Day 66: If you are going to fail, might as well do it with style....

Now, I have worked in a coffee house for 4 years of my life. Because of my previous experience, I assumed that working for another coffee house would be an easy transition. OH! Ha. You know what they say when you assume.

Today, not only did I miss- date some things but I also made a mess. Oh, what a mess. I thought it would be smart to clean the floor with egg nog. Yup. Egg nog. Did you ever hear the old wives tale that washing the sticky floor with a sticky substance will cancel out the sticky-ness? Oh no? Well that is what I was CLEARLY doing. Honestly.

The day before that, I decided(while working the drive through expresso bar) that I did not like wearing all black 7 days a week. Therefore I decided to spill Matcha powder all over my pants so that I match my green apron. I want the record to show, I was just trying to change up my outfit. Matcha powder went all over me because I was tired of wearing all black. It is the black clothes' fault.

I am curious what adventures will happen on my shift today. Oh yes, I am working from 11-4:30 at the coffee house. Please... stop by and see what color my apron is.

Haha!
Happy Thanksgiving!
One Day is Today.

X.

Day 65: Multi Religions Under The Stone Columns

The past hour and forty five minutes I witnessed one of the most beautiful religious moments. Eight local religious groups gathered under one stone roof to sing and give thanks to their own form of the One God. The religious groups included were

• The Congregational Church of Huntington,  
• Gathering of Light Multi-faith Spiritual Fellowship, 
• Huntington Jewish Center,
•  St. John's Episcopal Church, 
• The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, 
• The United Methodist Church in Huntington, 
• Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
•  and hosted by St. Patrick's of Huntington. 

On top of these eight fellowships that joined together, we also experienced "Azan" - A Muslim call to worship, a prayer from the Hindu Tradition, and a prayer from the Baha't Tradition.

What was so astounding to me was the different religious garb's that walked down the cold marble aisle of St. Patrick's Church. My eyes were unused to seeing the bright colors of the Hindu and Baha't Tradition compared with the usually solid green garbs of our priests. Also, the chilling chant of "Azan" echoed easily inside the belly of the church.  The heavily nasal guttural call seemed to wrap around every body that was in that church, calling them to silence and to prayer. Brilliant.

I want to share one final thanksgiving prayer with you all that was at the mass. If you like it, I will be posting one a day starting tomorrow on my Twitter and FB. Feel free to check that out!

"For this fragile planet earth, its times and tides, its sunsets and seasons, we give thanks this day"

One Day is Today.
X.

Day 63-64: Snow storm+ No Power= #Adventurein2012

Some cosmic force has a sense of humor. Whether you believe in a monotheistic religion, a polytheistic religion or are a spiritual person with no attachment to any religion I hope you have taken a moment today to look up and say "touche". I mean, if you live in any of the area's hit by Sandy all you can do at this point is laugh and say "Well played Mother Nature".

Anyways...

After 11 days with

• no power
• no heat
• no hot water
• taking showers at the YMCA
• no laundry

You learn that every day is an adventure! Whether you want it to be or not...

I mean, take my day today. 

I treated myself to a long work out at the YMCA where I ran, biked, lifted and stretched for a total of 2 hours. After I showered, I went over to my favorite diner where I had bowl of hot soup, a side salad, bread and a bottomless cup of coffee. Then I attempted to go to the laundry mat to wash my work clothes for tomorrow. I come to find the ONE laundry mat I know does not take quarters. Yes, you heard me correctly, a laundry mat that does not take quarters. Instead you must approach a machine where you can purchase a money card and then fill it by inserting bills only. Now, what the machine does not inform you is that you have to first purchase the card for EXACTLY 1 dollar. Once it is purchased and in your possession, and only then, may you re-enter it into the machine and put money on it. No, you may not go to purchase a card with a $5 and expect the left over cash to then be converted onto the card. Nope. You can not do that. Trust the person who ONLY had a 5 dollar bill on her. That is severely frowned upon by this Laundry Mat and Laundry Mat Machine. 

Now, I am sitting at the Huntington Public Library (my home away from home for the time being) with two plays and Uta Hagen's Respect for Acting next to me waiting to be read. NPR is playing in my headphones as I blog and catch up on the world news. Adventure, I tell you, Adventure! 

If power does not return, tomorrow will be another adventure. Cheers!

One Day is Today!

X. 

Day 62: NYC for the Election

In the past 24 hours I have witnessed the closest Presidential Race I can remember, slept in a warm place(the first time in 10 days), and pigged out on chinese. Wait, no, that is not important. Let me change that last experience to going to Democracy Plaza. Yes, that is better. I tell you, I was thrilled to partake in the feast of chinese food but I can not see how anyone else would find that interesting. What a feast it was! Sesame chicken, General Tao tofu and broccoli, steamed dumplings and.... my apologies. I forgot we were not discussing the chinese pig out session. 

