Feeling Lucky in Unlucky '13

I am really excited to be ringing in 2013 in just 2 days.  2012 was an interesting year for me.  I was working in a job that was making me miserable; I went on more trips in twelve months than I could ever imagine; went to more concerts than I have in my entire life; met a bunch of celebrities; and I made some of the best friends a girl could ask for.  This past year really opened up my eyes to what is right in front of me.  

A few weeks ago I saw this picture on Facebook: I absolutely love the idea of having an empty jar and filling it with notes about good things that happen. I am excited to try it out in a few days.  However, I am going to change the rules a little bit.  I am not going to put a little note in the jar when only something good happens, I am going to write a little note every day.  This way I will force myself to come up with something, anything, that put a smile on my face.  it could be something funny that the girls I babysit say; a show that made me really happy; a text message from a friend that really made me LOL for a long time.  At night I might be able to fall asleep easier if I think about the good things that happened during the day, rather than worrying about what needs to get done the next day.  

My jar will be public on Facebook.  If you want to keep track of my jar, click here and "Like" my page.  You can also leave posts about what happened to you that made your day so awesome!  I love hearing stories from anyone and everyone!  

My 2012 Jar (starting from January):

• I was caught while doing trapeze. (January)
• I went to visit a best friend in Chicago (February)
• Had a really awesome time celebrating St. Patrick's day (March)
• Went to Costa Rica, and had the trip of a life-time (April)
• Helped work the Met Ball.  Went to Nashville and fell in love with country music, cowboy boots and cowgirl hats (May)
• Went to Vegas for a bachelorette party.  Celebrated a bridal shower for an amazing friend.  Finished teaching. (June)
• Saw movies in Bryant Park.  Celebrated my 25th birthday. Celebrated my sister/cousin's wedding.  (July)
• Celebrated the wedding of two very good friends. (August)
• Started a new season of kickball, and made great friends.  (September)
• Went pumpkin picking.  Survived Sandy.  (October)
• Visited Jeremy in Spain and went to Amsterdam.  (November)
• Jeremy came home from Spain.  Celebrated SantaCon.  Reconnected with friend's I haven't spoken to in a long time.  (December)

Winter Fun!

Please don't hate me for what I'm about to say: I dislike the Time Out New York magazines.  There is just too much information and writing in each weeks' edition.  I never know where to start.  However, I do love the emails that TONY sends me.  They are full of information, and everything is easier to find.  Below is my winter bucket list thanks to Time Out New York.  For the full list, click here.  

Head to Chinatown for their New Year- On Feb. 12 join up to 200,000 people come together to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony.  They will be ringing in the year of the Snake.  They will have dancing troupes and Pan-Asian food booths.  Also, the firecrackers are supposed to drive away evil spirits, which we all need!

Freeze Tag on Wall Street- Every weekend I play kickball, so it makes sense that I would want to join in on a really big game of freeze tag.  On Sunday, January 22 there is a large game of freeze tag down in Wall Street.  Meet at Wall Street at Broad Street for the fun!  If interested, send me a message, and I will let you know about what time it starts!

Light Show in Madison Square Park- This winter, until Feb. 1, the art piece called "Buckyball" is being showcased in Madison Square Park.  It is a pair of illuminated geodesic spheres, one inside the other.  The sculpture is 20 feet in diameter and composed of multicolored LED tubes that put on a changing light show.  Sit back in the wooden zero-gravity chairs surrounding the sculpture.  

Pop Art Scavenger Hunt on the High Line- The High Line has joined with the Whitney Museum to celebrate the artwork of Richard Artschwager.  Until Feb. 3 the High Line, down by the Gansevoort, has 9 pill-shaped works along and around the park.  The artist began putting up his artwork in the late '60s, hoping to draw the viewers attention to unnoticed spaces.

Flavored Cocoa's at City Bakery's Hot Chocolate Festival- Anyone else a really big fan of hot chocolate?  Especially with whipped cream on top?  During the month of February at City Bakery (3 W. 18th Street btwn Fifth and Sixth) the owner Maury Rubin will serve a different flavor of cocoa every day of the month.  Click here to see their flavors from February 2012.   Check back after January 18 for the 2013 list!  Also on January 31, they will be having an opening-night party.  

