Summer Memories

With winter fast approaching here in the city, I need to remember some of the highlights from warmer weather: summer. Even though it can be extremely hot and humid, a combination to make it more than uncomfortable (understatement), we still manage to have fun and enjoy the long days.

• Duck Beach
  
• Saturdays at Long Beach, Long Island
• My Birthday - fun dinner at the Boat Basin (beautiful atmosphere under the stars!) and a roof-top gathering with delicious chocolate cake and ice cream
  
• Reach the Beach
• Going to Utah for Labor Day
• Runs in Central Park
• Harbor Cruise
• Shake Shack
• Skirts
• Walking all the way to work (3.5 miles) - not by choice, believe me. The subways weren't running and the buses were insanely crowded. One hot, humid, sticky, sweaty morning!
  
• Sunday afternoons, evenings and picnics in Central Park
• Adelee in New York City
• Family Trip to Wells, Maine - Everyone (boys included) did facials

Living the High Life at no Additional Cost

One of the best things about my job right now is all the great perks that come along with it. In the media side of advertising, all the sales reps from magazines, online sites, etc. are always trying to win over business. And just how do they do that? They wine and dine us, if you will.

But free stuff isn't the only great part. Meeting amazing people and having fun with them is also something I've really enjoyed. Alas, I do feel that I need to record what I've been able to experience; and I do this for two reasons: 1. So I don't forget, and 2. To show the world how fun advertising is!

• Manicures and Pedicures at lunch: Honestly, I can't remember the last time I paid for my own mani/pedi. Fabulous! I love coming back from lunch and looking at my pretty, shiny nails. One of the best instances happened just a few days ago. My rep from one of the celebrity gossip magazines emailed me, letting me know where we were meeting that day. Such a huge smile came across my face when I read that we had appointments at the Saks salon on 5th Ave. It was like nothing I've ever experienced! Each of us sat in a cushy chair, and we didn't even have to get up after our pedicures to go to the manicure table! They just had a little rolly cart that they wheeled right up to our chairs. Oh, and we ate lunch while we enjoyed all the pampering. Delish!

• Lunch! Lunch! Lunch! And sometimes let's throw in a breakfast with our meeting! Yes, I've had my fair share of steak, fish and pasta lunches. The occasional And boy do I appreciate them. I really do see this as a blessing, as I have had many meals provided for me when I tried my hardest to make my existing food supply last until I could buy groceries again.
  

• A few weeks back, I was able to go to "The Police" concert at Madison Square Garden. This is actually a good story. So, one of my friends at work told me last minute that a rep had extra tickets to the concert. Having just gotten back from Utah the day before and being extremely tired and feeling a sickness coming on, I was having a really hard time deciding whether I wanted to go to the concert. After a few minutes, I decdided that it would be lame if I passed up this opportunity. When I called the rep, she let me know that there was one extra ticket and I could bring someone if I found someone. So I started calling people. Mind you, this was about an hour before the group was meeting up for appetizers and drinks and it was Halloween. Most everyone I talked to already had plans (shocking!), until I talked to Chateau. He was totally in and so excited to go. We met up, did the whole bar thing for a while (no alcohol, though), then headed over to the concert. When the guy at the turn style tried scanning our tickets, it didn't work. Nor the second or third time. Finally the worker looked at our tickets, and much to our surprise the tickets were for two days later! Kind of a bummer, but at least we were both able to go! The concert was a blast! Very interesting, however, because we were surrounded by middle-aged, drunk Police fans. Never a site I thought I'd ever see.

• This next one is one of my favorites! It was truly a special treat! And surprises just kept coming...First, my rep asked if we could do massages. Um, yes!!! Of course! How could I pass this up?!! So, we went to the spa at W in Times Square. It's this amazing hotel - very chic and modern. Not exactly my style for my own home, but it's cool. I met my rep at the spa, where they let us wait with these cushy chairs and lavender scents. Then the other rep (they have a job share, where one works Mon-Wed and the other one Wed-Fri) showed up and they took each of us to a separate room. We each had a 60-minute massage! I do think that was the best lunch I've ever had! And to top it all off, they took me to lunch! I thought we'd just grab a sandwich and be on our respective ways. Oh no! This would not do. We went to Blue Fin, a fancy schmancy sushi/seafood restaurant. All in all, it was a fabulous (two-and-a-half hour) break in my day.
  

Stay tuned...there's more to come!

Sooshee (or Sushi)

I've had sushi before, but tonight was officially my first time eating at a sushi restaurant. Who knew I would actually like it? and get full from it? My friend, Scott, and I went to Shuma-Shuma over on the East side and had edamame and all sorts of rolls - spicy calamari, tuna, shrimp, salmon-avocado. It was tasty!

Not Just for Kids

So it's not just the people who make New York a unique place (try saying that 10 times really fast). Yesterday I saw an older woman who was riding a tricycle. And this was not the typical tric with a 50 lb. limit; this was built for adults! She was just enjoying an evening ride on Broadway on her red tricycle. And just when I thought I'd seen it all...

Beauty

What is beauty? Many people define it in various ways. One of the beautiful things I've seen recently are some of God's creations. While spending the weekend in Lake Webster, NH, I was able to enjoy scenery - real, nothing-fake-about-it nature. New York City is lacking in this department, and I had a really good time just getting out and enjoying the lake, the changing fall colors, the quiet and more simple way of life in a small town, the crisp fall air, and the list goes on. God has created all this, and every time I see nature or beautiful things I am amazed. As cliche as this is, I never knew how much I really enjoyed nature until I wasn't around it anymore. Funny how that happens. But now I especially enjoy it and take it all in when I do have the chance. One of my favorite moments was on Sunday afternoon when I was out on the edge of the lake right outside the Inn and could just see the hills, covered with trees - each one a different shade of green, yellow, orange and red. The sunlight hit the water and the trees, creating such a unique dynamic. This was a spiritual experience, being so close to and enjoying God's creation.

Lazy Friday

So today has been a relatively slow at work, to say the least. Interestingly, though, I feel that I have not been as productive. A few friends and I were discussing this anomaly earlier this week. Why is it that when we have less to do, we take more time doing it? I've always felt that I am more productive and efficient if I have more to do. I guess my momentum gets going and just stays on "go".

But having things slow down a bit is a good thing and I'm not complaining. I've been enjoying this lazy (relatively) Friday. And I think it's a great way to start my weekend, which will be spent in New Hampshire enjoying the New England fall and great friends. Who could say no to apple picking, bundling up and enjoying some never-forgotten moments of a road trip?

I Actually Did It!

That's right! I've started a blog. Unlike what everyone has told me, creating this blog was not as easy as they said. Finding an available url was the hardest part...Maybe that's because "Jane" is such a fabulous name, and even those who don't have the right to it just want to use it! That's probably not the case, but I'll just tell myself that.

This is mostly for me, to be able to capture and remember all the memories I'm creating in life. Feel free to experience them along with me! I hope you enjoy!