I woke up Thursday morning and the first thing I thought was “oh no, not now.” The night before I went to bed unusually physically tired but not sleepy and started coughing…by morning, the coughing became painful. Not so much a sore throat…then the nose started running. I was getting sick…with Karen Walker only two days away.
I don’t remember much of what I did that day, except getting sent to do a pick up at a very upscale magazine. It was like out of a movie…right off 5th ave, security downstairs, glass doors requiring buzzing in, white walls with trendy art in the lobby and one receptionist at a big desk. But running that errand showed me how sick I was getting…throughout the day I felt progressively worse.
I was dizzy just riding the subway, tired with just walking some…I wanted to sit on the sidewalk and close my eyes. I started to get chills up my spine…when I got home I had 101 degree fever. I went to bed fully dressed around ten that night and didn’t get up again until almost twelve the next afternoon. I spent that entire Friday doing nothing, trying to rest up as much as I could. I was miserable.
Finally, Saturday came. We arrived at the office at 11am dressed in all black. All the interns were briefed on what our responsibilities would be. Some were assigned to goody bags, other sign in, others collecting press passes…I was told I would be working with the director of the company. Still feeling sniffly but heavily medicated, we headed to the Altman Building for the show. Loads left in cars rented for the event, while some took cabs.
The building had been used for shows earlier in the week, so much of it was already set up. White wood folding chairs, white draping, the runway, where the cameras would line up at the end of the runway…and we were off to our tasks. I began following the director and doing whatever she needed, then got sent to help a past intern with directing check in traffic. Photographers, assistants, all checking in…editors, models (one with a camera chasing behind her), press teams. Some aghast and surprised that they were not on the list…some finding the procedure for seating “ridiculous.” It was all there. We had Fiji Water and a bottled coffee company sponsoring the show and at one point I got thirsty and was brought downstairs to the fridge. There the models were being primped and primed, interviewed and photographed…just like TV. Though it was interesting, the fridge beverages and huge table of food caught my attention more. I even got to stand face to face with Karen. It was all there…even the late models.
And for all the work, the show only lasted about 15minutes. We got to watch the whole thing, which was awesome, and just like that it was over. The swarm clapped and was out the door off to the next one. We headed back to the office for pizza and then started to get ready for the after party at the Soho Grand.
The grand was a trendy spot, only a few blocks from the office. Soft lighting, huge windows exposing the city, comfy couches and personal bar (which was “open” for wine and vodka). Tired as I was, I knew I could not miss my first real industry party. Most people went in what they wore to the show but I took the opportunity to get jazzed up.
I payed for my fashion day on Sunday and Monday, spending them in bed using up tissue boxes and cough suppressants.
By Tuesday I was back at work. The sales aspect was very busy considering the recent show, but it was business as usual…
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Fashion Week
How do you know it is Fashion Week in NYC?
When you are an intern in Soho and a morning trip to the post office is almost entirely blocked off by paparazi (spelling?) in front of the Prada Store. The culprit: Lily Allen. The store was closed to the public while she shopped.
I continued down the block to the post office only to find I was 30 cents off for my package. The lady's at the counter, now used to seeing the intern with hands always full, told me when I came back I would not have to wait. Back to the office to get 30 cents and out again. This time, the stalkers were running through the streets to their cars, cameras in hand. I am assuming she left...on the way back, firetrucks and firemen filled the block in front of the office. This place always has sites to see.
The office was suprisingly slower. I did several retail related tasks...putting the correct pound amounts on the Suwha tags, coverting wholesale prices to retail prices, and double checking numbers. We also got the Karen Walker Eyewear lookbooks in and had to put them in folders and put Press Office labels on all of them. I also updated more contacts. Luckily they ordered pizza for everyone, which was much more enjoyable then the salami and cheese sandwhich I had packed to save money. It was so sad looking in comparison...anyway, I tried vodka sauce and mozarella cheese pizza for the first time and it was fantasic! And the day seemed to wisp away...after lunch I had to fight the itis with caffeine of course.
