So it's 8pm on a Thursday night and I'm just heading out from work... it was a long day but a great one. My AE was out sick most of the day, so I was on my own to figure things out. Tomorrow morning our client wants to have phone meeting with me to go over the status of all billing... and I'm really excited. It will be my first time just taking control of the wheel and directing the conversation with a client... that's very cool.
But the side of my life that exists outside of work - I'm really excited about finding opportunities to play sax with friends or with a group. A co-worker of mine plays the alto, he picked it back up when he graduated from college after not having played since middle school. He wants a little help with theory and technique and so we're going to start playing together. Plus he is really interested in jazz which is what I want to study more of and so hopefully we'll be able to help each other improve. He actually plays in the Grey band called the Subliminals - who just won 1st place last night in an Ad Band competition. I am so excited for them and I hope that maybe next year I can play in it too.
Ok - well now I have to leave. I'm going to my friends apt in the West Village to watch Grey's Anatomy and eat yummy popcorn. :)
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Gettin in the Groove...
So it's Tuesday the 26th at 5:30... I'm done for the day. It was a really busy day, but a great day. I'm starting to feel like I actually know what's going on at work. I've been making storyboards, billing and creating estimates, attending status meetings and client presentations, compiling competitive research and other miscellaneous stuff... I really like what I do, it's so fun to work on something and see stuff get created before the rest of the world. I'm learning about timelines and strategic development and so much more.
On top of getting situated at work, the rest of my life is falling into place. I LOVE my new apartment and I have great roommates. I moved in a little over a week ago... I had to rough it on an air mattress for a week, but my parents drove up from GA this past Saturday with my bed and stuff. They took me to IKEA and I bought some furniture and curtains. I'm still working on getting it all unpacked and pulled together, but I'm hoping to make a lot of progress tonight.
Building a social life has actually been a lot easier than I anticipated... I work with so many young people - most of who moved to NYC like I did - and they are all very friendly and willing to hang out. I already have a "Grey's Anatomy Thursday" group... nothing like a girls night of yummy food and a juicy TV show. Plus there are always happy hours or birthday parties to go to. Last week several of my co-workers went with me to the West Village to hear Moonshine Still, it was strange seeing people I know in NYC, I'm so used to everyone being a stranger. But we all had fun, and it was good to go hear some music.
I've also started getting up at 6am to go running... there is a trail that goes right along the East River only a few blocks from my apt. It's really nice and safe. I like getting up early to run, I feel like I have more energy at work when I do... so we'll see how long I can keep that up. I also want to start playing sax in some community band. At Grey we have a company band, they are competing this Wednesday night and they did a pre-show in our cafeteria for employees. I was really impressed and I'm hoping to get involved with that whenever they open up for try-outs. I'm also working on my guitar playing skills, building those callouses back and studying cords and scales.
It's starting to feel more and more like home. I miss people from Georgia all the time, but I feel like I definitely made the right choice. I still don't know if I want to stay here forever - but I know I want to stay for a long while, at least through my 20's then probably longer... I guess only time will tell.
Well - I'm going to enjoy my early night off and head home to do laundry and unpack. :)
On top of getting situated at work, the rest of my life is falling into place. I LOVE my new apartment and I have great roommates. I moved in a little over a week ago... I had to rough it on an air mattress for a week, but my parents drove up from GA this past Saturday with my bed and stuff. They took me to IKEA and I bought some furniture and curtains. I'm still working on getting it all unpacked and pulled together, but I'm hoping to make a lot of progress tonight.
Building a social life has actually been a lot easier than I anticipated... I work with so many young people - most of who moved to NYC like I did - and they are all very friendly and willing to hang out. I already have a "Grey's Anatomy Thursday" group... nothing like a girls night of yummy food and a juicy TV show. Plus there are always happy hours or birthday parties to go to. Last week several of my co-workers went with me to the West Village to hear Moonshine Still, it was strange seeing people I know in NYC, I'm so used to everyone being a stranger. But we all had fun, and it was good to go hear some music.
