well, hello.

I survived Hurricane Sandy, Surprise. 

I know you were all worried due to my lack of posting since Sandy was making her arrival. 

Thankfully, I only lost power during the storm and then migrated down south for a few days. 

There were many people that lost everything in the storm, I am thankful for all that I still have. 

The spirit of recovery in New York has been amazing. 

It's crazy how people come together during a time of loss. 

So, what's been going on during my {normal} leave of absence?

Since you asked...

One of my dearest friends, Gentry, got married. 

I was so happy I was able to be go home and be part of her big day. 

Also, I was happy to see all my other friends and family in the Natural State. 

My new roommate finally moved in. 

We are having a blast together!

I experienced my first NYC snow. 

It lasted a whole day! Crazy I know! 

Carly and Natalie {who is terrified of flying} visited NYC for Carl's 24th birthday. 

I spent my first Thanksgiving away from my family. 

I didn't make it to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade but my sweet friend Arielle invited me to dinner with her family. I got the full-blown Brooklyn Thanksgiving Day experience. 

And now, I'm in my last week of my first semester of grad school. 

 Yay! Time to celebrate! 

xoxo,

Wind. Rain. And Wine.

{Grand Central before the storm.}

Today, I will experience my first hurricane. 

If anyone has been watching the news, you know Hurricane Sandy is said to hit New York City today. 

I went to pick up some last minute supplies this morning, as their was no a soul in site. Such a weird feeling for a Monday morning in the City. 

The subway system is shut down, and every shelf at the grocery stores has been wiped clean, which left me to pick up a few semi-healthy snacks. 

I snagged some teddy grams, Ritz, cracker jacks, fruit, water and wine.

Wine is a necessity when you will be locked in your apartment for two days. I will spend most of my time studying. 

This extra day off couldn't have come a better time since I have midterms at the end of the week. 

I hope the storm damage isn't too horrible. Have you ever been in a hurricane? What did you do when you were stuck inside for days? 

Flying Time.

Where are the days going? I feel like yesterday we were just entering September. 

I found out how the school and work thing goes. It can be a little overwhelming at times, but so far I am managing. 

I am loving being back in school. I can't say that so much for having homework. I guess you win some and loose some.

I know I have been MIA for the past month, but I've been busy busy busy. If I wasn't at work or school, I was entertaining visitors from home. That's always a joy.

I've also been looking for a new roommate. Yes, again. I'm going on roomie numero tres since I moved to the big city. This time I think things are finally going to work out. I'll let you in on that over the next few weeks. For now, just keeping my fingers crossed.

Since I should be doing homework instead of blogging--here a few pictures of what's been going on to wrap up this short post.

My college roommate, Ashlyn, came to visit. 

I was so happy to show her around NYC for the first time. 

We hoped on a boat to cruise around the harbor. It was beautiful!

First time visiting the 9/11 Memorial. 

Walking with team Bloomindale's for the 2012 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. 

xoxo,

Work-School-Play.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day. I spent the weekend working my little butt off. I guess that's what I get for working in retail.

 It also means that I spend my breaks finding the best bargains I can in Bloomingdale's. That happened to be a beautiful Marc Jacobs crossbody that I treated my self to this weekend. I liked to think of it as a going-back-to-school gift to myself. 

Yes, school. I start school today. 

And I am so nervous! 

I feel like I should enter grad school as a prepared professional, but I think I'm more nervous than I was during my undergrad Freshman year. 

I will be working full-time and taking three classes this fall. I know its doable, I just don't want to get stuck in the work-school-work-school-repeat routine. I need to maintain at little bit of a social life. 

That's where you come into play. Give me advice! 

Tell me your secrets on how you juggled work and grad school. If you haven't been in this situation, I still love to hear what you would do if you were in my shoes. And don't worry they are awesome shoes!

{I couldn't resist posting a picture of this.}

xoxo,

August Rush

It seems jut a few days ago I was looking forward to August. Now it is coming to end. 

This month has been a roller coaster of happy and sad moments. 

I got to visit with sweet friends passing through New York City. 

I am always happy to see a familiar face. I have been blessed with amazing friends that I left behind when I moved, and when I get to see them I could not be more excited. Even if its for dinner or a quick lunch. 

I lost two friends this month. My friend Ox who I wrote about in my last post, and my best friend Justin. I wrote about him several months ago after a tragic accident happened. It has been a long year of praying and hoping, but he left this world for a better place. 

I visited home for a few days to be with family and friends, and attend the services. It was the hardest thing ever. 

It was a blessing to be in Arkansas, given the circumstances. I really have the best friends in the world and I miss them more than anything. Four days will never be enough to visit, but I will take it.

Now August is wrapping up, and I am trying to prepare my self for grad school. 

