little girl. big city.

So I’ve been up here in the Big Apple for a week now and I thought a blog would be a much more convenient way to keep everyone updated on my everyday adventures.

Around this time last week I fought back tears as I said goodbye to my dad, aunt, and sister. After spending the previous day in the city in full tourist fashion (including trips to FAO Schwarz & Serendipity3) we woke up last Sunday to move me into my summer apartment in Midtown. Floor 25. I’m in trouble if there’s a fire, but at least I’ve got a great view.

I share an apartment with 3 other girls – Amanda, Tara, & Alexa. Amanda is from South Carolina and is interning with a PR company called Harrison & Shriftman, Tara is from North Carolina and is interning with MTV’s Nickelodeon On-Air Productions (she got to watch episodes of Spongebob for work the other day!), and Alexa is from Michigan and is interning with a finance company called Black Rock. They are all really fun and we have had a great time together.

As for me? In case you didn’t know, I’m interning at Shape Magazine in the PR department. I work directly under the PR Director, Samantha Trenk. So far, I love it. I work on Park Ave. on the 10^th floor. It all seems so surreal sometimes. I mean here you have to have security cards, clearances and codes for everything – including the bathroom!

Already, I’ve had some of the coolest experiences. Last week I got to write up interview questions for LC (she is going to be on the September cover), attend a TV segment at the Good Morning America set, and help come up with a promotions campaign using Twitter. I usually work from 10 to 5ish and use my lunch breaks for trips to Herald Square with Lizzie, the other PR intern.

When I’m done with work I can usually be found eating out – my expensive new hobby. I have already fallen in love with the cupcakes at Crumbs Bake Shop, crepes at Melt, and just about any overly indulgent sugary treat you can find in Manhattan. My friend Katie gave me the idea of starting a food journal where you record the places you eat, rate them, write a little description, and include a business card/menu - which has become my latest endeavor. See for yourself… 

Other than that, I try to keep myself from becoming too jaded while I’m here. Although I was initially intimidated to live in the city, I’ve surprisingly adjusted well to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I call my parents almost everyday and thank them for the sacrifices they made to give me such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Although I stay busy and my phone conversations are typically short and sometimes rushed, I truly love and appreciate any phone calls, e-mails, and texts I get from family and friends. The kind and encouraging words have truly kept me grounded and brought lots of comfort. Thank you!

Please know that I would also truly appreciate your prayers. I don’t know how God is going to use me in NYC this summer, but I trust his guidance and calling for my life here. The quiet mornings I have spent in His word before work have been so refreshing and have helped to keep my thoughts from desiring the materialistic life-stlye that NYC has to offer.

“Therefore I urge you who have been chosen by God to live up to the life to which God has called you.” – Ephesians 4:1 (NCV)

And now for a quick list of things I’ve learned while living in the city:

1) Sweatpants are not appropriate at any time in the city. According to my roommate Tara, if you wear sweatpants in the city, people will think, “Why are you wearing those? Why do you even OWN those?” It makes women in NYC feel like they are getting away with something by wearing them around the house. However, other than sweatpants, anything goes in NYC. Anything. Conveniently, leggings are the new sweatpants - perfect.

2) Crunch Gym is no YMCA, it will kick your butt. Almost everyday after work my roomie Alexa and I head off to Crunch gym where we embarrass ourselves in a class that is about 2480298340 levels too high for us. So far I have flunked vinyasa yoga and two classes of ultimate conditioning.

3) Curse words are used just as frequently as “hi” and “thank you.” If I had a penny for every curse word I heard, I could retire. Seriously.

4) Google Maps has become my new BFF. Whoever invented the “by public transit” and “by walking” feature is a genius.