Suburbia

I've been thinking a lot about suburbia lately, what with the impending doom of having to move back to Long Island if I don't find a job soon.

Actually, I should clarify, I've got to go back to Long Island anyway, but the hope is that will only be for a week or so before I move into another apartment. I'm putting my furniture and everything in storage here in Manhattan, so I am being optimistic about it! We'll see, though.

Regardless, this weekend I went up to Connecticut to visit with Mel's family, which was an incredible and much needed break from the city. As I said, I've been thinking about suburbia and moving home and I was starting to look forward to it (a bit!) just for the nature and my parent's pool and whatnot - so this little trip actually came at a wonderful time.

I always forget how needed it is to get out of the city every once in awhile. I think I really need to remember that in the future, maybe once a month or so - just to get a refresher.

Anyway, the weekend was awesome, I absolutely adore her family. I always eat a ton when I go to their house, but the food is so delicious and healthy and they're always very accommodating of my food preferences so that's amazing. And I just love the contrast between their home and mine in terms of food - not to say one is better than the other, but it is mind blowing how different our family's attitudes are. Mel once said to me that in her house food is love, and I can see that. In my house.... I am not sure. To my mom, food is calories. To me, food is delicious. It's interesting to compare and contrast the attitudes, for sure.

I did some baking this past weekend for the party, which I haven't done in forever, and that felt really good. I find it sort of meditative to do food prep and bake, and I have so much fun trying out new recipes. This one was Coconut Lime cupcakes, and they were pretty impressive. I honestly wasn't a huge fan of them, but everyone seemed to love them, and I got major props from the vegans who were at the party (they were vegan cupcakes - from "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World"). The cake was made with a lot of coconut elements and some lime zest, the frosting was made with lime juice, and then the whole cupcake was topped with shredded coconut. It presented well, at the least!

Anyway, the party was just great and I loved meeting all of their eccentric family members, especially the people I've heard about. Also, one of our friends from school came as well and we hadn't spent a lot of time together previously (just random conversations at parties) so it was really wonderful to finally get a chance to bond. We talked about jobs, life, love (or lack thereof! jeez), and more and it was quite cathartic. Had a lot of fun hanging with Mel and her sister as well, made me miss mine.

Today we went to an Arts Festival, which is always so fulfilling. I kind of fell in love with Connecticut this weekend, how it is very suburban like Long Island, but seemingly so much more cultured. I'm aware that it might just be the parts their family showed me, but it just seems so much... better. Sorry, LI. You know I love you (kind of).

My muscles are still screaming from this crazy exercise class Mel and I did on Friday called IntenSATI. She was able to bring me as a guest to Equinox, and I was seriously intimidated. I thought I was in really good shape from all my yoga and whatnot but NO - these women were insane. I was cracking up the whole class and my mind was racing trying to take in all the different components and my body was failing me on so many levels but it was truly awesome, I swear. It's a mix of dance, aerobics, and chanting affirmations and it is just this crazy mind-body-spirit exercise. They begin with a lecture on a topic, then the intense aerobics, then a sort of meditative series of aerobics.

Basically, I need to go back.

Anyway, I am absolutely exhausted but I hadn't written in a week and wanted to get together a short entry, also do some memory preserving of this past weekend. This week - I am off to the races again. Did some good career talking with everyone this weekend, and am determined to apply more to places that have missions that I really believe in and would feel proud to be a part of - I think that's a great first step to a future career in whatever it happens to be or just a pleasant work environment that will make me feel good about myself and give me opportunities to explore further interests. I was starting to cave into the idea of applying for more film production-y things, but honestly I think it is going to be worth it to hold out. I have my fingers crossed and the affirmations from intenSATI running through my head, so let's DO THIS!