Dog-tired Dog Days

The sun-filled season is coming to a close. I thought my first summer without a start-of-semester bookend would seem unfulfilled, but that was not the case at all. August’s ending was as rushed and packed with activities as ever. I think the theme for the month would be exhaustion.

A good portion of the beginning of the month was spent with my coworkers. To begin one week, my boss decided our entire team had to go to happy hour, so we did. I’m not about to offer up free alcohol and a chance to be with my team outside of work (something that seriously needs to take place). By the end of the week, we went to Dekes, a BBQ place in Manayunk. I was over-tired and acted a little crazier than normal. Brittany and Julia suffered my high-like antics at our high-top table. My attempt at an apology was bringing freeze-pops over to Brittany’s apartment. Everyone seemed pretty happy by the end of the night, so I think I succeeded. We finished that weekend at LIT. There were at least 10 coworkers who made the trek to the club and spent the night with earplugs stuffed in our ears to protect ourselves from the pounding music. No joke. The only thing that hurt more than my ears were my feet. Despite the physical pain, I still enjoyed myself.

The next weekend, I left Philadelphia for New York. My cousin Isabella was making her annual trip up the east coast and I wanted to make sure I saw her. I took NJ Transit and SEPTA. What an experience. The trip took about double the time it normally takes me, but it was also half the price. Make what you will of that dilemma. Of course, I was exhausted by the time I arrived. I laid down anytime we had to wait somewhere — beds, benches, whatever. The only thing keeping me awake was my hunger. Even a cat food commercial looked appetizing to me. My mom got a good laugh out of that. We ate at Carmines and walked around Times Square before passing out butt-to-butt in our beds. On Saturday, my sisters left early but my mom, cousin and I walked on the highline and stumbled upon a farmer’s market. By 2pm it was time for me to begin my journey back to Manayunk.

  

Saturday night I met Juila for drinks and ice cream. That’s not a typical combination, but it worked well for us. We got back to bed early because the next day we were heading to a Phillies game for a Cornell alumni event. The game was more fun than I thought it would be. Plus, I was able to see Marlena. I always have a good time when I’m with her. The Phillies even won. Wow cow.

The next weekend, Amy visited. She had training in Philadelphia, so we made sure we saw each other. Friday night we went to Bourbon Blue and Kildare’s in Manayunk. We had horrible drinks but happy times. All of our waitresses loved us. A bouncer (I’m not sure if that is his actual title) photobombed our pictures. Other bar attendees made us laugh and confused us. Just a typical ANTM fanatic kinda night. Of course, I woke up in the morning and immediately found myself back on the floor ready to rest some more. Sorry Amy for the exhaustion.

I gathered myself and we went to pick up Carolyn and her boyfriend. Carolyn and I lived on the same floor freshman year and happened to make a lot of the same friends throughout our remaining years at college. Her boyfriend just started medical school at UPenn so I feel like I’ll be seeing a lot more of her. We drove over to Spruce Street Harbor Park. Over the summer, there are hobo hammocks, games, food, and a beer garden that pop up. We had a lot of fun swinging in the hammocks until we were yelled at by one of the workers. We’re just trying to have a good time man. The best part of the afternoon was watching Carolyn sprint to find a table at the beer garden only to be short by a second. Some older people snagged the table leaving us disappointed. Eventually, we found a nice place to sit. Amy and I ended the weekend and Spread Bagelry. Yum.

Oh I forgot to mention that I’ve been at 201 Sales Training for the last two weeks. It was hell. I despise having to memorize things. That’s all that this training was. Cornell and engineering taught me to analyze, not to memorize. This course was definitely a change of pace. In addition to doing activities that I don’t particularly like, I missed my coworkers a lot. I’m actually surprised how much I missed them. Sales people are a little different than the people I see on a daily basis. What surprised me most was how rowdy they were. Seriously. I felt like I was back in high school. It was weird. I’m happy to be going back to work tomorrow. The best part of training was the last Thursday. We were done with our final and had a happy hour. My entire team came to celebrate (still unclear if it was for me or for the free food/alcohol). Either way, them being there made me happy. They’re the only team who did that. A bunch of my coworkers were there. I played pool with them for the portion of the night I didn’t spend in an in-depth conversation with one of the salesmen. He told me about his family, marriage, and having fun when you’re young (aka my age). By the end of the evening, it was all the engineers and one of the salesmen left at the bar. We talked and tried to figure out ten parts of the body that are only three letters long and not slang. Can you guess them?

This last weekend, I went home since I ended training before noon on Friday. I spent Friday night at a comedy show with my dad. The comedians were pretty funny and it was an activity we have never done together as a family. Change is good. Saturday, I went to the beach with my mom and sisters. It wasn’t that sunny, but we made it work. We ended the day with ice cream at the cutest little parlor in Bayville. It had a very small town feel. I was in pjs by 7:30. Perfection. I ate more this morning with Ariel, Brooke, and Ian. We met for bagels and chit chat. It is always so nice to see old friends. I can tell these girls anything.

