Living in Manhattan | It's Always An Adventure

Posts Tagged ‘Living in Manhattan’

Wordless Wednesday: Macy’s Holiday Windows

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Christmas in NYC, Happy Thanksgiving, holidays, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, Macy's, Macy's Holiday Windows, pics of Macy's windows, Thanksgiving in NYC, Wordless Wednesday on November 21, 2012| 1 Comment »

With the celebration of Thanksgiving tomorrow, NYC is being transformed into holiday magic. Lights are being put up, Christmas trees are arriving, parade balloons are being filled, decorations abound and the beautiful store windows are being unveiled. Last week I was able to take a wander down 34th street to capture a glimpse at the beauty of this year’s Macy’s window display. They were still putting on some of the finishing touches but as usual they did not disappoint. Here is a peek of this year’s theme. Enjoy the pics and to my American friends- Happy Thanksgiving! I know that I am feeling extremely grateful this year for my many blessings including my incredible family and friends. Love and happy Turkey to you all =)

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Forced To Slow Down

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged bone spur, forced to slow down due to injury, health, heel spur, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, plantar fasciitis, prp therapy, running, running injury, stress fracture on November 17, 2012| 3 Comments »

So, I have a new accessory and it looks like this:

Isn’t it a pretty ski boot type thing??! Maybe I should get the girls to decorate it!

After months of dealing with plantar fasciitis (and trying to learn how to spell it correctly!) plus some new added top of the foot pain I decided to go to the doctor to get my left foot checked out again. I was getting tired of running through the pain and well, basically just having a sore foot while standing or walking around. And, I would like to remind you that there is A LOT of walking around in NYC!

On Thursday I went to a wonderful foot/ankle doc who listened to my ailments, promptly sent me to x-rays and then diagnosed me with a stress fracture on my second metatarsal (basically the area on top of my foot located under my second toe), a nasty heel spur and of course, the lingering plantar fasciitis. Fun times!! And now I wear the boot. It will cushion by heel, support the foot and allow it to heal. It is actually rather comfy if a bit awkward. My right foot might get jealous of all the special treatment 😉 Next week I am also going back to the Dr. to try a new procedure called PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma Injection) that will use my own platelets separated from my own drawn blood and then the platelet rich blood will be injected into the injury site on my heel. Sounds kind of cool, I will let you know how it goes.

The big bummer of course, is that I will not be able to run for the next little while. I am aiming to get back at it in the new year. This is something that really doesn’t make me happy especially since I LOVE this type of weather to run in. I am one of those crazy cold weather runners. I will also miss my running ladies =(

Luckily, the doc told me that I can still spin and swim. Maybe this is a good time to work on triathlon training?! I get a little cranky when I am forced to slow down. Yesterday I pushed it a bit and I was sore… I know that I need to rest but, well, I can’t help it, I come by my stubbornness quite honestly. I really do want to get all these issues with my foot resolved so I will listen and behave… no really, I will. Maybe the plus side of this is that I will be offered a seat on the subway?? Doubtful.

Anyhoo, if you need to find me I will be resting or perhaps working up a sweat on a bike a soul cycle… 😉

Have a great weekend! S xo

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Wordless Wednesday: 5th Grade Fun!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, math class, open school days, Visiting 5th Grade on November 14, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It is Open School Week at the girls school. Today I was able to visit A’s class and had great fun shaking it up in dance class (too busy to take pics) and survived math class- barely. So much fun to see them at school!! Here are a couple of pics. Have a great day!

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My 10 Simple Rules For Apartment Living

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged 10 Simple Rules for Apartment Living, Apartment Etiquette, Apartment Living, Life in NYC, Living in an Apartment in NYC, Living in Manhattan on November 12, 2012| 2 Comments »

As I heard a neighbor’s alarm go off for the 4th time this morning as he/she hit the snooze button again (!), I started reflecting a bit on city living, specifically apartment living. Now that we live in Manhattan and not in the suburban sprawl where you can happily have family arguments with no one to eavesdrop 😉 I have decided that there really are 10 simple rules to co-existing happily in tight spaces with complete strangers. I am sure that there are many more and please feel free to add your own. Here are mine. Enjoy!

1. Elevator Rules:

We all live in the same building and yes, we might not know each other’s names or likes and dislikes but we recognize each other’s faces so FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, please nod, say hello or do something else to acknowledge my or another person’s existence when I or someone else enters the elevator. This is not an office building in midtown, it is okay to make eye contact and yes, even comment on the weather. Also, please respect the sign that says do not over crowd the elevator. Again, it is not a fast paced midtown building elevator with fancy schmancy new technology and some of us (me!!!) are terrified of getting stuck in it.

