It's the Little Things...

Some Fun and Random Happenings as of Late:

1. I was riding on the bus w/ my client in the Bronx one day and the bus driver led us all in a chorus of "The Wheels on the Bus go 'Round and 'Round" in efforts to get this little girl to stop crying. Never have I seen so many hardcore black-wearing Bronxonians (I just made that word up) smile at once. Mad props to you, Mr. Bus Driver Man!!

2. So we had this whole package of brown sugar that was completely hardened. Naturally, as I always do in such predicaments, I googled my solution and learned that putting a piece of foil and damp paper towel on top of the clumps will soften them right up. So I did, and I waited...day one..still solid as a rock....day two same deal....day three I go to throw out the sugar in despair but alas it has softened and is the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on. Ok, so that might be a slight exageration but seriously I have been incorporating brown sugar into every meal since that glorious day....simply because I can. Sure I could have just given up, thrown it out and bought a new package. But the effort makes it taste all the better. I thought of all these great life analogies that are reflected in the brown sugar incident, but I shall spare you the sentimental details for now.

3. My friend Sarah from A&M just moved across the street from me (literally). She would e-mail and call last year to ask questions as she deliberated the move here. And, as fate would have it, a year later we're neighbors in the big apple.

4. I dated (and I use that term lightly) a Polish dude that I met on the subway. I know, I know...very New York, and/or very ridiculous depending on how you look at it. Needless to say it didn't work out. No more picking up dates on public transportation.

5. Took the Chinatown bus to Baltimore and reconnected with a long lost high school friend who I hadn't seen in 4 years. We did a little kareoke-ing, a little shopping, a LOT of eating (Maryland crabs....mmm) and I think we talked nonstop for the entire 3 day weekend....loved every minute.

6. Went ice skating (w/ my friend Claire) for the first time since Bonnie Cooper's birthday party in 2nd grade...and I didn't even bust it once...and discovered that Park Slope, Brooklyn is freakin' awesome.

7. Had a "throw back" Saturday night watching Doogie Howser (yeah, that's right) season 1 w/ Claire and her roomie. I'm not sure what's more ridiculous--the fact that Claire actually ordered it on Netflix or the fact that we spent a Saturday night watching it.

8. I got the privelege of boogeying down with some south Bronx locals at our client Mardi Gras party. One of the clients (who happens to be a black woman) came up and asked me, "Where'd you get yo' rhythm?" Now she may just think that any white girl who can snap her fingers to a beat qualifies as having rhythm, but you better believe I'll be holdin' on to that compliment 'til I go dancin' into my grave.

9. This month is currently deemed "operation bridesmaid" as I crack down on the healthy eating and prepare to strut my stuff down the aisle at Michelle's wedding next month (side note: I'll be in Dallas Apr.7-9ish for those of you in the vicinity)

10. We had a dog for 2 weeks. His name is Muffinski (don't ask), and he quickly became the heartthrob of Avenue C. We were taking care of him for a friend, and I must say dogs require a lot of attention and early mornings. Basically, I had to come to grips w/ how self-centered I really am. Let's just say I probably don't need to be raising children anytime soon.

11. Jules and I had a good laugh one Friday night when we met some friends at Duvet: the most swanky mcswankster, "Sex and the City"-esque, $12 drink-servin' bar/lounge whatever. Jellyfish aquariums, beds that require reservations , a bar that changes colors and spikey-haired black shirt wearin' bar tenders....boy did I feel right at home.
To counter that, I put all my rhythm to good use dancin' to the hits of the 80's at Culture Club last weekend.

In other random news, I don't care what the thermometer says, today was definitely the coldest and windiest day of the year...and quite possibly of my life. Which is why I'm makin' it a Blockbuster and laundry night on this lovely Friday evening.

I think I'm ready for a new job, maybe something completely different, maybe something corporate. I don't really know. I do know that work's really been taking more of an emotional toll than usual lately. Just in the past couple weeks there's been a miscarriage, foster kid run away from home, suicide attempt, 2 hospitalizatoins, eviction notice, numerous occasions of getting hung up on by feisty and unprofessional welfare workers, pregnant teenager, homeless mother of 4 and the usual doses of anxiety, mental retardation and depression. It's true I've been talking about the job switch for a million years now, but really I'm just a big wuss. I hate resumes and searching and having to "market" myself. The whole game of it makes me want to vomit. Why can't I just be recruited or something, like in sports?

The thing with my job is that you feel as though you've just sprinted a marathon and only moved a foot. And right when you want to throw in the towel you get a tiny grain of hope (this can be related back to the "brown sugar philosphy"), grab the reins, and the whole cycle repeats itself. I don't like to give up, especially not on people. I guess it's a good problem to have but sometimes blurs the understanding of when it's time to move on. So , having put all of that on the table, call me if you're hiring...or if you've received some prophetic message regarding my next career move.