I feel so reenergized after this weekend. Of course I love my coworkers so much and am so lucky to have them, but I wish I had people who have known me forever in Philadelphia. Hey guys (family and friends), wanna move here?! I promise you’ll like it.

Puerto Rican Pleasures

Internet access is a privilege. Losing a hair tie can be devastating. Some Starbucks baristas can spell my name. Sunscreen is a godsend. These are a few of the things I learned last week while I was in Puerto Rico. Why did I leave New York with such short notice? Well, my neighbor (and former babysitter) has a timeshare there and invited my family to share the space. Of course, I was the only one without anything going on at the moment, so I booked the flight and was ready for fun in the sun. How could I possibly turn that down during this horrible winter weather?

The first bump I hit was not in the air, but on the ground when I attempted to text Renee indicating my arrival. No service. Great. I hopped in a taxi and rode to the hotel. After a short wait in the lobby, I realized I had some wi-fi access and told Renee where I was. In less than an hour, my toes were in the sand and a permanent smile was plastered on my face. Life was perfect. That night we ate with Renee’s aunts and mom who were in Puerto Rico for one more night. They had me laughing with their stories about Renee’s dirty feet, Señor Frogs shenanigans, and iguana drink pictures. We ended the night at the Brother Jimmy’s bar sharing swamp water before I passed out on my cot from exhaustion.

The rest of the days were just as relaxing. It was just Renee and I at this point. We would wake up, make breakfast, walk over to the local Starbucks, apply sunscreen on each other’s backs, drink Gasolina (basically adult juice boxes), and spend the sunshine hours laying on our lounge chairs. My favorite part was our daily walk along the beach. One time we found some coconuts and I slipped on rocks, another time we befriended an American with a cute little rescue dog, and a third time we were concerned about what turned out to be a tsunami warning test procedure. There’s so much going on if you notice it.

 

Dinners were always phenomenal and fattening. I couldn’t help but clear my plate every damn time. My favorite dish was a bacon-wrapped, mofongo-stuffed chicken breast that I ordered in Old San Juan. It was seriously delicious and I had a side of tostones to polish off the loveliness. Another standout dinner moment was when one of our waitresses thought we were local Puerto Ricans. Why thank you for complimenting our tans! 🙂 She ended up giving Renee her number and inviting us to go to the beach with her and her friend. We never capitalized on the offer, but it’s always nice to make acquaintances.

One day we ventured into Old San Juan after spending a few hours on the beach. We visited a fort, exchanged numbers with someone who needed a plumber in Queens, and purchased jewelry. I absolutely love the vibrancy of Old San Juan. There are people talking on the streets. There is music leaking from local bars. The buildings are speckled with color. The streets are laid with blue stones. The city really is breathtaking. I could aimlessly wander those streets for hours.

 

Another day that was different was Friday. We took a 45-minute shuttle ride to a catamaran called Barefoot. A crew of four and a boatload of people accompanied us on this shoeless journey. There were endless drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the motion of the ocean to keep us busy all day. My first time snorkeling was a success! It was nice being able to breath underwater especially after all my breathless years on the swim team. The people on the boat also made the experience worthwhile. Renee had a thing for Luis, one of the crew members. He remembered her from earlier in the week but she quickly lost interest when she found out he had a kid. Whoa buddy, she ain’t trying to start a family. There was a couple we met who probably is thinking on that wavelength though. They asked Renee and I if we were lesbians and that was a beautiful beginning to our friendship. They were from Philadelphia and New Jersey and had only been dating for six months but have traveled the world together. We ended up seeing them multiple times over the weekend. The man startled me in Starbucks one afternoon with a shoulder tap and they rescued us from ex-cops at Brother Jimmy’s on our last night. What a pair!

I guess I should explain the ex-cop thing. On our last night, we decided to eat and drink at Brother Jimmy’s. It was within walking distance, they serve good BBQ, and I still had to ride the mechanical bull. I’m not sure how this happened, but Renee and I downed a lot of drinks (free of charge may I add because the bartender remembered Renee) and were drunk. These two ex-cops started talking to us and one really wanted Renee’s d. Luckily, our favorite couple came over and started talking to us so we could escape those men. Like honestly, you’re probably twice my age. Creepy. It’s so nice that I remind you of your daughter. Really, so nice. I was especially aware of my age this vacation. I didn’t recognize most of the ’90s music that Renee loved. The youngest person I saw was probably 25. I didn’t hate it though. I think I’m mature for my age. We made our way downstairs and I tried to win over a coast guard for Renee, but my attempt was futile.

 

On Sunday, our vacation was coming to a close. After tons of lines (boarding pass, agriculture, baggage check, security, boarding) and waiting, we eventually made it onto our flight. I finished my second book of the week while in the air and watched SNL for the rest of the trip. Elisa and Felicia were waiting for us by the curb when we arrived. They were the best chauffeurs.