At six, I was off and went to get ready for the "dinner" event I was going to with Kim. Women tend to live out of their bag here and I was falling into this catagory. A big bag is a must. I did my makeup, hair, etc. in about 30mins and was off to the train to meet Kim further uptown. The event was not as big a deal as the promoters put it out to be. Joslyn, from America's Next Top Model, and her current agency were hosting. We sat down, got free champagne, had people come and chat with us, networked a little, and then called it a night around 10:30.
Tis all =)
When you are an intern in Soho and a morning trip to the post office is almost entirely blocked off by paparazi (spelling?) in front of the Prada Store. The culprit: Lily Allen. The store was closed to the public while she shopped.
I continued down the block to the post office only to find I was 30 cents off for my package. The lady's at the counter, now used to seeing the intern with hands always full, told me when I came back I would not have to wait. Back to the office to get 30 cents and out again. This time, the stalkers were running through the streets to their cars, cameras in hand. I am assuming she left...on the way back, firetrucks and firemen filled the block in front of the office. This place always has sites to see.
The office was suprisingly slower. I did several retail related tasks...putting the correct pound amounts on the Suwha tags, coverting wholesale prices to retail prices, and double checking numbers. We also got the Karen Walker Eyewear lookbooks in and had to put them in folders and put Press Office labels on all of them. I also updated more contacts. Luckily they ordered pizza for everyone, which was much more enjoyable then the salami and cheese sandwhich I had packed to save money. It was so sad looking in comparison...anyway, I tried vodka sauce and mozarella cheese pizza for the first time and it was fantasic! And the day seemed to wisp away...after lunch I had to fight the itis with caffeine of course.
At six, I was off and went to get ready for the "dinner" event I was going to with Kim. Women tend to live out of their bag here and I was falling into this catagory. A big bag is a must. I did my makeup, hair, etc. in about 30mins and was off to the train to meet Kim further uptown. The event was not as big a deal as the promoters put it out to be. Joslyn, from America's Next Top Model, and her current agency were hosting. We sat down, got free champagne, had people come and chat with us, networked a little, and then called it a night around 10:30.
Tis all =)
My Mission: Shoes
This past weekend I was exposed to the magical world of NYC shopping. It is amazing...and it is the dream and ultimate temptation of a girl who loves to shop. And the deals you can find are like nothing I have seen...
My mission that weekend was to find shoes, distinct shoes. I needed a pair to wear with the dress I brought from home for the Karen Walker show and a dinner and traditional pumps to wear with my suit for an interview. And I discovered more then that...oops..I guess! (Not really, I just need to not eat out...at all...like this whole week).
Day 1: Union Square-DSW (which was hiring so I picked up an application...details to come) & surrounding stores. I decided to start there because their shoe collection is amazing and prices range. I found a pair of shoes to wear with my little black dress-silvery snake skin sexy things for $30! I decided not to buy them right away and keep looking just in case. Then I headed to the area by my job. I walked up and down Broadway, discovering niche stores and unbelievable sales. I finally found a pair of flat boots, on clearance for $20! I vacillated and decided that if mom approved, I should not feel bad. She told me to consider it a present from my abuela. Finally, a substitute for the Fuggs!
I did not find reasonable pumps or shoes that I liked better then those at DSW, so I went back and purchased those.
Day 2: Herald Square-the thing about NY is you never know what a store will have so you have to check them all. After finally seeing the world famous Macy's (6 floors! It was amazing)I randomly decided to go inside a Journey's just in case they would have pumps among all those sneakers. And low and behold, in the clearance section, black pumps for $23.99! The whole thing took a whopping 30mins...but now I was free to roam. My Tio would not be done with his radio gig for another hour and half.
I came across something I had not seen since I was in Spain...a Zara! For those who do not know about Zara, it is Spanish based company who is taking over the globe and just now seeping into the US. They are out selling GAP in international sales with their unique strategy: They do not advertise at all, nor put out seasonal collections. They create based on sales...for example. If a particular shirt is a hot item, they will reproduce the shirt until sales fade. The clothing is constantly changing and their prices are very reasonable, so if you see something you like, buy it because it WILL NOT be there a week from now. This drives shopaholics crazy...and as soon as I saw the Zara I had to go in.
