[Ny Minute Now]

Mini lemon pies from Go For A Bite.

Have you been to AllMySugar.com lately? Check out Go For A Bite—it's about this quaint little shop in Greenwich Village that sells delicious cream puffs (that are indeed, creamy AND airy!), and Orange Chocolate, my latest sweet indulgence from Target.

I haven't forgotten about this blog though. I've just been...busy, for lack of a better word. Over Thanksgiving break, I went home to Denver for a little R&R...where I actually got to make cream puffs from a recent issue of Martha Stewart Everyday Food. More on that in another post.

On the work and writing front, my plate is quite full these days, even if you exclude the mounting blog backlog (sometimes I wish I had one of those tiny, tiny Sony Vaio netbooks, so I can blog whenever, wherever. I do have an Acer that's pretty much portable so I essentially have no excuse). As for the search for a new writing day job, I've been applying here and there so for sure I will keep you all posted when I have exciting news to share.

Labels: career, dessert, holiday, New York, New York minutes, travel, work

Over the summer I had picked up a copy of Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire by Mireille Guiliano, author of the best-selling French Women Don't Get Fat books (a cookbook version is now available).

Reading the first few chapters, I'd typed up some quotes on my desktop and I'd like to share them with you. I would also recommend getting the book since it packs in more notable insights from the author not included in this blog post. Cathie Black's Basic Black actually comes to mind, in terms of the kind of book one could go back to from time to time for sensible musings coming from experts and leading women in the field. Black is Hearst Magazine's former president and current chairman; and Guiliano is the former CEO of Cliquot Inc, under the prestigious LVMH umbrella. Guiliano has managed to make that mustard yellow champagne label so ubiquitous and the marker of fancy celebrations that it is now. And, in her business tome, Guiliano takes on a tongue-in-chic approach to women and the workplace, along with lifestyle advice you won't find in business books written by men. That,

p9 - 10
"So much for planning, in business or in life. Lesson learned. Things happen. Opportunities are often unpredictable."

p 23
"Yes, but with talent, hard work, and being in the right place you can help make your own luck. By my late twenties I had something of a vision of myself in some sort of management position that permitted me to eat at all the top restaurants on someone else's dollar."

p26
"Concluding such stages in life presents opportunities and invitations to relaunch or reinvigorate a career or professional life. They are also times when you can make your own luck or at least put yourself in a position to be receptive to "lucky breaks." So again, think opportunity. Whether these are sad or happy times emotionally, remember not to think failure. (Where does that get you, anyway?)"

p30
"...I believe that life is lived in episodes and stages, and it is clear that some passions can fade while new ones emerge over time. Indeed, our first loves and passions can be overrated and it would be unwise to pursue them. Others are pursued earnestly for a time, then discarded. C'est la vie."

p53
"Life's too short to worry about the past. And after a while, believe me, you can't even remember the details of the past that were once so consuming. Move on. We all have made mistakes or think we have; living is about the moment and the future. Look ahead."

Image courtesy of http://prettysavvy.ca.

Labels: books, career, something French, stuff I buy, work

When I got laid off from my job as a copywriter last week, I didn't feel as distraught as I'd had in the past when I'd experienced the loss of a job. For one, this was an honest-to-goodness, budget-related layoff—no boo-boos, no office drama...at least that's what I'd like to believe and what I've been reassured of.

In the 12 weeks/3 months I was working for Avon, I've come up with memorable taglines, emails, and collateral copy for the trend brand that is mark. I've met beautiful and amazing people in the course of my time there—so no regrets, more or less. I only wish I'd had more moments to grow and blossom within that environment, but I believe that the time one is given in a place, is the time one has in that place, like I've said in this post.

And, unlike in the past wherein it took me months, or even more than a year to pen my thoughts, this time I'm speaking out while it's fresh. It was such a very pleasant conversation that I'd had with my boss, that I now have fond memories of the office and of mark. Plus, I still have the eBoutique I'd put up for research, so maybe now I could actually market it; or at least finally shop for items online.

The photo above was taken over the weekend at a friend's birthday party. I love it because it speaks a thousand words: the mark. outfit and lipstick; the genuine smile and excitement that comes with the anticipation of dessert; the way my stacked rings were captured in the photograph; the delicious banoffee pie a friend of mine made (a recipe that a former colleague shared), and more. And just like how newlyweds cut the cake as a symbol of their new life together—or, as I've learned from an elderly, soft-spoken painter I'd met at the party, how stomping on a wine glass in Jewish weddings signifies "getting the first disaster out of the way"—I welcome this change with the same sheer anticipation of all great things to come.

