Sundays need to stop being movie marathon days

Since I've been to New York, I have made every single Sunday a movie marathon day. Today, I will have watched 3 new movies, and I've crushed as much as 5 movies in one of these marathon sessions.

THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.

Literally what I've been doing all day, sans the beer.

I have been using the excuse "I'm just adjusting to working" for the past month, but I've decided that the movie marathons need to end now! So, world, you have the official declaration: the movie I'm watching now, "This Is 40", will be my LAST movie of the Sunday movie series!!

From this point on, I will use Sundays to pursue things on my Summer Bucket List. The next 2 weekends I will be out of town and traveling back so those Sundays are washes, but after that, I will be an active member of society. NOT a young working degenerate that just leaves her apartment to pick up food.

WOO!

<3, Charlotte

Looking to join a chapel choir

I've never really said my views on religion or politics in this blog. Mainly because I believe the philosophy live and let live. If you want to do something, by all means, do it. Just don't go rubbing it in my face and try to get me to believe what you believe. That's annoying.

I'm an atheist. I was raised Jewish, but I went to a Jesuit university, and my favorite holiday is Christmas. So I've been pretty much all over the place. I started doubting the existence of a higher power in high school, and by college I decided to just go for it and rule it out completely. So yes, I don't believe that anything greater than what is happening on earth exists - evolution is proven fact, and that's what I plan on sticking by.

Okay, enough of that. Here is the point of this post.

I am going to join a chapel choir. I miss singing and having music in my life! I have played piano since first grade and I took voice lessons and was in choirs all throughout high school. I even was in a chapel choir at my college for a year! It was something that was such a huge part of who I was for so long, now that I just have to focus on my job, may as well go back to my roots and take up a new/old hobby. :)

No idea who any of these kids are. Or what they're singing.

So, I've decided that that is going to be one of my activities. I am actually about to look up different churches in NYC and see what the deal with their programs is. AHHH I'm pretty nervous because I haven't done real singing in soooo long, but I really am excited to get back into music. It has been missing from my life for too long. (Sidenote: this is a perfect time to join so I can become comfortable with the church by Christmas, and I'll be able to celebrate in PRIME FORM!)

Here goes nothing...

<3, Charlotte

Family bonding: drinking on the roof of the Met

Saturday was a very eventful day. Other than getting brunch with my future roomie, I met up with my cousin, Blake, who I haven't seen since I was in MIDDLE SCHOOL. (Yes, we found this hard to believe, too, but when we thought back to all the family occasions we had, that was the most recent one we could remember!). He works for a bank and has been in so many cities - from Seattle to Dallas - I'm surprised it has taken him this long to come to New York!

Anyway, I had NO idea what to expect. I mean, I hadn't seen this kid in so long, and even when we were little he would hang with my brother and I would pal around with his older sister (typical little boy vs. girl interactions, I guess). When deciding where to go, he suggested that we go to the top of the Met because he thought there was a rooftop bar. A good sign, I thought. I was really excited!

View from the top of the Met. Beautiful!

And it ended up being a GREAT time! First of all, I had never been to the Met, and while we didn't go for the purpose of appreciating art, we passed through some exhibits on the way to the roof. He is also SUPER cool, and we are definitely going to hang out more often - it's awesome having fun family there. (Sidenote: he's also going to introduce me to his banking buddies - get at me boyzzz ;)).

The drinks on the Met roof are also AMAZING! I had a mango icee thing with alcohol in it. It was to DIE for. Plus, you honestly can't beat the view. Whether you want to look at the city or the quieter Central Park - it's all there.

I definitely am going to go back there in the future! (And I would HIGHLY recommend you check it out, too)

<3, Charlotte

I worked out tonight! (and I'm still alive)

In case you were wondering, this is a stairmill.

You heard it here first, folks. I officially had my first NYC workout. True, I only ran 1.10 miles and climbed 41 flights of stairs on the stairmill, but it felt awesome.

I am having a slight problem with my gym membership, though. I belong to the YMCA in Chicago. Well, my family does - we have a family membership. It is supposedly supposed to be good nation-wide. And it is, I guess. If you count 10 passes A YEAR to be considered nation-wide access.

I suppose it does make sense, it would honestly be too good to be true if all Y members could access all facilities around the country, but this sucks now because I need to find a cheap gym that I can belong to after I've used all the passes up.

Never would I think that being healthy could be so hard!

<3, Charlotte

Early planning stages - moving for a second time!

I'm sure I've mentioned in some other posts that the place I'm living at this summer is only for the summer. I'm going to be moving to a new place in September, and my parents are paying for my summer housing for my graduation present (they are seriously the BEST for doing that for me!).

