Tag Archives: San Diego

A Love Letter to NY

You never know how much you miss a place until you leave it.

Yes. I absolutely and unapologetically believe this to be one hundred and ten percent true. It’s just starting to hit me that I will be leaving my city, the city, the city where everything fits together in perfect jigsaw fashion, in less than 24 short hours.

I have always known that you never really miss a place until your as far away as it as possible, but seeing as my whole life I’ve uplifted my roots every few years, something else resonances within me when I reread this quote. I am so lucky to have a multitude of places I can call “home”. There’s San Diego – the place where I return “home”, New York City – the “home” where I lost my heart and never looked back,and the other many places where I’ve planted my roots. It seems to me that each time I leave again, the easier it gets and the “missing” seems less. Maybe it’s just so entrenched in who I am as a person that leaving seems almost normal and missing it would seem counterintuitive because I know I’ll be back.

I’ll be leaving in more than just a physical sense tomorrow. I’ll be leaving my friends, memories, and part of my heart. I am so in love with the city, that It hurts to even think about boarding that plane tomorrow. The past five months in New York have given me a “family” of whom I can’t even imagine not living with now, a ridiculous amount of experiences (mostly resulting in late night pizza and hilarious group texts the next morning), and a sense of adventure. I was stuck in a rut at the end of last year – simply going through the motions – but now I am invigorated and cannot wait to wake up each day, for there is a new adventure to be had.

There really isn’t any other way to describe how I feel about leaving so I wrote a letter to New York:

New York, I will miss you more than you ever know.

I will miss your white pizza at 3AM in Saint Marks,

the random conversations on the subway with tourists from Louisiana,

and the fresh smell of rain hitting the pavement after weeks without rain.

New York, I will miss you more than I can express in words.

I will miss being able to explore a plethora of villages and neighborhoods without even leaving the island.

I will miss the crazy taxis and their swerving driving styles,

the tiny shoebox apartments my friends reside in,

and the never ending sirens that make up the sounds of the night.

New York, Tomorrow I say adieu to more than just friends, great chinese food, and getting lost among millions.

I say goodbye to the greatest city on Earth that has taught me more about myself than any person or school teacher could.

New York, I must remind myself that tomorrow is not “goodbye”, rather “see you later”.

New York you have been wonderful.

Thank you for everything you have taught me. I know that San Diego and Spain will be wonderful but there is truly nothing like living in the big apple.

Until next time 🙂

‘Twas the night before my sophomore year

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‘Twas the night before NYU, and all through the college,

Not a person was sleeping, ‘cuz they had no parents to acknowledge.

Most were quite tired, but no one went to bed,

For visions of clubbing and Electric Zoo were still in their head.

In my room, I was cooking and digesting,

While my poor tired legs yearned to be resting.

‘Twas the night before my second year, and all through the hall,

Not a kid was found excited for the academic fall.

For New York is a city, too diverse to describe,

And the city is a place that gives off a pretty cool vibe.

Yep – that is/was my only attempt at publishing poetry. Take it for what it is but you can probably tell I’m really excited for school since I only have one class, which is pretty nice.

Anyways back to business… Besides the Yankees (76-58) falling deeper into a slump and the Padres (62-73) recovering from their less than impressive first half of the season, the past couple of days have been pretty normal. My days have lulled away with soccer, reuniting with old pals and taking naps without fear of sleeping through class. Our team has transitioned from the two sessions a day to just one and have already competed in one game against Stevens. Although we lost, it was a very useful game because it really helps us analyze what we did wrong and what we can work on as a group and as individuals.

It’s 11:30 I have to catch the subway to class early tomorrow (hello 8AMs on 42nd St! Say What?) so I’m off to bed!

Until next time! And Happy first day of school everybody 🙂

And Back By Popular Demand!

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GOOD MORNING WORLD! Hope everybody’s day has gone off on the right foot. I received a lot of positive responses about live blogging my trip to Indy so I’m going to do the same on my way to New York. My day has been pretty swell so far (granted I haven’t sat next to any oversized smelly men yet). I woke up oh so effortlessly at o’dark thirty and quickly added more stuff to my overstuffed bag (in typical Meg Patten style). Once we hopped in the car and Twist dropped us off at the airport, my Mom and I were notified that one of my bags was eight pounds over while the other was eight pounds under – I know what you’re thinking – how amazing of a packer are you to exactly measure out the differences between the two bags? I don’t know but somehow I’m the queen of packing ( coronation will be on Sunday for any who would like to attend).

Anyways I’m about to board but just wanted to add a smiley picture to brighten up your day 🙂

Momma and I

Until Dallas!

