Aug 23rd-Sep 3rd - Dennise's PhD, Sarah's Birthday & Mike's Visit!

I flew back to to the city Thursday so that I could work that night and the next day at work I saw Matthew Morrison from Glee because he was staying in the hotel. Also on Friday Dennise was in South Dakota defending her dissertation and she got her PhD!!!!! She has worked so hard and I am very proud of her!

On Saturday I worked at night and afterwards headed to Little Branch speakeasy for Dennise's Doctoral party! The place was really cool how it was hidden underground but there was a line outside and Dennise came out and brought me in. Her and her friends had a booth where they were hanging out and it was fun celebrating her success together!

Afterwards we decided to go to a pizza place for a late-night snack and the place was bumping club music. We were having fun when all of a sudden Dennise's friend lost her iPhone! We made the place turn their music off to call her phone and had almost the whole place looking because we could hear it but didn't know where it was coming from! I blocked the door and said that no one could leave until we found it ;p It wound up being on the floor under the soda machine, we don't know how but it was good that we found it!

I worked Sunday during the day and then my Dad picked me up to go visit my Grandma in Connecticut since I had the next couple of days off. On the way there we were hungry and stopped at a cool place for dinner. We visited with my Grandma that night and she had some visitors on the back porch eating the bird food!

The next day we took her to the doctor's office for a checkup. They said that she should get some X-rays done because her neck and her knee have been bothering her. We took her to another place to get them done and then went to the Painted Pony and had a nice dinner together. When we got home my Dad played guitar while we sat on the back porch and he retaught me some chords!

Tuesday I went back to the city and Mike was there because he had a meeting the next day! We went to La Follia for dinner where I had a pasta dish that I love. Mike was craving a very sweet dessert so we went to Max Brenner at Union Square and had banana tempura with chocolate and caramel fondue which was scrumptious.

The next day while I was at work Mike and Tony had a meeting at Atlantic which went really well! In celebration of his meeting and my interview coming up with Abrams Artists Agency we had a great dinner at Tao! I loved having edamame, mixed vegetables and vegetable fried rice! We went back to the apartment and had chocolate lava cake that I bought and it was really good.

On Thursday I worked during the day and then later we met up with Mike's cousin David at Olive Garden because he doesn't remember ever eating there! It was not the best Olive Garden experience we've had and David claims the food was disgusting even though he ate it haha but we had fun going together.

Later at night I stayed up until midnight to wish Sarah a Happy Birthday!! In the morning we both had to work and the jewelry designer Pamela Love came in who my friend Julia recognized. After work Sarah opened up presents and we got ready to go to dinner.

Then Sarah, Mike and I met up with our friends Ryan and Nick at Yurba Buena for Sarah's celebration dinner! Sarah loves it there and I thought it was really good. The service, food and desserts were all great and Sarah's birthday candle was so cool! We had a lot of fun and I hope my Bestie had a great day!

Saturday morning Mike and I went to Petite Abeille for breakfast and had deliscious waffles, one that was sweet with fruit and one that was a banana split sundae!

Then Mike was flying out and I went shopping for an outfit to wear to my Abams Artists Agency interview before I had to go to work. I did not have to work on Labor Day so I finished putting together my outfit and I went for a run to practice for a 5K race that I had coming up that weekend!

That night Dennise, Sarah and I went out to eat at a Indian restaurant called Banjara to celebrate Dennise earning her PhD and Sarah's birthday, as well as the girls were sweet to include my upcoming interview into the celebration! The place was really cute and the food was very good! It was so nice that we all had exciting things going on and were able to get together for a great dinner!

Aug 19th-Aug 22nd - Visiting Home!

On Sunday I worked during the day and rushed to the airport afterwards to go home! I had not been home in almost two months so I was very excited!

I took a cab to the airport and the driver first looked very upset when I told him I was going to LaGuardia so I asked if it was a problem and he told me there is a lot of traffic so he loses money. He started to speed down the road and was swerving between cars causing many  close-encounters. Cab drivers have a reputation of being crazy drivers but this was on another level. He was slamming on the brakes with just barely enough time to not hit the cars in front of us and I was truly fearing for my life. I wanted to get out but there weren't other cabs available and we were about to go on the expressway. Another cab driver rolled down his window and told my cab driver to calm down but he would not listen. Finally I made it to the airport with my stomach in knots but in one piece!

Bye for now NYC!