On Saturday, I had lunch with my future roomie, Eliza. We went to Pershing Square (which I was SUPER excited about since Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis went there in Friends with Benefits), where we would discuss all the different things we were looking for in a place. Our list of wants ended up being as follows:

• 2nd Avenue or west


• Between 44th and 23rd


• No more than 1400/month


• Doorman


• Not too far from a subway stop


• East Side

So, we have OFFICIALLY established our criteria and are not beginning our search. We are open to living with some more girls - supposedly the rent gets cheaper as the number of people you live with increases, so if we can find some good big places we may do that!

I am sooo excited to begin this search again and to find a new place! (Should be much easier than last time now that I actually LIVE in NYC!)

That's all the updates on that for now...

<3, Charlotte

A very fun cruise around Manhattan

My friend and I on the cruise (like my flower?!)

I mentioned before that my college was having an alumni boat cruise around Manhattan. I was really excited to be able to see old friends for the first time since graduation! (Sidenote: I also got to cross this off my Summer Bucket List, which I was very happy about!)

The cruise was everything I thought it would be, and so much more. I was surprised that most of the alumni ended up being from the class above mine, but it was awesome because I was friends with so many of them in college - I forgot how much I missed them!

I also have been forgetting that my tolerance isn't as good as it used to be. I got incredibly drunk off of 3 drinks. It was a great time though, and I even met a cute guy ;) (Obviously nothing is going to happen with him because we didn't exchange numbers, but I always love making new friends and I'm sure I'll see him at future events. WOO!)

Friday morning was SUCHH a disaster though, I woke up UNBELIEVABLY hungover. Like to the point that I didn't want to shower in the morning so I could sleep longer, but I was afraid that then I would smell like alcohol at work, and that would be the worst thing in the world.

So yes, my first college alumni event was a very big success! I'm really looking forward to the next one!

<3, Charlotte

Sharing a bathroom: Real World Edition

Every weekday morning, my alarm rings at 6:30am. Why do I get up so early? Because that is the only time I know I will be able to get into the bathroom to shower. I usually shower and then nap for an extra 30 minutes and then get ready for my day at around 7:30.

How SICK would it be to have this shower?!

See, that's one thing that they do not warn you about the real world - when everyone you're living with has similar schedules, it is CRUCIAL that you make sure you know how to share the bathroom! My apartment has not created a solid schedule, and this has been slightly problematic.

Before I decided to begin my routine at 6:30, there were some days when I couldn't get into the bathroom when I ideally wanted to. I would be sitting in my room, unable to get ready or do basically anything because the first thing that I needed to do was get into the shower!!! What a crappy way to start off your day, worrying about when you are going to be able to clean yourself. UGH, NOT worth the worry! (Sidenote: even yesterday, A SATURDAY, I needed to shower before getting ready to meet my future roommate for brunch and my roommate was using the bathroom at the exact time I needed it! This is not an ideal situation.)

So basically, I think that no more than 2 people should be allowed to share a bathroom in the real world. College is a different ball game with everyone's weird schedules so I never ran into problems at school, but this is just madness!

Really looking forward to moving in with my friend in September :)

<3, Charlotte

Cruisin' around Manhattan

I'm SoOoOoOo excited! Tomorrow night, my college is having an open bar cruise around Manhattan for young alumni. Did I mention it was open bar? Apparently, this event hasn't happened in a couple years because the last one got so rowdy - and I HOPE it's the same situation this year! (Totally worth the 2 year hiatus for that much craziness)

How magical!

Oh it's going to be so fancy and fun and I think that a  good amount of people from my graduating class will be there - it will be the first time I've seen them in weeks so I gotta loot HAWT! I tried on a few dresses tonight and I think I found the one I"m going to wear for the occasion.

Also, one of my roommates from senior year (and very good friends) is going to come over beforehand. It will be great to catch up and see her - she is deciding between different law schools right now so it will be nice to be updated on her life!

Ugh, tomorrow's workday is going to go by SUPER slow, but it will be worth it because tomorrow night is going to be a TON of fun. I'm also thinking about getting more involved with our alumni club in NYC, but I'm going to see how tomorrow night goes before I make a final decision on that.

Hope all your weeks are going swimmingly! Officially over the hump of humpday :)

<3, Charlotte

UPDATE: Helping the homeless

How I felt this morning (and kind of right now)

Yesterday was the first day that I gave the homeless lady some food (a nature valley granola bar - pretty substantial if I say so myself!). Per my last post on this topic, I wanted to do this every day at least for the summer - because I have no idea if my route will change when I move in September.

Today, I was walking on my usual route to work when I noticed something was wrong: the homeless lady was not sitting in here usual spot. I looked around while I walked by- maybe she was across the street or around the corner - but she was no where in sight. :( So sad. I really hope nothing has happened.

So, that's the update on that. Will report later on any more developments - hopefully she is okay!