Spreading My Wings and Flying

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It’s late Saturday night and I’m sitting in my very neat, packed-up room, lying on my bed, wondering – will this be the last time I get to do this? And by “this” I mean – spend a summer with my family, friends and of course, my two favorite dogs. Is this my last summer at home? Is this what growing up is like? Is this the end of an era? It’s definitely a question worth asking and definitely a question that will be the root of many future discussions.

With only a day and a half left until I leave for New York, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I’ve been pondering my career goals and life aspirations, my successes and failures, but most importantly my current state of being. Simply said, I’ve been thinking about my past, present and future.

I was raised to be extremely independent and have grown used to operating on my own this past year; as a result, this summer has been anything but normal (for lack of a better word). The incessant pressures to act the same way as I did before college mounted higher than ever and the repetitive questions of “How was your season?” and “How do you like NYU?” just added sticks to the fire. Summer, for whatever reason, turned more into a job than a break from the constant rush of the city.

Coming back home to San Diego has definitely been a learning experience this summer and the learning curve has been very steep. Throughout the Summer I’ve compared stories with teammates and friends, and I’ve found one thing to be certain – coming home isn’t easy, but that doesn’t make leaving any easier.

This summer has been filled with a ton of great experiences including: my family visiting from around the world, a trip to Indiana, friends hanging out, road trips up to Los Angeles, and of course lounging on the boat. But New York is calling my name and is bound to be nothing short of craziness, a fast-paced lifestyle and my much needed dose of some “me” time to figure it all out.

Yes, I love San Diego and everything it has to offer, but I felt like I have come to the crossroads of my childhood and my future adulthood and I must take the next step into my life. As much as my parents don’t like it they need to realize it’s all part of me growing up. My independent side is yearning for adventure and quite honestly, I’m stuck here. I’ll be back in the Winter, for a few shorts days, perhaps even a few weeks, but the time has come for me to spread my wings and fly away from here.

Goodbye San Diego, you’ve been great. Next stop New York City.

Why I Love Manhattan

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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.

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).

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.
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.
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.
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.
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).

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

I’ve Got 99 Problems, And They All Beaches

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This past week has been great. Besides the gorgeous weather and the fact that it finally feels like summer, my twinny/teammate/best friend, Phebe, came down for a few days to visit. It seemed like an eternity since I had last seen her, but in reality it had been less than 30 days. What is it with time seeming to go by really fast?

Matching Twins

Anyways, we spent four lovely days together exploring San Diego, getting tan, and just having a big adventure. Seeing as Phebe is from NorCal and doesn’t have beautiful beaches to sprawl out on, we made the most of her trip and spent numerous hours laying out (and burning just a little bit). Aside from taking her to the #1 beach in the United States, Coronado’s Central Beach, we ventured to La Jolla (hello tourists) and to Del Mar (hello parking nightmare) to give her the complete SD experience. Her trip was not complete without a little joyride around the military base where we found jets and helicopters out of their hangars and some good ole Mexican food from my Mamcita and Miguel’s (of course!). Having Pheebz around made everything seem normal again – we jammed out every morning to “Good Day” by Nappy Roots, ate, worked out, and did everything together. We are partners in crime to say the least.

Enjoying the Surf, Sun and Sand

While Phebe was in town I realized how lucky and thankful I am to be living in San Diego and in such close proximity to so many awesome natural wonders. Where else in the world can I spend my mornings Surfing and then drive a couple hours be snowboarding (granted there is snow in Big Bear)? Central, 19th street, Shores, and Blacks are just some of San Diego’s greatest wonders where the white sand meets the green foam of the sea. It truly is a gorgeous sight and recommend anybody coming to California to sneak a peek.

Loving La Jolla

After four short days it was sad to see my beach buddy head back home, but in less than 6 weeks we shall be reunited again, except under less fortunate-fitness-related circumstances, but reunited nonetheless. Until then, stay sunny San Diego.

Jam of the Day: “Soundtrack 2 My Life” by Kid Cudi

What to Pack When Visiting San Diego

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I was recently asked by a childhood friend, Veronica, if I could guest write on her blog on what to pack when visiting San Diego, she posted it on her blog so I decided to do the same and add some pics. I’ve never been into fashion, but since moving to NYU, I’ve somehow channeled my inner fashionista and decided to start wearing clothes that are a little more becoming than the typical soccer shorts and hoodie I donned all four years through high school. Even though San Diego is pretty laid back in terms of style and clothing choice, there are some must have items before visiting America’s Finest City. Here are my top ten must haves whether you’re visiting for just a few days or a few months.