My first flight was almost empty and during it I witnessed one of the most beautiful sights there could possibly be. The sunset that night was so incredible that it made me cry. I tried to take pictures but they don't even do it justice. My second flight I sat next to a young lady named Katie who is a medical student at the University of Rochester and we talked the whole flight because we were interested in what each other does and we even knew someone in common!

When I got home and held my kitty Cookie Dough in my arms I started to cry because I always miss her so much whenever I am away from home!

Down the road a Walmart was built so we went to go see that and it was weird seeing this huge store in my little neighborhood. Afterwards we went to go eat at one of my favorite restaurants, Aladdin's, for lunch! Later I met up with Mike at the salon and he surprised us by bringing Massimo his doggie there! Then we brought Massimo home, hung out and had dinner at his house.

The next morning Mike and I went to a Dunkin' Donuts to meet up with our friend Tony, Mike's writing partner, and Nick Dean, a singer from X Factor. Even though Mike has recorded with Nick this was my first time meeting him and it was fun.





We had to leave later so that Mike could go to the chiropractor. His Mom set up an appointment for me the next day but I wanted to watch Mike go first because I had never been before and was nervous. Mike loved it and although it looked a little scary I was going to give it a chance! Later for dinner Mike, my Dad and I ate at Plum Garden Japanese restaurant while my Mom was teaching karate. Later Mike and I went to go see Total Recall at the movie theatre and it was really good! I liked Jessica Biel and Colin Farrell in it and we never saw the original so it was really interesting to us.

The next morning I went to the chiropractor and it felt weird being cracked but then I felt so aligned and open! Afterwards I spent time at home and played with Cookie Dough! (Here is a little video!)

For lunch I met up with my best friend Liz at Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano. It was so good to see her; we had fun catching up and eating yummy food!

Then I stopped by home and then went to Mike's and Scott gave me a haircut! I was going to do a little trim but everyone convinced me to get 3-4 inches cut off so that it would be healthier and I ended up really liking it (of course I like anyway that Scott cuts hair). We had dinner at the house with our friend Michelle from the salon and she made us bananas foster! After hanging out all together watching television, I got ready to head back to the city the next day.

Aug 11th-Aug 18th - NYC Boat Cruise!

Over the weekend I worked at Maialino and Sunday night my roommates and I watched the closing ceremonies of the Olympics! The musicians that performed and the supermodels that strutted in gorgeous gowns were my favorite parts. The torches and Phoenix were really cool too!

Monday the 13th was International Left-Handers' Day! It is estimated that 10% of the world is left-handed and in my family my Grandpa George, Aunt Lolita and I are left-handed. <3 Later in the day I called Abrams Artists Agency and set up the date for my official interview with them!

Wednesday night Sarah and I decided to make dinner and bring it outside for a little picnic. We brought Ernie with us and enjoyed the amazing weather!

Thursday after work my roommates and I went on a boat cruise around the Statue of Liberty! There were people dancing to music that was playing and we hung out and enjoyed the beautiful view of the city and Lady Liberty. It was so nice that we got to experience something different together and we had a good time!

The next day after work I was saddened by the news that Joey Kovar from Real World Hollywood had passed away at 29 years old. I met Joey Kovar in 2009 when he came to my college to talk about overcoming his addition to drugs. I filmed the event for my college's television station and I talked to him afterwards. His perseverance and strength was inspirational, he beat many difficult obstacles. No matter the cause of his death I hope that he is remembered for that. 

On Saturday I worked all day and into the night but afterwards Sarah's friend Ryan was having a birthday party at Vintage so I stopped by because I am friends with him through her. There were a bunch of people in the back all celebrating and I wished him a Happy Birthday and then hung out with Sarah. While we were sitting and talking all of a sudden a huge picture frame fell from the wall and landed on Ryan's friend's head! We made sure she was okay and then I headed to the apartment to finish packing to go home the next day! 

Aug 5th-Aug 10th - Mike Visits NYC & Christine's Last Week!

On Sunday when I was walking outside to go lay out I heard someone call my name and it was Dennise coming back from a trip to South Carolina! We sat on a bench and caught up and she gave me gifts from while she was away which she shouldn't have! She got me a beautiful butterfly key-chain that is made of white and yellow flowers that I love! Also she gave me a blue and gold clutch from Coach which was too much but so sweet. 

I enjoyed the sun for a little while and then later I got a message from my friend Christine from work asking if Sarah and I wanted to go to Maialino that night for dessert. Right when Sarah and I were leaving the apartment to go meet her we felt rain drops and went back to get umbrellas. It was a good thing we went back because it started pouring! We waited a little bit until it calmed down but poor Christine had gotten caught in the storm.

