Woke up this morning, looked out the window. It is sleeting. I don't know how anyone else reacted to this, but my first thought was "WTF (in reality I actually said the whole thing), it's sleeting!" This was followed by the thought "It's not even Thanksgiving, my God by the time it is really winter NYC is going to be covered in a blizzard." The next thought was "I'm hungry." So I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
I volunteer on Monday's at GMHC (Gay Mens Health Crisis, a wonderful agency that serves the HIV/AIDs population. It is filled with wonderful and caring people; clients, staff and volunteers alike. It is also one of the first and biggest of its kind. So if you have come into some money and want to donate to a great cause, check them out). I help out in the kitchen, mainly serving food and talking with the guys. I really love volunteering there, even though I don't think anyone really knows my name. Everyone just calls me sweetie. This causes some anxiety in that if someone calls verifying my volunteer experience, if they don't specifically ask for the curly haired female who works on Mondays no one will know it is me. This is why I talk in the third person and introduce myself to everyone every chance I get. I'm growing on them, even if they think I am weird.
Taking some French lessons in hopes it will help me be a better candidate for Peace Corps. So far I can say hello, goodbye, good evening, good-night, good morning, thank you, please, go to hell and can count to 100. oh, and chocolate. But that I learned from working in the hostel. The french guests wanted everything chocolate so I picked up on that word quickly.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Love Halloween in the city
It brings out the kids in everyone, the stuffy business man reading the Wall Street Journal on your way to work will be the same guy dressed up as Lady GaGa, the uptight teacher will be donning a Wonder Woman outfit. Halloween creates conversations, people stop and talk to each other on the streets, in the subway people strike up conversations with random people. There is laughter and shouting and joy. Of course alcohol assists this, as adults tend to put aside the candy and trade it in for a beer. Halloween makes the city friendly with each other, for at least that one day.
Which makes this Halloween great for me? My friend Scar is getting married in Central Park! I am so excited, but have so much to do on my costume. I'm going as Mother Nature and it looks like the real Mother Nature will do her part, as there is no forecast for rain. Pictures will be included in the next post.
Still no Peace Corps information. Just waiting and trying to prevent RAS. I keep thinking about the Peace Corps in regards to my service. Will my application stand out? Should I have taken French instead of Spanish? Will the extra-curricular activities I have been engaging in the past couple of months help me more? Even though it sounds like I am a bundle of nerves about this, I am not. There is nothing I can really do now that will drastically change my chances. I know I should be invited, I am just waiting for Peace Corps to agree!
Did you know that Kermit the Frog was Eastern European? Yeah, it's ancestors are a tad Polish.
Which makes this Halloween great for me? My friend Scar is getting married in Central Park! I am so excited, but have so much to do on my costume. I'm going as Mother Nature and it looks like the real Mother Nature will do her part, as there is no forecast for rain. Pictures will be included in the next post.
Still no Peace Corps information. Just waiting and trying to prevent RAS. I keep thinking about the Peace Corps in regards to my service. Will my application stand out? Should I have taken French instead of Spanish? Will the extra-curricular activities I have been engaging in the past couple of months help me more? Even though it sounds like I am a bundle of nerves about this, I am not. There is nothing I can really do now that will drastically change my chances. I know I should be invited, I am just waiting for Peace Corps to agree!
Did you know that Kermit the Frog was Eastern European? Yeah, it's ancestors are a tad Polish.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Nicknames through the ages
Jennifer Cory is my given name. Most know me by Cory. Some only by Jennifer. To many this leads to confusion. "Why do you go by Cory?" they ask. "I dunno, always been called that." I respond. "Isn't that a boys name?" some, poor souls, ask. (I have learned to let go of the urge to grab them by the throat and squeeze with each syllable "It is not just a boys name") Others still ask, "Do you not like Jennifer?" (or even worse Jenny). My response is always "No, I have no problem with the name Jennifer, I have just never been called it." Cory is my name, at least my main one. But let us look back to nicknames. I have had many.
