Living the Dream: CA to NYC

2010-05-02T13:48:00.015-04:00

About three weeks before the Brooklyn half-marathon, I was out enjoying one of my long runs. On one particular Saturday the weather was beautiful out (about 85 degrees, which is rare in New York), so I went out along the East River all the way over through Battery Park to Tribeca, where there is a great view of the Hudson and the Statue of Liberty. As I was running, a quote displayed along a fence caught my eye:

"One need never leave the confines of New York to get all the greenery one wishes -- I can't even enjoy a blade of grass unless I know there's a subway handy, or a record store or some other sign that people do not totally regret life." - Frank O'Hara from "Meditations in an Emergency"

I am definitely someone who enjoys traveling, I think its extremely important to experience other countries and cultures. Yet, something about this quote still stopped me in my tracks and made me smile. I think people all over the world live life free of regret, but I think for me personally, New York City is exactly what this quote illustrates - a place where people are inspired to live life to the fullest. I am inspired to branch out of my comfort zone on a daily basis and that is something worth staying for. I'm very much enjoying living in a city that allows me to pursue my wildest dreams and I'm grateful for every day spent here.

2010-04-19T22:24:00.002-04:00

We surf the Internet.

We swim in magazines.

The Internet is exhilarating. Magazines are enveloping. The Internet grabs you. Magazines embrace you. The Internet is fleeting. Magazines are immersive. And both media are growing.

Barely noticed amidst the thunderous Internet clamor is the simple fact that magazine readership has risen over the past five years. Even in the age of the Internet, even among the groups one would assume are most singularly hooked on digital media, the appeal of magazines is growing.

Think of it this way: during the 12-year life of Google, magazine readership actually increased 11 percent.

What it proves, once again, is that a new medium doesn't necessarily displace an existing one. Just as movies didn't kill radio: Just as TV didn't kill movies. An established medium can continue to flourish so long as it continues to offer a unique experience. And, as reader loyalty and growth demonstrate, magazines do.

Which is why people aren't giving up swimming, just because they also enjoy surfing.

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This ad (created by Young & Rubicam) has been out for a while, but I only recently saw it in GQ. It is now going to serve as a form of motivation and a daily reminder that my industry isn't going anywhere. Which is great, because I don't plan to either.

all you need is love

2010-04-06T22:25:00.007-04:00

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination, full of hope.” ― Maya Angelou

live like you were dying

2010-01-24T18:26:00.014-05:00

A new year, a city that still feels new and a new me. It sounds so simple … that should be how it works, right? A new year always seems to offer new beginnings, a chance to start over in a sense, whether you're ready to or not. Most people (including me) spend January making resolutions, some actually attainable and others so far fetched that they never really intend to keep them. To hold myself accountable for what I plan to achieve this year, I’m posting some of my resolutions here for everyone to see. None are earth-shattering, but all will hopefully lead to a happier and more improved me. And thanks to one of my besties Jackie Jones (check out her talented work here), who is insanely good at multi-tasking and staying on top of personal projects she’s passionate about, I have a plan to actually get through my entire list this year instead of just checking a few off and letting the remaining goals slip through the cracks.

*Write more frequently - both blogs/Examiner posts

*Apply for more freelance writing gigs

*Devote more free time to reading. Free time is hard to come by, but I miss hanging at bookstores and reading for fun.

*Run at least 4 days per week and complete one half-marathon and the NYC full by year-end.

*Volunteer at least once a month

This month not only signifies a new year for me, but also a big birthday. Turning 25 has always scared me. It's a number that causes an uncontrollable reaction of panic every time I hear it. When I was younger I thought my life would be totally figured out at 25. I would be set in my career, successful, happy and already conquering the world. As unrealistic as it sounds, I’ve always felt pressure to have everything totally figured out by the time I turn 30 and I freak out when I think that 25 is ONLY five years away. I think it has finally set in just how unrealistic those ideas truly are. In no way do I have to have everything figured out by a certain age. Living in a city where people are independent, career-driven, OK with being single and headstrong (unlike anywhere I’ve ever seen) has helped me to realize that.