The sale was INCREDIBLE. I went through so much clothes on sale but was very selective. I tried on dresses for $20, shirts for $10...and luckily nothing fit quite right. Except for one little T-shirt with a child's artwork on the front, which of course, matched the tone of tan on my boots. It was $8 and in my bag at once.
I had my outfit for Tuesday. =)
Luckily the dinner party was not such a hot event, and the outfit for then will happily be recycled for the Karen Walker after party. Double =)
My mission that weekend was to find shoes, distinct shoes. I needed a pair to wear with the dress I brought from home for the Karen Walker show and a dinner and traditional pumps to wear with my suit for an interview. And I discovered more then that...oops..I guess! (Not really, I just need to not eat out...at all...like this whole week).
Day 1: Union Square-DSW (which was hiring so I picked up an application...details to come) & surrounding stores. I decided to start there because their shoe collection is amazing and prices range. I found a pair of shoes to wear with my little black dress-silvery snake skin sexy things for $30! I decided not to buy them right away and keep looking just in case. Then I headed to the area by my job. I walked up and down Broadway, discovering niche stores and unbelievable sales. I finally found a pair of flat boots, on clearance for $20! I vacillated and decided that if mom approved, I should not feel bad. She told me to consider it a present from my abuela. Finally, a substitute for the Fuggs!
I did not find reasonable pumps or shoes that I liked better then those at DSW, so I went back and purchased those.
Day 2: Herald Square-the thing about NY is you never know what a store will have so you have to check them all. After finally seeing the world famous Macy's (6 floors! It was amazing)I randomly decided to go inside a Journey's just in case they would have pumps among all those sneakers. And low and behold, in the clearance section, black pumps for $23.99! The whole thing took a whopping 30mins...but now I was free to roam. My Tio would not be done with his radio gig for another hour and half.
I came across something I had not seen since I was in Spain...a Zara! For those who do not know about Zara, it is Spanish based company who is taking over the globe and just now seeping into the US. They are out selling GAP in international sales with their unique strategy: They do not advertise at all, nor put out seasonal collections. They create based on sales...for example. If a particular shirt is a hot item, they will reproduce the shirt until sales fade. The clothing is constantly changing and their prices are very reasonable, so if you see something you like, buy it because it WILL NOT be there a week from now. This drives shopaholics crazy...and as soon as I saw the Zara I had to go in.
The sale was INCREDIBLE. I went through so much clothes on sale but was very selective. I tried on dresses for $20, shirts for $10...and luckily nothing fit quite right. Except for one little T-shirt with a child's artwork on the front, which of course, matched the tone of tan on my boots. It was $8 and in my bag at once.
I had my outfit for Tuesday. =)
Luckily the dinner party was not such a hot event, and the outfit for then will happily be recycled for the Karen Walker after party. Double =)
Friday, February 6, 2009
Busy Busy Busy!
(2/5/08)
Last night was the coldest night of the year and the morning did not let up much either. It was freezing. It hurt my ears and made my jaw feel locked in place. Heading out, people in the neighborhood were walking their dogs, the droppings causing steam and owners looking like anxious mummies, counting down until they completed their business. I wondered how Mona would react under such conditions…
Of course I got Starbucks. I am vowing to buy coffee and make it at home like I used to, I just need to get to the supermarket sometime this weekend.
The office was the busiest I had ever seen it. New shipments came in for Suwha and Lover, so it was up to the interns to hang and steam the entire collections. By the end of the day I was a pro at what was once a foreign task. A new shipment of shoes came in, but I could not catch the brand. Either way they were GORGEOUS. A new collection was like an event at the press office; each female gathered around the boxes as pieces came out. They expressed they love, hate, indifference, or adoration for each piece. “Why did they do this again?…oh now this is cute.” My personal favorite was the new Suwha collection, especially the coats. I don’t think there was one that I did not like. What I found out, which probably should have been kept from me, was that you pre-order pieces depending on what season they came from. This was a dangerous piece of information to expose to me.
