Newest Five-Star Status song.

This song has quickly become a favorite. I know it's not new, but it gets a lot of play up here in New York. The lyrics are surprisingly very sweet, and you know The Dream makes bangers, so the beat is on point.

The Dream-- Walkin' on the Moon
The magic of the moment snuck up on me
And caught me by surprise Roaming and I'm lonely man I'm longing
For that somethin in your eyes And I know it's not just the song
(And I know it's not just the song)
And I know it's not just the drink
(And I know it's not the drink)But whatever it might be (Whatever it might be)
Just keep holding on to me
Cause I'll pull down a cloud for you
I'll circle the stars and bring you one back
I'll walk through the sun for you
Cause there's somethin you do
That got me walking on the moon

I can't stop listening to it!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Top Weekend

Well, another weekend has come and gone. This was an amazing one because SM was here to visit me! I haven't seen her in over a month and, for us, thats a terrible stretch. We had jam packed days of meeting friends, running around the city, Canal street, Top Shop, braving the rain, and a Drag Show. I had a wonderfully fun weekend and all in all it made me miss home even more. I am so excited to fly down in October for my cousins wedding. The above picture is of SM and I with 3 of my CUSSW friends.

Oh... and yes, SM met the banker. He hung out on Friday night for a long while and again on Saturday. He had nothing but positives to say about her (but who could have anything negative to say?!) and I certainly hope she liked him too, but if she didn't I know she will tell me. Thats the beauty of real friends, you know how big a deal it is to introduce them to a boy because the real friends will keep it funky with you and have no problem saying "Girl don't date that guy" if they get red flags, whether they are superficial or deep rooted problems, your homegirls always know. I'm not sweatin over here though. He has won E's approval and all of my city friends can't get enough of him... so, we'll see, right?

I can't believe it's Monday already... I'm still exhausted from last week :( I'll be back to blogging this week now that I've got myself on an excellent schedule (I think)

Busy as eff

I have been insanely busy. Like when field placement started my life went into overdrive. I honestly don't have any true free time and the time I do use as "free" should really be reading time, or doing some of the seemingly endless errands. I have also become a bit of a freak about cleaning. I think it's because of the hardwood floors. On top of that, I kind of have to go to bed by 10:00-11:00 on 3 nights of the week because I gotta get up at like 5:30.... but hello, thats giving up a lot of valuable hours. I am working on balancing it all out, and creating a manageable schedule... but I'm not there yet.

I do have a nice update about my field placement, and I will get better about the posting as soon as things settle.

In other exciting news: SM is coming to visit me on Friday! We've been apart for a month, and thats a long time for us! So I'm thrilled to have wifey in the city, I plan to show her a good time, and she gets to meet the banker.... should be interesting....

Soundtrack to my life--New York City

I start field placement tomorrow and, based on my talk with my supervisor, I am very very nervous and scared. I know I'm capable, but none the less--- its terrifying. The Banker is a typical boy and Sunday is dedicated to football of any variety. I spend my Sundays getting my life on track, but today it was more of a day to calm all of my nerves and prepare for field. Well, he must have felt my anxious energy on Saturday because this was in my inbox this morning:

Subject: There's nothing you can't do...

Body: Now you're in New york...

--- and the Jay-z song "Empire State of Mind" was an attachment.

The chorus

"Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,

Theres nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
these streets will make you feel brand new,
big lights will inspire you,
lets here it for New York, New York, New York"

I've been listening to it pretty much on repeat, and it's on my "Harlem/Bronx/Brooklyn/Manhattan" playlist. It's an amazing song about an amazing city, sent from a pretty swell guy, haha.

Five Star Status Song of the Moment.

I Will Follow You into the Dark

-- Death Cab for Cutie

Love of mine some day you will die
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark

No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me
"Son fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back

If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
Cause we'll hold each other soon
The blackest of rooms

If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
Then I'll follow you into the dark

New York, New Look

I stopped cutting my hair in January because I was sick of how much it took to maintain such a shorty do. Everybody knows that growing your hair out sucks because just when you figure out how to style it, it up and grows out a little more. For me, the process hasn't been too traumatic, and a big part of that is because I have a end goal in sight. I know exactly what hair I want next. I think by January, I should be ready for it. Is that not the cutest bob?? not too dramatic or extra. Maybe it looks so good because Taraji P. Henson is gorgeous... who knows....

What I'm Wearing 09.17.09

Cardigan-- Department Store (Macys??)

T-Shirt-- Michael Stars

Jeans-- James

Flats-- Tory Burch

Scarf-- Nine West.