I've also started getting up at 6am to go running... there is a trail that goes right along the East River only a few blocks from my apt. It's really nice and safe. I like getting up early to run, I feel like I have more energy at work when I do... so we'll see how long I can keep that up. I also want to start playing sax in some community band. At Grey we have a company band, they are competing this Wednesday night and they did a pre-show in our cafeteria for employees. I was really impressed and I'm hoping to get involved with that whenever they open up for try-outs. I'm also working on my guitar playing skills, building those callouses back and studying cords and scales.
It's starting to feel more and more like home. I miss people from Georgia all the time, but I feel like I definitely made the right choice. I still don't know if I want to stay here forever - but I know I want to stay for a long while, at least through my 20's then probably longer... I guess only time will tell.
Well - I'm going to enjoy my early night off and head home to do laundry and unpack. :)
Friday, September 15, 2006
TGIF...
Well, today was the end of my first full 5-day week at Grey and while it felt good to be off for the weekend... I really had a great week, even despite the fact that it was miserably rainy the past two days.
Today the AE on my account was off and so it was the first time that I really had to just go it alone and figure things out without running next door to her office for help... and I loved it. I am starting to get a handle on billing and have begun setting up billing spreadsheets and file systems for two of our newest brands. Also, over the past few days I have done some competitive brand/strategy research that I will present to my SVP on Monday. I also submitted some new creative for legal/network review... since I work on prescription brands, there are a lot of legal precautions and approvals to go through before you can proceed with a new creative design or storyboard. Also, I took some old TV creative and converted it to a storyboard/script format... wow. I definitely took a few steps up the learning curve this week, and it feels so great to feel productive and beneficial to my team.
But it also makes it so much easier that I'm not alone... just across the hall another AAE started the same day as me and we are always popping in and out of each other's office to help each other figure out the answers to those "stupid questions" that we are a little too embarrassed to ask anyone else... Plus there are so many people close by who work at all levels that are willing to help and answer questions. Just today I had lunch with a new friend of mine, an AAE who has been there fore several months and interned at Grey before that... everyone I meet is so nice up here and really make me feel welcome.
Tomorrow I "move" into my new apartment in the East Village of Manhattan. I have to take a $100 taxi ride from Bloomfield, NJ to Manhattan, but it's well worth it - there is no way I could haul two suitcases and a duffel bag down the street and on three different trains. I can't wait to actually be living in Manhattan!! Even after 2 weeks, I still step out of work at night and walk down the sidewalk, taking the time to look all around and take it in, and I think "holy shit... I'm in New York City... this is really my life!"
I got my first paycheck today!! And I get another... in two weeks! I feel like I'm rich now, but I'm sure it won't be long until I feel like I could use more. Luckily I got a GREAT deal on an apartment - one that most of my co-workers are jealous about.
My parents are coming next weekend with my furniture and until then I have a co-worker lending me her really nice queen sized aerobed. I will kinda be roughing it for a week - but I think I would sleep on the kitchen floor if it meant I didn't have to commute from New Jersey. This weekend I'm going to spend time painting my new bedroom, shopping and getting to know my neighborhood.
:)
Today the AE on my account was off and so it was the first time that I really had to just go it alone and figure things out without running next door to her office for help... and I loved it. I am starting to get a handle on billing and have begun setting up billing spreadsheets and file systems for two of our newest brands. Also, over the past few days I have done some competitive brand/strategy research that I will present to my SVP on Monday. I also submitted some new creative for legal/network review... since I work on prescription brands, there are a lot of legal precautions and approvals to go through before you can proceed with a new creative design or storyboard. Also, I took some old TV creative and converted it to a storyboard/script format... wow. I definitely took a few steps up the learning curve this week, and it feels so great to feel productive and beneficial to my team.