<3, Charlotte

6 things I've learned in my 2 weeks in NYC

So, I've officially been in New York for 2 weeks and 2 days. Never having resided here before, here are some things I am noticing at this point in time:

1. Water will randomly drip on you at random moments when you're walking. You look up after it happens and see blue sky. Do not be alarmed! It is just air conditioning units that are incredibly high up. (Kinda nasty, but I've come to accept this)


2. Don't wait for the crosswalk to change to go, or you will look like a noob. I knew this going into living here, but I am actually starting to master the art of crossing the street now! (Though I had an experience the other night where my best friend claims I almost died, I was fine!)


3. There are a lot of idiots out there, and you happen to encounter them all on your walk to work. Seriously, don't stop walking in the middle of the sidewalk. New Yorkers are supposed to all be fast movers and ahead of the curve on getting to places quickly, but not everyone here is lucky enough to have that skill.


4. Common courtesy goes a long way. There have been a few times where I've held the door for someone and given the person a nice, "there ya go!" in the process - and they actually break out of their New York City shell of concentration and smile back. It's a great to be nice to people and have that niceness reciprocated!


5. In a city with so many people, it's hard to believe that you can feel very alone at times. This is why you should never lose contact with your friends. NYC may be the biggest city in the world, but if you don't know anyone here, it can also feel very lonely (something that I felt when I first got here because a lot of my friends still haven't moved here yet!). Encourage friends to visit and plan things to do ahead of time so the feeling of impending doom and loneliness overcomes you!


6. The city isn't that big when you learn where everything is. Now that I am more familiar with the neighborhoods, I like to walk EVERYWHERE! Kinda crazy, I've walked over 50 blocks at times, but no place is too far to walk if you plan the timing right. And walking around gives you better insight as to the characteristics of the different neighborhoods, so you really learn the city inside-out. I love it!

That's it for now. I'm sure in another month or so I'll have at least 10 more things I've learned!

Oh man, I do love New York.

<3, Charlotte

Helping the homeless

Just a pretty pic of Bryant Park that I found!

On my way to work everyday, I walk by the same homeless girl right across from Bryant Park. She always is sitting Indian-style and doesn't actually talk or anything. She sometimes has a sign up, but she always has a little cup for people to put money in. Last week, she wasn't there for a day and I got really sad thinking about what could have happened to her.

This week, I have decided that I am going to help her out.

See, everyday at work, we have snack time (sounds babyish I know, but it's actually the best thing ever. SO MUCH FREE FOOD!). There are always some random things to eat, and there are usually granola bars that are free to take. I've decided that I am going to start taking an extra granola bar every day so I can give it to this woman on my walk every morning. I know it's not that much, but it will at least be a little snack that she can have (I am NOT going to give money because who knows what will be done with it, food is the best thing I can give I think).

Well, just my luck that today I MISSED snack time because of all the work I had to do! UGH SO PISSED, but I bought a granola from the vending machine to give to her tomorrow. Call me crazy, but I'm actually excited to do this and see what happens! (And hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get a snack because I literally cannot afford to do this everyday)

It's a small gesture for one of thousands of homeless people in NYC, but I feel incredibly good about it. :)

<3, Charlotte

The longer you're a real person, the easier it gets

Last weekend, I barely survived going out. I was so exhausted from the work week and having to be on my a-game for so many hours in the day. I was basically in shock.

But this weekend was MUCH easier!

I stayed out until 3am on Friday. Me and Kristy ended up going to this fancy bar where her friend's friend was having an event - so we got to say his name and cut the line and partake in all the table service that was there. IT. WAS. AWESOME. I definitely could get used to that lifestyle - climbing the NYC social chain one bar at a time!

I'm sure this is what the kids felt like singing their songs.

Then last night, it was James's college graduation party at his house in Jersey. A bunch of my college friends were there and his family is INSANELY BIG (and I've met a bunch of them before) so it was a ton of fun! At one point, I started DJing and a bunch of his little cousins started coming up to request songs. James saw that they liked being up with all the equipment, so he plugged in a few microphones and there was an hour-long 6 to 8 year old karaoke session. So funny, so cute. Sidenote: little kids LOVE Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. I was really sad when the party was over (though the end of the night was rough - we all slept on the floor in his basement. My back is still killing me!).

Today I was a lame-o and just watched TV in bed all day to rest and recover. Actually, right now my roommates are outside in the living room talking and getting to know each other. I am too lazy to take part. (UGH, I hope they don't perceive me as a huge bitch. I'll just say I was passed out the entire day when I see them tomorrow. Partially true.)

OH, and me and James decided that we are going to find a bar that we go to every week and become regulars there. I'm adding this goal to my summer bucket list. WOO!

Third week, LET'S GOOOO!

<3, Charlotte

My first drunk post

Okay, so obviously the title explains it all. I am in between my office happy hour and going out for the night. Basically, NYC is amazing. My company is amazing. I love life. I'm pretty drunk right now. Actually, correction, I'm pretty WASTED.