This outfit is a bit bright for me... like maybe inappropriate because it is not summer anymore. I may swap the scarf for a more neutral one.... yea oh my god, i just looked back at the picture and like... my everyday bangles are matching like a mugfug. I die. goodbye Scarf.

Well my friends... it is not warm here. it is currently 58 degrees, with a high of 65. I am totally not equipped for this at all! Look forward to my new fall wardrobe since I currently own like 3 legit sweaters. I have to say goodbye to the dresses that take up half of my closet to expand the section of tops which is about a 1/4 of the half left over after the dresses. No good.

just to clarify...

I've been posting pictures as regularly as possible to facebook (even though I am starting to really not like it, too many bells and whistles...). As many of you know, I'm really bad at tagging pictures or writing captions because it's time consuming and I never know what to say in the captions. I realize the confusion that causes when stalking pictures because obviously people are on the look out for pictures of my new friends, and specifically this new boy, am I right.

a couple things that I died over:

8:20pm---

"Your lack of captions is making it hard for me to tell if the new guy is in your facebook album"

-- Bex, via text

And from Facebook--

BKE, EC, and Bex have inspired me to clean up my act on facebook, most definitely. And, just for the record:

-- The Banker doesn't "understand" facebook or myspace (I don't get myspace either....) So he doesn't have one, doesn't want one, literally is clueless about it. Furthermore, he thinks he isn't photogenic, so he doesn't like candid shots... or posing for them. AND, lets be honest, he knows what girls like us (me?) do with pictures... send them to other people, obv.

He is well versed on just about every friend I've ever had and is very set on making a good first impression, so if you ever call me and I'm with him, he most likely will want to talk to you, or pass some message through to you. Meeting my friends is something he takes pretty seriously (he doesn't get how a pictures doesn't equate to meeting, haha) So much that he was planning a trip the weekend SM visits and is currently trying to reschedule. he knows my friends = family to me, and to win with me, you gotta win with them! The feeling is mutual though, I am scared to meet his mom, didn't meet a couple of his friends one night b/c I had beast of a zit... silly girl stuff, but real stuff none the less.... Ok, that was a super long sidebar. my b.

There is one picture of him on facebook. (Please see exhibit A) His camera shyness is clearly in a conflict of interest for me, because I'd pose for a picture at the drop of a hat. So, please, imagine this BSS scenario:

Monday Night: The Banker and I have just gotten back from this cuban place where we were having drinks. E isn't home yet and so we beat her there. (E and the Banker are pretty much BFF, just fyi) Oops-- backstory: my mother is totally dying over the lack of info she has on the banker. I mean, i divulged all his "looks good on paper" info, but I had no picture and she had no like visual. So earlier that night she's all like "snap a picture! " and I'm like... "um... ok." (read: "um... no.")

ok, back to real time: So E gets home and is on the phone as she walks in 5 min later shes like "so.... our mom wants you to take this picture so I can send it to her." Die. Seriously, I DIE at that moment. Like, WHO DOES THAT?! ahhahaha it was just like, wow. So he debates for a while, (blazer, no blazer. smile, no smile) After about 15 minutes of E explaining a Southern Mother, he caves. And we pose for the grainiest, low budget, shit picture on earth. My mom loves it, however, and E had a great time torturing the kid. It was all in all hilarious though. SM is coming to visit me in a couple of weeks and I've already begun prepping him for the paparazzi like photo sessions that occur among old friends/drunken sorority girls. We'll see how he does. I assure you, despite the shit hole quality picture a couple of you received, the guy is a freakin Dime. Like.... pretty much regularly when I'm with him I'll be chatting and then I'm like "oh word?? I seriously am hanging with this Dime?"

So. Thats the story behind the lack of pictures (the the confusing pictures of me and other boys) I pretty much promise that the minute I get him in a legit, taken-with-a-real-camera picture, I'll share. Best guy friend Karl met him a couple of weekends ago... and according to SM and Grace, he knows his first sighting was very important to those back home... so, in the mean time, just ask him hahaha.

Exhibit A-- My girl KB was just snappin pictures at The Heights one night. There is a montage of ones similar to this one, all hilarious, but you can see how well the harmless candid shots picture turned out...

(he isn't that short, he's just sitting on a bar stool and I'm sort of standing up on my stool)

Neighborhood bars

I've been in the city almost a month now, and I certainly am feeling more city savvy as each day passes. It takes a little while to learn the best way to hail a cab, or which train is uptown, or an express. One thing that did NOT take too long, however, was figuring out what my neighborhood bars were. I have yet to venture downtown yet, and cannot wait to do so, but I think it was important that I learned the Morningside/ UWS area first. Here are 3 of my favorite places, all of which are places I'll take you if you call and tell me you're coming to the city.

