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Posts Tagged ‘Life in NYC’

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 11, 2017| 2 Comments »

‘Tis the crazy season! With two weeks to go until Christmas (and Hanukkah starts tomorrow!!) it seems like things are moving at lightening speed. The streets are packed, stores are bustling, tourists are wandering and lets not even talk about the post office. Yikes! I am reminding myself to stop and take a breath every so often- between making cookies, wrapping presents, writing cards and organizing a packing list, oh and working!

But, on Saturday night I did find some time to hang with a cherished friend and sneak away to see the lights and decorations in the City. It is one of my favorite things to do and I don’t always make it a priority. This year I am so glad that I did.

It just so happened that on Saturday we also had our first snow fall of the season. Every time it snows in NYC, I really feel like the city is transformed in to a magical whirling snow globe. The fresh snow makes everything seem beautiful and I swear it is a bit quieter somehow.

We started our adventure off at the GreyDog for dinner on 12th Street and then headed to Union Square to check out the Holiday Market. From there we walked up 7th Avenue past the Flatiron District to Macy’s. From Macy’s we walked up 6th Avenue to Bryant Park and then headed to 5th Avenue to check out the windows along 5th, including Sak’s Fifth Avenue and of course the tree at Rockefeller Center. Our tired and cold feet jumped into a taxi at 59th street and headed home.

Whether you are a tourist or have lived in NYC for all of your life, I highly recommend finding time to do a nighttime walk to see the sights at the holidays. Yes, the crowds can be a bit crazy but there is nothing wrong with fortifying yourself mid walk with a hot chocolate or something a bit stronger to keep your energy up. There are lots of restaurants and pubs along the way! Get out there and then hurry back and get cozy on the couch with your favorite holiday classic, might I suggest “Love Actually”? 😉

Hope you enjoy this year’s pics. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season. May you find some time over the next couple of weeks to do something just for you. Love and hugs, S xo

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There is always something to be thankful for…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 23, 2017| 2 Comments »

Taking the time today for a bit of personal reflection. The sun is shining down on this spectacular city. The dog and I walked through Central Park and currently the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade plays in the background while my little family lounges. Life is certainly not perfect, it never is, but there really is always something to be thankful for.

Right now I am thankful for my girls. They are challenging and exhausting but they are also smart, determined and hilarious. I am thankful for my family, who no matter how far away are always available for a chat and a positive word or two of support. I am thankful for Mr Memphis who shares my love of walks in the park. I am so damn thankful for my friends, especially my girlfriends who just understand. All of it.

I am thankful for another day to explore, experience, question, to be angry, to fight, to love, to care, to be kind, to have adventures.

Wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you ❤️

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Well, hello there!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 4, 2017| 6 Comments »

Hi there everyone, it is me, your long lost friend, or it certainly feels like it anyway. The last time I wrote something on this blog, there was snow on the ground- yikes! I guess I have been a little remiss in the writing department or maybe I can just apologize and say that I have been distracted by life. Let’s go with that.

It is September, I love this time of year. I always think of it as the official New Year’s. Maybe because I have always been involved in education in one way or another, but I always think of the new school year as a time to being again. To start fresh. An opportunity to put forth new goals, plan, get organized, get energized and move forward.  It is also the month in New York City where the weather turns into days of beautiful blue skies with crisp mornings and warm afternoons. Perfection.

I also love September because there is a schedule again. Even though I hate toooo much structure and you know that I can’t stand planning lunches and dinners, I do love getting up and moving and having purpose and a calendar filled with things to do. I promise not to complain too much when this starts to become overwhelming-ha! My girls can’t wait to go back to school, their days of lounging are making them a bit crazy at this point. I know I definitely need them to go back to school so our apartment can stop looking like a frat house!! Teenage girls are a hot mess, literally.

We have had a good few months, the girls, Memphis and I. Keeping busy with the everyday. We have had the opportunity to travel a bit, connect with family, explore and appreciate the little things.

The world in general is tough right now. Politics in the US, not okay at all. That is a much BIGGER issue and a fight that continues daily. It weighs heavily on us all.

