Work in Progress

New York has been rainy, so I've been struggling to get out to take photos.

The weather, coupled with work scheduling and running errands, has been slowing my blogging down. I don't intend for it to stay down. I'm working on it. Making things more routine, or at least more fun.

sweater: Ann Taylor

shorts: Rugby Ralph Lauren

Waves

I love water.

I think it's so cool. 

The way it moves, the clear color, the neutral pH, all the life it holds, and more.

The oceans are some of the last frontiers on Earth, and who knows if we'll even conquer them.

The Hudson River is kind of gross, but I love water, so I sit close by and watch.

The boats.

The shimmering blanket of water.

The waves that reach shore.

My dream is to learn to surf in Hawaii.

Spend days at a time in shorts and bathing suits.

That would be great.

Lovely Things

Things I love: A list

Giving gifts to loved ones

Sweet things

Sunshine

Balloons

Being in church

Reminiscing with old friends

Being near the ocean

Beaches

Warm feelings

S'mores (I know! It's a sweet thing)

A fresh coat of nail polish

The gummy smile of babies

Driving

New clothes

Family get-togethers

The Christmas/New Year season

Making art

Spending time with B

Stormy Weather

NYC weather has been crazy lately. One day will be chilly, the next warm and summery, the next stormy and flooded.

For some reason I decided not to wear my Hunter rain boots and ended up getting caught in the rain four times that day. 

To be fair it was very, very hot that morning and throughout the day. Even through the rain.

...and this was not just normal prissy rain.

Noah's ark style downpours. 
(well not really, I can still see the ground)

I have a blister to prove how comfortable it is to wear Danish clogs while power walking flooded Manhattan streets for 3 hours.

TMI?

Yeah it was. Sorry!

shirt: nordstrom
jeggings: zara
shoes (not pictured): banana republic
necklace: j crew

Wind

I have a love/hate relationship with the wind. I have mostly fine strands in my hair, so if I encounter even a slight breeze, all of the hair on my head takes flight. Some days it's fun, others I just want to see where I'm going.

Manhattan's grid layout makes for easier understanding of maps, but it also causes wind-tunnels. So I can walk with ease down a street, but once I get the the corner...

...I struggle just to stand my ground instead of following the wind.

It's probably a good metaphor for life. Most things these days become decent metaphors for life. 

Life may try to blow you any which way, but you have to push through! 

No? 

No.

I'll just buy more hair bands.

leather jacket: french connection
sweater: club monaco (men's)
tank top: bdg 
jeans: zara
shoes: banana republic

Spoonful of Sugar

A major issue in NYC that comes up frequently is the issue of preserving historic buildings versus tearing them down to make room for new ones. Many native New Yorkers are upset because it seems that much of the city is constantly being demo'ed and prepped for new buildings. The buildings, which can house more people, are needed, but the cost is tearing down favorite buildings and pricing out natives to make room for the younger people who are brand new to the city and are willing to pay a premium.

Part of this change has resulted in the renovation and construction of many waterfront parks in New York City boroughs. They are beautiful and feel like an escape from the crowded city. I guess they're the spoonful of sugar that make the medicine of condominium construction go down.

dress: Asos
sweater: Zara
shoes: converse

Blessings

I feel especially blessed. I find myself being given great items, spending time with great people, and progressing in a way that I haven't in a long time. Sure I'm tired sometimes. Many days are not peachy perfect. Regardless of any little flubs and errors, I'm feeling pretty solid about everything. That makes me happy.

p.s.
I'm really loving sweaters with shorts and white dresses with black tights and black shoes lately. Weather in NYC has been up and down daily.

headband: Ricky's NYC

dress: American Eagle

shoes: Banana Republic

Lessons Learned

I've learned through watching kids that dropping yourself on the ground does nothing to help you, and that tantrum won't get you what you want (unless you have wimpy parents).

You have to push through and do what you must do.

I don't know what that thing is that you must do.

I do know that getting up, brushing yourself off, and doing that thing will bring you closer to what you desire.

sweater: j crew

shorts: gap kids (who knew they made plus sizes for 12 yr olds!?)

shoes: converse

necklaces: j crew, forever 21

headband: ricky's

Movin' Right Along

As a New Yorker, I never really saw the point of learning how to drive. I knew that I should know how to drive at some point, but only because its a life skill.
When I turned 16, almost 8 years ago, I wasn't thinking of getting my license or a car. NYC insurance prices and traffic make it silly for most people to do so.
…but last year something changed.

