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Why you need IDNYC before the Summer begins!

Living in New York when finances are tight is no fun.  Living anywhere when finances are tight is no fun, but since this is New York, the cultural opportunities are world-renowned and as a parent, one of the best things for me to do is expose my children to museums and anything else I can get their hands on!

So with activities adding up for my 1 and 3 year old for example, I was looking forward to something like IDNYC to come along!  

IDNYC is an exciting new ID card for NYC Residents that boasts discounted memberships across many (seems like most) cultural institutions in the city! 
There are FREE things to do around the city, but the thing about IDNYC is that the non-free things will now be accessible to me without my having to make an excuse as to why I cannot go.
A list of the benefits are available here!
If you are a New Yorker and you do not have the ID yet, then book your appointment today!  Seriously… They are filling up fast!
I made a trip out it, going with one of my “Sister-Friends”, Ayo.  We made our appointments online and chose the earliest appointment we could find (which was about 10 days out… In Brooklyn (we both live in Manhattan).
The wait seemed non-existent and the staff was amazing! We were in and out in one hour (with a toddler and a baby).
The KEY is having the appointment!  All appointments are honored before non-appointments!  I came from work and by the time the car was loaded with everyone and we made it through a drive to Brooklyn, we were a little late, but because we had appointments, we were mixed in with the other appointments.  
I should also note that Sunset Park is a new location.
Another friend I encouraged to apply went to the Mid-Manhattan Library with a wait under an hour as well.
You better believe I will be sharing the adventures we have as soon as my card arrives!  
Not to mention, if you ever wanted to join a credit union, that is now a possibility with IDNYC!
Stay Tuned…


Moving through “The Sadness”

So far, the time in the new apartment has been good for me.  My spirit has been renewed and I have, for the most part, gotten out of my rut.

But today is different.
I feel the sadness knocking at the door. 
As sun-drenched as my apartment is, today feels like a more internal day.  It is on a day like this that I am grateful for the playroom and the non-tiny apartment.
I am grateful not to be living in a cave anymore, so it doesn’t seem as bad.
It might be exhaustion – literally… I have been working so hard on the new apartment that there are days I barely sit down (not to mention our last chair is on the verge of breaking).  
I actually have a good time just moving about the house, baking, cooking,  cleaning, playing with the kids and doing a decent amount of daydreaming.
The sadness creeps in when I feel as if I need to be doing it all, and let’s face it – I live in New York and the moms who look like they do it all are everywhere, so it is nice to remember that you don’t.
This article made a coincidental appearance on my Twitter feed as I was writing this, so it felt right to share.
So I’m going to take a little break today… less obligatory housewife and more meditator, more relaxed … me.

Hump Day Inspiration: Do You Believe in Angels?

Do you believe in Angels?

If you don’t believe in non-mortal beings who earn their wings everytime a bell rings, then maybe you believe in people put here to give us messages exactly when we need them…

Monday afternoon, following regular labs for my son’s rare and genetic, yet completely managed blood disorder, I was crossing the street to Mount Sinai’s parking structure when an older white gentleman walking with a cane spoke to me.

“I was watching you in there”, he said as we crossed the street together.  
“Oh”, I remarked, pleasantly surprised and pleased to be having a conversation with a stranger once again in the city.    
There was a time I craved these interactions…looking for the amazing people of the world on the streets, in the cafés and on the subways of this city.
Having traded that in for “mommy-hood”, I am eager to interact with others once again and rekindle friendships possibly staled by my temporary yet necessary absence.
“You are very good with him”, the gentleman said glancing at my son, nestled in my carrier.
I smiled, thanked him and bid him to have a great day!
“You are great“, he said.  Not a response to my telling him to have a great day, but a statement.  An affirmation of my abilities should anyone ever make me feel inadequate or sub-par.
I didn’t turn around to see where the man went after we crossed the street.  I did, however, notice that he was wearing only a sweater.  Not even a hat… And it wasn’t that warm.  His presence warmed my heart and gave me a little boost that day.  What exactly he had seen, I do not know, but I am sure he is always watching.

First Day at a Fresh Start

Tuesday was my first day alone with the kids in the new apartment.

My mom was here from Detroit for what was supposed to be a week and what turned into a month and now we are basically settled.
[So many more blanks to fill here…to be covered later…]
I have been dreaming of this apartment for a few years and being here is one of those feelings where one wants to make the best of it.  
I don’t want to spoil this situation.
I finally have the office I have been striving for and my children have a real playroom which doubles as my daughter’s room or vice versa.
The more I am here, the more I realize the physical depression we were living in.
The first major change is light.  The new apartment is sun-drenched, and with this light I find myself physically renewed to start each day with nothing but productivity.  
So far that has meant keeping up with cleaning, but it is something that I enjoy here! 
I am also finally committed to dealing with my life as a pack-rat…hoarder…or whatever term you might use for someone with a lot of stuff.  To date, in our new home, I have donated bags and bags of goods, clothing, etc… and all I can say is how good it feels to be rid of things I have been carrying around since high school at least. 
I hope to encourage others to let go as well or to explore why they might be holding on to un-needed things through my own examination.
This will likely reveal many layers that I have been covering over the past decade at least.
As always, Thank You for reading and following along, no matter how much time has elapsed.

The Substance of Strangers

Another City Room reject for your enjoyment…  I’ll keep trying.  They’ll bite one day (I hope).
—–

Dear Diary: 
I moved to New York to sit next to strangers in theatres and cafés—
To mingle with the many dreamers and doers lured onto this island.
In my early years here, I experienced much of that, but without the experience of married life and motherhood I now hold within my soul.  
Now, every outing alone is a resurgence as well as a reminder that I am still the same person with more to share… Something easily lost when the “Frozen” Soundtrack is on repeat. 
Sunday evening, I saw a play alone.  The last of many for a while as I am expecting before the Summer begins.  Needless to say, any time alone is more like a pleasant surprise these days, than anything expected.
I sat next to a lovely older woman, Charlotte, who spends part of her time in Mexico.  I answered all of her questions about my iPad Mini and other comparable tablets and talked about my family (being away from them doesn’t mean they aren’t constantly with me).
After learning I was a playwright who had studied under the writer of the show we were seeing, she said she was very proud of me.  
On my way out, another stranger remarked that I was the most beautiful pregnant woman she had ever seen.
For all the mess people give this city, those that live here sure know how to make a woman feel good and I am forever grateful for the kindness of strangers.