A couple tips!

I’ve had a lot of visitors in recent months and each time someone visits, I have more and more tips to share!

1) Dress COMFORTABLY. I know it’s Manhattan and there is pressure to look effortlessly fashionable and chic but DUDE, you walk everywhere in the city!!! Think twice about bringing those new boots! I’d suggest bringing your most comfortable pair of sneakers. And if you’re hard-headed (ladies, this means you and your cute heels!), either keep some band-aids in your purse for those blisters or invest in some Dr. Scholl’s pads.

2) Learn how to hail a cab! Not all cabs are available for service. Make sure you spot the cabs in which the identification number on the hood is lit, and ONLY the identification number! If the ID is not lit, then it is occupied; if the entire thing is lit, including the words OFF-DUTY, then there ya go! Cabbie’s on a break!

3) Familiarize yourself with the subway system. Not only are there different lines, there are different trains! Make sure you know the express trains (i.e., the NQ on the NQRW line) from the local trains and all the stops. Note: the metrocard also works for the bus!

4) Carry the necessary seasonal items with you. For spring/summer, it’s always good to have a bottle of water. In the fall/winter, bring a scarf!

5) Walk efficiently and don’t hog the sidewalk! I HATE when tourists do this! YES, I know, oo look, high rise building. PLEASE MOVE! Nothing irks me more than a group of tourists walking side-by-side.

6) Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. New Yorkers are helpful and friendly!

7) If you’re on a budget, do not be surprised if your hotel room is roughly the same size as the master bathroom at your house. Spacious housing is generally difficult to come by unless you’re a $money-maker$!

That’s it for now! Hey, it’s my birthday tomorrow, yay!

<3

E

Full-fledged fall season!

Crisp air, chilly breeze, scarves and boots all about–can only mean one thing! FALL IS HERE! I can’t believe it’s already mid-October!

I currently live TWO BLOCKS (literally down the street) from my office. It is SO convenient!!! It’s a great location! I know people tend to dismiss the financial district as a place of residence but it’s really not bad at all. Sure, there aren’t as many bars, restaurants, diners or grocery stores AND things tend to close a little earlier, but SUBWAYS ARE ALL AROUND. All the subway lines I need are within a 5 block radius, literally. Miss the wonderful dive bars of the East Village? The R/W is 2 blocks away. Need to meet someone @ Grand Central? 4/5 is 3 blocks away. Meeting someone in Chelsea? Take the 1, which is a block from my apartment. SO. AWESOME.

Also, the best thing about living downtown is that almost all the apartment buildings are luxury high-rise buildings with full amenities. We have a concierge service, doorman, laundry on every floor, a roof deck with AMAZING views, a full gym (I work out during lunch sometimes), etc. etc. The location is unbeatable (in terms of proximity to work) and the rent is definitely not breaking the bank. I’m a pleased peach

Besides that, nothing new has changed. I’m still very busy. I still work long hours. I still have Peanut (he loves it down here too but there are considerably less trees around so he tends to make his mark on other things.. like corners of buildings and garbage bags).

Oh! I got my driver’s license AND I registered to vote. Looks like I really am a full-fledged New Yorker now..

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Views of Battery Park City and New Jersey from the roof deck of my apartment building.

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Battery Park City at sunset. STUNNING. If you look closely, you’ll be able to see the Statue of Liberty.

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Peanut at Bed Bath & Beyond in Tribeca.

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My birthday is coming up!!!! Don’t forget to send me gifts!! I’m serious! I want gifts!!!! Comment and leave your email address if you’d like to send me something and need my address. A card would be nice.

<3

E