Too much green?

Never.

As I was waiting to cross the street today, I found myself standing about a foot away from this guy who was blatantly staring at me. The fact that we were so close made it hard to ignore. I turned towards him to give him that "I know that you're staring at me, could you please stop it" look, and surprisingly that prompted this conversation.

Guy: You're wearing a lot of green.
Me: Why yes, I guess I am. [I was wearing a green t-shirt along with my green messenger bag- I think he felt overwhelmed.]
Guy: Are you Irish? [We are crossing the street at this point]
Me: I have a little Irish in me, but no I'm not full blown Irish.
Guy: You look Irish. [I couldn't tell if this was good or bad.]
Me: Well, thanks. [I decided to take it as a complement as I not so subtly turned down the opposite street...]

We're Not In Kansas Anymore, Toto.

Here's a glimpse of my neighborhood and a view from the roof... Why was I on the roof you ask? It is the only place in my building I can get cell phone service. I am now starting to understand what it might feel like to reside with my grandmother who lacks a computer... and internet connection. But yes, welcome to the East Village.

Escape Routes 101

Lately I've had this feeling inside that I just need to get out of the city. I have these waves that just hit me. So my newest hobby has been to discover what I like to call my "escape routes." It has definitely been a trial and error game. It is quite challenging to trick yourself into thinking you aren't where you are [most of you probably don't have to worry about this as you are quite content with your surroundings]. But for those of you interested in living vicariously through my insane attempts to survive this place, here's a little taste of my worst case scenario survival techniques:

Escape Route #1: Sleep [low success rate]
Last night I put this one to the test. I thought that possibly I could muster some sort of hibernation technique where I slept off the remaining 4 weeks of my summer. Unfortunately my body doesn't agree with the 8pm bedtime that I attempted to enforce. Thus, this technique pretty much backfired. Instead of sleeping away my time, I ended up starting at a ceiling that made hours feel like years. I don't recommend using this escape route unless you are desperate.

Escape Route #2: Central Park [guaranteed success rate]
This is the one place that truly takes you out of the city without actually taking you out of the city. When you are surrounded by green grass, tall trees, bikers, kids, and picnics, its easy to lose yourself. I found that lying down on a blanket, staring up into the blue skies- I could almost lose the scent of the urine smelling streets. The only thing that can pull me away from the park is the lack of public restrooms... and squirrels.

Escape Route #3: Friends who live on the Upper East Side [high to moderate success rate]
Today I went to visit a friend's apartment on the Upper East Side, and I finally got to see how the other half lives. It was like stepping into a piece of heaven. I walked into the building, complete with doorman and elevator, and I didn't even know what to do with myself. I had to check in- can you believe it. I relished in the moment, chatting with the doorman, soaking up every minute of my time in my first viewing of a livable apartment. My friend's room was spacious, bright, cheery- everything I thought New York was devoid of... The only downside of this experience- having to return home to my own "unique" living situation.

Escape Route #4: The Gym [high success rate]
I figure in NY, my body needs as many endorphins as it can possibly produce. So my solution is to go to the gym and run until I'm on the verge of collapse. That way my body becomes too exhausted to worry about my surroundings.

So there you have it. However, in the event that none of these work, the real escape route is fail-safe: the 4 hr bus to D.C. An ideal escape, but getting on the return bus is like leaving behind a cute puppy at the pet store. You can love it and play with it for awhile, but you can't take it back with you.

Do You Have A Minute?

The answer to this question should always be no. No, I don't have a minute.

Today I was side swiped while standing idly in the doorway of our conference room. I was just innocently glancing at an episode of Bravo's Sheer Genius, and BAM! Out of nowhere comes the "Katie, Do you have a minute?" from a nearby office. Without having a previous excuse prepared, the word "sure" floated hesitantly from my lips.

Before I knew it, the door was being closed behind me, and there I was- trapped. Apparently today was the day of my intern mid-way evaluation. I get a mid-way evaluation? They really should tell the interns these things. I need like a week's preparation for these sort of one-on-one gatherings. Whenever placed in this sort of setting my first reaction is always to cry. I don't know why, but whenever I'm sitting across from anyone of a higher position than myself, tears seem to want to jump from my eyes.

So there I was, sitting in a closed office, fighting back tears- keep in mind nothing has even been said at this point other than the infamous words, "Do you have a minute?" Needless to say, I survived, and somehow managed to run out of the office before my tear ducts had a chance to let loose. Lets just say face-to-face evaluations aren't my favorite activity... in fact I'd prefer they just sent me an email, but in a way I guess it is good to hear what I can improve on.

I will say, initially, upon leaving the office I felt like I had been identified as a spineless jellyfish. But after about half a bag of SPK, I realized I would just have to make a goal this summer: grow a spine. And thus, I survived another day in the city.

Never Say Never

So while I was home, a conversation came up that involved the question, "Would you ever use an online dating service?" Immediately my friend answered, "NO way." And while this was the immediate response in my brain as well, for some reason the words that came out of my mouth were, "Never say never." This was obviously some sort of premonition.

Yesterday I got an email from my mom in which she wrote, "Dad discovered someone used our credit card for a dating service and a couple other charges." It just so happens that I lost that very same credit card earlier this year. So potentially there is a Katherine Chapin on Match.com, doing just what I technically would never do myself. I wonder if she got a date?

Never say never.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

I never thought I'd say it, but I love Northern Virginia. I love my friends that have seen me through the awkward years. I love suburbia. I love taking my dog for walks, driving everywhere [aka being driven everywhere], sleeping in my own room, drinking hot tea in an air conditioned house, napping, venturing "out" even when we all would rather be red boxing it.

I spent the past five days at home and now I'm experiencing extreme withdrawal. Isn't it funny how you never know how much you love something until you're without it. I learned that I loved UVA by traveling to England. I learned that I loved Virginia by traveling to New York. For some reason whatever I have never seems like its enough when I have it, but when I'm without it, its all I want.

The Shake Shack is little old place...

Today I was introduced to the Shake Shack. I was sold on the place before we even got there. Places that serve a truly tasty milkshake are far and few between. Standing in line outside to order a burger, fries, and a shake just made me feel like it was summer. Eating outside on a beautiful day will give you that feeling- Eating outside and having a bird land on your table and not fly away will take away that feeling.

In the middle of our dinner a small bird, the size of a fist, came and landed on the table. I was in shock. The bird just sat there looking at me. I couldn't move. I couldn't even guard my food because I suddenly realized that I think I may fear birds almost as much as I fear squirrels. Needless to say my friend wasn't frozen in fear and managed to get the bird to fly away. After coming out of my mini coma like state, I realized everyone was staring at us. I think I might have been making noises. Good thing about NYC is that even after embarrassing stunts, you blend right back into the crowd.