My Abroad

During spring semester Junior year of college, a lot of my friends spent the 18 weeks in Europe- studying, experiencing food and going out on the towns. Well, because I loved Bloomington, Indiana so much, I decided that the 4 years I got to spend there needed to be extended for as long as possible- resulting in me never making the trip over seas.

Well, the 6 months I have spent in New York I am considering my abroad time. Yes, thats right my friends, B is on to another adventure. I have come to the conclusion that the ice skating rink, formally known as Manhattan is just not for me. So, in result, I ventured into my bosses office this afternoon and explained to him my status and my desire to fly back down south. He said he understood and even offered to write me a recommendation- the understanding and compassion he showed me really hit a core. But even so- I cannot contain my excitement to head back to Georgia.

My time in New York has resulted to a yo yo diet, a change in style for a period of time, and my new ability to slither through crowds like its nobody's business. But now- I am done and on to the next one. I am sure the subways will miss me- but the E train performers will just have to find some other wide-eye clueless girl to taunt.

I have wanted to tell the void of my blog (aka all of you) my real thoughts for a few days now, but since I know some of you work in my office, I am sorry I had to hold in the truth- granted my recent trip to Atlanta with a very special boy did take my mind off this subject matter for a time being (and just to let you know... the trip was amazing- more to come after this). But as my dad told me, anyone who reads this blog clearly knows that New York has turned into not one of my favorite places.

But, all in all- my time in New York has been life changing, and now the days are numbered. I am back on the job hunt- maybe a career change? Maybe article writing in my future? Maybe my own TV show? the sky is the limit for me right now. If anyone has any ideas... my valued readers.. tell me what you think- bunger62288@gmail.com

Stay tuned for more to come... :)

Peace, love and peace out abroad,

B

Just to laugh this morning...

Because I am in such a great mood this morning (I am getting on a plane to Georgia for the weekend in 11 hours...), you should be too. My best friend sent me this clip this morning and it's hysterical.... enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LkusicUL2s

Peace, Love and flying on a plane today,

B

Snow and Sniffles on the Subway

Another 'huge' snowstorm was suppose to attack New York today. There was talk around the office about possibly not coming to work today... but after the 'storm' there was no need to stay home. Yes, there was a little plowing necessary to actually emerge from my aunts house- but other than that, the snow was amazing. I left 15 minutes early just to play in it. Exploring the fluffy powder alone was not as much fun as it is when I have people to play with- but fun anyways. No other word can explain the scene other than a winter wonderland.

The winter wonderland started off my day, and tears ended my day on the subway. There I was, still in my gym clothes, hair damp with sweat and book in hand. To the untrained eye, I was just a crazy woman on the train crying- but really, the book I am reading really hit a soft spot. For those of you who haven't read "The Last Song" you should. Its not a boys book at all but has the same effect as reading "The Notebook" for girls- it pulls every emotion from me. I have laughed, cryed, felt pissed and wished that I was in the book- I even have felt like this book was telling my story. Its insane. Straight up insane.

I should have known that the tears were going to roll on the subway- because I had tears in my eyes while I was on the stair master 30 minutes beforehand. Just imagine that... a girl crying on the stair master- it is an interesting sight... believe me, I am that girl.

What a day... But I am going to Atlanta for the weekend, AND SO EXCITED! I don't think I can explain to you how excited I am to see my family, friends and I have a special friend coming home with me too this weekend... more details to come after the weekend I am sure.

Lesson Learned:

I need to carry tissues.

Peace, Love and what a day,

B

Boys and Bulls.......

A good friend of mine suggested that we go to the rodeo with some of his friends this past Saturday night. I had never been or experienced a big rodeo before, so I figured why not (Yes, I am still practicing the philosophy of, 'if its not hurting anyone, then why not')? This opportunity also gave me an actual excuse to wear my cowboy boots AND flannel out in pubic and not have to get made fun of.. Believe me, I fit right in.

The rodeo was the group we were with was fun... and of course the beer was delightful. But there was something that kind of hit a nerve with me in the whole rodeo experience. Those poor bulls. They basically getting their balls yanked for our enjoyment. While watching the 'sport,' the boys I was with cheered when the bull would throw off the rider and then refuse to go back into its cage. Basically, they were taunting the bull and screaming for it to charge at someone- just waiting for the poor animal to hurt someone. Now, I am not a huge animal activist- I enjoy a nice steak and piece of chicken, but watching a animal in pain has always hit a soft spot.... and those poor bulls, their balls must hurt, and its not like they can turn around and say, 'hey, now, how would you like it if I pulled your balls with a rope and tried to hang on to you? How would you feel?'

Other than feeling bad for the bulls... the whole rodeo scene was really fun- everyone there for a good beer- pretty simple. There is just something about the combination of beer, boys and bulls that seem to fit perfectly together. Maybe its the rough and tough of it all- and unlike football, all the boys felt a connection with the single rider it felt like, well a connection with the rider or the bull, I couldn't quite tell.

If you ever get the chance to go to a rodeo- just go, its a sight to see none the less.

Peace, Love and bulls,

B

Seeing Blind Man....

