A New York City Thanksgiving

Entrance to Macy's

It’s officially Christmas time, everybody! The most wonderful time of the year! Oh how I love it, but first, how about a little recap over that other holiday that just passed, Thanksgiving!

Given that the Christmas holidays are not too far off, and the cost of airfare being so high, I opted to stay in New York for the Thanksgiving holiday. At first I thought this may be depressing, since I’ve never spent a Thanksgiving away from my family before. However, it ended up being a really amazing day and I am so THANKFUL for that!

A few weeks before Turkey Day, the family friend I stayed with when I first moved up here, texted me to find out if I had any plans for the holiday. At the time, I was considering hitting up the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and then cooking myself some Thanksgiving staple items at home. She asked if I might want to meet up at the parade that day and then find a restaurant serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal to eat at. I promptly said YES!

Finally the big day rolled around and I was actually really looking forward to it! First up, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I woke up at about 6:45 AM, which is probably the earliest I think I’ve ever woken up on a Thanksgiving, to get dressed and head down to midtown to find a spot to watch the parade.

I read several articles in the days leading up in order to be best informed about the parade route and how early I should arrive for a spot. The area of the parade route I was shooting to be in, along 6^th Avenue somewhere in the 50’s, the articles said I could arrive as late as 7:00 AM to get a really good spot. Well, that just seemed entirely too early and I figured, for my first parade, a mediocre spot would do. I decided on a spot near Radio City Music Hall, which I found around 8:30 AM, and it ended up being perfect! Several families ended up being around me and everyone was so nice. The parade officially kicked off at 9:00 AM and at about 9:45ish, it finally made it to where I was standing. Luckily, the weather was pretty mild. I was comfy and warm in my coat, scarf and boots.

I will say, I’ve always watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on television, but it was never one of those things I was absolutely dying to do. I always just figured it’d be something cool to see if I were ever given the opportunity. Well, let me tell you guys, the parade is AWESOME!!! If you do ever have the opportunity to see it, YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD!!

The balloons are quite incredible to see with your own eyes. They’re MASSIVE, as one would assume. One surprising thing was how fast they move! On TV it always looks as if they’re slowly floating lazily through the sky. Not the case, I tell you! Some of the balloon handlers were having to run just to keep up!

My favorite balloon! Hilarious!

MASSIVE Paddington Bear!

Another thing, this parade boogies on down Sixth Avenue! They do not stop, they do not stall. They KEEP ON MOVING! So there’s constantly something to look at once the parade gets to your location. Not only are there balloons, but also the elaborate floats carrying performers like Andy Grammar, Train, Panic At The Disco, Jake Owen, Jennifer Nettles, and The Plain White T’s, to name a few. I saw Tom the Turkey, the giant mechanical turkey who leads out the parade, with my very own eyes! He’s huge! So many balloons, like Hello Kitty, Angry Birds, Spongebob, and Thomas the Train.

Tom the Turkey

Spongebob Squarepants!

Suddenly, there’s a shift in the parade and everything becomes much more Christmas-y. The balloons switch to candy canes, Elf on the Shelf, Virginia, and the iconic, Snoopy and Woodstock balloon. Headlining the parade was Mariah Carey, and there she came looking like a total diva atop her Christmas-themed float. To close out the parade was Santa and Mrs. Claus, of course!! Arriving on their sleigh, being pulled by a dozen reindeer, letting us all know the Christmas season had officially begun!!

Snoopy and Woodstock

Mariah Carey: The One, True Diva

The atmosphere is absolutely electric! The excitement just keeps on building as balloons and floats go by, all culminating with Santa Claus! The children were absolutely freaking out with each passing spectacle. Everyone around me had huge grins on their faces. It really was magical! Such a fantastic way to start the holiday and my favorite time of the year!

Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Once Santa was out of sight, the crowd began to disperse and I met up with my friend. After wandering for a bit, we figured it was time stuff our faces. We decided to see what the crowd was like at the classic New York restaurant Junior’s in Times Square. Having already done some research, we knew they were serving a prix fixe Thanksgiving menu, along with their famous cheesecakes and desserts.

When we arrived, the wait wasn’t too long, so we decided to stay. We were seated a little while later, and put in our order for the Thanksgiving plate and glasses of wine. Once our feast arrived, we were quite surprised by the HUGE plates set in front of us, full of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, broccolini, and cranberry. We ate to our hearts content, and even had food to spare! I mean, did Thanksgiving really happen if you don’t have leftovers?! Next came pie, obviously. Pecan for her and pumpkin for me. Simply delicious.

Happy Thanksgiving! Look at all that food! YUM!

We stayed at the restaurant for some time just talking and enjoying the atmosphere, before wandering off to browse at the holiday windows on Fifth Avenue. Soon, we parted ways, both in desperate need of naps! Overall, it was truly a wonderful day. I’m so thankful she thought of me and that we were able to celebrate the holiday together.

