I've a feeling we aren't in Texas anymore...

To say it has been an adjustment would be an understatement.  Conversion is a better word, or mutation even.  You know when you go off to college, and everything, I mean, everything, exhausts you?  Showering, walking, eating...it is all tiring.  I have been banned by my husband from saying "I'm tired".  I know it will improve, but I feel like a visitor on planet Earth, or maybe Mars.

To add to the pile of surprises, our things were not delivered to our temporary living on time, and so we have been without a few crucial items for a few days now:

a) Diaper Genie - unwrapped diapers are the worst smell!
b) Toys (we are still surviving on the plane/dollar store stuff - which reminds me of the plane flight!!!).

We managed to order a high chair in advance and have it shipped here to us, which seemed genius (pat myself on the back) at the time, but of course you could only mainly put it together without a screwdriver until you got to the base.  Believe it or not, in our millions of bags (which included plug outlet protectors, towels shaped like bunny rabbits, and fake eyelashes, we did not pack a screwdriver).  The funny thing about this was I went down to the front desk to ask about borrowing a screwdriver from them or maintenance, what I thought was a fairly straightforward question, they stared at me blankly (blink, blink).  Someone had to have one somewhere, right?  What self-respecting apartment complex does not have one you can borrow? Oh, no.  Not only did the girl act like she had never heard the word screwdriver before, but to borrow one from maintenance would be liability.  Really?  I just finished telling her I was using it to construct a high chair.  I'm sure we were up to no good putting together baby things.

Anyway, apparently you can buy a screwdriver at CVS here along with nail polish remover and your toothpaste - good to know.  Problem solved.  Also, beer prices are about 6 dollars cheaper there than the "natural grocery" store at the bottom of our building - note to self.  Mind you, the natural store sells tuna in a packet. ;)

We felt a little more normal this morning.  We had unpacked most of the suitcases and ordered groceries from a wonderful little website called Fresh Direct.  www.freshdirect.com .  Texas ladies, you can order your groceries online, and have them delivered to your front door!  Amen!

There are a few necessities we need around here: milk, bread, Goldfish, paper towels.  The one roll provided to us lasted about 5 minutes.  The hilariously slick wood floor in here (watch your step) will be sticky and safe in no time.  We are back in business with a semi-full refrigerator, a few cleaning products, and doggie poop bags standing in as a Diaper Genie.  They actually smell fabulous!  Baby poop bags have nothing on the pet products (mental note).

Now I don't want to knock our corporate housing too badly, they have a few amazing things on site - a playground, a dry cleaner, a NAIL SALON. Yes ladies, one elevator ride and you can get a pedicure.  Say, WHAT? Now that I could get used to.  Now if they could just provide babysitters...that I trust, of course.

Savannah sliding

We got braver today and ventured out to Times Square.  The walk there wasn't too bad, but the sidewalks off 42nd have nothing on the wide, groomed UWS pavement.  Maybe I have a weird thing about sidewalks.  The trash bags and the dangerous crosswalks are going to take some getting used to.

Now, let's talk about the people watching.  The airport cannot even compare to the clientele in Times Square.  I had been there before, so I thought I was prepared to witness some unique individuals,   HOWEVER, I was not prepared for Penal law 245.01.  Google it if you don't know.  Call me naive, (I am on some counts), but BOOBS were right in front of my daughters about 5 feet away as we were trying to go into a children's toy store!!!  And these were not just any old boobs, no siree, these were boobs painted like the American flag.  How's that for patriotism?  Happy Fourth of July and welcome to New York.  WOW!  We definitely weren't in Texas anymore.  At least wear an American flag (or Texas flag) bikini for goodness sake.  I'm all for needing to feed your baby, etc. (nudity allowed) but this was another level!

Once we got through the breast maze, we entered a child's wonderland!  If you have never been to the Times Square Toys "R" Us, you will not be disappointed, from a life size T-Rex robot (Jurassic Park style), to a ferris wheel, to a real Barbie dream house, to free glitter tattoos, they have it all.  Somehow we got out without purchasing anything outside of a ticket for a ride, but I'm sure we will have to go back now that the girls think THIS is New York City.

A real life ferris wheel

And the funny part? It is. This is New York.  Well, bring on the aliens!  We're ready for more.