At almost 25, I’m a lot better off than I was at 24. I lucked out by landing a job I absolutely love, which in turn might also get me one step closer to accomplishing another very important goal of mine – to run the NYC full-marathon. I’m happy, I’m young and I’m pursuing my dreams in a city that still makes me feel like a kid in a candy store even over a year later.

Being 25 doesn’t have to be so scary, if I tell myself that age doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm happy, healthy and doing what I love. Now that’s a simple idea I can wrap my head around.

what goes around comes around

2009-11-15T13:00:00.022-05:00

I've been working at a new job (probably my fifth since I've been here) for almost three months now and my first official day was Monday. Enter sigh of relief here. For probably the first time since I've been here I'm truly happy with the daily grind. As part of a writing assignment for this job, I was asked to work the red carpet at an awards ceremony and I learned firsthand that everything comes full circle - A phrase I've heard quite often, but never really believed until now. For those of you that know me, this assignment was huge. My daily life sadly revolves around reading celebrity gossip blogs and even though this event was more focused on designers, I was excited and I was overly eager to jump on board. I was more nervous than I'd like to admit, surrounded by other reporters from well-known and respected magazines. The night went surprisingly well and I found myself stepping up to the plate with relative ease. As I got to chatting with another reporter, I began to wonder why she looked so familiar. It hit me pretty quickly that I had interviewed at a staffing agency that she worked for, almost exactly a year prior. She told me at the time that she was a full-time freelancer for People magazine and Life & Style. I left that meeting (with my roommates Phoebe and Jeni) and said "I want her job, I know I can do what she does." I had a conversation with her a year later about how I remember being thrilled about her writing gigs, wishing I could be there myself. She responded with "well look at you now, you're doing it." It was such a simple moment, but also surreal. Over a year ago I moved to the city jobless, never imagining that I would find myself in her same shoes. Although I might not be exactly where she was and now is, I'm closer than I've ever been. I loved everything about that conversation, because it was humbling, it was real and it proved to me that everything does come full circle.

On a side note - a few weekends ago I went out with the roommates and a visiting friend. We were lucky enough to be with someone who has a car in the city (not very common). He drove us across the Brooklyn bridge on a foggy night, which made for an amazing view of the skyline, covered in a misty fog that closely resembled something straight out of Gotham City. As we admired the view, Jay Z's "Empire State of Mind" came on (our theme song) and as we belted out the lyrics we know so well, I thought this is it. I'm here, I'm in love and thanks to the security of a full-time job again, I know I'm not going anywhere for a while.

------------------------------------------------

“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.”

* My roommate sent this quote to me and said it reminded her of me, which completely made my day. I think it sums up what I've been through in the last year career-wise and I hope it continues to play a role in my life if the toughest city in the world decides to throw something an obstacle my way again.

life's a game but its not fair

2009-10-05T22:02:00.006-04:00

Before I left for New York, I had a somewhat stable job in California. I added somewhat in there because unfortunately no magazine or newspaper is every truly stable in my industry. Unless you're a powerhouse like "Vogue," but we'll get to that later. I worked for a good magazine and I worked with even better people. Sure, we experienced layoffs as most magazines do, but I was lucky enough to survive the first round - due to my low pay and fairly low place on the office totem pole - so I probably could have survived a few more. I might have worked there for another six months and I would have known every morning the exact route I would take to work. Instead of playing it safe, I opted for a rather large risk when I moved here, a place that is not exactly known as the safest city in the world. Are there lots of magazines and publishing giants in the city? Of course. Are any of them ready and willing to open their doors and hire a struggling writer and former editorial assistant from California? Not so much.

In the last year, I've transitioned jobs so many times it's hard to remember all of them. I had my very own "Devil Wears Prada" experience, where I played Anne Hathaway and I interviewed for what felt like hundreds of random jobs, a lot of which were outside of my industry. I was willing to take anything until things settled and then it would hopefully be easier to get my foot in the publishing door again. I would stare at a computer screen for hours on end, for long enough that I thought I might go cross-eyed. Now, a little over a year later, I seem to be on the right track again (knock on wood).

