NYC Me

I feel it only fitting to dedicate this blog to my now 2 month residency within the great city of NY. If you know me, or had the advantage of looking at my "What i want to do with my life" creation, that was manufactured/established in the 8th grade of good old little villa, you will know that moving/building my career in NYC has been something on my list since I was a little girl. I remember looking at the magazines of the size -0 girls, with legs for days, in their mini skirts, tucked in buttoned up white shirt with embellished collar, hair perfectly tucked, with the perfect blazer and nude platforms, heading into the office, completely put together and ready to take on the world. I remember wanting to be her. The thing about those girls in the magazines is that they can't talk, and forget to leave out the reality of that perfect photoshopped scene they are publishing to girls everywhere and that it takes a little more sweat, tears, flats, and possible tequila here and there then they let on.

-Below is my advice to the next girl out there that decides to grab her balls and take on the city. In noway will this actually help, because you have to f up, get lost, and live through it yourself to learn, but atleast you'll have a little platform to jump off of- and land into a pile of shiii(kidding/not really).

1. FLATS.
-I placed this at the top for multiple reasons, basically because you are a complete MORON if you think you are going to rock heels, wedges, any sort of platform up and down the subway/train, up and down the stairs, and through the multiple blocks to work journey. I am only throwing out the vulgarness because I was the moron. No one gives an f what you look like going to work, i know you are used to seeing those lifetime movies(we all watch) where tall brunette hotty falls in love with put together girl, who lock eyes on the subway and lives happily ever after. Yah doesnt happen. Unless you want to shower in pain for weeks, have a liquid red substance coming from the inside of your heels or walk in pain for a month, grab the flats and welcome the comfort.

2. Breathe and Swear. 
-The two wording choices above will save you in two areas: being lost and producing/maximizing your physical output of wrinkles and unnecessary worry lines. The subway and path trains can be your worst enemy or your best girlfran, but lets be honest the first few weeks/month your going to want to slap the b. There are two things you will need to learn, there is an uptown route, and then there is the other route. The best way to learn which one to take is to be sitting on the subway, for I'd say a good hour, on thanksgiving, while passing stops you have never heard of to realize your going the wrong way, you'll learn real quick after that which one to take :). The best solution that I've learned to deal with being constantly lost for a good month, i mean c'mon lets be real, even living in london i had travel sazzy gems around me constantly, i used a gps in good ole erie to get down the street, so i knew there would be a bit of a struggle. I swore, a lot and I learned to breathe, look at the damn map and get on my way. You'll get it and learn fast, after you take a taxi that costs you $120.

3. Flasks, 6 packs, and or Bottles.
-Going out anywhere in NYC is breathtaking, the constant movement, lights, energy and environment is one that I have not experienced anywhere else. It is absolutely addicting. The only problem is it takes a few million pennies to go out around this place. The best advice I will pass off is to hit up your local convenient stores, stock up on those 6 packs, and have the girls over before you head out. PLUS the buzz you get will work in your favor/give you a little more balls then your used to. Flasks is always an option, just don't be an idiot, take a swig and get caught-you tube flask swank for further reference. The other option is to flash those curly eyelashes, pout those lips, flirt and get that shi for free booii.

4. Get it Girl
-Working in any big city in an ongoing industry will always bring competition. There is always someone out there that is smarter, younger, will work for less, and has better connections then you. The one thing to grasp is that although this is true, you can still/have to kick A in the industry, so you can be looked at as that threat. YOU CAN ALWAYS BE REPLACED, do not fall in comfort with any job, the minute that happens you will not only be doing yourself a discomfort you will be fing your company over. Although there is a big concern among females within my age range, a fear of not being taken seriously, a fear of being looked down upon because we are among the female race is a concern that can be thrown out the window, and handled if you look at yourself as an equal, and basically not put up with petty nonsense. Any new opportunity is going to bring stress, you're going to be overwhelmed and uncomfortable but it's a rush, and it's part of diving in.  Prove to the company that you know your shi, that your educational days(soo easy people, live those years up) were well spent, and you will outshine the rest.

5. Home is Where the Heart Is (and free groceries and home-cooked dinners)
-My last gem to add to the advice of Abby C. Ashton, is one that we have been lectured on/read in cards/heard in songs for years and I truly did not understand the importance of, until i had to. Remembering where you came from, your experiences you've had, and the people who made you who you are today, will ensure you will never fail. If you ever feel you are superior to another individual, remember that time you came home frustrated/in tears over a boss that no matter what you did, was never satisfied. If you are feeling angry and hateful towards another being, remember that day your mother made you sit in the bathroom with Dove Soap in your mouth, and the gagging session you endeared after. If you are feeling lonely and overwhelmed, remember all of those christmas cards, birthday cards, phone calls, emails and loved ones that constantly support you, and know you aren't (or you could look at your BA tattoo and read aud hepburn's quote ;) ) Trust your gut, stick it out, and rock the h out of anything you do.

-Cheers and Good luck.