taking root

Bicycle Film Festival

Chels & I at Washington Sq.

Somehow I got to another weekend without writing about my last one. I’m thinking that’s a sign of a good week. Here are the good parts…

Last Saturday and Sunday were great days. Saturday after cycling (which was comparably less entertaining… I think Jack had a long night in Chelsea), Evan and I explored the East Village. Fueling up is always a good place to start, so we found MUD Coffee, the hippest coffee shop on the East Side. I mean it oozed ‘cool’… we’re talking tatted and bearded baristas and calling coffee “mud” kind of cool. Southerners don’t stand a chance—we sat outside. Next, we wandered through a street fair, a bike film festival (which is apparently where all the hipsters from MUD go), briefly through Chinatown and back into SoHo. Time flies when every corner is new, and it’s days like that where your love for the city takes root. Later, I met Chelsea for yogurt and we sat in Washington Square Park. It’s the arch you’ve seen a million times in movies like When Harry Met Sally or August Rush. I could’ve stayed there to people watch with her for hours. New York City is great for that… lots of sidewalks and skyscrapers, but like Union Square, Washington Square, Bryant Park, they knew just where to put these mini-melting pots. It’s like the Quad at UNC, just a little dirtier and not quite as many familiar faces.

Sunday morning I met Josh for brunch at spot called Elmo just around the corner. It was my first sit-down meal in two weeks and it was breakfast, so it couldn’t have been better. Josh radiates genius, and as we talked it was humbling to remember that I probably wouldn’t be here without him. If you get the chance, read his travel blog… It can be pretty heavy, but Josh sure can write.

Sunday night I went to The Gallery Church, made some great new friends and really got to rest in worship. After, we went to an Irish pub (of all places!) near Times Square, and tonight I’m headed to Roosevelt Island for a church hang-out. God loves this city, and He has appointed people to come here to change it. I’m so inspired by this intimate community I’ve found at The Gallery.

“It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart, but the welcome I receive with every start.” –Mumford & Sons

I’ve been so blessed to find great churches and communities everywhere I’ve been. Summit, Re:Hope, GU Christian Union, The Gallery—I think part of my love of traveling is due to the fact that if I’ll go, He will do the rest. Before I know it I’m shaking hands with people that already love me because Christ loved them first.

I also went to a prayer gathering with The Gallery on Wednesday night. We just sat in a circle and had a little acoustic worship and prayer. So powerful. “For where two or three are gathered in my name…” (Matthew 18:20)

I’m still going strong at DETAILS as I continue to learn from my team and get to know them better. Of course, lunch breaks are always spent in Bryant Park listening to live music or getting sun… Ah just another day in the life. And lastly—it was bound to happen—yesterday I fell/sat on a guy in the subway. I was that girl. Alison put it best in her text, (336): oh the perils of nyc.

finding the hudson

8th floor

Statue of Liberty from afar

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…’ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

I knew before coming to New York that I had some work to do. I was so convicted before I left of things in my life that need work—things that I can’t keep ignoring because I’m ‘young’ or busy or above. God promises to meet us, in Kenya or Alaska, Greensboro or Northern Ireland, or here in Manhattan. God is working. I will say, growing pains are a little more painful when you’re on your own, but praise is due even for that. Isolation and distance are sometimes necessary to remind us of our weaknesses which surely glorify Jesus. “…For my power is made perfect in weakness.” Looks like it’s back to the basics for me, learning the gospel and why it’s imperative to wrap around my heart and mind every morning. The character of Christ has to be sought in order to find strength in Him—in order to fight.

Sorry to start so heavy, but honestly it’s kind of hard to write about a day at the office or running on the Hudson before getting all of that off my mind. God uses this blog, making what He’s doing much clearer when I’m writing to all of you…

Okay, well favorite find this week: Hudson River Walk. I actually just got back from there after getting sun/walking, but on Tuesday it was so beautiful that when I started running to the gym I got distracted and kept going. Ended up on the Hudson. At sunset. The path curves on and off the water with cafes and piers and rollerbladers and sailboats and basketball courts and an awesome view of New Jersey. Then sure enough, while I was already awestruck, I see that I’m running toward the Statue of Liberty. Needless to say, I did the same run on Wednesday… This punk ran by me in a Krzyzewskiville shirt , so I sped up and caught him for a while (a step ahead of course) but unfortunately couldn’t hold it… Sorry to disappoint guys, homeboy was sprinting. After that it has been fun to look for people wearing Carolina gear. I kind of do that daily, like yesterday a guy with a coveted Intramural Champion shirt walked by me on 7^th, and a guy playing ball was wearing tarheel shorts. I’ll try to take pictures, like I Spy or something.