My cousin, the next youngest after myself within my family, turned sixteen. That (sadly) is what pushed me to get my license. I just couldn't let him gain that accomplishment before me, even if he lives in the 'burbs.

So I paid for classes, and asked for family help. A month later I passed my test!!

Yes, I passed by a hair, but I was nervous… don't judge me!

Now I actually love driving when I get the chance. Just not in Manhattan.

Sour Day

Have you ever had a moment where it feels like everything that can go wrong did go wrong?

I had one of those today.

I'm looking forward to a better tomorrow (literally).


halter tank: Gap
"leather" jacket: French Connection
jeggings: Zara
shoes: Banana Republic

J.O.B.

ughhhhhhhhhhhh

Job hunt. I feel like I'm constantly job hunting. I understand that until I start a career, I'm likely to job hunt often, but I would like something long-term. Something I can stick with. 

So here's to the grind. Here's to searching every job site, news paper, and email like you're actually getting paid to do it. Here's to waking up early and staying up late just so you can catch every job listing post. Here's to knowing every post on your favorite job-finding site by heart, just because you've read them so many times.

Finally, here's to actually finding that job. No one wants to put in so many hours for nothing.

shirt: J crew

jeans: Zara

shoes: Converse

necklace: J crew

anchor bracelet: Kiel James Patrick

Tale of the Tall Girl

Looking back, I can say with confidence that I was always "the tall girl" or at least the second tallest in my class/grade.  I was utterly enthusiastic that I was one of the tallest. Very proud of it. It made me feel like I was successful, at least when it came to growing. 

Then something happened. Puberty hit, and suddenly all the girls wanted to be liked by boys. I learned very quickly that boys who haven't yet reached their full height in puberty, don't like girls who are just as tall or taller than them.

So, for a long time I didn't like being tall. All of my friends were short. They would get all of the attention. So I slouched and squatted and hunched as much as I could, not realizing that I didn't look any shorter.

One day my eyes opened, and I realized that slouching didn't make me look more desirable or "normal". I just looked ridiculous. I'm not sure how or why it happened, but from that day on I began to stand tall. No looking back.

I see my sister slouching like I used to, but I'm not worried. I know she'll reach that moment where things just click, and we'll see eye to eye.


Coat: Zara
Dress: Bebe
Tights: American Apparel
Shoes: Calvin Klein

Layers

The weather has  been getting warm lately. Its often nice, but early mornings and evenings bring a frost back. As a result, I've been wearing more layers than I should be and taking both my umbrella and sunglasses.

Jacket, belt: j crew

T-shirt: uniqlo

Cardigan: rugby

Scarf, wool vest, jeans: thrifted/hand-downs

Shoes: Converse

Happy Cake Day

My boyfriend, B, has his birthday on the 27th of April. His 23rd birthday. 

He’s younger than I am by

eight

WHOLE

MONTHS.

To be honest, I forget that he is most of the time. He seems so mature. Very sure of himself. This is something that I admire. 

He’s not much of a party person. B prefers a cup of tea and a book at home over anything else, so it’s always a challenge to figure out how to celebrate his birthday with those we love.

…but this year, it’s going to be just us.

Finally.

Genesis

To be honest, I’ve been a little nervous about starting this blog. What do I say? Will it actually be interesting? Will it prove to be embarrassing like Jenna’s blog from “Awkward” on MTV?

Yes, I can write pretty well according to a couple of schools and an antiquated SAT score, but who will want to read this?

I’ve decided to put those things out of my mind and just write.

Just write.

I am Alexis.

I am a native New Yorker who left for 3.5 years, then came back.

I am smart.

I am 23.

I am pushing through and writing this blog.

Je suis Alexis. Je suis de New York. Je suis intelligent. J’ai vingt et trois ans. j’écris ce blog.

I speak a little french, a little hindi, and I pretend to speak arabic even though I know very little.

Je parle un peu français, un peu hindi, et presque pas arabe.

sweater: jcrew, vest: American eagle