What to Wear?

I don't know what to wear. I realize this is a problem most women think they have. They open their closets, pick through the thousands of dollars hanging inside, and debate what to put on. I admit I've done this. I still do this; however, my problem is more real now. Fall is upon us, winter is approaching, and I live some place where I can't wear flip flops year round for the first time in my life. I don't know what to do!

Ok, so I never lived in a place wear I could literally wear flip flops all year, but it was pretty close. SC - flip flops, NO - flip flops, MS - flip flops. NY - no flip flops. I need to buy some boots, and I think I have the pair picked out. We'll see.

As for clothes, I know I need to layer. I just don't want to look like a blob when I'm outside because of all the layers I wear. I suppose I'll have to pick the lesser of two evils, warmth or blob, depending on the situation. My biggest problem, other than footwear, is jackets and coats. I have the body type of thousands of other people in the world. Unfortunately, the fashion world hasn't caught on. Specifically - coats and jackets never fit me in the armpits. It might seem like an insignificant problem, but, trust me, it's horrendous in the winter. In order for something to fit in the armpits, not to mention over a sweater, I have to find something at least two sizes too big which then swallows the rest of me.

I will not let the cold temperatures beat me this winter, but I am a little worried. Don't get me wrong--It will be cold soon and I will freeze, but I will persevere (mostly by staying inside). Who knows? Maybe I'll love the cold weather. My guess is, however, that will not happen until hell freezes over.

Tourist Living in the City

Last weekend I moved into my first apartment outside of the South. To be more precise, I moved into an apartment in Astoria (Queens). I've lived in New York for a month now, and I'm not a single step closer to becoming a New Yorker. Don't worry, that's not my goal; I'm just very much a tourist who happens to live and work in New York. I hear you asking how that's possible. Trust me--it is. Let me elaborate . . .

On Tuesday morning I took got off the train and headed to work. My stop is 34th street. If you've been to New York, you know that there are usually multiple exits at each subway stop. The smaller ones might only have one, but often there's at least two. Signs point out whichever intersection you're exiting to and even which corner (e.g. Lexington Ave and 59th St. NW corner). Bigger subway stations have a multitude of options with exits on different streets and such. This particular Tuesday morning, I simply went out the nearest exit instead of walking underground to an exit closer to my office. As I got to the top of the stairs I noticed Macy's. "Nice," I thought, "I know where I am. There's Macy's, and I'm on 34th street." A light bulb went off in my head. "Wait a second, that's the Macy's on 34th street. Oh my God, Miracle on 34th Street." Yeah, I'm a nerd.

Thursday I left my karate class (oh yeah, I started taking a mixed martial arts class - I'm a white belt) and headed to the train to go home. I passed two Broadway shows and Times Square on my way to the train. It's so weird for that to be normal.

The hardest part of living in this city is passing beggars on the street. I don't like it. I want to help, but I don't know how. I know I'm supposed to donate to charities and not give cash to people, but it still sucks. It helps knowing that I work for an organization that's goal is to reduce educational inequity. It still doesn't make it easier passing people on the street though.

Other than that, life is good. I had lunch at Tiffany's today instead of breakfast. I'm learning the subways, sort of. (I will never understand the buses.) I have a very cute apartment (on par with my State Street one). I'm a fan of this place so far.