But it also makes it so much easier that I'm not alone... just across the hall another AAE started the same day as me and we are always popping in and out of each other's office to help each other figure out the answers to those "stupid questions" that we are a little too embarrassed to ask anyone else... Plus there are so many people close by who work at all levels that are willing to help and answer questions. Just today I had lunch with a new friend of mine, an AAE who has been there fore several months and interned at Grey before that... everyone I meet is so nice up here and really make me feel welcome.
Tomorrow I "move" into my new apartment in the East Village of Manhattan. I have to take a $100 taxi ride from Bloomfield, NJ to Manhattan, but it's well worth it - there is no way I could haul two suitcases and a duffel bag down the street and on three different trains. I can't wait to actually be living in Manhattan!! Even after 2 weeks, I still step out of work at night and walk down the sidewalk, taking the time to look all around and take it in, and I think "holy shit... I'm in New York City... this is really my life!"
I got my first paycheck today!! And I get another... in two weeks! I feel like I'm rich now, but I'm sure it won't be long until I feel like I could use more. Luckily I got a GREAT deal on an apartment - one that most of my co-workers are jealous about.
My parents are coming next weekend with my furniture and until then I have a co-worker lending me her really nice queen sized aerobed. I will kinda be roughing it for a week - but I think I would sleep on the kitchen floor if it meant I didn't have to commute from New Jersey. This weekend I'm going to spend time painting my new bedroom, shopping and getting to know my neighborhood.
:)
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
iPod Excitement...
So... I have been waiting, and waiting and WAITING to buy myself and iPod nano... and (drumroll please...) I bought myself a brand new, 8GB, black iPod Nano TODAY!!!
For those of you that aren't in the loop, apple just released their latest version of the iPod nano and it's less expensive, more durable and exactly what I was waiting for. It now comes in cool colors (only for 4GB models, so I had to settle for black) and up to 8GB memory! Plus, I got to buy it with my company discount... which makes me extra excited.
This is probably making me sound like a big technology geek... but I have wanted this for forever, and now that I finally have the money, they release an even better version than the first! I get it in 2 days and am totally amped! (yes, I just used "amped" for those of you who will appreciate the '90s flashback...) Sorry to sound like I'm bragging again... but this is my present to myself for finding a job, moving to New Jersey and getting an apartment in NYC - all while remaining mentally, physically, and emotionally intact. Here's a pat on the back - to myself. :)
For those of you that aren't in the loop, apple just released their latest version of the iPod nano and it's less expensive, more durable and exactly what I was waiting for. It now comes in cool colors (only for 4GB models, so I had to settle for black) and up to 8GB memory! Plus, I got to buy it with my company discount... which makes me extra excited.
This is probably making me sound like a big technology geek... but I have wanted this for forever, and now that I finally have the money, they release an even better version than the first! I get it in 2 days and am totally amped! (yes, I just used "amped" for those of you who will appreciate the '90s flashback...) Sorry to sound like I'm bragging again... but this is my present to myself for finding a job, moving to New Jersey and getting an apartment in NYC - all while remaining mentally, physically, and emotionally intact. Here's a pat on the back - to myself. :)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Exciting News on a Somber Day...
Great News!! I got the apartment I wanted in Manhattan... I'm a true New Yorker!! I move in this Saturday and will have to sleep on an air mattress for a week until my parents can come up on the 22nd with my bed and tv and computer and stuff. That will be an adventure... my dad with his brand new Quad-cab Toyota Tundra, loaded down with a queen size bed and boxes, driving into Manhattan, finding a place to park and moving all my stuff to the 25th floor of a high rise!! Nothin like Monroe meets Manhattan...
Oh, but it feels so great to not have to worry about finding a place anymore! Now I can stop spending 4 hours of my day commuting and start spending my time doing the things I want to do!
