6 weeks in and I'm still breaking down the stereotypes of the South.
What is it with these people? They think just because I am from Georgia that I can't feel the heat. I assure you, 90 degree weather is hot no matter where you are from. You would think the sweat mustache on my upper lip would have given them the hint.
Also, everyone giggles every time I say y'all! What is so funny about a contraction that makes more sense, is less sexist, and is easier to say than "you guys." Keep your giggles to yourself, New York.
I was in the elevator at work yesterday when the man who operates the elevator asked me where I was from. I responded "Atlanta" and immediately he and the other man in the elevator were arguing over wether I was a Georgia Peach or a Southern Belle. I thought Welkers liked to argue, but the citizens of New York really give us a run for our money. I must say though, I was intrigued by the argument, and in the end I informed them that I was both a belle and a peach as well as flattered by their nonsense.
This reminds me of when I was in London. On my first day, I told the women I worked with that I was from Georgia and in response they asked, "Do you live on a farm?!" I let them down by saying, "No, I'm from Atlanta. It's a pretty big city." Then, of course, they backfired with, "Oh, so you know Usher?!" Needless to say, I was speechless. After letting them down again by telling them I don't know Usher or any other rapper/singer personally, I realized I should have just played along. Yea, I'm from the ATL and Usher and I hang out all the time. Occasionally I hang out with Lil Jon too.
On the subject of the South, I found a place that sells biscuits. Yes. I repeat: I found a place that sells biscuits. Of course, it wasn't that good, but beggers can't be choosers, right? While walking with some friends we stumbled upon a new little breakfast place down the block from our apartment. I was scanning the menu trying to decide what to get, considering I don't really like breakfast food, and there it was. Just the word on the menu made me squeal! Who cares if it wasn't that good. It will hold me over until I can get back to Chick fil A.
My style is evolving to city chic, but don't worry, I still throw on my cowboy boots when wearing my all black outfits. When I do this, I always see people's eyes staring at my feet while I strut down the sidewalk, and I love every minute of it. Georgia girl is getting used to NY, but NY is trying just as hard to get used to little miss Georgia.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Not So Avid Blogger..
Hello friends and family..
So it's been a while since my last blog post. I really should get better at this. I constantly think about blogging and what I might say next...but I never actually do it. I always write on sticky notes at work, mostly just because I love office supplies, but also to remember the random thoughts that bounce around my head. Today I opened my purse and noticed I had about twenty post its accumulating in my bag. I guess that means it's time for an update.
The only problem is, and those of you who actually know me can probably attest to this, all the post its say the most random things, and none of them go together enough to write an entire blog post about. Oops. I can't help the randomness that ensues in my brain.
One post it just said "Be spontaneous" and the one stuck to it said "O'Mommy." I guess that means I should write about being spontaneous while talking about my grandmother? I'm not really sure. I will try and take better notes, or just actually update this as I think.
But in the mean time, I'll just fill you in on what I've been up to.
Honestly, I've been really lazy. I've enjoyed it though. I think I deserved a lazy week/semi-lazy weekend. A full time job isn't easy. I don't know how actual adults do it. Damn. I'm getting close to being an actual adult. Ew. I don't really like the thought of that. Is it really so bad to want to stay in college forever? I guess I should just accept it. I, Emily Welker, am 21 years old. I work and live in New York City and will only be a student for another year and a half. There. I said it. Now someone pass me a Natty Light.
I've been thinking a lot about my post-graduation plans lately. I had a really great and encouraging conversation with my supervisor on Friday that really made me feel like I could work and live here. I mean, after being here, it definitely would be hard to find something that compares. It really is a city made of dreams. And after speaking with my boss, I feel that one day my dreams could become a reality.
I had brunch on Sunday with my cousin who lives here, and she told me her entire story. She said it isn't easy, but you survive. You make a life for yourself. Everyone who moves here is homesick and struggles at first, but eventually you just never want to leave. New Yorkers love New York so much. Whatever city I do end up in, I just hope I share that same love.
I want to be in love with my city. I want to be in love with my job. I want to be in love with my apartment. And who knows, maybe one day I will be in actual love. But in the meantime, I am young and have a vast future ahead of me. I'm in no rush. I'm not going to worry about it until I have to. Until then, I will just focus on blogging more often and making sense of the dozens of sticky notes in my purse.
So it's been a while since my last blog post. I really should get better at this. I constantly think about blogging and what I might say next...but I never actually do it. I always write on sticky notes at work, mostly just because I love office supplies, but also to remember the random thoughts that bounce around my head. Today I opened my purse and noticed I had about twenty post its accumulating in my bag. I guess that means it's time for an update.
The only problem is, and those of you who actually know me can probably attest to this, all the post its say the most random things, and none of them go together enough to write an entire blog post about. Oops. I can't help the randomness that ensues in my brain.
One post it just said "Be spontaneous" and the one stuck to it said "O'Mommy." I guess that means I should write about being spontaneous while talking about my grandmother? I'm not really sure. I will try and take better notes, or just actually update this as I think.
