A NYC Christmas

I love everything about the Holiday Season in New York. You can feel the spirit in the way the people walk with shopping bags weighing down their arms. The way the stores are decorated with lights, trees, candy canes and more. The cold air makes you want to grab something warm to drink while the smell of warm roasted peanuts reaches your nose. The warm air that escapes the sewers down below is a visible sign that it is cold outside. Nothing will make you more in the mood for the Holidays than walking the streets of Manhattan during this holiday season.

I know many New Yorkers who don't go out and experience the city at any time of the year. People who've never seen the Empire State Building or gone to the South Street Seaport. Sometimes they even say it's not a New York thing to do. Well I disagree, since I was younger, my parents have always taken me out sightseeing. It's tradition and how else can you talk about being a New Yorker if you know nothing about it.

If you take a walk down Madison Avenue you will see all the shops decorated for the Holidays. By the first week of December, Rockefeller Center has had it's tree lighting ceremony so you are able to see the large Christmas tree beautifully decorated with lights. Across the Street, you can take a look at the Saks Fifth Ave window display which is usually a different theme every year. Something the whole family would enjoy. Across the street from Rockefeller Center is St. Patrick's Cathedral which is also always beautiful to visit. Down 5th Avenue, you can see the large Swarovski snowflake hung in the middle of the street. A few blocks away Radio City Music Hall is where many people go and see the Christmas Spectacular a Holiday show. I went once as a child but haven't been back since.

Whether you are a New Yorker or not, Christmas here is something you have to experience at some point in your life time. Dress warm and just walk. It will put you in the perfect mood to begin celebrating the Holidays.

With Love & Holiday Cheer,
Miss_NYCity

Shop NYC

New York City.
The Fashion Capital.
Also Known for NYC Fashion Week.

NYC is definitely known for fashion. Whether you're into the high end or the low end you can find it here. Oddly enough we aren't really big on malls. Of course we have them (at least 2 in each borough) but if you're looking to be unique and stylish you won't find it at the mall where everyone else can find it.

So where do we shop?

Avenues! Streets! Boutiques!

I definitely like to keep up with the fashion styles but I'm also not going to act like I'm Miss. Fashionista or some exclusive stylist. I just like to look trendy and in style. With the holidays just around the corner people are beginning to shop or think about shopping. Around this time of year, I start doing my Xmas shopping- mostly for others but I'm not gonna lie I include myself in the mix if I find something cute!!

So here are some places to shop if you are in Brooklyn, Queens, or Manhattan.

If you're in Manhattan:

Malls include:
The Manhattan Mall on W 33rd Street and Columbus Circle (AKA Time Warner Center)

Street Shopping:
Madison Ave (High End Shops)
7th Ave AKA Fashion Ave (Trendy with some mall stores)
Soho (Trendy & High End)
China Town (Bargain Shopping)
Delancey Street (Bargain Shopping)

If you're in Queens:

Malls include:
Queens Center Mall and Shops at Atlas Park

Street Shopping:
Steinway Street (Trendy with some mall stores)
Myrtle Ave (Trendy with some mall stores)
Main Street (Bargain Shopping)
Austin Street (Trendy & High End)

If you're in Brooklyn:

Malls include:
Kings Plaza Mall and Gateway Center

Street Shopping:
Graham Avenue (Bargain Shopping, some mall stores, some trendy)
Knickerbocker Avenue (Bargain Shopping, some mall stores, some trendy)
Fulton Street (Bargain Shopping, some mall stores, some trendy)
Williamsburg (Trendy & Bargain Shopping)
Court Street (Trendy & High End)

So put on some comfy shoes because it's going to be a lot of walking. Grab a cup of coffee or anything warm and shop til you drop! Happy Shopping!

Love,
Miss_NYCity

A NYC Bite: Are you hungry?

Hi!! Happy November!!!

Okay, so aside from family time and prepping for the holidays during this time of the year... nothing to me is more important than food! I LOVE TO EAT! It is a part of my culture but let's all be real it's part of the American culture. Why else would our #1 New Year's Resolution be to "lose weight." Okay so yes, I live in NYC and we are very much known for our food. When I meet with friends or go out for drinks we usually spend our time eating. So here are my top "MUST EAT" food list if you are visiting, traveling, or moving here.