When we arrived a bunch of our co-workers came and greeted us at the table and we ordered fried artichokes to share as a snack. The kitchen brought us raw market vegetables, fish, and suppli which was so generous of them! Then we ordered a slice of chocolate torte cake, gelato, olive oil cake with vanilla bean mascarpone and we also enjoyed a slice of blueberry upside down cake that was compliments of the kitchen. Everything was delicious and we left very full, thank you Maialino!

The next day my friend Julia from work was giving a presentation at Maialino with our co-worker Michael about the history of Gramercy Park and the hotel (which Maialino is located in). I attended and it was really interesting to learn about what the hotel was like before Maialino and facts about the park that is right outside. It is pretty neat that Gramercy Park is the only park that has not cost the city any money because it is payed for by the residents in the area who are the only ones who have access to the park. The hotel has been famous for years and used to be known as a place to party. The hotel still carries a similar vibe but is now famous for its art collection throughout including works from Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Richard Prince and Robert Mapplethorpe.

On Tuesday I worked during the day and Josh Kushner (business man and Ivanka Trump's husband's brother) joined us again as well as the famous author Eli Evans who is a regular and he said that he remembered me and was happy to see me which was nice.

After work Mike and Tony arrived in the city and I met them at their hotel! We worked out in the gym and then went to dinner at Co. where we have been wanting to try their pizza. I had their greenmarket tomato topped toast which was good but a little spicy and then had a stracciatella cheese pizza with arugula which was amazing! The pizza was warm but the cheese was cold and it was very tasty!

When we got back to the hotel Mike and Tony met with someone that they know to talk about different projects and I went to my apartment to visit for a little bit and then went back to the hotel after they were done and watched them play video games. The next day we went to Pastis for lunch and we love to eat there but this time I did not have the best experience. Twice there was a problem with my order but they were very apologetic. We will definitely continue to dine there (but I may not order that dish again).

While walking back to the hotel I noticed a bird sitting in a corner of a doorway and people were walking right near it and it would not move. I could tell something was wrong and I started calling bird rescue places as we headed to the hotel but none answered. The guys got ready for a big meeting and I went back to check on the bird. I was pleasantly surprised to see the bird walking around normally, I think it may have hit the window and was shocked for a moment and then recovered.

Mike and Tony went to meet with Jason Flom who has served as CEO of record labels such as Atlantic Record and Virgin Records. He has signed Britney Spears and Katy Perry as well as founded Lava Records and currently represents artists like Jesse J.

While they were in the meeting I called Abrams Artists Agency to set up a new interview date and then went shopping at several places for Sarah's birthday coming up. I had to head to work at night but when I got out Mike and I had a late dinner at their hotel restaurant La Bottega. We had truffle artichoke salad, truffle cheese pizza and chocolate lava cake.

The next day Tony, Mike and I went to B&H to check out some electronics there and get CDs. It was frustrating but really funny that their CD case was so hard to get open, there were directions and we had to use tools. After we got it open it turned out that the CD was not even compatible with Mac computers! Then I headed to Maialino because my friend Christine who interned there this summer was giving her final presentation. It was really sweet to hear about how Maialino was a great experience for her and helped her grow not only in the industry but also personally.

Afterwards I met Mike and Tony at the hotel because we wanted to work out and then eat. We had dinner at a place called Cafeteria which I heard of before but had not eaten there. They brought us through the restaurant and down to the lounge where I ate truffled macaroni and cheese and a veggie burger which were pretty good.

Friday was the last day of restaurant week so Mike and I decided to do lunch at Lavo. We took a cab there and the weather was terrible, we saw people's umbrellas getting turned inside out and I found out later that a tornado touched down on long island! We got to lavo safely and had a great lunch. I was so glad Mike loved his chicken marsala dish and of course I loved my margherita pizza and pasta. Last but definitely not least Mike and I were in heaven eating their fried oreos with vanilla malt shake!

Later the guys played video games and I hung out with them and at one point I noticed the rain had stopped and the sky looked beautiful!

Then I headed out to go to Christine's good bye dinner at Maialino! Several of the hostesses/reservationists all got together and we celebrated our new friendship with Christine as well as wished her luck going back to school! Christine is such a sweet girl and I am glad that we became friends!

Dinner was amazing, there was so much food! We started out with market vegetables, zucchini with light cheese and caprese salad. Then they brought out four pastas and I had some of the cacio e pepe and the zucchini pasta. Next course I had eggplant parmesan and suppli, yum! The kitchen came out to see how we were doing and some of the girls told them we could eat more even though everyone was pretty full! They brought out another course of salumi, cheeses, and toasted tomatoes. Lastly we had a bunch of tasty desserts! We all had such a good time together!

