In the Zone

I’ve been in the zone for the past month or so. Work has become second nature. How I get to work has become second nature. I am 100% guilty of zoning out quite a bit! New Yorkers on the subways look like zombies. I’m becoming a zombie! NO! I wear my black leggings with my black boots and black coat and black sunglasses (when it’s sunny) and walk incredible fast down 42nd street between 5th and 7th avenues. I do that twice a day 5 times a week without thinking twice. I wish I could just snap out of it but I feel it’s a curse of living and working in this city.

I mean, I am pretty blessed, and my commute to work is pretty memorable if I were a tourist. I take the train down to Times Square, then walk from 7th to 5th avenue passing Bryant Park which always has something going on. This next week is Fashion week and Bryant Park is one of the hot spots for the runways. I have an H&M and ZARA right across the street from my work and visit them often:)  I am trying to snap out of my zoning issues. I just have places to go, and things to do. I’m a New Yorker.

Winter.

It’s about this time of year that I can’t stand the weather. Yes, winter in New York is a little more mild than Minnesota, but nevertheless I cannot stand the cold. What stinks about winter, more specifically January-February, in New York is that the Christmas season is well over, so you no longer feel like you’re in a movie. So, walking everywhere is no longer a dream and you are constantly battling wind tunnels. Awesome.

It’s sad that I would rather sit in my apartment watching Lost–which has been amazing:)–then go outside and explore because I don’t want to freeze my face off walking everywhere. I love being active and spontaneous and I get sad when the weather hinders my free spirit.  Just thought I would share how much I am ready for warm spring weather:)

Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood

There have been some new places to eat that have opened up in Harlem that I have finally gotten to try out.  Earlier this week I met a friend at this new place called Island Salad. It is such a cute little place. You step into the Caribbean pretty much. I had this awesome island caramel apple soda and my friend Sandrine had a delicious salad–one of the many great organic ones they have. And in the summer, they are going to have an outdoor patio for customers to enjoy. I am sooo excited to enjoy this new treasure more.

Last night Vadim and I both worked til about 6:30pm. I met him at the New York Times where he currently works as a social media intern–pretty cool stuff. We walked through Times Square to get to the train and headed back up home to Harlem.  There’s this other new restaurant that just opened this past December called Applebee’s;) It’s only a 5 minute walk from our apartment and neither of us felt like cooking, so off we went. Now Vadim and I know Applebee’s very well, as I’m sure most of you do. That’s where my girls and I went for half-price appetizers once a week in the summer time. And that’s where you went for every other random, special occasion if you went to Northwestern College.  With Applebee’s, we all know that each one is uniquely decorated according to where it’s located. The Applebee’s in Harlem was no different. The atmosphere was similar, but very different.

We walk in and it was absolutely packed. We put our name in and waited next to the huge security guard that was silently jamming to the music playing. The service was ok. We got a waitress that we could tell was new and our food took a bit longer than it should have to get to us, but thank the Lord for the awesome music that was playing. That was the best part. Every single song was awesome. All Hip-hip, both old school and new school. At every single table there’s someone who is moving to the rhythm of the song. Only in Harlem:) We overheard the security guard telling the table next to us, where two women we seriously belting the Alicia Keys song playing, that the music is from the radio station The Heat on Sirius XM Radio. Vadim and i both agree that if we ever got XM radio, that would be on our top 3:)

I love getting to know my neighborhood. And Harlem has so many good eats. We haven’t even scratched the surface.

Shake Shack: A Must

So I’m no restaurant critic. Besides, there are SO many great restaurants in NYC, so pretty much any restaurant you go to you will enjoy your meal. I do know that I am a burger and fries type of  girl and I like them on the resonably cheap side. If I had to describe Shake Shack to someone I would say that it’s the In-n-Out Burger of New York. Not quite as cheap and the burgers are a little smaller–but again, this is New York.

We discovered one on Wednesday night. Vadim and I each got a burger, Vadim got the “shack” burger with special “shack” sauce, I just stuck w/a classic cheeseburger; and we split a chocolate peanut butter shake. We loved the atmosphere and the burgers were delicious! We chose not to get fries, but we probably will next time because I’m sure they’re amazing. So if you ever take a trip to NYC. Try and squeeze in the Shake Shack. There are 2 in Manhattan: one at Madison Square Park (that’s the original) and one on the Upper West Side and 77th and Columbus. You won’t be disappointed that you did.