Yesterday was a big day. I got my nails done with Ariel. We talked for hours in her car and at Starbucks about everything. Little things are important, but that’s not what made it a big day. I finally decided on a job. I’ve chosen to start working at a spinal solutions company in Pennsylvania in two weeks! The outpouring of love and encouragement was a little bit overwhelming. Hearing my parents’ excitement, receiving kind words via text, and the satisfaction of waiting for a job I really wanted have made this experience so great already and it hasn’t even began. I really owe everything to my mom and my dad for paying for my education. It has given me the freedom to go anywhere and do anything. It has given me the ability to make connections throughout the world and within my mind. Ben Franklin had it right when he said an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. I’m ready to make his words a reality.

A new chapter begins soon.

City of Sisterly Love

Wednesday was definitely not my average hump day. I found myself driving to Philadelphia for a job interview. Raindrops were falling on my hood, but that didn’t stop me from getting to my destination. I arrived a little bit early and stopped at a nearby Panera for lunch. A rumbly stomach during an interview can be very uncomfortable. I drove over to the interview location and planted my butt on a comfy couch in the lobby. My view was full of vertebrae and implants. That shouldn’t have surprised me considering the company is focused on spinal care, but bone fragments are not a typical tabletop decoration.

The next three and a half hours were spent speaking to various engineers and managers. I was challenged with anatomy questions, engineering design improvement suggestions, and brainteasers. I used my mind and mouth more in that small time period than I have since I graduated. Nonstop talking and thinking. I felt really comfortable with many of the people I spoke with, but one of my interviews felt a little rushed. I’m not sure what the outcome is going to be, but I have a hopeful attitude.

Earlier in the week, I used Facebook to find friends who live in the Philadelphia area. That graph search feature is the best thing that’s happened since I was born. LOL. Jokes. I’m not that conceited. Anyway, my big lives near Philly, so I met her for dinner at Ugly Moose. The traffic in Philadelphia is horrible, so she was a little late. I took advantage of the alone time and went to the bar to get a beer. The bartender and man sitting next to me were very entertaining. They had been watching the Olympic hockey game earlier in the day and had a lot to say about, well, everything. (Sidenote: a KD alum won a bronze medal in bobsled. nbd.) I got a good laugh out of them. When Isa arrived, we embraced and found a table to eat at. The food was good and catching up was better. I enjoy spending time with her and hopefully there will be more of that in the future! We got to talking about my interview, and she mentioned that she had a friend who works there. She invited him over to the Ugly Moose, so I could meet him. He had a lot of good things to say about the company and seems to be happy working there.

After dinner, it was time to hit up the next victim on my friend list. Katie graciously let me stay at her place for the night. She’s another KD sister. (See where I got the inspiration for the title of this post?) She is the bees knees. I remember the first time I met her. We were awkwardly dancing at a mixer in some second floor room. Another time we both dressed as nerds. We had a good first sorority semester together. I was even able to see her in Seattle, since her boyfriend was there the same summer I was. Being with her again reminded me of how much I like her. We could hardly fall asleep because of how giddy we were. Sleep tight, mama, Gupreet, and Pam. In the morning, we drove to UPenn’s campus (oh yeah she’s a med school student. smarty pants). We said our goodbyes, she went to class, and I found a Starbucks. Thank you for letting me stay with you! You’re the best 🙂

 

Time for victim number 3. Kat. I had about an hour before I was going to meet her at Sabrina’s, so I walked around the area and went inside the Free Library of Philadelphia. I really like the city. It’s fresh and homey. Does that make sense? Anyway, it was finally time for brunch. I was pretty hungry and was pleased to see the food options. They had a Beyonce themed menu. I got the eggs on top. Kat ordered some delicious looking burrito thing. The food was SO good. I’m happy Isa suggested the restaurant. I really enjoyed Kat’s company too. I realize now that I’ve never spent time alone with her, and I’m sad we didn’t do this sooner when we lived only a few blocks away from each other. Missed opportunity.

After brunch, I was ready to make the trip back home. As expected, the traffic was terrible. Instead of two hours, I was in the car for four hours! That’s ridiculous. That’s why if I had a superpower, I would chose the ability to teleport. Going anywhere at the snap of my fingers would be lovely. That New York City skyline does get me every time though. My mom had a really delicious chicken dinner made when I arrived home, but I didn’t eat in until later because I was still stuffed from brunch. It was a long day, and I passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.

This morning I woke up to go return things to the library before it opened. Yes. I still use a public library. It’s the shit. I’m happy I was up, because I had to prepare for a phone interview. Luckily, it was with a Cornell graduate. It was easy to talk to him. Plus, my friend who works at the company texted me earlier in the week telling me that he put in a good word for me. Thanks man.

What these past few days have taught me is how welcoming and friendly my friends are. With such short notice, they took me in, made sure they saw me, helped me make connections, or said nice things about me. And, these aren’t even my closest friends! It’s nice to know that there are people in my life who have my back. I feel full.