CASS IN NYC

Special Volume: Pregnant and Sweaty

2011-07-29T06:02:00.000-07:00

If you don't like reading the grumblings of a pregnant person, probably stop here.
It's actually just regular grumblings, but with the added edge of pregnancy.
Last March, I started working in the burbs.. which means I drive to work. I also have no gym membership and totally stopped doing any fitness related activity because I'm a slacker. Three things happened as a result of this:
1. My commute went from 20 minutes walking to 1 hour driving (in perfect conditions) one way.
2. I gained about 7 lbs, because I was sitting on my butt (literally) all day.
3. I can't breath now when I walk up the stairs and
4. My tolerance for public transportation has rapidly decreased.

One thing I suggest is that if you are pregnant and it is the summer, stay away from the subway. If you are 0-3 months, you're definitely going to vomit.. if you are 4-6 months you're probably going to hate everyone for coughing, clearing their throat, sneezing, just general public transportation woes. If you are 6 months or up and someone doesn't give you their seat... well, kick them.

Public transportation is great. I used to love it. I thought it was the answer to all prayers. I must have forgotten about the summer. Having a creature in your stomach makes you just a little more sweaty anyway, and then being covered in a subway -grime-film makes it all the worse.

My suggestion, get a private driver... or stay at home and never leave. :)

It's been a while, since I've seen the way the candles light your face

2009-09-20T13:07:00.001-07:00

MUSIC FLASHBACK! haha. Remember that song? Poor guy.

It has been far far too long my friends, since I updated Cass in NYC.

I had a visitor last weekend and it was fab. We went to the NY Aquarium in Brooklyn, which is a must do. We also went to Brighton Beach, and despite the rumors that we would see old, naked, Russian men we survived with an unscathed eye.

Here are some of the pics from the Aquarium. Be careful if you go not to fall in love with the Walrus. Although he can do tricks for seafood, he cannot help you reproduce, nor spread your seed.

Mandi wanted to go to the M&M store, or was it me.. Mandi didn't even know the M&M store existed until I said, we should go to the M&M store. In my defense she was quite enthusiastic about it. We got some Transformers M&M's. They do not transform into fat free versions of themselves. In fact they are strawberry flavored with Peanut Butter on the inside.

We also hit a sweet Mexican spot in the Village. Florencia 13. Go there, or spend your time in NYC grumbling about the lack of good Mexican. I wouldn't call it the best Mexican I've ever had, but it was freaking good for what I'm used to here.

Then we went to Beauty Bar, which I quickly added to my list of favorite places in NYC. best DJ ever. They play the most fun music, that you can sing & dance too. I wish that I could have had this guy do my wedding, then maybe I wouldn't resent all DJ's worldwide. JK, but really, the music was nothing less than wonderful.
Next week my Mom & Yumi are coming, then I'm out of the city a few weekends. On the docket for future blogs are: Mary Poppins on broadway, White Christmas on Broadway, Black Boots & Bagels.

Death Coffee

2009-07-07T06:53:00.001-07:00

I am one of those people who says to themselves "I will read the email quickly now, and get back to her on my next break". Then I read it, enjoy reading it, answer the questions in my head and forget to respond.

I was walking to work today and I thought, oh pigs toes! I didn't reply to Cristin.

To start off my email, I'd like to tell you about my difficulty getting a coffee today.

I walk to work about 50% of the time. I decided to stop into a little place 'Oren's daily roast' rather than going to a larger coffee chain. I had never been there. I walk in, there are two guys behind the counter (both rather socially awkward).
The board directly in my view is only for 'by the pound' coffee. The board I can't see at all has 'beverage options'. So I ask, what is your daily coffee? And he kind of gets crappy with me and turns around to a board and reads it off to me. He could have just pointed. Well, I'm not sure what would have made me happy, but that is beside the point.

So I order a Large Chocolate Hazelnut coffee, add some sugar and leave.

I take a sip, it's filthy. I hate it, it tastes like death.

I wait a few more blocks, one more sip. DEATH.

Then I thought, why the heck didn't I Just stop at Rohr's? I was already wayyy past that though. (Enter, "Oh pigs toes" comment)

Anyway, I threw it in the next garbage bin I saw, so as not to further torture myself with gross coffee and stopped by Dunkin Donuts for a not that delicious, but fairly standard Iced Coffee.

who says New Yorkers aren't nice?