We are lucky though, I am grateful that life, in general, is good. Am I where I thought I would be at this stage in my life? No, I am not. Some days this is exciting and awesome and other days it paralyzingly terrifying. Life is definitely messy and amazing at the same time. That is the beauty of it all. One of my goals for September is to let go of the fear of the unknown, embrace the chaos and concentrate on the things I can change. We will see how it goes. I also promise to keep writing. It really is good for the soul. Happy “New Year” my friends. Good luck to all the students, teachers, administrators, support staff and parents as your new year begins! xoxo

(Here are a few of my favorite pics from the last couple of months, hope you enjoy them)

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What’s Been Going On…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on February 24, 2017| 3 Comments »

February, you are definitely the longest, shortest month.

I am not going to lie, I have been in a bit of a funk lately. The weather is up, down, snow, rain, freezing rain, fog, warm, cold… it can’t make up its mind. Life is busy, the political world is overwhelming (that is an understatement) and the rat race is a rat race. Being a grown up is hard, yo. And some days it would be easier to stay under the covers. Oh yes it would. Tempting. Very tempting. I know we have all been there.

So, I am really trying to focus on a bit of self care and reframing. Focusing on the positive because no matter how dark the days can seem, there is always something positive. Always. I truly believe that. We are stronger together. Kindness goes a long way. Never be afraid to ask for help. That can be the hardest thing to do sometimes, I know it is for me. It’s okay to be tired, to regroup, to recharge. We have got this. Yes we do.

I am turning up the tunes, heading out to enjoy the city and sending some love and positive energy to all of you.

Here are some pics from the last month. Enjoy!

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A Saturday In January

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 7, 2017| Leave a Comment »

For some reason my body and mind do not like to sleep in anymore. I guess by default that makes me a morning person. I have been embracing this early wake up on Saturday mornings by heading to Central Park with Memphis where he runs off leash and I get some exercise walking at the most beautiful time of the day. Today it was enjoying the calm before the snow.

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I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon putting away all the Christmas decorations and tidying up the apartment. The snow did begin to fall. I love looking out my apartment window watching it blow all around. It is like being inside one giant snow globe.

There really is something magical about fresh snow, or maybe that is the Canadian in me talking 😉  Whatever it is, I always feel like I need to get out and go for a walk. So I grabbed Memphis’ leash and off we went. It is the Southern Gentleman’s second time in the snow. I do not think he shares my enthusiasm quite yet. I would say that he tolerates it.

 

It was quite blustery down by the river and we are both happy to be back home in the snow globe watching the white stuff fall outside. Time for a cup of tea, a warm blanket and a good movie. Memphis has already found his spot for the afternoon =)

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Happy Saturday my friends, stay warm and safe. Happy Snow!

 

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2016: “Look Around, How Lucky We Are To Be Alive Right Now”

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 30, 2016| 4 Comments »

The line from “Hamilton: An American Musical” keeps running through my mind right now as I sit here reflecting on the insanity of the year that was 2016. This year has been a whirlwind of ups and downs. And yes, there have been many downs but we are still here. We ARE lucky to be alive right now and to enter 2017, fierce and strong and ready to meet challenges like the badass people we have proven to be. Yep, I am talking about YOU! Go get it my friends!! =)

Sorry, I haven’t written in awhile, one of the resolutions I hope to keep is to get back to my writing. It really does soothe my soul and make me happy.

I have spent the last few days of 2016 with my girls and Memphis. I was lucky enough to get the week off of work and we spent Christmas in Bedford celebrating with good friends and meeting new people in a beautiful setting. We have also had some quality time chilling at home binge watching “Gilmore Girls”.

This time of year is still a bit tough, I find myself with a bit too much time to think and reflect. Not necessarily a bad thing unless I start being a little too hard on myself. I have to remind myself to take a deep breath. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. This year we said goodbye to Dopey dog but it also brought us Memphis. The girls and I have become closer, we are our own little family unit. I have a job that I enjoy, it is chaotic and crazy, it forces me out of my comfort zone. I don’t see my extended family and out of town friends as often as I would like but they are doing a-okay and that makes me smile. Here in the big city I am surrounded by my NYC family and these friends are the glue that hold all the pieces together. My heart is full. For that I am so very humbled and grateful.

I do feel a little uncertain as to what 2017 holds, but I do know this, together, we will be okay. Kindness is key. And love really is the answer. Be well my friends. Happy, Happy, Happy 2017!! -Sandra xo

(I leave you with a few pics from the last few days of this year- Enjoy!)

