Feeling Fine in Philly

Thursday, August 20, 2009

New Blog!

We have a new blog!!

www.eastsidestorynyc.blogspot.com

Check it out!

-Libby and Gregg

Saturday, July 11, 2009

I write this blog with some sad news. The blog of Feeling Fine in Philly may not be around for much longer. Before you get too sad, let me give you some good news. Libby and I are moving to New York City on August 1st!! So we'll have to rename our blog. We'll have to be "Nutty Young Couple in NYC" instead (get it? N.Y.C, Libby didn't at first either, psh). We have just returned from the island of Manhattan with an apartment on the lower end of the upper east side, pending the successful completion of a credit check. It's in a nice part of town and just a subway ride or in some cases, walk from things like Central Park, the Met, the MoMa, Rockefeller Center and Times Square. We found a nice corner studio apartment, which has way to little space for way to much money, and was made for the space saving furniture of Ikea.

Libby and I are excited about the chance to live in New York City, something we've both wanted to do at some point in our lives. And since Libby is taking a year off from school, and we're not too tied down to Philadelphia, we figured that this might be our best chance.

Let me give you a little rundown of our upcoming schedules. I'm leaving my job on July 24th, we're moving to NYC on August 1st, and then coming to the midwest starting on August 3rd. Below is a brief tentative rundown of when Libby and I will be around in the midwest. If you're going to be near any of those areas in those timeframes, we'd love to see you and catch up on how you've been doing!

Kansas City - August 4th to August 8th

Tulsa - August 8th to August 12th

Dallas - August 12th to August 16th

New York City - August 16th to ......?

As always, comments and questions are encouraged and appreciated, and Libby has been kind enough to add the following pictures for a better blog experience...

Here is our building. 355 E 61st St We are the corner apt on the 4th floor

Um...the "bedroom"?

The "living room"- We have lots of windows which is pretty cool

Kitchen

Extremely PINK bathroom, Gregg's favorite part

And closet, yes we do have one, phew!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

The Start of A Philadelphian Summer

Two weekends ago we met up with Dave and Mallory for some camping and fun at the beach in Delaware. Beach camping proved to be slightly different than Oklahoma camping. Our campsite was not actually on the beach like one would imagine but was an extended grass annex of an RV Lot. Additionally, the weather was even less predictable than a spring day in the Midwest. Being so close to the water apparently filled the clouds with more water than we anticipated, and our second night there we were woken at 3 am to a monstrous thunderstorm causing, Gregg and I (only half consciously) to evacuate our little tent for the dependable dryness of our car. The beach was a lot of fun and despite multiple layers of spf 70 we both managed to bring pretty good sunburns home as souvenirs.

The weekend before that Philadelphia hosted a large bike race in which cyclists raced 10 laps around parts of the city for a total of 150 miles. The most infamous part of the race takes place in Manayunk, right in front of our apartment up the strenuous hill that we have become all too familiar with this year. In actuality the race is a giant fraternity party with thousands of Manayunkers lining the streets in support of beer, the official sponsor of the race.

And this past week our friends Craig and Karen from Tulsa came to stay with us after visiting New York City. We showed them around the city, took them for the obligatory cheesesteak and trip to Independence Hall/Liberty Bell, and went to our first Phillies game. Gregg and Craig had a chance to play racquetball after a 10 month hiatus while Karen and I shopped at cute boutiques in Center City. My favorite part of their visit was when Karen spotted Abby and Charlie - two dogs that she knew from the veterinary clinic she works at in Tulsa. Apparently they had moved with their owners to Philadelphia and happened to be in Washington Square Park the same time as us. It was a lot of fun to see them and we wish they could have stayed longer. ( Craig and Karen that is, not Abby and Charlie)

Our plans to move to NYC are coming along. We are planning on moving to NYC August 1st, moving in and then driving to the midwest for a summer visit before starting over in NYC. First we are going to Kansas City, then Tulsa, then to Dallas where we're going to leave our car and fly back to Manhattan to begin life without traffic. We are going out in July to get an apartment, hopefully in Manhattan. We are both currently looking for jobs and we are asking all of our friends and family to let us know if they know anyone in New York City who may be able to offer any insight into apartment hunting and/or finding jobs. Or anyone who we might like to get to know once we are living there. We are very excited and some days nervous about this big change. Hopefully we will get to see everyone while we are in the midwest this summer!

Bikers turning the corner at the Manayunk Bike Race

Bikers racing up The Wall (a 17% grade hill)

Mal and I at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware

Gregg and Dave playing "Baywatch"

Hiding from the rain

Our "campsite"

Craig and Karen chomping down on cheese steaks

Citizens Park Stadium (Home of the Phillies and the weirdest mascot in sports)

Watching the game... I guess

Being way too cute at Love Park

Looking good

Not so much

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Why We Are Changing our Vacation Strategy

Hey there faithful readers!

Libby and I have recently returned from a whirlwind road trip through New England for Memorial Day weekend, hitting all the states but two (sorry Maine and Rhode Island). Let me tell you a little about it...