Aside from steaming, I also ran my share of errands and completed my office duties. I organized the showroom, dusting and spacing pieces to avoid clutter, changing hangers, etc. Sonia needed a new keyboard and mouse, and the office needed stuff like tissues and Windex, so I was sent to Duane and Reid (spelling? w/e I’m not originally from here, lol) and the Apple Store. Because there was nothing interesting about DR (it is like Walgreens), I decided to go there first and then head to the Apple store. It was like no other Apple store I had ever seen. Two floors, white walls, iced-glass stairs, employee wearing teal blue T-shirts…it looked like something out of a movie, a futuristic, high tech movie. The employee rung me up and emailed me a receipt without having to go to a register. Even the bag was cool; one of those back pack like things. It made me want Apple everything…which I knew (being a Communications student) was the stores entire intention.
A day is never complete at work without mailings. This time Cathy, the director put me up to a task. We got the look books for the bag line we have (I can’t think of how to properly spell her last name, Cassaniti I think) which were adorable! The theme of the bag collection was newspaper and the look books looked like a folded up newspaper that when opened, became a poster-like look book. I wanted to keep one. Anyway, her graphic designer brought them in and we needed to ship some back to LA. So I had to box a stack to have mailed, along with invitations, and also price how much it would cost to send the look books as is. At the post office I hoped to get Life Saving Loretta again, but I didn’t.
A past intern decided to come back and help with fashion week and boy was she annoying. She talked and talked and talked and had this air of “I’ve been here plenty of times before.” “Oh this is just your first fashion show…you should try and do this…blah blah blah.” She even brought in cupcakes, which I had of course (red velvet), but you get the idea I hope. One of the interns spoke to me while I ate my lunch about how this girl was driving her crazy, so people in the back giggled while she babbled in the front to someone else. She barely took breaths between sentences. Poor thing…
I ended the night updating contacts. I had spent the majority of the day on my feet so I was exhausted. I have tendonitis in my left knee so I was dying to sit down for awhile. Luckily, Bridges was slow and I was able to come home early. Today I still feel a bit stiff but am taking advantage of my down time. I have also applied for Teach for America, and have my final interview on Monday. Kim also invited me to an industry event which supposedly will have the likes of Tyra Banks there. I also have to schedule an interview with another company who contacted me yesterday. And of course, next week is Fashion Week and the last week of prep before the Karen Walker Show. It should be interesting…
Last night was the coldest night of the year and the morning did not let up much either. It was freezing. It hurt my ears and made my jaw feel locked in place. Heading out, people in the neighborhood were walking their dogs, the droppings causing steam and owners looking like anxious mummies, counting down until they completed their business. I wondered how Mona would react under such conditions…
Of course I got Starbucks. I am vowing to buy coffee and make it at home like I used to, I just need to get to the supermarket sometime this weekend.
The office was the busiest I had ever seen it. New shipments came in for Suwha and Lover, so it was up to the interns to hang and steam the entire collections. By the end of the day I was a pro at what was once a foreign task. A new shipment of shoes came in, but I could not catch the brand. Either way they were GORGEOUS. A new collection was like an event at the press office; each female gathered around the boxes as pieces came out. They expressed they love, hate, indifference, or adoration for each piece. “Why did they do this again?…oh now this is cute.” My personal favorite was the new Suwha collection, especially the coats. I don’t think there was one that I did not like. What I found out, which probably should have been kept from me, was that you pre-order pieces depending on what season they came from. This was a dangerous piece of information to expose to me.
Aside from steaming, I also ran my share of errands and completed my office duties. I organized the showroom, dusting and spacing pieces to avoid clutter, changing hangers, etc. Sonia needed a new keyboard and mouse, and the office needed stuff like tissues and Windex, so I was sent to Duane and Reid (spelling? w/e I’m not originally from here, lol) and the Apple Store. Because there was nothing interesting about DR (it is like Walgreens), I decided to go there first and then head to the Apple store. It was like no other Apple store I had ever seen. Two floors, white walls, iced-glass stairs, employee wearing teal blue T-shirts…it looked like something out of a movie, a futuristic, high tech movie. The employee rung me up and emailed me a receipt without having to go to a register. Even the bag was cool; one of those back pack like things. It made me want Apple everything…which I knew (being a Communications student) was the stores entire intention.
