Tis the Season...

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la...

Can't believe it's already Christmas again; it feels like just yesterday that I was living at home in California celebrating this joyous holiday season. This year though, even though there are endless amounts of Christmas lights and decorations throughout the city, it hasn't felt like Christmas was upon me until this past weekend. A friend invited us to a Holiday Happy Hour with a Toys for Tots drive through the US Marines. Being able to celebrate what I call the official start of the holidays with the amazing group of friends I have here now was the best way to celebrate. After what seemed like the worst and longest week I've had since moving here, I was excited to see everyone and celebrate the holidays since I had not seen everyone in over a week with family visiting the prior weekend. Even though not everyone was there I was excited to relax and have a great night out.

Tomorrow 13+ of my friends and I are having a present exchange (Secret Santa) for the holidays. It is always fun to keep the present a secret and get excited for who choose your name. I love getting and giving presents to others and being able to see the joy on their face when they open the present for the first time. It is the best part of giving a present.

I am so excited to be going back to California in 9 days, time has flown by. I have lived in New York for 7 months now and haven't been home since, it is crazy. Going home is even more exciting since my grandmother from Hungary will be here for the holidays. Most of us haven't seen her in 3+ years so it will be nice to have the whole family around for Christmas. This year we won't have to sing our traditional Hungarian Christmas song on speaker with her, we will be able to sing it with her in person.

Here's to the holiday season and the many memories to come.

T is for Thanks and Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, the time of year one is thinks about how much they are thankful for in their lives. This year definitely put that into perspective for me. Being in New York this year for Thanksgiving made it a bit harder for me to really enjoy the holiday without being surrounded by family, but thanks to the amazing friends I have met in New York I was able to spend the holiday not alone. A few things I am greatful for:

My family: Without their support and love I was able to take a giant leap into the next chapter of my life, moving here to New York. If it wasn't for my parents and the continued support from my sister (the pro at moving to different states) I would have not found the confidence to do so. All of my family has been huge supporters in this next chapter in my life and I am truly thankful to have them as my family.

My job: It's true, during this economy and time of year having a job is something to be thankful for. I am thankful for my aunt and my boss in helping me get to where I am today. Without their help, belief in me and continued support who know's where I would be. Here's to continued learning and enjoying my job to the fullest.

BDHOF dinner

My friends: I am thankful for the wonderful group of friends I have. Those I still keep in touch with back in California (miss you too Phi Sigs!) as well as the great new group of friends I have made here in New York (Big Deck House of Fun!). Especially thankful for friends taking me in during the holiday and being able to celebrate with everyone during our own Thanksgiving. What a wonderful evening of friends, laughter, a large delicious spread brought by all and a heart felt toast. Here's to many more to come!

Myer Briggs Personality Test

So had a discussion with my boss about the Myers Briggs Personality Types and whether they are really applicable to everyone. I decided to take a free online test and see how much of the description fits true to me. My results: ESJF (Extrovert/Sensing/Feeling/Judging).

Extrovert: You are social and outgoing. You are most comfortable when with other people and experiencing the world first hand. Interaction with others and first hand experiences energize you. It is not unlike you to start conversations with strangers. You have a preference for the outer world: people, activities, and things. Other people provide you with a mirror, sounding board to help you develop ideas and plans. Being alone may sap your energies. Your concept of the world is derived from experiencing it firsthand and then drawing conclusions.

I definitely feel this fits me in most ways. I am one for always being out in the world, meeting others and tends to not like being alone for too long. I enjoy social interaction and different things.

Sensory: You usually gather information with your senses: what you can see, hear, taste, touch and smell in the physical world. The facts gathered from the sensory data you process are the building blocks of your model of our world. You concentrate your energies on what actually exists and do not ponder what might exist too much. You are usually practical and rely on your common sense to guide you through the world. You see things as they are and have little or no need to search for underlying meanings.

I would say most often I gather information with my senses in the physical world. Although there are times that I base my ideas/decisions on facts as well. Seeing things as they are is exactly how I like to view things. Underlying meanings are sometimes necessary to search for, but I believe in facts and seeing things/people for how they are.

Judging: You like decisions to be made as soon as possible. You are not comfortable with loose ends and like to see conflicts resolved as soon as possible. You have a preference for a well-structured, orderly lifestyle with few surprises. It may not be all that important who makes the decisions that gets things done as long things do get done. You take commitments very seriously. While you are not inflexible, you do like to stick to a plan once it is set into motion.