I'm working in editorial finally and after seeing "The September Issue" last night, I couldn't be more excited about it. The documentary follows the production of the 2007 September issue of Vogue, also known as "the fashion bible." Vogue was probably the first magazine I ever read, I've always been drawn to the genius outfit stylings, the well-written cover stories and their ability to always be one step ahead of the fashion curve. Prior to this movies release, Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour was already extremely well-known in the industry, just not necessarily well-liked. She is a very powerful person in the industry and both the book and movie of "The Devil Wears Prada" show that she is certainly not the easiest woman to work for. I was pleased to see that the documentary showed a different side of Wintour, not quite as crazy of a side, but still cold. Although when managing a magazine with a circulation of over a million, you probably have to be stern at times.

If you've read any reviews you know that most critics agree standout star Grace Coddington - a former model who has worked as Creative Director at the mag for the past 20 years - actually steals the show. I couldn't agree more. I've been following Vogue's photo shoots in the magazine for as long as I remember and it was so amazing to finally put a face behind the stylists name. She is not quite as dominant as Wintour in the office, but still evokes such a respectable presence that it must be a joy to work beside her on a daily basis. Especially when she utters lines such as "nobody is perfect, but models are." Her ideas for the spreads are astounding and inspiring. The film also touched on the works of a few of my favorite photographers, Mario Testino and Patrick Demarchelier.

I'm not quite sure that I'll ever work for such a phenomenal magazine or generate the same fame that some editors do, but now more than ever I'm motivated to try. For the last six months a tiny voice inside my head has been screaming "get out while you still can" and even though that might be the wiser choice in such a shaky industry, I don't think it's the best choice for me. For every door that slams in my face, I have a renewed faith that another will open. I plan to devote myself to the industry I love in the city of lights - another new love of mine.

concrete jungle where dreams are made of

2009-09-20T20:10:00.032-04:00

"The present in New York is so powerful that the past is lost"

I decided to move to New York for a number of reasons. I was hoping to jump start my career in the journalism world and I was searching for a drastic change outside of the OC bubble I lived in for 23 years. New York was a new start for me, I could leave the past behind and only bring the good memories that I will always hold close to my heart. For a while I thought I was doing well, I left my problems behind me and I was off to a great, fresh start. To my surprise, I quickly found a new set of problems waiting. This last year has been a whirlwind of emotions, I've transitioned jobs more times than I ever thought possible, my family has spent countless difficult hours at the hospital and I lost a very close family friend. Today, we are celebrating our one-year anniversary in the city and everything I've been through doesn't seem quite so bad in retrospect. Life seems to turning around and I wouldn't change the last year for anything. Even the rough patches add to the overall journey and at the very least make us that much more grateful when the good times finally come.

I can't believe it has already been a year. It's hard to find the words to describe my experiences, but I can say this has been one of the craziest, most stressful, adventurous, rewarding and overall best years of my life. I feel so alone here at times without my family and friends, but I have learned from the independence and I'm stronger because of it.

Some of my fav moments so far (the list could go on forever):

*The first time I saw snow falling in the city

*My 24th birthday weekend and Nicole's - I'm so lucky to have BFF's who will fly to NY to celebrate

*Tyrone Wells concert at the Highline Ballroom, where he sang "Dream Like New York" to us in an exclusive back stage performance - we were like giddy school girls

*NYC half-marathon - through Central Park, Times Square, along the Westside Highway with the finish line in Battery Park - it was the most amazing feeling to have my teammates and coaches cheering me on and I felt so accomplished when I crossed the finish line

*Cruise along the Hudson for Phoebe's last weekend - we had perfect NY weather and the skyline view was priceless

*Susan G. Komen 5K in Central Park - this cause hits close to home and it was such an empowering feeling being with so many survivors and supporters

I have no idea what the next year will bring, but I'm excited for new adventures and opportunities in the city that never sleeps.