Second grade: A boy named Matthew (last name omitted for privacy sake). He called me "meatloaf." I am not sure where this came from. While I do like meatloaf (the food, but do enjoy the singer in the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'), it has never been anything I crowed about. He was either flirting with me, in a way only 7 year old boys are wont to do, or he was a masochist. Either way, whenever I was able to catch him I smacked him a good one.
4th grade: My future friend Lyndsey was not aware of my name, as she had just moved to town. She asked the teacher who the girl with hair like noodles was. Thus the nickname 'Noodles' was born.
6th grade: I had this obsession with wearing red high top sneakers. Loved, loved, loved them! (I have re-created this by wearing my red Chuck Taylors). Put this with my curly hair and Ronald McDonald was born.
10th grade: Hercules was born due to wearing these hippie-dippie sandals all the time (there were a couple of people who called me Jesus feet too)
Same year: My friend Jennifer, upset that I went by my middle name decided that I needed a new one. I was thus christened "Cory Wanda" this later was shortened to Cory W, then even more to "Cory Dub." This nickname lasted throughout high school.
Freshman year of college: Crabby rooster. Works on many levels. In the zodiac I am Cancer, thus the crab. In the Chinese Zodiac I am a rooster, thus the rooster. But the name also came about because I am extremely crabby if you wake me up. That and my ability to pinch really, really hard with my toes
Sophomore year/Disney: Fiery farmer. This is because I was attempting to grow an avocado plant as well as dry out some hot peppers (both would regularly get destroyed during our (nightly) parties.) Fiery, not only because of the hot peppers, but because I managed to blow up our microwave. Yes, while everyone else at Disney compound had the normal issue white microwave. Thanks to my cooking, we had a black one. Definite conversation starter.
Of course I am regularly called 'Sprads', 'Spradley' this leads to confusion as my other siblings respond to this name as well. So I just stuck to the ones that are specific to me (well leaving out 'stinky feet', 'fat girl' and 'PPSW').
Peace Corps News: Dentally cleared. Woo Hooo!! This means I do not have to get my wisdom teeth taken out. Still waiting on medically cleared. Of course by waiting, I mean I have been checking my status daily. Even though I know it is too soon, the hope runs hard. Tomorrow, I will not check my status, that is my new goal.
Second grade: A boy named Matthew (last name omitted for privacy sake). He called me "meatloaf." I am not sure where this came from. While I do like meatloaf (the food, but do enjoy the singer in the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'), it has never been anything I crowed about. He was either flirting with me, in a way only 7 year old boys are wont to do, or he was a masochist. Either way, whenever I was able to catch him I smacked him a good one.
4th grade: My future friend Lyndsey was not aware of my name, as she had just moved to town. She asked the teacher who the girl with hair like noodles was. Thus the nickname 'Noodles' was born.
6th grade: I had this obsession with wearing red high top sneakers. Loved, loved, loved them! (I have re-created this by wearing my red Chuck Taylors). Put this with my curly hair and Ronald McDonald was born.
10th grade: Hercules was born due to wearing these hippie-dippie sandals all the time (there were a couple of people who called me Jesus feet too)
Same year: My friend Jennifer, upset that I went by my middle name decided that I needed a new one. I was thus christened "Cory Wanda" this later was shortened to Cory W, then even more to "Cory Dub." This nickname lasted throughout high school.
Freshman year of college: Crabby rooster. Works on many levels. In the zodiac I am Cancer, thus the crab. In the Chinese Zodiac I am a rooster, thus the rooster. But the name also came about because I am extremely crabby if you wake me up. That and my ability to pinch really, really hard with my toes
Sophomore year/Disney: Fiery farmer. This is because I was attempting to grow an avocado plant as well as dry out some hot peppers (both would regularly get destroyed during our (nightly) parties.) Fiery, not only because of the hot peppers, but because I managed to blow up our microwave. Yes, while everyone else at Disney compound had the normal issue white microwave. Thanks to my cooking, we had a black one. Definite conversation starter.