TOP 'MUST EAT' FOOD LIST:

1. NY PIZZA: Yeah Okay seriously, I am a HUGE fan of Italian food and there are so many delicious Italian restaurants and food to choose from. But really nothing beats a slice of pizza in NYC. Everyone knows this is the truth. It may be our water, it may be our ovens who knows but we have the best pizza ever!! I salute Brooklyn for their brick oven pizza. My favorite spot is Grimaldi's which people literally wait on line for.... it's THAT good. As for regular pizza, my all time favorite would be Angelo's pizza in Corona, Queens.

2. "Dirty Water Dog" AKA Hot Dog: Seriously, we don't care that it might have been sitting there all morning in hot water. We don't care where it came from as long as it says "Sabrett" we don't give a crap! It is the best hot dog you will ever have and you can find them anywhere in NYC. If the stands aren't your thing try Gray Papaya's in the village (Greenwich Village). Enjoy!

3. DELI Coffee: Any New Yorker can point to a deli near their house or near their job that has the best coffee. Yeah there is always Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and 7Eleven but seriously ask any New Yorker where you can buy some good deli coffee. I promise it won't cost more than $1.50 and you will want to go back for more.

4. NY Bagels: Seriously, I don't know what the mystery is behind this but the bagels are just so freakin good!!!!! You can go to a local bagel shop or a deli but they will have literally every kind of bagel known into existence- egg bagel, sesame seed, poppy seed, everything, onion, and the list goes on. Toast it, ask for cream cheese or butter, and coffee. Best breakfast ever!!

5. Italian hero/sandwich:  You haven't had a hero unless you've eaten a real Italian hero from NYC. OMG the Italian bread is the best. The cold cuts are fresh and you will remember it as the best tasting sandwich or hero you've eaten in your life.

6. "Belly Bombers" AKA White Castle: So I know fast food may not be healthy but boy does it taste good. Especially after you came from a long Saturday night of drinking and dancing. Something about White Castle just lures you and then haunts you the next day. These little bite size burgers are the original sliders my friends. I know many states don't have White Castle so if you haven't tried it just do it. Sure you will probably regret it that night or the next day but it's hard to resist. Go on, just try it.

7. NY Cheesecake: The best cheesecake ever and it can be found at Juniors. Yes, it's the best. It's creamy and delicious. I like the original but there are also many others to choose from. Try Juniors in Brooklyn on Flatbush Ave or in Manhattan Times Square.

8. Warm Pretzels: If you are into the soft doughy pretzels try one in NY. They can be found on any NYC corner in Manhattan. They sell them on stands usually where the hot dogs are sold.

9. Roasted Nuts: When it's cold outside nothing is better. If you are visiting in the Winter you will smell these in the air. They have a mild sweet flavor and are served warm. Just delish especially in the colder months. They can be found at any corner stand around the city. 

10. Food Trucks: The latest trend has been the food trucks. Yeah it's hard to imagine being served from a truck but they have many selections and are stationed around the borough. Whether you are craving tacos, waffles and fried chicken, or typical cultural food (Halal, Spanish, etc) you can find it on a truck. You can ask the locals or you can just yelp it. Just make sure the reviews are good and if you can't get your hands on a review if the line is long then you can trust it!!

One of the best things about living in NYC is that it is the city that never sleeps. So no matter what time of day it is or where you are there will be something open to fulfill your craving. The food is varied and diverse. You can find something from any culture and enjoy it. So if you are ever traveling or moving out here keep this post handy. Print it, use it as your checklist or whatever but you have to try each and everyone of these classic NYC food choices.

Enjoy! Bon Appetit! Buen Provecho! ETC

Love,

Miss_NYCity

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The City Life vs. The Other Life

So it's been a while since I've written.

What's been going on with me? I've been super busy with work so I had to put these posts on hold.

Recently I had a discussion, which turned into a debate, with someone very near and dear to my heart who feels that NYC is overrated and not at all what it seems to be. So I thought this would make a perfect interactive blog post.

As a proud New Yorker my position was of course on the side of NYC. I love New York, granted it isn't for everybody. Everybody has their own interests and tastes. However, I love the fast pace. I love the busy life and never feeling bored. I love that I can WALK to a corner store AKA "bodega" or deli and get something to eat at any time of the day. I love that there are always events some free and some that you have to pay for to keep you busy and entertained. I love that you can walk, bus it, subway it, if you don't want to drive. Everything is accessible and within arms reach. I love the trends, the neighborhoods in each and every borough. The diversity of the people, restaurants, cultures, etc. There is something for everyone here.

