say it with a smile

current tune: "Frontier Psychiatrist" by: The Avalanches

The past couple of days have been spent with Nick and Syracuse.

I'm without a job....again. I was let go from the small coffee shop that I had started working for because of the lack of business that was coming in. So I'm off to find work wherever I can, and whomever it is with (employer wise...excluding fast food establishments.....ever again)

Through these hardships I'm making new friends that live close by me and with ones who don't have a home to call their own. All in all I'm seeing what Syracuse has to offer in adventure, employment, and through social interactions.

And of course art!

Thursday I sported an off the shoulder shirt my Syracusian friend gave me and that I tailored a bit more for my style. I realized 1/2 hour before my class that I wanted to go crzy with my make-up (which isn't really shown) and wear something new!

...and yes, I have a wicked farmer's tan...

Some inspiring grafitti on the side of a business I pass on Tuesdays and Thursday (on my way to my class) on Lodi St. in Syracuse

A close up of some of the art on this wall.
I enjoy (so much) taking photos with Nick's camera of things that catch my eye or inspire me wherever it is.


This is the pizza we made together. He slapped it out (but I could have..) pre-oven baking and melty cheese action!
It has fresh onions, tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, broccoli, and green peppers with a bit of mozzarella, parmesan, and mexican cheese...all courtesy of our local corporate grocery.


This was the finished product, and boy was it yummy! We topped it off with the usual favorite of ranch dressing and cheap blush wine.

This capped off a fine day of a tour of wading through 3 of downtown Syracuse's fountains. One of which we climbed to the top of and waded (by Salina St.) and the other I biffed it completely by the Everson Museum.

It was a wonderful day, none the less, spent with good company and walking around the fine city.
Tomorrow I hope to actually make it to a food pantry that will be open and possibly check out the unitarian universalist church (don't know if that is what it is refered as....?) in the morning.

I'm keeping good vibes and lighting my adorable saint candle Nick bought for me.
(I've fallen in love with the iconic-ness of the religious candles in grocery stores)

goals and golub

current tune: "In Circles" by: Sunny Day Real Estate

I decided today to write down a list of goals for myself while I'm here for my last month in Syracuse, NY. These are what I came up with:

They maybe silly. They may be more than I can do. But they're on paper, visual, and hopefully will assist me in my life.

Of course riding the city bus, and rummaging through a dumpster aren't exactly "goals" to an every day person, but I would like to do these and experience these for myself before I leave here. I want to feel things that people around me are feeling...even if it isn't a positive experience. In my eyes, one can only gain certain knowledge through experience.

chili. kindergarten style.

I made another batch of vegetarian chili today for lunch and dinner. It looks like a kindergarten child drawing-come-to-life, but it tasted good! I finally have a camera (well...it certainly is not mine...) to take photos of things in my life I wish to share. Which includes doors, interesting finds, food, adventures, and anything (and I mean anything!) of inspiration to me! Sorry, Nick, but I am taking full advantage of your camera while I'm burrowing it. And I won't spill anything on it.

I started my first night class as well for college credit with one of Studio Art professors from Cazenovia College, Anita. The class is going to be more interesting than I thought it would be, and will touch on more things than I presumes as well. These things always excite me...like learning about censored things and contraband from the big brother.

I was enriched by the artist Leon Golub. His paintings opened my eyes completely, and were an absolute inspiration for the bits of political-esque art that I've lightly touched upon with some paintings. He is definitely worth the look into!


I wish he was still alive today, but under circumstances and life, I am thrilled that I could be exposed to the process of his work (through film) and the outlets of the inspiration that fueled his creativity and energy.

I'm looking forward to being exposed to more controversial artists and art organizations around Syracuse as well during these next 6 weeks of my class. It's amazing the things you overlook, that are often times just in front of you!

good times with good music

current tune: "I can't get next to you" by: The Temptations

I've been on many an adventure the past couple of days throughout Syracuse with my friend (and basically neighbor) Angie, and her roomie Joe. I'm back and things finally seem to be picking up and falling into place. And I'm thankful!