Labels: career, fab friends, faith, inspiration, life musings, New York, New York minutes, work

Labels: beauty, career, fab friends, food, love Manila, magazines, work

I've come across the concept of saying affirmations over the years, but haven't really consistently enacted the habit in my life. I also noticed how in movies, people who do them are portrayed in a cooky kind of way (e.g. Amy Adams in Sunshine Cleaning) and are in situations that don't necessarily immediately reflect the words they repeat to themselves.

However, every now and then, I write notes to myself and tack them on the wall, but they're usually goal and career-related, hardly ever, "I'm a rockstar, I'm gorgeous!" The most vivid that I do remember and one (or two) that had quite an impact in my work life was one I'd written back in 2002 and put up on the wall near my bed. It listed the following words:

editorial assistant
lifestyle and fitness assistant
beauty and fitness editor

In between the lines were arrows that mimicked a flow chart of sorts. This note reflected the trajectory I wanted my career to go. I had a goal of being an editor at 24—which was two or three years from the time I'd posted the note.

Another one on the wall read (from what I can remember):
"I am a good and talented makeup artist."

This resulted from an early experience as a freelance makeup artist when I'd encountered doubts about my talent; an incident wherein a starlet-then-model completely mocked the bright lime green eyeshadow I put on her. The green was actually the makeup theme given by the director of the fashion show and I was simply following directions, and picking up from a beauty forecast I'd read in Elle that time (that green was going to be the big thing that year/season in eyeshadow).

Anyway, suffice it to say that I've enjoyed a fun, engaging, and exciting beauty career on both counts as an editor and makeup artist. The makeup part has been on the backburner for quite some time now, but recent events and opportunities have again piqued my interest. So let's see how that goes.

The point of this post being, I wanted to share with you an affirmation I'd actually verbalized the other night, part of a string of messages that also included the "I'm fabulous" kind which I shall keep to myself:

"I will not put up with bad behavior."

It's so simple, straightforward, and encompassing. It's applicable to work, friendships, and relationships. And from there stems all the other facets of affirmations such as feeling confident, having clarity and conviction, and so forth.


Image courtesy of Indiewire.com.

Labels: beauty, career, life musings, movies, relationships, work

I seem to be on a career-writing groove these days. I've just read the blog post, "How Many Hours Are There in a Day" by speaker, author, and "employment specialist" Jay Block. I'd like to copy and paste the whole post, but instead you can read it here. Meanwhile, here are some snippets that called out to me and I hope are quite helpful to you:

“Do you know that the ONLY DIFFERENCE between a happy, successful, and financially independent person and an unhappy, unsuccessful, and financially broke person is what they do in their 24 hours? You see, it’s not hard to figure out that rich, successful, happy, and influential people do not read the same things as those who are struggling just to make it through the day.”

“It’s not hard to figure out that rich, successful, happy, and influential people do not watch six hours of television a day, do not allow themselves to be influenced by the media or voices that thrive on negativity and pessimism, and do not allow themselves to give up on their dreams, expectations, and goals; while underachievers and life strugglers always seem to settle for less and blame everyone but themselves for their misery and despair.”

“It’s not where we were born, what our childhood was like, our education, or our environment that determines our success and happiness. What determines success is our inner drive, our commitment to our values and our dreams, and how we integrate that into the 24 hours a day we have.”

In the rest of the post, Block outlines eight tips that help maximize the 24 hours we're all given. They're spot-on, no-frills, and neatly worded.

Labels: career, money matters, work

Summing up all the career articles I've been reading for about a year now, plus personal experience on the tricky and nuanced world of career planning and jobhunting, it would be the following:

1. Be proactive.
2. Ask for help.
3. Follow up

Let me elaborate:

1. Be proactive
Looking for a new job, eyeing a new career, or simply considering changes in your current work situation starts with a DECISION and a MINDSET. You have to prep your mind, body, and heart to attract new opportunities, and be willing to do the paperwork and logistics to make that happen. It also helps to have a positive attitude. If you start thinking defeat when you haven't even started, you might as well stay exactly where you are.

In the span of two (or three) years, I've submitted many many emails and résumé packets containing clips and many many permutations of a cover letter. Some, with the help of former colleagues, and a bigger percentage, simply by looking at mastheads and articles. Some have resulted in actual meetings, some have emailed back with their regrets, and majority have not even bothered to get back to me.