On a completely separate sidenote though: me and my work friend Kristy are trying to find guys at every bar we go to that can buy us drinks. We REALLY want to find an in to the crazy New York socialite scene. (OMG it would be totally cool to be an A list socialite and be able to go to all the cool parties but not have to deal with all the crap that comes with fame.)

ALSO I can see the recommended tags that wordpress is telling me to write on this post: "driving under the influence" "alcohol intoxication" "national highway traffic safety administration" "kate moss" WTF IS GOING ON HERE?

Okay, I think that means this is enough for this post. I will be on tomorrow for more real updates and hope everyone has a great night!

HAVE FUN! YAYY ITS THE WEEKEND!

<3, Charlotte

PS: sorry about this. I'll probably regret it in the morning. YOLO?

What to do when your best friend finds about your secret blog

An actual picture of us in NYC. He's CLEARLY obstructing my view.

So it's no secret that I have a fake name on here. I have mentioned before that I really like the anonymity aspect of being completely removed from my real self when blogging. I have mentioned to a few people though that I have started this blog, but I have not disclosed my fake persona to ANYONE.

Which is why I was ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED when my best friend (we will call him James) texted me "hello, Charlotte" this morning.

James, I know you will read this, and I honestly have NO IDEA how you found me on here! I do tell him everything though, so I really don't care if he reads anything on here, and he is involved with reality TV and knows how crazy I really am. Who knows, maybe he will use all this material for a show he produces one day. ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN!

Have you ever had a friend that you swear you were meant to meet and keep in touch with forever? Someone that would never judge you no matter what you say or do and who accepts you for who you are, no matter how weird some of the stuff you hide from acquaintances may be. Someone who is genuinely happy for you when good things happen, and is heartbroken when you get hurt. Well if you don't have someone like that, you need to find that person, because it is seriously life changing. James has definitely impacted who I am today. He has made me both crazier and more sane at the same time. HOW DOES ANYONE DO THAT?! I'm not sure, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

While I have his (and everyone else's) attention, James, I just want to say how happy I am that we are so close. You are the only person I know that I can talk to for HOURS and still have things to tell you when the conversation is over. I can't wait for us to blow up NYC together and have a ton of crazy experiences! (Oh, and relating to the conversation we are having right now on Facebook chat, I am dragging you to the NYC YMCA next week because I am too scared to go alone. TOUGH NOOGIES BUDDY)

This post is so corny it deserves a picture of this much corn.

So, this is what you do when your best friend discovers your secret blog - you use it as an opportunity to tell them how much they mean to you. I know that James will truly be my best friend forever. And I cannot thank him enough for always being an amazing friend to me. (Sidenote: could this post GET any more corny?!)

<3, Charlotte

No credit is apparently bad credit

Last week, I tried to apply for a credit card. Yesterday morning, I got not one but TWO letters from the bank saying that they couldn't give me a card because of a "lack of credit history".

HAPPY MONDAY TO ME!

One of the beautiful things about America is that you're innocent until proven guilty. CREDIT CARD COMPANIES NEED TO GET WITH THE PROGRAM! I have even been an authorized co-user on my parents card for like 3 years now, so this makes no sense to me. I should have some credit, right?!

At least this lady HAS a card to cut up!

Anyways, it was a bad start to an overall rough day. Work has a HUGE learning curve, but today it was a lotttt better, so I'm hoping the worst is over!

I am going to try to apply to another card that is a little less prestigious than the one I attempted to get to build some credit, then hopefully in 6 months after I use this card and the company that rejected me will see that I am a stable human being who is able to pay off her credit card bills every month!

<3, Charlotte

PS: sorry, this post may be all over the place. My head is so foggy after today at work and I am DEFINITELY not thinking clearly!

Central Park = New York City's version of a beach

So today was CRAZY busy! I got lunch with Kati of Spontaneity or Second Guesses which was totally fun! We went to Moonshine Diner and I had the most amazinggg chili fries on the planet.

And then the insane amount of walking started.

I have no idea why I just prefer to walk everywhere in NYC. It's actually getting to be insane because I really need to learn the different subway lines and figure that out, but I just think that summer in the city is meant for exploring and walking around! The walks even go by fast because I'm so busy taking everything in, 20 blocks feels like it only takes 5 minutes.

I walked all the way from 30th St and 3rd Ave to 83rd St and 3rd to meet Kristy (my work friend). She lives in the upper east side, and we wanted to go lay out in Central Park since we've become DISGUSTINGLY PALE from being inside working all day! It took a little over an hour, but I met Kristy and one of her friends at a restaurant where they were eating lunch, and after we walked to the park.

It would have been a totally easy trip, but the Puerto Rican parade was today, which was quite a struggle to get around. It literally took us an extra half hour to get to an area of the park where we could actually sit! I had probably walked at least 4 mile by the time we got to our spot.

So pretty!

