When in Rome..

New Yorkers are slow walkers.

I know you're expecting a '....NOT!' a la Borat, but just wait. I will clarify - New Yorkers are insanely fast walkers, except apparently when there's a snow storm. I've never seen such caution in the steps of the masses as I did over the weekend, when the snow hit the fan. Even big city dwellers slow down when confronted with a blizzard, and with good reason.

Lesson #13: Always walk quickly, or stay to the right, unless there's a snow storm. When there is such a storm, you have full right to takes steps slowly, gingerly, and maybe appreciate a sight or two. You won't even feel touristy, since everyone will be looking up at the snow, the buildings, the night sky. So take full advantage of this time to let your inner tourist out! Honestly, I've never seen NYers so happy as I did during the snow fall. A few were even smiling, unabashedly!

This picture is from the Times Square snow fight that broke out. No, I was not there because I tend to avoid the area, but I think it looks breath-taking.

It's a New Scentsation

I could write an Ode to the smells in this fine city. Unfortunately, not all of the smell are fine, and the ones that aren't seem to assault you when you least expect it.

Lesson #12: Your nose/palate simply cannot prepare itself for the plethora of scents. Just accept this. Clearly, this lesson is just more of a fact, since I can't conceive how one would prepare for these things.

Of course, some of the scents are indeed horrible (sometimes if I'm walking close to the Hudson, the smell is almost enough to make me fall in.) And though I'm someone who tries very much to be in charge of my own happiness, but I've found it to be damn near impossible to even feign happiness when surrounded by a terrible smell. It's a similar feeling I get when feeling too warm - flustered, pissed off, and decidedly not myself (if I am any of these things usually, please let me know because that means I have absolutely no sense of self).

But! There are such succulent smells in this city that I'd gladly accept the terrible for a glimpse (waft? aroma?) of perfection. Most days I'm treated to the delicious delight of walking over bakery vents at Chelsea Market on 15th St. The wafting smell of bread, pastries, etc is enough to make a woman go weak in the knees. Some go for tall, dark, and handsome...others are content with the decadent smells of bread baking.

Know your Assets

Lesson #11 when moving: Invest. No, I'm not a budding Suze Orman (though since moving to NYC I might consider myself Young, Fabulous, and Broke..), and I'm not really about to give financial advice on my personal blog.

What I'm referring to is investing by only purchasing things that you can't live without, and buying things that will actually last. Space is a premium here in the city and the last thing you want is a bunch of half-baked purchases lying around. Or, rather, stacked upon each-other in a haphazard way.

It's such a simple concept, but I honestly think part of the reason the American economy is so messed up is because people buy whatever they want on a whim, and it's usually of poor quality. If we really want to stimulate the economy, maybe we should stop shopping at walmart for the absolute cheapest items, and shop locally for things that will last a bit longer?

Unless Sarah Palin's book tour is going to walmart. Then I'm definitely there.