She Has Arrived

9:08 am, Saturday, April 1
“Good morning,” I wake up to a Chihuahua named Zoe in West New York, NJ after a night of dance practice. I grab a ferry back home to Manhattan. Boyscouts and families race to the top deck to catch the best glimpse of the city skyline. It never gets old. Even after 7 months the sight still causes a stir. I arrive in full force at 38th Street Seaport and grab a cab. The sun reflects off of the buildings, and they shutter up and down like an equalizer on a stereo as we speed uptown.

11:15am
I head to Whistle on the lower east side (273 E. 10th St., 212-447-0631) for a cut and color. Whistle clientele consists of reformed rock stars, hipsters and locals alike. And Heidi is my favorite little blade maestro there (though I must say, Will and Lee are also amazing). Her girl-next-door disposition misconstrues her punk-rocked-tattooed exterior, but most important, she is by far the best stylist to ever lay hands on my head. 2 hours and 50 minutes later I leave with soft caramel tresses though undeniably broke. Perhaps I won’t eat out for the next two weeks. But lack of money cannot overshadow the satisfaction of a successful transition. All it needs now is a suitable outfit. How will I justify this to my bank account? I blame it on the coercive weather.

11:20pm
I trek down to the lower east side once again, with my driver Beygardh, who sings to me in a language I don’t understand. But I receive the serenade as a compliment and thank him as I exit the cab. He smiles and says "have fun pretty Lady!" (it must be the hair ;-) Mannahatta (yes, it's spelled that way http://www.mannahatta.us/) is the spot and inside awaits a table with a familiar face. Mojitos are the choice of poison for the night and if you can handle them a little on the strong side, Mannahatta serves up some excellent ones! Although, I must say, old friends are the best refreshment and buzz of all. We laugh as though we’re 9th grade school girls again fawning over the seniors in the cafeteria, as we giggle at the Adonis by the door. But this isn't high school and the Adonis actually noticed us noticing him and is coming our way! What do we do? “Hi," he says. I fail to look interested. The thought of it was more fun than the real interaction. Back to my mojito and high school relapse. The basement of Mannahatta is an over-crowded excuse for a club with a shotty speaker system that had my ears ringing the entire next day. I suggest staying upstairs where the ambiance is chill and cozy. Otherwise try and get your dancing in early when the crowd is less drunk and sweaty.

12:00pm, Sunday, April 2
Rise and shine. It’s spring forward. I whine internally, I remember we lose a hour but that soon fades when I realize there is a extra hour of sunlight. After returning from brunch (on the LES, AGAIN), my roommate and I turn the phrase ‘'spring cleaning’' into a military command. We gear up with rubber gloves, paper towels, comet, 409, a swiffer and attack. Residue is wiped away. Dust gathering in hidden crevices and under the bed disappear. Unwanted nic-nacs and over-read magazines are thrown out. Fresh and fragrant laundry is folded and put away.

6:30pm
It’s still light outside. I go for another walk around Lincoln Center. The streets are busy as usual and the sidewalks seem to be half the size with seating spilling out from restaurants and cafes, begging you to sit down for a pitcher of Sangria or imported beer. It’s been a long time coming but Spring is finally here! Goodbye Uggz, scarves and down coats! Time for medallion sandals, boy shorts and dresses! She has surely arrived.

Afterthought anyone?
One of my favorite British Romantics, John Keats, often paralleled the changing of seasons to that of man. He defined the extremities as a gage for understanding ourselves. How can we know love without hate? How can we appreciate beauty without the ugly? Constancy is stagnancy. I’m sure it was the bitter cold Winter that has allowed me to truly relish in the joys of Spring. Seasons have always brought me a feeling of newness in many different ways. I hope you delight in the new burst of warmth, and the pleasantries that it brings, as much as I do. Enjoy.