My Mom has been visiting for the month of June. Yeah, a whole entire month. Admittedly, I was a little nervous to how that would go. Sometimes we bicker, she asks a lot of questions, and she gets lost all the time. Also, we haven’t spent that much time together since I was in high school and that was three years ago. However, I have to say it’s been awesome. You know those erotic video stores on 8th Ave in midtown? My Mom wandered into one the other day when she saw the $2 DVD sale not realizing it wasn’t Blockbuster rom-coms like she had in mind. I was in hysterics when she retold the story. I had my Women in French Lit class today and called my Mom on the break. I told her to get the N downtown train from 49th Street and get off at Astor Place. Then, I met her and we went to Sushi Lounge on 8th Street and Ave A. Yes, my Mom is wearing a silly bracelet. I’m so tired of those things. They have infiltrated every last person I know.
Afterwards we walked around the East Village talking about all the places we used to go in 2007. My first apartment was on 10th Street and 2nd Ave. This was my first neighborhood and I try to remember what it was like to be 17 on my own for the first time in a city like New York. My quintessential uniform for scorching hot summer evenings would be the following:
While she was taking this someone called, “Cassidy!” My Mom snapped the photo the second they called my name. It took me a split second to register who it was before I burst into this expression…
As if you can’t tell, I really love running into old friends. It makes this big old city feel that much smaller. Matty is a professional ballet dancer who studied at Alvin Ailey. I met him through my first boyfriend in New York City. Matty is credited as being the first to ever bring me to the holy mecca that is Beacon’s Closet.
Alright gentleman, listen up. Ever want to surprise your girl and make her jaw drop? This little florist on 1st Ave and 10th Street sells red rose petals in a bag. For get this, $2. For the price of a can of soda you can forever give her the opportunity to say, “There were red rose petals everywhere!” I’m sure it goes without saying to tell you the scent was out of this world. Let’s call it “Romance in a Bag.”
I couldn’t help but stop into the East Village Urban Outfitters. I always find the most amazing deals every time I step in there. Today they were having the $5 sale. Every time I go into UO I look for the same necklace. They never have my astrological sign. I was practically convinced they didn’t carry mine after all. Yet today right as I was walking out, I found one. A lonely little Sag plate all by itself. I love it.
The rose garden in the cemetary across the street at the historic church on the corner of 10th Street and 2nd Ave.
Finally, no jaunt to the East Village is ever complete without a stop into Yogurtland. I recommend the cake batter fro-yo mixed with red velvet and a dash of pistachio. Then, top it with cookie dough balls, gummy bars, and endless sprinkles. It really is heaven. I fill it to the brim every time and never pay more than $4. Cheap is good, I definitely prefer it to Pinkberry which is three doors down.
As Tom Petty sings, “There’s something good, waiting down this road, running down a dream.” This is my opportunity to remember all the aspects of New York that will forever be embedded in my heart.