2009-06-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

Today while at the bus stop I frequent there was a blind lady, which there often is... Strange but you see a lot of blind people in NYC.

What I noticed was many people were trying to help her.. Unsolicited help at that, but she welcomed the help.

There are about 4 different buses that stop at that same stop, so each time one pulled up you could tell she was trying to figure out which one it was.

Then I thought about it.. The only time I really felt that I was treated 'rudely' in NY is when I was in Times Square.. and the offense was from someone who was clearly.. a tourist.

Back to my omelette now!

NYC

2009-05-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Do I have to blog about NYC each time?
Or can I just blog?

I realized a benefit of NYC the other day. In a few hours I can be many, many places by Public Transportation.

Connecticut, Boston, Maryland, Block Island.

I'm going to be making many trips this summer, which is exciting.

This year, I'll go to Maryland for a 4th visit, Block Island, and Connecticut.

Next year I hope to go to Philadelphia and Boston and Montreal. That would be neat.

That's all for now. Back to Work.

Cadbury Mini Eggs

2009-04-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday my coworker and I were out for lunch and decided we should go grab some Easter candy. Tis the season you know?

Well, the only Easter candy I care for are Cadbury Mini Eggs. I really don't care about the other stuff.
Call me what you will, but I don't like peeps or chocolate bunnies, or those icky filled Cadbury Eggs.

It should be said that I formerly spent a good part of my evening searching around for these things. I went to my local grocery, and 2 different Duane Reades (Both in the 90's).

Stephanie and I decided that since they were a STAPLE Easter candy, someone must have them.
11:30-11:40- Duane Reade 74th & 3rd, Duane Reade 70th & York
1:40-1:45- Rite Aid- NONE!
1:45-1:50- Walgreens- NONE!
1:50-1:55 CVS-SUCCESS!!!

But really, CVS is the only one who carries these!? Where am I?!??????????

Mexican Food Search: Part 1.5

2009-03-17T10:12:00.001-07:00

Beginning this weekend, I am bound to find a good Mexican restaurant.
Although I am slowly becoming accustomed to the ..icky Mexican food that is NYC 'Mexican'...
I still miss the Indiana Staples "Little Mexico II", "La Hacienda" and "El Rodeo".
Please god, find me some Queso Blanco in NYC. Tear*

On my list:

La Palapa
Los Dos Molinos (i heard that they have a secret queso that isn't on their menu)
Rocking Horse (I read on a Texan's blog that they are... good)

I think I'll keep adding more as I go.
I'm pretty sure I've been to about--- 10 mexican places in the city, only to be disappointed.
Really? I have to wait for delicious mexican until I go to Indiana? What gives!?

new place: inside

2009-03-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

So Here's the New Place.. The first pic is coming in the doorway of our room... on the Left are the wardrobes (bed behind there) and to the right is the... rest of the room.

This is the living room--- no decor yet.. maybe it will stay that way!

Here's the view of the 'foyer' hallway, stairs going upstairs--- kitchen, back bedroom...
This is standing in my roommates room.
This is the little... foyer--- dining room.
Kitchen
Oh baby.
Bathroom!

Gym NYC style

2009-03-06T18:39:00.001-08:00

I should take my camera with me to the gym in NYC.

It's different than gyms in Indiana.

The price really is the main difference. The absolute cheapest gym I can find.. is $60 a month. That's with my 'corporate discount' (hospital workers do get a few things for cheap).

My gym is cool.. I think. It's also very confusing, because it's.. 'tri-level'....and... split up into two sides. You get the drift.

Anyway-
It's my goal to go to the gym 5 times a week until summer.
I haven't made any weight loss goals, because I find it unnecessary.... and I'm more there for general health & sanity.

Hope everyone is well.... Once it's warmer I'll start doing more photo worthy things in NYC!

5 flights of stairs + lots of stuff = HORRIBLE

2009-02-17T11:28:00.000-08:00

So, Moving in NY..
haven't covered this have we.

Candace, Sarah, remember when we drove all the way to NYC to move me out here?
Remember how awesome you were and how many boxes and suitcases we drug up 5 staircases??
Oh how I love you and your strong thighs!

