Zoo Crew

So...it's been awhile. Admittedly we have been busy, but not busy to the point that we can justify neglecting this blog as long as we have. Since the last update Jordan and I have come a long way. The days of fumbling around with the subway are mostly memory these days. We know to get in a cab before we tell them where we are going in Manhattan otherwise we wont get to Brooklyn. We know not to get in a cab in Brooklyn.

Even though we've learned a ton about the city and it's boroughs, we are still learning new secrets. For example, yesterday on a return trip from Philly we learned that even on a Monday coming into the city at 5PM is one of the worst ideas you can have. With each new tip I feel more and more at home here in New York.

There have obviously been many happenings since our last post, but to summarize we have been exploring more of Brooklyn, going out in the city with friends, and just generally loving city life. Though I have been negligent of taking pictures to represent daily life, I will be getting much better about that soon. One of our many adventures took us to the Brooklyn Zoo. It is the smallest zoo I have ever been to.

 You are likely at the smallest zoo you have ever been to if the main attraction is a sea lion. He was entertaining enough.

 I am not a turtle.

 Jordan is a bat.

 A return to Jordan's childhood home.

 This.Is.A.Leaf.

 Dingo's be not graceful in their love, but bold.

 This is a red panda. You can't see his face because it is nocturnal and a jerk.

 Gotta keep fresh for dem ladiez.

 A pic of some aggressive fowl.

 Fall is very pretty.

 There were more places to be an animal than actual animals.

 SPOOKY

 Jorantuchula Boaz!

 Petting zoo fowl

 An angry goat. If you feed him he takes your hand.

There were a few more pictures from the zoo but in all actuality the zoo is pretty underwhelming. Jordan kept telling me it was a children's zoo but I think that makes it even more important to be more engaging. I'm probably wrong about this though. 

With our day at the zoo completed we wandered to the library and a farmer's market. It's really just a quick stroll from our place so it was nice to get out and see the sights. There's always a moment in each day where I wish I had my camera to photograph something I see. I am going to try to be better about this. I want to document my first year in NYC better than I have so far. I will also be better about regular updates on here if for nothing other than Jordan and my benefit.

-Chuck

Winter Wonderland

Today was our first snow! I ran outside and almost slipped down our stoop to get photos of the action. While I disagree with "Winter Storm Athena" - does it really need a name? - the snow sure is beautiful. Even as I'm writing this post, the snow is coming down heavier & heavier.

The view from the bedroom window.

The view from the bedroom window.

The view from the bedroom window. Snow starting to pile up on the cars!

Chuck hard at work. A direct example of his excitement: "I've seen snow before."

Neighbors rooftops.

View into the backyard.

Close up of the tree.

More rooftops.

Backyard getting dusted.

Action shot!

The perilous stoop.

View down the street.

Snow building up on the railings.

Snow on the cars getting thicker!

Obligatory artsy shot.

Action shot! That window is Chuck's office.

Another action shot.

Snow on the mailbox (ours was empty).

Snow on the stairs!

Goodbye, autumn!

Okay, one last artsy shot. I'm getting better at bundling up!

Top of the world - from Brooklyn

The last post pictured our new place with someone else's stuff. Now, we have some of our stuff in our new apartment and it is really starting to feel as though Brooklyn is our new home. Living in and out of boxes for a month makes you really appreciate having all your stuff out and visible, even if it is in a huge pile in the middle of the floor. 

Saturday was the official move in day and it really could not have gone much smoother. One thing we have heard from a few veteran New Yorkers is that things have been pretty easy for us so far, so much to the point that people are very surprised with our luck. Seems my fantastic good luck has a way of following us from coast to coast and I couldn't be happier. 

Our new place is located in Bedstuy. By far the best part about Bedstuy is that you can get a large space, in a brownstone, for relatively little compared to other parts of NY, and you're still in Brooklyn. 

Our tree-lined block. The neighbors are all friendly and talkative.

Hard to tell with all the shade, but this is our little brownstone.

Won't you come in?

Just up a few flights of these...

And you're right in front of door with a useless doorbell!

The place has a few windows and a ton of natural light.

Same room from a different angle

Jordan picked out the couch. She did an awesome job. Also, our coffee table is an old door balanced on old wine boxes...easy livin'

This is the view from our living room windows

A view of our kitchen. Nothing fancy here, everything you need (minus a microwave) and nothing you don't

Living in a one bathroom house means there is little room to share, sigh

Oh what's this? Yep, my job/office

Gotta hang my hats somewhere

And our cavernous bedroom...seriously it is like half the footage of the place. Ridiculous.

And that is the summation of our place. Don't worry, we intend to make it more homey and have some furniture in there soon, but for one day worth of moving and one day of shopping it is coming together nicely. Since we don't have a car most of our stuff has been delivered. Highlights for this week include a full length mirror, coat rack (my favorite item, can't wait) and pots/pans. 

What's this mystery ladder and where does it lead?

Boom! Rooftop access. My alarm clock is on the left. You can thank Him.

And our simple, yet elegant view of the empire state building and Manhattan. It may not be much, but it doesn't take much to make the city feel like home. 

Tonight we are meeting up with my long lost friend Traci at some swanky cocktail place in downtown. Yesterday we met my long lost friend Ricardo for Brunch at Spitzers Corner in LES (Lower East Side for you non-New Yorkers). Great spot. Everyday it keeps getting better and better.