Two posts in one week?! Can that happen?

Yes, it can happen. It can especially happen when you nanny for a living and no one needs a nanny during the holidays. It can especially especially happen when you're snug inside watching a beautiful snowstorm sipping hot chocolate that you got from Santa. I'm noticing that being close to the Hudson and having a great diversity of building height in our neighborhood has led to a curious phenomenon of snowflakes falling up past our window. I think it's being caused by the heavy wind off the river and the fact that there's a big dip in building height right outside our window, so the wind bounces off those buildings and up vertically, taking the snow with it. Either way, it's really odd and lovely to look at, and I've clearly been thinking about it for the last twenty minutes. I realize that other than my christmas horror story (an ear update in a minute) I haven't posted much. I think I've figured out the problem: you see, I have a great many friends who are abroad at the moment doing various things. Two of my best friends, in fact, are in Korea and Guatemala, respectively. Their blogs are filled with international mystery, big adventures, and introspection on an epic scale. I, however, am not really experiencing any of that, because New York has quickly become my home. I don't really feel out of place anymore, I know my way around (for the most part), and I settled in almost instantly. While that's great for life in general, it doesn't make for edge-of-your-seat reading. But I've been collecting little tid-bits of life, and I'll post them for you here whilly-nilly. That's just how it's gonna be. And now for The Tid Bits of Life:

- ear update: much better, thank god. I'll still be using ear drops well into January, but I'm off the Vicodin for pain. There will be embarrassing orange ear plugs in the bath and shower from now on. 

- The snow storm stopped rather abruptly, but the wind continues, so now there are strange mystical white snow clouds being blown off the buildings. I love our view. 

- Sam just came home and showed me a picture on his phone of a sparrow who lives in the 59th street subway station, who he sees all the time. It was drinking from a subway puddle. 

- Sam also just showed me that his crazy boss got him a New York Yankee cap for Christmas. I have explained how he is not allowed to wear it in my presence, but he does not understand my loathing. Yankee caps in my house are NOT ok. 

- I have made a potentially life-changing discovery. Well, dining life changing, anyway. There is a generic chinese food place near our house called "China Sea." We had not previously tried it because there is an almost identical place even closer to us called "Eastern Garden." However, the beef and broccoli from Eastern Garden gave me the worst case of food poisoning in my life, so we're never eating there again. I also can never touch beef and broccoli, and would stay away from all such chinese food places, if they weren't so delicious and convenient. Anyways, back to China Sea. We've never actually seen China Sea, we just found it on the internet and were confused as to how we'd never seen it, so we decided to try it. My friends, here is the important thing about China Sea: dumplings. Glorious, glorious dumplings. Steamed to perfection, filled with tasty pork and fresh herbs, in amazingly generous proportions (10 for 4 bucks!!). I'm talking dumpling heaven. I have become seriously addicted to these things, I haven't even tried anything else from the restaurant. I could go on and on and on about these perfect specimens of dumpling-dom, but I won't, for your sakes. Oh, and here's the weird part: I'm not sure this place actually exists. I've been out to actively look for it, and it is not there. When we have food delivered, they never give us an actual paper menu. I think I may have discovered the secret phone number to dumpling heaven. I feel very privileged. 

- I love our apartment. It's so cozy. People have begun to compliment us on our apartment. I love that, I know it's vain of me, but I do. It even managed to host a twenty person goodbye party for my friend Matt (who, I'd like to point out, was the only person at that party I'd met more than once). Not something I plan on doing again, but I was proud to know it was possible. 

- I love our neighborhood. I always feel safe here, it's pretty, interesting things going on, and as my family found out for christmas, I can find some really strange things in the shops here. I wonder how Steven's "male treasure" tea is working out for him...

- Instant Netflix is the best invention in the history of mankind. Period. 

- I love my friends. Having Berta and Sarah here is really wonderful. And, unlike college, it's not like we're living together in a small compound, it's real life. We don't see each other every day, and when we do see each other, it's genuinely a special pleasure to hang out with them. I can also call in a panic when I have no idea where the heck I am, and they can usually help. 

- My play is coming along very nicely, the first act is mostly done. It's going slower than I thought, but that's a good thing because it means I'm putting lots of changes in. I won't bore you with lots of details, but right now there's a plan to maybe go to Scotland this summer? And do this play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival? How freaking awesome would that be?!!!

- I'd forgotten how wonderful a working fridge is. Our drinks are cold. WE HAVE ACTUAL ICE. Life is amazing with a working fridge. 

That's all the bits I can think of just now, I was sure I had more than that.... oh well, for another day. Sam and I might try to venture out for a New Years adventure tonight, since our Christmas kind of got ruined by my stupid ear. But the weather, while lovely to look at, doesn't look like it'd be much fun to wander in, so we'll see. There will be thank you cards with pictures in them for all our lovely gifts. It might take till the end of the month, but it WILL happen, I promise you!! 

Love to all