2. Alarm Clock

I get that you like to sleep in, who doesn’t? But if your initial alarm must go off at the ungodly hour at 5am and it also has the volume level to wake up the entire apartment building on our end, you DO NOT get to hit snooze 4 times… NO you do not. No exceptions. If you need to have an alarm that loud, when it rings, get the F*%K up!!!

3. Wake And Bake

I really don’t care what your recreational drug habits are, blaze away my friend, blaze away. But, when one is living in close quarters please try and vent your substances away from my children’s windows, K? Do I need to say is S-L-O-W-E-R…

4. Be Nice to the Doormen

This drives me crazy. How hard is it to just be nice to people? And these are the guys that open the door for you, make sure you receive all your mail, packages and other special deliveries. They also know everyone that comes to visit you and probably know way more personal information about you than the person you are married to. Um hello, why would’t you be nice to them??!!!

5. No Vacuuming Before 10 am on the Weekends

This seems to be pretty self explanatory. No matter how much of a neat freak you are, it is just NOT cool to be the person vacuuming early on the weekends.

6. Keep Your Dogs On A Leash

This also seems like common sense, but alas, it is not. My 100 pound dog does not think that it is cute to be ~~attacked~~ charged at by your three little dogs, no matter how cute you think it is. Just keep your dogs on a leash, I will keep mine on a leash and all will be fine. Got it?

7. Remember That Your Windows Are Open

I know everyone has been guilty of this… Noise travels especially when the windows are open and there is very little breeze. So my friendly neighbors, keep this in mind when your little one is screaming at 4 am, you are having that throw down fight with your significant other, wild parties or intense um, relations. Maybe THAT is why no one looks at each other in the elevator…

8. Don’t Be An A-Hole When It Comes To Garbage

I don’t care how much of a slob you are in your own apartment but we all share garbage and recycling, so out of respect for everyone just use common decency and be clean. It really is not that hard. Put garbage in a secure bag, recycle what is supposed to be recycled. It is not rocket science, yet…

9. Be Weary of Experimental Food Dishes

I am all for trying out new recipes, just be a little cautious of those that have crazy smelly ingredients that may linger for days. Or at least try out those recipes on breezy window wide open days not in the dead of winter or in the steaming heat of summer.

10. Just Be Nice!

Lastly, it can be tough living in such close quarters with so many different personalities let alone your own family so just practice patience, tolerance and most of all- be nice. It really is a lot easier to crack a smile than throw a grimace. And when you need a break, I suggest the wide open spaces in Central Park for a nice long walk.

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Looking Out The Window…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged installing window panes, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, Looking out your window in NYC, never a dull moment, pics of cranes lifting items up into buildings, window installations on November 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Sometimes in NYC, just looking out your window can provide some fabulous people watching, interesting spectacles or like today- daring window installations. Watching anything being hoisted into the air up numerous stories above pedestrians in NYC, is not for the faint of heart. Don’t even ask me about the time I witnessed sheets of glass being raised up at least 50 stories… yowza! Anyhoo… Dopey and I were just minding our own business when both of us became distracted by the giant crane that was lifting window frames up the side of the building. Proof again, that even while hanging out in your apartment, there never really is a dull moment in NYC 😉 Enjoy the pics and have a fabulous day!

Dopey checking out the action

The large crane ready to go to work

Moving the frames toward the open window

In they go…

Starting to fold up the crane

Packing up and ready to go- amazing how fast they can do it!

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Ghoulish Fun

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Hallowe'en, Halloween in NYC, Halloween on the UWS, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, pics of Halloween, post sandy Halloween in manhattan, trick or treating in NYC on November 1, 2012| 3 Comments »

I have to admit, I was having very mixed feelings about Halloween this year. Given the devastation that hurricane Sandy has left in NYC and beyond it didn’t really feel right “celebrating” so to speak. We are left relatively unscathed on the Upper West Side but so many of our neighbors downtown and in other areas are not so lucky.

But by yesterday afternoon the kids started getting excited and their enthusiasm was infectious. We decided to get into the spirit of things and Ron decorated our foyer while I helped the girls get ready. Truthfully it was a great escape from a tough week. As we wandered the streets of our small community in the big city there was a sense of gratitude and good will in the air. Eye contact was made, thank you’s and pleasantries were exchanged. New Yorkers showing once again how incredible they/we are. It was much needed for many reasons. The subways are running today, the city is re-building and the city that never sleeps is moving at pace again. Happy Halloween and Happy November!! xox

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Thankful On Higher Ground

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged damage on the UWS, feeling devastated for those affected by Hurricane Sandy, Frankenstorm, Hurricane Sandy, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, pics on October 30, 2012| 5 Comments »

We have been apartment bound for a couple of days now and with the wind finally dying down the girls and I decided to take Dopey out for a walk to get some fresh air. It was very different on the Upper West Side today then it was yesterday at the same time. The streets are crowded with people, the sky is brighter and it seems as if people are trying to gain some semblance of normalcy.

