What I Missed....

I've missed out on telling y'all a lot. 

I'm sorry, and I would promise to keep up with this but let me real, I kinda suck at it. 

So since almost a year has gone by, here is a little photo recap.

{I survived my first blizzard, named Nemo, and the Passion Pit concert in one night.}

{I made it to Destin, FL for Spring Break. Yes, we get Spring Break in grad school.}

{Casey came to visit, not once but TWICE.}

{Brandon got to visit twice too, and also got a job in NYC. He choose San Fran over New York.}

{I guess I'm okay with it since I can visit now.}

{I went home.}

{Jackie, my best friend, came to visits and talked me into doing this. NEVER AGAIN.}

{Then I went home again. Two weeks in the South was much needed.}

{I turned 24 and celebrated at Lollapalooza in Chicago. So much fun.}

{I finally saw the bean.}

That's pretty much what has been going on with me, with a lot of small things in between. 

I also moved apartments but that deserves its own post. 

I'll be posting, sooner than later. 

xoxo.

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,