MP3 Picture/another one

I don't know why pictures are so hard for me to post, but they are. Here's a square-dancing one.

On the Town

This afternoon, to wrap up Fleet Week, they showed the Oscar winning 1949 film "On the Town" starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra on the big screen in Times Square. I met a friend there. The movie was awesome, one I know my parents would have really liked. And there's nothing like sitting in the sun while watching a movie. Total cost: Free!



We also got to be entertained before the movie by some dancers. Total cost: Free! And Hebrew National was giving out hot dogs for, you guessed it, Free! (I went back to get a second one--free is pretty much my budget as of late.)

We even got to be interviewed by an AP Press Person for our opinion on turning the center area of Times Square into a pedestrian walkway only. (Don't bother to look for my name in any news stories, though, I really had nothing interesting to say!)

MP3 Pictures

We're famous! Our napping and square dancing pictures made the cut! I'm in lime green more towards the left, and my friends are in blue and red.

Starburst Jellybeans

I love Starburst Jellybeans. Even more than I love Skittles. And I consider Skittles to be my favorite candy. This year at Easter I never bought any, which is very unusual for me. And disappointing. So imagine my surprise when I was out with Kansas and James and they bought some Starburst Jellybeans they found in a Duane Reade (which is like a Rite Aid, for you Michiganians.) I thought they were only around for Easter! And I finally met someone who likes them as much as I do! Well maybe not quite as much as I do--you wouldn't see James trying to get one that was dropped on the ground and squished!

A Tree Grows on Pulaski Street

After months and months of asking, my landlord's daughter got a tree planted in front of our townhome.

Without a tree. (My bedroom is the tiny window to the left--the one that looks like a tiny little slit.)

Preparations for a tree.

With the tree. It's a Dawn Redwood. Definitely an improvement; right?

MP3 Experiment 6

I had quite an adventure today! And the most fun I've had in a while. I was part of the MP3 Experiment at Roosevelt Island hosted by Improv Everywhere. If you don't know about this, you must check out the 'link' below. Some of the 'events' they've held in the past include: Freeze in Grand Central Station, High Five Rob, No Pants Day, to name a few.

Today we had to all meet at R.I. and wear either a green, blue, yellow, or red t-shirt. And that's all you know. I had to download instructions onto my ipod, and really, expect anything. I just had to follow what the MP3 player said to do. And so, the hilarity begins, lasting 47 minutes. Highlights include square dancing, napping, freeze tag, Simon Says, ending with a fight of the green & blues vs the reds & yellows with blow up hammers and bats.

Don't know how long it will take for them to post the tape, but I think it'll be worth watching! (And if you happen to want to look for me, I'm in lime green!)


http://improveverywhere.com/
(Sorry, I can't remember how to do links!)

Fleet Week

This week is Fleet Week in NYC. For those of you who don't know, or who haven't watched SITC (Sex in the City), a whole bunch of sailors and marines descend on NYC for the weekend. There are displays and all kinds of activities on the Pier.

So far the only thing I've seen is a bunch of 12 year old looking young men in uniforms, drinking, puking and trying to get lucky while a bunch of young girls dressed scantily flirt with them. (I somehow thought it would be a little more exciting, or at least not so trashy, damn you SITC!)

I did have a little bit of fun while I was out with Kansas and James, but you'll have to wait for the pictures!

False Alarm

It was a false alarm. We do NOT have bed bugs! None of us have been bit, nor have we found any signs of the little critters, alive or dead. I can now go back to living normally--if how I was living is what you consider normal!

Looking at a Rat

Tonight as I was coming home from small group, I stepped onto the platform and waited for the G train. And waited. There was some type of alarm going off--sounded like an alarm that would go off if you went out an emergency exit only door--but much louder. It didn't stop.

Then I remembered that my son got me an ipod nano for mother's day. Since I was previously on the train with friends, I didn't think to use it. But the annoying alarm sound helped me to remember. I promptly put it in my ears and was swept away with Coldplay.