Afterwards I went to Mike and Tony's hotel to hang out because they were leaving to go back home the next day!

July 25th-August 4th - Volunteering at Gilda's Club, Miss Teen USA 2012, and the Olympics!

July 25th was my first official day volunteering at Gilda's Club! They were having a shoe sample sale of donated shoes in order to raise money. It was so nice getting to meet some of the members and I hope to see them again when I go back. I was very thankful for this opportunity to work with Gilda's Club and I loved that this event involved so many passions of mine: volunteerism, fashion, and finance!

The next night I was working and it was getting close to closing time and all of a sudden I looked up and Joel McHale was walking by me and he told me that him and his friend were going to get a drink at the bar. I recognized him from The Soup but everyone else was talking about him from Community which I have never heard of but will be interested in watching when the next season airs.

 

On Friday I had to work at night and I recognized that one of our guests was Kaela Humphries who is a Ford model and Kris Humphries' sister. I was sad to miss the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics that night but when I got home I caught the ending! I was happy to be able to see part of the ceremony but I have only found small clips on Youtube of the rest that I missed.

July 28th was the Miss Teen USA 2012 pageant! I watched it live online and it is always bittersweet to watch because it is hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly since I was on that stage but it is also exciting to support the new girls! I was proud of Miss New York Teen USA 2012 placing in the top 16! Also, Miss Michigan Teen USA 2012 made it in the top 5 and she was beautiful and very tall so I am sure she will continue to do modeling. Finally, Logan West from Connecticut was crowned the new Miss Teen USA and she see seems to be a great role model and ambassador for the Miss Universe Organization!

On Monday I was supposed to interview with Abrams Artists Agency but that morning they informed me that they would need to push it back to later in the week. Since the interview was postponed I took the day to go to yoga and shop at Trader Joe's. The next day I went out by the water and finished reading Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived. It was such a great book but I did cry a few times throughout.

Afterwards I found out that I received a free yoga class at Bija Yoga from Yoga Local and so I attended and really enjoyed the content of the class and the energy there! I met a girl Amanda who just started taking classes and we are trying to find another class to go to in the future.

When I got home Sarah and I flipped channels between the new show All The Right Moves about Shaping Sound dance company which was really interesting to women's gymnastics in the Olympics. The gymnasts' skills are incredible and we were trying not to cry watching the U.S. team win Gold! It was such a beautiful moment to see their hard work payoff and for the "Fierce Five" (their new official name) to go down in history!

On Wednesday I worked during the day and Mike and Tony were driving to the city! Mike arrived at my apartment and I excitedly ran downstairs to meet him leaving the door slightly open to get back in. When we got to my floor with his luggage I saw that our door was closed and Ernie was scratching at the door... he locked us out! I felt really bad but we had to lug everything into a taxi and go to Sarah's work to get her key. We dropped everything off and found a cute place called Ponty Bistro to have a candle-lit dinner. We were inside but there was an open wall to the outside so it was almost like eating on a patio which was nice.

The next day I had to work in the morning and Mike and Tony had a meeting at Universal for their music which went really well! In celebration of his meeting and mine coming up with Abrams Artists Agency, as well as just being together we went to Novita and had a great dinner of asparagi gratinati, truffle pasta, and frozen chocolate hazelnut mouse!

   

Friday morning I got ready for my interview with Abrams Artists Agency and then went to lunch with Mike and Tony at the restaurant in their hotel called La Bottega. We had a salad with cheese and pizza with truffle oil which were very good! Then I got in a cab and headed to the agency! I went in the elevator up to the office and walked out to a bright yellow lobby with artwork hanging on the walls. I checked in and took a seat near a girl that was reading a script, practicing lines and I met a women who is a doctor and was there to be a doctor in some advertisements.

Shortly after, someone came out and introduced himself and apologized for having to postpone the interview but the person who I was supposed to meet with was in the hospital! Of course I was disappointed because I was eager to interview with them but even more I felt so sorry about the situation and I hope that everything is okay!

Afterwards I headed to the hotel where I left my flats for work and met up with Mike and Tony there. We walked to Union Square and I said bye to them as I had to head to work. They were leaving to go back to Rochester that night for the weekend because their next meeting was not until Wednesday. I worked until close that night and the next, plus I was the only hostess so I was looking forward to having Sunday off!