Okay, where do I start? I've had a few uneventful days with not much to report except some real frustration. Friday, I did nothing because it was raining and I hate rain. Saturday, I went to Herald Square and watched some break dancing and then worked all night till 11:00PM. I really enjoy the people at Cranky's because they are just so kind. I was there as the only server on Saturday and Mina, the owner, took over for me while I took my break and talked to my fellow musician friend, Kevin. At the end of the evening all the tables that were hers, she gave to me. That meant she gave me all her tips and I was so blown away. She didn't have to do that. Sunday, I woke up and went to church at Trinity Grace on the Upper West Side. This church was way easier to get to than Apostles Church on the Upper East Side. Instead of being 45 minutes late I was only 15 minutes late. That's pretty good. The sermon was really perfect for me. A missionary from Burundi named Simon Guilbeaud was there to give to share with us. He was incredible and has an amazing story. His sermon was titled The Adventure of Calling and he based it off of Genesis 12:1-9. He asked this question right away and I was hooked. "Would you call your spiritual life an adventure?"
He made some really great points that I wrote down. So here they are....C-Claim His promises
O-Obey Gods Commands
M-Maintain faith in God's leading.
E-Embrace risks for God's glory. "If we are not taking risks in the name of Christ we are not living by faith but by sight"
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| A painter in the Highline Park |
Simon ended with this phrase that I love and have heard before in preparation for my trips to Africa. He said " The safest place to be is in the heart of God's will." Needless to say I loved the sermon and it was just what I needed to hear. I met some nice people and was informed that there are a lot of teachers in the Trinity Grace congregation. I think I might go back next week.
After church I went to Chelsea Market. It was full of restaurants and little shops that were so cute. I enjoyed a yummy crepe and then headed to the Highline Park that is right above Chelsea Market. I loved it. Next, I headed to Chinatown in hopes of finding a new bag that will fit all of my stuff and close all the way so I don't have to fiddle with it all the time. Alas, I just didn't feel like bargaining so I headed a few streets over to SoHo. No luck there either. I gave up and came home. However, I was desperately wanting some Pita chips. When I got off the subway I'm pretty sure I went into every grocery store within three blocks of me and NO ONE had pita chips. Again, I gave up and came home without the things I was looking for. So this began my frustrations.
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| Bird feeders. Cute! |
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| View from the park |
Monday I stayed home nearly all day doing laundry, cleaning the apartment once again and waiting for the exterminator to come. I have to be honest and say I sort of hate this place I'm living. It's probably because it wasn't clean when I got here and I definitely had a fear of bed bugs. Not only that, but the room is tiny, the floor is never clean even after I have mopped it, I broke the freaking futon/bed that I'm sleeping on rearranging my room (but I fixed it) and I have a friendly mouse that comes to visit every night at 11:30. GEES!!!!! That's so gross!!!!!
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| Movie night in Bryant Park |
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| Yummy! |
The exterminator finally came around 1:00PM. He sprayed everything down, set out mouse traps and said no bed bugs!! Hallelujah! I can rest easy, except now I'm going to have to deal with a dead mouse when it finds its way to the sticky stuff. Just what I want to do! Before the exterminator left he told me I had to leave everything to dry. So I left and went shopping again for that bag I needed. I made a pit stop at Magnolia Bakery and had a very yummy red velvet cupcake, then, thankfully found a bag at H&M. I took my new bag and myself across the street to Bryant Park where they have free movies every Monday night. Since I don't have a TV I thought a free movie sounded rather delightful. I watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest amidst the street noise of the city and thought it was a very interesting movie and enjoyed the experience. I finally got home after an hour of travel on the subway because they don't run as frequent late nights. There is no rest for the weary because I still had to vacuum the couch, mop the floors again and then put things back in order. (See why this place is annoying me????!!!) I finally went to bed at 2:00AM.
Today, I slept in and will be going to work at 4:00. There have been frustrating moments especially when it comes to where I am staying, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. At least I have a place, so I grin and bear it and know that it's pretty darn clean and there are no bed bugs. Things will get better.
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| It's in the shape of a heart!!! Perfect b/c I love NYC and red velvet |
Love
The frustrated, yet thankful, Miss Gulley in Manhattan
Awe - look at it like this: a TRUE New York experience! I hate bugs and such but my goodness, I would sure put up with it to be in your shoes. Maybe now that it's been exterminated, all will be better. When the person from whom you are subletting returns, they probably won't recognize their apartment! (In a good way, of course.)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you had a promising experience at this church. It is my intention if/when I "follow in your footsteps" to attend Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. They have a group of 20 & 30-somethings that are "new to the City". It sounds so amazing to me!
Looking forward to the next step in this adventure of yours!
Love to hear about your adventures! Sorry to hear about the mouse and the thought of bed bugs would freak me out too! I love all your posts and missed you there for a few days! Enjoy your time in NYC. xoxoxox
ReplyDeleteps no picture of the new bag you bought?!?!? :)
NO BED BUGS, heck praise God for that!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the sermon notes, and the fact you found a bag that closes ;) How are your feet and shoes?
Crystal, when I heard about the shootings at the Pharmacy on Long Island (?), yes, I worried about you. Was it near Cranky's?
Did you know Rhesa Williams from San Antonio? I need to get you two together. She is lovely and has lived in NYC for years. You are doing a GREAT JOB on your own, and the red velvet cupcake was to remind you we love you. Hang in there, be safe and thank that adorable boss of yours for being so good to you, from all of us here.
Remind yourself of the noisy neighbors in the new apartment and enjoy that minimalist life style for now, with a view.
Love, Janie