Should you be disheartened by this, or in any form of rejection? No. The process of updating your CV, printing letters, sending them out, puts you in that mode wherein you become extra-receptive to opportunity. So when that coveted moment comes, you're alert, awake, and ready to grab it—quickly!—versus sulking and wondering why no one has called you back yet.


2. Ask for help

And when you do, strive to be specific. An example I've read that perfectly illustrates this is paraphrased as follows: If you have the option to pass along your résumé to a faceless HR person or massive and countless online job boards, versus targeting a SPECIFIC person with a clear title and influence in an organization, why wouldn't you go for the latter? And, if you know someone who knows someone who knows that particular someone, then by all means ask for a little nudge to get your toe in the door. What have you got to lose? What's the worst thing that could happen? Rejection. See #1.


3. Follow up.

After you've asked for someone to point you towards the direction of an influential person, it's now ENTIRELY up to you to do the work. You have to walk the walk, talk the talk, do the phone calls, send handwritten notes, WHATEVER it takes to capitalize on that initial push. Make it worth everyone's time. And, at this point, it's your obligation to not make the person who recommended you make a fool out of her/himself by being flaky or unreliable.

Of all three tips, this is the one I'm guilty of not following through 100%. True, I'm proactive. True, I don't hesitate to be kapalmuks [thick-skinned] to people I barely know and I don't hesitate asking friends and former colleagues for names, email addresses, and even simply putting it out there, to "stay on your radar." But following up? This is perhaps the most challenging part—because more than anything, life gets in the way: there are other emails to answer (on a side note, try to answer EVERY email you receive. I know that's like shooting for the moon, but it helps to set the bar high), Facebook messages to respond to, chores, laundry, D.I.Y. pedicures… Here is where it's best to be organized about the whole process. How organized? Think: Excel sheets, checklists, calendars, written plans…whatever will help remind you that you've promised to touch-base and finally send that application in.

When I moved back to NYC this year, I'd asked a former boss to help forward along an email I'd planned to send to an editor-in-chief of an inflight magazine. I charted the names and dates relating to the emails that ensued, and made sure I kept in touch, and saw the conversation through and through. I didn't get a job at that particular office, but, sending that first email started the ball rolling that resulted in 28 other people I'd contacted. That's a small number compared to the 100 I'd aimed for, but more importantly, I know that I can always pick up that initial email exchange down the line and send a "refresher" hello to whomever was in the loop, in the event I have to be on job-hunt mode again. Even better, I have an Excel sheet to go back to and add to (I only hope not in the near future!).

On the flip side, don't be desperate. Desperation tends to repel people. This advice was given to me by Ok! Mag EIC Frances Sales right at the beginning stages of this year's jobhunt. I know it's a delicate mix and balance of being thorough and diligent, versus being makulit [annoying/repetitive]. Here's the gist of what Frances said:

"Mariel, just be chill. Sometimes you give off this vibe that you're nervous and eager to please. I will tell you about Steve Carrell, who found success when he was 40. He said, 'I immediately started getting more work when I became a father. I just auditioned differently. When you audition and you really need the part, a producer or a casting director can smell desperation. It is an immediate turn-off and you probably won’t get cast. But if there is a confidence, not an arrogance, but a sort of nonchalance about it [...] you get it.'"

Frances pointed out: "It's the same with all jobs: people like happy relaxed people especially in a bad economy because they want that energy."


All of that said, I never hesitate on helping people, unless I sense a lack of conviction and desire…or find an inclination to want to be spoonfed. Actually, the spoon-feeding part isn't that big of a deal as I don't mind sharing and passing these tidbits along (i.e. pay it forward). I actually put more weight on being positive and proactive. You have to want something really bad, decide you want it, and get up and start moving. It's not up to me to boost your morale (although I'd be happy to point out your good qualities and give a pep talk every now and then); that is a decision you and only you can make for yourself.

And when you become successful, please don't forget me. I am happiest with a bar of ridiculously good premium chocolate.

Image courtesy of Andrews University.

RELATED CAREER POSTS:
A Reason for Every Setback
No-nonsense Career Advice

Labels: career, magazines, work

As much as I'm thrilled by all the recent developments in my career, I tend to beat myself up over personal goals, deadlines, and projects that I am aching, aching to tick off my checklist. Inspired by the blog, 25 Before 25, published by also a writer and editor I'd recently befriended, here are my 5 before I'm hoping way before I turn 35 (I'm only 30, folks!).

