PERSONAL NEWS #263

Jan 1^st, I went a got a much-needed manicure and pedicure to start off my new year.

Jan 2^nd, my friend Gail, and her doggie Sage, came over for early “tea time”, and we exchanged gifties.  Lovely visit and chatted about many things.  Afterwards, I had to head into Manhattan, and the office, as I forgot to submit my time sheet.  Then I went shopping to Lord & Taylor with my last gift card.  Got 50% off my purchase.

Jan 3^rd, had to go into the office, as it was my last day at the firm.  After 16 years, I turned in my laptop, security badge and filled out the necessary paperwork for closure.  Said my goodbyes to co-workers and then headed to the upper eastside to enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The museum was crowded with mostly tourists, but that didn’t stop me in enjoying several exhibits.  Such as the annual Neapolitan Baroque crèche with Christmas tree, early Islamic world armor, Cypriot art, European paintings, furniture of the gilded age, photography of Auguste Salzmann, Shaker furniture and Fragonard drawings.  Took a break halfway through to enjoy a nice, tasty lunch at the Petrie Court café.  Then headed downtown to Stone Creek lounge for the annual birthday gathering celebrations for Tolkien.  There was a nice turnout as we ate, drank, chatted on assorted topics and watched a documentary on Tolkien / LOTRs.

 

Jan 4^th, I originally had three appts today for health-related issues.  Had to cancel the last one, as the 2^nd one took 4 grueling hours to complete.  Started off with a follow-up appt with my foot doctor regarding my ankle and foot.  The second was the final phase of prep work before the 8 permanent crowns are input, as well as the partials.  After 4 hours, my lips were swollen and gums in discomfort.  I went home and collapsed out of exhaustion.  Slept that night for 10 hours straight and felt better the next day.

Jan 6^th, I had a much-needed chiropractor appt in the morning.  Afterwards I head to T-Mobile store to purchase a Hotspot device, so I will have Wi-Fi access where ever I am at. 

Jan 7^th, I attended the annual BFP holiday party in the evening, and it was held this year at The Commons on Atlantic Avenue.  I made my delicious Rumballs for dessert and hardly any were left at the end of an enjoyable evening.  Despite the snowstorm that day, it was a good turnout for the annual party.

Jan 8^th, I joined my friend Dennis in lower Manhattan, and we visited the wonderful Museum of the American Indian.  The admission is free and we took the gallery tour.  Afterwards, we walked down Stone Street to Smorgas Chef restaurant for a tasty, leisurely brunch.  In the early evening, I had a private yoga class at the apt with Fabrice, and then watched “Sherlock” on PBS.

Jan 9^th, I had a physical therapy appt at noon time in lower Manhattan for issues with my ankle and foot.  On the way, back to my hood, I had a tasty lunch at The Jungle Café.  Regarding the job hunting front, I received a phone call about a 3^rd interview with a bank set for the 17^th.

Jan 11^th, after a morning of trolling the internet and applying for job openings, I headed into Manhattan for an afternoon of leisure.  I took a free guided tour at the NY Public Library on 5^th Avenue and 42^nd Street, plus a video screening of what the library has to offer.  Building is gorgeous and the tour was informative.  Afterwards I headed uptown to Rockefeller Center to see St Patrick’s cathedral on 5^th Avenue.  It looks stunning since they finished the renovations and took away the scaffolding inside and out.

Jan 13^th, after my chiropractor appt in the morning, I headed into Manhattan for an appt with a temp / perm agency.  That meeting went well and hope to have a few job interviews lined.  Stopped down to the Halloween shop in Union Square to visit with my friend Wendy.  That evening watched a terrific episode #2 of Sleepy Hollow on tv.

Jan 14^th, after cleaning lady finished with my apt, I took care of chores / errands and then went to B&N to purchase season three of Sleepy Hollow on DVD.  Then back to my hood to get a much-needed manicure.

Jan 15^th, hung out with some friends at a birthday dinner party off of Union Square.   Good food, laughs and diverse conversation at the Saigon Market restaurant.

Jan 16^th, after my physical therapy session for ankle/foot, I headed uptown to Times Square and my old office.  A friend of mine my old office helped me with printing out copies of my resume on good paper, plus sending out items to a few friends via FedEx.

Jan 17^th, I did job hunting on the internet in the morning.  Then 3^rd interview with bank in the afternoon and followed by private yoga class at apt with Fabrice.

Jan 18^th, more final phase prep work before the 8 permanent crowns are input, as well as the partials.  After 3 hours, my upper lip was abit swollen and gums in discomfort.  Afterwards, I headed down to Union Square to meet up with an acquaintance to pass along the four knitted Pussy Power hats for her to take to the DC Women’s March on Saturday.

Jan 19^th, I headed into Manhattan to visit the Museum of Natural History on upper Westside.  While there I took a free-guided tour with Art at 3:15pm.  I was the only one taking the tour, so it was nice of Art to tailor it to my likes.  Afterwards I had an early dinner at Nanoosh on Broadway before heading to the anti-Trump rally / march on Central Park West.

Jan 20^th, I headed into Manhattan to take the fascinating free-guided tour of Grand Central Station and surrounding area.  There was 30+ of us on the tour and our guides name was Mattie.  Afterwards I had a late lunch near Times Square and then checked out the Pierpont Morgan library / museum on Madison Avenue.  Nice gift shop and had a tasty hot cup of tea in their café before heading home.  Watch episode 3 from season four of Sleepy Hollow that evening.

Jan 21^st, what a day!  The Women’s March in NYC was inspiring and awesome.  At least 250,000 people converged on NYC for this march, and one hears that 500,000 were in DC.  Plus, thousands upon thousands in other cities in the US and around the world.  WooHoo!

Jan 22^nd, I had a private yoga class in the morning with Fabrice, and did chores / errands throughout the rest of the day.

Jan 23^rd, I had two phone calls in the morning with agencies about being sent out on permanent job interviews.  In the afternoon, I had a Skype interview that went well.

Jan 24^th, after job hunting and a few phones during the day, I headed into Manhattan and my old job.  A friend who works there printed out newly updated resumes for me and we talked about the firm.  Afterwards, I headed to the NY public library on 5^th Avenue to learn about free lectures / classes.

Jan 25^th, meeting with a new job agency in the morning, followed by physical therapy session and then to the upper Westside for lunch at Nanoosh.

Jan 26^th, my 2016 taxes are done and submitted.  WooHoo!

Jan 28^th, I visited the Museum of the City of New York in the afternoon and viewed many of its interesting, informative exhibits.

Jan 29^th, after a private yoga class with Fabrice, I joined some friends in going to the movies to see an excellent film called “Hidden Figures”.  This is based on a true story from 1961.  I highly recommend seeing this film.  Afterwards, we had dinner at the Starlight diner off of 9^th Avenue.

Jan 30^th, I had a physical therapy session for my ankle/foot at noon time.  Plus, a few phone call interviews regarding possible EA positions with two firms.

Jan 31^st, with two incoming phone calls, it was confirmed that I’d be handling 2.5 months of temp work for tax season with my old job.  Will start at the location next week.