Yes, there are very exclusive high end areas of NYC which aren't for the average person. But on the other hand, there are just as many places for the average person. If you want to shop high end you can find it, if you want to shop low end you can find it.

On the more negative side, there is a lot of traffic. When you go certain places at certain times of day or year you can't avoid the crowd. It's difficult finding parking unless you are lucky enough to have a lot that reserves you a parking spot in your apartment building or a garage. Mortgage and rent are high and you are usually not getting what you pay for. So you get a smaller house and a higher mortgage, higher rent for a whole in the wall space. There is pollution and when it's summer it is the equivalent of living in an oven with an occasional sewer breeze. This is all true. And like Drake says "I get it, I get it."

But I personally feel it's all relative. In NYC, there is always work, ALWAYS! If you hustle you will find a job and make ends meet. Is it competitive? Yes! Is it easy? HELL NO!  If you have a career or a good business you can definitely make more than just ends meet. Sure there are bills but because the expense of NYC is higher you get paid more. Which is what makes me feel it is all relative. If you are already a NYorker born and raised, it's hard but much easier for you to adjust to the lifestyle than someone who comes from another state. The traffic won't change and neither will the crowd but for the most part I feel you can find an area that you like and do your thing. And I do believe what Frank Sinatra says, "If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere." It's because it is that hard to start but once you establish and stabilize yourself you can make it. My experience as a college graduate has been nothing but good. It was definitely challenging, I was very broke all through college but I made it!

So of course the city life isn't for everyone. It's busy and crowded. Some people just don't like it. I would rather take some stress and have everything accessible. I'll take the traffic over being bored. I'll take the fast pace over having to live in a state where I have to drive everywhere.

And like every New Yorker you get tired of it and then you go on vacation. A break from the craziness, relieve some stress, and then you go back home with plenty of RnR and you feel rejuvenated. I've traveled to many other great states and cities which are beautiful!!! The calm and quiet is nice. The fresh air is great! But  I always miss New York when I leave. For me it is home. But that's me. Some people hate it. They hate New York, they hate New Yorkers, they think we are rude. They think NYC smells. They hate the stress, the fast pace. EVERYTHING! I get it but I wouldn't trade it for any other place...but I would maybe take Cali as my second place home.

What do you think? Is it overrated? If you live out of NYC have you ever considered or wanted to move here? If not why? What is it about NYC that makes some of you want to come here so bad?

Let me know, I would love to here from you. I want to hear all of your opinions.

Love,
Miss_NYCity

An Out-of-New York Experience

Hi everyone!

I spent my Columbus Day Weekend getting into the Halloween and Fall Spirit.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've pretty much experienced most of what New York has to offer as far as Halloween/Fall festivities. I've done the corn mazes and haunted houses. I've done the parades and Halloween parties. So this year I decided to switch it up a bit and get out of NYC. I wanted a different kind of Halloween experience so I drove to Salem, MA.

It's a 4 hour drive from NYC to Salem, Ma. We headed out around 8:30am. I made a stop in Connecticut to pick up my cousin and then from there headed straight to Salem. Just like any other road trip we hit a few bumps in the road. Minor traffic, stop for gas, restroom, and snacks so we actually didn't arrive till 3pm. The ride was long but we got there with just enough time to walk around, grab something to eat and visit a few museums. The weather gave us the perfect ambiance, it was cool, cloudy, and began to drizzle.

For those of you who don't know, Salem is known historically for the Salem Witch Trials which began in 1692. At this time, many women were wrongfully accused of being witches and were hung or stoned to death. Regardless of how you look at it, whether you believe these women really participated in witchcraft or not, you can easily understand what makes this town so creepy. If the women did in fact participate in witchcraft, the town can be perceived as having a supernatural ambiance (either good or bad). For those who were wrongfully accused (or believed to be) they were tortured and innocently murdered over strict, religious beliefs. As I said, either way it gives the town a very creepy feel. 

