A girl should be two things: classic and fabulous.

-Coco Chanel

Channeling Coco

A couple months ago, I watched the french film "Coco Before Chanel," the story of the woman behind the world wide brand. She had quite an interesting life and I was inspired by her determination and gumption. There was also a brilliant love story in her life, that I of course swooned over. It's a great film that stars Audrey Tautou, you should check it out, she is lovely.

There is a little second grader at my school who has sort of reminded me of Coco since I saw the movie. She has the same big dark eyes, long black hair, and inquisitive nature. Interestingly enough, this sweet girl would like to design clothes when she grows up.

So, the other day I was walking down Third Ave to "California Pizza Kitchen" with the 2nd grade on their field trip. (CPK does field trips where the kids go to the restaurant, learn how a kitchen/restaurant runs, and make their own pizza.) As we were walking, I noticed that this little fashion designer to-be was carrying a zip lock bag with a sandwich inside. So I said, "Friend, are you not eating pizza today?" She replied in a simple voice, "Ms. Thamer, I just want to wear Italian, not eat it."

Classic.

Then I had another summoning from Coco Chanel when I was practicing spelling words with a fourth grader last week. The words was none other than, channel. It was the only word she missed, but was quick to tell me that she just gets it confused with the brand. Did I know about Chanel when I was ten? Um no.

What do all these Chanel occurrences mean? What could Coco be trying to tell me? That I should buy a quilted handbag? I'd be ok with that!

The Busy Season

Since moving to New York, I have heard talk of the "busy season." It's a term that refers to the tax season for all my friends in that field, and it's a period of 3 months where your life is taken OVER with work. My friend Jason works at PWC, Price Waterhouse Coopers, and for the last few months has been getting home at like 10-11 pm and working weekends! Its craziness! Apparently, the coping method is that when you get done, life slows way down and returns to normal. It's a short term hell with a light at the end of the tunnel.

Well friends, I think that I too have entered a "busy season" in life. Things have been crazy with spring break visitors and friends in the city. Every time I try to schedule a day with no activity, I end up somewhere out in this big city. People that know me well know that I must have time on my own. I have to take time to recharge and reflect on life. However, I find those nights comes less and less now that I live in New York. I spoke to some friends about it this evening and they said they think it's a combination of things but mostly the city's fault. In New York, there is always something going on and people out doing it. Maybe they're out for coffee, having dinner, seeing a show, visiting a museum, shopping, running in the park, anything-it never stops. It sort of becomes your "new normal." It can be a blessing and a curse.

Also, this week I started a masters degree in school counseling at Liberty University. The school is in Virginia and it's an online program where I will actually go to the University for a couple weeks in the summer for intensive courses. I am excited about it, but it will definitely take some time out of an already busy schedule for the next 8 weeks.
I realize, it's all relative. Wherever we are in our lives, whether we are in college, raising kids, starting a new job, just married, having grandkids, or somewhere in between, things can get hectic. I pray I can use the time I have between all the "to dos" in life to invest in people and this city. I will try to remember to take a breath because everybody's life gets crazy sometimes. But doesn't that just make your resting time that much sweeter?

Sounds of the City

After eight months in the city, I have become pretty immune to the sounds of New York City. Well, most of them anyway. I don't think I will ever get used to the screech of a subway car, that is just jarring to all. Here are some noises I hear day to day in my apartment, on the subway, and in the streets.

-garbage trucks

-ambulance sirens (I don't even think they help in ny traffic.)

-delivery trucks (I think they may outnumber inhabitants on this island.)

-bike chains jingling as the Dominoes delivery guys lock up their bikes

-steam hissing through the heating poles and radiators in my apartment (My friend Claire thinks they sound like crickets.)

-iPods blasting on the train (Can you say hearing loss?)

-dogs barking

-subways screeching to a hault

-my tiny neighbor next door who does laps up and down the apartment at all hours, I think he's a future marathoner

-pipes whining as the hot water slowly creeps up to the 5th floor

So how does one survive the chaos of this clamor? I don't really have an answer to that, but I do however have a little round machine that makes it much easier to sleep. He is pictured below in all his glory, perched atop the chair. I turn him on and sink into dreaming bliss. I missed him when I was home in Texas over Christmas, it was almost too quiet. Thank you white noise machine for your soft whooshing sound that reminds me I too can find peace in this boisterous city.

my bff