I'm so nervous. 

Keeping my fingers crossed that things go well. 

{Justin and I when I visited San Diego.}

{Rockin' kicks for Justin.}

{Natalie and I just being normal.}

{Just a few of the best friends I could ask for.}

{Rem, Zach and I before I headed back to New York.}

{Asif, Will, and Natalie enjoying bucket night in Arkansas.}

{My cousin, aunt and I on Top of the Rock.} 

{Breathtaking view of the city. }

xoxo,

Life.

Life is a precious thing. We never stop to realize this until someone is taken from us. 

I lost a dear and wonderful friend yesterday. 

I couldn't believe it and more than that, I didn't want to believe it. 

I know he is in a better place than all of us. That brings me comfort. 

Now its my turn to live life to the fullest for Karri Oksanen, better known as Ox. 

You will be greatly missed and I am blessed to have great memories with such an amazing person. 

Remember to hug your family and friends, and always let them know how much you love them.

xoxo,

{music moment} Heat Wave Jams

Heat wave: (noun) a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather.

If it gets to 94 degrees for three consecutive days, it's considered a heat wave in New York City. 

People freak out! Literally, calling into work, stocking up on bottles of water and AC units. 

It's like snow in the south. They think the world is ending. Jokes on them (for now).

In Arkansas, you pray for summer days that only hit 94 degrees instead of 110. I've learned to just deal with it, because it is going to be hot, every summer, until the world does actually end. 

So people, stop freaking out. You have obviously been alive more than one year, you know what to expect. Instead of complaining about it just make the most of it. 

Here are things you can do to avoid the heat wave misery:

1. Don't go outside. Simple. 

2. Pool, lake, ocean, bathtub, beer. Find cold water and jump in! 

3. Inside activities. Believe it or not there are tons of things to do inside and most are educational. Museums, libraries, movies, dyi's on pinterest.

4. Shopping. Unless you live in the city, most malls have AC, and who doesn't like shopping. 

5. My personal favorite, INTERNET. Get on YouTube and just type random things in the search bar. I guarantee you will be entertained for hours. 

Today, in NYC its hot and humid! I am not motivated enough to run in this heat, mainly because I suck at running and there is a high possibility I will pass out. And my only other idea is to shop. Dangerous. So after watching an embarrassing amount of YouTube videos, I decided to make a playlist to pass the heat. 

Heat Wave Jams--glowstixx

Here is a list of the songs that are featured on the playlist:

 1. Carmen by Lana Del Rey

2. Deadbeat Summer by Neon Indian

3. Dressed in Dresden by The Hundred in the Hands

4. Fell in Love with a Girl by White Stripes

5. Fineshrine by Purity Ring

6. Golden Light by Twin Shadows

7. Hold On by Alabama Shakes

8. Little Secrets by Passion Pit

9. Need Your Love by The Temper Trap
10.Patient by Twin Shadows

11. Shake Me Down by Cage the Elephant

12. Sleep Alone by Two Door Cinema Club

13. Steve McQueen by M83

14. The Wave by Miike Snow

Enjoy! 

xoxo,

Something about the South

I have now been a New York resident for one month and 26 days. The summer is flying by and soon I will be start my first classes as a grade student. I have been loving every minute of New York City, but there are somethings I miss about the Arkansas, and the South in general. 

Of course, I expected I would miss somethings but others had never crossed my mind. So, what do i miss?? Here is my top ten list of things about miss about living south of the Mason Dixon Line. 

1. Sweet Tea. There is only one place to find sweet tea around here, and its McDonald's. Lets just say it doesn't compare to a huge, iced down glass of homemade sweet tea.

2. Personal Space. People in the city have no concept of person space. Sometimes I am scared that someone might actually sit on my lap on the train. It hasn't happened yet, thank goodness!

3. Chik-fil-a. There is ONE in NYC. I haven't visited yet, but I'm having withdrawals. 

4. Great Outdoors. More importantly, the Lake! Nothing beats a hot summer day like laying on the lake and sipping cold drinks all day. 

5. Wal-Mart. I never thought I would say that. But Wal-Mart is the most convenient store ever. You can get everything, in one trip. 

6. Drink Prices. A night out here equals three nights out in Arkansas.

7. Home-cooked meals. Living with my parents had one great advantage, the food is good, ALWAYS. I know have to cook for myself. I've perfected breakfast and fried rice. 

8. Southern Twang. I miss those sweet southern accents. I realized this while skyping friends the other night. We may talk a little slow, but you gotta' love it. 

