NYC Diaries: My 100-Word Love Story

I hated Valentine’s Day, but we’d just started dating and wanted to spend time together. I met him in the school library so we could hang out, not expecting his surprise. He’d arranged a desk with romantic gifts: a teddy bear, a box of marshmallow Peeps (my favorite), a rose and a homemade card. I opened the card and saw the words I hadn’t expected: I love you. Then he spoke the words aloud and kissed me. Yes, our first I-love-yous were on the corniest holiday of the year. But it was perfect. And 2 years later, we’re still together.

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–By Caitlin from Stream of Caitlinness

NYC Diaries: 7 signs you’re a tourist

Hello, all! So I was thinking about what my next blog post would be, and I decided to go with something specifically related to NYC. As you know, New York City is the land of tourists. People come from far and wide to see our many landmarks, from the Empire State Building to the largest Macy’s in the world. And of course, we native New Yorkers can easily tell who’s a local and who’s a foreigner. How, you ask? Well, a trained eye can help you out with that one. And of course, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for. You’ll know instantly that someone is a tourist if they…
 
Take photos of random displays or objects
I see people snapping pictures of things like the electronic traffic signals all the time, and I have to wonder, “Why do they want a photo of something so mundane? Are there no traffic signs in other parts of the country?”
 
Ride the double-decker buses
No native New Yorker rides in one of those things. Ever. Try the subway if you’re brave and/or don’t mind getting lost. It’s a whole lot faster.
 
Buy or wear an I <3 em="" ny=""> shirt
Those little shops are specifically set up for tourists, and are way overpriced. If you want souvenirs to bring home, buy a New York Times paper. It’s a lot cheaper and screams New York more than a t-shirt does.
 
Stand still in the middle of a busy sidewalk
This is not only unusual, it’s also dangerous. (Do you want to get trampled?). Pedestrian traffic is very thick and very fast on New York’s busier streets. So make sure you just keep moving.
 
Use a map
NYC may have an intricate subway system, but any self-respecting New Yorker already has it memorized. Besides, burying your nose in a map will make you miss out on the beautiful (and often strange) scenery.
 
Are easily shocked
For most people, seeing public nudity (the Naked Cowboy, anyone?) or any number of out-of-the-ordinary behavior is enough to make heads turn and eyes bulge. But here in New York, we’ve seen it all. Nonchalance is our middle name, and nothing really shocks or disturbs us anymore.
 
Tip street performers
Maybe we’re a little jaded or maybe we’re just used to it, but this is one thing NYC-ers typically don’t do. It’s not that we don’t enjoy the music or dancing or acrobatic performance. It’s just that we see them everywhere. They haunt our subway stations and even perform on the trains. Seriously.

So there you have it, folks. If you’re ever in the Big Apple, see if you can tell the difference between the New Yorkers and your fellow tourists. (And no, we here don’t usually say “folks.”). Until next week!

 
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–By Caitlin from Stream of Caitlinness

NYC Diaries: On disabilities and love

This is a topic Melissa is waaay better (and probably far more comfortable) at writing about than I am, but as a woman living with a disability, I do have some input about the whole thing. I was born without a left arm past the elbow, so I know what it’s like to have a physical difference that some might think would make it hard for me to date. Although I haven’t jumped into the dating game in a while (I’ve been with my current boyfriend, Chris, for over two years now), I realize that a disability can be a bit of a challenge when it comes to getting guys to see you as desirable. It’s not that people with disabilities can’t be desirable. That’s not the case at all. However, I do think the media needs to step it up in terms of how they portray anyone with a physical difference.


You know what I’m talking about here. Phantom of the Opera, anyone? Captain Hook? Darth Vader? Most disabled characters are either villains or just plain unattractive. Luckily, though, reality TV is growing out of that mold. This season of The Bachelor even features a contestant who, like me, has one hand. (I wrote about it on my blog last week). Sarah Herron fits in perfectly well with the other girls — she’s thin, blonde and gorgeous. But it’s obvious that her difference is, well, different. She addresses it with bachelor Sean Lowe on their first meeting, saying that she hopes he won’t treat her as “disabled.”And he doesn’t. She proves herself to be a worthy contender in the running for Sean’s heart (or at least his highly coveted roses) Still, I think Sarah’s presence on the show marks a new era for disabilities in the media.