Work went great today... I finally got to just jump into it and get some things done. I got a quick run-down of our entire billing system and got to update and send out my first Billing report to the clients and account team. The picture of how everything works together is starting to get a little clearer in my mind. Plus I ordered my business cards, filled out the paperwork for my health insurance and signed up for our company Mentor program. There is another new AAE right across the hall from me, she is really nice and it's good to have her there because we just go back and forth asking if the other has figured out how to do something yet. I really love my job because every day, every week, is different. It keeps things fun and keeps you learning... but at the same time, it makes it take longer to get initially adjusted. I'm sure it won't be too long before I'll have most of it figured out.
Today was also the 5th anniversary of 9/11... it was a little strange being in Manhattan. I kinda expected things to be really different and see people crying on the subway or something, but in most ways it was just like any other day. Except the trains and buses were running a little slower and there were more cops in the subway stations than I have ever seen. I even got to work late today because for some reason the express NJ Transit train that I take from Newark Penn Station to New York Penn Station stopped running and the policeman all started saying to the crowd "the express train to NY is no longer running, you have to take the PATH to NY Penn Station." It threw everybody off and people started cramming into the turnstiles to get onto the PATH train... but eventually it settled down and I made it to work just fine, except for being there 20 mins later than I expected. But otherwise it was a fairly normal day... no crying widows on the subway, no protests, no memorials, just big front page newspaper spreads and the normal blank subway stares that I see everyday.
Oh, but it feels so great to not have to worry about finding a place anymore! Now I can stop spending 4 hours of my day commuting and start spending my time doing the things I want to do!
Work went great today... I finally got to just jump into it and get some things done. I got a quick run-down of our entire billing system and got to update and send out my first Billing report to the clients and account team. The picture of how everything works together is starting to get a little clearer in my mind. Plus I ordered my business cards, filled out the paperwork for my health insurance and signed up for our company Mentor program. There is another new AAE right across the hall from me, she is really nice and it's good to have her there because we just go back and forth asking if the other has figured out how to do something yet. I really love my job because every day, every week, is different. It keeps things fun and keeps you learning... but at the same time, it makes it take longer to get initially adjusted. I'm sure it won't be too long before I'll have most of it figured out.
Today was also the 5th anniversary of 9/11... it was a little strange being in Manhattan. I kinda expected things to be really different and see people crying on the subway or something, but in most ways it was just like any other day. Except the trains and buses were running a little slower and there were more cops in the subway stations than I have ever seen. I even got to work late today because for some reason the express NJ Transit train that I take from Newark Penn Station to New York Penn Station stopped running and the policeman all started saying to the crowd "the express train to NY is no longer running, you have to take the PATH to NY Penn Station." It threw everybody off and people started cramming into the turnstiles to get onto the PATH train... but eventually it settled down and I made it to work just fine, except for being there 20 mins later than I expected. But otherwise it was a fairly normal day... no crying widows on the subway, no protests, no memorials, just big front page newspaper spreads and the normal blank subway stares that I see everyday.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
A night out in Brooklyn...
Today was a much needed relaxing Saturday after a much needed night out in New York... I went out to happy hour with some co-workers yesterday at some old-timey bar that old single (creepy) billionaires apparently tend to frequent. Luckily I didn't have a run-in with one - a co-worker said that a creepy old gross billionaire once offered to pay off her student loans if she would "go back to his club with him.." Ewww, gross.
I have to say that after all the crazy apartment hunting I have gone through and the stress of a new job and the commute I've been putting up with... that beer was probably the best I've tasted in a long time. So happy hour occupied my time until about 7'ish, after which I took a cab out to Brooklyn to meet up with my friend Kristin. She is a 29-year-old lawyer in Manhattan who actually went to Tucker High in Stone Mtn, GA. I met her mother through a catering job this past summer and we got in touch and hit it off as friends. I went and saw her apartment and then Kristin, her boyfriend Chris, and I all headed out to a bar/mexican restaurant just a few blocks down the road. It felt really great to get out have a few drinks and socialize with fun people. After dinner we headed to another bar in Brooklyn (I was in the Park Slope neighborhood - If anyone knows what that means...) and made our way back to their apartment by 2am. Luckily they have a guest bedroom which is odd in New York, so for the first time since I came here, I slept in a big bed without the fear of waking up and banging my head on the ceiling... also for those who don't know, I have been sleeping in a lofted twin (about 2 feet from the ceiling).
