Day 8-9

We went to Ikea yesterday. AMAZING! It was everything I thought it would be. We spent an about $90 more dollars then we planned, but... It's Ikea. Why not splurge? I saw the heart plush when looking at the puppets for our niece and nephews... I picked it up and Brendan asked: "Who is this for?" I replied: "Duh, US!" Figured it would make a cute couch pillow/decoration. Plus, we have this whole red thing going on. Anyway, we replaced quite a few things... mostly kitchenware. And we bought a bathroom rug, kitchen towels and cutting boards. Things I forgot I needed, you know? We were in such a tornado the last month or so I forgot what everyday life needed. Like I haven't had a meal cooked at home since the night before we moved. The kitchen is almost unpacked, so hopefully that'll change this week.

These are my thoughts about the weekends here thus far. We left yesterday to get breakfast, run to the drug store and get a Bkln library card. We ended up getting food, the library card, forgetting about the drugstore and then making a spontaneous trip to Ikea. What should have been a 1.5ish hour errand turned into a 6+ hour long adventure. Because that's what happens when you live in Brooklyn and have nothing to do but unpack. EXPLORE! We did the same thing last Sunday. Went out for food and a metro-card and ended up taking the train in to Grand Central, we walked around for a few minutes and looked around. Got a map, went outside to have a smoke and then decided we were done with Manhattan. Went home and unpacked something.

Day 7

So Friday night was our big night out where we wanted to try a few bars. It was raining and coldish. We missed the bus by 20 steps and ended up waiting for the next which was like 20 minutes late. We were exhausted, but ended up having a great night. We went to Harp's again and then tried Pour House down the street. There are 2 good things about Pour House, steel tipped darts and the Rolling Rock special. Bucket of 4 cans for $10. So we played a game of darts (I won) but Brendan had the best shot of the night. He missed the 17's but he threw it like Robin Hood.
Best thing about NYC? Getting slices and a sausage/pepper roll for dinner at 11 pm. The rolls are new to us (delicious). And I haven't found a bad slice of white pizza yet!

Day 6

So on Thursday night when I was walking into the ferry station on my way home from work, this was right in the middle of the lobby. I thought to myself, was this here the whole time and i just missed it for the 3 other days I have been standing in this station? Or, was it covered up? I think the latter, but I hope you can understand my tunnel vision this week.
This is my life right now: STAIRS, Walk, subway, stand, switch, coffee, ferry, walk, work... sit. Then the whole walking/ferry/subway thing all over again. I leave the house and return about 11.5 hours later. I think I lose about a 1/2 pound a day with all the activity. And now that it's the end of the week my legs are rebelling against me. I say move and they say slowly. Don't they understand?

Day 5

So, I know the picture above is pretty pathetic, and it makes the Statue of Liberty look pretty gloomy, but, it was a very foggy icky day on Wednesday. Anyway, I get to see this lady everyday on my way to work right now. I am working at a library in Staten Island, and for the first week I am training at a different library. Turns out, because of construction, I'll be there for another week and a half, which is fine with me, I like taking the subway to Manhattan and ferry to the island. I feel very New York. When I switch to my actual library it'll be all bus rides for me. And since it's all so new to me, I can see myself getting lost, easily.

After work I met Brendan for a drink. He found us a bar. Where we live in Bensonhurst is BARLESS! And we didn't even realize it until we were already moved in. We're big fans of the after work drink, and we have to take a bus 15 blocks to find one. He found a great little Irish Bar in Bay Ridge called Harp's. Great selection of Irish beer and a friendly bartender. 

So, this fortune was kind of fitting for us this week.
I am sure I have more laying around considering this was the second time we had Chinese this week. So far, Double Delight is winning over the Dragon place (that serves Mexcian and Chinese, btw). We've also had pizza 3 times. First 2 places, right on our street were great. Aurora on the other hand was just okay. I think it was because we ordered a whole pie instead of slices.

Day 4

Ah... And now for the post explaining the big move/adventure.

3 months ago I applied for 9 positions at the NYPL. Brendan noticed the jobs. I have worked part time for so long that he took it upon himself to job hunt for me, and since we went back and forth about moving for years, especially since I needed full time work, we took a chance.  A month and a half later I got a call for a phone interview, 3 days later I had a second and a week later I was offered the job. From phone interview to move day was 1 month and 9 days. It happened that quick. 

I worked up until 2 days before we left. Then we celebrated Thanksgiving for the next 2 nights with family and then we moved. The last month was a blur of telling people, selling things, packing, organizing and packing more that we're still just outrageously excited to have this opportunity. We haven't gotten over that yet. I mean, what do you do when your dream is actually coming true? 

Day 2-3

So, let's talk about the cats, or more affectionately known as the keeeetins. They pretty much hated each other the first night and next morning. But by the afternoon they were at least coexisting in the same room.

And by the next night?

That is more like it.