 

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It’s Been Awhile… Checking In!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 10, 2016| 9 Comments »

Wow, I just realized my last post was July 20th… time sure is flying by. I have missed writing and so, here I am, checking in with all of you.

The other day I had a very cool experience. I was standing in Alice’s Tea Cup (the best tea shop in NYC- go already!!) talking with a friend, when a woman approached me, she said “you’re the woman who writes the blog ‘It’s Always An Adventure’, aren’t you?”. I was kind of blown away and it also confirms to me that my crazy curly hair IS that recognizable. So, it turns out that she was visiting from Australia and used to live in NYC (I won’t bore you with the rest of the details, mutual friend, etc..). However, she was incredibly nice and said how she and some friends read my blog in Australia- wow- what a compliment! HELLO AUSTRALIA, thanks for reading all of my crazy thoughts and keeping up with my adventures =) And it also prodded me to get my butt in gear and start writing again.

Things have been busy in our family. I started a new job. I am working in a school again which makes me extremely happy. I love being back involved in education and working with families, children and administration in my role as a parent coordinator. Not going to lie, it has been a big adjustment for all of us having me back at work but I think the change is good for me as well as the girls. The big kid started high school this fall and the little one started middle school. Between the three of us we are navigating three school schedules, meetings, extra-curricular activities and personal growth. No wonder I feel so damn tired. Maybe I would write more if I could stay up past 9:30 😉

Overall, we are doing well. Positive change, steps forward. Fall is my favorite time of the year and I am enjoying the cooler weather. Memphis and I are taking lots of long walks in Central Park. My achilles is still not super happy with me but Soul Cycle is keeping me sane and healthy. Good friends, connecting with old friends, warm mugs of tea, belly laughs, episodes of Gilmore Girls, binge watching new tv, dreaming of my upcoming Thanksgiving trip to California… all of these things are helping to distract from the insanity of US politics, a finalized divorce and a general heaviness in the world.

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving and a perfect time to reflect. Ultimately there are so many things to be grateful and thankful for. Right now I am thankful for the peace I find just regrouping and working on life’s simpler things. It is not all sunshine and lollipops but damn, it is life and it is meant to be lived. I guess I have been in my head a lot lately trying to find perspective, answers or simply just daydreaming. And I am a-okay with that. I am grateful for a new day.

Thanks for hanging out my friends. Hope you are all well. Be good to each other. Here are some of my favorite pics from the past few months. Enjoy and rock on with your beautiful, badass selves!

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Wordless Wednesday: Sunshine, Heat and Happiness 

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on July 20, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Sorry, I haven’t been around in a couple of weeks, I have been enjoying the unstructured days of summer 😊

The girls are at camp and I am desperately finding ways to counter balance the heartbreak in the world right now and the insanity of politics with the simple things that summer brings. I am distracting myself with quiet moments, new shows, long walks, new reading material, dinner with friends and even trips to the dentist and eye doctor. Mostly I am just taking time to breathe. 

Summer, a time to slow down a bit, relax, look around, appreciate. 

Here are few pics from the past couple of weeks. Hope you enjoy them. Happy summer my friends! 😎💜

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Wordless Wednesday: Sometimes…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , on June 15, 2016| 2 Comments »

Sometimes the world just seems a little too overwhelming. Too sad, too disappointing, too broken, too complicated. 

Today I woke up in a funk, feeling blue, out of sorts. So I took myself to the park. To restore my energy with the beauty of nature, the simple things. To find quiet and rest my brain. A reset, if you will. 

Central Park did not disappoint and I found some peace. 

My wish for all of you this Wednesday is love and light. The whole world could use some right now. 💜💙💚💛❤️

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Wordless Wednesday: My Love Affair With Central Park Continues!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , on June 8, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Even after living in this city for almost six years I am still amazed at how fast the weather can change. A reminder that we do in fact live on an island! 

This morning was absolutely beautiful. Cooler temps with dazzling sunny blue skies. The perfect morning for a walk in the park with Babette and Memphis. 

I am now back in the apartment and the sky is darkening, the wind is picking up and there is a storm warning that includes thunder, lightening and hail! 

So, I will leave you with the beauty of Central Park from this morning. Wishing you a fabulous Wednesday. Hope you remembered your umbrella! 😊



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