We finally arrived, and I was incredibly excited to see that SO MANY PEOPLE WERE WEARING BATHING SUITES! Yes, folks, apparently in the summer Central Park is New York City's beach. Seriously. All it's missing is sand. Needless to say, we are going back next week and are going to be wearing our bikinis. Maybe the summer my tan won't be a lost cause after all...

Anyway, between all the walking and the tanning today, I'm wiped out! I am going to get ready for the work week and watch a movie (well, attempt to watch a movie), before passing out.

Week 2, here I come!

<3, Charlotte

The best work happy hour there ever was

Apparently the company I work for has a happy hour every Friday. And by "happy hour", I mean all drinks are free. As many as you want. All free.

Yesterday's happy hour was obviously my first, and it was at a German beer house in Midtown West. IT WAS AWESOME. One of the other new hire girls I got lunch with the other day, let's call her Kristy, went with me (both of our departments weren't going, but we didn't want to turn down FREE DRINKS). We ended up having suchh a good time! We got to meet a lot of people we had never seen before, and we both got a free liter of beer on top of it.

This is the size of the beer we got. WOWZA

Some of my coworkers all decided to order shots, so that was crazy, when all of a sudden this guy walks up next to me to watch these questionable life choices that were being made. I started to make small talk with him - after all, I was here to meet more coworkers, and he seemed nice. I asked him what department he was working in at the agency and he looked at me and said "oh, no, I don't work here. I actually work at a bank but this looked a lot more fun than the table I was sitting at, so I decided to check it out."

We ended up talking for awhile. He would leave and go back to his work thing and then come back to hang out a little. We surprisingly hit it off really well! When I was leaving, he took down my number and texted me later that night on his way home (bummer, he lives at home in New Jersey, so he didn't stay the night in the city). Not sure what will result from it, but I'm curious to see! (Kristy even noticed how well we got along and talked with me about it later that night)

If this is how a typical work happy hour is, then I cannot WAIT to go to more!

<3, Charlotte

First work week in review

Work is AWESOME! It was kinda a slow day yesterday, so I used the time to complete these tutorial courses that we have to do within the first month of employment. I'm really liking learning everything and am excited for another "slow" day in my department so I can reach out and help other departments and really get my face and name out there!

Also, I've made friends with some girls who are my age and had their first days with me (yes, they saw my whole skirt-debacle). We got lunch yesterday. It is so great to have "work friends"!

An e-card is necessary for this happy hour occasion!

Something incredibly cool is that we have a "work happy hour" tonight. It starts at 5:30 and I think is sponsored by a company we work with. It's at a bar a few blocks away from the office! I just need to stick with 1 beer an hour - my tolerance is SUPER low and I do NOT want to make a fool of myself in front of some pretty important people!

So yea, first work was fabulous. And living in NYC knocks my socks off with how exciting it is. Everyone is always going. I could not have made the better choice!

<3, Charlotte

The first day of anyone's career is always a great time to have awardrobe malfunction! (said no one ever)

It was all going too well. I woke up at 7am, got ready, put on my high-waisted pencil skirt and pink blouse and left my apartment right on time. I walked to work, despite the fact that it was kind of drizzling out, but it wasn't enough to be a bother. A few of my friends had texted me good luck, and my parents were telling me they wanted updates when the day was over. I was on top of the world!

And that's when it happened.

See, I probably should have mentioned earlier that the pencil skirt I wore had a zipper that spanned the entire height of the material. The 2 zippers were facing opposite ways and you zipped one up to the top and the bottom zipper could go as low as you wanted, depending on how high you wanted the back slit to be. I had it down all the way, leaving a little room at the bottom because it got SUPER narrow, I didn't want it all the way closed because it was hard to walk with it like that.

This is what the zipper looked like.
Imagine that bad boy splitting completely open.
On your first day of work.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="232"] This is what the zipper looked like. Imagine that bad boy splitting completely open. On your first day of work.[/caption]

I was walking up the LAST curb to the block of my office when I felt the pressure of the skirt suddenly relieve itself mid-lift. All of a sudden, I felt the bottom of my skirt start  to SPLIT OPEN. That's right, a side of the zipper-lining at the bottom had popped off, ripping the zipper off one side. I didn't know what to do. With every stride, the back of my dress would open more and more and I had to be at new hire orientation in 10 minutes. I was starting to panic.

I ran into a souvenir shop 3 doors down from my office and asked if they had any safety pins. If I could just hold the skirt together with those until lunch, I could run home to change. The guys hardly spoke english and didn't understand what I was saying (also contributing to this miscommunication could have been my frantic state of mind), so I went to a corner of the store and totally took off the skirt. I was completely exposed for all the world to see! If I could get the broken zipper back on to the dress my problem would be solved.