As I continued to wait for the G (seriously 6 A/C trains came and left before the G arrived!) and enjoy my music, I played my favorite platform-waiting game that I like to call "What can I find on the tracks?" And one of my favorite things was on the track, a rat. As I stood looking at the rat, I broke out into a smile, and then it hit me. My life is interesting. In a way I never would have imagined. I am happy.

Church in Central Park

Here is a picture of our last church meeting. We've started gathering at alternate locations on the second Sunday of every month. Don't you wish your church looked like this?

Preparations

Ok, here is what needs to be done when you prepare to spray for bedbugs. I won't write it all down, but I'm sure you'll get the idea.

Empty all drawers in bedroom. All bedding off the bed. Bed frames dismantled. All clothes to be washed/dried or dry cleaned and put into a sealed plastic bag. (For 4 weeks after treatment.) All bedding, sheets, blankets, drapes to be washed/dried or dry cleaned and put into a sealed plastic bag. (For 4 weeks.) All shoes in a sealed plastic bag. All art removed from walls. All items in bedroom to be packed (still not sure how.) Vacuum everything! (walls, baseboards, floors, etc.) Put vacuum bag in plastic, seal and throw away. Repeat vacuuming frequently for 4-6 weeks after extermination.

Are you getting the picture? What a nightmare! When I told a friend today about 'the bedbug situation' he stuck out his hand, shook my hand, and stated, "Welcome to New York." Welcome to New York indeed!

Good Night, Sleep Tight...

And Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite. Remember the little nursery rhyme? Well, I used to think it was a cute little saying. Not Anymore!! See this little critter pictured? Yep, he's a bedbug. And it's not cute. It's real, and in New York, there is a serious epidemic of them. There are stories printed about how serious the epidemic is. And there are some really gross ads on the subway which I just try to ignore. But not anymore.

Why, you ask? Well, because now they are a reality for me. Seems my little apartment has tenants who aren't paying their share of the rent! Short story: one was found in our bathroom; landlord was called; preparations are being taken (I'll write more on that later--you won't believe what you have to do!); on Monday the exterminator comes and will spray the little bastards to what I hope is their untimely death!

Oswald Chambers

What can I say? I love my daily devotional, My Utmost for his Highest, by Oswald Chambers. So many times it hits me exactly where I need to be hit. And sometimes it speaks into something I have really been struggling with. Today was one of those readings.

The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience
"...strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men" (Acts 24:16).

God's commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God's Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey.

Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God's standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God's perfect law and indicate what I should do. The questions is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God's Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2; also see Ephesians 4:23).

God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God..." (Ephesians 4:30). He does not speak with a voice like thunder-His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don't ask, "Why can't I do this?" You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is-drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.

This is one I may need to re-read daily. Or at least until I stop struggling. Which I guess means I'll have to read it forever!

Job

I am now the new Court Advocate in the Bronx for TFS! I start on Monday, part time until June 11th, when it becomes full time.

Ugh! Gross!

Came across this disgusting slide show and felt compelled to share!
Warning: Do not view before eating, unless you're trying to diet!

http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_problems_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

Hiatus (feeling blue)

I haven't posted since I got back from Michigan. Truth be told, I've been in a bit of a funk lately. Seems like there hasn't been an aspect of my life that has been going quite right. (job, housing, friends, men, dating) I was hoping that a trip 'back home' would rejuvenate me. In a way, it did. And in a way, it didn't.

The good thing is that I have been in this place before. I know I'm not stuck here. I know that if I start showing some gratitude for what I do have, I'll feel a little better. And if I talk to people who care about me, they will help me to carry my burdens.

I spent a lot of my life focusing on the negative and I really have to make a conscious effort to be positive. Times like this, it is harder to do. But I am going to make the choice to be positive, show gratitude, and thank God for what he has done in my life and for my life.

