I really have no idea what I’m doing here, as far as how to set up a blog or create an actual website. I am, by no means, a computer person. But I’ve mastered Facebook, and I think I’ve figured things on here out so far, so I guess I’ll just explain myself a little bit…
I’m not vain enough to think that my opinion on any topic is more influential or important than anyone else’s. I know that it most likely will mean nothing to the majority of people. And I don’t want to write based on what I believe other people expect or want to read. Really, I am writing for myself. Because I love to eat, drink, and explore New York City. I love music, and I love books. I want to love art, but haven’t found any that I really do love, yet. I love food (both super healthy and super unhealthy). I love baking and trying to cook – although that’s much more my boyfriend’s forte, and I am perfectly content letting him hold the reigns on that one. I love wine and beer and bourbon and vodka. I don’t love wearing makeup, getting dressed up, or doing my hair (but I will bite the bullet and do it, if the venue is enticing enough to make it worth the effort). I shop predominantly at Payless, Old Navy, and Kohl’s, but spend an absurd amount of money on music or food or massages. I’m a little bit OCD and am obsessed with making to-do lists just so that I can cross items off as I go.
I have been fortunate enough to have had a lot of really amazing experiences in New York, so far. And while I listed many of my very varied interests, bars and restaurants are – without a doubt – my favorite adventures to embark on. I should clarify that I have no culinary expertise other than three beginner cooking classes I took back in 2012; and all I remember from that was how to roast garlic… sort of. I went through a phase where I became obsessed with becoming a self-taught chef. I bought the fancy Wusthof chef knives and culinary school textbooks. But by the time I had read the process for making a good soup stock, I had retired from my imaginary career. If I was served a $5000 bottle of wine next to a $5 one, I’m not sure I could tell the difference. I over-salt my food. I enjoy heaping spoonfuls of chunky peanut butter as a snack on a regular basis. I have been to some highly renowned restaurants that I simply did not like, and a few divey holes in the wall that I completely adored.
Really, I want to write to chronicle and remember my moments – whether they be amazing or awful – and to share those moments with people who hold some of the same passions as me. And I want to challenge myself to try some things that maybe, without this very public and very scary venue, I would never have considered trying before. I will be honest. If you don’t like my writing style or my opinion on things, then do us both a favor and just don’t read them; I am not claiming to be an award winning writer or an expert on any of the topics I will discuss.
A little bit about myself, personally: I am 27 years old and live in Staten Island, NY. I went to a Catholic elementary school, a Catholic all girl high school, and then moved to the Village to attend NYU. So that was a big change.
Before college, I had all white friends who had all grown up on the same tiny island as me, with many of the same beliefs and cultures. Then I moved into a college dorm with a Puerto Rican lesbian feminist, a hippie from California, and a sorority pledging Republican from Alabama. Magically, we all loved each other and got along perfectly for that whole year. I completed my bachelors degree in psychology with a minor in business. After that, I returned to NYU for a masters in occupational therapy (OT), this time commuting – that bus ride really sucked. But I made some amazing friends in the OT program who I have been lucky enough to stay in close touch with. I am currently a pediatric therapist, working at a school for children with special needs during the day, and driving to children’s homes for therapy after school.
Other than a few high school sweethearts, and one real asshole in college, I had been perpetually single until just this past April. I have watched almost all of my closest friends get engaged and married and plan their lives, panicking the whole time that it would never happen for me. I spent most of my early and mid-20s’ nights alone in the same bedroom I had slept in since I was born, watching way too much “reality” TV (shout out to Andy Cohen!). But, alas, I finally met an amazing man. I will keep his real name out of here and refer to him as my manfriend, because maybe/probably he doesn’t want the entire universe having access to his personal life? I met him on match.com actually – my experience there could fill an entirely separate blog, so I’m going to leave that out, too. We had our first date in April, attempted to take it slow for a couple of months, but gradually spent more and more time together until I almost completely moved into his house: I still stop at my parents’ daily to use their printer for my paperwork and pick up a random item or two, like my fondue pot which we recently used for the first time. I quit the reality TV addiction cold turkey (Andy, I am so sorry), and have graduated to House of Cards. I am, officially, an adult.
The manfriend and I have been to some really memorable restaurants and had some awesome experiences so far: from The Cannibal to WD~50 to Blue Ribbon Brasserie in the city to a pig roast in a quiet barn upstate, to the Dave Chappelle show at Radio City Music Hall, and a 7-night cruise to Bermuda (we just got back last weekend, weighing significantly more than when we left). Plus he has cooked for me some of my most memorable meals ever, particularly my birthday dinner in July, which involved a whole roasted branzino, homemade ricotta gnocchi, fried manchego cheese squares (except they were really triangles), and an amazing bread pudding dessert.
Anyways, more and more lately I have found myself posting picture after picture of beautiful plates of food and cocktails and wine bottle labels on Instagram and Facebook. I think it’s actually getting kind of weird now. I recently learned how to concoct the perfect Old Fashioned, and am excited for my upcoming attempt at baking my own sfogliatelles (you know, those deliciously creamy cheese filled, seashell-looking pastries). I just started reading The Fault in Our Stars, and have tickets to go see Billy Joel (my hero) in September after having dinner at Marc Fargione’s. I want to bring the manfriend to go see Once, my favorite show on Broadway.
Whatever I deem special or funny or important, I will share with you. So, that’s the plan…