The rest of the weekend was spent being super lazy and trying to get in some studying for my upcoming CPA exam. On Friday, I did my Black Friday shopping obligation…from my couch. I ordered a nice lamp that was on sale at Pier One and picked it up later that afternoon. You’re welcome, U.S. economy. On Saturday, I made a quick trip to my neighborhood Ace Hardware, where I picked up some supplies for a Christmas project. I also stopped at the grocery store and picked up all the necessities for some nice fajitas, including some salsa that was made in Fort Worth, Texas!

The Christmas project I was speaking of above was Operation Christmas Tree. In case you haven’t figured it out already, I’m a major Christmas lover. This includes Christmas decorating. I LOVE IT. Unfortunately, my trusty Target Christmas tree and ornaments are at home. And while I could’ve had my mom ship it to me, I just don’t have anywhere to store it post-Christmas. I sort of just figured I wouldn’t really decorate this year…which really hurt…deep in my soul.

SO, on Friday night, my mom tells me about a command hook commercial she saw where they made a Christmas tree on the side of a wall, using command hooks and lights. She thought maybe I could do that as my Christmas tree this year…because she’s a genius! And, I had the PERFECT wall to do it on! I consulted Pinterest, obviously, to get photographic support and off I went to Ace Hardware.

While watching the Auburn/Alabama game, I set to work, positioning my hooks and getting the lights and garland ready to hang. After waiting the suggested hour for the hooks to properly adhere to the wall, I hung up the garland and lights, as well as the ornaments and big bow. And BOOM! Super adorable, simple Christmas tree! I absolutely LOVE IT! Now my apartment feels just as festive as my soul does! J (And yes, I watched the A&M game too…but we don’t have to talk about it!)

My Christmas Tree!

This week is going to be an exciting one! On Wednesday, the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center will be lit! I’ve always dreamed of seeing it and this year I finally get to! Then on Thursday, one of my best friends, Rachel, is coming to visit for a few days! We’re going to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes on Saturday, another thing I’ve always dreamed of seeing! And in only a few short weeks, I’ll be headed back to Texas to see my family and celebrate Christmas. I’ve truly got so much to be thankful for.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and have begun your Christmas decorating!

XOXO,

Alex

"It's the Holiday Season...duh dum duh dum..."

It’s been a few weeks since I last posted and since I’m having a bit of a lazy Sunday, I thought I’d write a post to catch you guys up on what’s been happening up here in the Big Apple.

I’ve fallen into quite a daily routine now, which looks a little something like: wake up, get dressed, go to work, come home, eat dinner, read or watch Netflix, go to bed, and repeat. On Friday nights, I meet up with some friends who are also new hires at my company for drinks. Every other week we do dinner somewhere fun. Our last Friday night dinner was at a BBQ restaurant called Brother Jimmy’s. They also happen to be famous for their Swamp Water, an alcoholic beverage served in a fish bowl, complete with a plastic gator. It was actually quite tasty! The weekends are a little less structured. I generally sleep in a bit and then try to do something fun…but I always make sure I’m home to watch the Aggies play on Saturdays! Obviously! Sundays are church, grocery shopping, cleaning, and meal prepping days (more on this later). It’s starting to feel like real life, rather than just going through the motions until I’m off the hook…if that makes any sense AT ALL hahaha

The Swamp Water

Today also marks 2 months since moving into my apartment! It’s still coming together, but hopefully in a few more months I’ll have it where I want it. I have learned one thing though: I like to keep a clean home. WHO KNEW?! I know there will be several people shocked by this, mainly my mother. I sweep at least once a week and every other week I deep clean, meaning dusting, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, etc. But seriously, it’s like clockwork! This, coming from someone who used to maybe vacuum their room once every three months and change their sheets once every couple of months. (Yeah I know that’s gross but it was annoying taking them off the bed!) Now I change my sheets much more frequently. And I actually love it! I LOVE when everything is clean and there’s no dust or grime on the floor. Looks like I’m growing up after all!

Another new thing I just experience, grocery delivery! Living on a budget is much more challenging than I expected. I did some calculations and the amount of money I was spending on groceries and eating out last month was RIDICULOUS. I decided this month I really needed to be mindful about what I was spending on food. There’s a grocery store down the street I go to on Sundays and purchase food for the week. Then I prepare my meals and have them in the fridge for easy access. This particular store is a bit small and, well, pricey. There are so many things I look at the price and think, this is at least $2 cheaper in Texas.

I’ve been reading articles about grocery shopping on a budget in NYC and several articles suggested the grocery delivery services. So, I decided to try one. Sure enough, I did end up being able to get about 2 weeks’ worth of food to make for about $10-$15 more than I was getting one week’s worth at the store down the street. I was able to compare prices right there on my screen and take advantage of some sale items. There was also a coupon I found to get the delivery fee waved, so that also saved me. The absolute best part about it, I DIDN’T HAVE TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE! I didn’t have to walk down the crowded aisles trying to find the items I was looking for and bumping into strangers. All of the things I needed were delivered right to my door. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. (I know I sound like a diva, but seriously I hate the grocery store and this was like winning the lottery!)