My theme song of the moment from Jay Z:

"In New York

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There's nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
these streets will make you feel brand new,
big lights will inspire you,
lets hear it for New York, New York, New York"

good times never seemed so good

2009-08-12T14:26:00.055-04:00

A good friend of mine emailed me recently to catch up and one of his questions was: "Is it like 'Sex and the City' out there?" My initial response was to laugh, especially because when my roommates and I first arrived, we had a man yell the TV show and movie title at us from down the street. His reaction can be attributed to one of two reasons, either he was commenting on the fact that there are four of us with the appropriate hair color to match the actresses (even though I continually lie about mine) or he had already consumed far too many tasty beverages. Either way, it made for a good first memory of what life in the city was going to be like. I'll admit that I own the box set and movie, which I've watched hundreds of times. I don't consider myself a typical girl, but I guess in this situation I'm attracted to the somewhat cliche lifestyles the characters lead. As an aspiring writer, I often dream my life in NY will end up exactly like Carrie Bradshaw's. She has her own column, stays out all night and writes from home instead of from an office cubicle, confined by walls that never see a ray of sunlight. Who doesn't want that?

Back to reality ... sort of. After ten months in the city - most of which were filled with snow, rain storms or muggy days - we finally ventured to the famous Hamptons, South Hampton to be exact. Friends of ours rent a house there for the summer and invited us to stay, so we packed our bags, had some friends fly in from CA and we were on our way. The train ride there on a Friday evening after work was everything you would imagine. Far too crowded and filled with people drinking. Not all of us could find seats, so we had to stand, tall can in hand. The first night was spent hanging out at the house - equipped with a spa, pool and a beer pong table. I haven't played beer pong for some time now, so although I was rusty it definitely reminded me of the La Veta days. I'm not sure anything will ever top the parties at La Veta 222, but nightlife in the city does come close at times.

Saturday was our beach day, so we drove down to the water and had a chance to see all of the large and beautiful houses - at least the ones that weren't completely enclosed by gates. There are rich areas in Hollywood and you'll even find mansion-sized houses in some of the Southern California beach cities, but these houses had a different charm to them - the surrounding areas were a lot more green. It only took us two hours to get there by train and it was as if we had spent days traveling away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. A nice escape to say the least. We spent the day playing soccer and volleyball, while enjoying the waves and sunny weather - something you don't see in NY. Although the beaches were beautiful and the weather was close to perfect, I do see now why a trip to the Hamptons is so hyped up. After months and months of cold and horrible weather, New Yorkers take what they can get. It was a great weekend overall, but us Californians know a good beach when we see one. So even though the beaches might not compare, at least we got to live out our girly desires and spend a weekend in the Hamptons just like the SATC cast.

In other news, the half-marathon is this Sunday! I'm definitely excited to put my training to the test, but also slightly nervous about a number of factors such as weather. The race starts at 7 a.m. in Central Park and after doing the full loop of 6 miles, we'll run down 7th Ave through the heart of Times Square and then all the way down to the Hudson, finishing at Battery Park. I've heard the views from the course are amazing. A HUGE thanks to all my friends and family for your support and donations. Thanks to you I exceeded my fundraising goal, and as a chapter we raised over $350,000 for LLS. I'm extremely grateful for your help: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/nikenych09/khenning

she took the midnight train going anywhere

2009-07-23T00:03:00.035-04:00

My roommates and I just celebrated our 10-month anniversary and I'm happy to report that we're still surviving and doing our best to dream like New York, thanks to Tyrone Wells. Three of us have decided to renew another year-long lease, which leaves time for many more big adventures. I think this is the first time in my life that I haven't had a real time constraint and in many ways, it feels good. In high school, I knew I had only four years to spend playing volleyball and making new friends and in college I also had four years to find myself and make the most of my time with some pretty amazing people. Before moving here, I said I would give it at least one year and then reevaluate once that time was up. So even though I am restricted by the lease, I am not tied down by a specific number as I was throughout school. I'm not even bound by work - for the majority of the past four months, I haven't known where I'm working the following week - giving me a lesson in spontaneity, something I could use a daily dose of. As long as we don't upset the building owners, we can keep renewing year after year. At this point, I truly can't put a number on my stay, only a value. That value is getting higher as the time passes and I value every memory here.