Of course I am regularly called 'Sprads', 'Spradley' this leads to confusion as my other siblings respond to this name as well. So I just stuck to the ones that are specific to me (well leaving out 'stinky feet', 'fat girl' and 'PPSW').
Peace Corps News: Dentally cleared. Woo Hooo!! This means I do not have to get my wisdom teeth taken out. Still waiting on medically cleared. Of course by waiting, I mean I have been checking my status daily. Even though I know it is too soon, the hope runs hard. Tomorrow, I will not check my status, that is my new goal.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Sneaking this entry in at work. Just checked my Peace Corps application (I promise I am actually doing work, well after locating numerous videos parodying "Jersey Shore" but after that I worked.) and they have received my medical packet but will not be reviewing it soon as my leave date is more than 4 months away.
It's getting cold outside and I am thrilled. I love bundling up and wearing scarves but am starting to experience seperation anxiety with my shorts and flip flops.
It's getting cold outside and I am thrilled. I love bundling up and wearing scarves but am starting to experience seperation anxiety with my shorts and flip flops.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Medical Clearance
Not in. But it's done and I'm shipping it off tomorrow! Everything looks good, at least in my opinion. I've only checked it about five billion times now to make sure all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed. Something will go wrong though. I don't have much luck in that sense.
In other news I'm the boss, with all the responsibility and without the extra pay. Turns out this is the worst type of boss to be. My boss and my co-worker have decided to abandon me to go on vacation. I had originally vowed to have free coffee Thursdays, but I've got too much on my plate to do that. People are just going to have to settle for an 'atta boy Thursdays.
This is just a small stone in my bad week. First the Hogs lose to 'Bama. A game that was clearly marked for destiny if it wasn't for two major screw ups at the end. While making shrunken heads for Halloween parties I cut my thumb, twice. I bit the hell out of my tongue leading it to be swollen twice it's size. I got hit by a car. My clients are refusing to listen to me. It's only Tuesday.
My sister has been in town interviewing with law firms. She is deciding between New York City and Washington D.C. I think she needs to live in NYC, she is thinking it would be better in D.C. I'm collecting a list of reasons why she should pick NYC.
Oh, and my client did not kidnap a baby.
In other news I'm the boss, with all the responsibility and without the extra pay. Turns out this is the worst type of boss to be. My boss and my co-worker have decided to abandon me to go on vacation. I had originally vowed to have free coffee Thursdays, but I've got too much on my plate to do that. People are just going to have to settle for an 'atta boy Thursdays.
This is just a small stone in my bad week. First the Hogs lose to 'Bama. A game that was clearly marked for destiny if it wasn't for two major screw ups at the end. While making shrunken heads for Halloween parties I cut my thumb, twice. I bit the hell out of my tongue leading it to be swollen twice it's size. I got hit by a car. My clients are refusing to listen to me. It's only Tuesday.
My sister has been in town interviewing with law firms. She is deciding between New York City and Washington D.C. I think she needs to live in NYC, she is thinking it would be better in D.C. I'm collecting a list of reasons why she should pick NYC.
Oh, and my client did not kidnap a baby.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Parent's just don't understand
I moved out of my parent's house in 1999. Since then about every three years (give or take) another sibling has moved out. With each loss of a family member my parents have made improvements on the house. After each child leaves for college something new arrives, whether it is a new living room set, kitchen, cable, etc. They have enjoyed sprucing up and renovating the house that I once lovingly called "home." The home I knew and loved no longer exists. I go home and there is no fighting about which of the 5 TV stations we should watch. There is no fighting about the lack of good seats. There is no fighting about who gets to sleep in a private room. No, instead there is 100 channels, a new leather couch and no fighting (though the last might be because the lack of us all living together). They have changed, man. They have changed.