It started early Friday morning as Libby and I attempted to beat rush hour traffic out of town as we headed toward Boston. After spending 7 hours in a car (including 45 minutes crossing a bridge between the Bronx and Manhattan in New York), we successfully emerged from an underground tunnel into downtown Boston. We parked our car, and immediately began using our legs again, which were in need of using like whoa. It was here that we began the greatest adventure since National Treasure or National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. That's right, I'm talking about the Freedom Trail.

For those unfamiliar with Boston, the Freedom Trail is a deadly hunt for America's single greatest treasure - Freedom. It starts at the Massachusetts Capitol, goes through Boston Commons, around Paul Revere's grave, through Quincy Market, and ends at Paul Revere's house. After some quick clue-figuring-out (National Treasure style), Libby found Freedom, hidden under a rock in Paul Revere's backyard.

Our time in Boston was also spend learning about the USS Constitution (The worlds oldest floating, commissioned warship, and not where the Boston tea party took place like Libby and I thought). Along the Freedom Trail, we also came across a break-dancing street troupe, and a street performer who was part of the street performer festival going on that weekend.

Unfortunately, after only 24 hrs in the city, it was off to our next destination - Burlington Vermont, where I was for some reason set on running a marathon. On our way there, we narrowly missed getting to go on a factory tour of the original Ben & Jerry's factory, but that was remedied later. We arrived and I got checked in for my race, and then Libby and I did what probably just about everyone else did that night - we went to get some pasta! The next morning, on a cold and rainy day (so much for the weather prediction of sunny and 0% chance of precipitation I had seen only a few days earlier), I lined up to attempt running for 26.2 miles. just over 4 hours later, I had accomplished my goal of finishing a marathon. Needless to say it was one of the most difficult things I had ever done in my life. Meanwhile, while I ran, Libby enjoyed a crepe at a little shop, and tried to find me while attempting to stay warm and dry. When I did finally cross the finish line, I couldn't do much more than lie in the grass for about 45 minutes, so that's what we did. After the race and a much needed shower, Libby and I went back to the Ben & Jerry's factory to see how they make the ice cream and even get a free sample (suh-weet!). Then, once again, after only 24 hours in Burlington, it was off to Saratoga Springs, NY for the last leg of our trip.

Libby drove us through the scenic roads of Vermont and upstate New York, while I attempted to not move at all and get rid of the aches in the lower half of my body. Our time in Saratoga Springs was spent walking (well, hobbling in my case) along the historic downtown area and seeing a geyser and mineral springs. Then, once again, it was siyonara after 24 hrs as we headed back home after a crazy 72 hours.

So to get back to the title. I think Libby and I have decided to change the shotgun, vacation-like-your-going-to-die-tomorrow adventures that we normally do after this last weekend, and actually try spending more than 24 hours in the same location next time we travel anywhere. Anyway, we're back home, trying to see about moving to New York City at the end of the summer, and living our normal lives in the meantime. Libby put together her art work into an online portfolio: http://www.libbywilliamsart.artician.com. As always, many, many pictures to follow...

The first to greet us in Boston were a family of ducks

Gregg high fiving his homie, Paul

Libby auditioning for the Boston Travel Guide Cover

Libby loves New Hampshire thissssssss much!

Lake Champlain - Burlington, VT

Libby approves of the lake

Start of Race - 8:09 a.m.

Where's Gregg? He's late. I hope he's not dead or anything...

Finish - 12:12 p.m. - Gregg promptly collapses under weight of medal after finishing.

A tasty post race treat at the original Ben & Jerry's Factory

Us as ice cream - I'd like to think our flavor would be Yummy Yummy Will-yums

The scenic route between Vermont and upstate New York

Our final stop - the Brunswick Bed & Breakfast

"I wish I were as tall as them trees"

Geysers Rock!!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Rain, Running and Rear endings

Hello faithful readers, commenters, and stalkers:

Here's a quick recap of life in Philly most recently. My lovely-ex-patriot-because-she-up-and-moved-to-France cousin Sarah came to visit Philadelphia on part of a spring trip to the US several weeks ago. We had a great time treating her to unhealthy American food and showing off our adopted city. It seemed everywhere we went we bumped in to French people. It was as if the country had followed her here.

Easter weekend was spent buying a new-to-us-but-used car after discovering that getting rear ended the weekend before had left our precious Mazda Protege in worse shape than it was worth according to Progressive. After visiting 7 used car dealerships within a 24 hour period the following day we were able to find a new car that we like very much (a Mazda 3). Not, however, without extended and bitter mourning for our Protege.

While Saturday was spent car shopping, on Easter itself we went to NYC again with my friend Rachel on a pilgrimage to the Bonnard show at the Met before it was over. New York was still not as warm as I preferred it be but we had a nice time walking through central park, perusing amusing stores and discovering a little window shop that sold nothing but extravagant tiny cupcakes.

An enjoyable activity Gregg and I have added into our weeks is joining a recreational volleyball team in our neighborhood. We have games once a week in the area and have met some cool people on the team.