After attempting for probably 2 minutes (though it only felt like 10 seconds), I realized that the zipper was never going to work again. I had to find some way to cover myself though - FAST. AND there were no stores open at this hour in the morning for me to buy something else!! I ended up using this wide belt I was wearing to hold the top of the skirt together against my waist, and then I tied my blazer coat around my waist under the belt so the torso part could cover my butt (think like a cape but lower). I would be border-line mooning people wearing this option but I honestly had no other choice. THANK GOODNESS advertising is business casual!

I walked into the office and immediately asked the receptionist if she thought the skirt was bad. She could tell I was super stressed and went into the bathroom with me to try to fix it. It actually wasn't a DISASTER, but I couldn't wear this for the entire day! AND at this point, orientation was beginning (I checked in to the building at 9:01, the lateness was KILLING ME inside).

I went into orientation and luckily, I wasn't the last one there. I have a friend in advertising that went to a different college, and she told me to look out for her friend who was also starting at my company today, and luckily she was sitting next to my assigned seat! We talked for a little and I told her what happened, she said  the skirt didn't look too bad and I started to calm down about the whole situation.

Turns out, everyone thought my debacle was HILARIOUS. I apologized to the first few people I met and they were all like "this is a great story already!" No one commented that my skirt was inappropriate at all - they were more concerned with if I was okay! So yea, I work for pretty much the coolest company ever. 2 of the girls in my department even went shopping with me during lunch to pick out a new skirt (we ended up just going to Kmart because the store they wanted to take me to ended up being closed). And I found something that I would DEFINITELY wear again!

So that was my first day as a working professional. Sure it had a TERRIBLE start, but I'm glad everything happened the way it did. PLUS, I handled a very bizarre, stressful, traumatic situation pretty well, if I do say so myself!

I'M SO EXHAUSTED NOW AND WANT TO GO TO BED. Here's to a smoother tomorrow!

<3, Charlotte

Late night ramblings

HAHA - google image result for "stressed out person", this is great

I'm still up. I will be leaving for my job in approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes, and I can't sleep. As I sit here at my laptop eating a Lean Cuisine I just made (sesame chicken, a good choice if I do say so myself!) I can't help but think of everything that could go wrong in the morning. I keep having this reoccurring thought that I am going to wake up at 10am (an hour AFTER I'm supposed to have arrived at the office) and my day is only going to go downhill from there. I also didn't fill out the insurance form indicating if I wanted it or not because I do have 31 days after tomorrow to accept/decline it, but the employee website said that it was due as of yesterday. I even got an email about it! But it's been written twice that I have 31 days on two different forms. My goodness people, CONSISTENCY, PLEASE!

Oh, and I also need to remember to bring my passport. It's by my bag, but I just remembered like 30 minutes ago and now I am paranoid that I will forget that. AND, on top of it all, I think tomorrow morning it will rain. I have not tested out the subway commute to the office. I would have to take a cab! Ahhh life is hard ALL THE TIME.

While a big part of me is definitely nervous to begin my first big girl job (as you just saw), another part of me is REALLY EXCITED. I am beginning my professional career! I basically floated through college not caring about anything. Hey, I went to a very good school, and in advertising grades don't matter. Literally everything I learned was a waste. Well, except for the 2 advertising classes I was lucky enough to take - those were AMAZING! This is the first thing I've cared about in literally years, and I'm NOT going to let myself screw it up!

I have orientation from 9-11am, and then I will meet my team. As one of the people from my interesting Tinder experience told me, they wouldn't have hired me if they didn't think that I could do it. I just have to keep remembering that any time I get stressed. ALSO, someone from my company recently wrote an article giving advice to young professionals in the advertising field, so I have read through that once or twice. Or maybe four times. (News alert: he is actually on the account that I am on! Though OBVI in a veryyy senior position. I'm still hoping to be able to have some interaction with him though!)

Okay, I do feel a lot better now that my thoughts have been written down. Time to go to sleep. Goodnight, world!

<3, Charlotte

And The Liebster Award goes to...

To officially accept this award, the blogger has to do several things:

OH. MY. GOODNESS. So Calli of Eat, Run, and Everything in Between commented on one of my posts saying that she nominated me for a Liebster Award!! (Woah, post-tag alert. Sorry about that, folks). Basically, the Liebster Award is a Favorite Blog Award - Liebster is German for "favorite". It is awarded to a blog that has less than 200 followers. It's a great way to interact with other smaller blogs and to get everyone more connected! HOW COOL!

1. Recognize the totally fabulous blogger who nominated you!


2. Write 11 things about yourself.


3. Answer the 11 questions the blogger who nominated you asked.


4. Nominate new bloggers! (WoOoOoOoOoOo!)


5. Write 11 questions of your own for the bloggers you nominate.

(Sidenote: in case you couldn't tell, 11 is a VERY important number in the Liebster Award world!)

