Oh hello there

Yes, it's me... your long lost blogging friend Kelly.  I have returned from my journey to the depths of the Mariana Trench.  Or was I visiting the uninhabited Auckland Islands?  Wait, I think I was actually in Motuo, China.  Wherever I was, I have returned and have not actually fallen off the face of the earth.  Aren't you relieved?

Truth is, I've been thinking about blogging.  Thinking a lot.  Coming up with great ideas.  Pondering life and starting a great blog about 478392098374 times in the past month or so.  But have I clicked over and actually started typing?  Nope.  And I have a few reasons/ideas/excuses why:

• I'm a lazy journal-er
• I'm just lazy
• I feel like I have to post a huge update and I'm just not up for that
• I have this all-or-nothing 'thing' that hounds me, and I feel like if I'm not posting a daily/weekly recap, it's not even worth it
• I've been fighting depression.  I am challenged with depression on occasion, especially seasonal depression which starts in the fall (my old therapist said I'm a summer girl and my brain mourns the loss of sunshine and outdoor activities).  Exercise is my natural antidepressant, but if you've struggled with depression you know that exercise is something you have to force yourself to keep up when you're feeling blue
• My nails are really long right now and it feels funny to type
• I don't really want to let my brain run free, that's dangerous
• I want to blog about my cat getting out and lost but it's pretty emotional for me
• I'm heavier than I want to be and I feel like if I'm not job hunting, I should be working out
• I don't want to face my emotions
• I have too much to say and it will take forever
• It's much more important to get to the next level on Candy Crush
• I like reading other blogs more
• I have a pile of cards and thank-yous that I haven't written out yet
• Cooking creates tangible results so I like it more
• I still don't have a job
• I post a lot of updates and other stuff on Facebook
• I think that I should be spending every minute of my day hunting for a job, and even though that doesn't happen, I feel like if I'm blogging it's time I could be job hunting
• I feel poopy about not having a job yet and I'm frustrated and don't want to let that negativity onto our blog
• Football season is back and I'm obsessed and I can't wait to see my Houston Texans play the San Diego Chargers tonight
• I prefer taking photos of Rufus doing silly stuff or watching him run around the apartment and slide on the wood floors
• I feel like there's an entire city out there that I'm missing out on and that I need to explore more of
• I really need a job but I am having a hard time deciding what direction to go in
• I've made blogging a chore rather than an outlet for my emotions and thoughts or a record of our adventures
• I think too much
• I get digital overload - between Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare, Match, Meetup, Snapchat, fantasy football, emails, etc., sometimes it gets to be too much
• Analysis paralysis
• I can't figure out why one carton of eggs would have three double-yolk eggs.  It both intrigues and worries me...

As you can see, I'm stuck in my head in so many ways.  But while I need to continue my job hunt, I also need to nourish my body and soul as well.  So as a part of my daily routine, I'm going to go for a walk around Prospect Park, or my neighborhood, Prospect Heights / Park Slope, then I'm going to blog, and then I'm going to job search - make calls, submit resumes, follow up on applications, go on interviews, etc.  

I'm a planner to the Nth degree, I love lists, and I know that I need a simple plan so I will stick to it and get my life to where I really want to be.  So... that being said, here's what I will be focusing on:

MIND

1. Keep reading new books, they give me a digital-free escape into my imagination and inspire me
2. Blog!  Get those emotions and thoughts and experiences out there to share and celebrate
3. Hug my sister at least once a day.  I love hugs, I love physical affection, I love my sister, and hugs are good for you!