Today I spent a little time shopping in Brooklyn with Kristin... people have been teaching me about real winter coats and snow boots... so I went to Burlington Coat factory to try on and price the kind of winter coat I will have to buy in a month or so. Up here they wear thick wool coats to their knees and waterproof snow boots... two items I have never shopped for in my life! A good coat is going to cost me in the $100 range... so maybe I won't be getting that iPod after all.
I went and saw an apartment in Manhattan on the lower east side near the East Village on Thursday night. It was amazing and actually in my price range... I offered to take it on the spot, but the girl (who I work with) wanted to show it to a few more people first. I should get an answer by tomorrow or Monday, so keep your fingers crossed.
I was thinking about how much I have tackled on my own up here, and it made me happy to realize how much I have been able to do all on my own. I've always been extremely independent, but before I came up here I had some doubts that I might not be brave enough to run around the city at night or look at apartments by myself... but I've been doing it for over a week now and I already feel like it's just a normal part of my life. I have acclimated to the city very well... I can always figure out north, south, east and west no matter what subway stop I get out at. Now when people tell me an intersection I actually can envision what area of Manhattan they are talking about. My legs still ache everyday from all the walking and stair climbing and I've dropped at least five pounds already - but I feel healthier from all the exercise and really enjoy that I am living a really active life. Even more surprising is that I don't miss having a car. It actually is very freeing to not be responsible for or reliant on an object that costs thousands of dollars!
The hardest part so far is just missing having really close friends or family around... someone to give me a real hug, curl up on the couch with me and talk for hours or just someone who really knows me. But the exciting part is that all the new people I meet could potentially be some of my best old close friends in the future.
Up here I have a rare opportunity, I get to build my life again... and I'm having more fun with it than I ever imagined.
I have to say that after all the crazy apartment hunting I have gone through and the stress of a new job and the commute I've been putting up with... that beer was probably the best I've tasted in a long time. So happy hour occupied my time until about 7'ish, after which I took a cab out to Brooklyn to meet up with my friend Kristin. She is a 29-year-old lawyer in Manhattan who actually went to Tucker High in Stone Mtn, GA. I met her mother through a catering job this past summer and we got in touch and hit it off as friends. I went and saw her apartment and then Kristin, her boyfriend Chris, and I all headed out to a bar/mexican restaurant just a few blocks down the road. It felt really great to get out have a few drinks and socialize with fun people. After dinner we headed to another bar in Brooklyn (I was in the Park Slope neighborhood - If anyone knows what that means...) and made our way back to their apartment by 2am. Luckily they have a guest bedroom which is odd in New York, so for the first time since I came here, I slept in a big bed without the fear of waking up and banging my head on the ceiling... also for those who don't know, I have been sleeping in a lofted twin (about 2 feet from the ceiling).
Today I spent a little time shopping in Brooklyn with Kristin... people have been teaching me about real winter coats and snow boots... so I went to Burlington Coat factory to try on and price the kind of winter coat I will have to buy in a month or so. Up here they wear thick wool coats to their knees and waterproof snow boots... two items I have never shopped for in my life! A good coat is going to cost me in the $100 range... so maybe I won't be getting that iPod after all.
I went and saw an apartment in Manhattan on the lower east side near the East Village on Thursday night. It was amazing and actually in my price range... I offered to take it on the spot, but the girl (who I work with) wanted to show it to a few more people first. I should get an answer by tomorrow or Monday, so keep your fingers crossed.
