That sweet spot on the calendar

I have been witnessing a lot of random acts of kindness and neighborly concern in NYC this week, mainly on the subway. Strangers helping out strangers, people are generally being courteous  and considerate, shop assistants genuinely saying "Hi, how are you?" It is SO LOVELY!

This week is that sweet spot of the year where people are filled with holiday joy but not too stressed out by it. Last week everyone was in standard New-York-City-don't-get-involved mode and predictably next week everyone will be losing their mind with the pressure to be happy, merry and have a good time with their loved ones. But this week, well… this week is beautiful. 

HONY book signing

I got my HONY book signed by Brandon tonight and met some lovely people in the hour and a half long line :) 

This photo is from the week before they book dropped earlier this year. 

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW! I LOVE SNOW! 

SURPRISE!

In NYC surprise parties are awesome because it usually takes a lot of effort to get to one… on a monday night… and then everyone feels the love! Happy Birthday Matt! 

Had some friends over for coffee. As true New Yorkers we discussed the struggles and headships of living the dream in NYC. Fabio spoke of wanting 2 things in life… to do what he loves and have someone to share it with. I said I knew the pain of that search to which he replied "Look at all you have! You have a home and someone to share it with!" and I had no argument. right… getting more grateful right now! 

Whitney Museum

Today I fell in love. 

Jerry had the diner, Harry and Sally had Katz's deli and if my New York city life ever makes the screen I hope it will have a delicious long pan that finds me cuddled in the corner of the Whitney Museums' mid staircase nook. Just like NYC; from the first moment it just felt like home. 

Chihuahuas. In New York. In Winter. In Coats. 

HILARIOUS. Every time. 

Concrete Jungle where dreams are made, Oh

View of Astoria Queens from Charles Shultz Park

New York City. Concrete Jungle. 

Harsh. Impenetrable. Unchanging. 

Transformed by Mother Nature with each passing season like a growing person; concurrently authentically true yet wildly different. 

Some days are lucky days; where the New York you wake up to is just so out of the ordinary it is as though all of the Broadway might gathered overnight to transform the city into a magical jungle…where dreams are made, oh…. There's nothing you can't do.  

Astoria Kickshaw

This afternoon I had the pleasure of discovering The Queens Kickshaw. Great coffee. Tim the barista is lovely. The food looks amazing. The tunes were rocking and through the week there is  wifi 7:30am-noon. Queens just keeps getting better and better :)

Oh Subway….

I saw this poster on my way to work.

"If a tomato is a fruit doesn't that make ketchup a smoothie?"

Mind blow pre-7:30am!

Once a New Yorker.

On Friday night I stepped off the plane from warm and sunny Australia to a chilly evening in New York already dark at 5pm. Ahhh... Home. 

The crazy thing is I HATE being cold and I definitely prefer sun to gloom but once you become a New Yorker it never leaves you, and you can never leave it. That was my lesson of the day. 

While loved ones in Australia are soaking up the 30C/ 86F+ weather and I could be with them; the very moment I step out in to the chilly air, shove my hands in my pockets and see everyone else doing the same I feel warmer inside than the sun has ever made me.  Smelling the pine trees- for sale on every corner- lit by the holiday lights that garnishing the forever grotty streets makes me so happy. 

I love the holiday season in New York.