DETAILS work was great this week, got to go to some meetings that cleared some questions up, one meeting was a walk-through the August issue which was so cool to hear about. The editor-in-chief, Dan Peres, took the staff through the vision behind articles and different stories about each piece. Also went to a status meeting with just the advertising team, great group of people. We casually talked about a beach party with Zac Efron, is this real life? Also was able to catch up more with Lisa, she’s unbelievable—so lucky to be working with her.

Lisa and Christy invited me to a beauty sale that Glamour was having during our lunch break. I was clueless but grabbed some cash and headed up to the 16^th floor… They were selling all of their sample products for ONE DOLLAR. Jackpot.

By the way, thanks for all of the support. I’ve gotten some encouraging phone calls, hugely thoughtful packages from Jamie and Lauren in N. Ireland, and even a letter all the way from a special someone in Kenya (pray for Ben as he’ll be teaching in a village called Morloo for the next two weeks!). Mail always comes at the perfect time, thanks for loving me guys.

Exploring the East Village after Jack’s cycling class tomorrow… if I can’t afford anything, I’ll let you know where to get the best cup of coffee and a scone. I’m convinced that’s what exploring is all about anyway.

plans

Union Square, Empire State Bldg. in the back

Flatiron Building

Big city. Small world. The second day I was in Manhattan I ran into Chelsea, a friend of Jamie and I’s from Carolina. She lives a block away from me, which has been, praise God, way too convenient! We’ve met up twice since then, once for burgers and once for a walk on the Highline. Then, on Friday, I was crossing the street in the West Village and I saw a Carolina shirt. I was already excited to see that oh-so familiar shade of blue in this melting pot, and then I realized it was my good friend Evan! We both had to double-take. Ends up he is interning at MTV in Times Square—unbelievable. Many lunch breaks and adventures with him to come.

Saturday started off strong. His name was Jack. It was my first time taking the cycling class at NYSC (my gym) and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Not only did Jack put on a killer class, but he was quite the entertainer. As we warmed up, Jack soulfully danced and sang to a Bollywood remix of “Naughty Girl”. Only here… I tucked my face into my shirt and had to laugh. No doubt that will be a Saturday tradition.

I was on a mission for the rest of the day. This was the plan: First, start at the BBQ Block Party in Madison Square Park (no relation to Madison Square Garden) where I unfortunately did not have the paper or the patience to stand in line for an eight-dollar N.C. barbeque sandwich. From there I would head down Broadway to Union Square for the farmer’s market and a falafel lunch, then south for shopping in SoHo. I wasn’t wearing a fanny pack (this time), but I was in vacation mode. I mean I was having a great time, and there’s a lot to be said for having a “plan”, but I realized as I was mall walking to SoHo that I’m living here for the summer. Live. As in I could go shopping in SoHo every day. Live—like I could go to that chocolate shop with free samples if I had a rough intern day. Live—as in I can Google map one day and play “eenie meenie” the next. I’m really thankful for this, just don’t think I’m taking these two months for granted.

This morning I went to one of Summit’s partner churches in Manhattan. Ah, it was good to be back. Once again, God cooly reminded me of how important Christian community is, even in a fifth floor room of strangers. I really don’t know how people can survive in the city without it. It was a small gathering, but I loved it. Check out their site: gallerychurch.com

The teaching at the Gallery along with some pretty raw prayer/journaling time I had on Friday morning has been good. I know God can work in huge miracles, alter fires and epiphanies, but that’s not the norm. It’s His whisper—it’s His presence that is the greatest comfort. While my mind searches for plans and solutions, God just asks for my trust.