One of my favorite parts about living in New York is the variety of people. This city gives the phrase melting pot a whole new meaning. Residents flock to the city of lights from foreign countries, out of state and of course there are a few who made the same cross-country trip I did, all the way from California. The reactions to my move are usually the same, "Why would you leave California?" One look at my pale skin and they should already know I'm not your typical beach going Californian. While some don't understand my decision, many give me faith simply by sharing their own journey. I've heard a lot of stories about people making the move for just one year and now they are approaching their third or fourth year here. I just met someone from Arizona yesterday, who moved here to pursue music and fell in love with the endless opportunities the city offers. He has been here for three years now and has no plans of leaving anytime soon. As my love and curiosity continue to grow, I don't see an end in sight either.

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Below are a few pictures of the artwork right around my apartment. Most are over-the-top cheesy, but I love that each one still makes me smile and serve as a daily reminder to slow down once in a while and enjoy the view while I can.

On a side note, we're headed to the Hamptons this weekend ... where craziness will probably ensure. Expect photos and updates soon.

waiting on something good

2009-07-14T22:16:00.067-04:00

Thanks to a couple good friends of mine, I came across musician Joe Purdy about two years ago. I realize this is a little late to jump on board as one of his fans - he has been making amazing music for much longer than a few years - but I'm sure glad I did. A lot of his songs relate to his time spent in New York, including a specific intersection at 3rd and St. Marks in the East Village, where he used to enjoy people watching. That intersection just so happens to be on the way to the subway for me, so I pass it daily. Music starts to have a whole new level of meaning and importance when it hits so close to home and I can't get enough of it.

Joe (we're on a first name basis for the sake of this entry) performed at The City Winery last week as part of "New York Magazine's" city pairings series. His opening act, Meiko, had a similar mellow vibe, mixed in with awkward humor that I just couldn't get enough of. Check her out here.

He performed for about an hour and a half, mostly new songs from his latest album, "Last Clock On the Wall." He is well known for doing his own thing, producing under his own record label and selling albums online instead of in stores. While I wouldn't consider myself a musician - I did try it out as pianist for two years, but quit to play sports - I can definitely respect the level of dedication to his craft. He is clearly performing for himself, his love of music and the dedicated fans, instead of searching for that ridiculous level of fame and money that other artists strive to obtain.

Joe stuck to a lot of his slower melodies, which made for a very relaxing night and it happened to be exactly the type of night I've been craving these days. I'm happy to report that he played a few of my favorites such as "Paris in the Morning" and "Waiting on Something Good." There is something about the way Joe performs that not only relaxes me, but inspires me to want to get up and go do something outstanding. I consider myself a passionate person - I'm passionate about writing, literature, athletics and my family/friends mean the world to me - but he inspires me to search for a new level of passion, one that matches the energy and love that radiated the stage during his performance.

He spent the rest of the night cracking jokes about not remembering lyrics while sipping on his whiskey. As the whiskey started to run dry, he seemed to forget more lyrics, which should make sense to anyone brave enough to try the manly drink. His subtle humor was a nice touch, but didn't take away from the strong power and passion behind his music. Despite all the ups and downs in my life and the struggle with the job search, I was still left with an overwhelming feeling that I too, am waiting on something good.

And for those of you that know my weird celebrity obsession, which has heightened since my move here, another highlight of the night was when Justin Long walked in ... apparently he is a fan too!

To listen to Joe Purdy's music for free, go to: http://joepurdy.com. I think it's safe to say that there is a song for everyone. And because I owe a lot of my love for his music to these people: get some extra reading in by a fabulous writer, Jackie Jones, or listen to some great music from Dan Krikorian, I recommend the track "Burn."

raised on promises

2009-07-06T14:31:00.057-04:00

When I think about the 4th of July, a few images come to mind: Drinking by the pool, fireworks and my best friend Brittney - her birthday is July 6. For as long as I can remember most of my holiday weekends were spent celebrating both the 4th and her birthday, with close family and friends by my side. I've spent quite a few holiday weekends in San Diego, where the sun is always shining and the crowds are always out. For the first time in about 20 years, I was not with Brittney and Katie - two of my oldest friends - to celebrate. When I think about how much has changed since this time last year, it often scares me and makes me miss the people I love the most. Change is most certainly not a bad thing, but it does take some getting used to.