BODY

1. Daily walk through Prospect Park or the neighborhood, but I'm not going to beat myself up if I miss a day, I'll just make sure I get back on it the next day!
2. Spin class/yoga class/other classes at our gym, Crunch Fitness
3. Eat healthy, whole foods, home cooked mostly.  Lean protein, healthy veggies, whole grains, delicious spices and creative sweet treats
4. Watch alcohol consumption - aim for only one day a week if that.  I enjoy a tasty beer, a delicious wine, or a yummy cocktail, but alcohol is rough on my pocketbook, my calorie count, and my mental health.  It's a depressant and I don't need any help with that - especially as fall turns toward winter
5. Ensure proper nutrition - take my vitamins, and add in some amino acids that help me fight depression, GABA and 5-HTP.  (I know Wikipedia isn't the best resource, but bear with me on my GTS skills.  Here's a couple more links to the great Dr. Oz's website about GABA and 5-HTP).

SOUL

1. Keep going to church when I can, Megan's friend Erica introduced us to Hillsong NYC and it's a great place that speaks to me
2. Set up Skype dates with my best friends, I miss them.  A lot.  Text or email me if you want my username
3. Read the daily devotional that my sweet Mom sent me in the mail (she sent Meg one too, of course).  It can't take that much time, and I know I need it

CAREER

1. Continue my routine and job search as a job during the week
2. Get a few versions of my resume in order
1. Financial jobs
2. Foodie jobs
3. Office manager type jobs
3. Be persistent and have positive energy
4. Network with every new friend I meet along the way

So - expect more from me.  I'll be working on blogging more often, even if it's just a blurb here or there.  And Megan will still be blogging too.  

Oh, and it's nice to see you again!

XOXO - Kelly

Weekend number 3 - touristy stuff!

We had a fantastic weekend, and it's so much to share that I'd be up (even later) typing all night.  So instead, here's a photo blog for ya, and a brief summary.

Saturday - I went into Manhattan to meet a fellow (Jason/39/Williamsburg) and as the date was winding to a close I saw a text from Megan about going to the Statue of Liberty and/or Staten Island.  Don't worry, folks, I checked my phone in the restroom - I'm not that clueless about dating.  I met Megan and Matt down at the Staten Island Ferry terminal and since the shuttles to the Statue were done for the day, we decided to tour the ole gal on the cheap.  Since the ferry is free, that was awesome!

 The stop that we get on the 2 or 3 train

Megan and Matt got off and decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, because hey - why not?!

Heading toward Manhattan from Brooklyn

View of the Empire State Building and the Manhattan Bridge

The financial district

Oh hello, Lady Liberty!

Beautiful shot, taken by Megan!

Matt's head and One World Trade Center

In Manhattan, making their way to the ferry terminal

All aboard, now I took over the camera (I didn't bring Norma the Nikon on my date... that's just weird).

 Our first view of the Statue of Liberty from the ferry

 Adios, Manhattan!  We're headed to the "other" borough.

The family to my right was quite affectionate, we were in close contact nearly the entire ride...

Battery Park looking at the financial district, south Manhattan for those of you who are as geographically inclined as I am.

 Here's to ya, NYC!

New Jersey on the left, New York on the right, the Hudson right in the middle.

When you have a delicious beer and need to take photos, you find ways of preserving your beverage while freeing up hands.

A cold front was (finally) moving in, which created thunderstorms and rain and gorgeous clouds.

See ya soon, missy!  I need to get up in that crown of hers, it's been a dream of mine since childhood.

Check that off the bucket list!

Lil lighthouse. 

We drove over that bridge in the background to get from Jersey to Staten Island.  In a 16' rental truck.  Oy vey!

 Staten Island in all of her glory.

Our trusty chariot.

Just as we pulled into Staten Island, the rain came down, HARD.  

Brooklyn, and the tallest building to the far right is what I call the "Brooklyn Clocktower."  I'll figure out its real name sometime soon...

The ferry, Manhattan, East River, and Brooklyn.

Yup.  Well, at least, 1/5th of it.

Chatting with Matt on the ferry back to Manhattan, we had literally gotten off and then right back on.  Please note my adorable wedges on the seat next to me - I had a total SATC moment when my shoe broke right at the end of my date.  Thankfully, Jason/39/Williamsburg remembered there was a shoe store in Union Square and I hit up DSW for a replacement pair.  

View toward Brooklyn as we head back.

