I heart summer.

— Photos of a Yearlong Hiatus

I have been a writer, journalist, blogger for more than half my life now. From scribbling down a random thought to the misc reporter job — Writing has always taken up a very real space in my mind. So, it's strange to look back over an entire year (and, yes, this is even after I made that certain New Years resolution to keep up le blog) and realize that I have been way out of practice. That is to say, the practice of creative thinking, hell, worldly thinking and expression. I know, it's all very vague and hocus pocus. A year has gone by and I cannot possibly describe how much a person can grow in just twelve months.

2010 began in Paris.

And flowed into Rome, where old friends met in new places...

Back to school for a semester of reverse culture shock.

Which ended on playful notes.

Made Philly my home for the summer of The Intern Life.

It became a very beloved city; theme of the summer: serendipitous moments.

Plenty of beach frolicking.

For business or pleasure? I think both...

Great nights.

Trips to New York.

To play with ducks "looking at tails."

Celebration of friends and the final year at school!

It's a pizza grin.

A semester of burritos.

And Halloween characters.

And M.I.A.

And pranks on important people.

Of visitors and snowy football fields.

Fishbowls,

And wintry parties.

2010, it's been real. 2011!?

Places I've been in the past year: Paris, Rome, School, NYC, Philly, the JERSEY SHORE. 


Places I plan on going this year: NYC, Dominican Republic, Montreal, DC, Albany, Boston, LA to Napa Valley road trip, da 'Burgh

And I'm planning on keeping a record of it all :) Happy New Years!

My New Obsession...

Noted Photographer | A New Week, A New Roommate

Hi, from the upper west side! It's co-interns, Lola and Lily, here. Breaking news: we are now officially roommates. Lola moved in last night after a horrible two-week experience in Brooklyn (just couldn't stand that cat smell, I guess). Now she's living with me and it's the perfect fit for both of our schedules. 

Every morning, we drag ourselves out of bed and begin the long process of "getting ready." I eat yogurt and watch the Today Show, while Lola runs out and gets her daily drug dose of Starbucks caffeine (extra large-style of course). Then, the commute. Work. Commute. And dinner... it's kind of cute actually, when we don't have real-life jobs and classes to deal with. 

Work today at the internship revolved around a photo shoot of Christmas gift products. I must have ironed about a dozen red ribbons and bows before burning my finger on the iron (no, I'm not checking my nails - I f-ing burned my finger!) I think I also met the most interesting person of my life (after my father, of course).

We took a cab to a swanky-looking apartment building on the east side for this photo shoot. I was warned that the photographer's apartment would be crowded, which quickly became a major understatement as I entered. All the walls were covered with incredible shots of well-known (no, FAMOUS) fashion models, as well as dogs, nature, and architecture. There was a bird cage hanging from the ceiling and a collection of random doo-dads in every bit of space. I felt like I had stepped into Uncle Clement's antique store. 

The photographer turned out to be an old, Chinese man, wearing socks rolled up and khaki pants. What I learned later, was that he - in his day - was the hippest, trendiest, modelizer in the fashion world, a close friend with designers like Vera Wang, spending three years in both Paris and Milan, working at French Vogue, also a pre-med dropout, a travel enthusiast. He showed me a bunch of photo albums as we worked with the shoot; they made my jaw drop.  

So, we finished up the shoot, ran through the mid-afternoon showers, and came back to the upper west. Drenched in rain and glossy stories, I felt like I had seriously seen a glimpse into a clique of high-cultured artists. Just another experience for LL. 

Picnic in the Park and other Weekend Tales

On Saturday afternoon, Lola and I decided to do an old-fashioned Picnic in the Park. This was our response to save money (restaurants really know how to clean our your wallet). So, we bought bread, crudites, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and nuts at a grocery store and camped out in Central Park. It was pretty cute. If you want to get hardcore about picnicking, you can even break out the real china and silverware. I saw a group of ladies next to us sipping white wine from plastic wine glasses. One tip, however: make sure you fill a few ziplock bags with cubes of ice (double bag the packs), and wrap them in towels. Food and drinks needs to stay fresh - especially in this hot weather! 

