Leaving On a Jet Plane

Istanbul and Athens, here I come…

See you all in 10-days with stories and pictures to follow!

I’m 70% Introvert!

Found this NPR article interesting…

Quiet, Please: Unleashing ‘The Power Of Introverts’

NYC is full of extroverts, everywhere you look… glad that I’m not the only introvert in the NYC sea.

Connecticut… Check!

I made it to Connecticut to the first! I joined my friend Phil on a secret shopping mission, able to take a taste of some of the culinary experience had to offer at Foxwoods Casino… free food, a little Chinese New Year / Year of the Dragon celebration, some Giant Tetris at the game center, a poor excuse for gambling (I risked $1), and the swankiest bowling I’ve ever seen!!

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…another state off the bucket list!

It’s Hard To Pass Up on Free Tickets…

For those of you that don’t know it, architects (or architects in-training, like myself) don’t do what they do for the money or the glory… We are in it beacuse we love it . And on my part, I guess I hope to make a difference and leave a mark, even if it is a small one.  (It should be noted that only a handful of designers are lucky enough to achieve money and glory).

With that said, I love my job especially since my current position has ”perks.” Alright, so not really perks, but free sporting event tickets are a plus, and due to lack of money and glory, I’ve recently decided that I must reap every benefit, even if it means scraping together as many free tickets as possible and treating myself and my friends to some free entertainment. In the last 16-months, I’ve had free seats to Yankees games, Mets games and now NJ Nets games. It’s hard to pass up on free tickets, no matter how great (or awful) a team is. And despite the $13 beer and less than satisfying hot dog, it’s always a good time!

This past weekend the Nets played the the Bobcats. A victory for the Nets! And, the seats weren’t too shabby… we ended up in the  sidelines, 10th row.

Matchy Observations – Installment #1

My friend Adele started a series of nail polish observations some time ago… from time to time you just look down at your fingers and toes and notice, “hey, I match that ___.” Insert anything into that blank — a rock, flowers, a pair of sneakers, the poster across the subway rails, etc. Seriously, folks, my toes once matched my friend Jim’s shoes!!

Anyhow, today, my supervisor (an architect, so what I’m about to share should be no surprise, but it was) noticed during a conference call that my nails matched my turquoise water container. I probably shouldn’t be sporting turquoise nails at work, it’s not very professional, but I seriously thought to myself: ‘I work in the design field AND in Brooklyn where they respect that creative flare…’

I can’t help but notice when my nails match other items, so here is the beginning of my “Matchy Observations.” And, sorry Adele, for hijacking this idea… I can’t help but notice these things now.

I ♥ the High Line

I recently revisited, and it’s still a fact — I love the High Line! It’s modern yet full of history, its locally aware, environmentally conscious and above all, it’s pleasant. Built on an elevated 1930s rail structure, and preserving / reinventing some of the buildings and spaces around it, this reinterpretation of a city park is amazing. It’s a place that lets the people and the activities of the day define what it is and when. It’s the perfect setting for a day of reading, people watching, sun rise or set observing and star-gazing. Simply, it’s my favorite place in the city.

Now, you should note that my recommendation / love for the High Line comes with a grain of salt, as I’ve taken friends here and some have been impressed while others have been completely miffed. It is what you make of it…

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From a design standpoint, I loved the previously existing railroad tracks that were worked into the park seamlessly… While I would never want to compare myself or my skills to the designers of the High Line, I’m biased since I feel like this is something I would do if I had the opportunity to design a park like this. In fact, I kind of have, during an undergrad design studio in 2006, but instead of an elevated rail yard, mine was a rail yard along the Detroit River that needed to engage the nature of the river. By no means is it comparable, but I feel the spirit of the history and nature are similar.

Anyhow, sometimes the rails run through the planters, sometimes they show you the way as you walk along, other times they disappear completely, only to find lighting above, on an overpass, that takes the place of the rails. And where the view is best the rails become the tracks to rolling lounge chairs for sunbathing and lounging. The design seems as though it’s fairly self-sufficient – simple landscaping that is low maintenance, solar panels, and simple lighting. It’s minimalism at it’s best — wood, steel, concrete and nature. The amphitheater space that looks out onto 10th Avenue is really amazing, watching the traffic come and go as you sit and enjoy the weather and atmosphere — peace in the middle of chaos. And as you walk towards 30th street, where phase II ends, there are various other seating areas, street views, grassy picnic areas, bird feeders and more. I’m excited for when the park stretches all the way down to 34th Street… won’t that be an amazing walk, observing the many flavors of Manhattan as you stroll through the high line!

Anyhow, just another little piece of NYC that I love…

Going Vertical

So silly, but I think my roommate’s cat understands NYC space… you must go vertical.

Going Green…

In the spirit on my studying for LEED, I thought I would share this find spotted in Michigan over the Christmas Holiday –

I realize it really isn’t much of a find, but since I’ve been reading so much about green vehicles and power, it was shocking to actually see a designated charging station / parking spot. Sadly, it’s the first one I’ve ever seen. Anywhere. Let’s keep up the green efforts, world!

Travel Advisory

It’s official –

In mid-February, I will be traveling to Istanbul, Turkey and Athens, Greece! Get excited!!

If anyone has suggestions on places to see, things to do / try, places to eat / sleep, etc. please leave a comment. I’m in official trip planning / research mode. Just bought my ticket yesterday and only 7-weeks until departure!

2012 – The Year of the Supernova

Hello 2012. I hope you’ve all had a fantastic start to the new year! Mine was memorable (and it was likely the last huge effort I put into celebrating the new year), but the view was pretty fantastic…

And just for fun, here is a photo of my friend / roommate and I at midnight…

Thankfully, 2011 is behind me now… it was a good year, until it went sour– I live in one of the most amazing cities in the world and have a pretty awesome job, which I am thankful for. I’ve made some awesome new friends, and have lost some. I’ve loved and have been heartbroken. I’ve misunderstood intentions and been hurt. I’ve learned family drama that has me doubting myself and my beliefs…. to say the least, life is good, but I need some clarity. To 2012 — sorting things out, making things better, shining bright and being vivacious!

So, why I call 2012 the year of the Supernova? Well, I think they are pretty spectacular – who doesn’t want to witness a star that explodes and becomes extremely luminous in the process? Plus, the process results in something glorious. I realize the connotation might be negative as it’s also technically the end of that star’s life, but the Mayan’s predict 2012 to be the end of the world… I’m just going to call it symbolic. Also, I had a silly conversation with a friend the other day which inspired the theme of the year:

Amy: (Looking up at the light-polluted NYC sky) “You can almost see the stars.”
Friend: “Like Jon Hamm?”
Amy: “No! Like a supernova!”

Welcome to 2012 — more adventures and photo essays to come!!