Okay, so I think part 1 was done through my tagging frenzy (thanks, again, Calli!) On to part 2: 11 things about myself. OY, I actually do think I am an interesting person but I SUCK whenever I'm asked these things on the spot. Here it goes:

1. I am OBSESSED with the color pink. Seriously, my friends all think it's ridiculous. Even looking around my newly set-up room right now, there is an overwhelming amount. I think I may have a sickness...


2. I studied abroad in China for 5 weeks. This was the summer before my junior year of college. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I really learned a lot about myself and grew as a person.


3. I have a list of crazy things I would like to do in my lifetime. It is posted as a sticky note on my laptop home screen.


4. I want to work/live abroad. The company I am starting to work at TOMORROW (ahhhhhhhhhhh) has a policy where you can apply to work at one of their abroad offices after 2 years. I am soooo doing that, and I want to be in either Australia (preferably Sydney) or London!


5. I have a terrible case of Gerascophobia. Fear of getting older. I am terrified of growing old. Not being able to do things for myself scares the SHIT out of me. I actually have developed a plan where I am going to work and save my money until I'm 30, then after that I will travel the world doing crazy things (a lot of which being on that list I wrote about for #3), and I will hopefully die before I'm 40 doing one of those things. 40 may seem like a young age to go at, but if you keep yourself up, you can still look like you are in your 20's I think. Of course, I probably won't act on this plan, but the fact that I thought about it is not healthy. Seriously, this is a terrible fear to have!


6. I experience an unreal amount of anxiety when I am running late. I am an incredibly easy-going person and don't stress out about a lot of things, but if I am running late, I lose it! (I think it may be because my mom is a very on-time person, I get it from her)


7. I go through very weird food stages. It used to be bagels, and that was all I ate, multiple times a day. Now it's Caesar Salads. I can't get enough! Even during breakfast, if it's available I will eat it. (I'm probably going to have to go back to the bagel stage though, since they are cheap and I am poor)


8. I have known that I wanted to go into advertising since my sophomore year of high school. I don't remember what it was a commercial for, but I remember watching it and thinking "I can DEFINITELY do better than that!" So I picked advertising, and everything I have learned about it since that moment has made me more and more interested. I LOVE this industry!


9. The first sip of alcohol that I EVER had was at the end of September during my freshman year of college. It was Natural Light (or natty, as we call it). I went into college a very serious swimmer, so we didn't drink in high school. I had fun without it! I was too afraid to drink even at the beginning when I first started college, but then curiosity got the best of me. My friends today call me "the biggest college success story". Haha, yikes!


10. I may have been born and raised in a Chicago suburb, but I am never going back. I am just so much more comfortable out east, I don't have any desire to return to Chicago to live. In the winter, IT IS FREEZING! Sooo hard to handle!


11. I'm still confused as to if I have this award after I complete all these steps. Is this all I have to do? Is there an official thing that needs to be emailed to me or something? Confuzzled to the MAX about this one!

Phew, okay 2 parts down, 3 to go!

Part 3: answering the questions the blogger who nominated you has asked:

1. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Probably the ability to read minds. Although I'm not sure what exactly that would do for my self confidence - people can be mean in their heads!


2. If you were stranded on an island, what is the ONE thing you would have with you? This is going to sounds ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC, but I would have to have my make-up foundation with me. I can't leave home without it. It just makes me feel so much better. And if we are stranded on an island with guys, I need to be on my "A-game", haha!


3. Who is your fitness inspiration? I don't think I have just 1 fitness inspiration, in my head I have just a persona - young city girl who works out to look and feel good. Not too intense, but definitely not out of shape! Goes on runs and takes different classes, but is not by any means super competitive or the best. She is just enjoying being fit!


4. If you had to be on a celeb reality tv show, which one would you choose to be on? Okay, this isn't a celebrity show necessarily (unless you keep up with the seasons, then you know who the people are), but I LOVE the Real World/Road Rules Challenge series. Back when I was an intense, super in-shape swimmer, I reallyyyy wanted to be on it! The people are so fun, and the challenges are so cool!


5. What is the one food you could not live without? Haha, I wrote about this earlier! Caesar Salads!


6. If you could go on a vacation anywhere in the world with any celebrity, where and with whom would it be? Maui, Hawaii (LOVE it there) with Zac Efron (no explanation necessary)!


7. What is your biggest fear? Getting old (haha, talked about this earlier too!)


8. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Lactose intolerant - sad face


9. If you could go professional in ANY sport, what would it be? Swimming! I just wish I was better when I swam so I could have had the option.


10. Would you eat 1 cup full of worms for a thousand dollars? No. Ew, getting shivers just from thinking about that!


11. If you (your personality) were an animal in another life, what would it be? A bird, because I'm super care free and am always down going anywhere or doing anything!

Part 4: And my nominees for the Liebster Award are...

