What's shakin', bacon

It's been 39 days! Stuff has happened. But mostly work. Also, I'm continuing my parade of religions (having completed a study of Presbyterianism, Catholicism, Judaism, Evangelical Christianity, and Mormonism) and am now learning about Islam. I've been thinking about it since I moved to my latest apartment (95th and 3rd Ave), which happens to be one block south of the Islamic Center of New York. Then I heard a story on This American Life that made me think more carefully about my preconceived notions about Islam. And then I met a pretty cool Muslim guy who's been kind enough to answer my unending stream of questions about the religion. Not gonna lie--it sounds pretty great. I like how it demands accountability and is very specific on what's right and wrong. It also reminds me of Mormonism and Judaism in that it fosters a strong community and encourages kind behavior. I've decided to take a class next Saturday at the mosque to learn more--there's one each week for non-Muslims and new converts from 1 to 4pm. And I'll be listening tomorrow around 12:30 p.m. as folks gather for Jumu'ah.

Best things about today

• Having my sister call me not once but TWICE, just to chat. That must be a record.
• Deciding to go on a road trip to Maine in a couple weeks, and having two friends immediately agree to come along. Definitely puts me outside my comfort zone, but will be a good experiment.
  
• How natural it felt to clean and make tea today in my apartment. I've been here about three weeks now, and it's become much homier.
• The tomato sauce at Carino's in my neighborhood--delicious and tasted like Grandma's. I had the special spaghetti and meat balls with chianti. It's open on Sunday nights but a tad over-lit. Relaxed, though for an evening with friends.
• I know I'm not breathing easy yet, but I am done stressing about work. I'll find the answer. It's not work that's the problem, it's me. I am determined to find a balance.
  

Dealing

Bleccch. That's where I am right now. I feel it and I look it. These past few weeks I've been steering against my inner compass, and I'm taking this weekend to put my foot down and say enough. Time to 're-calibrate', as my colleague says. I'm holding my breath (something I do when I'm stressed) almost constantly, and when I realize I'm doing it I have to force myself to stop. I guess it's my way of dealing with the stress of losing my job, finding inner peace, falling into another job and slamming into the brick wall reality that I don't have control over my life. I have been wracking my brain to remember what my personal life is like. I think I need some time to think about all this. I'm not depressed. Just unmoored. Struggling. Wrestling. Frustrated. Contemplative. Hopeful.

Today's news

Elderly Couple Killed by Dog Pack in Georgia, Police Say

I came home and read that and immediately thought, "well, at least they were together."

I laughed at myself, but I'd like to formally announce I'm ready to be fixed up with someone nice.

When we last left our hero, she was excited to be back in the city she knows and loves, but her future was uncertain. Worry no longer. She has secured a job, an apartment, and is gradually reuniting with her posse(s).

Crowd reactions so far:
"Hey, maybe now you'll meet a nice boy." -- Grandma

"Is the Upper East Side ready for you?" -- Dad

"Maybe you want to do something about your hair?" -- Mom

"Don't be stupid. Buy yourself some new clothes." -- Caron

My mind is swirling with possibilities. But for now I'm concentrating on getting myself out of debt, getting some health care, and settling in nice and slow.

And possibly planning a rafting trip for Labor Day. :)

whoa, nelly

Since I last wrote...
On Thursday, July 15th I got a call about a job in NYC. On Friday I flew to NYC and started the job, and stayed in town til the following Friday. I flew home that night after work, spent a weekend in Rochester, and drove back with Squirrel to the City on Sunday. I stayed Sunday to Wednesday in Jersey City, and Wednesday afternoon moved into an apartment in the Lower East Side. The job's going well, it's great to be back in the old neighborhood, and I'm getting my City legs back. The culture shock has been overwhelming. And so much has changed...I feel like a relic--$2.25 for the subway? Come ON! That's highway robbery. As grumpy as I am, it's hard not to laugh at how funny life is at a time like this.

The world is wide, and yet...

• It turns out the job is in the same building as my first job in NYC, when I worked for Springer Publishing Company back in 2001. The elevators are still really slow!
• I was able to attend my friend's wedding after all. While at the wedding I was able to reconnect with my friend Tahira, who I haven't seem in years. We got to talking about my new job, and it turns out that she has done work for the same company, on the same campaign I'm working on.
• I took a break yesterday from work to go buy stamps. I walked over to where the post office used to be--turns out it's closed. Then I heard someone calling my name. I shrugged it off twice, then looked up to see my friend Tatiana from Sundance. And she was also looking for the post office. So we went to another one, together. She was mailing something to Stryker, our mutual friend. How weird is that?!

The best part about being back in NYC is that stuff happens about ten times a day to make me laugh. People are silly and wonderful and nice and it's a relief to be back. It's hard to explain, but I feel like I'm home. I do miss Utah, and I try to find little ways to stay in touch with that side of me. I walk a little slower, I look up at the trees and the sky. I think before I buy stuff, and I'm more patient with myself. I think about Flat Iron Mesa Park, where we played soccer in summer of 2007, and we would watch the storms roll in to Salt Lake. I remember gawking at the mountains every day for two years. New York will never be able to compare to the beauty of Salt Lake.

God I'm a lucky girl.

It just keeps getting uglier

Bally Total Fitness has been charging me $20 per month since November to use their clubs...even though they closed down all the ones in Utah. After 57 minutes on hold, they proceeded to tell me that they will not be refunding my money. BUT THEY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS!!

My bank confiscated the $1.11 in my savings account because my balance was too low.

I got denied from a 0% interest credit card because I have too much debt.

Somebody tell a joke.