. Or tomorrow.

You know you're a journalist when

Because I love all my writer-types out there. . .

Some of these are mine and some I found online. All made me smile. 

• You can spend an unspecified amount of time in Starbucks sipping on the same "tall", overpriced drink. . .as long as they don't come at you for using their Wi-fi to update your blog, write your article, etc.

• While you may not agree with their methods of reaching success, you can appreciate the journalistic endeavors of the stars in the Devil Wears Prada, How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Sex and The City and yes - even Harriet The Spy. You understand the necessity of her notebook remaining confidential.

• Deadlines are of the utmost importance to you. In fact, you happen to work your best when you're only allotted a finite amount of time to produce something extraordinary.

• It drives you CRAZY when people don't know the difference between "too", "to", and "two." In fact, you're genuinely hurt when they misspell anything and don't correct it, and have to hold back from voicing it for fear of being "that guy."

• When you really start writing you go somewhere within yourself and sometimes, when you come out, days have passed, babies have been born, and pets have gone unfed.

• You have a deep appreciation for Apple Products - not all, but some. If only you could afford them.

• Whenever you're sending anything serious - email, text, whatever - you re-read it at least twice, checking for any spelling/mistakes or more importantly, if you can think of better "25-cent" word choices.

• You consult either of these books for those quarter words:

 

*Cough*Iownboth*cough*

• You're able to hold a conversation on just about any topic for at least 10 minutes from things floating around in your brain from pass research.

• You understand that Google does not = research. Not completely, anyway.

• You consider yourself fluent in sarcasm. To you it is indeed a language that not many people can decipher, but those who can are awesome in your book.

• You love a good quote. In fact, you can center a whole story around a quote if need be.

• Post-its help keep you sane.

Am I missing any? Let me know :]

Don't call it a comeback

What's this? A Triple Whammy Post!

I can't believe it's already Thursday. I'm gunna be honest - I don't know how you people with full time jobs, kids, lives, etc. do this whole blogging consistently (about something people care to read about) thing. And it's sad because in my profession I really should know how to it. #Kanyeshrug

HOWEVER, I'm going to learn! Because guess who got a full-time job!? Okay, I'll tell you. ME.

I can no longer spend my days bullshitting on Netflix  job searching because I have my first official, 9-to-5 gig. This is as real as real gets, folks. Had to put on my big girl pants and at first it was an odd fit, but I'm filling them out now.

And to think it all happened before I had the opportunity to get this shirt...

The best part? This is a job in my field where I'm not being exploited! I can't get into detail about it (well, I can - but what's the fun in that?) but I will say that I get to write about shows like Dance Moms a lot more, and you know how much that puts a smile on my face.

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A HUGE thank you to Stiletto Minded for this Kreativ Blogger award! Every time I receive a blog award I'm always appreciative and I'm always surprised.

For some reason I always think, "Yay! Someone likes my blog! I'm probably not going to get another one so I better savor this", lol. Check out Stiletto Minded's blog for her thoughts on love, fashion and life in general!

The Rules: Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their site, award 10 other bloggers, fill out this survey (I've filled it out before) and share 7 random facts about yourself.

7 Facts: I still take bubble baths with Disney Princess-themed hypoallergenic/dermatologist recommended soap, I'm the oldest of 5, My current boyfriend is my 3rd and last boyfriend, My "big little" brother goes to Binghamton U and he's in his sophomore year, in college I was an RA (Resident Assistant), I listen to Jazz because of my grandfather's influence, and I think shower curtains are kind of pointless.

Awards go toooo. . .

Life...Live it!

Bravoe Runway

SassyUptownChic

I'm Not Really a Barista

Life With Tony

She Who Will Be Tamed

Carmen Vogue

Dad To Libbs

Peace, Love, Andrea Marie

Glam Kitten's Litter Box

Check out their pages and hopefully you'll enjoy them as much as I do!

I think someone else out there also gave me an award (a whiiiiile ago) and whoever you are -  I apologize, but I can't find your comment! Lol. Thank you, though! Comment on this post and let me know so I can follow your award rules too.


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& Finally, thanks from J for the Happy Birthday wishes! He felt famous and especially appreciated those comments about him being cute. Lol.

Mr. Carrymel turns 24!

The next biggest thing to happen to the world since July 27th is today. October 4th. 

Otherwise known as J's birthday!!!

I'm gunna be cheesy, romantic and predictable and write him an open letter and you're gunna like it. So here goes.

*Ahem*

Dear J,


I'll start off by saying happy, happy, happyyyyyyyy birthday because it only seems right. I know that today is a big day for you since it was the day you were born, but I celebrate you everyday, just like I celebrate us everyday (not just on an anniversary). Your special day means a lot to me, and I want you to know that you have made every single birthday I've had with you phenomenal, and I will strive to give you nothing less. Someone as unique and good-hearted as you deserves the world, and while a lot of people have been privileged enough to have you in their life, I am the only one who you've let into your heart like this and I am honored. I want this day to be fantastic, magnificent, and a COLOSSAL great time for you because as hard as you work everyday, you deserve to feel all of those positive vibes you give out to everyone ten times as much on your day.

You are my very best friend, bullfrog, and yes, I'm tearing up typing this (you know how I do).

Happy Birthday Babe!

(See how I did that in your favorite colors? Haha. I'd totally marry me. . .but again, this isn't about me. This is about you :P)

Loving you the most,

Nhya aka 

Thrift Store Pen Pals Review: My first Vlog!

Imagine my surprise to come home after an extended weekend and find this waiting for me on my bed.

Photo taken with my iPhone 3Gs. Sorry for the crappy quality.

Okay, I wasn't surprised, per se. . I knew something was coming, but my point is everyone loves packages. Even if you know what's inside it. This time, however, I didn't know what to expect.

Since I was lucky enough to be randomly selected by Woody to participate in Thrift Store Pen Pals, I decided to make a video all about it. I could have done a blog post with a ton of pics, but I really wanted a video and to be difficult. So ta-da!





I ramble for a bit, so skip to 1:24 for the actual review, haha. Also - I apologize for the sizing issue of the video. Blogger put me through Hell trying to upload this and have it look nice.

You need this in your life

Check me out with two blog posts in one week! I'm proud of myself, even if you guys aren't impressed because you do it all the time.

Since you know I've been having an ample amount of free time on my hands, I decided to let you in on a couple of random things that made me smile this week, and will probably make your Sunday better.

Where my first checks will be going

(after the less fun but more crucial things like student loans, groceries, bills are paid for):

I stalked yelp.com for found this cute little vintage store up the block selling a bunch of things I'd love to have in my life.

It's an envelope and a laptop case. It's an enve-case! I feel like this is so clever, even though I have a perfectly good PINK laptop case already. Whatever.

This exists! A tree branch iPod music thingamabob for those times when everyone wants to listen to the  iPod/iPad at once. Sure, you could just take the headphones out, but this is exponentially cooler. And $10.



Cupcake-shaped chalkboard. I know it's probably for children ages 5-7, but I'd get crazy if I had this in my kitchen.

Divorce is not a laughing matter, but if it was, this is how I feel it should be portrayed:
(Thanks to Xay over at Que The Lights for sharing this video)

I thought it was hysterical, and while it would certainly help his chances in that competition for you to view it/call the hotline, I promise I'm posting it because I genuinely thought it was funny. But again, it wouldn't hurt for you to view it *hint, hint*.