Since the intake of chinese was so great I will confess that I was slightly drowsy. However, when Romney conceded in the "wee hours of the morn" the streets of New York City suddenly were flooded with chants of "OBAMA" and joyous exclamations. You know, the tough reputation that New York City has is showcased by its citizens fight for democracy, equality and free will. It's people will fight tooth and nail for what they believe in for there is heart in New York. 

Democracy Plaza was an incredible site. News crews and the City took over the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza to show which party won which states. Picture of finished artistic brilliance is below. ENJOY!  

I want to now thank my friends who supplied me with a warm place to sleep and food to eat. Your generosity was overwhelming. So thank you, thank you, thank you!

One Day is Today!

X. 

Day 61: Setting My Adult Priorities

I have graduated college. The ability to run away to school and throw myself under a pile of scripts and textbooks is non existent anymore. As an "adult" I now have financial responsibilities to myself and to others (student loans) that need to be taken into consideration. Not to mention the adventures I would enjoy spending money on such as

• European Trip with Ms. Lillis
• Apartment
• Dance classes
• Audition Classes
• New shows
• Nights out

Taking all of this into account (for the first time in my life I will have you know), I have come to one very important conclusion. I need money. Not a "once in lifetime" lotto win or a sudden inheritance [Although I swear I will not be choosey if my life throws either one of those in my lap]. What I need is a steady income. 

Guess what everyone? I have two months of hard work ahead of me but I did it! With Sandy shutting down my power and all, I  am now employed full time at one company and part-time at another! I understand that this will result in long days but my part time gig is only for the Holiday Season, which means I can save up some extra money and put it away towards classes, while my full time position will fund the long term goals such as Apartment and the European Adventure! 

I am so excited to get some money saved away. Now, if I could just get my power and heat back but I will take one miracle at a time! 

Any money saving tips from people would be much appreciated! Even links to websites! Let me know

One Day is Today!

X. 

Day 54: Surviving a Hurricane and the Aftermath

Hey All,

I am currently on Day 6 of no power. I have been fortunate enough to have my first internet thanks to the VNS on Long Island.

So, it has been quite an adventure! Lots of wind, immense amounts of flooding and fires have made for quite the 6 days. I have found out that my house is a fort. We have come out with little damage which is  more than I can say for a lot of people.

Things I learned how to do:

• Build a fire 
• Boil water to wash dishes in a big bowl
• Wash my hair in 5 seconds (because the water was freezing)
• Re-play Cribbage

Things I accomplished in these past 6 days with no power:

• Read 3 books. I recommend "How to Be a Woman" - very funny!
• Completed 4 scarves for Christmas presents
• Cleaned my room (twice)
• Wrote some poetry
• Ran outside

I have a few pictures below to show what I have been up to. Enjoy them.

 However, for all of those who read this blog I ask for your help. Please follow the links below to the following sites. The smallest  donation will help! Please please please!

Thank you!

Remember, ONE DAY IS TODAY!

X.

Red Cross

Salvation Army

Medicine

BREEZY POINT
For any supplies donations, they can be sent to 
St. Thomas Moore Church in Breezy Point.
20425 Rockaway Point Blvd
Breezy Point, NY 11697
Neighborhood: Breezy Point
(718) 634-6357

Day 53: Preparing for a 1/2 Marathon

Last month I made a promise to myself that I would run a 1/2 marathon. It gave me a fitness goal to work towards over a long period of time and it is helping me drop weight along the way! BONUS! 

Anyways, for those of you who are not long distance runners or even a runners at all, do you know how many miles are in a half marathon? Well, if you do, you will now realize what I predicament I have put myself in. See, I could not run for more than two minutes at a time when I first made this promise.  Two minutes of running gets me about .2 miles(I have short legs). That now creates a gigantic issue because a half marathon is a little under 14 miles. Yes, you heard correctly, 14 miles.

I am in trouble.

I will not give up because

1. I am stubborn
2. I swore to myself I would do this. 

However, the road from .2 miles to 14 miles is a long one.

THE GOOD NEWS! 

Today was a huge accomplishment! For the past two weeks I have been running every other day. And with each run I swore to myself that I would go for an extra 2 minutes. Well, ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in my entire life, I ran for 30 minutes straight. That is 2.75 miles. I am so proud! I know I have a ridiculously long journey ahead but right now I am celebrating. If you would like to celebrate with me, please enjoy the link to my celebration song below. Beware, it does use curse words so all readers under the age of 13 please find yourselves a different celebration song. Thank you

Celebration Song 

One Day is Today!

X.