Thursday was full of more job hunting, interesting finds, public assistance forms, and an eventful night.

My friend Angie and her roomie Joe are these cute indie kids who have more music in their house than food. That is when you know you've got passion.

"I'd rather die listening to good music."

I spent the day galavanting with Angie in the hopes of finding somewhere in the area that was looking for help. Later that night Angie went to a show to see a Texan band called "The New Science Projects" while Joe and I made dinner, had wine and Strongbow (!!!) while listening to sweet vintage music on both mixed cd's and mix tapes. The night was spent on Angie's front stoop smoking cigarettes, making new friends and discussing life. A fantastic past time for the starving artist.

There is nothing that I love more than to talk with people and listen to good mixtapes on a summer evening.
(except if camping were involved)

For any of those who are not familiar with Strongbow, it is a British hard cider that is fabulous!
It was a favorite (hands down) among my friends and I in England

Later that night Angie invited one of the band members over to crash and we all oreos and beer, cigarettes and good conversation, and had a relaxing great night among friends of similar interests and present financial status.

I would love to post photos of Angie's rad flat, like my international family flat, she too found all her furniture curbside, only with more of a retro appeal. It's cool sharing a bond and love for old discarded things in a world of constant materialism. Plus she just picked up a faded old 1930's theatre couch that is the bomb digity! (Yes...I said bomb digity...)

I hope to have more adventures with Angie and Joe to come! Possibly more grilled cheese and beer nights, or just dinner and music on her front stoop.

These are the moments that make feel alive as a 20-something trying to survive in America.

a small taste of a big city

current tune: "We Share Our Mother's Health" by: The Knife

I've become absent minded again and have been once again guilty of forgetting to update my blog...shame on me! I suppose it's because I'm struggling to have a social life and helping myself for future job references. Busy, busy, busy!!

Yesterday I spent the day with my friends Nick and Bill on the usual quest for adventure. The day started on a very good note of a flat family brunch before scouring the local neighborhood for starving artists' art on the Westcott Art Trail that was held yesterday June 6th. I had a lovely brunch in our kitchen with Nick, Yazmin, and Adluha and her husband's Greek/Indian family I am currently residing with. I had delicious Indian white rice with some yellow peppers, eggplant, and zucchini that I sauteed; all with some scrumptuous vanilla chai tea. After breakfast I tackled the kitchen/dinig room floor then headed for a nice walk around the neighboorhood to see artist's selling their work in lawns and on the street. It was a very cool experience. It also motivates me to begin creating art again, on the side of my busy lifestyle, to sell and live off of.

We headed up to the Westcott Community Center to see more art for sale, signed up to help a non-for-profit arts organization for CNY, and to purchase 4 luscious tomatoes and a jar of raw honey from a local farmer's market. It always makes me uber happy to support the local natural/and or organic farmers in the area. It reminds me that they are making a living in a way that I would like to strive for, and that supporting these people is a direct way of supporting this bohemian honest lifestyle.

I later met Bill at Recess Coffee, and headed to the "Taste of Syracuse" festival downtown to enjoy the large congregation of diverse central New Yorker's with good food and good drink. It was incredibely fun shuffling around so many different people with wine slushies and the sounds of live music. It felt like a huge adult carnival held in the middle of Syrause to give people a tiny holiday from their mundane lives.



I want to make the absolute most of my time here in this large city for the summer. I enjoy the new excitement of finding new tea shops, bookstores, and boutiques to support and new people to meet. I hope my experience in Syracuse and living on my own for the first time is one I can use as a foundation for the multitudes of adventures I will be having throughout my life with all the many people I meet!

i'll have the house tossed salad

current tune: "Rocker" by: Alter Ego

I'm surviving another grueling week of full school-days at my internship during the day and working the night shift at McDonald's....yes, that's right I work for corporate America...please don't remind me. It's already Thursday and the weekend is almost here! yes!