I was thinking about how much I have tackled on my own up here, and it made me happy to realize how much I have been able to do all on my own. I've always been extremely independent, but before I came up here I had some doubts that I might not be brave enough to run around the city at night or look at apartments by myself... but I've been doing it for over a week now and I already feel like it's just a normal part of my life. I have acclimated to the city very well... I can always figure out north, south, east and west no matter what subway stop I get out at. Now when people tell me an intersection I actually can envision what area of Manhattan they are talking about. My legs still ache everyday from all the walking and stair climbing and I've dropped at least five pounds already - but I feel healthier from all the exercise and really enjoy that I am living a really active life. Even more surprising is that I don't miss having a car. It actually is very freeing to not be responsible for or reliant on an object that costs thousands of dollars!
The hardest part so far is just missing having really close friends or family around... someone to give me a real hug, curl up on the couch with me and talk for hours or just someone who really knows me. But the exciting part is that all the new people I meet could potentially be some of my best old close friends in the future.
Up here I have a rare opportunity, I get to build my life again... and I'm having more fun with it than I ever imagined.
Friday, September 08, 2006
I'm so cool...
:) So I slightly exaggerated when I said a "limo" was picking me up from work yesterday... I mean, they called a "limousine service" so I guess it was only fair for me to assume that it was a real limo. But I was definitely wrong. All car services are called Limo Services up here, and so when they called the limo service for 5 people, we got picked up in a black 15-passenger van. I guess with a little imagination, I can still pretend it was a real limo... But either way it was pretty cool... even cooler though was spending all day at the video shoot! It was amazing; I walked around the set, gave feedback on the video footage, sat next to the director behind the cameras, spent time with the clients, and relaxed in a BEAUTIFUL huge loft space in Long Island City. The location is a private apartment and of course I got to spend my time chilling on the garden terrace with a skyline view of Manhattan, while sitting in a directors chair. I'm sure I sound like I'm bragging, but it was the coolest day of work I have ever had, in fact, I didn't even feel like I was working.
Today I am back at the office for a slow Friday. I am still getting settled in around here, I still kinda feel like I don't know my ass from my elbow... but it gets better everyday. I think I found a great apartment in Manhattan last night, but it's being shown to two other people this weekend, so I won't know until Sunday... keep your fingers crossed for me!!
The commute to and from NJ still sucks, but I am making the best of it, I just start talking to strangers to entertain myself... it's not really the New York way, they tend to sit in silence and stare, but every now and then I find an excuse to strike up a conversations. Just last night I met a guy from Russia who was in New Jersey on an exchange program!
Well, my lunch break is pretty much over so I better get back to work and go meet with my AE. I'm staying crazy busy between work and apartment hunting. I didn't get back home to NJ until 12:30 am last night, and then had to wake up at 6am! Ugh... it was a rough ride on the subway... Tonight I am having drinks and dinner with a new friend in Brooklyn, she's taking me out for cuban sandwiches! Yumm :)
Today I am back at the office for a slow Friday. I am still getting settled in around here, I still kinda feel like I don't know my ass from my elbow... but it gets better everyday. I think I found a great apartment in Manhattan last night, but it's being shown to two other people this weekend, so I won't know until Sunday... keep your fingers crossed for me!!
The commute to and from NJ still sucks, but I am making the best of it, I just start talking to strangers to entertain myself... it's not really the New York way, they tend to sit in silence and stare, but every now and then I find an excuse to strike up a conversations. Just last night I met a guy from Russia who was in New Jersey on an exchange program!
Well, my lunch break is pretty much over so I better get back to work and go meet with my AE. I'm staying crazy busy between work and apartment hunting. I didn't get back home to NJ until 12:30 am last night, and then had to wake up at 6am! Ugh... it was a rough ride on the subway... Tonight I am having drinks and dinner with a new friend in Brooklyn, she's taking me out for cuban sandwiches! Yumm :)
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Just a baby...