The Witch Dungeon --- All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity   

When we arrived, the first place we went was The Witch Dungeon. They began with a 10-minute play that re-enacted the Salem Witch Trials. They then took us down into the basement where there was a recreation of what the prison cells looked like for the women accused of witchcraft. All I can say was it was wrong on so many levels. The cells were only big enough to fit one person standing. There was no way you could lay or even sit down. They explained that when it rained, the water would flood the area. They would crowd the women in there and there were no bathrooms or no lights. So you can imagine how terrible the conditions were...it was really crazy.

The Witch House --- All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity   

After we went to The Witch House. This was the actual house that belonged to Jonathan Corwin who was one of the judges responsible for investigating the witchcraft claims. This house, with direct ties to the witch trials, was preserved and you can tell immediately when you enter it. The house is small. The uneven floors creak when you walk on them. It smells old and feels moist. As you walk the house you can imagine how these people lived, cooked, slept, etc. It literally was a walk back in time. The house overall creeped me out. It had some witchcraft artifacts including a voodoo doll that was kept behind glass. There was a list with the names of the victims of the witch trials hung on a wall. I could imagine how cold the house would've been in winter and how creepy it would be at night.

Salem, MA --- All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity   

The next stop was the oddities store. OMG! All I will say is I won't be going into an oddities store again. It had the weirdest things from bones to the skin of an anaconda. This store gave me the goosebumps so I definitely didn't stay long. Once we left we walked further into town. Everyone walked around in witch hats, witch outfits or other costumes (real or not). We saw a man with horns and the creepiest eyes. All I can say is, they take Halloween really serious in Salem! The irony came when a very religious man began ranting about how everyone should "repent" for participating in these activities. It reminded me of the movie Elvira. We went into a witch shop which was fully equipped with all things witchcraft. From candles, to sage, to stones, Egyptian relics, and other things I had no idea the purpose of....maybe it was best that I didn't know. We entered a mall and were followed by a copper colored witch, dressed from head to toe. She didn't talk, she just stared and walked behind us. CREEPY! People took part in tarot card readings and other similar activities. I couldn't get myself to do all of that. Being in the town was enough. There was more that could be experienced in this town. Hocus Pocus Night tours, seances, cemetery visits, and even a magic show in the famously haunted Hawthorne Hotel. But I had to pass, because I personally have a limit when it comes to the "experience" and the town itself was enough.

I will say that it was definitely an interesting experience. Everyone in that town claims to have no idea where the actual hangings and stoning of the witches occurred. I personally think they know but refuse to share. I wouldn't want to know anyway. I think if you like Halloween and want to get into the spirit this is definitely an experience.  The town has a lot of history, just remember and be prepared for how real it is. 

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Stuarts Farm, Upstate NY--- All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity   

My next fall experience was my traditional upstate apple picking. This year we headed to Stuarts Farm which was in a town upstate called Granite Hills. It took about an hour to get there. It was a beautiful, relaxing ride. The fall foliage was visible as you drove. There were red, orange, yellow, and green trees. It was beautiful. This farm was huge. It was uphill so the view of the rest of the town could be seen. They had a bakery which baked fresh pies and the best donuts EVER!! They were freshly made and came out warm from the oven. So delicious!!!! The apples were great also. If you happen to be in the area or want a good place to go apple picking definitely go there! And don't forget to try their donuts you won't regret it!

Happy Fall and Happy Hauntings!!

Love,

Miss_NYCity

Tell me more... Share, comment, and leave your questions below.

October in NYC

It's finally Autumn in the Big Apple!

I absolutely love Fall. The weather is cool, the leaves are falling everywhere. The colors are gorgeous. Many people love the pumpkin flavored everything. I prefer my "cawfee" or hot chocolate. So what's happening in NYC. I'll share with you some of the things I like to do.

1. Apple Picking- Tis' the season for apple picking!!! Who wouldn't want to take a ride and grab some fresh apples right off the tree? I can guarantee that if you haven't done this you are missing out. The apples from the tree taste so much better that the ones you get at the supermarket. I usually take an hour ride to Upstate, NY. The ride is not too long and very relaxing. The scenery heading Upstate is gorgeous and the fresh air is a perfect break from the city air. You'll come home with a 10lb bag of apples to eat, share, and cook apple everything. Most apple farms have pumpkins too!

