Tag Archives: NYC

Blur

The past few days have gone by in a blink of an eye. I cannot believe that preseason is already here and my Mom has already left. So many memories have been made and way too many pictures have been taken – I don’t even know if I can give the last week justice.

A Collaboration

A Collaboration

On my Mom and I’s last full day together in the city, we began our morning heading off towards NYU from her SoHo hotel. We grabbed a delicious breakfast at my favorite deli, “NoHo” and then I gave her a tour of the village since last time she visited she did not have the opportunity to walk by foot around campus. Following our adventure in the village, we walked down to Canal Street in the rain and began to cruise around. After a long drenched walk through SoHo we found ourselves in Little Italy and then began walking to the famed Katz deli. Katz Deli – let me tell you – so nomalicious! My mom and I split the turkey sandwich on rye bread – it was more than enough for the two of us – did I mention it was so yummy? I cannot even begin to describe the amazingness of the sandwich. Anyways, the rain was still pouring but we decided to make a run for McSorley’s which was a little less than a mile away. I could once again, go on and on about how cool of a place McSorley’s is, but I guarantee I cannot even begin to describe the oldest watering hole in Manhattan – take my word for it and visit!

Katz Deli - SO YUMMY

Katz Deli – SO YUMMY

 

Mom and Her New Favorite Bar

Mom and Her New Favorite Bar

The rain finally decided to subside after a round of black and tans at the pub and we once again ventured downtown towards the World Trade Center Memorial. Even though we did not get the opportunity to go inside the memorial, we did learn a lot about the reconstruction from a worker named Massimo. It’s so beautiful to see WTC#7 back up and Freedom Tower is almost built – simply a sign of our strength and prosperity since the attacks. Later in September I’ll write about the experience from my perspective when I was younger (I lived close to D.C. on 9/11).

Freedom Tower

Freedom Tower

After a walk around the FiDi, we retreated back to our hotel room since my teammate Phebe had just flown in and we wanted to grab dinner with her. We wound up at our favorite, Washington Square Diner – a late night staple that got me through way too many papers. It was the perfect ending to a long walking day and a great mini vacation for my Mom and I because the next day we were more than busy moving in.

Teammates

Teammates

I couldn’t fall asleep that night – maybe it was the time difference, the excitement of moving in or maybe just the combination of the two that made it so hard to shut my eyes. Either way, I ended up getting up early enough to head on over to Carlyle to move in. Although check in was less than a smooth experience, everything turned out okay and Cami and I got a pretty gnarly room. A few hours and a ton of boxes later we moved in to our new abode on Union Square. That afternoon we had a team meeting; it was amazing seeing everybody’s beautiful faces again after a long summer spent apart and meeting tons of new girls.

Roommates

Roommates

Granted it’s been a little less than a week since our first meeting but so much has happened, I don’t want to overwhelm everybody (plus I’m super tired and have to get up at 6 for practice). I’ll write again about the team and everything great that has happened since our first practice. Until next time!

P.S. Check this out! (I know super embarrassing, right?)

Meg’s Back in Manhattan

We made it! Sorry for not posting earlier – I think I was just so gosh darn excited to be back In my old stomping grounds. As soon as we arrived, we grabbed our bags and hopped In a taxi ( which to my surprise was a lot more expensive than driving in from JFK). Once we got to our lovely hotel we decided to walk around and grab some dinner. I took my mom to my favorite Italian restaurant, Arturos, which Is on Houston street and indulged in some very tasty salad, pasta and of course bread. After that we walked of our dinner and I showed my mom Washington Square Park, Union Square and parts of the East Village. We ended at a cute little Irish Pub on 2nd Ave called Dempseys where we toasted to adventuring in NYC.

We’re off to explore some more today – here’s some pictures from last night!

