My PSA for the day....

…….......Omg I really feel horrible for not making a blog since Nov 5th, so much to the point that I was embarrassed to even show my face, but here I ‘am and instead of starting off with the same ol’ spill (Sorry for my lack of posts) Ill just jump into it and hope you guys understand!

So here we are 12 days into the new year and one month shy of our 6mo anniversary here in the city! I wouldn’t be honest if I said it hasn’t had its share of ups and downs (more ups than downs though) but being the person I ‘am I try not to focus on the downs, and quite frankly I don’t think they can really be considered downs. I say that only because despite my endless thoughts of confusion and sometimes doubtfulness as to why I’m here, I see the cup as half full rather than half empty. Meaning that although I think I’m suffering from a quarter of a century crisis, I know this is only the beginning and one day Ill look back on these times and will have countless “remember the time when” stories to share. With that being said when this blog started (I speak as though its been around for ages huh) its intent was to let friends and family take a look at our lives here in the big city. But sometimes I just want to vent, randomly blab on about my thoughts and even post things that have nothing to do with my life here. So I say alllll that just to say I hope you guys don’t mind that sometimes my posts will have no grand story about all the “cool” stuff happening here in NY but just me being me..... sharing thoughts or random tidbits as only I could (those of you who know me, know that 9 times out of 10 a word often used to describe me is random or weird, which I still dont understand why hehe) ok moving on… See post to follow.

Yours Truly
~JJ

Danielle's Random Thoughts of the Day

Train Dancing: One of my favorite things to see while out and about in NYC is a good street performance...singing, dancing, crazy randomness! I've seen some serious train dancing lately...like America's Best Dance Crew (MTV) type of stuff! Think acrobatic flips, breakin, "boom box" and all. When I really think about it...it really takes guts to dance on a train. Its actually kinda dangerous. I actually saw a dude bust his head on the train ceiling once...but he kept going. LOL.

The non-15%ers: Soooo...working in retail, you interact with all kinds of people. And things can get kinda crazy when there's a sale. And it always cracks me up when people ask me how much something will be with the discount. Maybe the public educational system should focus a little more percentages...because people never know how to figure out how much 15% off equates to. Lol. Maybe it just seems easy to me because I've always been in retail? IDK. Lol.

The not so secret secret: It kills me when I see chicks with weave wear "their hair" up in a ponytail. THAT'S NOT YOUR HAIR!! And we all know your secret! PLEASE JUST STOP! Thank you. Lol.

Come on guys...really?!: Why is it that when some guys on the street tell you you're pretty...they feel the need to look you up and down with THE LOOK? You know...that "I'm kinda crazy and just got out of prison" look? I just want to understand.

Ok...that's enough. Toodles!

A little December Randomness....

My 1st bout with NYC winter weather....


You guys know how I feel about grocery shopping in NYC....


I guess someone wanted a snack...in the grocery store!


Ummm...excuse me...but why is this on the shelf?!?

Warning! Warning! Rat ON the platform!!! Eeeeek!

Woooow...I guess this is the December wrap-up?!?

So I log on to write a blogpost, and realize I have not written anything since November 29th!!! So sad...so much has happened since then!! Before my trip home for Thanksgiving, I was a little sad. But after going home for a refresher, I was determined to come back to NY with a new attitude!! NY was no longer going to eat my soul. Lol. And since then, things have been better!

Here's a brief synopsis of December (since I prob won't write again until after NYE lol)

Is that?!? Is that?! IT IS!

I met the designer of a jewelry company that I love...DANNIJO! I was kinda on some special agent stuff. I looked up her pic just to make sure it was her before I approached her. Lol.

We met new friends

We've finally found a group of girls to hang out with...who like to have fun just like us!! We're always finding something to get into! Loves these girls--->Aisha, Lenore, Leafi!!

Never turn down an invitation

When I moved to NY, I asked a new friend to give me advice on surviving the city! His advice was to never turn down an invitation because you never know what it can turn into or who you'll meet! I've taken that advice and have had so much fun in the process....

We went to a trunk show in The City! There were so many creative people there. I love to see what other people do...it inspires me! After leaving, we all asked "Where have these people been hanging out?!? These are def the cool kids of NY" lol.

We randomly ended up at a Howard vs Hampton basketball game...only bc someone gave up tickets. Both teams sucked...sorry. Lol.

So a friend told us about a party for The Roots! We get there and end up standing in line OUTSIDE for 1 hour and 45 minutes!!! Once we finally got inside, my whole body was frozen...and I vowed to NEVER do something like that ever again! BUT then...the performance was amazing!!! THE ROOTS came out...and BIZ MARKIE got on the mic beatboxing...and then JOHN LEGEND performed...and then ESTELLE performed...and then PATTI LABELLE performed...and then THE CAST OF FELA performed...and YELAWOLF performed...and a host of others. It was CRAZY! It was way more than I expected!! Needless to say...we all forgot about the cold we endured! Lol.

Next up...NYE!! I'm sure the night will be interesting!!

1 semester down...3 to go!

I finished my 1st semester at FIT and finished my 1st internship! I learned about things that I never knew existed! And got more insight into what it takes to be a jewelry designer! I fared pretty well in the grade department...so all is well! I'm really exited about next semester!

That's all for now...toodles!

An Ode to Walmart....