After-Work Eggs, Coffee, and Sex and the City

Just another day at the store yesterday, helping New York women of every age pick out outrageously-priced outfits for some graduation-engagement-birthday-dinner-benefit party - something like that. The only thing that gets me through a shift: my Israeli manager and aspiring designer, Nathalie. She makes the most hilarious comments after each rude or ridiculous (usually both) customer tries on half the store and leaves with nothing.

After work, she introduced me to an incredibly ADORABLE and artsy restaurant, named Cafe Lalo (I just found out it was featured in the movie You've Got Mail). Their brunch menu features everything from mango-nectar champagne to eggs with Brazilian feta cheese. Crazy, funky stuff... we had eggs and coffee, while discussing everything from family expectations, fashion, and traveling in India. Don't those spontaneous, colorful conversations in spontaneous and colorful places just make your senses go roller-coaster high? It's so... rich with culture. I love it love it. 

To top things off, we made the ultimate spontaneous move to watch the 11:15pm Sex and the City showing. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet... or maybe that's just my excuse for my speechlessness. It was amazing; go see it. Words of wisdom for the week...

Hardworking Interns at The Laundress, Inc.

Hi, interns Lola and Lily here! We LOVE LOVE The Laundress and all the fabulous people we work with. We are currently working hard to revamp the blog site and catalog, as well as to create those amazing gift baskets (can't get enough of). 

Here's the current bio posted on the Laundress blog site: We are both textile and apparel majors at Cornell. It's our first time living in New York City during summer break, and we are so pumped to be working with The Laundress, Inc. Keep updated with more laundry tips, green solutions, and great products on their webpage - we'll keep you connected to Laundress and our exciting, new discoveries while in New York!

-L&L

Shameless self-promotion. Pretty adorbs, n'est-ce pas?

When you leave New York, you ain't going anywhere

When I was in Paris in January, I was obsessed with finding the perfect hookah bar. I'm definitely not a big smoker, but there's something so exotic and rich in culture about hookah. It smells and tastes amazing. It was in Alice and Wonderland. And it is just an experience in itself to go to a hookah lounge. 

So I searched high and low for this perfect hookah bar in a city that is so obsessed with culture and art eccentricities... only to find out that Paris' newly established no-smoking-in-bars law made it impossible for them to exist. At least legally.

People say if Paris is a woman, and London is a man - then New York is a fashionably-dressed transvestite. It took around 2.5 seconds to get the exact address of a popular hookah bar in downtown New York. So, that is how I spent my Friday night - it was pretty epic. 

 

I am officially the living dead.

"MY FEET ARE KILLING ME. Literally. Killing me." That's all I could think about on the subway home from my first day at my internship and training/job at Montmartre. I almost growled at some old woman who took my seat on the subway.

After toddling up the stairs and taking off my heels in the elevator (I'm sure the doorman saw my state of pathetic-ness in his security cameras), I jumped in the shower, while cooking pasta, and cleaning the apartment- simultaneously. Now, I'm eating a bowl of pesto ravioli and pre-packaged salad. Andd it's almost eleven PM. A thousand things are swarming in my head. I've responded to my messages and applied moisturizer. I've cleaned and ate and now, I'm writing.

I take mental notes during the day of things I want to talk about. As soon, as I get down to writing it, they all fly out of my head and I'm left with a blank page. Or WORSE. Nonsense and jibber jabber. Oh, what writer's guilt I'm feeling now.

A note to all: I'm in the process of journaling and editing, as well as revamping this site. Inspired by Michele's amazing website and my design internship, I might even scrap everything and start fresh. Who knows... if I can find ANY TIME. I will have more details on work later, I promise. Before, I am officially the living dead.

Summer. You will feel better after the Summer.

So many times have I begun my travel writing in this very spot. I'm sitting on the Poughkeepsie-Grand Central train ride. I have taken this particular ride way too many times, whether to just stay in the city or jet off from JFK. So, here I am again, returning to start the first day of work at my very first internship: another adventure (should I dare to say 'life-changing' adventure). And like always, I have no clue what to expect. But that's part of the fun, right?

"Summer. You will feel better after the summer. I promise!!" That's a text message I received from a good friend of mine. I saved it because for some reason, reading it over makes me feel both relieved but also intensely intrigued. What am I supposed to be feeling better from? I guess we'll find out.