1. Redesign NyMinuteNow.com, featuring a more streamlined template with plenty of white space to keep things sleek, pristine, and easy on the eyes. (If you have absolutely bug-free suggestions, let me know! Again, no bugs; I need something plug-and-play with HTML I can still modify. Sorry, no CSS for me AND DO NOT even mention Wordpress; the latter is NOT an option. Case closed. I've written about that issue here.)

2. Migrate this current version to its backup Blogspot address, for people who like this design, also for myself, when I get melancholic...or in case I change my mind about the new one.

3. Repost my Yummy.ph articles and recipes because the site did a redesign and the bloggers' pages are gone(!). Anyway I desperately need to take care of my AllMySugar blog too! (Oh, why do I do this to myself?)

4. Finish rewriting and editing my chick-lit novel. Sigh...

5. Do a Wedding Series here, because I have at least five wedding-related posts brewing that I haven't gotten around uploading. Plus, I'd recently started contributing to Summit Media's relatively new venture BridalBook.ph. I've accepted that I've happily jumped into the big-day bandwagon. Now that I'm married, it's a different kind of excitement and delight when I hear of other people's engagements, or, in the case of a recent wedding I'd attended, being a guest.

I'm sure there's more than the above, but for now I'm keeping it to five so as not to get ahead of myself!

Labels: books, career, New York minutes, wedding, work, Yummy

Tuesday and Wednesdays were rainy days here in New York. Out came the rubber boots and umbrellas, and, if you ask me, I love it when it's wet out. But, the guy on the elevator was right in saying that it's only fun when you get to stay home in bed.

Speaking of puddle-friendly notes, two things:

1. I have another job online as managing editor for Studio One Networks, publishers of the TheStyleGlossy.com that now features a spin-off microsite catering to readership in Manila, Singapore, and Malaysia. I'm tasked to write two full-length articles every month (strictly editorial content!), as well as assign two bloggers who ideally can write very well and also have their own blogs (share the link love!). Of course, it was only natural for me to tap into my immediate circle of writer and editor friends. The latest post, "Shopping for Rain Boots" is written by former Cosmo fashion ed, Kat Dy, whom I've also blogged about here. You'll also find my "Rain-ready Wear" article here.

2. If the above piqued your interest in rain-footwear-shopping, check out Jildorshoes.com, where you can buy boots from Juicy Couture, Stuart Weitzman, as well as pricey leather Thierry Rabotin shoes, if that's your kind of thing. Of course you can't go wrong with a good Hunter Wellington boot, and the Canadian brand, Kamik (mine have stood the test of time for the latter). Personally, I'm still happy with what I have collected over the years and have no plans as yet to go shopping for new ones. But, with shoes, you never really know.

Labels: fab friends, New York, New York minutes, online shopping, pro-blogging, work

Today, this question beckoned: "Why are you always in a good mood?"

I got reminded of 30Rock with Jack Donaghy addressing Kenneth Parcell. For the purpose of illustrating this post, I don't mind the association with the perpetually perky studio paige.

So, I thought, why not write down my answers? Here they are:

1. I'm happy because I've been through a lot of pain to get to where I am now.

2. One week in a month, I'm on glass-half-empty mode. So, I have to do my best with the three other weeks wherein I'm not bloated and cranky.

3. Happiness is a decision one makes. I can choose to fixate and stress myself out (I'd mentioned this as well in this post), but whats the point? However, I do stress and fixate…in private.

4. I'm working on an article on Botox. I do not recommend it, have not tried it, and have no plans to. But, if I start frowning now, that might change and I wouldn't want to have to make that decision.

5. Life is good! Come on, there are plenty of reasons to CELEBRATE. For one, I left my country and loved ones for a shot in the Big Apple. TWICE. And, things are indeed better the second time around.

With that, I close the 30-Day Blog Challenge for the year (whew!). It was a little tougher this time around, but invigorating overall. Now I just want to shut myself out of the blogging world for a while…I'm kidding! (More on those thoughts, tomorrow.)

So, cheers everyone and thanks for reading!

Image courtesy of DenverPost.com.