Dinner at Arturo's

Dinner at Arturo’s

Back in my city

Back in my city

Mom in WSP

Mom in WSP

 

 

Why I Love Manhattan

Whenever people ask where I’m from, I always have to pause, take a deep breath, and then explain that home is where I’m at, not where I’m from, nor where I went to high school, or even where I was born. Growing up in the military, our go-to saying was “Home Is Where the Navy Sends You” – simply said and eloquently put, it’s true. And even though I’m currently from San Diego, I take pride in going to school in New York City. I’m in love with everything about it:  the crazy people, the $1 pizza on the way home from a late water polo practice and the wackiness that is bound to be around each and every corner.207095282834939750_qMa2EuOd_f

It’s not everyday that I’m reminded of why I love New York City, but while using Pinterest (my new found obsession) I somehow stumbled upon this video time lapse of the Big Apple. It truly does capture the essence of the city – the hustle and bustle, the sleeplessness, and beauty all around despite the concrete everywhere.  I can only hope that my photography makes half of an impact on its viewers as Cameron Michael’s video did on me.

I still miss New York each and every day but am so excited to be back in the city – only 34 days and counting. In the meantime, here’s my five most favorite but most often overlooked things about New York (in no particular order).

  1. The Crazy People On The Street (Mostly 6th Ave) – There are over eight million people in New York City but my favorite are the ones that like to yell to my friends and I when we’re walking about. While their lack of cleanliness drives me bonkers, these people are some of the true comedians in the city. They will remind you that your skirt may be too short or that you’re a sexy sista or even that your jacket is hideous (even if it did cost a pretty penny). They are the icing to the cake that is NYC and I pray for their health and safety every day because it wouldn’t be the Big Apple without em.
  2. The Ability to Walk Everywhere (In Exceptionally Gorgeous Shoes) – Manhattan is only 13 miles long and 2.3 miles wide – bet you didn’t know that, did ya? And with a million little streets to explore, the best way to see all of them is to walk. Even though the double decker bus tours are great for getting a broad overview of the city and its many villages, the only way to get a true feel for the city is to step on the cracks of the sidewalk and waltz past some of the original stores and restaurants buried in the depths of the city in your favorite Louboutins.
  3. The Secrets – New York is one of the most famous, if not the most well known city in the world, but underneath the surface lie many secrets and stories that have yet to be uncovered. As a self proposed “Adventurist” I LOVE the fact that NYC is still rich in history that has yet to be exploited by millions of tourists.
  4. You Will Never Be the Worse Dressed (or Best Dressed) Person – As a yoga-pant-wearing-messy-bun-sporting girl I love being able to roll out of bed five minutes before class, throw on some sweats and walk confidently out of my room knowing that there WILL, without a doubt, be somebody dressed worse than I am (unless I decide to dress like the photo below). The downside to this is that there is always going to be somebody dressed better than you, even if you’re a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
  5. The Pride – Whether it’s pride for being gay or pride for your sports teams (Go Rangers!), New Yorkers are extremely passionate and go all out for something they love. Being the sports fanatic that I am, I am in love with the fact that there are so many sports teams in the New York Area and I personally believe that NY fans are the best – trust me on this one (and if you don’t believe me, go to a Rangers Hockey Game).

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Quote of the Day:  “The City is not a concrete jungle, it is a human zoo” – Desmond Morris

Missing Manhattan: A Compilation of Photos

Two months until I’m back in the city and I cannot even explain how much I’m missing it. I love to take pictures and more often than not I love to pretend that I’m actually a great photographer. Whilst in New York, I tried to avoid looking like a tourist and carrying around my large Canon 60D, but hey sometimes you just cannot resist the beauty of the Concrete Jungle. Here are some of my favorite pics from both my Canon and my handy dandy iPhone.

Jam of the Day: “New York City” by The Peter Malick Group feat.  Norah Jones

Meg’s Guide to Restaurants: Lower Manhattan Edition

As a student-athlete, fueling my body is critical to my performance both on and off the field. As a soccer player, I simply just love to indulge in whatever I can find in the pantry after practice. As a a “new”  New Yorker, I find myself constantly searching Yelp to try and find the coolest cuisine in the country. Regardless of my excuse, New York City has to be one of my favorite cities to eat in (minus it’s lack of Mexican food).  Here’s my top ten restaurants/quick bites/ and places to indulge in the Big Apple.

 Eva’s Health Food – For those times when I was missing Mom’s cooking or whenever I felt like a solid healthy meal, I would often find myself in this tiny restaurant adorned with pictures of body builders and other famous stars that have graced Eva’s with their presence. My go to menu-item is the Victory Plate which is Lemon Chicken, Rice and Veggies all mixed up – so yummy! The crowd isn’t half bad either – if you find yourself hungry around 10 at night, you’ll be sure to run into members of the NYU basketball team. Shout out to Xu and JLiss – Eva’s two top customers and my two favorite bball players.