The Heights Bar and Grill is on Broadway and a short walk from my house. It reminds me a lot of any bar at home (think East Village) that has signature drinks, 1 bathroom, very good dinner, an amazing patio, and a pretty legit soundtrack playing. I went here for the first time on my impromptu date with The Banker, and I again on the night of the most severe SFP of my entire life. The have a seriously dangerous frozen margarita in like, every flavor you can imagine,
The Village Pourhouse is located on 109th and Amsterdam and is a mixture of PB's and Sammys. The have several huge rooms and games on pretty much all day. a DJ spins and night and, get this, they have some of the most creative and fun drink specials ever. I'm pretty much obsessed with this place because the first time I went there, our cocktail waitress noticed we'd relocated to sit with these guys who were literally buying the bar and she took it upon herself to close us out because, in her words "clearly your drinks are on them" That chick knew how to hold another chick down-- and thats reason enough for me to call myself a regular.

Drink nights: Tuesday-- Kill a Keg Tuesdays ($2 unlimited Bud Light) Friday-- Ladies night, flip a coin. If you call the coin right your drink is on the house. Sunday-- Unlimited Mimosas or Bloody Mary's ($10) and also, if you come there in a cab and bring them your receipt they start your tab off with whatever the cab costs. Pretty damn dope.

Suite is also on 109th and Amsterdam, but a little further down. It's a gay bar and seriously the best time to be had in Morningside Heights. Imagine a nonstop stream of club mixes, cheap shooters, and crazy dancing-- all while being told how diva and delicious you are by all the gay guys. They have events like Ghetto Karaoke, trivia, and a drag show on various days of the week, all hosted by different drag queens. It may be a little extreme for some, but, with the right clique of girls and he right amount of drinks, Suite is heaven on earth....

The thing that still trips me up is the seemingly non-existent closing times. I'm accustom to going out at about 11:30, bar closing at 2, and getting home somewhere between 2:30 and 3:30. Here, we meet up at someone's house around 10, finish getting ready, drink, whatever. Then we seriously can be at one place from 11-1:30, head someplace else and before I know it, I'm still dancing, still drinking, and, welp, surprise!! its 4:30 am.... and there is no sign of stopping. It's sort of true, New York never sleeps... and pretty much, I don't think I'm ever leaving....

What I'm Wearing 09.14.09

Cardigan--H&M

Shirt-- H&M

Jeans-- James Jeans

Loafers-- Isaac Mizrahi for Target

I have to be at the School of Social Work all day for a preparation for field placement thing. Not gonna lie, while I get the importance, I totally don't want to go. I'm a little OD'ed on these seminars and trainings. I'm sure I will be 100% grateful for it when I'm knee-deep in bullshit shenanigans later in the semester, but right now... I'm just wanting to watch my DVR to catch Mad Men and Entourage from last night....

Homesickness?

So I know I haven't updated in a minute, and that sucks. It's mainly because,

a) I don't have anything new to say. ya'll know I am broke, you know I need to shop, you know I need to decorate, you know I like a boy.

b) my schedule is so whack right now. Like, I'm still not sure what it is that I'm doing in New York. The School if Social Work is effing amazing, they are starting us off very slowly because in a week my whole life is will be played when I am running around the Bronx 3 times a week with my clients and trying to balance a social life (which CUSSW promotes) and my school work. I guess I should relish in this slow start and all the down time....

The other side of it is this weird thing that is happening to me from time to time. When I left home I literally thought I was going to die at the airport. SM and RSJ took E and I and me (a complete non-crier) absolutely could not lock it up. However, by the time we got to our gate I was more or less cleaned up. When I got to New York the first week I was shocked that I wasn't melting down left and right. Everything was SO confusing, couldn't figure out how to get anywhere, or where to even go. It was hot, I was over walking, etc, etc. That passed too.

The thing is there are times I find myself the most homesick. It has happened 3 times here so far and it happens directly after something uncomfortable and unhappy happens here. Example: E and I got into our first fight about 10 days in (surprised we made it that long??) By the time the evening came around and I got on the phone with my dad all I could do was revert back to the 11 year old girl of yester-year-- unable to process anything, so I went crying to Daddy "I just want to come home." Luckily Frank is a no nonsense type and the "Seshie, I can't understand you if you choose to cry instead of speak" will always snap me out of it. I suspect it's that phrase that is the underlying motivator for my insistence on maintaining emotional control.... but I digress.

