my love affair with this concrete jungle

Ever gotten lost in the city and felt weird about the ones that surrounded you? I guess it depends on how you interpret that question because although it's a huge city, it is very easy to lose yourself.

New Yorkers struggle with identity like most people, where do i go? who do i call? it can be a lonely place when you're away from your family. but this love affair is like any other. you are starry-eyed and amazed at the power of this city. you struggle to find the best route to work, just like you struggle during your first argument with your significant other. you appreciate its culture and understand what the city is about as time goes by. you gain a better sense of self by identifying with something "new york". eventually you appreciate everything the city has to offer, both good and bad.

i've been here for 6 years and counting (yes, i left for 14 months, but, my heart never left) and it's been a love affair like no other. this is only temporary though. temporary like most love affairs.

it's not the capital of the us nor the capital of its state, but, it is the capital of the world. living in the capital of the world has helped me grow as a person and understand the richness of people. i take people who they are (even if it doesn't seem like it). i enjoying learning about new places, things. new york and i are getting along greatly now however, i must get out eventually or i'll become a bitter, unhappy person. upon leaving, i will go back to my first crush. as in san diego, america's finest city.

just a little note about my love affair with this concrete jungle. as i finish up here i leave you with this:

"There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size, its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter--the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something...Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness, natives give it solidity and continuity, but settlers give it passion."

ps. this in no way is an indication that i am leaving new york soon.

Do you hear what I hear?

If I could wish for something right now and have to pay nothing for it, I'd wish for a shiny new iPod. I am always listening to some type of music. I appreciate it all: hip hop, blues, soul, oldies, country, rock, pop, etc. Right now, I'm listening to the Blueprint 3 and I'm enjoying it up through track 4 now. A part of me is missing though, I used to frequent the concert scene. I don't go to shows anymore because shows have become too expensive. I tried to get Jay-Z tickets today and within 20 seconds the "public sale" was over. It's a conspiracy yet, it doesn't destroy the growing love I have for music. This morning I was listening to Paramore and KOL catalog... I told you, I like it all.

So yea, back to the iPod. Mine broke years ago and it was past the warranty period so I went without. I pretend like my blackberry is a good replacement... it is not :( Until I can decide on which iPod to grace my presence it will have to do as my main music device (not to mention my phone).

Mari loves music. Bye.

PMS is real...

True story. I was the uber perra this past weekend. NOT CUTE!!

Now back to normal... Sorry to those that were in the path of my wrath.

Aimlessly Walking

Walking.

In the past week, I've probably walked about 12 miles total, just walking, no purpose specifically, but to walk. It was quite humid last night, I had to stop a few times to get new water bottles and people were looking at me all sweaty. LOL! Either way, it was a nice way to just relax and spend some time with myself. I couldn't put my blackberry in my purse, however, it was nice to see a lot of the upper west side. I didn't know there was a Ben and Jerry's on like 103rd and Broadway. There are a lot of outdoor dining spots too from 75th up to 96th Street. I walked past my old job, and Marrakech hotel (which I think looks so cool from the website). (Side note: I was looking at hotel prices for a friend who's coming in November).

Either way, my point is, I think I'm going to start making this a trend of mine. I walked a total of 5 miles yesterday that's more than the southern most point of Central Park to the northern most point. 90 blocks and a few avenues from 6th Avenue to end up on Broadway. Last weekend, I walked 5 miles plus from the hotel to the Lincoln Memorial and back. On Tuesday night, I walked from Avenue A and 3rd to 7th Avenue and 14th Street. If it's a nice out, why don't you try a walk in this great city?