I began work as a barista at Saxby's coffee shop in Manayunk last week. After adjusting to the overwhelming concept of learning to make all of the 80 million variations available with milk, espresso and 50 flavored syrups I'm starting to feel less awkward and as though I could actually make a customer the drink they ordered. Maybe. Prior to getting this job I was turned down from a patisserie after telling them I was not able to wake up at 4:30am at least 3 days a week in order to open the store downtown by 6:00am. I was crushed to say the least.

And yesterday Gregg ran 10 mile road race called the Broad Street run. The race started at 8:30am along with buckets of rain. Fortunately he likes running in the rain and finished the race in excellent time. Once you can run 10 miles 26 should be no problem, right?

I'm finished with school and have graduation on Friday. I'll try to have some more artwork up with the next post. Hope everyone is having a nice spring.

-Libby

Sarah and I walking around the city

The view from atop city hall+lots of rain

That looks says, "I can't believe no hair salons are open on a Monday, lets give up and look for shoes."

Giacometti room at the Met

Central Park in the spring + my new haircut

MINI CUPCAKES ohmigoshtheyaresotiny!

My seminar class spent a final class in the park on what has turned out to be one of the only non-rain filled days this spring

Gregg at the Broad Street Run after running faster than 23,000 other Philly runners

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Is there anything scarier than in-laws??

Time for some more bloggin' fun!

It's been a while since we last blogged, and isn't for not having an exciting time here in Philly, but rather because we were waiting so that we could tell one and all that we had made it on the Amazing Race (now called the Show-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named). Needless to say we haven't heard back yet. But we decided to keep people up to date on the last 5-6 weeks of our lives.

Lets see... I had spring break the first week of March (early I know) and the weather started it off right for me early Monday morning with the most snow fall I think we've had all winter...SIGH! It ended up being a fun week in spite of the cold UNspring break like temperatures. I signed up for 2 weeks of yoga with my friend Rachel and after only 5 consecutive days of class I could touch my toes.

The following weekend my mom and her buddy Teresa flew out to Philly to hang out with Gregg and I for a few days before heading to their real destination: NYC. We had a lot of fun with them and some highlights included: My 4th trip to Independence hall, my mom's first chai latte, cheese AND chocolate fondue (home made by yours truly, by that I mean mostly Gregg), a lengthy walk through the Wissahickon, checking out the Philadelphia Museum of Art and dinner at a Japanese steak house (Gregg especially liked how Teresa announced to the table that it was his birthday which prompted the guy next to him to buy him two rounds of saki and our hostess to give him a complimentary set of chop sticks. His birthday was only 3 weeks later, close enough right?) Monday morning I raced the three of us frantically around 30th Street Station in search of our bus to New York after promising I knew exactly where it would be. Not exactly an enjoyable exercise at 8am but we made it and my mom, Teresa and I enjoyed a busy day filled with walking in NYC. We started downtown with a view of the Staute of Liberty and spent the day walking north to Grenwich Village meandering though Wall Street, China Town, Little Italy, and even the home of E.E. Cummings.

The following weekend Gregg's sister Paige came out to visit as part of her spring break and we got to show her around Philadelphia as well. Gregg was kind enough to take her to Independence Hall and Liberty Bell while I was in class on Friday so I didn't get to go there for my 5th time on back to back weekends. I met up with them after they'd checked out the historical part of the city. Paige quickly learned the differences between a spring break in Texas and one in the north east and probably wished she'd packed her winter coat, hat and gloves ( a trio I would rather die than forget when leaving the house) when we walked her around the city in less than 70 degree weather. She and Gregg took a tiny elevator up to the top of City Hall which I'm told offers a great view of the city. The rest of the weekend included: making yummy pizzas, dominating Gregg and Paige at monopoly, walking/playing frisbee in Fairmont Park, walking through University of Pennsylvania's campus and fun sibling bonding.

Although we haven't had any visitors this weekend Gregg and I have been keeping ourselves busy. On Thursday evening Gregg drove down town to meet me and two of my friends at the Kimmel Center for the symphony. I thought it was great! I think Gregg did too. Then Friday night as part of an early celebration of his birthday we went to a 76ers game and indulged in more than our share of obligatory stadium food. Saturday we drove out to Princeton, NJ to enjoy a couples massage that his parents had given him as a birthday present and check out Princeton's campus. The couple's massage was amazing and Princeton was as impressive as I'd imagine it being. We were told before going that it looked like Hogwarts and after going we both agreed that was an accurate description. The campus was filled with old stone buildings with rook like towers and smarty pants Princetonians walking discussing philosophy, art history and the meaning of life.

This week should be busy as well. I'm working hard at school trying to finish up everything before the end of the semester and Gregg's birthday is on Wednesday so we'll be celebrating that. We also signed up to be on a volleyball team through a Manayunk Social Club so we'll be looking forward to that as well. Thanks for reading! See below for more pictures than you've ever seen in your life.