Yesterday I walked in my flat after I returned from work and my daily commute to see that I would be having more roommates and possibly children moving in. I was a little caught off guard and a tad uncomfortable at the thought of a family living in one bedroom and six people sharing one tiny flat in Syracuse. But tonight those worries were eased to a kind Indian woman who is a passionate vegetarian.

I met the mother of the small family living with me and my other roommate, Yazmin, today when I got out of work and am so blessed and thankful that she is the way she is. She moved here from Alaska and other travels supporting her husband and their growing family. She is a gorgeous tiny woman from India who is delightfully welcoming, inviting, and kind. I briefly saw her adorable sleeping children and half-asleep husband after I spoke with her and after she offered to cook me some delish vegetarian dishes she learned from home. I am in love!

Despite the fact that I am working constantly and hardly in the flat, I am so happy that I am living with good people in a small space, and oddly with international roommates. This theme must have continued on after my semester abroad in Canterbury, England when I had two British roommates and two Slovakian roommates. I hope I can learn a lot from these new people I meet and enjoy the time I have in Syracuse with this dysfunctional odd little family that has been created on Westcott St.


I'll try and keep new adventures posted, and especially new experiences I have with this new family of mine.

orange you trendy

current tune: "Snakes and Lions" by: Melno Mene

My first house guests came by last night and helped me feel more settled and optimistic about the apartment on Westcott. The night had many ups and downs consisting of locating bandaids in the basement convenient store up the street, having a conversation with a drunk heart broken man on the street, picking up a sweet black chair and cushions off the curb, and enjoying the after affects of many an assisted friend. All served with lots of incense.

Last night was one full of signs and inspiration. On a subconscious note, everything last night was orange themed. Being the broke college student that I am living in central New York by myself I don't have much to offer in the forms of food, and lodging. This of course just makes life more interesting and unique.

The orange themed night went as follows:

Tang (mixed in a coffee pot because I do not own a pitcher as of yet)
Macaroni & Cheese (the cheapest variety - so cheap you can taste the difference and still appreciate it for its cheapness)
Resevoir Dogs (Mr. Orange)
Orange Juice (vitamin C)

All of this was not planned and just escalated as it went. I think it just adds flair to the night.
After Resevoir Dogs we found a lonely heart broken man trying to make his way home. I don't know the full details of his life or if he really was that drunk at all, but it felt good to connect with him sitting on the backside of a building with two of my friends (no, I was not alone).

I had the chance to sit down with my other roomie, who is from Columbia. It feels so much better to talk with her in person. She's older than me and so much more knowledgable and experienced with schooling, that she's an inspiration living so far from home to pursue a better future.


I'm out a toaster. I'm thinking I might make grilled cheese for breakfast for my guests.
Play the orange theme a bit longer.

great finds at great prices

current tune: "Combat Baby" by: Metric

Yesterday, after my cup of coffee, I ventured down Erie Blvd. with my merc and my music to locate amazing finds at the DeWitt Salvation Army. This particular Salvation Army has to be one of the largest and most diverse ones that I have encountered. As I can not classify myself as a Salvy-connoisseur I do know a good Salvy when I see it.

I love walking around the department-like store and searching for things that go with my taste and things that just stand out in general. There's always new items every time I go in, and always new treasures to contemplate over. A trip to Salvy is unpredictable, because you'll always see different people that come from different homes and backgrounds. I think this is an aspect of the Salvation Army I like the most. No one discriminates, and for the most part, people are polite, humble, and full of character.

Bottom line: I stumbled on some finds that made my day.

This is my favorite find and something that immediately stood out to me amongst the other miscellaneous items there. I enjoyed carrying my new craft around the store before I nestled it in the small noisy cart I had.

Two lovely old 7-up glasses

a rad bright yellow waist belt

and a very comical vintage 1986 sweatshirt from Phoenix, NY

(I hope my friend Kari sees this because this is the town she moved to from Florida)

Do I look ridiculous in this...? Yes.

Do I enjoy it...? Heck yes!

