I think I am finally becoming comfortable here. Starting work definately helped me feel as if I belong here for the summer. In the beginning I felt as if I was on vacation, now I have purpose. I came to this conclusion yesterday when I realized the subway doesn't confuse me anymore. I still get lost, but it isn't as big of a deal. Although it rarely happens, I even feel comfortable not bringing a map with me wherever I go. The map truly depend on the size of my purse or wristlet. =)

This morning I woke up to find a bunch of Joanna's friends sprawled throughout the apartment. Even though it is small, it is funny how many people can really sleep here. I then went to the gym and Starbucks. While there are a lot of Starbucks in NYC, I think Dunken Doughnuts is just as popular. I see just as many people carrying around DD coffee as I do Starbucks.

I went to Canal Street for the afternoon. My purse is about to break, so I needed a new one. I bought a great Fendi knock-off, Tiffany & Co. ring, and Juicy Couture perfume. I find it fun communicating and interacting with all the "dealers." The people selling Louis Vuitton were dealing out of Burger King. They were telling me how LV is super illegal for them to sell so they had to do it there. It was a weird system...they show you a product sheet and then you choose the number. They bring it to you in a trash bag and then you decide. I know a lot of you are thinking this is dangerous, but it is a funny system. If you are coming to visit, you will see and then understand.

A lot of people come to NY to buy the purses off the street. While these are good, the really good ones are on Canal Street in the weird locations. The ones on the street are really really fake. The bags that are hidden are the good ones. So if you come to NY you must go with the people that are whispering "coach, fendi, prada." They will show you the good stuff. Just don't get into a car or van.

Tonight I met up with another MSLO intern and her roommate. We went to Oliva's in the Lower East Side. This place was amazing! It was a tapas/spanish restaurant-bar that has live music every night. The location was small, but the tapas and sangria were the best. The music was supposed to start around 11:30 but didn't set up until 12:30. That was a bummer, but once it was started it was so good. They played Samba tonight. I think it changes every night of the week.

Sarah's roommate has been there a few times so she made friends with the owner. The place was so small that he seemed to know everyone. I will definately be returning to this place again.

Going to small places like Oliva's is one of my favorite things to do in the city. They are so much fun and unique to NY. One of the major differences between NY and STL I've seen is with the small restaurants and bars. In STL I believe small places like this one wouldn't survive too long. In NY they do great. No matter how big/small or the day of the week or time, these places are always packed with people. There are so many people here with different interests that they can all survive.

Ole!

-Sam