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, life musings, New York, New York minutes, work

I've had the chance to work with Sara, the creative intern at mark., these last few weeks and I'm posting a special shout-out her way because not only did she just hand me this super cute card (from Papyrus), but she also helped me get acclimatized to my new job. Her bubbly and energetic self was such a welcome treat and I'll truly miss her (it's her last day at work today but she'll most probably be popping by every now and then).

Many of you may not know this, but mark.—Avon's younger trend brand—has "a world class internship program," in the words of mark. president Claudia Poccia. And I'm not saying that because I work here; I know this much is true because I've recently just managed an internship program, and what I've seen in only a few weeks has been amazing so far. And, duh, I started out as an intern myself, so it's safe to say and acknowledge that I have a soft spot for anybody who's new in the biz.

What I'm also discovering and liking about the company right now is how positive the environment is, how people are open to doing things in new ways. And, for someone who has worked in different places and in different stretches of time, it's a refreshing reminder of how working in an office again can be fun and exciting.

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, beauty, New York, New York minutes, work

Oops, I did it again.

So last night, yet again, I fell asleep in front of the computer while attempting to write a blog post for the day. I was supposed to talk about Cupcake Day—what essentially yesterday was.

Around lunchtime, I had a craving for the red velvet cupcake sold at a nearby deli. I have a feeling that it's the same one sold at Crumbs Bakeshop, which I actually prefer over the famous Magnolia Bakery.


Speaking of the latter, we were called to the conference room in the afternoon to celebrate someone's bridal shower. Scattered all over the large table were an assortment of Magnolia Cupcakes! Vanilla, chocolate, chocolate and vanilla frosting.... One word: Sweet!

On the kitchen front, my baking life seems to be more and more stalling in the backburner these days. Ever since I've moved to New York, I haven't made any dessert. Hopefully—while I'm still shopping around for a good and affordable yoga studio and/or gym membership—I can get around churning out sweet things of my own.

Image courtesy of http://www.paklinks.com.

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, chocolate, dessert, fitness, New York, New York minutes, work

mark. is the younger trend brand of Avon and I'd recently started working for the company as a copywriter. (THAT's actually what I've been so excited about lately!) The products are soo cute and I just keep getting reminded of being (back in) Seventeen again!

So, it was only natural that I opened my own mark. store (click on that cute icon on the upper lefthand side of this page). It's one way for me to get to know the brand even better AND actually have first-hand experience of being a Rep—both hopefully helping me become a better writer for this fun brand. And, as a general rule, I only endorse products that I actually use or have actually tried. As in the case of when I signed up to do a project with Pond's as a director and spokesperson, I tested the Flawless White 7-day clear-skin-claim on the week leading up to my wedding—with favorable results (whew!).

Let me know what you all think of the store, and of the products. Sorry, mark. currently doesn't ship outside the U.S., but I'm sure there's a Balikbayan box being assembled somewhere—a few cosmetics will be a cinch to squeeze in!

Happy shopping!

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, beauty, career, New York, work

Around 5pm at work today, small cupcakes (not the one pictured, by the way) were passed around and my coworker started talking about Sweet Revenge—a bar in Greenwich village that has a CUPCAKE(!) and WINE Happy Hour.

Now, I'm not big on post-work cocktails (I'd rather go home and recharge via a nap), but for this one I would definitely make an exception!

Now, who's with me?

For more info, visit the Sweet Revenge website here.

Image courtesy of Thevoguecity.com.

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, dessert, food, New York, work

In the TV series and now, movies, Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw makes freelance (and novel) writing look so easy. In her fashionable frocks and Manolo Blahniks, she seems to breeze through her assignments with minimal stress.

Now, I'm no Carrie. While I read, write, and edit for a living, I don't exactly hop, skip about town meeting girlfriends for brunch or go shoe-shopping on a whim. I am more inclined to purchase a $400 camera than a $400 pair of stilettos. And, speaking of sky-high footwear, I can't imagine going up and down the subway stairs and maneuvering Manhattan's city blocks in them. In fact, I've just recently considered buying a pair of FitFlops—those cushioned sandals that are supposedly good for one's feet. My friend says she walked in them for days on a recent trip to DC.

Anyway, my biggest, biggest, most ardous challenge has got to be time management and deadlines. And, I realized [when I’d written this] that I'm too old to be stressing about something that should be easily manageable. Also, stressing about deadlines goes against my new mantra of being in the moment. When I postpone things on my to-do list, that's not being in the moment.