(a sneak peek at the look at my family's retro kitchen at home)

I love second hand things. They were loved in their prime, and still loved even after their first owners.

Besides, character is a great trait.

waking up the right way

current tune: "Cheap and Cheerful" by: The Kills

Today started off slow and nice. I spent my first full "good" night at the apartment. My back is slowly getting used to the "bed" I'm using. For all those who are curious, my bed is a foam mat and a sleepingbag at the moment. I woke up to sunshine, took a shower, got dressed, and packed up my computer to go to Recess for good free wifi and fresh coffee. Plus it would hurt to be seen amongst the locals as a cute indie girl.

My laptop is happily streaming wifi with a better connection than the one I receive in my room and the coffee is both free trade and delish! I am having a great morning!!

Recess Coffee was one of those places I knew about for a long time (ever since I started going in to Boom Babies) but never went over to check it out. With the recommendation from a talented professor, Sanders, I will now be frequenting this place when I can.

the outside, off of Westcott St.

a bit of the inside (where I'm currently occupying)

I'm going to finish the adorable mug of coffee that is patiently sitting on my right and indulge in my free wifi for a bit longer. Salvation Army and work call my name and adventures await!

you're a hot, hot mess

current tune: "Black Balloon" by: The Kills

My internet completely blows. My connection is barely slow enough to log me on to facebook, and takes its sweet time when loading blogger. How long am I going to be here...? Oh, right......Now I know how REAL people feel. I'm living off of stolen internet. Slow stolen internet.

And, I have no cell phone signal in my room...

I realize these are setbacks I can get over as time passes on. It is simply just locating the motivation to become an everyday commuter to my internship, then working like a dog at my minimum-wage paying occupation, then driving home to sleep so I can wake up and do it all over again. Do you choose a life of calculated mundane qualities or do you ignore the fact it is so routine and blow it all off to forget everything with good bud and good friends?

I've seen Bill, Rob, and Mike. And somehow through the mix I'll be forcing myself to better get acquainted with the highways, intersections, and streets of Syracuse, NY.

a new nest

current tune: "Bang Bang" by: Nancy Sinatra
(to go along with the Kill Bill movie-theme I've been going on recently)

I have yet to spend a night in my new room, but I took a nap in it. I'm trying to settle in to my new nest and get acquainted with everything.

Things I have learned about my new nest:

- I'm so close to the road that all I can hear is traffic. An annoyance now, but something I'm sure I'll get used to and just drown out.

-I'm going to have to rely on the wifi of the upstairs tenants for my interweb needs.

-The microwave in the dining room is not to be trusted.
(I've already blown through two bags of burnt popcorn)

-I need to purchase an inflatable mattress.
(The mat is too low to the ground and it's rather cold)

-Where are my roomies?
(I wish I could meet them to get squared away about space)


I'm still not comfortable with it as of yet, but I haven't spent a night here. Last night I crashed on Bill's couch after a late night munchie Denny's run, which made me feel more like a nomad. I think this nomadic feeling won't be leaving for awhile as I commute from Cazenovia to Syracuse.

Hopefully I'll get pictures up once someone comes to visit with a working digital camera since mine is still dead.

moving on

current tune: "Gloria" by: Them

I'm prolonging the inevitable. I'm scared to live in Syracuse so far from everyone.

This weekend allowed me to enjoy my home and hometown. I live in a small city that is poor-white trash-ish-old, yet full of potential and history. I can walk to my neighborhood dunkin' donuts, go for a hot dog and fries at Dean's Dogs (Matt eating the hot dog, and me the fries) all while simply cutting through the neighborhood elementary school. My city is cut up with sidewalks for easy walking and almost 1950's where the houses all have front yards, driveways, and terraces. My neighborhood isn't a sterile development, but merely a living family neighborhood were landscaping is done by the family and swingsets decorate the backyards.

I remember playing street hockey in the street with my best friend Jennifer when I was younger. First Avenue had the oldest, best asphalt in the city!

I am scared to move on because I miss the everyday comforts I know so well. But I know this is better for me and will teach me new things, I will meet new people, and most importantly have new adventures.

