While I Was Out...

 
I honestly have no idea where I left off, what I've covered, what I haven't... My bad... Things have been pretty busy.
 

MOVING

Mid-January to early February contained the most hectic weeks of my life I think—topping, even, the move to NYC, which happened gradually and calmly, even though I only had a few weeks to do it all. Moving within NYC, though... Totally different story.

But, that's almost all behind us now. We're 75 to 80 percent unpacked, depending on whether you ask me or Matt. While it's true that we only have three or four boxes left to unpack, we still have so much furniture all over the place (anyone want to buy a pub table or a papasan?) and so many random things to put away/hang/store/throw out, etc. Really no idea when we're going to get around to finishing up, especially since neither of us ever makes much progress on our own (he likes to sleep on his days off; I rarely have days off) and we have like, no time together. But we'll figure it out. Everything's functional for now. When it's tidier, I'll have photos. Until then, check out the empty apartment photos and visualize furniture!

WORK

In the meantime, things at work are finally back to normal. I had a few rough weeks during the move in which I struggled to get to work on time and was just kind of falling behind because of constant phone calls with the real estate agent and picking up the keys from the landlord and signing papers and packing and just... everything piling up. But now, that's all behind me and I've been getting to work not even on time, but early some days! Which, if you know me, is... odd.

Wrapping up spring books a bit early, starting on fall books soon (many of which I acquired myself!), and then looking ahead to winter and spring 2014 and attempting to acquire a few more. I went to lunch with our editor-at-large this afternoon and we had a good time, eating sushi and talking about the acqusitions process. It's definitely something I enjoy and definitely something I want to do more and more of as time passes.

I also received an email from an author today that ended with the following paragraph:

"I can't imagine doing what you do. And you do it so well BTW. You are a saint. A goddess of the publishing world. I'd go nutz dealing with ne'er do wells like me everyday...."

I made sure our director saw this, and we joked about getting me a plaque. Then he dubbed himself a publishing god. Today was a good, amusing day. The office was very... lax. Everyone was joking around, there wasn't a ton of stress. It was almost better than last Thursday, when our publisher treated the entire office to a cupcake and coffee fieldtrip. (I kid you not.)

MATT

Matt works... and works... and works. He has his first social engagement (for lack of better words.. man-date?) that doesn't involve me (or drinks at 2 a.m. after work) on Thursday and is pretty excited about it. They're going to a show downtown that I'm not even the slightest bit interested in, so I'm glad he found someone else to go with! However, I'll have to go if the friend backs out. So... let's hope that doesn't happen.

Like I said, we don't see each other a lot, but it's working. He's hoping to move up to the main kitchen (there are three: main, prep, and pastry) soon, which will also come with the opportunity to create an amuse-bouche (one bite dishes) or two for the menu. He's constantly talking about flavor combinations and this and that, so I'm pretty sure that means he's excited about it. And I would be, too. I think, in SAT speak, his amuse-bouche is to an acquisiton in my world. Maybe. Might even be more exciting than that.

GYM!

I'm back to the gym! And for real this time. The new gym is three blocks away and is wonderful. It's definitely no Planet Fitness, that's for sure. And I'm barely paying more than I was paying at PF. The members don't remind me of convicts—and they don't look at me like I'm a drumstick, either. The machines are new and clean, the locker room is really pretty and has a steam room, and there are two or three classrooms. The classes are included in the membership, and I really think I want to try a spin class eventually. Not right now, though, because I don't think I could handle it just yet.

You can actually tour my new gym on Google+! Check it out if you're interested/jealous/curious/nosy: click! (No judgment here. I'd do it if I was reading your blog.)

Going to try to get back into at least three days a week, at least an hour each day (cardio + strength) to start. Eventually work my way up to 1.5 to 2 hours, like I used to, depending on the day and how much work awaits me at home. One of the good things about Matt's schedule is that I don't have to worry about rushing home to hang out with him because he's not here. Which gives me tons of time to work on myself. Which is healthy and necessary and nice.

OTHER STUFFS

Spending tons of time reading (mostly on the train) and enjoying every second of it. Totally in the right profession; no doubt about it.

Also spending a bit of time working creatively, as I'm finally getting around to helping Sara out with her YA novel. We're about five chapters in now (hitting Chapter Five right after I post this) and I think it's looking good! We'll be looking for Beta readers soon, so if anyone's interested/curious, chat me and we'll set something up.

I can't really think if there's anything else going on. Trying not to spend a lot of money, so there hasn't been much social stuff, other than spending every single weekend with Andrew, my BFFL! ;) I'm trying to challenge myself to spend no more than $50 a week on my own stuff (non-apartment essentials/food). So far, haven't spent a single dollar Monday or Tuesday, so we're off to a good start! (This challenge started Monday, ps.)

Don't think there's really much else... Found out recently that four or five people from high school are out here, too! So we're going to try to plan a night for drinks when everyone's settled. Should be fun!