Monday, December 3, 2012

Once upon a time in a NYC far away...

This post is overdue, but it's something that hasn't left my mind. Back in October my friend Angie and I went to NYC to a conference put on by our dear friend Krissy who wrote a book called How to Love an American Man. First of all, I can't recommend this book enough. Second of all, let's talk about how incredible it was to read this book, have the author skype in to our book club, and then have her become an amazing friend.

I knew the weekend was going to be an emotional roller coaster and I knew the weekend would bring some learning for me, but I didn't realize how much. I got to spend a day with a room full of educated and professional women who I respect. I spent the day with people from plus size models, to a beauty editor at a famous magazine, to other authors.

One of the things we talked about that day was the people we have in our lives and whether they add or detract from our happiness. It made me think of a lot of people in my life and a lot of people in the lives of people I interact with. The main concept was that these people in your life who detract from your happiness, not only do something as basic as that, but they also draw your energy away from the people who deserve it. Those people who are in your life that make you happy aren't getting reciprocal energy or love or attention from you because you're draining your energy on those in your life who just aren't doing much of anything for you. It seems like a simple concept and yet it was mind blowing to me.

It made me really conscious of people in my life who don't even bother to engage me, ask me questions, or pretend to even sound interested in the things in my life that are important to me right now. Which might sound selfish to you...and it IS. That's the point...it's about being a little selfish.

I know that's kind of heavy. So I'll leave that there for right now. Don't try to process that all now and apply it to your life. Just let it soak in for a little while and come back to it later to gather your lessons. Trust me on this.

I'll tell you some more about the fun we had in NYC to take your mind off of it. We stayed in Queens and took the subway everywhere. We had people ask us directions so obviously we looked like real New Yorkers. We strolled through Central Park and I pointed out all the places joggers were killed on Law and Order. (It happens!) We got to meet Krissy's lovely family and they warmed our hearts. Angie and I made our friendship bi-coastal this weekend as we had traveled to Napa together just a few months ago in July for Team Challenge. (I will need to blog about this later...that was a trip that needs it's own...my second half marathon and Angie's first in the books).
I got to see the Lincoln Tunnel and if any of you love the movie Elf, you'll understand that reference. I was able to meet two dear friends, Codie and Lisa, in person for the first time after being internet friends for years. We had dinner with Krissy at this wonderful little Italian restaurant in Brooklyn and spent the night sharing our lives and stories. We went to China Town and immediately regretted that decision. We ate mussels or oysters or something slimy. We got drunk on Park Avenue directly across from where the Kardashians lived while there, which basically makes us honorary Kardashians. Here are some pictures. New York really is my kind of town. Enjoy! I know I did.