This is definitely true about my personality. I like to have decisions made quickly and don't like indecisiveness; although I will admit I can be at times. In addition, I do prefer order and structure in my life but it does not rule my life. I have become less orderly as I have realized that sometimes one just needs to go with the flow and enjoy spontaneity.

Feeling: You make decisions subjectively based upon your values and what is important to you. How people will be affected by your decisions is important to you. You are likely to make decisions based upon what you feel is acceptable and agreeable rather than what is logical. Your truths are founded in your values and those of the society you live in. It is important to remember that we are discussing how you evaluate data and make decisions, and that you rely on your feelings to do so in no way implies you are overly emotional.

Values are very important to me and have a large influence in my decision making process. I will say that I actually make decisions more based on what is logical than how I feel even if I'm not 100% sure it's the best option. Logical reasoning sometimes trumpts emotional feelings.

Your Personality Type: You approach life with enthusiasm, and are very social and charming. You are compassionate, agreeable and cooperative. You like to be helpful-- an asset and want to be needed. You can be relied on to see things through. You're trustworthy and loyal. You do not like conflict. Harmony is definitely your ally. You do not like to be alone for too long, if at all. In relationships you are compassionate and considerate. You can be very talkative at times, and will strike up a conversation with almost anyone. You try to see the best in people. You are not one to take a stand that will offend others. Social stauts is important to you. You can be counted on to keep family and social traditions alive and well.

Overall this personality type sounds like me. I will say though that social status is not that important to me. As long as I am happy with where I am and what I am doing, I don't need to be the most well off and popular. I agree that I am trustworthy and loyal, don't like being alone for too long, and helpful. I always try to put others before me and help them/be there for them anyway I can. Everyone knows I am not a homebody and get bored easily. I often feel the need to be with someone, out doing something, etc.

What's your personality type?

N - Navigate
I have been in New York quite some time now and still have yet to really navigate my way through the city. I often times get lost and have to ask for help or have to turn around. My goal is to able to confidently make my way around the city as well as navigate to new parts of the city and its surrounding suburbs. Trips to Brooklyn anyone?
O - Organize
Everyone who knows me is probably asking, why organize? You already a very organized person. I choose organize because lately I have not been the most organized person that I usually am. After having moved across the country I felt my life was so unorganized in New York, not just physical but mentally/emotionally. I have finally started to sort out what I need to do, what needs to be forgotten and how to make myself feel centered and in control again.
V - Volunteer

I have been in New York a little over 6 months now and I finally have settled into a schedule that allows me time to begin volunteering again. A fellow kickball teammate of mine informed me about NY Cares, a volunteer organization that provides limitless opportunities to volunteer. November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month and I plan to volunteer in events that are geared toward homeless youth throughout New York City.

 

E - Embrace

Embrace those around me, the wonderful city I live in and the wonderful opportunity life has given me. There are moments when home sickness sets in but I have realized that I am truly grateful for the opportunities I have been given and I am very grateful.
M - Mantain
Mainting friendships is a hard thing to do when one moves across the country. Even when I moved home after college for 9 months, maintaing friendships is always hard. Although you know the friends you can count on to always be there, its those who you wish would be there that you have to keep in touch with to maintain those relationships. I'd say I have done by best through emails, texts, Facebook, cards and phone calls to maintain those friendships that I plan keep for a long time. Here's to continuing to do so.
B - Budget
Living on your own makes you learn to do a lot of things, budgeting being one of the most important. Between rent, bills, food and other necessities, budgeting can make life a lot simpler and less stressful when the time comes for bills to be paid. I've never been great a budgeting, but moving here has made me started to become better. Lets kick off November on a great foot!
E - Educate
Not being formally educated in the field of my job, my goal is to become more informed about environmental, health and safety on a daily basis. Whether it be attending trainings which I am now in charge of organizing, asking my boss and fellow colleagues questions or looking into enrolling in college courses, I plan to learn everything there is to know about what I am involved in.
R - Read
My great group of friends here are constantly sharing books, offering suggestions and discussing books they have read. I have recently joined in on the book borrowing process and have read The Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao, which was an amazing book and suggestion. Thanks Janssen! So I have aquired a second book, The Corrections. My goal is to keep up with this as I have missed lesuirely reading instead of required by school or work.

Goodbye October, Hello November

Tom, Me, Nicki & Mandy
 for Mandy's Birthday

Goodbye to the month of many great times:

- Trivia, kickball and floor hockey nights

- Supporting friends running 5K's
- New Jersey Devils vs Los Angeles Kings hockey game
- Celebrating Mandy's birthday at Central Bar

- Kareoke with friends

- Nicki's housewarming party

- Sunday get togethers at Big Deck House of Fun

- Dad's visit to New York

Here's to November!