2. Central Park- If you are a fan of Fall and the leafy scenery head over to Central Park. It's simply gorgeous. You can ride your bike (don't worry if you don't have one you can rent one check out citibikenyc.com for locations all over NYC), have a horse carriage ride, rent one of the canoes, have a picnic, or just walk. The scenery is gorgeous, the weather is perfect, and I promise you won't regret it! Don't forget to take pictures!!

3. New York Botanical Gardens- When you live in the city, your daily views consist of people, buildings, and streets. If you're lucky you can look out your apartment window and see the skyline, if-you-are-lucky! So it's always nice to take a break from the usual scenery and get a bit of nature. Thankfully, every borough in New York City has a "Botanical Garden." The NY Botanical Gardens is a huge area dedicated to flower and plant life exhibitions. Every season they showcase the plants and flowers of that season. It's so relaxing to walk around, smell the fresh air, and look at the beautiful plants and flowers. I like to go every season but fall is my favorite! Visit nybg.org for more information.

4. Columbus Day Parade- The Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria!! As a native New Yorker, I vividly remember this being one of the most important holidays taught in school.  If you don't mind a crowd, want to celebrate the Italian culture and the discovery of America,  find a spot on 5th Avenue (between 44th St to 79th St). This year it starts at 11:45, pack a lunch and get there 3-4 hours earlier for a perfect spot to watch the parade.

5. Halloween- I left Halloween for last because not everyone celebrates or enjoys this holiday. If you are a fan of Halloween like I am, there a so many things to do in NY. If you want to go on a haunted hay ride or walk through a haunted corn maze you can head either Upstate or Long Island. As for haunted houses, there are so many everywhere. One of the most popular being Blood Manor on 163 Varick Street. You can visit  bloodmanor.com  for more information. And ofcourse, who can forget the very famous Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village. Once again if you don't mind a large crowd and enjoy dressing up in costumes you will enjoy this. You will see a variety of costumes store bought or home-made. You will see literally every thing imaginable as a costume. People are usually friendly and don't mind if you take pictures with them or of them in their costumes. So tweet, IG, and fb those pics away! Tweet me your costumes @Miss_NYCity.

So what are my plans for this fall?
Well... I will be going to Salem, MA. I've done many of the NYC events so I want to get out of the city and see something different. I will also be going apple picking  because it's tradition and one of my favorite fall activities. I will be at a concert on October 28th. Last, I will spend the first weekend in November at the Botanical Gardens to enjoy the fall scene and take pictures of the beauty of nature. Don't worry I will share via pictures and posts. You won't be left out!!!

So what are some of the things you like to do in Fall in your town? I would love to know. Share, comment, and leave your questions below.

Love,
Miss_NYCity

A Night Out in the Big Apple

All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity

So I'm in my 20s, living in one of the greatest cities on Earth. Of course I am going to go out to a lounge or bar on occasion, if not every weekend!! And what better reason for celebration then family coming all the way from Cali to visit!! They stayed for a long weekend  and they did a lot of site seeing typical of tourists...Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Brooklyn Bridge, etc. As a tourist though, you can't come to New York and NOT experience the night life. As a proud New Yorker, I wasn't going to let them.

I decided on Taj II which is located in  the Flat Iron District. For those of you who haven't been to Manhattan, it is divided by neighborhood and/or location. (For example, central Manhattan which is literally in the center of Manhattan on a map, is considered Midtown.) Chelsea, Meatpacking District, Upper West Side, are others you may have heard. Anyway, the "Flat Iron District" is known for its' restaurants, bars, and nightlife. It's trendy and there is always something going on if your first option doesn't work out. As you walk the streets the view of the Empire State Building is ever present reminding you of where you are and adding to the excitement. Even as a New Yorker for all these years I'm in awe when I see it. It puts me in the best mood. 

Unfortunately, Taj II was not where we decided on because waiting on the line was just too long. So we decided on a place we went to celebrate a friend's birthday not to long ago. It was down the block and that's where we went. One thing about NY clubs/lounges is that they often change name and if they are really popular they don't. The lounge is now called "Motivo" which was not what it was called last time we went. There was a $25 entrance fee for women and $30 entrance fee for men. I know, expensive!!! NY Tip: If you are planning a trip to NY see if you can find a party promoter, get on the guestlist, or search the website for event coupons. We had them for Taj but not for this lounge as it was unexpected. 