Man, all of that and it’s only been eight days…

living the dream

The Conde Nast Building

View from the apartment

“So many blessings, so little time.” –Richard Julian

My first days at Condé Nast have been a dream. “Hi, this is Kelsey with DETAILS Magazine,”—that’s got a nice ring right? Not to mention I get to play ‘business woman’ on the subway with my Starbucks and dress pants each morning. I finally met Lisa on Monday morning who, no surprises, is one of the nicest and most genuine people I’ve met. She took me to my own desk and Mac, file cabinets and sticky notes. I shook hands with some beautiful people, and it wasn’t long before she treated me to iced coffee at her favorite street vendor, asked me about myself and began to tell me what the magazine was all about. Lisa explained to me the role of the Creative Services and Advertising team and let me thumb through plenty of issues to get a feel for what they do—what I do. Thankfully, there’s so much to learn. Getting a feel for DETAILS itself will be an ongoing process, but it boasts a hip, ‘insider’ audience of first-on-the-scene style and artistic innovation. I get to help bring the DETAILS image together with the image of different advertisers, from Armani to K.Swiss, which includes planning events to get people excited about that company and the magazine. Lots of fun projects coming up, you know we’re just getting started. I do think I would start to miss writing after a while, but I’m thrilled I can learn about this side of journalism. And hey, guess that’s what blogs are for—thirsty writers and worried parents.

After walking the 23 blocks in heels home from work yesterday, I decided to run up to the apartment, put on my rainbows and keep on going. It was the perfect day in the city, which made it easy to get lost. I ended up wandering down to the West Village where I found a bookstore with a religious, or not-so-religious, section with books like ‘god is not Great’, then ended up in a familiar spot… I was sitting on the same stool in the same bakery looking out the same bright window that I had just three years ago with Mom & Pops. New York was a distant dream then, a Christmas gift, and now a reality. Mm, cool how that works… Just thinking back to who I was then and how things change, praise the Lord for works in progress. I’m independent here, but never alone.

A few lessons learned in the Big Apple:

1. Breathe through your mouth.

2. Head to the Gym Bar for a real Jersey Shore party.

3. Keep an eye out for the potter across the street who sells pieces for five bucks on random Sundays… Hello cereal bowl.

4. Cherie Berry does not approve these elevators.

5. Learn how to use chopsticks BEFORE being invited to glam sushi business lunches—not during.

6. Even the small bakeries take big bucks.

And I think my Southern “accent” just scored me a free cookie at my new favorite coffee spot from a guy who looks like J. Timberlake. This big city isn’t all business after all.

let’s hear it for new york

With the help of Jay-Z, I more than survived my first day in Manhattan with an ‘empire state of mind’. Grabbed the June/July issue of DETAILS for my flight and after the quick one hour trip up the coast that made the city seem like it was just next door, I got to LaGuardia around 1:30. Josh met me at baggage and offered some silent support as I told the cab driver to head to “19th between 7th and 8th” (sounds so hip, right!?).

Josh and I headed straight to the Chelsea Whole Foods for a late lunch that we took to Madison Square Park. For the record, eating outside is highly underrated. I have a feeling I’ll be taking full advantage of the incredible people watching opportunities to be had here. I was able to catch up on Josh’s latest adventures, he gave me some random tips/favorite spots and then led me to a 5-floor paradise called Strand in Union Square. Floor after floor of any book you could imagine… Surprisingly, it was late in the afternoon and I was still waiting to be overwhelmed and intimidated by the concrete and fast-walkers. Maybe it was the Carolina humidity that made me feel right at home… But really, as I was sitting with Josh in the park I realized that being in New York just seems normal for me. No doubt that I’m right where God wants me.

I followed all the sweet notes Emily left me in our apartment and finally met her around 6! She’s so fun and easy-going, absolutely living the dream as a fashion intern and grad school student… We hit it off and started unpacking and organizing, as she put it, “just like summer camp.” Around 8 we decided to freshen up and head to the Meatpacking District for a bite to eat. It had cooled down and was an incredible night, we sat outside at The Diner and my excitement for the city and my times to come with Emily continued to build. Tomorrow she’s going to help me conquer the subway and take me to Times Square so I know how to get to the Condé Nast building on Monday morning, stress-free.

I plan on visiting the Gallery Church, but I think tomorrow morning I’ll have a cup of coffee and spend some time with God on my own. I’m already, as Em and I talked about, comforted by the fact that He never leaves us. I think that’s why I feel like I fit right in here, because I can be bold knowing His promise to be by my side the whole way. Keeping that in mind, we can fall in love with where we are and anticipate where we’ll be. Praying for continued assurance…( ‘My Utmost…’ 6/4-5).

So, tomorrow I’ll wake up to a skyscraper sunrise and a new morning in Manhattan. Today could not have been better. I love this.

Until then, leave it to the sirens and bass from the gay nightclub across the street to sing me to sleep. Ahh the New York City lullaby… The upcoming week will be a wild ride so bear with me on the promptness of my next post, but I guarantee I should have stories that will be worth the wait.