A day is never complete at work without mailings. This time Cathy, the director put me up to a task. We got the look books for the bag line we have (I can’t think of how to properly spell her last name, Cassaniti I think) which were adorable! The theme of the bag collection was newspaper and the look books looked like a folded up newspaper that when opened, became a poster-like look book. I wanted to keep one. Anyway, her graphic designer brought them in and we needed to ship some back to LA. So I had to box a stack to have mailed, along with invitations, and also price how much it would cost to send the look books as is. At the post office I hoped to get Life Saving Loretta again, but I didn’t.
A past intern decided to come back and help with fashion week and boy was she annoying. She talked and talked and talked and had this air of “I’ve been here plenty of times before.” “Oh this is just your first fashion show…you should try and do this…blah blah blah.” She even brought in cupcakes, which I had of course (red velvet), but you get the idea I hope. One of the interns spoke to me while I ate my lunch about how this girl was driving her crazy, so people in the back giggled while she babbled in the front to someone else. She barely took breaths between sentences. Poor thing…
I ended the night updating contacts. I had spent the majority of the day on my feet so I was exhausted. I have tendonitis in my left knee so I was dying to sit down for awhile. Luckily, Bridges was slow and I was able to come home early. Today I still feel a bit stiff but am taking advantage of my down time. I have also applied for Teach for America, and have my final interview on Monday. Kim also invited me to an industry event which supposedly will have the likes of Tyra Banks there. I also have to schedule an interview with another company who contacted me yesterday. And of course, next week is Fashion Week and the last week of prep before the Karen Walker Show. It should be interesting…
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Dashing Through the Snow (2/3/09)
I really need to get my ass to bed earlier. I ended up staying on the phone a lot later then I should have and the morning was like a big blur. I think I changed my outfit three or four times, and thank God I decided to wear my Fuggs (the Ugg knockoffs from the previous blog).
While standing on the platform for the train, it started to snow... Little flurries that became masses by the time I got to my block. In a childish way, this got me excited. I had not seen snow fall since I was kid. All day I would catch myself staring at it fall…it was a bit soothing but with the excitement of something new and unfamiliar.
On the train I felt like I was asleep standing up. If you know me well you know that I hate screeching and scratching sounds (nails on a chalkboard, the sound of a broom on a floor, even the sounds of pencil sometimes), they make me grind my teeth (even with the thought of it now). The subway system is full of such sounds with the speeding up, slowing down, and stopping. At first, I needed the reading to distract myself from it. Now being so tired, I had no interest in keeping my eyes open. And I didn’t the whole ride, even if I was standing. The sounds had now become familiar, almost rhythmic sometimes and did not distract my sleepiness.
Transferring trains I got an idea…to maybe chronicle my time here through pictures as well. I have always had an interest in photography so I thought it might be a good project to take on. And not the everyday tourist stuff, but the things that are uniquely normal here…the musicians on the subway, the artisan on the street, the line at Dean & Deluca for coffee in the morning (Claire Danes had been spotted there that day).
Speaking of coffee, there was no second thought of getting coffee today. I marched straight there. I had 20mins to kill and I needed it badly. I ordered the usually and asked for skim milk, but when the lady called out the order, she said soy. Now I hate soy milk very much, but did not feel like hassling and figured it would be healthier. It did not taste that much different, probably because I sweetened it with every powder and sugar they had.
Once I got to work and removed my extras (also slang from the previous blog), I was informed that my first task would send me back outside. Now the snow was not light and fluffy and sweet anymore. It was dashing in all directions with the winds. I was to go price how much the envelops with the look books and forms would cost to mail (you know the ones I spent my life packing away). We, well I, had put media mail stickers on all 91, however, having the sticker put the envelopes into a different price range. So I was off to the post office. When I got outside my umbrella went haywire. It was not created to sustain the winds I was experiencing. I had to look hilarious messing with it (its bright green so I don’t lose it); coffee in one hand, envelope stuffed into my jacket. At one point my glove got stuck in the latch and I had to rip it out, leaving a hole in my glove. At another, one part of the umbrella started to bend inward cause of the wind. And even at another, the envelope started to slip out from under my jacket. And of course, I didn’t find the post office right away. Mia even passed me on the way to work but didn’t recognize me.