But in the mean time, I'll just fill you in on what I've been up to.
Honestly, I've been really lazy. I've enjoyed it though. I think I deserved a lazy week/semi-lazy weekend. A full time job isn't easy. I don't know how actual adults do it. Damn. I'm getting close to being an actual adult. Ew. I don't really like the thought of that. Is it really so bad to want to stay in college forever? I guess I should just accept it. I, Emily Welker, am 21 years old. I work and live in New York City and will only be a student for another year and a half. There. I said it. Now someone pass me a Natty Light.
I've been thinking a lot about my post-graduation plans lately. I had a really great and encouraging conversation with my supervisor on Friday that really made me feel like I could work and live here. I mean, after being here, it definitely would be hard to find something that compares. It really is a city made of dreams. And after speaking with my boss, I feel that one day my dreams could become a reality.
I had brunch on Sunday with my cousin who lives here, and she told me her entire story. She said it isn't easy, but you survive. You make a life for yourself. Everyone who moves here is homesick and struggles at first, but eventually you just never want to leave. New Yorkers love New York so much. Whatever city I do end up in, I just hope I share that same love.
I want to be in love with my city. I want to be in love with my job. I want to be in love with my apartment. And who knows, maybe one day I will be in actual love. But in the meantime, I am young and have a vast future ahead of me. I'm in no rush. I'm not going to worry about it until I have to. Until then, I will just focus on blogging more often and making sense of the dozens of sticky notes in my purse.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Cause Baby You're A Firework
As we all know, this weekend was Fourth of July weekend. I was so happy to have a day off work and a three day weekend. It was definitely nice. We didn't really make any plans for the 4th ahead of time, so we just decided we would go down by the river and see the New York City fireworks that we had heard so much about.
We arrived early, because we wanted to guarantee ourselves a spot. We got a spot all right. On the pavement in the middle of the blocked off road. I guess we were naive to think that we would be able to go down on one of the piers or sit in the grassy areas by the river. Nope. All of that space was reserved for private parties and events. I can't tell you how many times we heard, "You don't have a ticket? Turn around." So we ended up on the road with all the other measly commoners.
Everything about NYC has to be made to seem so exclusive. Even just a simple viewing of the fireworks. Instead, we were left feeling like the kids who weren't invited to the party, but could hear all the fun from the outside. Live performers, open bars, dancing. All within an ear shot. It was a little bit depressing...
But that's okay. We didn't let it ruin our night. We packed a spread of all kinds of snacks and appetizers and picnicked until the show. Our spot on the pavement was right in front of a group of NY Police Officers. We made friends with them and loved eaves dropping on their conversations. Funny guys. They acted exactly like I thought they would and all had a thick New York accent. There was even a threat scare, when a french woman came up to the officers and said there was an unattended black bag under the tree near by. The officers went to check it out, and luckily, it was just a false alarm. It was just a bag someone had set down by accident. Afterwards, the police returned to their spot and we could hear them laughing and telling jokes about the situation. I guess in order to live with situations like that day in a day out you have to be able to make light of them every now and then.
The fireworks were AMAZING. There are six barges on the river, and they all set off the fireworks in sync with one another. It lit up over a mile of New York sky. It was so beautiful.
I love the fourth of July. It's one of the few days of the year where everyone matches each other in stripes, red, white, and blue, and every one in America just has a good time celebrating the one thing we all have in common:our freedom.
Here's a little song we all know and love.
We arrived early, because we wanted to guarantee ourselves a spot. We got a spot all right. On the pavement in the middle of the blocked off road. I guess we were naive to think that we would be able to go down on one of the piers or sit in the grassy areas by the river. Nope. All of that space was reserved for private parties and events. I can't tell you how many times we heard, "You don't have a ticket? Turn around." So we ended up on the road with all the other measly commoners.
Everything about NYC has to be made to seem so exclusive. Even just a simple viewing of the fireworks. Instead, we were left feeling like the kids who weren't invited to the party, but could hear all the fun from the outside. Live performers, open bars, dancing. All within an ear shot. It was a little bit depressing...
But that's okay. We didn't let it ruin our night. We packed a spread of all kinds of snacks and appetizers and picnicked until the show. Our spot on the pavement was right in front of a group of NY Police Officers. We made friends with them and loved eaves dropping on their conversations. Funny guys. They acted exactly like I thought they would and all had a thick New York accent. There was even a threat scare, when a french woman came up to the officers and said there was an unattended black bag under the tree near by. The officers went to check it out, and luckily, it was just a false alarm. It was just a bag someone had set down by accident. Afterwards, the police returned to their spot and we could hear them laughing and telling jokes about the situation. I guess in order to live with situations like that day in a day out you have to be able to make light of them every now and then.
The fireworks were AMAZING. There are six barges on the river, and they all set off the fireworks in sync with one another. It lit up over a mile of New York sky. It was so beautiful.
I love the fourth of July. It's one of the few days of the year where everyone matches each other in stripes, red, white, and blue, and every one in America just has a good time celebrating the one thing we all have in common:our freedom.
Here's a little song we all know and love.
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