shenae.com

I’ve been in New York for exactly one month and I am thoroughly fucked. After working three shifts at the store, the manager decided that I was not aggressive enough.  Wow. Really? I mean, really? My middle name is aggressive.  This prompted an all out interview bonanza.  I went through seven interviews the first week, and two this week.  Still nothing. Let me see: I went to culinary school and housekeeping school, and the agency sends me to interviews for housekeeper/cook or housekeeper positions.  Why do these families turn me down because I don’t have enough childcare experience? Seriously? I think it would help if they advertised for a nanny/housekeeper and not waste my time or their time.  Don’t get me started about apartment searching. The short-term rental company that I had contacted for a weekly room was busted for scamming people.  I had a sublet for two weeks but it was expensive.  I should have just waited and found a cheap room for rent.  My cats have moved around as much as I have.  They were in the car, in a kennel, at a pet sitter and now at a friend’s house…but not for long.  Mufasa and Diablo, the little heathens that they are, have been using her couch as a scratching post.  Now I have to find a place for them…until I find an apartment…and a job.  So yeah, I’m fucked.

I am really digging New York City.  I have already gone through the hazing: suffered riding a train with no a/c, waiting in a hot subway station for a delayed train and getting lost.  So many of the restaurants  and bars that I have heard of (Momofuku, d.b.a, Veselka) are around the apartment where I’m staying. And I’m not going to lie, the East Village is like and asian fantasyland for me.  There are too many good-looking japanese, chinese and korean men here.  In fact, there is a shitload of nerdy-sexy, dirty-sexy, and ugly-sexy men everywhere.  My vajay-jay is going to spontaneously combust. If only I could stay here longer.  Finding an apartment is the most difficult task especially when you can’t afford to live where you want to live.  I’m trying to stay positive and concentrate on finding a place — damn, he is FINE, I gotta have me some of that, where’s the fire? I’m sorry, what was I saying?

Things you should know: I decided not to buy my apartment because I don’t qualify for a loan and I couldn’t afford it.  I was already annoyed that I didn’t have hot water for 13 days, so I just didn’t want to live here anymore.  I got a new apartment which is closer to both jobs.  Speaking of which, my hours were cut from Jobby Job #1, and even though I picked up more hours at Jobby Job #2, I’m still not making the money I used to make.

Things you shouldn’t know: I’ve been on some dates, been out with friends from work and other social activities.  I was hoping that my social life and dating life would improve, but it’s been up and down.  More on the dating aspect at another time.

So for now, I’m packing, I move next week.

One work colleague is an amazing photographer.  Another co-worker does wonderful drawings, and yet another is a painter.  My best friend can read tarot cards and sometimes gets messages from the other side, you know, in the Ghost Whisperer/Medium kind of way.  So I asked myself, what is my special talent?  A long time ago, I thought it was my foreign language skills, and later on I thought I could work with computers.  Just a few years ago, I pictured myself as an excellent chef.  And now, I don’t know what to do. Drinking does not count as a talent, people. The uncanny ability to attract homeless men or dirty old men is a curse as far as I’m concerned.  Being funny?  Perhaps.  The ability to blog about food, travel and tv at the same time should be considered an art.  Meh…

I am 36 today.  I can’t believe I made it this far.   I still feel like I haven’t accomplished anything yet.  I feel like there should be something more, rather, that I should be something more. So I’m making some changes and I’m just going to do what I want to do.  Stressing out doesn’t work.  Trying to push things through, doesn’t work. I’m just going to be focused and relaxed and be the best Shenae that I can be.

And yes, I still look fabulous!

I was in a mini-burger eating contest on Monday.  I thought that since the grand prize money was $500 and I had nothing to loose.  Besides, even if I didn’t win, I still get a free lunch!  Of course I was the only woman in the contest.  I was nervous and hungry.  I ate nine burgers and felt like ass.  There were 2 other guys who managed to scarf down eight burgers.  I was happy I beat someone.  The winner ate 14 burgers and proceeded to throw up in the bathroom before accepting the award.  Instead of throwing up, I drank a few beers after the contest.  Let’s face it, that was a free lunch as far as I’m concerned.

I got back in one piece from LA, my liver and all. My God, did I party like a rockstar!  My first night, I hung out at the poolside bar (drank too much) and then I went to the Bar at Standard.  Somewhat lame.  I mean, it was great to get in (because I was staying at the hotel) and because some models hit on me. But I was wearing a black skirt, backless top and mules.  Yep, I was overdressed.  I met some great people and decided to go to an after hours club.  The wait was over an hour.  We went to another club and that was cool. I didn’t even pay a cover! The next night, I went to Vynyl.  Very cool.  I was planning on going with someone I met the night before(Mr. Long Beach), but we kept missing each other by phone.  So I was quite surprised when after going to another bar, because the wait was too long, that we walk right towards each other on a side street.  I think it was a sign.  Anyway, that club was way better and I blended in, wearing jeans and a halter top.  The next day, I hit a happy hour, stayed in and chilled with Mr. Long Beach.  My wake up call was at 3 am, so I was not up to going out.  I did eat at some great restaurants and splurged on myself.  Don’t worry, I didn’t spend too much.  All in all, it was a very good trip.  I look forward to going back to California soon.  So is everyone else.  Just don’t know when. I definitely have the vacation days to do it.  I would like to stay in Santa Monica the next time…

I did attend Leslie’s happy hour on Friday. The UPS man was there. Talk about an evil ghost from the past.  It was definitely skank girl night.  What is up with guys staring at skanky women?  It makes no sense.  In fact, I was talking to this guy, who said he was interested, and was staring at this trashy woman.  I actually said “Hey, if you are going to look at another woman while I am talking to you, at least gawk at a chick that is better looking than me.”  Am I making sense?

What a weekend! I had drinks at Gecko’s on Friday night. Then we went to this fabulous restaurant named Josephine’s for dinner. And I had to close the night at the Gin Mill. I baked a crap load of cookies for Manny and Leslie’s party on Saturday. There was enough food there to feed the nation! You haven’t lived until you have practiced eating a hot wing and drinking a beer while dancing to the Smiths. On Sunday, the Emmys were on, finally! I was soooooo happy for Sex and the City, the Sopranos, Malcolm in the Middle and for Will and Grace. I love those shows. I should have been packing and cleaning, since I am moving in exactly one week, but I am lazy. I also cooked up a storm, making meatloaf and a one dish chicken bake. I rule.

I am back from a refreshing trip to NY.  I miss NY.  My grandfather is in better spirits and is in a nice rehab home in Queens. He eats better than me!  I hung out at Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe with my mom and uncle.  We drank mojitos and stuffed ourselves with seafood.  It was a good time.  Then I came home to the hectic schedule of two jobs and no life.  I did hit the bar with Tina and Dennis on Sunday night, but I was in bed by 11pm.  By the way,  I did get a place that is near me and the rent is way cheaper.  I move in on November 10th.