 Close up of DUMBO area of Brooklyn?

 Back on the subway, heading home.

Don't do it, Matty!  Behind the yellow line please!

Here comes our train.

Sunday - We woke up and dined on some delicious banana-walnut-amazing-pancakes that Megan had prepared for us.  She was going to go to Coney Island with a colleague who was in town, and Matt was persuaded to go along.  Since I have FOMO, I had to go as well.  We applied sunscreen, hopped on the Q, and had a fantastic day walking up and down the boardwalk.  We even went on the Cyclone - it was awesome!!!  I even captured our walk from the Q back to our place, so you can see a bit of our neighborhood.

If you look hard, you can see a rollercoaster through the windows.

Coney Island!

Meg searching for the ocean.

The Coney Island subway station had some interesting art.

We had to get a hot dog at Nathan's Famous.  It was without question.

The whole process was a bit inefficient, to be quite honest.

But I got my cheese dog with mustard and a delicious Killian's Irish Red - one of my favorite beers!

In 2011, they finally opened up the hot dog eating contest and now have a male and a female winner.  Hooray!  Also, one dog filled me up, I am so not a professional eater.

We got there around 12:30 or so, and it was a gorgeous day, but not too busy.  Yet.

View to the right - I think that's a parachute drop ride?

View to the left or east

Ahhhhhh, sand... waves... sunshine.  It was almost like home!

If you look hard, you can see Matt, Meg's colleague, and Megan wandering down the boardwalk ahead of me.

Another Nathan's and our first glimpse of the Wonder Wheel.

They don't make 'em like this anymore!

Yup!

The diversity of people is amazing.  You have your old...

And your young.

 Lots of families were out enjoying the nice day.

Under the boardwalk...  Seriously such a naughty song if you think about it.  Plus, sand is just NO fun in that context.  

 Neato new bathroom structures that weren't open yet.  On stilts to prevent flooding during any future superstorms.

Feeling happy and carefree!

Oh yes, then there were the studly men.

This reminds me of another fine male specimen, down on the lovely island of St. Martin.

Wait, what do we have here?

If I had to see it, so do you.

The water was gorgeous, warm, and there were no "PayDay candy bars" floating in it, despite what we were told.

I will be back to swim in you, yes I will.

Roomies!

The lifeguards are pretty legit on the east coast.

By now the beach was filling up a bit more.

Musicians and DJs had arrived and set up to entertain the peeps and got us dancing and having a great time.

Now that's pride. Yes, I'm following you, good sir.

 Um.... ok.  That's just weird.

The most amazing/huge fanny pack I have ever laid eyes on.

The crowd was all hanging out and dancing and singing on the boardwalk.

We rode that!  The amazing Cyclone.  I will admit that the one at Magic Mountain does a good job of imitating it.

Zoltar!!!

I wonder who this Herman Popper is?

We were hungry again, and we were going to stop at Grimaldi's...

Rats with wings.  I wonder which jerk fed the rats.

So instead of Grimaldi's, Megan had a tip that took us on another jaunt through a neighborhood further from the beach.

Totonno's pizza!  We had beer in Dixie cups and an amazing large half/half pie.  Ridiculously good and so worth the extra walk.

Questionable signs.

 

 Everyone snoozes on the train.

Bikes might get you a dirty look on the subway, but hula hoops?  Totally ok.

The skies here continue to amaze me.

The Brooklyn "Clocktower."

Ahhhh a community garden on Flatbush.  Love it!

One of my favorite places, on 5th Avenue in Prospect Heights.

5th Avenue - a great street.

View down Flatbush toward the clocktower, heading home

At Flatbush and Plaza Street East.

The tall building in the far background is the clocktower.  If you look REALLY hard you can see Barclay's center.

The last vestiges of sunlight.

Getting closer to our building, Vanderbilt and Plaza Street East.

Finally home.  Hooray!

I will have to take more photos of the garden/landscaping outside.  It's just gorgeous.

Spiderman button in the elevator?

Home sweet home.