To celebrate our nation's Independence this year, my roommate and I decided to make our way to Coney Island, to watch some great beach volleyball. We sat on our towels in the sand, very aware that we weren't in California anymore, but it was still OK. Sure the view wasn't quite as pretty, but I was excited and grateful to be in a completely new area, venturing out from my comfort zone and yet still watching a sport that I absolutely love.

Later that day we went to Trader Joe's and bought more food than probably necessary for a picnic. We came prepared with wine in paper bags and a rather large assortment of cheese and crackers. We set up camp and spent time enjoying each others company before the big show. Now I've seen plenty of firework shows before, but I can say with confidence that this one topped them all. Maybe it was my new surroundings, maybe it was my new lifestyle or maybe it was the Empire State Building right behind me, proudly shining a display of red, white and blue - whatever it was made for a pretty amazing night, with some very wonderful people.

I will always miss my best friends and family on a daily basis, but this weekend left me with an overwhelming feeling that I will also really miss New York and its bright lights if I ever decide to leave.

"There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction" - Winston Churchill

Just for kicks, here are a couple of my favorite random quotes because I've found that NY is the No. 1 spot to encounter crazies:

"Your naked leg will excite the lesbians. They will stalk you" - homeless man to five of us girls, all wearing dresses

"If you look into the sun, you can see Michael Jackson" - crazy lady rocking out during the Brad Paisley concert (she must like a wide variety of music)

i wanna be running, when the sand runs out

2009-07-02T15:49:00.044-04:00

Since I was about 14, I've had a list of lifelong goals. I would always write every little idea down, with hopes of checking them off someday. Of course goals change as we mature and grow older, but two for me always remained the same: move to New York and run a marathon. While I'm not quite ready for the full 26.2 miles yet, I'm officially training for my first half-marathon (13.1 miles) with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I'm very excited about this journey and I can't wait until race day. Sure most days I wake up sore, as I'm running more miles than I've ever ran before, but I still feel good. There is something about running that I absolutely love. It allows me to escape anything dragging me down and it gives me an overwhelming sense of freedom I can't ignore. Not only do I feel great after a run, but it also gives me an excuse to quote "Forrest Gump" more than any normal person ever would, or should for that matter.

As part of Team in Training, we have practices twice a week and we are responsible to run two additional times on our own. Instead of practice last weekend, the coaches suggested that we participate in a 5M race in Central Park: Achilles Hope and Possibility Run. The Achilles Track Club was founded in 1983 to encourage disabled people to run long-distance races. All of the money raised through registration fees and fundraising went to the club.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from that day, I was just excited to spend time with my roommates and our good friend John Ohail. John came equipped with new Aasics running shoes for all of us and we were ready to go. The day was mildly hot, well at least for me. The sun peeked through the park trees for all of three seconds and I was already sunburnt. What can I say? It's a gift.

About 4,000 people showed up to run - many in wheelchairs, some with prosthetic legs. When running long distances on a hot day, it's of course easy to get tired quickly. But there was something about this day that was different. It was very motivational to see people without legs finding a way to complete the race. Everyone was cheering them on along the way and a you could see the pride written all over their faces. I'm going to do my best to not get all cheesy here, but a day like this one can only leave you feeling grateful. From here on out I vow to try and never complain about putting on my running shoes again, because at least I can run.

Just in case you're interested in donating or following my progress, no pressure of course: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/nikenych09/khenning

imagine there's no heaven

2009-06-30T08:13:00.030-04:00

"I like Rock & Roll, and I don't like much else" - John Lennon

On Saturday I had the chance to do something I've been wanting to do for a while, I went to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex. Last month an exhibit opened that particularly caught my eye: John Lennon The New York City Years, created by Yoko Ono. I grew up listening to The Beatles, as I'm sure pretty much everyone else did. My dad is a die hard fan, always making a point to tell me that The Beatles are the greatest band to ever live, outlasting any fame that the musicians from my generation will ever achieve. Even though I'll be a Justin Timberlake fan until the end, I of course can't argue with that statement. Sorry, Justin.