9. Emma. Yes, I admit it, I'm crazy about my cat. But who wouldn't be??

10. Friends and Family. Of course, this is the number one thing I miss about Arkansas! 

There you have it. You never realize the small things you will miss until you are gone. I may miss these things, but I love New York. It weighs out evenly. I'll enlighten you on all the great things here in a future post. Stay tuned. 

xoxo,

Missing home.

Ive decided that whenever you are missing home, the best thing to do is get a bottle of wine and get creative with your MacBook Air. 

So Thursday, I was doing just that. Missing all these wonderful people and putting my lack of video editing skills to work.

run and fun.

I've been putting off posting until my Internet is fixed, but I've come to the realization that may never happen. If you have Time Warner, I assume you understand.

I can't believe it is already mid July. Time is flying and it's almost my 23rd birthday. Woah!

The other day I was extremely bored so I decide to go for a run. If you know me well, you know that me running is a complete joke.

Today marks the forth day of me running, and I'm up to about 5 miles. I am privileged to live next to East River Park. It's a beautiful place to place to run, and also lets my tourist side come out. I stop a lot to take pictures of Lady Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Some days it's a surreal feeling to know I live in New York City.

Don't you just love those moments when you realize how awesome life is?

xoxo,
Kelsea

Goodbye June.

Since I haven’t posted in about a month, I figure it is only appropriate for a quick update of what happened during my first month in New York City. So here goes nothing—

After three trips to Ikea, I am finally settled into my room and have shelves and decorations on the wall. Though most of them are crooked and look like that might come crashing down at any moment, at least they are up!

{Carrying all this back to my apartment was a challenge.}

I went to my first east coast beach. It was surprisingly nice and reminded me of Destin, Fl. I have been there everyday I’ve had off work since.

{Rockaway Beach}

I finally strolled through Grand Central Station. AMAZING. I looked like a total tourist taking photos, but in my head I felt like I was in an episode of Gossip Girl. Spotted.

{Grand Central Station}

Friends from home have already come to visit. That was my favorite part. I love getting to see them! Living in the city would be absolutely perfect if I could just bring all my great friends with me. I know I will make friends that are great here but nothing can compare to those back home.

{Carly during our delicious breakfast at the Grey Dog.}

Lastly, I have a new roommate. My current roommate, Derick, decided to move back to Arkansas and attended the UofA for his masters. Now I have a Craigslist roommate, hopefully not killer. She moves in on Saturday so pray that this goes well for me.

{Derick's last day in NYC.}

That’s my June in a nutshell.

Xoxo,

four days down.

{Manhattan skyline via Ikea ferry.}

I have officially lived in the city for four days now. A crazy, busy and tiring four days. But I love it. 

After two trips to Ikea, I have a bed to sleep in and furniture to unpack my boxes into. I will agree that Ikea is a very convenient place to decorate your apartment at a good price, but that place literally gives me a panic attack. It is also quite annoying when you forget to buy a crucial part of the bed, like that boards that hold up the mattress. Yes, that happened to me!

{Before project Ikea.}

 

{After.}

Today was my first day at Bloomingdale's. That place is insane, but oh so amazing. I cannot wait to start abusing my employee discount. We went through a store tour today and it was nothing but a tease. I see my shoe and handbag collection growing significantly in the next few months. Along with my collection of black clothes. 

I am absolutely in love with the East Village. It is the perfect place to live. I have already bonding with a few neighbors over trips to Ikea. The village with people my age, great eats, and semi quiet streets (which is nice at night).

Short update on how life in the city is so far. I look forward to sharing the rest of my adventures with you.

{Night stroll in Central Park.}

xoxo,

I love you, New York.

{East Village apartment.}

My trip to New York was very successful. I found an apartment. Yay!! It was a stressful process but after a day of looking I now have a tiny, expensive apartment in East Village. I move back in exactly two weeks. 

It's crazy how fast the time is flying by. 

I also had a job interview while in the city. And I got it. I will be working at Bloomingdale's. I cannot wait. I just hope my employee discount doesn't get the best of me. 

While we in New York we didn't have much time for tourist activity but I did manage to go to a taping of the Late Show with David Letterman. It was so much fun, and somehow we managed to get front row seats. 

I probably won't have much time for blogging the next few weeks because I will either be working, packing, or soaking up every minute with friends and family. So if I don't, look forward to hearing from me once I get settled in. 

Until then, here are a few snapshots from our trip. 

{Roomie, Derick.}

{Washington Square.}

{Afternoon walk in the village.}

{NYU.}

{David Letterman.}

{Sad we didn't get to keep our tickets.}

{My new favorite entree, chicken and waffles.}

{Derick and me waiting in line for Letterman.}

{New York underground.}

{Tribeca.}

{Naked Cowboy, in the flesh.}

{Headed to Brooklyn.}

{Veiw from a Brooklyn bus.}

{See you soon, NYC.}

xoxo,