The old Glove Theatre on our Main St.

On a different note, it is spring. And I get the itch to get a part of my body pierced. Last spring it was my nose, then towards the end it was my lip. As of yesterday it was my 5th hole in both my ears. And all though it does not sound appealing to most, I enjoy the slight body modifications. Next year I am going to start designing my half sleeve I would like to get in memory of my grandfather who passed away from Parkinson's at the begining to my freshman year in college, and a memorial to his profession, nature, and my family tradition of camping and the love of outdoors.

Tomorrow will be another drive on the thruway out west to Syracuse by myself and then the start of a new life (for the summer). I hope I am inspired and learn a lot through this experience. And get to more aquainted with the depths of this salt city.

in front of the old Westcott cinema.

Inspiration.

catch up, ketchup!

current tune: "Big Yellow Taxi" by: Joni Mitchell



Yes...I am back from the depths of college, finals week, moving, packing and unpacking, and everything else in between! I have been sandwiched between an addiction to stress, a gloriously overactive ambition, and the little voice inside my head that can't say 'no'.

Rather then catch up with my life, I will simply just pick up at the present.....I'm home! (well....for the weekend). I have a new home that I'm moving into in Syracuse, NY (three hours west from my home in Gloversville, NY). It is going to be an experience living with two other roomies I have never met before and essentially living without the assistance and comfort of my family. It is going to be an experience, one that I hope will assist me in preparing for life after college.

On a good note, this weekend I have been proudly decreasing my carbon footprint! I have been washing laundry since I returned home in the wee hours Saturday morning in cold water and hanging them up on the clothesline in our backyard to dry. It make me feel like Laura Ingalls when I do this, but I enjoy this. My family has slowly been taking steps to becoming more eco-friendly and conscious and these small actions make you feel so good inside!

Also! To go along with this "green theme" my book, "The Self-Sufficient-ish Bible" has FINALLY been delivered after 5 months of back order on Amazon (thanks to my wonderful boyfriend Matthew). I first saw it in Waterstone's while I was in Windsor, England and it has been on my mind since then!

I have now found my tree-hugging bible and I LOVE it! These two brothers are amazing and a complete inspiration to me!

Andy and Dave Hamiliton

What have you done today to reduce your own carbon footprint?

tea for two

current tune: "Visions of Johana" by: Bob Dylan

This weekend was Valentine's Day and it turned out to be a nice relaxing weekend. Matt came up from Albany to see me!

We had sushi at a new sushi bar in Fayetteville, NY called "Sakana-Ya Sushi Bar." I had some delish age tofu and veggie sushi rolls wile Matt tried some squid for the first time and had sushi as well. From there we decided to see Coraline. I will be posting on that in a separate post, but just to say....I loved it!

Saturday we headed into Syracuse and stumbled on a very cute, very intimate tea room in the middle of Syracuse, NY called "Roji Tea Lounge." I had some scrumptuous lychee bubble tea, and Matt tried some hot lemongrass tea. Both of wish were superb! We loved the fact that we had the option of sitting at the traditional tea tables!

My bubble tea was soooo yummy! I love the "bubbles" at the bottom!

Matt enjoyed his hot tea. I enjoyed his little tea cup.

We had little mats for our shoes! I liked the fact that we could enjoy our tea in a more traditional manner, in the middle of Syracuse, and just enjoy the moment and our tea.

I would recommend this tea lounge to anyone, and already have told my friends about it. I loved every minute about it! Not to mention I bumped into, and met, one of my good friend's cousins, but also because the tea and staff were both wonderful!

Matt and I both had a good time, and bubble tea always makes me happy!

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p.s. - my nice Canon digital camera decided to crap the bed....again....so I haven't updated in awhile because of the lack of camera and digital image-posting abilities. I'll be looking into locating a cheap point-and-shoot, and getting my baby fixed.

In the meantime I'll be looking to get by by burrowing cameras with my mem. card and trying to
still post!