The First 10 days in ‘10

Well this is it. A brand new year full of brand new experiences and the Lavrusik’s are once again in for a ride. We begin the year in an amazing city. The first 10 days of ‘10 have been quite memorable.  The first weekend of the year was fantastic. Vadim and I were in our sweats all weekend Friday-Sunday watching college football bowl games. It was a heavenly weekend for sure. Almost too luxurious though because the next week of work I worked 50+ hours. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy work because the days totally flew by. But just going from lounge to long days was a harder transition than I thought it would be.

I met an incredibly nice celebrity who came into the salon this last week. Ken Leung from LOST came in to get a facial before he flew back to Hawaii to shoot the last season of LOST. He was incredibly personable and kind and only got the best facial we have:) Today I finally got to sleep in and oh was it glorious! Tomorrow is already Monday though and with it comes my fun 12.5 hour work day between the two jobs. So 2010 has brought with it the blessing of plenty of work for me. Also this year I am trying to figure out “healthier” things to eat for lunch–since I have brought PB&J and yogurt for lunch every day to work for the past month… Vadim and I are trying to make more salads of all sorts and I am trying to search for recipes, yes I said it, recipes so that 2010 can be a healthier year for us.  So already these first 10 days have been busy, busy! But every morning when I wake up and think of how I would love to just sleep in,  I remind myself of my days this past fall when I wished I had something to wake up for. Ah, 2010. It’s gonna be a great, adventurous year, I can feel it:)

2009. Best year of my life.

Well, there’s no question that 2009 held many amazing memories for me.  I graduated college, got married, and moved to New York City. I pretty much spent half the year in Minnesota and half in New York, having two very different experiences but enjoyed the growing pains that came with the experiences(especially NYC). I have seen the Lord work in such amazing ways this year, and He has blessed the Lavrusik’s. On this last day of 2009 a verse comes to mind. –

 ”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I have gone through just about every kind of emotion this year, but through all of them, all of the ups and downs and struggles; I take heart. Because I know that in this world I will have trouble, but JESUS has OVERCOME the world. What promise and hope. A great hope to lean on as a new year approaches.

I just want to leave you with special moments and memories I made in 2009. This is a only small glimpse mind you! What a fun, blessed year it’s been:)

Target, you suck in New York

So I, like many women, love shopping. I don’t even have to buy anything, I just love the comfort of being in certain stores. Target is one of those stores.  I love the cheaper prices and the huge variety. I could seriously browse through the store for hours. Living out in New York, Target always makes me think of Minnesota which brings comfort and memories of my college days:)  Well sadly, Target is nothing like it is in Minnesota. Sure it has the same branding and products, but the prices and organization in Target stores in New York aren’t the same at all. Now I am not speaking for all Targets in New York. I do know that in the boroughs of New York City there are Targets in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. I live in Manhattan–the only borough that doesn’t have a Target! The one that’s closest to me is the one in the Bronx, but I don’t know how to get there…so I have gone to the Brooklyn one. The first time I went I was with Madelynn Furlong and we were in need of some “Minnesota comfort.” This was before we fell in love with New York mind you:) and we were incredibly disappointed with the service, prices, and overall “aura” of it.  We spent most of the time pointing out all the ways it was different than our “sweet” Targets in Minnesota. It was a grand time with a grand friend:)

Well tonight was the second time I went because I had to pick something up at the pharmacy. I don’t know if it was because I went there alone, or the fact that the holidays make all stores a mess, but I didn’t really enjoy myself, which makes me sick because I know how much I’m supposed to love the store! The clothing selection is dumb, there are hardly any sales, and every single department was like I said before a mess. So while I love this city more and more every day, Target isn’t the same here, and I probably won’t make an effort to go their often. Especially when we have amazing value stores up in Harlem;) BUT I am very excited to go to Target in Minnesota next week! When Vadim and I go home for Christmas!!!

The Cocktail Party on Park Avenue

On Monday evening I swear Chuck Bass or Serena Van Der Woodsen could have been in the midst of the guests I was serving. I was asked by a friend back in November if I would like to help seve at a cocktail party on the Upper East Side. It was in the evening, paid well (and in cash), and would add to my unique New York experiences. So of course I said sure! Now I have never waitressed, and that’s been on purpose. I am a clumsy person my nature, and was kind of nervous that I could be passing a tray of wine classes, one handed, amidst over 100 people… am I painting a picture for you? I was just nervous I would make a fool of myself in front of many posh Upper East Siders.  But thankfully, I just passed around food in a Santa hat:)  There were mini hamburgers, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, and pigs in a blanket; and everyone just simply grabbed off the tray. It was so funny walking around because most of the men weren’t shy at all, and most of the women longingly looked at the food but wouldn’t have any. Towards the end of the party I started walking around with desserts…that was when the women were really not giving in. I was passing around Rice Krispie Treats and small cookie ice cream sandwiches. Just have one, c’mon that is not going to kill you!  It was entertaining to say the least:)