What happens in Spamalot, STAYS in Spamalot

Yesterday, one of my really good high school friends, Selena, came to visit me in the city. I love how everyone wants to treat you to stuff when they hear you're a poor college student living and working on your own. Her family took me to see Spamalot on Broadway. It totally exceeded my expectations. The humor was a bit controversial... but just enough. I loved it.

I met up with another Cornell friend today. She was in the city for some internship interviews and we ended up getting Pinkberry by my apartment and cooking pasta. It was delicious!

I have some tough decision to make tomorrow. I went into round two of a job interview process today and I've been biting my nails, going crazy, wondering if I'm getting this job. And, what I would do if I actually got it. After the interview today, I took a walk around the shops at Columbus Circle and somehow found myself in the basement grocery store. A woman was giving out sample of martini mixes and she saw my exhausted state: "Honey, you need a smile on your face. Try this lemon drop martini. Non-alcoholic of course." We started chatting for about ten minutes and by the end I had tasted a cosmo, a mojito, and a pomegranate martini. Funny how strangers randomly cross paths, if only for a little bit, but make all the difference in one's day.

I definitely need to relax more now... updates tomorrow. You never know what will happen...

Fleet Week | Loving a man in uniform

It's Fleet Week in the city! "Thousands of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships will be in town for Fleet Week New York. Hosted nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the City's celebration of the sea services. This annual event also provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness first hand the latest capabilities of today's Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Team. Fleet Week includes dozens of military demonstrations and displays throughout the week, as well as public visitation of many of the participating ships." I am undeniably excited. It's my first ever fleet week, and the marines are my favorites. Why DO women always like "men in uniform"?

I have an interview today with American Apparel and then my best friend from home is coming to visit. Ta!

Toto, I don't think we're in Ithaca anymore

Okay, so I’m going slightly mad. I feel as though I have both MOUNTAINS of work and none whatsoever. This Internet thing is also starting to bother me—I feel so disconnected from civilization. That feeling of primitiveness just does not coincide with me being in one of the major cities of the world.

I met some interesting people today and found myself in some noteworthy situations. My friend, Kristin (remember, the girl who is supposed to be my roommate this summer) just told me that she would only be staying two weeks at the end of July. Bummer. I’m good at being independent (i.e. totally alone) but I feel pretty bummed out about having to duke out the summer by myself. At least I’m friends with the doorman… and my writing. (I just sounded so pathetic baah).

I had the strangest strangest feeling today. I reunited with my friend and sorority sister, Lauren for lunch at a restaurant called “Toast.” We had both been running around, going to job interviews for the entire day. I sat down to order and I thought, “We’re… legit living in New York City… in the real world… living and working.” I don’t think that makes any sense now but for me, this deal of being independent—making my own work schedule and earning a salary—it really hit me. I feel like one of those old thirty-something adults who meet for drinks after work and complain about their boss.

Toto, I don’t think we’re in Ithaca anymore!

Or college and the culture, which follows for that matter. I’m a working girl now… I think. A working girl in disguise. See, this is how it works. You just need to think and act like you know exactly what you’re doing. Resume? Check. Fashion sense? Check. A firm handshake? Check. I came a week earlier to Manhattan to look for some sort of job, preferably to both gain the sales experience and earn fast cash (oh, how we do depend on money). My parents tipped me off on tips—fast cash I could earn through waitressing or any sort of restaurant job. This is how I found my first conquest: a hostess position at the French restaurant down the block called, “Le Monde.” I go for training on Thursday.

But what I would really like is to get a clothing sales job—such a good experience to have for my major and resume. One problem, though, is that I tend to get extremely intimidated by “fashion passion people.” It’s the nickname I’ve given those very scary high fashion snooty artsy fartsy whatever-you-call-it kind of people. You get what I mean. They’re extremely judgmental and base everything off of first impressions. The good thing is that I’m a pretty quick learner and even though I make dreadful mistakes, I will use that to make myself better to the best I can. Today, I kept getting better and better at my method of attacking these big name stores towards the end of my exhausting job hunt.