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Crepeaway – Whenever I’m in the mood for a crepe there’s nothing better than Crepeaway. The staff is über friendly and the place is open late Thursday through Saturday. My fav is just chocolate chips – simple I know but still delicious.

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Washington Square Diner – This is where my friends and I go whenever we are feeling like breakfast whether that’s at 4 in the morning or 6 at night. They get bonus points because their delivery took less than 10 minutes after we ordered.IMG_2753

 Ben’s Pizza – Best at about 3 in the morning – I’ve had some marvelous moments here. It’s also a block from where I used to live. The price can be a bit inconvenient compared to the dollar pizza around the corner but if you go there enough the non-english speaking pizza serving men will give you free slices 🙂

Max Brenner – Nothing says chocolate like Max Brenner. I love going their for brunch and getting a bagel and a dessert to share. It’s a must-see if you’re ever in Lower Manhattan.

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Insomnia Cookies – This place was open late, like the name indicates. Their cookies were fresh and delicious and have helped me get through many late nights. The box of cookies delivered in a pizza box is perfect for any study group. Just be sure to have plenty of milk for those cookies.

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5 Guys Famous Burgers and Fries – There are just those times when you need a burger, some fries and a soda to wipe the worries of life away. This is where I’d just catch up with fellow foodie Shelby (a.k.a. Christmas Elf). Though their menu is simple, their food never disappoints.

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16 Handles – By far my favorite froyo place in the whole United States. I used to work at a yogurt shop in high school, which I loved, but this place will forever be number one in my heart. Their countless toppings, 16 flavors, and upbeat vibe cannot be beat.

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Dos Caminos – As a native San Diegan, I often craved Mexican food. Although I never truly satisfied my cravings food wise and my pocket was hurting afterwards, Dos Caminos did offer the atmosphere that I missed from a typical Mexican restaurant.

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Arturo’s Coal Pizza – This family style old-school Italian restaurant never ceases to amaze me. Their  Penne a la Vodka is my personal favorite, but their pizza is pretty good too.

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I’m sure I’ll have more updates to this list as I continue my adventure in the city. In the mean time, go out and indulge yourself 🙂

Meg Moves to Manhattan

Gone were the dog days of summer, the hours spent on the beach and the times spent giggling late into the night with my best friends. I was playing a whole different ball game. The moment I stepped off that Boeing 747,  everything changed. Not only did I have to adjust to the new time change but I had to get used to living with a roommate, paying for things on my own, making new friends, and dealing with the humidity (ughh!).

About ten months ago,  I embarked on a journey that not only changed my coordinates on a map, but turned my life as I knew it upside down. I once again packed up my belongings in big cardboard boxes, neatly folded all of my clothes into my two large suitcases, and grabbed a one way ticket to New York City. I was diving head first into a world that I was unsure of. Yes, I had been to the Big Apple before, but I was completely lost on what to expect when I went to school and played soccer there. As I disembarked the plane, the butterflies of nervousness transformed into butterflies of excitement. I really had just moved to New York City.

Bags Packed and Ready to GoIt’s amazing what can happen in one year. 365 days. 12 months. 52 weeks. But it’s extraordinary how much can happen in less than that time. I would have never in a million years imagined that I would be in college playing two sports, majoring in Sports Management, and interning at a company I had admired for years. I didn’t even know these opportunities existed. New York City is truly the place where dreams come true.

 Sitting in the warmth of my house, on the big comfy couches in the living room, it’s hard to imagine that this will be my last summer as a teenager here in San Diego. It’s time to live it up, but in the meantime this blog will serve as a record of my adventures in and out of the city that never sleeps. Moving to the city, going to school and playing soccer at NYU were probably the most monumental decisions I have ever made but I’m sure glad I went with my gut on this one. This year has been magical and I cannot wait to be “Meg in Manhattan” once again.

 

My Home for the Next 9 Months

My Home for the Next 9 Months

Jam of the day:  “Changes” by 2Pac, Talent