The outside was surrounded by signs and flowers for Michael Jackson and of course the inside had an area dedicated to the King of Pop - displaying some of his favorite outfits and even handwritten lyrics. While going through the exhibit, you are given headphones to hear a playlist, consisting of music from all the artists - including everything from Aretha Franklin to Elvis to Van Halen to Prince to U2. Imagine one of the greatest playlists ever and that's what we were listening to. The display cases were similar to what we saw for MJ - clothes of the musicians, lyrics and thank you notes to fans from the early years. There were guitars on display and even a classic car. One of my favorites was a letter to a fan thanking her for the after shave she sent.

The last room was the Lennon exhibit. Although he was obviously born in the UK, the exhibit describes his love for New York City in a way that illustrates why he considered it his true home. "He was head over heels in love with this city, and when you’re in love, you forget you had a past," said Ono. I will never experience the type of lifestyle Lennon did in the city, but I can at least partially relate to the love he feels, as I am constantly in awe of this place. The room features his famous New York City muscle tee, footage of the couple and lyrics for some of his most famous songs. The exhibit was extremely well done and kept my attention the entire time. I could have spent hours in that one room.

The section that really hit me was one toward the end, displaying a brown paper bag of Lennon's clothes from the day he was shot, returned to Ono about a year later - in 1981. The glass case looked just as morbid as you're probably thinking. Beside it was a photograph Ono had taken of his bloody glasses from the same horrific day. I think I spent at least five minutes just staring at the paper bag. The quote below it was one from Ono, explaining her emotions upon receiving the bag. She said that her husband had everything in the world, anything any man could ever want and all the fame in the world. Yet in the end, one of the greatest musicians to ever live and everything he stood for was diminished to one paper bag. Despite the criticism she faced for placing something so personal and grim in an otherwise celebratory exhibit, she did it all for a very honorable reason. Next to the display was a large piece of white paper, for visitors to sign. Since Lennon's death in 1980, 932,000 people have died as a result of gun violence. The thousands of signatures will be sent to President Obama to rally for stricter gun laws at the end of this year.

Talk about a moving exhibit for peace.

"Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace ...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one"

under my umbrella

2009-06-23T09:13:00.019-04:00

Someone told me yesterday they heard a fun fact on the radio - we've had rain in the city for the past 35 of 39 days. Of course this is something that I should have noticed myself, yet I was doing my best to ignore the downpour. And with the way it rains in NY, downpour is an understatement. I've already gone through at least five umbrellas since my move and none seem to be powerful enough to make it through the storm. I never used to mind rain back home, I usually find it quite soothing and comforting. That was before I realized that rain is capable of breaking umbrellas and leaving me feeling like I just went for a swim in my clothes.

With all that complaining out of the way, NY has a pleasant way of surprising you at random and absolutely perfect times, reminding me why I'm here - for something new and different. As my roommate and I were walking home from a nice Sunday of shopping, we spotted a fish in the rain. Not just any fish though, instead the creature was actually a man (probably crazy) who must have woke up that morning and been delighted by the weather. He was wearing two kiddy-sized swimming pools on his body, one on the front and one on the back, to create a suit-like formation. The pools covered his entire body, so all you could see were his walking feet, wearing white Doc Marten shoes. Attached to the front was a fishing pole and a toy fish at the end, which he proceeded to chase after us with. Once he moved on, he decided to sit on a median in oncoming traffic, hiding his feet and appearing just to be trash. A perfect scenario for him to plan his attack as pedestrians walked on by. He continued to chase them, purely for amusement and a good laugh.

I'm not quite sure why this man - or woman I guess - brought me so much joy. I think it was just another odd moment that caught me completely off guard and put a smile on my face when nothing else could. So thanks to fish man and all his glory, I've decided to stick to a new motto throughout this weather ... "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass ... it's about learning how to dance in the rain."

you don't know what you got till it's gone ...

2009-06-17T22:15:00.008-04:00

I've often been told I don't have a soul. Although that sounds like rather harsh words, my friends use the phrase to refer to the fact that I never cry. Truth be told, I'm not really an emotional person, I never have been. With that being said, I feel the need to make this post in someones honor. I lost a very close family friend recently and below is the speech I read at his memorial. I'm sorry to make this so sappy, but maybe this will prove I do have a soul, yes?

Whether you knew him as Chief, Mr. Edwards, the big guy or just Jack, it's safe to say he touched your life in one way or another and made you laugh even on the worst of days.