I was quite a mess this morning, though. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS DOING. To recap: I sort of just rambled down Broadway and walked into whatever store I passed by with the same shy, uncertain greeting, accidentally smacking people in the face with my resume and portfolio. I made a fool of myself at American Apparel, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, and the GAP. Then, I realized that this approach of blindly walking in whatever direction I felt like really wasn’t working out. This is what I mean by learning quick—first, you need to acknowledge that what you are doing is really, really dumb. So, I hopped back on the subway and got off at Columbus Circle after recalling that the place usually attracted a lot of shoppers (or was I imagining that?).

Completely by accident, I stumbled into a mall sort of thing! Okay. My big break. I would attack all the stores with a polite but outgoing, intelligent but down-to-earth AWESOME attitude. I had nothing to lose so I did it: Bebe, J. Crew, United Colors of Bennetton, Montmartre, and finally Armani Exchange. I CONQUERED. Yes, share in the basking of my success.

What an exhausting day… I’ve decided to work myself to death this summer—excited much?

Suffering internet withdrawal in the city

So, I’ve been having a serious Internet withdrawal. I’m writing this on an MS Word document to be transferred to Curiouser once the Internet man comes in on Tuesday. I guess Internet is one of those things we “take for granted.” Anyone living in Manhattan, though, will swear that having Internet is not only convenient but also essential.

On Friday, my family helped move me into our old apartment on Riverside Drive. This week, I’ll be on the summer job hunt. Then, my internship with The Laundress begins right after Memorial Day. The week after that, my friend Kristin who also goes to Cornell will move in with me. So many new experiences—living in the city, working, interning, living with a roommate… I’m a little nervous (I lied, a LOT nervous) and definitely brimming with excitement. Wish me luck!

Along with all this, I’m also discovering how much financial responsibility I’m starting to hold. My bank account is depressingly meager… And I have the guilty conscience to explain it. I love how, despite my dwindling savings, I am purchasing a $600 sofa with matching armchairs tomorrow…

That brings me to the subject of the apartment! You know, I love it to death. My grandfather lived in it years ago and passed it on to the family when he passed away. Since then, this place has been a reminder of history. The building used to be one of those 1920s glamorous hotels. It’s in the perfect location. Columbia is right down the street so we get all the student bookstores, cafes, farmer’s markets, and restaurants of Morningside heights. Remember the restaurant from Seinfeld? Right across the street from us. And the subway station is literally right outside. The one thing… history is… in essence old. The apartment is old and dusty. The building is forever in repair. But, It’s a good thing I like antiques…

Alright, I am getting into bed now. I’ll be online very soon I hope.

Here's to the Summer of '08

Headline news: I have returned to Po-town!!

Packing and moving out of my dorm room was an unbelievably stressful process. I felt rooted into the place and unable to tear myself from it. Even after I finished cleaning the walls, moving the furniture back, and peeling off all the scotch tape, I felt too sad to leave my little home. I had no choice, though. I underestimated my check-out time and had to resort to "express check-out" which means they will probably charge me for some room damages which I cannot appeal.

I will miss: my French class, spontaneous parties, Sunday brunches at the diner, my angels, awkward moments, being FRESHMEN (and using that as an excuse for everything), library dates, my Writing sem class, my Christmas lights, alpha phi, and coffee at every hour of the day.

I look forward to: the wild urban jungle (i.e. New York city), high school soulmates, and the mystery of the Summer, long island beach trips, Riverside walks, internships and jobs, tans.

Here's to the summer of '08!

Resurrection of my cell phone - successful!

I can't believe I went a whole week without having a cell phone or an ID. Yesterday, I borrowed a friends car and spent three hours (as opposed to one) driving to the bus company's office in Ashburn, NY. Never trust mapquest...

Today, I've restarted the process of packing.

My checklist is growing longer every day:

-Call for job offers in NYC
-Hair cut/color
-Apartment refund
-Return borrowed things

Things to do this summer:

-Find a retail job in NYC
-Refurnish the apartment
-Lose the freshman weight
-Learn to sew

Curiouser and curiouser fo sho | Crazy Stuff I've Been Up To

How am I still alive? Thinking back to last week, I can barely believe that I've made it through all the deadlines, final projects, and presentations. Let's see what I've been up to. I've...

Written a FULL documentary play.

Gave a presentation on tax deductions and postsecondary tuition rates.