Moving up 5 flights of stairs is well.... nightmarish. Talk about exhaustion. Like the kind where you've been abandoned by your crew and you're hanging from a cliff on Mt. Everest.... kind of exhaustion.

We spent this past weekend moving, wishing we had less stuff and setting up new stuff in the apartment. I walked 5 flights I'd estimate approximately 30 times.
I also carried items of all sizes.
We hired one mover, who helped Aaron carry a section couch, a large TV, an entertainment center & other miscellaneous LARGE items up our stairs.
But it's over now. I swear I'm never moving again (yeah right)!

Once we get all settled in, I'll post pics.

Apartment Shopping in NYC

2009-02-04T06:05:00.001-08:00

Rules: Never get rushed by a broker. Rush only if you love the place and the market is hot. Otherwise, don't rush, there are millions of apartments
Try to avoid paying a broker fee. They suck & are expensive.
Secretly be slightly excited about a lousy economy because it lowers rent.

A few weeks ago, my current roommate, my friend, aaron & I began the apartment search. We noticed that prices had been going down all around the city, and so we said we'd take a look. We found a place that is a nice area, closer to work for all & has beautiful views from a patio and roof deck.

We looked at a few places. One was a converted bakery, had great living space, but super small rooms. Also, it was kind of dark and dreary.

Another place had great living space, and decent rooms, but they wanted a 2 mo deposit & 1st month's rent (which came to like 3K) and we said no, no, we won't go.

Then we found this place. I initially was annoyed because the broker was trying to rush me, but he softened up after showing it to some other people, and we took the 'negotiator' *Aaron* in to get some direct answers and it worked out! We are all excited!

Here are some pictures!

one of the bedrooms:
the patio
the kitchen!!! it's bigger than 6X8! I'll have to change my baking blog!\
AND there is a dishwasher! woo hoo!

View from the Roof! Me jumping, cause I'm excited!

Ice Skating In Wollman Rink

2008-12-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

For my Christmas Party at work, we went to Wollman Rink in Central Park to Ice Skate.
It was great! I was worried that I'd fall, or get bored quickly, but I'm pretty sure all in all, I skated for about an hour! Not too bad!

Here are some pictures!
This is the whole crew of Argyle wearers:
Aaron and I stopping for a cuddle break
Me being silly... I was getting ready to split my legs and spin around in an attempt to impersonate my teenage idol, Kristi Yamaguchi.
This is just the perfect pic of Wollman:
The golden trees, the white ice, my pretty friend... the only thing missing is the buildings on Central Park South.

later!

Christmas Tree, Christmas Shopping, NYC style

2008-12-16T06:55:00.001-08:00

I'll upload a better picture when I get home.. but here's our Christmas tree in all it's glory.

Went shopping for a few gifts this year, Mostly for Aaron and the babes.
One would think ( I would..) that on a Monday night, the stores wouldn't be so crowded?
Nope. Not in NYC.
Luckily it was around 50 degrees so I went down to Union Square, hit 3 stores there and then walked from 14th to West 4th and got my secret santa gift.
Good times.

I left work at 5:05p and got home at 9:15 p..

that took forever!

But I only have one more small gift to buy and I'm set!

Tgiving Day Parade in NYC

2008-12-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

So, at the request of my high school buddy Anne, I've begun a NYC Blog just to talk about stuff I do in NYC.

Hopefully I don't bore you to death.
Here are some pictures of the Macy's Day Parade:

Macy's Day Parade schedule: Get up at the buttcrack of morning (before the sun is even close to rising).. 6:15 am. Don't shower, head out the door, walk to the subway, see some drunk person stumbling home, get on subway, lights are too bright, get to Starbucks, make conversation with barista about how much it sucks to work on Tgiving. I used to do it.
7:30, meet friend outside Starbuck's, take bus across 96th street to the West Side of the park. Walk from 96th street to 72nd, climb a fence or two. End up at 72nd and Central Park West by the John Lennon Memorial and pack in like sardines. Grumble a little about how this better be worth it.
In fact, it is definitely worth it!

Loved it!

my first blog

2008-03-23T10:41:00.001-07:00

haven't decided what I'll write about on here yet, but once I do I'll start.