So this “apartment”…it was huge! Like the size of the main floor of the house I lived in in Roseville! And for New York, that’s some space. The event was catered by Sotheby’s and had something to do with it maybe? I don’t even know! But the couple hosting it at their place were so incredibly sweet and they had 2 adorable young children! It was so great to see people with obviously a good income be so sweet and generous. On our way out of the apartment the children told us to have a Merry Christmas and gave us jingle bell bracelets. SO PRECIOUS. And definitely got me in the spirit:)  It was such a fun night. Who ever thought I would even set foot in an apartment on Park Avenue?! AND walk around with a tray in the air, wearing a Santa hat? I think that’s what they call making the most of every random opportunity. And this was so much better than selling comedy tickets;)

Time Flies When You Have a Job.

The past two weeks have been incredibly busy and flown by faster than any weeks thus far in NYC.  My first week at the salon has been great! I really enjoy the people I work with and I have loved getting to meet Joanna’s clients.  The location is so cool too. It’s right on the corner of 5th Ave and 42nd street so Bryant Park is like right there, which is a wonderful place to get away and sit and people watch. I had to work all day last Saturday and when I came home I walked in to a candlelit apartment. I turned on the light and the apartment was spotless. Vadim had cleaned the whole apartment–well except the bathroom because he doesn’t like to do that–so it’s my job:)  Then on Sunday, Vadim planned a date for us. He packed a thermos of hot cocoa and we made our way down to the Brooklyn Bridge.  We didn’t get directions for how to get there we just went downtown, testing the direction we had in our heads. We walk quite a bit but we found it, walked across it, and can now check that off the list:)

Vadim made cocoa to bring to the bridge

He loves this hat!

I have to say that now that I have a job and some place I am expected to be, I am really liking NYC. It is a place that grows on you.  It helps that it’s the holiday season and everywhere you go here you feel like you’re in a movie. Working down by Times Square I really feel like a New Yorker–I walk fast and have no patience for tourists. haha

On Thursday in Bryant Park there was “Carol-oke” sponsered by TJ-Maxx and Marshalls. I went on my lunch break w/my friend Madeline not because I wanted to sing, but because “Finn” and “Puck” from Glee were there singing! I didn’t get there in time to hear them sing, but we were standing near the media tent, so when they were getting interviewed we were right there. Madeline wanted to go for Finn. I wanted to go for Puck. Cory (Finn) is just as dorky in real life, and I feel like Mark (Puck) is just as sleazy…whatever. They saw us and smiled and we felt pretty good about that.  I love the random events that I randomly find out about in this city. It blows me away how fast time flies now that I have full time job, but I do love that now as life picks up Vadim and I get to explore this place even more:)

I am thankful. Very thankful.

So this is Thanksgiving week. The energy is very high as many people are excited about the break from school, work, and time to relax and enjoy three of my favorite things: family, food, and football:) This is an incredibly busy week for me, but I have hardly stopped smiling. Yesterday I worked at MTV from 9:30-5:30 and then went to Banana Republic from 6-10. I get to do the same thing today. Yes it’s a little exhausting, but strangely I feel joyful about it. I love seeing God’s timing at work. I got a temporary full time job! I am going to be the receptionist at Joanna Vargas Skin Care. Originally it was going to be temporary for 2-3 weeks, but I went into interview and she really liked me, so who knows, it may turn into a permanent thing. That job starts friday! It’s a 9-6 job and I work Tuesday-Saturday. The Saturday thing will take a little getting used to, but sacrifices have to be made, and I know this job won’t be forever, so I know it’s doable. This week I will be working at three different jobs. Next week too. We have been living out in New York for almost 4 months. And finally, a way to make an income is happening. I am so thankful for work. It may not be what I thought it was going to be. And I may not be thinking I am putting my college education to good work yet, but this is the first step. And I am so thankful I will have dependability in a job.

Our first Thanksgiving in NYC is upon us and we are pumped for all of the festivities! I work at MTV again tomorrow, but we get out early! Then it’s off to get ready to see the balloons get blown up in Central Park for the MACY’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Then we get to GO to the parade Thursday:) And then our Thanksgiving feast begins at 2 p.m. along with Wii, football, and other games. And pies, and meat and potatoes, and wine. Oh boy I am so thankful and so excited!  

I loved that this was the verse of the day:  So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7