Truth is, North Carolina has grown to represent a lot more than my hometown, college town and where all my friends are. It's more of a creature comfort. So much that during my first "fight" with the banker I BBM SM (who was in Charlotte) and instead of initially explaining what was wrong or asking advice I just type to her "SM, I want to come home" and that like SOS, 911, ASAP code for "old girl isn't doing to good"

So, while it may seem that I am in heaven-on-earth for a 23 year old (which, I am) There are still times it sucks. The real test for me will be knowing that I can't run home and hid out on my parents couch like I could in college. It's going to be looking whatever the discomfort is, as there will be MANY more (esp. when it gets cold here), right in the face, putting on big girl pants and kicking ass.

Post Script: the Boots.

Ew. After looking at the Kors ones in the post, it's like a no brainer... I'm obviously liking the hunter ones more.

Dude what is my deal?

Who will stop the rain?

When it rains in New York, it friggin just rains. Not like the nice rains at home where its like 80 thousand degrees and the sky breaks for 5 minutes and then for the rest of the day it's too humid to breathe. Here, it becomes day time, and it's all gray. And awkwardly humid, and smelly (idk...) and then it just rains.

The part that blows hardest is that you kind of can't stop. Like there is still shit to do and places to get to. Obviously this is my transition into yet another "what should I buy when I have money (on friday!!) segment:

A solid rainboot is paramount to not having a shitty day when it's raining. The rain trench and umbrella are handled, but, for me to the boots have been an outlier.

I spoke with BKE right before I left to get her thoughts on them since she'd just spent the summer as a Brooklyn wandering, downtown loving, denim cut off wearing, hipster/scenster intern for my favorite mag on earth, W. BKE said that the Hunter rainboots are pretty much gold standard, and I def like them. But then I saw these Michael Kors ones.... and I don't know what to do.

They are more or less the same price. I feel like the Hunters have more long term capabilities, better sole, etc. And like, honestly? I'm not buying a car. Not sure why it's 7am and I am acting like it's a life or death decision between a Camry and a Corolla.

Truth is, I have hung out with The Banker every day since our first date last Wednesday and I am doing all I can to not be an asshole and gush like a stupid girl. So I'm trying to find other Fun and Exciting Topics (Insert peppy excited voice!!) So that I don't reveal how un Sesh-like your formal stone cold ice queen has become....

wtf?? I leave the south for a city where you definately need to keep your balls, and I'm all running through the field of flowers like a loser... hahaha. Whatever, suffice to say, The Banker is a good one. I win.

Here are the damn boots... so much for my guise!

**side bar: Good Luck to NC-Delta with Rush this week** Someone keep me posted.

First Day of School!

Jacket-- Old Navy

Tank and Tee-- C&C

Jeans-- Seven for all Mankind

Flats-- Tory Burch

Today is my first day of class! I am actually very nervous. It's so strange being a student again, I am in the process of packing my school bag and I'm all like "err... what even goes in here?!" I still need to buy books, a paper planner (even though I love blackberry, I still need that paper planner for like back up. obsessive, but oh well) and a file for my papers, etc. Sounds like a little trip to Staples is in order for the weekend.

Also in order for this weekend is a MAJOR H&M trip and some online shopping. You guys. its 67 degrees for the high today-- this is not dress weather. and I seriously only own dresses. So my new thing is shopping for tops. I'm excited because I have been here for 3 weeks and haven't been able to afford to go shopping--- graduate school is total poverty, jesus.

Wish me luck!

What I'm Wearing (what I wore) 09.0409

This is what I wore on date 2 with the banker.

Dress--Old Navy

Belt-- Jessica Simpson

Shoes-- Kenneth Cole

More Tourist stuff

Today my two friends from DC, Cam and Gab, came to the city because Gab had scored 3 tickets to a live taping of the Wendy Williams Show. If you haven't seen it before, it's a day time talk show, and generally really funny, fun and silly. We had a wonderful time, and I got to be on TV again, haha. I'll post the video of it as soon as I get a chance to rip it. Way too much fun though!

Date number 2 with the banker

The banker and I had our second date last night. It was wonderful. First E and I went to the bank to open a joint account, so he helped us do that (and I got my sister seal of approval) then we met at 6:30 and went to this great place for dinner and drinks. 2.5 hours later we walked back the 20 some odd blocks (holding hands! Haha) and then we came to my house and hung out talking until almost 4am (nothing happened. I swear!). We had a like, 9 hour date, hahaha.