• http://twentysomethinganecdotes.wordpress.com/


• http://sothesearemytwenties.wordpress.com/


• http://ourlittle-blackbook.com/


• http://suxinthecitychi.wordpress.com/


• http://imthelittlemissfit.wordpress.com/


• http://troubledtwenties.wordpress.com/


• http://theflyingarmchair.wordpress.com/


• http://silverlemonlace.wordpress.com/


• http://canigeturnumber.wordpress.com/


• http://pawsitivelydelightful.com/


• http://preptista.com/

Yup, decided to stay with the "11" theme for that!

Part 5: Okay, nominees, here are your questions:

1. What is the most important thing you want your readers to take away from your blog?


2. If you got a tattoo, what would you get, where would you get it, and why?


3. Favorite song of all time?


4. If you could go back to any time period, what would it be?


5. What is your guiltiest pleasure? 


6. What is your favorite celebrity couple?


7. What crazy crayola crayon color best describes you?


8. If you could live in any country other than your own, where would you choose and why?


9. What is your favorite holiday?


10. If you had an entourage with 3 celebrities, who would they be?


11. What is one non-technological item that you could NOT live without?

Keep nominating other small blogs! Such a cool idea to get your name out there and to find new blogs you love!

<3, Charlotte

The Tinder Project

So last night after moving in, I physically did not have the energy to leave my bed. I was exhausted. And I don't have a TV in my new apartment. And both of my roommates were gone and hadn't responded to my text for the internet password. I was BORED. OUT. OF. MY. MIND.

So I decided to download Tinder.

I honestly had no intentions other than to make fun of everyone on it. I had seen a ton of my friends' "recommended matches" and they were HILARIOUS. But I was actually surprised with what I found. Sure, there were wayyy more 40-year-olds than should be allowed to even download the app to their phone (I encountered 8. I think they were serious. But really, I wonder if they are getting any "likes". If they are, it's just because people are making fun of them I'm sure). OH, and I also got a guy who immediately started talking about hooking up. (Needless to say that conversation ended right then and there.) But I was happy to see that there were a lot of decent looking guys. Even some REALLY CUTE guys! (One of which looked like Taylor Lautner from the pictures he had. HOTTTT)

I started liking some of the "potential matches", and even struck up conversations with a few. I got a lot of the "I just downloaded this app" or "I'm not exactly sure how this works" introductions, but that could have just been an act. I mean, it really was my first time using the app - should I give them the benefit of the doubt? I went with it and ended up talking with some of the guys for awhile.

ANYWAYS, moral of the story: I did meet a few guys that I think would be decent, but you never know. Nothing will come of this self-titled "Tinder Project", I never will talk with any of those guys ever again. BUT! It definitely helped me pass the time by myself, with no internet or TV. Would I do it all over again? YOU BETCHA!

In the future, I think I'll stick to meeting people in-person, not via a hook-up app. Definitely an interesting experience, though. First night in NYC, success!

<3, Charlotte

UPDATE: I am OFFICIALLY a New Yorker!

I have arrived! Well, as of 2pm yesterday I have arrived, but I had so much to do when I first got here so this is my first post from NEW YORK CITY! So surreal, so cool, so legit.

I am a real person. Woah.

My stuff was already moved in to my apartment, so I just had to set everything up. Let me tell you, when you are by yourself and have to put a bed bug protector on a queen sized mattress ALONE, you get a whole new perspective on life. Man, I hope I don't have to do that again, IT WAS EXHAUSTING! Between that and assembling all of my pink crates and storage units, yesterday left me WIPED OUT! I feel lame because I didn't go out last night, but that was my last night to sleep and relax before the rest of my life starts, I have forgiven myself for my lameness already.

She makes putting on sheets by herself look easy. NEWSFLASH: It's not!

Things I still need to do today:

1. Eat something. I'm freeking STARVING! Going to venture out to get something after this post. It will probably just be a bagel because they are cheap #poorgirldiet


2. Figure out how to get some more storage pieces. I need a rack to hang more of my clothes and one of those things you put on a door to hold my shoes and a hamper and a few other things. I have looked up Bed, Bath & Beyonds in NYC and none are really close to my apartment. I may just take the lazy way out and order everything. Bummer it won't be here until later in the week but better than walking a ton of blocks carrying all that stuff!


3. Prep for tomorrow. My first real person job! Yeesh, I have been preparing for this my entire life, but I am still incredibly nervous. I once had a swim coach that said "if you're nervous about it, that's good because that means you care. It is just a matter of channeling those nerves effectively and using them in the right way. Then you will be great." I LOVE LOVE LOVE that quote and am going to be thinking about it a LOT tomorrow!


4. Go for a run. We have a family membership to the YMCA at home, and I found out that I can use it at any gym in the country. There are some Y's in NYC, so I will try to go to one tonight and see if that rule actually applies. If it does OMG that will be AMAZING because then I don't have to pay for a gym membership! Thanks, dad.

Welp, that's all I can think of right now. Wish me luck!

<3, Charlotte