On my way back to Queens this morning- there was the typical homeless man on the subway asking for change (as I just re read that... how horrible do I sound- I have been in this city for way to long- as I am now clumping all homeless people into a bunch. Where has my compassion gone? Has the city actually succeeded in making me hard??? Heaven forbid). But on top of begging for change and being homeless, this man claimed he was legally blind, with the seeing stick and thick black glasses to protect his eyes from the light. He made his way through our 6 train car, banging the ground with his stick and shaking the cup he held for change. Some nice man gave him a 5 dollar bill (very generous). I saw his compassion and searched my pockets for change but honestly did not have any....

But then something very interesting happened. When the man made it to the end of the car- he said, "God bless you all" and opened the doors between the cars and kept walking onto the next subway car.

Now someone explain this to me. If a blind man can hardly get through a subway car, how in the world would he be able to seamlessly transfer between the cars while they are moving??? Something just did not seem right. If this guy actually was blind, than wow- he has got some good skills, but lets be honest.... theres no way. At all.

After the man switched cars, I shared a glance with the man sitting next to me. It was one of those moments where we both were thinking the exact same thing, "Come on, really?" and we both laughed a little.

Just an interesting morning ride on the 6 train

Peace, Love and I can see you,

B

Bathroom Bandit

Due to my genes- passed down from my mom- water runs through my body faster than you can count to three. Because of my small bladder, bathroom runs occur on the regular. The set up of my office makes this a little tricky- seeing as the girls bathroom is surrounded by boys. We share the floor with a company that has mostly boys, while ours is mostly girls. So logically, our building put us on the side with the boys bathroom, and the other company with the girls bathroom. Why would they do that? I mean... I guess they want us to mix and mingle on the way to pee. But honestly... just WHY.

I am sure at this point, the boys have a tally going of how many times an hour I make the trek cross the office, through the kitchen and around the corner to the girls bathroom. Like my bosses couldn't put me at the farthest point.... Just come on.

Seriously.

Really?

Peace, Love, and Small Bladders,

B

What do you mean Snowstorm?

The past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind. I traveled from the north east, to the south east, to the middle of the country, to the Midwest and back again to the north east. Little did I know that when I flew to Florida 2 weeks ago I wouldn't see the skyline of new York for 2 weeks.

The original plan was to go see my grandparents for Christmas dinner- spend time with my family over the weekend and fly back to New York on Sunday- work for 2 days and fly out to Chicago on Wednesday to spend new years with friends, finally returning to New York on Monday night. The original plan was perfect- I was able to see everyone and work and please everyone and please myself..... Well... knowing my luck of the draw... the great blizzard of the north east had a different plan and made my plan go from smooth to an adventure... as always.

The flight Sunday afternoon back to New York got cancelled as the storm sat on top of Manhattan. Fine, no problem, I could just leave on Monday, still go to work Tuesday and half of Wednesday. Or at least that is what I told myself to feel better. Monday morning I woke up at 7:00 to leave at 7:45 for my 12:00 flight (Wanted to get there early in case of the mass chaos the blizzard caused). 15 minutes before leaving my Grandparents house in Orlando, Delta decided to cancel my flight AGAIN- without sending me an e-mail notification or calling me- just listed it on the website (Delta had a little issue dealing with the amount of callers and their entire phone system was shut down for 3 days, as well as their sky miles system.. if you know someone who works at Delta, let them know that it needs to be fixed...). I did receive a phone call, however, 10 minutes before my scheduled flight time letting me know that my flight was canceled. Thanks for the notice time.

Anyways- SHEER PANIC. How in the world was I suppose to make it back to New York, pack my winter clothes and fly out all in a day and a half with a blizzard? I had made new years eve plans MONTHS ago. All my friends were going to be there and not making it to Chicago just was not an option. Delta made that decision for me. The answer was simply No- I was not getting back to New York. The only other option Delta had was to get me on standby for Wednesday. No way was that happening.

Not knowing what to do, I brought my dad in for reenforcement. He came up with the genius idea to just fly me straight to Chicago, it didn't matter that I only had 3 pairs of shorts, sneakers, 3 t-shirts and one pair of leggings (I had packed for warm, sunny weather, not -40 and snowing).

Although he had this wonderful idea, because Delta's systems we shut down, the little woman at the ticket counter said, sorry, but no. This answer is never an answer for me dad, I guess thats where I get my drive from. So his solution- fine, if you won't give me what I want, I will just call the CEO of Delta's office and get it from him. And that is exactly what he did. After explaining to the executive assistant of the CEO that his daughter needed to get to Chicago instead of New York and was willing to give up a seat on a New York flight to someone who really wanted to get there (LOGICAL)- the assistant re assigned me- gave full credits for my flight and I was off to Chicago.

A short stop in Minneapolis (a very quaint airport, I must say) and I finally walked off the plane in Chicago- with no winter coat. Freezing the rest of the week and having to buy new clothes to be with my friends.... was 100% worth it.

My week stay in Chicago was amazing. I saw my best friends, saw the boy I mentioned in the last blog, had a great new years eve (even though I had to find a new dress.. not an easy venture.. the one that was stuck in New York will just have to wait for next New Years eve...). Once all the mess of the blizzard was figured out... my trip went smoothly, another adventure for the books none the less.

But let me tell you- Don't tell me dad no... He'll get you every time...

Lesson Learned:

If you can't get what you want, go to the top. There is always someone higher.

Peace, Love and Snowstorms,

B