Restaurant Week- From January 14 to February 8, New York City will be hosting Restaurant week.  Dinners are $38 and lunches are $25.  Each person gets an appetizer, main course and dessert.  Check online after the new years to see what restaurants will be participating, or visit nycgo.com/restaurantweek to sign up for a notification when the list is posted.  Hope you all have great meals!

Fondue Night at Trestle on Tenth- For you cheese enthusiasts, from Dec. 30-Feb. 24, on Sundays, you can pay $25 per person and have a fondue night.  Order Emmentaler, Gruyere and Vacherin cheeses with a crusty baguette and some dried meat and steamed potatoes for dipping.  Perfect girls night out in the middle of winter!  Trestle on Tenth is located at 242 Tenth Ave at 24th Street.

Polar Bear Dip at Coney Island- Are you brave enough for the Polar Bear dip in Coney Island?  I am not, but I have always been fascinated by the people who are able to jump into that freezing cold water!  On Jan. 3 at Coney Island Beach, thousands of people will be participating in the dip.  You can go and cheer those brave people on.  If you do not have time, you can donate money for Camp Sunshine, a charity that supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.  Visit http://www.crowdrise.com/coneyislandpolardip to donate.  You can donate in general, or look for a fun team name, and donate to them! Oh, and if you do participate, please take pictures!!!

Vintage Photos of NYC Landmarks- I really love history, and I really love New York City.  The New York Historical Society and the Landmarks Preservation Commission are exhibiting 90 pictures of the city's most impressive edifices and explains how they fit into the larger story of New York.  Make sure to go before Sun. Feb. 17 located at 170 Central Park West between 76th and 77th Streets. 

Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery- Hauser & Worth are opening a new art gallery at 511 W. 18th Street between 10th and 11th Streets.  The new gallery now takes up a 24,700-square-foot-space.  The artwork is very unique, and will soon be a must-visit stop for everyone.  The gallery opens Jan. 25.  

No Pants Subway Ride- On Sunday, January 13, the twelfth annual No Pants Subway Ride will happen.  It started out as a playful prank, and just continued as a tradition.  It will be fun to see which guys are "manly" enough to ride the subway with no pants on!

Seal Spotting- Did you know there are seals in New York?!  I did NOT!  Apparently from December to March the seals swim their way down from Maine to spend the winter in "warmer" waters.  They hang out by local beaches such as Orchard Beach in the Bronx, during low tide.  

"Inventing Abstraction 1910-1925"- The MoMA is hosting an exhibit about the development of abstract art.  The exhibit goes until Monday April 15.  If you don't want to pay all the money to get in, visit on Friday evenings after 4 pm to get in for free.  But get there early, lines tend to be long!

Chili Fest-Those of you who enjoy Chili will be happy to know that on Jan. 20 a chili fest will be held at Chelsea Market.  Competitors from over 20 local restaurants will battle each other to serve the perfect meat-based chili.  They will also be serving Sam Adams beers and live country music.  Times have not been announced yet.

Gingerbread Extravaganza- Visit Le Parker Meridien for their annual display of Gingerbread houses.  Local bakeries and restaurants designed gingerbread houses to benefit City Harvest.   Stop by the concierge desk to buy a $1 ballot and you can cast a vote for your favorite house.  Make sure to stop by before January 3!

Beer Week- I am pretty excited to learn about beer week.  This year holds the fifth annual beer celebration.  Beer week goes from Feb 22 to March 3rd.  There will be over 300 events in 150 venues.  Events should be announced soon, so check at nycbrewersguild.com  to stay up to date!

Central Park Zoo- When was the last time you went to the Central Park Zoo (and seeing Madagascar does not count!)?  During the winter, the Central Park Zoo has a Tropic Zone.  The tropic zone is a balmy, rainforest-like environment.  There is a raised platform that you can walk on and look down at the floor-dwelling mammals like deer, and look up to see their tropical bird collection.  There are also tamandua and sloths hiding in the trees.

First Time Jokes- Each year in early January, John F. O'Donnell invites his favorite comics to show of their first new joke of the year.  On Friday. Jan. 4 you can join in the laughs (or lack there of) at The Bell House.  Go to http://www.timeout.com/newyork/comedy/50-first-jokes to get tickets in advance.