My best friend once told me as we were about to fall asleep in our room in Sarasota, Florida with the Balmert's sophomore year spring break "wherever you are, unpack your bags." It is to date, one of the most influential quotes I've ever heard because I have always had a really hard time with this. If I was some place, I wanted to be somewhere else and anytime I find myself wishing time away or wishing myself someplace else, I always think back and try to enjoy the present moment, knowing that later on, I'll wish I had just sat back and enjoyed the moment. Traveling is stressful and I am always sympathetic and understanding of one's exhaustion after flying on a dirty airplane. Remember, I'm germ-a-phobic. But anyway, with Kolter visiting this past weekend, that quote just hit me when I started writing tonight... because we're both changing and heading in different directions and for four days... we were able to just unpack our bags.

Kolter, my first official guest, flew in Thursday to celebrate my birthday, visit with me and see if he too, could love the city.

I don't think there was even a chance in persuading him of the greatness of the new york life despite my efforts to show him central park, Columbus Circle, the apple store that's opened 24 hours a day, the great food, great shopping and my cute little apartment. It's okay, he is about to embark on his own incredible journey and I can't wait for his happiness to fall in place. We all just have to do what we want and take risks, because, in the end we will regret something one way or the other and why not live a life full of experience and stories to tell over campfires and dinner parties. Life is much better knowing you tried.

He arrived Thursday morning before schedule and Lori and I ran back home from our walk to make sure he didn't have to wait for us.  I met him at the corner of my block... it was kind of movie scene like with taxi's and cars passing between us. He on one side of the street, me on the other.

We spent Thursday afternoon walking around window shopping. I finally found a christian louboutin shoe store and had fun trying them on and dreaming of owning a $2,000 pair of shoes one day. One day... right?

Kolter and I met up with our neighbor from Lexington for lunch. She was in the city with her son taking care of appointments and decided we all meet up for a get together. We enjoyed a great lunch at a Chinese restaurant where we learned that Chinese people apparently don't eat with chop sticks. Our server was offended I wasn't eating with mine after I asked for them. I was too hungry to pick at the rice and decided a fork was faster. After lunch, Kolt and I went back to the apartment and chilled out. He took care of some business stuff and sooner than later it was dinner time.

Lori and I decided on some Mexican for dinner and we yelped a place close by. We walked to Maz Mazcal, all three of us wearing yellow and enjoyed a fabulous dinner. Lori ordered an enchilada, Kolt and I ordered burritos and there I sat with my two favorite people. We laughed a lot, joked a lot and by the time Kolter made us order dessert we were really having a good time! As the server brought out plantains and ice cream with only two spoons, I took a bite and handed my spoon to Kolter to enjoy and decided I'd be the one to wait for the third spoon to arrive. Sacrifice. I watched as Lori began to "shovel" the cup size dessert into her mouth spoon after spoonful. She and Kolt were engaged in an alien conversation and I didn't want to be rude to tell her to slow down and interrupt the very intense conversation. I decided I would simply stop her hand from taking any more bites so she would make eye contact with me so she could read my face to STOP. I placed my hand on her hand as it made it's way to the dessert bowl again and when she pushed my hand away like it was a fly, I sat back in my chair and smiled to myself thinking, hey it was a good one bite I had.

I guess Kolter noticed that the dessert was just two bites away from being gone and handed me the spoon and told me I better get a bite before Lori finished it off. It was then Lori stopped and realized what she had been doing for the past five minutes. We all just busted out laughing and that became the inside joke of the weekend.

With our bellies full we went and grabbed some groceries and went back to the apartment and watched Cinderella Man three deep in my bed. The movie was too long for me and I ended up falling asleep.

Friday, we decided it would be beach day. Kolter took the morning to take care of business stuff and emails in preparation for his life changing events. I made breakfast (eggs in a basket or a hole in one- everyone uses a different name for it) with some cottage cheese and fresh mango. I forgot to take a photo, but it's pretty easy to visualize.

Lori was off too, so she came along and we took an hour subway ride to Brighton Beach near Cooney Island and enjoyed a perfect day at the beach. Not too hot, breezy and sunny. Unfortunately, European Lori only brought 70 spf and even though I know it was best for my skin, I missed out on getting the sun tan I had been craving. Around 5:00, after eating our pbj's and fresh cherries we decided to head home. I wanted to take Kolt to the Fiat Cafe for dinner in SoHo, so after an hour ride back (he and I standing sleeping because the train was crowded) we all got ready and headed to my favorite spot for pasta. It was so good and I wish I could drink their tomato sauce. That actually sounds a little intense, but you get my point when I say it's amazing.

After dinner we walked around Soho and ended in NoHo and hopped on the subway home from there. Kolt passed out as soon as we got back and Lori and I spent an incredible amount of time doing what we do best... just talking and goofing off. We probably spent a good hour you tubing cars. I know it sounds manly, but we both share a love for unobtainable things... ridiculous cars, sparkly shoes, amazing dresses... I'd like to think we just have incredible taste. hahaha! I finally went to bed around 1 a.m.