I'm leaving...

on a jet plane--to Detroit to visit my son (and some friends and family--wish I could see them all!) I'll be staying with Joshua and I'm bringing some dirty laundry with me! (After all, he has a washer/dryer in his apartment, for crying out loud!)

Just What the Doctor Ordered

In the past 24 hours, I feel like I have been rejuvenated. I have been poured into by my community here in NYC. And it was exactly what I needed.

Met up with my favorite principal in Midtown, and we traveled to the Upper West Side (about 40 blocks too far--what I get when I let a tourist lead me!--a total of 80 blocks round trip out of our way) to have dinner with my favorite UWS couple. It was my first adult dinner party (not actually a party, I just think dinner party sounds better than simply saying dinner!) since I've been to NYC. There was wine, a fabulous home-cooked meal, and excellent conversation. An evening with three people I trust with my struggles and my secrets. People I can trust to help me see what I cannot see when I'm stuck. Followed by an invitation to spend the night, which I happily accepted.

Then after a quiet, restful night's sleep, a quiet morning drinking coffee and chatting, it was time for the ladies in my church to come over for our monthly women's bible study. (Really, it so reminded me of being back in my house in Rochester Hills, the quiet, peaceful way I used to be able to greet my Saturdays--so unlike Bed-Stuy, where I now live.) To be able to spend 2 hours or so sharing, bonding, and praying with the women in my life.

Yep, spending time in community. Just what the doctor ordered.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 5:16, 19-20 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

I am a Quitter

Don't know what has been brewing inside of me lately, but yesterday I did something uncharacteristic, although it is not the first time I felt like doing it. I quit my job at Trader Joe's. In the middle of a shift. What put me to this point? Pride, I guess.

I found out that several of the people that started with me were making $.25-$.50 more an hour. Were they more qualified? I don't think so. Do they have more responsibility? No. Don't know why, but it really started to bother me. Never mind that I'm making the salary of a 12 year old (which I could actually survive on, which is, of course, another story in itself!), but to then find out that 8 year olds are making more, it just didn't sit well with me. I'm still bothered.

But the worst part is that it really was a nice place to work, and I still believe it's an excellent company--worthy of the #2 Grocery Chain in America ranking it just received. I should have given notice and waited until I had another job before quitting. Definitely more adult. More responsible. But I didn't. And now, I wonder, how will I continue to shop there? Will they even want my business? Ahh, I guess that is when swallowing the pride comes into play--I'm definitely experienced with that!

When I get back from Detroit next week (can't wait! first time I'll be back since I moved--I'm not counting the 3 days I spent in December going through all my stuff in storage and packing, loading, repacking and moving!), my intention is to look seriously for a job I'm qualified for (not overqualified for) and something I believe in. I'm, of course, hoping that TFS comes through, but if it doesn't, I can't wait for them.

When I talked to my friend later in the evening, he mentioned I sounded defeated. Which really got me thinking. That is not a word I would have used myself, but it totally fits. I am feeling defeated. I can't help but on many occasions, especially of late, to raise my hands to God and say "really? this is where I'm at? doing this? really?" not understanding or knowing why or how or if he is using me for the kingdom. I'm feeling discouraged to think that I don't know how I'm being used or where I'm headed. I definitely don't feel up to the task. All I know is that I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, and I'm uncertain as to whether or not I'm going to step off.

On a happy note, one of the things I definitely won't miss is the amount of butt cleavage I saw at TJ's! I mean really, it's understandable when you're bending over stocking shelves, etc. (understandable but still not desirable!) but when you're standing up straight and you've got 2+" showing---I will NOT miss that!

Street Findings

Sometimes I come across something weird or funny on the streets of NYC and have decided to start sharing them. (I may even start a new blog just for this kind of thing--who knows?)

A braided piece of hair found on Smith Street. Gross; right?


A gumball machine at the laundromat I go to. What, no gum? That's right, it's Bling Teeth!