My New Addiction... Team Trivia



The O-Faces: Nicki, Ilana, Me, Ben,
Ann Marie and Kevin



When I first moved back home to Chino, Doug (my sister's boyfriend) invited me to play trivia at a local restaurant and I have been hooked ever since. My sister told me about her great group of friends that she played trivia with in Texas as well, so I thought why not find something here in New York. After having gone to a few miscellaneous trivia nights at random bars/restaurants I wanted something more organized. When I came across NYCSSC (see my first post), I was thrilled to see team trivia as an activity to choose from.



September was the start of my second trivia season with a great new team of friends who asked me to join after meeting them last season. Dubbed the "The O-Faces" by our captain Kevin, we started off the season on a high note with lots of positive energy and confidence.



Celebrating a successful round



Why The O-Faces you ask? It comes from that moment when you are thinking of the answer to a question and all of a sudden you think "ooo I know what this answer is" usually resulting in an "O" face expression that makes everyone suddenly look at you anticipating the results.



Held at a bar near Herald Square, trivia consists of 50 questions divided into 5 rounds, making it for a long and challenging, yet fun night of trivia. Every round usually has a theme making it helpful to those who may be a little stumped. Throw in an audio round and 1 or 2 visual rounds makes it for an interesting time. So almost to the end of my second season of trivia, I hope to make it to the finals.



J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS!

So it has been awhile since I have updated this blog, so many new adventures have happened since I last posted.

The group at the game

Last time I had mentioned going to my first NFL game, the New York Jets versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. After my friends heard I have never been to a game, we decided to go all out by tailgating before hand; and I had to borrow a Jets jersey and been in full New York spirit. Arriving to the Metlife stadium in New Jersey (still don't understand why they play in New Jersey) on a goregous Sunday afternoon I was excited for the game to start.

Inside the stadium

Once inside the massive stadium, we gathered our food and drinks and anticipated the start of the game. It was such an amazing experience being able to see an NFL game live in person after seeing so many on tv. Although towards the top of the stands, I was able to see the game perfectly. Thanks to everyone for making my first NFL game something I won't ever forget.

NY Bucket List: #1 - Sporting Events



Kevin, Ann Marie, Me and Tom



So as I was thinking about all the things I wanted to do in New York, sporting events were definitely on my list. I have never been to a sporting event in New York. I have also never been to a NFL game. First on my list, Mets vs Braves at Citi Field. Although it was the Friday before Hurricane Irene was suppose to come through New York, Ann Marie, Kevin, Tom and I ventured to Queens to watch them play. I don't know if I was a lucky charm or not but the Mets won the game.


Next on my list: Jets vs Jaguars game Sunday at the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. Why New Jersey you ask since it's a New York team? Who knows, but I'm excited for my first game. Go Jets?!

Here's to New Friends

One of the hardest things about moving away from everything and everyone you know is being able to find new friends. Thanks to the advice of one of many real estate groups I used to find an apartment and a friendly realtor, I came across New York City Social Sports Club (NYCSSC). As soon as I read their mission statement – “to foster a community in a city where that can be really hard to find”- I knew I had found what I was looking for. Taking a bold move I signed up for team trivia and kickball as a free agent and awaited their start dates.

Christie and I - Team Trivia

Trivia started off on bit of a rocky start. Originally a team of 5 free agents, we only had 3 show the first night. After some let downs from our teammates, myself and my teammate Christie ended up being the only people on our team by the 3rd week of trivia. With the encouragement from our new trivia friends, we kept playing and brought in as many subs as we could. All in all, we made it through the season and did surprisingly well for a team of two.

 



Team Uzkickestan

Kickball started off similarly to trivia. Teams ranged from 12-15 players a piece and I had the same luck with my team as trivia. Throughout the season if we managed to have 6 players (the minimum to start a game) we were lucky. Nominated as the step in captain when ours disappeared, I tried my best to turn this team into what I was originally hoping it would be. All in all we managed to make the top 8 and always enjoyed our time spent together.

Meanwhile, my friends from trivia asked if I wanted to play on their floor hockey team through another organization. With my new found confidence in trying something new I agreed. So as of the Sunday before this was posted I began the floor hockey season on the Whoooo Tang Clan.

So here’s to bold moves, new found confidence, staying active and most of all amazing men and women that I now call friends.