Lori and I had this big thing from the beginning of our move that she was going to get me on her night owl schedule and I fought back saying I was going to get her on my early bird schedule. I think with my usual 3-9 work schedule I am adapting to a night owl schedule. So maybe she wins. It's hard for me to admit that. I'm slightly stubborn.

Saturday Lori had to work so Kolter and I went running in the park. I'm usually the one trying to keep up with Kolter, but he said I was the one pushing him this time. Maybe he was just trying to make me feel better. I swear it's running with music that really helps put a pep in your step!

We probably did a little over three miles and we ended near Columbus Circle, where I'll be working soon. It's a great area with great shopping and I cannot wait to explore more of the upper west side. I've been a little scared of it because it's hard to get too via subway, but in time I'll figure out the system and feel comfortable there like I do on the Upper East Side.

We walked into the apple store on 59th and walked right back out. I warned Kolt that his hate for crowds would only worsen going into one of the busiest stores in the city, but he needed to find out for himself. We trotted back to my apartment walking up Madison Ave and as I oohed and awed at Gucci, Prada, Ocar de le Renta, and all of the posh stores I could tell Kolter was getting annoyed. I made lunch at the apartment and then we went walking around. We grabbed Pink Berry, which is just a couple minutes away from the apartment and grabbed tickets to see "Midnight in Paris." It was actually pretty good, but not as good as I wanted it to be. I loved the cast and the acting was suburb. Woody Allen did a great job, but it lacked something. Despite Owen Wilson's hopless romantic character I earned for more romance in the film. Of course, that would have taken it to a drama instead of a comedy and it would have changed the entire feel of the film. It did, however, encourage me to want to go back to Paris and really study up on some french. The language is so pretty.

The movie did inspire me to travel more. I think I'm going to make that my five year goal. I'm going to pick a country, save for it and go there within the next five years. It seems so easy and maybe I'm even giving myself to much time to plan for it. But with work, life and money... it's not that easy. Mom and Dad, feel free to plan a trip abroad anytime soon, I'll tag along if you'll have me. I promise not to pout, cross my arms or cry. (Think back to Disney and first Euro Trip) hahaha!

Saturday night Kolt continued to spoil me and took me out for my official birthday dinner. We had sushi at Poke, right down the street and it was actually really amazing and fresh. We came back and rented Lincoln Lawyer and Kolter proceeded to fall asleep as I watched Matthew Mcconaughey work is magic on screen. It was great movie and totally worth the $5 on itunes.

Sunday was a rainy day which means a sleep in day. When my clock hit 10:00 a.m I jumped out of bed. It doesn't ever feel right sleeping in. There's too much to do and so much time that can easily waste away. I took Kolt to brunch at Cafe D'Alsace and experienced an amazing brunch. It made me miss cooking, especially brunch where I always feel the most creative. I'm sadly not cooking very much here because I have one counter and no kitchen table. But hopefully in the future I'll have more space. I keep inventing recipes in my head though, and when I have a second I'll start drafting that cookbook of mine. We split a goat cheese and roasted tomato omelet and Eggs Benedict and of course had several cups of freshly brewed coffee.

A cup of coffee a day keeps grumpy Kendra away!

We spent the day walking around in the rain where my Patagonia rain jacket started peeling another pair of my lululemon pants! I walked around with my rain jacket all rigged so it wasn't touching my pants, and as Kolt held the umbrella I told him to stop trying to save me from the rain because I was already soaking wet (two people are not meant to fit under one $8 umbrella) and he was hitting me in the head with it. Umbrella etiquette doesn't exist in NYC and if your caught on the street without one, prepare to loose an eye. You think I'm joking? I'm not and proof that holding an umbrella for someone is just as dangerous as not having one made me realize I need a bigger and stronger umbrella that can serve as a rain repellent and weapon! But thanks Kolt for holding it all day, its the thought that counts.

I took him to lunch at a Thai place that was incredibly cheap and good! Probably my cheapest meal here, besides that one night at McDonalds (Lori and I call that the "Great Depression"). He took me to Pink Berry to settle the spicy taste in our mouths and then we walked back in time for him to pack and grab a car to the airport.

I think he was gone maybe an hour when he called and told me he would be staying another night. I didn't believe him, as he tends to screw with me all the time. Apparently LGA flight was delayed, making him late for his connection in Chicago and therefor he wouldn't have made it home tonight anyway. So he came back to the city for a couple more hours. His flight is at 6:00 in the morning so we will probably just chill out here. I'm probably going to see if he will go to the grocery store with me in a little while, as I have to carry on with preparing for my week ahead.

To sum it up, it was a great weekend with wonderful memories to add to my adventures here in the city. Life is really changing for both of us and although it's scary... it's quite possibly the most alive I ever felt.

I miss you all very much.

Much love from the city... xoxo