I found TEXAS in NY!!!

Ok, everyone... I am pleased to announce that at the conclusion of the weekend I have found accommodation for the month of July. Ready for the best part? I only have to move 20 feet! Not 20 blocks, 20 miles, 20 feet! Monica (a roomie) is moving to Philadelphia for a job. Her friend Morgan was going to sublet her room, but she decided not to so.... I GET IT!!! Woohoo! Really I cannot find a better deal than this, and I've looked. Not sure exactly what the rent will be, but it has AC, Wifi, great roommates and I'm already stinkin' here so I just have to switch rooms (and find a mattress). The call couldn't have come at a better time too. I had just left the sketchiest place I've looked at and I was feeling so defeated I actually walked into a McD's. I know, blasphemy! Anyway, the are serving sweet tea for $1 and I needed some southern comfort. That McD's will forever hold a special place in my heart. I enjoyed my tea with great fervor.
OH! I went into the Plaza Hotel! I've wanted to visit that hotel ever since I saw "Big Business" as a child! Its still under renovation, so there wasn't a whole lot to explore. I was a bit hesitant at first b/c I do not belong in there and I think its quite obvious just by my appearance. Its like walking into Tiffany's (which I still have yet to do). The entire staff watches you like a hawk b/c you don't belong. I did not feel that bad though b/c there were folks in the lobby snapping pictures. I was at least subtle about my intrusion! Sheesh! Some people!
I decided to continue my tour of "hotels that will never be in my price range" and headed over to the Four Seasons. Just wanted to check it out and make sure they were "Getting It Right, Getting Me Right, and Wowing the guests". The property is gorgeous! I walked in with confidence. Who knows, maybe I'm a trust-fund kid who chooses to dress in cheap clothes. I'm an actress, right?! So I stroll in and the lobby escort greets me (check). I asked to be shown to the Concierge. The 3 concierge that are there are each on the phone and one guy has two phones going, one on each ear. Despite their preoccupation, I am greeted quickly (check). I explain that I'm an employee down in Austin and just wanting to see the property and find out about the city. Jenifer (i love nametags) handed me a magazine called Time Out New York with everything I needed to know. It was actually her copy and she gave it to me (i was 'wowed'). Then she took me over to the Front Desk and asked if there was anyone available to show me some of the rooms. An intern (Sarah) took me up to a suite. She would have shown more but they were booked. The room was nice, not huge but the view was incredible! Only $2400/night!
Ok, so today... Sunday! I decided to go down to see the big park here in Brooklyn called Propect Park. I accidentally got off one stop early, but it worked out cause I stopped at a little place for breakfast and guess what they had... Breakfast Burritos!!! Que suerte! Es mi favorito! So for the bargain price of $5.50 I got a massive burrito with black bean salsa (not the greatest, but alright). I enjoyed my breakfast and wandered around to find a nice place to park it for my version of "church". I downloaded the latest sermons from Austin Stone (i love iTunes) so I explored with book of 1 Corinthians so more. There was a group of couples who had decided to meet at the park and have a picnic and play croquet! It reminded me of Grandpa and Grandmother's backyard and how we'd always play back there! Oh and I thought of you, Tricia, cause some at some little kid's birthday party there was a live guitarist and he sang "you can't always get what you want". Do you remember that horribly annoying commercial that used to play constantly when we worked at Blockbuster? Ha! It was a perfect morning. Check out 1 Cor. 1:18. Amazing verse!
So I was due to meet a couple friends from class at a flea market, which was actually located right down the street from where I live. Unfortunately, I was no longer near where I live and there was no simple way up there. Its a little difficult getting around Brooklyn on the subway, especially for someone directionally challenged like me. I walked a lot today. Oh! But I found a Target. Woohoo! I bought some Clif bars (thanks to Pam, i've fallen in love with these). It took me a lot longer to get there and by the time I made it up to the market the girls had moved on to Williamsburg for lunch. Fair enough. I was able to catch them doing some shopping on Bedford Ave. I accidentally got on a train going to wrong direction so it took me a bit longer to meet them, which they don't know, unless they're reading this now... I was meeting Kasia (thats Ka-sha) from Australia and Line (lee-na) from Denmark! This is part of the reason I love NY. Its so international. I love that I got to have an international day!
These girls are great fun and have such a wonderful style! The shops in Brooklyn are really unique and once I have some money to spend I will return and actually make a purchase. During our coffee break we discussed our classes. I was impressed to learn they just had a phone interview and that is all. They just came. Such courage. Denmark is far and so is Australia! What if they hated it? I suppose its only 6 weeks, but still... They are both talented and I love watching them work. Its so interesting to watch the students from other cultures work with this technique b/c I think it just brings a new layer to it. I can't articulate this well, but I always learn from watching one of their exchanges in class.
OH! I haven't told you the best find today... Ok so I had found out about a BBQ place in NY devoted to promoting Texas barbecue from Lockhart and the Austin music scene. Random? A little bit, but so welcome! That is actually what got me out of bed this morning. I saw the posting on Craig's List and immediately wanted to go apply. Of course, I didn't make it over there until after 9 p.m. but what can ya do? It probably worked out better cause I got to meet one of the managers and fill out an application during a very slow, quiet time. I hope they call me. It was nice being there! Very comfortable and it was voted one of the best bbq in town and top 10 bars in town (i might be a little off on some of that). Now I've made it home safe and sound. Tomorrow begins Week 2!