Bikinis, Tankinis, and Swimsuits galore! – San Diego is a large beach town, with some of the best beaches in the World and currently the number one beach in the United States. Even if you’re not a big swimmer, wearing a bikini is a way of blending in with the locals–you never known when the ocean will call or when the marine layer will clear out.
Shorts – Short Shorts are a go-to staple here and I know my closet is filled up with a billion of them. Whether they’re athletic shorts or fun multicolored jean shorts, they are a go-to item in San Diego.
A swimsuit and shorts – a great combo
Your Favorite Pair of Jeans – San Diego is a casual city, and along with that comes a casual dress code. Whether I’m going out to dinner or going to a kickback, I’m pretty much always in my jeans – they’re cute, comfy and never out of style.
I’m addicted to my white jeans
Sweatshirts – San Diego is beautiful 11 months out of the year, however there is a one-month period known as “June Gloom” that simply stinks! The marine layer seldom leaves the coast and a sweatshirt or hoodie is absolutely necessary, especially if you head to Coronado or La Jolla in the morning or late at night for a bonfire. I always have a stash of sweatshirts in the back of my car just in case.
The Patten girls in sweatshirts on the bay
Rainbows Sandals – Or a pair of casual sandals for the beach. Over the course of my high school career, I developed a pretty extensive tan on my feet from wearing Rainbows everyday. They’re super comfortable and perfectfor any occasion. If you don’t have any and you’re in San Diego, head to your nearest surf store or up to the Rainbow Factory in San Clemente.
Rainbows for Big Foot
Sundresses – Although SD is super chill, it’s nice to get dressed up during summer every once in a while. Knee length dresses to maxi dresses are totally fine, as long as you have a smile intow.
A Wide of Variety of Outfits to Choose from for a night out
Workout gear – San Diego prides itself in being one of the most fit cities around, so if you plan on spending any time here at all, I recommend bringing running shoes and some workout gear. Anywhere from the mountains out to the East to the beaches out west offer great options for workouts, plus if you find yourself in Coronado you might find yourself running among some of our nation’s finest Seals and Naval Personell– what’s better motivation?
Workout gear can be used for climbing mountains or jumping on them
A Camera – Whether its on your iPhone or Canon, I highly recommend bringing a camera along for all of your San Diego adventures. Maybe it’s just me but I’m a photo bug and would much rather have a bunch of pictures to remember my travels by than just memories. San Diego is so photogenic; why not take a few pics?
Smile for the camera!
Sunglasses and Sunscreen – Also known as Sun Diego, the sun is always out and I highly recommend protecting your skin and your eyes. I’ve been a victim of a few burns myself (must be my Irish heritage), and would hate for anybody’s vacation to be ruined by just forgetting to put some lotion on.
Everything’s all good when you protect your eyes
A Sense of Adventure – There are so many amazing things about San Diego, so many places to explore, so many foods to try, and one who wants to truly experienceSan Diego at its finest must be open to new things. Although I recommend this for any sort of travel, this is especially true in San Diego, where you’rebound to run into something weird and exciting, especially in Mission Beach.

Meg’s Favorite Things About Summer: San Diego

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Summer is my absolute favorite season. I mean, who doesn’t love summer? It’s perfect in almost every way possible, but maybe that’s because I live in one of the best places to enjoy it. No School, Soccer everyday, great weather, waves crashing on the beach, cruising down the 101, enjoying a breakfast burrito, tan lines, hanging with friends, going on the boat, and simply living life up. It’s the perfect mix of ingredients for the best time. Here’s my list of top five things to do with friends during a summer in San Diego.

Coronado – Also known as Crown Town, this place is the crown jewel in my heart and I spend a ton of my free time here. In between riding bikes around the island, 4th of July, and the #1 beach in the country, Coronado is the place to be.
Indulge yourself in some Mexican food – Aside from being my all-time favorite, Mexican food is bomb here in San Diego. My top picks include: Miguels, Chili Peppers, Tio Leos, Don Panchos and Rubios (Hello Fish Taco’s). If you ever plan on visiting me, plan on going to these places as well.
Go to the beach – Whether it’s Coronado or La Jolla or even Del Mar, San Diego has some of the best beaches in the country. I have so many fond memories at each of them and look forward to making more in the future. The beach is the perfect place for playing soccer, laying out, or catching a few waves. If the Sun and Surf isn’t for you, come after dark and enjoy bonfires – nothing smells like Summer like the Ocean and S’Mores.
Take a Road Trip – L.A. and Santa Barbara are only a few hours away via Car and are such fun places to visit for the day. Along the way be sure to stop at the Rainbow Factory to pick up a pair of sandals – it’ll be worth the visit!
Go to a Padres Game – Yes, they may be last in their conference and the league, but hey, a fan is a fan through thick and through thin. Petco Park is a fun stadium, there are no bad seats in the house and it’s downtown! After the game, hit up the Gaslamp district which is home to some pretty famous bars and restaurants.
Circa 2008

If you’re ever in the SoCal ever be sure to stop by and say Hey! Hope you enjoy 🙂

Jam of the day: “Summer Girl” by Jessica Andrews

Meg Moves to Manhattan

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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.

It’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

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