So, it's Wednesday and the week is FLYING by! I got to sit in on some really exciting production and creative meetings today - during which I realized - I am sooooo young! I feel totally insignificant and ignorant sitting in a room filled with people older than my parents who are speaking from over 20 years of advertising experience... and there I am, feeling like I might as well be sucking on a pacifier. It was definitely a wake up call, but in a good way. In one way it's intimidating, but in another sense, it is really comforting to know that I am surrounded by so many experienced people who can be a resource for me as I learn more about the industry. Plus it just feels great to be included in everything...
Life in the Big Apple...
Well... just an update on my life. Today (Tues) was my second day at Grey in New York. I LOVE working there, the people are amazing and I am going to be doing really cool stuff. Like this Thurs and Friday, I will spend most of the day on-site at a production shoot in Manhattan!! Sooo cool...
Today was my official orientation, so I sat through four hours of how to use email, access the intranets, and what benefits I can choose from. I'm still in information overload mode... I'm hoping that within a week or two I will really start to get adjusted and be able to just show up and do my job without feeling completely clueless.
I am still living in New Jersey with some relatives of a family friend... its a great place and I love the people, but the commute is god awful... it took me 1 hour and 50 mins to get into work this morning... and over 2 hours to get back... my daily commute consists of walking 10 mins to the City Subway station, taking that train to Newark, NJ Penn Station, taking the PATH train in to New York, and then transferring to a third train to take to work, then walking about 4 blocks to get to the office. It's pretty insane and it's giving me the needed justification to break down and buy an ipod... I need something to keep me sane for the trip.
I'm on the hunt for an apartment on the east side of Manhattan, either in the city or in Brooklyn or Queens, rents are pretty high up here, but not unbearable, you just have to be patient and some great deals will come your way. I have a few good leads and will probably pick a place within the next few days.
I miss everyone in Georgia, but I stay too busy to get lonely or sad. Things should quiet down after I find a place and can actually spend my free time doing things I enjoy and not just commuting or apartment hunting.
I've met several great people up here and I think I won't have any problems making friends.
But for now, it's 11 pm and my bedtime considering that I have to get up at 6am to make it to work by 9:30 :(
Thanks for everyone who has tried to keep in contact, my internet access is pretty sporadic, so if I don't get back with you right away, I promise I haven't forgotten!!
Today was my official orientation, so I sat through four hours of how to use email, access the intranets, and what benefits I can choose from. I'm still in information overload mode... I'm hoping that within a week or two I will really start to get adjusted and be able to just show up and do my job without feeling completely clueless.
I am still living in New Jersey with some relatives of a family friend... its a great place and I love the people, but the commute is god awful... it took me 1 hour and 50 mins to get into work this morning... and over 2 hours to get back... my daily commute consists of walking 10 mins to the City Subway station, taking that train to Newark, NJ Penn Station, taking the PATH train in to New York, and then transferring to a third train to take to work, then walking about 4 blocks to get to the office. It's pretty insane and it's giving me the needed justification to break down and buy an ipod... I need something to keep me sane for the trip.
I'm on the hunt for an apartment on the east side of Manhattan, either in the city or in Brooklyn or Queens, rents are pretty high up here, but not unbearable, you just have to be patient and some great deals will come your way. I have a few good leads and will probably pick a place within the next few days.
I miss everyone in Georgia, but I stay too busy to get lonely or sad. Things should quiet down after I find a place and can actually spend my free time doing things I enjoy and not just commuting or apartment hunting.
I've met several great people up here and I think I won't have any problems making friends.
But for now, it's 11 pm and my bedtime considering that I have to get up at 6am to make it to work by 9:30 :(
Thanks for everyone who has tried to keep in contact, my internet access is pretty sporadic, so if I don't get back with you right away, I promise I haven't forgotten!!
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