2014

2014 is a year full of change. This post is long overdue as I've already been through a bunch since my last post!

Three months ago, I started the year with a new job at Lincoln Center and I really couldn't be happier. I love my new office (the people are nice and warm and friendly). I love my new boss - she is kind and acts like a mentor and always makes me feel valued and appreciated. I love going to work everyday and doing my job because it's fun and rewarding. And I realize that maybe I write with that rose-colored-glasses point of view having only worked there for a few short months. But I never felt this way at Weill and I most definitely didn't feel this way at Roundabout. The last time I loved my job was when I was working at Juilliard and that was about 3 years ago. It feels good to walk into beautiful Lincoln Center and feel like I matter. My career has taken a full circle and I feel like I'm home again.

Last week was another huge change - Alex and I moved into our new apartment! It feels incredible to sit in the kitchen and have a cup of coffee at a real table - I haven't done this in almost a year! The quiet is wonderful. Our new doormen are very sweet. I don't miss having roommates (or a dog that isn't ours making a mess of our home!). The new commute is a dream. It's been quite the adventure moving into the new place and after a week in our new apartment, I already feel like I'm home in our little slice of the big apple.

Most years I make a list of things to accomplish. Sometimes I get creative and give myself a challenge. It's fun to shake things up every now and then. I took my time thinking of the right New Years Resolution (just about 3 months!). And this year, I've decided that my New Years Resolution is very simple and very difficult. I pledge to be kinder to myself. After coming out of a low period, I realize that I'm not always the nicest person to myself. It's not always easy to be kind to yourself with so many comparisons glaring at you in magazines, fashion blogs, and on Facebook. It's hard to tune out all those voices and opinions. At the end of a hard year, it feels good to remember how much I enjoy all the little things that make life worth living.

Here Comes the Sun

The last few months have been tough. And everyone who knows me knows that it's really difficult for me to share stuff that makes me sad.

It's been hard to watch my family continue to recover from super storm Sandy. Sometimes it feels like our whole world has turned upside down. It's impossible to explain how violated it feels to have a natural disaster ruin your home (and essentially your life). Watching my parents struggle with the recovery of their home breaks my heart. They're still picking up the pieces and trying to put their lives back together. My amazing mom has been finding help from nonprofits, applying for grants, and taking the lead in getting the family back to normal. I know they will make it to the other side and there's FINALLY a light at the end of the tunnel.

On top of that, my job at Roundabout basically turned into a nightmare. It went from a work environment that was fun and relaxed to a company in financial distress having layoffs with all of the senior staff on edge. My department itself is full of bullies. The head of our department yells and screams at everyone like a tyrant. One of my coworkers gives me the silent treatment (she hasn't spoken to me in weeks) and I don't know what I ever did to upset the apple cart. My boss's head might explode if it gets any bigger. And a smelly intern (literally, unfortunately) was hired and sits inches away from me. It's not a pleasant work environment in any sense (or scents for that matter). I was coming home from work day after day drained, upset, and defeated. After months of this, and after a long and tedious job search, I am happy to report that I'll be leaving Roundabout for a position at Lincoln Center. The opportunity to work there basically fell into my lap after an informational interview with the director of their Individual Giving department set up through a good friend who worked for her and loved having her as his boss. Since I was ready to make a positive career change and because my potential new boss came highly recommended, I took a job as the Individual Giving Manager there. I couldn't be more excited to start my new job early next year. This position is my dream job - a nice team of people doing the type of work I love at the exact location I wanted.

When Harold's girlfriend, Kristina, moved in with us for good, I knew it would be hard. Between their fighting, her fussy dog, and trying (somewhat successfully) to share a kitchen, it has been a challenge. Alex has been optimistic and has let most of it roll off his back which definitely helps the situation. But we won't have to deal with the loudness at night or messiness for much longer - Alex is closing on an apartment on the Upper West Side very soon! I'm ecstatic about moving into a home with just the two of us! Not to mention, my new commute will be 8 CITY BLOCKS!

I feel like all of the pieces of my life are falling into place again. After a long stretch of time feeling like a dark black rain cloud was hanging over my head, I can see the sunshine again. And it feels good.

Smooth Sailing

Alex has been sailing for many years - he went to a summer long sailing camp for a few years in his teens and spent his weekends racing sailboats throughout high school. He even has a few trophies! So when he asked me if I'd like to learn how to sail, I jumped at the opportunity. I love being on the water and I love spending time with Alex so this was the perfect combination. Before we set sail, we took a little trip to the duck pond in Central Park to check out the mini-sailboats.

On our first trip, after a short safety rundown at Alex's country club with our sailing instructor, Queenie, we headed for the dock to take the tender to our boat. We set sail on an Ideal 18, an 18 foot long sailboat. It was a beautiful, sunny day with tons of wind. I learned how to tack, haul the jib, and even got a chance to control the tiller and steer. It was incredible - sailing on the beautiful Long Island Sound with an expert sailor and our awesome instructor.

We've taken clinics and tutorials. I've learned the ropes (literally!) and am learning to love sailing. It's so natural and peaceful. It's a lot of work. It's fun seeing Alex in his element, reawakening a childhood passion. I can see the pride and excitement in his face as he takes on new tasks and teaches me about sailing.

Summer is winding down. After moving to NYC, summer has become my least favorite season of the year - it's hot, the city is crowded, there's so much to do in not enough days. Autumn. In autumn the city is magical - breezy cool air, no more humidity, when that first leaf turns just a little bit orange. Now that's where it's at. My favorite season is approaching and for the first time in a long time, I find myself already missing summer. Next summer, I already have a fun, adventurous new hobby to look forward to!