Scored a two-year internship with the Herbert F. Johnson Art Museum.

Cranked out my final anthropology paper.

BS-ed a French final paper.

Assisted and modeled in the Cornell Design League Fashion Show.

















Spring Formal!




















Interviewed with The Laundress|New York for a summer internship.



















Started planning a potential California trip.

Just begun my final Theater paper...

Passed out.

Everything I Own in Plastic Containers

To the left, to the left... everything I own in a box to the left... La la la..
to the left, to the left......... and to the right, to the.... oh, and behind me.. and in front... and on top... and oh no.. I think.. I'm drowning..

I feel... exhausted! I am ready to keel over and go to sleep but no... I must prevail. I must must must finish cleaning and packing my things tonight! Because, tomorrow is my last day in my hometown and who wants to spend the last day stuck in a room, on the laptop and amid trash?? Not me... These last few days have been perfectly gorgeous outside... and I have not been able to do anything! Tomorrow will be different. Although, at the moment it seems very very probable that I will not finish in time.

As I went through all the junk that has collected in this room, I began to realize- wow, I've lived in this room since I was 7. And then I began to feel kind of sad and attached to the place... the photographs and paintings on the wall, my salmon arm chair... my bed.

Things just seemed to be rooted in place. I cleared most of my high school papers and momentos... then, I found a huge stack of papers- remnants from the college admissions process. Horrible flashbacks followed. I actually took the time to look over all the pain that I had endured during this era... Seniors this year, I'm so sorry. Don't worry, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

The worst part was remembering everything I actually had to do... Looking back now, I knew it was a difficult process but I forgot just how difficult. I uncovered more and more letters I had written to teachers, guidance counselors, admissions counselors, camp counselors, etc. I found my writing portfolio and transcripts and essays and all the little creative things I had to do to make myself "stand out from the others"..... It's a miracle that I survived.

Why does it seem like only the US has such a stressful university admissions process? I only remember how much everyone stressed "bringing your personality into your application." Such a mentally exhausting time. As of now, I'm still not finished with cleaning / packing. Seems as though I'm putting my whole life into plastic containers... But looking through old things and applications really made me appreciate this stage of my life even more...

Waking up for an early breakfast tomorrow with friends! Hopefully I won't oversleep :)

4 in the Morning

Stupid return of the jet lag...

New York

*Copied from my notebook, Original Date is Aug 12

New York City
110th Street, Broadway

We arrived in New York around 10am. After long lines, a struggle with finding our luggage and a very interesting convo with another American traveller, I knew we were finally home.

Why I like being American:
-the grocery stores are open 24 hours
-strangers always seem to have time for a chat with just about anyone
-even fastfood bathrooms are clean
-the diversity

Why I dislike being American:
-everyone talks at the top of their lungs
-this conversation:

Scene: JFK International Airport, Airplane aisle, Passengers await for gate to open.

Man on Airplane: [looks at my Cornell sweatshirt] So, you go to school in the states?
Me: Yeah... but I just returned from vacation abroad, actually!
MoA: Oh, cool- where?
Me: Singapore and Malaysia.
MoA: Nice! Yeah, that's like in China, right?
Me: ...
Rosa: They are totally different countries.
MoA: Really! Oh, okay. Guess I got it confused. So, it's like Hong Kong, then.
Me: Actually, Hong Kong is part of China.
MoA: Ah.. Sorry, I have really bad geography. All I know is China and... oh hm.. Taiwan. Taiwan is like part of Japan, right?
Me: um, no.
MoA: Wait, that's a whole other country?? Wow, so sorry. Did I offend you?
Me: Oh, no problem... I'm American!
MoA: No way! Where you from?
MoA, Me, Rosa: [begins to talk about upstate New York].

End Scene.

I am such a city girl, though. As soon as we got out of the airport and found a taxi, I was feeling so at peace. The weater was perfect, cool, dry, fresh. I accidentally jumped into the driver's seat of the taxi, though! So used to the left side driving, now haha.

We stayed the night in the city apartment. A new grocery store opened across the street... very nice, 24 hours too! Anyway, excited to go home to Poughkeepsie and the lovely Hudson valley. For now, about to visit the public library and maybe eat near Columbia U.