Oh Walmart!
How I miss thee!
Rollback prices...
Your fluorescent lights...
Sometimes rude hourly workers...
But most of all...your cheap deals on all of my life needs!
$1.99 fruit snacks...
$10.00 space heaters...

$2.00 Secret deoderant

$2.25 100 calorie packs...the good kinds too!!
And frozen food for miles and miles....
$5.00 hand weights...
And all of my cheapy home workout needs...
You would almost be perfect if you carried the pepper spray I desired!
Why have you left me all alone?
I'm in New York City...all alone.
Why won't you come here?!?
In Dallas, you are on every corner.
In Cleveland, you are in every other city.
But in New York...you're...*cricket cricket cricket*
The horror...
The pain...
The sacrifice!

Please come back to me, my dear sweet Walmart.
I love you.

Forever yours,
Danielle

Clean up on aisle 3...4...10...and 12

So its been awhile since I've chatted with you guys...but I'm here! Today, me and Jamee did one of our "favorite" tasks...grocery shopping! Grocery shopping in New York is such an episode!! It can be an alllllll daaaaaaaaay task!!! Train or taxi there...train or taxi (more likely scenario) back...dragging around your granny cart! For my non-NYers...everyone here has a cart (or at least they should...or they're trying to be cute)!







There's a lot of stuff to consider before going...corner store/bodega...local neighborhood grocery store, Target, or the NY "chain" grocery store. I can say...I HATE all of those options!! Somebody give me a Kroger or Tom Thumb!!! Its so bad I even had a DREAM about going to Kroger...in the dream I was so excited because they had fruit snacks or something 2/$5!!! I spent sooo long deciding which kind I want (bc there were so many options) that my brother had to come in the store to get me. Lol. Needless to say...I miss grocery shopping OUTSIDE of NY!!

The reason I hate it so much is because of the overpriced food, lack of fresh fruit/vegetable options, freshness, and suspectability (if that's a word) and cleanliness of the store in general. But the fun thing about grocery shopping in NY is all the interesting randomness you'll see. Our food destination of "choice" today was Pathmark. Take a peek at today's foolishness:




This lovely pack of rotting meat was waiting for us in the frozen meat section :/




When have you ever seen lean cuisine's for $4.49...what happened to the 5 for $10 days of shopping in Texas?!?







Hmmm...this milk says the expiration date is 11/7...last time I checked...today is 11/14!!!!! ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!





I just want bread...I wasn't looking for the poisonous apple from Sleeping Beauty.




Normally you see gum, tabloid mags, and 5 hr energy...I guess now you can get melted ice cream and room temperature pasta while waiting to check out! Smh.

After our trip...I seriously felt like contacting ABC news or something!!! Until then...I'll be expecting care boxes when I go to Ohio next week. (Ahem!)

October Wrap Up

Well kiddos once again I find myself apologizing for my lack of posts but nonetheless here I am. October has definitely been a fun month-- from birthday’s, to our housewarming, to attending homecoming’s! I wish I had a camera :( (still not sure how it just went m.ia., I’m convinced one of my knuckle head brothers friends took it! sorry I digress) to document all the fun that was had. Let’s start with our Housewarming/ Roomies B-day......

So we finally had our housewarming and it was f-u-n! Thanks to my roommate (Hey Saba!) we had a house full of cool and might I add beautiful ladies; 12 to be exact (I think)! We painted the town red partying from Fri-Sunday. Since parties are over at two in the great state of Texas I just knew I would have to adjust to partying to the wee hours of the morning here in NY (4 am). But truthfully speaking I don’t even notice the difference, well that is until I realize we have to take the train or catch a cab back home, which either way can be a hard task. For example, Saturday night we leave the club only to spend an extra HOUR trying to hail down a cab! Apparently cab drivers don’t like driving to Brooklyn…… Needless to say after countless attempts, street arguments with random guys, numerous cat calls we finally catch one. Not a yellow cab but a gypsy. (Tutorial for my southern folk: So much to my surprise there aren’t just yellow cabs; there are dollar cabs, and gypsy cabs. Guess I would’ve known that had I listened to Jigga in “Empire State of Mind”. The gypsy cabs are usually blk and charge an arm and a leg whereas the dollar cabs charge a dollar depending on how far you go, they usually just run the bus route up and down the street. <---don’t quote me on that) Typically when we go out we get home around 5 or 6 in the a.m. I seriously think I’ve adjusted my sleep pattern, give me 4-5 hours of sleep and I’m good to go! But I must say it does catch up to you, some days I find myself reconsidering my philosophy of “sleeping when I’m dead” sheessh.

(comin' down the street like a parade...Macy's!)

(Stolen Photo's Courtesy of Facebook..hahaha)

So what else…. O yea I also had the chance to check out Howard University’s homecoming. It was def a good time aside from a few moments that I shall not mention! (you know who you are, no not you, but the other you :-p) I defiantly have to say that HBCU’s have a gooood time. Although I’m thankful for the college experience I had; it would have been fun to experience a school such as that with such rich culture and dynamics. Once again I have no pics so use your imagination!Well that’s all for now, its time I recoup from the numerous up till dawn nights and get ready for holiday season…. Texas I shall see you soon ;)

(Not sure of the pose I'm giving here.....)

(Shelbs and J.Cole Before the "incident" lol)

(Stolen Photo's Courtesy of Facebook..hahaha)

Until next time.....

JJ