For the past few weeks, I was working on a client out of White Plains, New York, which is north of the city. This required me to wake up an extra hour to allow for travel time. Not fun the first few days as I adjusted. Each morning I would leave around 7, take the subway to Grand Central Station, and then take the train out to White Plains. From the train station, I walked to my client’s office. All in all, it took me about an hour and a half, which, compared to other people’s commutes, really isn’t that bad. The train ride was nice, as we went through some gorgeous tree-lined areas. White Plains itself was also a really cute place. The other neat thing was just getting to go to Grand Central every day. There’s such a bustling atmosphere and so many people going to so many different places. It’s such an old building and yet it’s still very much a vital part of travel in the city. I’m actually going to miss being there. This week I start on a new client, who I’ll be working on for about the next 6 months. They’re in Manhattan, so the commute will be much more manageable.

Now onto the fun part of this blog post, the holiday season is OFFICIALLY underway here in the city. First up was Halloween last weekend. This year I didn’t dress up and it hurt my soul. I LOVE getting all dressed up for Halloween and take great pride in making my costumes (i.e., my Elsa costume last year). However, I just didn’t have the time, or inspiration for that matter, to come up with something. So, I threw on a Gryffindor shirt and told myself I was Ginny Weasley because of my red hair. It made me feel a little bit better about not having put in the effort for a full-blown costume.

I met up with a friend of mine down in Greenwich Village where we watched the NY Halloween Parade. There were LOADS of people out to watch and the vast majority of them were dressed up themselves! I saw so many incredible costumes on people who weren’t even in the parade! Once the parade did start, tons of costumed New Yorkers made their way down the street, jamming out to music and having a great time. There were some floats and bands, as well as dance groups. My favorite, the New York Thriller group who moved down the street doing Michael Jackson’s Thriller and it was amazing. It wasn’t half-ass either, they were going after it.

After about two hours, my friend and I decided we’d seen enough and left. This had a little to do with the fact we’d been out there about 3 and a half hours, since we went early to get decent viewing spots, and a LOT to do with the fact people started cramming in closer together. We weren’t fans of the people behind us being practically on top of us. Not a fun situation! I went home, grabbed some McDonald’s because it was the only thing open that late and close to my apartment, and watched The Prince and Me…because I couldn’t bring myself to watch a scary movie…alone…in my apartment…alone. Bottom line: It was a nice Halloween spent with a good friend J

Rubi and Me at the Parade!

Now I want to first say, I love Thanksgiving. I respect it as a holiday and I love everything it represents. A day for us to think about all of the many blessings we’ve been given and to stuff our faces with delicious turkey and pumpkin pie. However, I’m one of those people who sometimes let’s their love of Christmas overpower their love of Thanksgiving….okay not sometimes, try all the time. Which is why I started listening to Christmas music on November 5^th. Before you get irate, I started listening to Christmas music on, like, November 1^st last year so I’m doing better, okay!!! I’m sorry but if I wait for the day after Thanksgiving to start listening to Christmas music, I’m left with 29 days to indulge in the beautiful crooning of Michael Buble, Andy Williams, and Nat King Cole. THAT’S NOT ENOUGH! Christmas music makes me ridiculously happy, so don’t mind me as I walk down the street listening to it in my earbuds and smiling like an idiot.

This city is not helping either. They’ve started decorating for the holidays already!! If you didn’t see it on the news or whatever, the big Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center arrived on Friday and is in the process of being installed. It was actually quite incredible to see that take shape. It’s a real construction zone now too and they make sure it’s secure. I’ve NEVER seen the tree in Rock Center so I am ECSTATIC. Saks Fifth Avenue across the street already has their Christmas décor up outside, as well as Tiffany & Co. and Harry Winston. A lot of other storefronts on Fifth Avenue are preparing their windows for the holidays and I can’t wait to see what they look like.

The Tree arrives!

And it's up!!!

And now a construction zone!

Yesterday I was doing a bit of shopping and went my Macy’s in Herald Square. They already have up some of their Christmas décor outside, but I decided to go inside to their Christmas floor. SON OF A NUTCRACKER, IT WAS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!! I can’t even begin to tell you how many Christmas trees were up in there and they were COVERED in a gazillion ornaments! There were Santa figurines and tree skirts and stuffed Christmas toys and anything and everything you could possibly need to decorate your house for Christmas. I was in heaven. After roaming around there for a while, I decided it was probably unhealthy and I should leave. So, reluctantly, I did.

Macy's!!

As my mother put it in a text message, “You are going to be in heaven this holiday season.” Yes, yes I am. I know that a lot of this is due to consumerism. I’m not naïve! But I choose not to look at it that way. The spirit of Christmas is what I’ve always loved. The giving and the love, that’s what it’s about for me. So I’m going to keep believing in the magic, all the way until December 25^th!

As more and more decorations go up around the city, I’ll be sure to post pictures!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

XOXO,

Alex