As we waited for them to check our IDs we can hear the music from outside. It was great so we knew it would be a good night. As soon as we entered, you could feel the energy of the crowd.  There was a big dance floor to your right where many were dancing. We walked past and headed straight for the bar. Drinks in NY are expensive $10-$15 per drink. Luckily we "pre-gamed" and saved a few dollars. We ordered one drink, headed to the top floor and started the party. Drinking, dancing, iphone pics, instagram posts, joking, laughing.... for 4 hours straight! I didn't stop the whole night. The good thing is once you start drinking amd feeling the vibe, the energy takes over. You don't feel tired, your legs don't hurt, and your heels don't even bother you. The crowd was great, no one annoying. The people who did speak to us were fun and respectful so it was welcomed. As for my family from Cali, they had an amazing time. They loved the vibe, the energy of the crowd and said it was everything the expected plus more. We left the lounge at 3:30, some of us stumbling, some of us half asleep carrying each other. 

The nightlife experience of New York is best remembered the next day. Even if you are hung over, you rarely say 'that was so boring'. Even if you don't remember what you did, you remember it was an amazing time. And thanks to technology....the pictures are the most fun to look at the next day. Memories come back that you forgot and the fun is recaptured. Nightlife in New York City is always an adventure. Even when you have it planned, you don't really know where you are going to end up, who you are going to meet, and what's going to go down. Plans turn into spontaneity. Drunken nights turn into hungover mornings. Anything can happen in the Big Apple. But one thing is true, you never regret it! 

Another memory added to the many! I Love NY!

Love, 

Miss_NYCity

Let's talk about it!!!! Share your experiences with the NYC nightlife. Comments, questions, and opinions are always welcomed!!!

The New York Attitude

All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity

Whether you are a native New Yorker, a new resident, or a tourist you've heard of the coined expression "New York Attitude." So what really is considered a "New York Attitude?" Can anyone have this said "attitude" or are they qualities that only a native can possess? Well, I'm a native New Yorker and I'm here to explain.

For starters, I would hate for people unfamiliar with New York to actually believe when people say "all New Yorkers have a bad attitude." This couldn't be further from the truth. So let's put it in perspective. Anyone living in New York, native or not, has a lot to deal with. For one, we are always sharing extremely close spaces with hundreds even thousands of strangers. If you don't believe me, get on any train, bus, or car during rush hour. If you are on the train or bus there is about a 99.9% guarantee that you are sitting or standing shoulder to shoulder with some complete stranger.Whether standing or sitting, a stop before you are about to get off you are trying to figure out how you are going to get past the people that are standing, literally, everywhere. Often times, you have two bags in your hand and end up hitting someone with them.

It doesn't get any better if you are a driver. Traffic, traffic, traffic everywhere. You usually have to leave an hour before you need to be somewhere even though without traffic it would normally take you 15 minutes to get there. Then, you wind up circling around for a parking spot that doesn't involve meters or alternate side parking which takes another 20 minutes. You decide to park by a  meter and then end up getting a ticket because your time ran out and you didn't get to your car on time. Every New Yorker has some where to be, something on their mind and everyone is busy or in a rush. So if you happen to be driving the speed limit with or without traffic, you are probably going to get beeped or yelled at. If the traffic light turns green and you wait more than one second to accelerate you will get beeped, yelled at and if you're extra special you'll get the finger. I cannot tell you how many times I have found myself in an argument with another driver who is acting crazy and taking it out on me and my driving because they are the ones that are late. Okay, okay I'll admit it...I also yell at other drives when they are driving slow and I'm in a rush, oops.

Then there are the pedestrians. They walk everywhere. Although jay walking is illegal, no one really cares because there is power in numbers. The light can be green but if you have a swarm of 100 people crossing, you aren't moving your vehicle. So there you are stuck in the middle of a huge avenue trying to make a left and there are people walking in front of you or behind you. When the light changes and the people are gone the cars appear. They cut you off and then yell at you for being in the middle of the road. But you're confused because you actually did the right thing so you yell back to defend yourself. If you are a native New York driver, you are used to the yellow taxis who will cut you off any chance they get so you give them extra room. Annoying but you're used to it. What pisses you more off is the black cab, who drives 20mph braking every two feet because they have no clue where they are going. They will turn a corner without signaling and that will send you over the edge for the day.