And going back to Carrie, if I'm on top of deadlines and all that, I can actually have more time to hop, skip, and brunch my New York days away. And, who knows, I might even consider stilettos once again.

[Update: I never got to purchase those FitFlops and I’d recently taken to wearing heels again.]

Image courtesy of Thesun.co.uk.

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, celebrities, freelancing, movies, New York, TV shows, work

I was so exhausted last night that I literally fell asleep in front of the computer as I was about to blog. Hence, I've just missed Day 11 of the 30-Day Blog Challenge, sigh.

I realized as the days have gone by, that it's a little more challenging to do this, now that I actually have a day job. But, that doesn't mean I'm giving up AND I am so not complaining. I love, love, love the recent turn of events, and, when the right time comes, I'm going to write about it for sure.

Meanwhile, the blogs must go on!

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, life musings, work

At my new job, I've noticed that everyone seems to eat healthy—which is not unusual in a city where one could buy fresh strawberries, cherries, and blueberries on the street while walking home; and where delis have salad and sandwich bars that cater to the most discerning lunch crowd (low fat here, soy there).

My seatmate (who was actually my boss at another job) shies away from dairy with the exception of ice cream and cheese every now and then. My new boss packs her own organic salad for lunch (an excellent reminder to start organizing and planning my meals to bring to work), and another coworker has the physique of a longtime runner (or regular gym-goer).

It's actually easy here in New York to get fit and fab. Not counting the daily commute wherein one rushes for the trains and constantly watches out for traffic lights when crossing the street, it's hardly ever a challenge to get moving out here. Come winter time, one would rather be huffing and puffing rather than stay sedentary, frozen. As for fitness opportunities other than walking or running, do a quick Google search of "yoga in mid-town Manhattan" and watch multiple balloons come up on the map.

The only challenge probably is cashflow—organic food tends to be pricier—but then again, exercise is free, and buying fresh produce, going to the supermarket, and making one's own meals is still far less expensive than takeout.

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, fitness, food, money matters, New York, New York minutes, work

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, fab friends, freelancing, New York, work

What better way to kickstart my first weekend back in New York than a trip to East Hampton, in no less than Lily Pond Lane—home to industry bigwigs and celebrities like Martha Stewart (sigh), Billy Joel, and Jerry Seinfeld.

Beach Glamour in the Hamptons was one of two events—the other being a benefit luncheon—held on June 26 at the Reginald F. Lewis estate in honor of the late business tycoon, lawyer, and the first African American billionaire. Mr. Lewis had paved the way for other men of color brought up in "tough" environments to excel in the fields of business and law.

I was fortunate enough to have been invited to assist in some PR and publicity work for the event, thanks to Carissa Villacorta who chaired the evening's festivities. I was also honored to meet the every gracious and delightful Mrs. Loida Nicolas-Lewis, who has continued her husband's lucrative business ventures and philanthropic efforts (funds raised at Beach Glamour have been given to the RFL Museum in Baltimore).


I have never met anybody so warm and genuinely accommodating as Mrs. Lewis; I was so impressed by how engaged she was in every conversation from lunch until way past dinner—on her feet and welcoming all the hello's while expressing heartfelt thank-yous like nothing I've ever witnessed before. Truly amazing. Consider me a Loida groupie. If in my life I ever reach that status of wealth and influence, I would very much like to emulate her. When one is blessed, one must be generous not just with money but also with non-quantifiable resources such as time, empathy, and effort.

Now, no words can fully express how beautiful and breathtaking the estate was, so let me show you photos to tell the rest of my weekend story :)

Labels: 30-Day Blog Challenge, events, money matters, New York, New York minutes, work

I love how people in New York are so blunt and straightforward, traits not necessarily always welcome in other parts of the world. (Oh, don't get me started on how often I've been berated for speaking my mind.)

I've been feeling very sluggish and sleepy these past few days, not uncommon when I'm gearing up for deadlines. So, I decided to get some work done in the library instead of moving back and forth between the kitchen table and bedroom of my temporary home, not really accomplishing much.

Now seated in the library, again, I couldn't escape the feeling of sleepiness. I couldn't concentrate. A gentleman who'd just sat next to me heard me heave and exhale loudly and uttered, "That bad?"

I replied, "I'm just so sleepy, and I have all these deadlines."

"Stop complaining."

Oh boy, did that wake me up! I thanked him profusely and sat up straighter.

You've got to love New Yorkers.

Labels: freelancing, New York, New York minutes, work