At the post office I was informed that the media mail sticker did make a price difference, and the lady broke all the price variations down for me. I knew what was next…me peeling all the media mail stickers off. And that’s exactly what happened. But my time with the post office was not nearly finished.
There was also two new interns helping out for fashion week, and one who had been there for quite some time. They utilized all of us. The two new ones were the friendlist; one had moved from the UK to NY just recently (I could not get enough of her accent, she said things like “pardon”) and the other commuted here once a week from Maryland! Yes, a 4 hours commute. I forgot his name but the girl was Lisa.
All the tasks I did that day were typical until it was time to mail the envelopes. The boy intern needed to go to Staples to pick up refill ink for the Karen Walker stamp for the invitations. I could not carry all 91 envelopes, even in bags, to the post office, so he came with me first. The snow was intense. After waiting in line for what seemed like an eternity we got to a window. Before showing her our shipment I begged her to patient with us because we had no idea what we were doing. Then I lifted the bags. Loretta, I’ll never forget her, sighed but said “we’re going to get through this” LOL I laugh just thinking about it.
So batch by batch, we weighed and priced shipping for each. Stamping, calculating, organizing. Thank God the other intern was there; it took us 45mins to do it together, imagine if I was alone. We completed $157 worth of stamping and labeling, and thankfully matched the estimate we made back at the office. Then, I noticed my phone was vibrating. I had been so focused on the task that I didn’t realize my missed calls. The office was calling. Amanda was on the line, asking where the boy intern was. I told her he was with me. He had forgotten his phone. She very urgently told us to get back with the ink as soon as possible. This was our first instant of The Devil Wears Prada intern times. Apparently our Director was very anxious in finishing the invitations and you could hear it in Amanda’s voice that she was being held accountable. So we rushed to Staples a few blocks down to find they did not have black ink. He had a very nice employee named Shane (another life saver) look up the ink at every store in Manhattan. The closest only had one left, so we made him call and have them hold it.
Then came the dashing through the snow part of my day. Minus the sleigh and the laughing all way.
We had to walk 8 blocks from one Staples to the next and fast. Amanda was still freaking out a bit but was at ease when we finally arrived at the other Staples, ink in hand. The poor male intern was so nervous that he’d get his head bitten off that he wanted to run back…in the snow. 8 blocks back in the opposite direction (about two miles in total travel b/t going to both stores). And I, the only one with a phone, was forced to oblige. Though I was thankful for the stability my boots provided in the snow, they did not allow the full range of motion to run back in smooth motion. Regardless, for the most part I did run, and something I thought was never possible in 20 degree weather happened: I sweated. I was out of breath once we got back, clothes sticking to me. Amanda apologized for being so anxious but said she was under some pressure. I sipped a water bottle and could only nod. I had worked out the day before and was sore prior to, but now my body burned all over.
It doesn’t have to be Christmas time to dash through the snow I guess...
While standing on the platform for the train, it started to snow... Little flurries that became masses by the time I got to my block. In a childish way, this got me excited. I had not seen snow fall since I was kid. All day I would catch myself staring at it fall…it was a bit soothing but with the excitement of something new and unfamiliar.
On the train I felt like I was asleep standing up. If you know me well you know that I hate screeching and scratching sounds (nails on a chalkboard, the sound of a broom on a floor, even the sounds of pencil sometimes), they make me grind my teeth (even with the thought of it now). The subway system is full of such sounds with the speeding up, slowing down, and stopping. At first, I needed the reading to distract myself from it. Now being so tired, I had no interest in keeping my eyes open. And I didn’t the whole ride, even if I was standing. The sounds had now become familiar, almost rhythmic sometimes and did not distract my sleepiness.
Transferring trains I got an idea…to maybe chronicle my time here through pictures as well. I have always had an interest in photography so I thought it might be a good project to take on. And not the everyday tourist stuff, but the things that are uniquely normal here…the musicians on the subway, the artisan on the street, the line at Dean & Deluca for coffee in the morning (Claire Danes had been spotted there that day).
Speaking of coffee, there was no second thought of getting coffee today. I marched straight there. I had 20mins to kill and I needed it badly. I ordered the usually and asked for skim milk, but when the lady called out the order, she said soy. Now I hate soy milk very much, but did not feel like hassling and figured it would be healthier. It did not taste that much different, probably because I sweetened it with every powder and sugar they had.