Aside from the traffic and fast pace, it is a 'melting pot' of cultures, beliefs, gender/sexual preferences, and opinions. On a daily basis, you are interacting with people whose beliefs and opinions are very much different from your own. Most New Yorkers are very open to these differences but sadly there are still people who live in New York who are not. Not only do they reject it, they aren't afraid to tell you how they feel or show you by their facial expressions. One time, I was shopping at a shoe store on 34th Street in Manhattan. I tried on a pair of shoes and was looking in the mirror at my feet. A woman actually had the nerve to tell me "those are ugly, I hope you don't plan on buying them." My response, was something similar to "curse word, curse word, what's it any of your business?!"

Last but not least....... yes every state has their fair share of crazy...and by 'crazy' I mean people. However, it seems to be New Yorkers are extra exposed to the craziness because of the daily interactions with so many people. Living and growing up in New York, I have seen it all. I have experienced the pedophiles who have tried to lure me in their car. I've had people follow me. I've seen men masturbate while looking at me from a distance. I've even had a perfect stranger slap my butt in broad day light in the middle of the street!

I guess now maybe you can understand why we have an "attitude."

So I'd like to think of most New Yorkers as friendly, helpful, and kind (there are always exceptions). However, we aren't going to show it. We are not going to show you our kindness.  You will rarely catch us walking around with smiles on our faces, and if you smile at us, we probably won't smile back. If you are a stranger saying good morning to us we will probably ignore you or look at you like your crazy. Unless we know you and by "knowing you" I mean we see you everyday. And if you are going to stop and talk to us you better talk fast because we are in a rush. We don't mean to be rude, but we just don't have time for it. We mean well but don't show it. It's not that we want to be this way but we have to be. If you are a stranger we have no idea what your intentions are and we aren't going to give you the open invitation. We may come off cold but deep down we aren't. We may come off arrogant but we are probably in a rush or having a bad day. We may give you a dirty look but the look probably wasn't directed towards you.  We have very thick skin because we have to. If you let every little interaction that's upsetting get the best of you, you won't survive New York ever. That is what separates a real New Yorker from some one who is from out of town. Once you have lived in New York for a couple of years, you will develop these skills and blend well with the "natives."

It's a big city. A lot is going on both good and bad. We are usually on the defense. But all in all we are kind. If you don't believe me ask any New Yorker for directions. I bet they will go above and beyond to explain to you what bus you need to take, or what street you need to make a left turn at. Ask any New Yorker where's the best Italian restaurant nearby or which is their favorite place to visit. They'd be happy to share. When things fall in New York, everyone feels the pain. When it gets rough, we stand together. Everyone is willing to lend a helping hand for their neighbor and we pull through it together. September 11th, 2001 and natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy are all proof. So although we do have an attitude, it's for a reason. We are a great city. Just don't be so sensitive if a New Yorker acts up with you, it probably has nothing to do with you. There are more positive things out here then negative, this is just how we survive it.

With Love + NY Attitude,
-Miss_NYCity

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A Letter to New York City

All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity

Dear New York,

You are crazy, overpopulated, and distracting. You are filled with millions of people who visit from thousands of places around the world. You have created a substantial blend of cultures. A city like no other. Occasionally, I get yelled at by fellow New Yorkers who are frustrated from the stress that the city streets bring. On other occasions, I am the one yelling. Whether it's on the bus, train, or car there is always something new brewing. It may be the people, it might be a sign, a performance on the train or a new food invention. One thing you never are is boring. 

As much as I hate rush hour traffic...as much as I can't stand the way my mind and body has been pre-programmed to severe multitasking and rushing, you are home. You are a magnet to people all over the world. Your fast pace, your bright lights, your skyline. Everyone wants to come once in their life to get a taste of the New York experience. A taste of this culture, a taste of the fast pace, bright lights, and food. People wish to move here to make you home. People move here and make you home. There is a strength that you give people. A desire, a lust, a love, a home. You are one of a kind. 

You weren't built over night and you wouldn't be you if it weren't for the multitude of immigrants who first came through New York Harbor. It is these people who were the beginning to an amazing culture and city. I want to thank you for being so different. So welcoming. So unbiased. So cultured. So open. It is because of you, that I am me.

To a strong, beautiful city.

I love you!

-Miss_NYCity