Peace Corps News: (and by the way, guess where my stuff is getting shipped to. Take that Mom and Dad) Dr. Teets says my stuff is done. Though I fully expect to get to the doctor's office and have to give another two vials of blood. He is requesting to meet with me personally.
Peace Corps News: (and by the way, guess where my stuff is getting shipped to. Take that Mom and Dad) Dr. Teets says my stuff is done. Though I fully expect to get to the doctor's office and have to give another two vials of blood. He is requesting to meet with me personally.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
All Filler
I've lived in NYC now for over 4 years. Longer than I had originally planned. Of course I never planned on moving up here jobless, homeless and living in a hostel for 5 months (which is a brief bio of my first 5 months living in NYC). So planning isn't my best attribute, but finding ways to survive might be. I'm like MacGyver meets Bear Grylis meets Sex in the City. Just with better hair, no alligator wrestling and no real desire to own $500 pair of shoes. But I managed to "make it" if by making you mean still breathing. Do not get me wrong there are the perfect days. These days are generally in mid-spring/fall time where the weather is perfect, the people are calm, everyone is chill and everything seems right in the world. You can almost feel it in the air, it feels relaxed, even amid the hustle and bustle. The best example I can think of is dusk in Union Square. You have lots of people sitting around watching the skateboarders, bike riders rollerbladers. You have others playing chess. The vibe is just very laid back. I LOVE New York at this time. I love traipsing around NY after midnight with friends looking for food and fun. I love when it first starts snowing. Picnics in Central Park. Food.
But there have been plenty of times that I just groan and think, why did I move here?!? When rent is due and I realize I pay about 3 times the amount for my one bedroom apartment than I did for my two story, two bedroom townhouse in AR. When it rains (nothing survives getting gross). Car alarms. Dogs chained to things. Car horns. The price of pretty much everything. After it snows. The accents. Not connecting. The subways.
New Yorkers are in a hurry to wait. This is a pretty good description. The drivers rush and speed only to get the the stop light. They rush and speed only to spend 30 minutes looking for parking. Walkers (and I am part of this group) get pissed when anyone walks slow, stops suddenly or is in any way/shape/form not walking like they "should" walk. Even if the walkers have no place to go or no real rush. Just pissed off for the inconvenience.
So what will happen if I am not invited to the Peace Corps? Hopefully this is not a question I will have to answer. And it is a question I am working hard to make sure never receives a negative answer. Will I stay in NYC? I'm leaning towards no, but who knows. I have been thinking about this a lot lately, if I was to move away where would I move to? Truth be told I can not think of a place that I really, really want to move to. I have always wanted to live in Maine, but I see that more as a retirement place for me (my dreams of being a lobsterman might just be a dream). I love Boston, but the cost of living is not much different than NYC. So where should I go?
But there have been plenty of times that I just groan and think, why did I move here?!? When rent is due and I realize I pay about 3 times the amount for my one bedroom apartment than I did for my two story, two bedroom townhouse in AR. When it rains (nothing survives getting gross). Car alarms. Dogs chained to things. Car horns. The price of pretty much everything. After it snows. The accents. Not connecting. The subways.
New Yorkers are in a hurry to wait. This is a pretty good description. The drivers rush and speed only to get the the stop light. They rush and speed only to spend 30 minutes looking for parking. Walkers (and I am part of this group) get pissed when anyone walks slow, stops suddenly or is in any way/shape/form not walking like they "should" walk. Even if the walkers have no place to go or no real rush. Just pissed off for the inconvenience.
So what will happen if I am not invited to the Peace Corps? Hopefully this is not a question I will have to answer. And it is a question I am working hard to make sure never receives a negative answer. Will I stay in NYC? I'm leaning towards no, but who knows. I have been thinking about this a lot lately, if I was to move away where would I move to? Truth be told I can not think of a place that I really, really want to move to. I have always wanted to live in Maine, but I see that more as a retirement place for me (my dreams of being a lobsterman might just be a dream). I love Boston, but the cost of living is not much different than NYC. So where should I go?