Once I got to work and removed my extras (also slang from the previous blog), I was informed that my first task would send me back outside. Now the snow was not light and fluffy and sweet anymore. It was dashing in all directions with the winds. I was to go price how much the envelops with the look books and forms would cost to mail (you know the ones I spent my life packing away). We, well I, had put media mail stickers on all 91, however, having the sticker put the envelopes into a different price range. So I was off to the post office. When I got outside my umbrella went haywire. It was not created to sustain the winds I was experiencing. I had to look hilarious messing with it (its bright green so I don’t lose it); coffee in one hand, envelope stuffed into my jacket. At one point my glove got stuck in the latch and I had to rip it out, leaving a hole in my glove. At another, one part of the umbrella started to bend inward cause of the wind. And even at another, the envelope started to slip out from under my jacket. And of course, I didn’t find the post office right away. Mia even passed me on the way to work but didn’t recognize me.
At the post office I was informed that the media mail sticker did make a price difference, and the lady broke all the price variations down for me. I knew what was next…me peeling all the media mail stickers off. And that’s exactly what happened. But my time with the post office was not nearly finished.
There was also two new interns helping out for fashion week, and one who had been there for quite some time. They utilized all of us. The two new ones were the friendlist; one had moved from the UK to NY just recently (I could not get enough of her accent, she said things like “pardon”) and the other commuted here once a week from Maryland! Yes, a 4 hours commute. I forgot his name but the girl was Lisa.
All the tasks I did that day were typical until it was time to mail the envelopes. The boy intern needed to go to Staples to pick up refill ink for the Karen Walker stamp for the invitations. I could not carry all 91 envelopes, even in bags, to the post office, so he came with me first. The snow was intense. After waiting in line for what seemed like an eternity we got to a window. Before showing her our shipment I begged her to patient with us because we had no idea what we were doing. Then I lifted the bags. Loretta, I’ll never forget her, sighed but said “we’re going to get through this” LOL I laugh just thinking about it.
So batch by batch, we weighed and priced shipping for each. Stamping, calculating, organizing. Thank God the other intern was there; it took us 45mins to do it together, imagine if I was alone. We completed $157 worth of stamping and labeling, and thankfully matched the estimate we made back at the office. Then, I noticed my phone was vibrating. I had been so focused on the task that I didn’t realize my missed calls. The office was calling. Amanda was on the line, asking where the boy intern was. I told her he was with me. He had forgotten his phone. She very urgently told us to get back with the ink as soon as possible. This was our first instant of The Devil Wears Prada intern times. Apparently our Director was very anxious in finishing the invitations and you could hear it in Amanda’s voice that she was being held accountable. So we rushed to Staples a few blocks down to find they did not have black ink. He had a very nice employee named Shane (another life saver) look up the ink at every store in Manhattan. The closest only had one left, so we made him call and have them hold it.
Then came the dashing through the snow part of my day. Minus the sleigh and the laughing all way.
We had to walk 8 blocks from one Staples to the next and fast. Amanda was still freaking out a bit but was at ease when we finally arrived at the other Staples, ink in hand. The poor male intern was so nervous that he’d get his head bitten off that he wanted to run back…in the snow. 8 blocks back in the opposite direction (about two miles in total travel b/t going to both stores). And I, the only one with a phone, was forced to oblige. Though I was thankful for the stability my boots provided in the snow, they did not allow the full range of motion to run back in smooth motion. Regardless, for the most part I did run, and something I thought was never possible in 20 degree weather happened: I sweated. I was out of breath once we got back, clothes sticking to me. Amanda apologized for being so anxious but said she was under some pressure. I sipped a water bottle and could only nod. I had worked out the day before and was sore prior to, but now my body burned all over.
It doesn’t have to be Christmas time to dash through the snow I guess...