Representing people with disabilities on TV, especially on a dating show like The Bachelor, invites the audience to view them as normal people with full lives. It also allows the public to see them as totally datable. It’s fine for the other girls on the show to be jealous of the attention Sean pays Sarah, so why shouldn’t the rest of the world see her as just as likely to land a hot guy like Sean?

Essentially, my point is this: We ladies with disabilities are just like anyone else. We want to be loved and we want to be seen as lovable. But then again, that’s what everyone wants, isn’t it?

NYC Diaries: Why Every New Yorker (and Everyone Else in the World) Needs a Dog

Hi, everyone, and happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was as amazing as mine. I spent Christmas with my family, turned 21 and adopted an adorable dog. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over these past two weeks, it’s that getting a pet changes everything for the better.
I adopted Augustus, my 1.5-year-old Yorkie (Editor’s note: How cute is he? And this coming from a cat person…), from a local breeder who said he wasn’t selling because of his limp. As soon as I saw his picture, I knew I was in love and that Augie (as I like to call him) was The One for me. He’s a tiny ball of energy, and being a dog owner has made me realize how essential it is for people to have pets.

I’m not saying that it’s all sunshine and roses. A dog requires a lot of work and time and money. But it’s sooooo worth it, and you get paid back in loads of love. That being said, here are my top 5 reasons why every girl needs a dog…

They make you happy
This one’s a no-brainer. There’s nothing like coming home after a long, dreary day and being greeted by a hyper pup with a wagging tail. Regardless of mood or level of stress, Augie always puts a smile on my face.

They love you unconditionally
Whether I’m fighting with a friend or arguing with my boyfriend, I know that Augie will be waiting for me at home with his puppy kisses. I saw a quote online once that read, “Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” And that’s absolutely true!

They find all your lost socks and shoes
Most dogs seem to have a foot fetish and an obsession with footwear of any kind. When I get home after work, I always see about five pairs of socks and some mismatched flip-flops by his bed. Adorable? Yes. Yes, it is.

They’re cuddly
I call Augie my little nap buddy because he’s softer and warmer than the cutest teddy bear. I can deal with his snoring and drooling because, like I said, that’s love.

They make you feel like a million dollars
On my worst days when I get down on myself for not looking like a movie star or having a few extra pounds on me, Augie reminds me that I’m still awesome in his eyes. After all, you don’t need to impress a dog like you would a potential suitor. A pet will accept you for who you are (especially if you have food on you).

So, do you have any pets, friends? How have they made your life better? What do you love about them? Let’s celebrate all things pets! xoxo


–By Caitlin from Stream of Caitlinness

NYC Diaries: 5 tips for last-minute holiday shopping

Christmas is almost here! And guess what? I still haven’t bought a single present. Between work and college finals, I haven’t had a spare moment to myself. So we all know what that means — this weekend is going to be filled with shopping, shopping and more shopping. I know for a fact, though, that I’m not alone in looking for gifts last-minute. Here are a few ideas and tips for shopping in the last few days before Christmas…

Make a list
And I don’t mean a wish list for Santa. Write down everyone you need to buy a present for, and make sure you give yourself enough time to shop for each one.
Use online deals
Sure, it may be too late to order anything in time for the 25th, but you can still check out the awesome deals online. LivingSocial, Groupon and RetailMeNot are great Web sites to start with.
Don’t forget pets
Chew toys and treats are inexpensive, and your (or your relatives’/friend’s) pet will appreciate partaking in the holiday cheer with you.
Have a very New York Christmas!
If you’re spending the holidays away, remember to bring back souvenirs for your loved ones. I love NY t-shirts, anyone?
If all else fails, try a bookstore
We all have people in our lives who are tough to shop for. What do you get the person who has everything, or whose hobbies and interests are very particular? Barnes & Noble has books on ANY topic imaginable. So get your history buff/coin-collecting/sewing-obsessed/botanist friend what they will love!
Have fun with all your last-minute shopping, and let me know how everything goes in the comments! Happy holidays and enjoy a fabulous New Year!

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–By Caitlin from Stream of Caitlinness

[Photos via We Heart It]