So I really like him obviously and we actually made plans to catch some college football today, after he helps me locate a bookshelf.

More to come I'm sure...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

What I'm Wearing 09.03.09

Cardigan--TwelevebyTweleve

Slacks-- The Limited

Flats-- Tory Burch.

(ya'll thought I was joking when I said theres a handful of stuff I wear?? haha. Orientation is over today, so no more bus. casj.)

We will call him "the banker"

What is my life right now?!

oh my gossshhh.

So around 4 I get a text from the banker seeing if I am free for a quick drink. He explains that he is going to New Jersey for a football game on Thursday, and even though we have plans for Friday, he is anxious and would love to get together both today (Wednesday) and Fri.

Meanwhile, on campus the school of social work is having a cocktail thing (for whatever reason) and E had a date tonight as well with a guy she met downtown early last week--- needless to say, I was feeling a little overwhelmed and conflicted. E assures me that this is NOT the prom, she doesn't need me to see her off and give me the a-OK to go on with The banker.

I end up agreeing to meet him (but first went by my new friends Kim and Kellys apt to borrow eye liner, eye shadow and perfume) before meeting him at this bar call The Heights which between 111th and 112th and Broadway. The banker is coming straight from work so he is still in a suit and he looks adorable! We go in, he orders us drinks (margaritas, tequila shots) and dinner and we hang and talk for 3 hours (wtfffff). The convo was totally natural and I let him PDA me at the table (and ya'll know I don't do that shit). He thinks I'm so Southern and its fascinating , and all I can think is " I'm so not a southern girl." Which made me realize that southern girls would fare well in terms of meeting boys in the city. They seem to love the complexities that is the Southern Girl DNA.

He is such a perfect gentleman and so much EXACTLY what I'm looking for... like, omg. It's insane. He took me home, walked me inside of my first locked door and you know... hhaha ahhhhh!!! The night ended perfectly!

So, for the curious: hes 29. went to college in Long Island, was born and raised in the upper westside. He's Puerto Rican (can I get a yum?!) and about 6ft tall.

We still have our date set for Friday, where we're planning on dinner and a movie at the theatre down by where I stay. The cutest thing is that tonight he kept asking about my friends, family, college and hometown life, as if he could sense the important roll all of those people and places play for me. And in addition, he was so looking forward to watching ACC football and curious about March Madness and UNC basketball. Um.... look at him making future plans and being all up in my grill, trying to know my life.

It's so exciting because for the first time in a very long time I am going to let myself be open and willing to go with it, the whole having a crush and acting on it. Needless to say, I 'm totally smitten. I'll keep you posted on the banker. def.

Also, don't get all pumped about this wide open post. I'm twisted off drinks and loving the fact that I can DUI it on foot. So, just know, if I wasn't drinking, ya'll wouldn't get privy to any of this-- -especially not via a midnight posting!

hhaha the end!

What I'm Wearing 09.02.09 and update.

Cardigan: H&M

Dress: Target

Sandals: Kenneth Cole

So far Columbia is exactly what I expected and more. I love the campus, the program is absolutely amazing and my classmates are a lot of fun. The staff is so accomplished and respected in the field, and I've got no doubt that social work is exactly what I want to be doing.

In addition, I'm getting into the swing of NYC more and more each day. It's an easy city to navigate and so far I haven't had really anything negative or scary happen, haha. I just got my field placement this past week. I'll be working in the Northern Bronx with a program that will have me with my own case load of homeless or recently homeless individuals. I will help them get the mental heath, substance abuse, housing, and medical attention they need and get to handle my own case load and all of that! AH! friggin scary/exciting. I don't start til the 21st, so I've got time to prep.

Also, I have 3 classes this year, one on Wednesday and two on Thurs (field is Mon, Tues, and Fri).

And.... I have a date on Friday (whhaatttt). It's with the Banker I met last week when I opened my Chase/JPMorgan acct. It's sort of a long story about how he got my number and all of that, but I'll have to share it at another time. Needless to say, I'm very excited. Wish me luck--- y'all know I don't date!

Mini updater

1) no, I did not wear the same pants two days in a row! one pair was brown one pair was black!

2) sorry I've been so distant, friends. things are busy at school with orientation, meeting new people, getting used to the amazing school I now attend and all of that.

3) i had to change my little photo and stuff because I just got my field placement and they are totally gonna google us and facebook us. I'm trying to keep my internet image clean!

I will be back soon!

What I'm Wearing 09.01.09

Cardigan: Nine West

Top: Target

Slacks: The Limited

Flats: Tory Burch