When I first met Jack - or Mr. Edwards as I called him my first day in PE as a wide-eyed sixth grader - I was terrified. Just when I thought that middle school couldn't get any more intimidating a booming voice yelled in front of the whole class, calling out my name. I knew I was in trouble. To my confusion at the time, instead of reprimanding me, he asked a question I will never forget "Where did you get that beautiful red hair?" He went on to make an impact on my personal and athletic life as I know he did for all of his students. Jack was a dedicated teacher, serving in the school district for over 30 years. He always encouraged me to do my best and to run my heart out - which eventually stemmed his nickname for me "lion heart," after a former leader of England. For all of you who knew him, I'm sure you would agree that the nickname could just have easily been his, thanks to his truly caring heart.

From my mom: Jack, you were a dear friend and family member. I can't even begin to put into words how much I miss you. I will never forget the fabulous times our group had together. It just won't be the same without you. I remember walking down Main Street and someone popped out at us and you being the protector ready to take the guy out...only to discover it was a former student wanting to say hello! Please continue to be my protector and watch over me.

From my family: To a man who over the years became like family, thank you for all that you've done and will continue to do. Your impact on our lives will never be forgotten. The Henning's will miss you.

“Distance never separates two hearts that really care, for our memories span the miles and in seconds we are there. But whenever I start feeling sad because I miss you I remind myself how lucky I am to have someone so special to miss.”

walk it out

2009-05-25T16:53:00.016-04:00

Last weekend my roommate Phoebe and I participated in NYC's AIDS walk. There is something so powerful about a charity event, thousands of people all gathering for a like cause. As great of a day as it was, it left me wondering ... is there such a thing as a selfless deed? OK, you caught me. I stole this idea from "Friends," my all time favorite TV show. If you're raising money or even just participating, it seems like a good deed, but I wonder if Joey was right when he said that all good deeds are done to selfishly make a person feel better about themselves. Either way I had a great day, I was just left with some thinking to do. Here are a few pictures from the day ...

the city of wonder

2009-05-15T15:25:00.027-04:00

As someone who was born and raised in Southern California, I now reside in a new, magical city - filled with driven residents and an abundant appreciation for fashion and the arts. I've been told I'm crazy, that New York is too cutthroat and expensive, but I just can't get enough of the alluring cultural environment.

For those of you that know me well, you've heard me ramble about my New York City dreams since I was 18-years-old. I imagine they actually started sooner than that - when I first made the decision to be a writer at a young age - but at 18 I vacationed to the city for the first time, so it was then that I turned to my mom and said 'I will move here someday.' Sure, I say a lot of things. I'm most certainly not a liar, but it would be near impossible to follow through on everything I've ever expressed an interest in, or a desire to complete.

If you would have told me two years ago, that I would finally make the move ... I might have laughed or made a sarcastic remark. Of course I hoped it would happen, but there was always a small percentage of me that doubted I'd ever gather up enough courage to just do it. It wasn't until a couple unfortunate circumstances - grad school and job related - that I was left with an unsettling feeling in my stomach and a voice inside my head screaming 'now's the time.' After talking to editors at my current job at Entrepreneur magazine, even more people were supporting my decision. When I soon found out a fellow Chapman grad had the same dream and was looking for a roommate and that one of my best friends was making the move to attend Columbia for grad school, all of the missing pieces seemed to fall into place. My feelings of doubt quickly transitioned into feelings of hope and excitement. I was of course scared out of my mind, but with nothing to lose, it seemed like an appropriate time to take the biggest risk of my adult life. Now looking back, I can say with 100 percent honesty and sincerity, that the greatest risks truly do have even greater rewards.

It's slightly ironic that I'm saying these things with such conviction eight months in, after a series of job troubles and experiencing firsthand the poor economy, when I was laid off back in February. Unfortunately, friends at my old job in California have been through the same vicious cycle, which says to me that it doesn't matter the location. My industry is spiraling downward quickly and yet I still enjoy every minute of it. Nothing will ever replace Cali, but for now life in the fast lane seems to suit me well and this feels like exactly the place I'm supposed to be.