Hello darlings!

I hope life is treating you well. The summer is officially gone here and wont be back for a very long time. Sweater and Jacket weather from here on out. I love this time of year but part of me hates it too because I know that soon it will be very cold and dark all the time.
For now its just nice to experience the crisp air and to see the leaves changing and falling all around.

Things are getting better and better for me these days. Im not really sure how to process it but it seems things are falling into place.

I have been in New York for one year as of yesterday. It feels amazing. People keep telling me that the first year is the worst and that it only gets better. They also tell me that after the first year you think its good but you have no idea how much better it will be. I dont know but if things keep going this way I may have a heart attack from excitement.

My life in nonstop on the go. I seem to like it like that.

Other than the usual adventures and hangouts in my life I have started trotting off down some new paths. The biggest change so far is the fact that I cut back my hours at the cafe to make way for a new job!
I couldnt be more thrilled about this new opportunity! The best part is that it just fell into my lap.

As of next week I will begin training with one of the biggest names in cocktails and mixology in NYC. A friend of mine happened to mention that I was a good barista at one of his favorite coffee bars. Before I knew it I was being offered a job as a bartender at a new hot restaurant in the city. I have no training or background so its going to be a lot of work. I am SO EXCITED!

My loose dreams of one day owning a restaurant are finally looking like they could be reality. With a background in coffee and cocktails (and hopefully I will finally get it together and go to school to learn the art of the pastry chef.....) it seems like a decent base.

I will be keeping my job at the cafe too but only two days a week and one of those days will be at the cafe in Brooklyn. Its a big change but Im feeling good about it.

In other news, I had my chest tattooed last month. I haven't taken any great pictures yet but hopefully I will shoot a new set soon so you can see it all healed! But this is it so far. Sorry the picture is backward.... It says "Isn't It Pretty To Think So"
You get a gold star if you know the reference (without googling it!).



Ive been spending a lot of time with the men in my life....Its strange sometimes when I think that 90% of my friends are guys. Boys are just easier to understand or something, I dont know.....

Kevin and I went on a shopping adventure in the Flower District and found some pretty strange things.


My dear friend and coworker Johnny and I were locked out of the roastery last week and we passed the time lying on the sidewalk being silly. This is one of the nicer pictures taken.


And once we got in....the space is SO beautiful. I love it down there.


Andrew and I are finally hanging out a little more these days. Its nice to have him back around. Summer got busy and flew by. I spent my anniversary with him last night drinking scotch, eating pizza and watching the Yankees game.

Its apple season and I baked an apple pie to celebrate. I was pissed while I did it though because my roommate was having a party and I was asked to pose with my pie for a drunken party photo. Usually when I bake I do it to relax, not really to be harassed by two dozen drunks. Oh well. The pie was excellent.



There has been a fair amount of post season baseball watching or planning for parties and watching. Ive had a weird month of circus/carnival adventures, karaoke mishaps, long bike rides, baseball games, flooded streets and cafes, job offers, strange offers in general, Big Apple Comic Con, dance parties, hardcore shows, food poisoning and so many other little bits and pieces of insanity.

I have so many things to look forward to right now as well.
Two weeks from now one of my dearest friends is coming to visit. She will be here for Halloween which should be fun. I have no idea what Im going to do with her other than what I usually do but that should be good enough.

And then next month I will be taking a little trip back home to Portland. It should be interesting to say the least. My closest friend from childhood is getting married and I would hate to miss the wedding. She seems so happy. Its also my grandmothers birthday and when I need to cash in my vacation time at work. Ill be out there for a week with my friends and family. The plan is to spend a day or two out at the coast by myself to get some perspective and regroup a little and the rest of the time catching up with folks. Hopefully I will get to meet some of the lovely PDX SGs too!

So all in all things are wonderful. Im just as happy as a clam. Busy but happy.

I must run now. I have a full evening ahead of me with studying and dinner with friends.....

xoxoxox
July