Whirlwind Summer

This has been a summer with a lot of adjustment.

Changing jobs has been such a blessing in disguise. My work-life went from stress filled to super chilled. My new coworkers are friendly and relaxed and my new work place couldn't be more creative and opportunity filled. This past weekend Alex and I headed to one of my new coworker's beautiful apartment in Brooklyn for an awesome BBQ on her super huge roof deck - it was nice to hang out with my new work family outside of the office. I'm so relieved that I'm happy at my new job. After a crazy start to the summer, I finally feel settled and secure at work again.

Becoming a part of a new group of friends couldn't have come at a better time. One of my very best girlfriends left NYC for an international MBA program. We went from living around the corner from each other and meeting for the occasional drink to becoming best friends and I will miss her tremendously (although I couldn't be happier for her and prouder of her for taking on such a grueling and adventurous program). She'll be back in NYC again next year so luckily I won't have to miss her for too long!

Alex has been working like a dog and on his first weekend off in almost 2 months, we decided to take a trip to Coney Island (a place that neither of us had ever been). We grabbed hot dogs at Nathan's, took a long walk on the Boardwalk (all the way to Brighton Beach), and hung out at Luna Park - we even rode the Cyclone! It was nice to be on the beach, relaxing, enjoying the summer in a part of the city we hadn't explored before.

My class is finished and I came out with an A. I've got a few more performances with the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra. Work has slowed down a bit and I plan on enjoying every last bit of this crazy hot summer in NYC.

On Broadway

Two weeks ago, I was laid off from my job at Weill Cornell Medical College. Not only was it the most unsettling and most insecure set of emotions I've ever had to deal with as an adult, but also it was totally humiliating. I felt like a failure. I had just come to enjoy my job at WCMC. I had just settled in and now I was let go. In my 8 months there, I thought that I had accomplished a lot. I felt unappreciated even though I know my being let go had nothing to do with my job performance. I was totally devastated.



I wasted no time getting into the job hunt. Applying to 5-10 jobs everyday is extremely time consuming, sometimes discouraging, but definitely necessary. Luckily, that only lasted for a week and a half.



2 days after being laid off, I interviewed at Roundabout Theatre Company. The following week I was called in for round 2 and a few hours later I was offered the job! Last Thursday I started as an Individual Giving Officer at Roundabout Theatre Company. I'm back in the arts, working for an organization that produces fabulous Broadway shows, and I couldn't be happier! I spent my first day touring Roundabout theaters, being warmly welcomed by my new coworkers, and learning the ropes. Although I had to take a bit of a salary cut, I'd rather be a struggling New Yorker in the arts enjoying my job and life, than being back in corporate hell plugging away at a job that provided me with no personal fulfillment and threw me out like yesterday's trash. It will be a change of pace with a 10-6 schedule and a dress code that only specifies "no shorts." It's always scary trying to make it in New York. But in a city full of big dreams, who wouldn't want to be where the neon lights are always bright and magic is always in the air...On Broadway.

Big Fun in the Smallest States

Memorial Day weekend, Alex and I headed to Rhode Island with his best friend Josh and Josh's wife Kate. We took the 3 hour car ride up to Brown. After running around campus for a bit, we finally settled in our dorm room (just 1 room away from where Alex had lived 9 years ago!). We quickly got freshened up, and headed to campus dance. The entire green was transformed into a Great Gatsby themed party - complete with a hoppin' band, spiffy lighting, and crowds of guests. At a crazy hour of the morning, the only sober person in the group drove us to a house party at a very sweet alum's home. We enjoyed delicious appetizers and gossip from Alex's college years. The next day we got an early start. Alex gave me a tour of the campus before we headed to Field Day where we met the rest those there for their 5 year reunion. We spent the day outside enjoying the weather, eating hot dogs and ice cream, and mingling with Alex's classmates. We finished up the day at the top of the library looking at the view from the highest point in Providence. That evening we ate a quick dinner and went to a dance held at a dining hall on campus. We finished up the night at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house (Alex's frat). Sunday was our final day of festivities. We went to the Brown graduation which is quite the event - full of tradition and just so much school pride. It was wonderful. We had a traffic free drive back to NYC. It was such a lovely weekend and a great glimpse into what Alex's college experience was like.


The next weekend I drove down to Delaware with Chris, Lyle, and Emily in somewhat stormy weather for my 5 year reunion at the University of Delaware. Alex met us there after a ride on the Amtrak and (thank goodness) I was able to get a cab to pick him up and drive him over to the residence hall where we stayed. We met my college roommates at Klondike Kate's, a staple on Main Street. We shared the traditional nachos and beers and went to Grotto's for some beer and socializing. The next day I gave Alex and Emily a tour of the UD campus (trying hard to recall all the details from my days as a tour guide). It is so beautiful and brings back so many wonderful memories. We checked out Newark Day where all of the businesses on Main Street open up pop up tents on the street and grabbed a bite to eat. Then came Mug Night - the most fun party for UD alumni full of booze and great music and lots of mingling. The night ended at the Deer Park Tavern and with a lot of water. The next day we grabbed bagels and drove back to NYC. It was really great to give Alex a taste of what college had been like at UD.

It doesn't feel like 5 years have passed since college. But I realize that I drank a lot less, appreciated the campus a lot more, and am more grateful than ever for all of the wonderful memories of 4 amazing years that flew by way too fast. 5 years after college. I've come a long way.

(PS - How cute are the state flags for Rhode Island and Delaware?)