The Hustle Part
It has been over a year since I bartended. My uncle informed me earlier in the week that they were short a bartender for one of their big parties and he put me on to help. This made me nervous…its one thing to work for someone you don’t know, and quite another to have someone’s trustworthiness on your shoulder. I wondered how much my memory would hold, so I started reviewing my drinks and techniques throughout the week. Some of what I knew were college infused drinks…this crowd would be older, drinking scotch and martinis and it was a bit intimidating. When I got there, the actual owner had the pre work meeting, the “no games we are here to work so don’t let me catch you slacking meeting.” He was wearing all black and it didn’t help.
The night was not all so bad. It got busy, and I stumbled a bit at first, but eventually got the groove of things. It got super busy at times and that was the biggest challenge, juggled the waiters orders and the line in front of me. At the end of the night I made over $130 for about 5-6hrs of work and was absolutely exhausted. The owner even asked me how long I would be here so he could work me in more often. I was pretty proud of myself. Everyone thinks the bartending thing is fun, which it is, but what they don’t know how tiring it can be. You are on your feet moving around for hours on end. Not to mention the occasional injury to your finger if an opener or something is broken (like mine was). I was beat, but had made enough to last me my general expenses and some stuff I might need.
The following day I helped a friend out who makes fan films/photography. He needed a Catwoman fill in and my cousin suggested me. So we took some pictures to maybe sell at this big comic event next week. I think I looked pretty damn good and the picture has got some interesting Facebook comments. It was my first photoshoot!
I also applied for Teach for America awhile back and have my final interview next week Monday. I have a suit but no pumps. So we decided to go to Marshall’s, which I must say, is not that great up here. In the pursuit of just regular black pumps a lady intercepted Kimmy speaking Spanish. She turned her over to me. The lady was trying to buy a pair of designer sunglasses. She tested my patience soo badly I thought someone might pop up with a hidden camera and start laughing about some candid camera show. She had about six shades in her hand, and started with these two Coach ones. "Which ones were darker, your eyes are younger then mine so do any have any scratches, how do they look on me…wait, or would you wear these, how do they look on me, now look at them both"…this lady had me cursing inside. I wanted to say, 'listen, you are clearly not 23 years old so what I wear and what you wear should not be the same thing, stop trying to be brand happy & in the youth culture & go celebrate your over the hill status with grace.' Shit I was irritated…even now writing it gets me bothered. She went on for almost ten minutes before I said I had to go and even that was a struggle.
They didn’t have the pumps so I have to keep looking sometime this week...
The night was not all so bad. It got busy, and I stumbled a bit at first, but eventually got the groove of things. It got super busy at times and that was the biggest challenge, juggled the waiters orders and the line in front of me. At the end of the night I made over $130 for about 5-6hrs of work and was absolutely exhausted. The owner even asked me how long I would be here so he could work me in more often. I was pretty proud of myself. Everyone thinks the bartending thing is fun, which it is, but what they don’t know how tiring it can be. You are on your feet moving around for hours on end. Not to mention the occasional injury to your finger if an opener or something is broken (like mine was). I was beat, but had made enough to last me my general expenses and some stuff I might need.
The following day I helped a friend out who makes fan films/photography. He needed a Catwoman fill in and my cousin suggested me. So we took some pictures to maybe sell at this big comic event next week. I think I looked pretty damn good and the picture has got some interesting Facebook comments. It was my first photoshoot!
I also applied for Teach for America awhile back and have my final interview next week Monday. I have a suit but no pumps. So we decided to go to Marshall’s, which I must say, is not that great up here. In the pursuit of just regular black pumps a lady intercepted Kimmy speaking Spanish. She turned her over to me. The lady was trying to buy a pair of designer sunglasses. She tested my patience soo badly I thought someone might pop up with a hidden camera and start laughing about some candid camera show. She had about six shades in her hand, and started with these two Coach ones. "Which ones were darker, your eyes are younger then mine so do any have any scratches, how do they look on me…wait, or would you wear these, how do they look on me, now look at them both"…this lady had me cursing inside. I wanted to say, 'listen, you are clearly not 23 years old so what I wear and what you wear should not be the same thing, stop trying to be brand happy & in the youth culture & go celebrate your over the hill status with grace.' Shit I was irritated…even now writing it gets me bothered. She went on for almost ten minutes before I said I had to go and even that was a struggle.
They didn’t have the pumps so I have to keep looking sometime this week...
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