We are fortunate to live on a part of the island with higher elevation. At the height of the nasty weather last night the windows shook and the rain fell but we still retained power and did not experience the devastating flooding that happened in lower parts of Manhattan. We are extremely lucky while many areas are not.

It is hard to watch the news reports today, the city that I have come to love so very much has been hit hard. The areas surrounding, in New Jersey, Long Island and elsewhere have suffered incredible damage. My thoughts and prayers go out to all that have been affected.

We are fine. A little inconvenience is nothing to complain about at a time like this. The girls are off school again tomorrow and our biggest worry is how to keep everyone occupied. Again, I am counting our blessings.

The city will rebuild. Right now much of 39th and below is without power and the subways are flooded. Being a relative newcomer to the city I am amazed at how fast emergency response and action plans are implemented. The New York attitude is a feisty one of resilience, compassion and courage. There are so many heart warming stories of people helping others. I feel extremely lucky to call New York my home.

To all our friends and family who have been checking in with us, we cannot thank you enough. When it is dark, stormy and the wind is howling receiving the texts, phone calls, emails and Facebook messages are a great distraction 😉 You are the best and we love you all!

I have attached some pics from the ‘hood today. We will continue to keep you posted as we can. Again, thanks.

Signing off with a request to send positive vibes, prayers and love to all those who are struggling after this devastating storm.

Best, Sandra xox

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Frankenstorm Fotos

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Frankenstorm, Hurricane Sandy, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, nature, pics from 79th street boat basin, pics of boat basin before hurricane sandy arrives, waiting for sandy to arrive in NYC on October 29, 2012| 2 Comments »

So, we are still here waiting it out… Took Dopey out for a walk about a half an hour ago and the weather is starting to get pretty nasty. The wind is really picking up and the water levels are rising. I think it is a good time to hunker down and stay put. Please be safe my friends. Here are a few pics from the day so far.

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Waiting for Sandy…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Frankenstorm, Frankenstorm in NYC, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Sandy in NYC, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, office of emergency management, office of the mayor, preparing for a hurricane, waiting for bad weather to arrive, weather phenomenon on October 28, 2012| 2 Comments »

Well, here we are in a bit of a waiting game again. Just like with Hurricane Irene those of us on the east coast are wondering what kind of weather phenomenon is coming our way. If you listen to Fox News or CNN you would think that we were one step away from impending doom. I prefer to follow my twitter feed and the much more calmer and saner tweets from the Office of Emergency Management or the Mayor’s Office. That being said, it is looking a bit scary out there. The following pic is from twitter, I believe it was retweeted from Ivanka Trump (makes sense, she WOULD have an apartment with this kind of NYC view!) and it looks rather ominous.

The calm before the storm!

I can’t help but think of all of those movies where NYC is totally decimated. I guess we should all head to the Central Library, again 😉

Seriously though, there are massive line ups to just get in to many of the grocery stores, windows are being secured, sandbags are placed in low lying areas and parts of the city are being evacuated. The MTA is shutting down the mass transit system (buses, subways and trains) by 7 pm. tonight. Public schools have been cancelled for tomorrow and shelters are open. And now we wait and see and hope that it is not as bad as many sensationalists have been predicting.

On the positive side I am looking forward to riding out Frankenstorm by snuggling on the couch with the family, watching movies (for as long as we have power), playing board games, reading and dipping in to our stash of Halloween candy and wine.

Stay safe my friends!!! xoxo

R & R at her first Jets game today- the “Hurricane Bowl”

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In A NY Minute: 31st & 7th

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged 31st&7th, a minute in NYC, a NYC moment, Life in NYC, Living in Manhattan, NY Minute, people watching in NYC on October 26, 2012| Leave a Comment »

The other day when I was in a migraine fog standing on a NYC street corner, I became very aware of how much activity seemed to happen on a NYC street corner in such a small amount of time. There were numerous little stories taking place around me as I stood in place waiting for my friend. Deep inside the haze an idea formed for the blog. Every Friday I am going to stand on a different street corner in NYC and record the hustle and bustle (or lack of) for one minute. A little slice of life in the city. I hope you will enjoy! Happy Friday my friends. Take the time today to hug someone and remind them just how much you love them 🙂

Corner of 31st & 7th
On a Friday afternoon this is an insanely busy block. Right across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, people are rushing to catch buses and trains out of the city. New visitors to the city are arriving, friends are meeting for drinks, hustlers are hustling, noses are in cellphones, traffic (by foot and car) is heavy and the general chaos of the city is palpable. You can stand on the corner and let yourself be lost in the swirl of humanity.

***And… I am still working on getting this idea up and running. Please enjoy some pics from 31st & 7th, while I figure it out! Thanks for your patience.