Here is the remainder of April~
I had forgotten to include this page (above). Pretty simple...I left the copyright info about the book, which happens to be a First Edition (Lordy, I hope it wasn't valuable) and added a bit of magazine text.
People went crazy today for the discounted Easter candy! We couldn't get it re-priced fast enough for them. Best part of today though was finding out that the Jane has a small kitchen/break room for the staff that residents can use for a small extra fee added to rent. I don't trust anyone enough to use the fridge, but will use the microwave for sure. I can also use a locker to store my stuff in. They are small square lockers, but large enough for a plate, bowl, and silverware. I was worried about the cost and overall waste of disposables, when I found out we can't use the bathroom to wash dishes (too many problems in the past with rice gooping up the sink pipes). I can also store my ramen, soup mixes etc in there. not like I'm going to buy much at once anyway - too hard to carry it. 4-21-14 (6:50pm)
Add cream cheese, parm chs, and broccoli --->
Add veggies, coconut milk, and curry powder (skip the chopped peanuts, yuck) --->
Add veggies, coconut milk, and curry powder (skip the chopped peanuts, yuck) --->
This page (above) has an inclusion, which was a piece of envelope with a card torn from Real Simple magazine glued to the back of it. The remainder of the layout is made up of magazine bits, a pic printed from the Chelsea Market site, some scraps of notepaper, and a couple of blank address labels.
(10:30pm) 4-22-2014
These are so good! If only the jars weren't so dang heavy. But worth it.
Real Simple: Random Act of Kindness
'A friend (from out of town) and I were walking through New York City in the pouring rain. We didn't have an umbrella. A stranger walked up and gave us his umbrella. All he asked was that my friend go home and tell people that New Yorkers are nice.'
'A friend (from out of town) and I were walking through New York City in the pouring rain. We didn't have an umbrella. A stranger walked up and gave us his umbrella. All he asked was that my friend go home and tell people that New Yorkers are nice.'
Groceries are going to kill me. Buying small packages is more expensive, but it's a nightmare to carry large packages. I need to make a plan and get this figured out before I starve or go broke. Eating off the carts might be smartest way to go. (A carton of Breyer's ice cream is $8.49! I won't be getting any of that anytime soon.)
Chelsea Market is amazing but isn't realistic for everyday grocery shopping.
This entire layout including text was from Real Simple magazine...I felt it added a little glimpse into her possible history.
4-23-2014
what makes my life real simple "This is a photograph of farmland that's about nine miles from my house. I live out here because there's something about wide, open space that really speaks to me. The intersection of light, land, and sky returns me to a natural state of ease and calm, allowing me to gain a greater perspective. But just seeing a space like this isn't enough. Living in it and working in it is what feeds my soul and makes me feel alive." -photographer Darrel Lecorre
This layout consists of layered magazine bits, journaling, and a couple small blank labels.
4-24-14 (6pm)
Pizza by the slice is a good deal, & the slices are huge! met an interesting lady at Vanetti's today. She'd lived in the city since a small child. She was smuggled out of the country, which saved her from the fate of the rest of her family. They all died at a concentration camp. Not Auschwitz, but a lesser-known one (can't spell it). I could listen to her for hours & I told her I hope we are at lunch again at the same time in the future. She just looked at me & said to never take a day for granted, they are all a gift. Then hugged me & left.
(use for those Vlasic jars!)
Another layout with an inclusion, this time a paint chip glued in upside down.
4-25-14 6:30pm
Walking home from work today, I passed a group of little girls sitting on their stoop. They were doing a "paddy cure saylon'"for $2 per foot (like who's only going to do one foot?). they had their colors (of polish) all lined up on the concrete hand rail, and it was a beautiful warm day. What the heck...decided to let them go for it. After much discussion, they decided to alternate my toes with orange and the brightest green I'd ever seen. They were so funny! It was nice sitting in the sun, letting them play "saylon," listening to their giggles. Their grandma came out about the time my nails were dry, and told them to let --->
...that "poor little white gal go home to her husband." Yeah, whatever. Joke's on her!
Background is notebook paper. Added magazine bits and journaling.
4-26-14 (midnight)
Great party!
Great party!
Selena (new checker at work) invited a bunch of people to her place for a cookout. I can't believe she pulled it off in such a tiny apartment! she had burgers & brats on a George Foreman grill in the kitchen, a bar set up in the hallway, a huge bowl of salad in the middle of the tiny kitchen table, & her brother was grilling corn on the fire escape. She'd borrowed dishes etc from her neighbors. It was mostly standing room only but it didn't feel too crowded, somehow. The best part was just getting to hang out with people in a no-pressure or working situation. I hope she invites me again if she hosts another party.
4-27-14 (6:30pm)
Took a cab home last night...that cost plenty but was worth it. Not too bad of a headache today. Stayed late to help clean up, & spent time talking to her brother. Very sweet guy.
Had to work today. Nothing special happened except getting to learn how to close. Not sure I'll have to do that too often. Worst part will be having the expense of a cab on the nights I do close. I'm not nearly New Yorker-enough to walk to the Jane that late at night, alone.
Ran into Ruby in the hall earlier. she's been sick & hadn't been out much lately. I told her I'd bring her some soup tomorrow (apparently only Jewish chicken soup from the deli will work). Talk her into having a 1/2 bowl of ramen with me tonite.
(9:45pm)
New bellhop downstairs. Yikes, she's a real treat. She already has an attitude towards the residents. None of the other clerks or bellhops seem to, so hopefully she'll get over it quickly. Overheard her griping about the smell of ramen. Unfortunately, a lot of us here (staff & residents) eat it. Sure can't afford Café Gitane every day, even though I would love to have supper there!
New bellhop downstairs. Yikes, she's a real treat. She already has an attitude towards the residents. None of the other clerks or bellhops seem to, so hopefully she'll get over it quickly. Overheard her griping about the smell of ramen. Unfortunately, a lot of us here (staff & residents) eat it. Sure can't afford Café Gitane every day, even though I would love to have supper there!
Another inclusion, this time a postcard that I purchased in NY last December. Other items: pics of the Jane from their fb page, magazine bits, and a piece of paint chip (colors: Cobbled Stonewalk and New York Café Noir).
4-28-2014 (6pm)
The other side of the inclusion (above).
This layout (above) has a painted background with magazine pics and stuff printed from the internets.
4-29-14 (8pm)
This outfit confuses me...short sleeves & bulky socks with strappy shoes? Whatever. At least she's not afraid to have her own style! I need to learn a lesson here.
See more...-people
-architecture
-nature (may just have to look harder for it)
-opportunities ---> and, hopefully, more kindness in the world
The last official page for this project. Painted background, magazine bits, journaling, and a wrapper from chopsticks.
4-30-14 (midnight)
What a wonderful yet also somewhat awkward day! Selena's brother, Max, walked her to work today. Since her shift began when mine ended, he asked if he could walk me home. Of course, I choked & stuttered like a fool. Way out of my comfort zone (& practice). Selena suggested he take me to their favorite Chinese restaurant first, since it was sort of on the way to the Jane. So we went, me feeling like a mess in my work clothes. It had to be a stock day for shampoo! (Always at least one goopy bottle.) Anyway, turns out his favorite dish is Lo Mein too. At least that's what he said when I ordered. We had such a nice time, he asked if I would like to see a movie also, at the "Classic" movie house (just a few blocks away).
[Go slowly]
The magazine bits on the right-hand page say:
Take a journey.
Take a chance.
See possibilities.
Give hugs.
Run the gamut.
Pause.
Breathe.
Live fully.
Love completely.
Live your dreams.
