Miracle on 34th Street

Hi Everyone! So BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! First of all, Christmas music is playing 24/7 on the radio, which makes a happy Jackie! Secondly, and the reason for this post: Miracle on 34th Street (the ORIGINAL, black and white version) is on Netflix Watch Instantly! I watched it last night. Such a great movie. I wanted to share my two favorite scenes. The first one I talked about in a previous post. Its the one where the little dutch girl comes to see Kris and he talks to her in Dutch. It is just the sweetest and makes me tear up. The second scene is in the courtroom when the prosecuting attorney's son is brought to the stand to defend Kris and says, "You wouldn't lie to me, would you Daddy?" Hahaha. Hilarious. Gets me everytime! Unfortunately, I could only find the first clip on youtube. Major bummer, but that gives you another reason to watch to the movie on Netflix or whenever it airs on tv this holiday season!
-Jackie O.

An Upper West Side Sunday :)

Happy Thanksgiving Week Everyone! I am thankful that today I get to spend my entire day in the Upper West Side. Its my favorite neighborhood and I love to be there as much as possible! Thank goodness I work there! So here is the reasons why today is being dubbed my Upper West Side Sunday:

1. Black and White Cookies and Starbucks Cookies- So New York, I can't even handle it.

2. Work in the West 70s- My favorite area of the UWS. So grateful because I love my job and I love the neighborhood.

3. Shopping at a Book Fair in the West 80s- My roommate told me about this book fair and I am so excited to check it out! I love the movie You've Got Mail and I feel like that book fair is something Kathleen Kelly would totally check out. I will let you know how it is! I will be there in about 3 hours!

4. A jazz music mass in the West 100s- Since I'm going to the book fair, I wouldn't make it to my usual mass down the village, so I made a compromise! I'm very excited about it actually. I'm going to a mass with jazz music! It should be very cool and the perfect way to end the church year! Next Sunday is Advent! Ahh I love it!

What do I think of this day? First of all, its amazing and second of all, its so New York. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!
-Jackie O.

PS: Hope you all have a ton of turkey and stuffing! Enjoy the amazing food!

PPS: Here is my youtube video for this post. Its a beautiful montage of New York City. Just watch it. Its amazing. Enjoy!

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the book fair closed at 5 and I got out of work at 5, so it was a no-go. I was bummed to miss it. BUT, I decided to walk uptown and see where the wind took me because I had about 45 minutes to kill before mass. I passed by a Hale and Hearty..and they had my favorite soup, CURRIED CHICKEN CHOWDER. And that my friends, was why I wasn't meant to go to the book fair. It was delicious. Mass was wonderful too! The priest was fantastic and the music spectacular!

Gratitude List :)

Today I was sitting on the train, and I was inspired to write a gratitude list. My grandmother and I used to write daily gratitude lists and it was always so nice to reflect on the blessings in my life. So without further ado, here is my gratitude list for November 1o, 2011!

I AM GRATEFUL FOR:
1. My wonderful boyfriend, who I started dating exactly a year ago. :)
2. My supportive family, who have been so supportive of my dreams
3. My hilarious roommates, who have always been there to make me laugh and chat
4. My friends, who have given me so much joy
5. New York City, my home and the most magical place in the world!
6. The fact that I get to work in my favorite neighborhoods in the city!
7. The funny things that I hear on a daily basis
8. My FREE and amazing gym classes! (ask me about them!)
9. Being able to listen to music on youtube and pandora for FREE
10. The amazing acting opportunities that I have been lucky enough to enjoy
11. Being able to watch all of my favorite tv shows for FREE on the internet
12. The way the leaves fall in the city...so pretty and peaceful
13. The beauty in Central Park
14. The Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center-delivered TOMORROW!!
15. Christmas in NYC...just breathtaking.
16. Learning how to make my own cup of coffee. I'm an adult now!
17. Trader Joes...my favorite place. No joke. Its awesome.
18. Finding out an amazing Thai food place delivers in my neighborhood!
19. Nutella being on sale at Duane Reade...its the little things.
20. Anything pumpkin :)

-Those are just 20 things that I am grateful for and the list could easily go on, but I won't bore you. :)

-Jackie O.

PS: Today's Youtube clip is one of my current obsessions: Unforgettable by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole. Its such a perfect song. So romantic.

A Fun To-Do List

So, I live in New York City. Its the most wonderful place in the world filled with amazing museums, parks, restaurants, cafes, theatre, art, music, dance and the occasional surprise. I have been living here for 3 years and I still haven't even scratched the surface of things to do. One of my favorite movies, and recent obsession, is You've Got Mail. One of my favorite things about that movie is how they make New York City seem almost like a small town. Yes, its a HUGE city with millions of people, and yet everyone manages to have their own "places." For instance, I'm sure the people at the Barnes and Noble near my work recognize me since I go in almost everyday to browse the latest gossip magazines. I always shop at the Upper West Side Trader Joes and I recognize some of the employees. I could go on, but the point is, that even though New York can be very impersonal, in some ways, it is one of the most personal and romantic places. You can easily run into old friends or spot some beautiful moment between a parent and a child or a pair of lovers. You also have your own "places." I love that about this city. Now, with that said, I have a bunch of places that I need to go and explore. So without further ado, here is my list of New York City Places:

1. The Brooklyn Bridge

2. Grimaldi's pizza (after I walk across the bridge)

3. Tea Lounge in Park Slope (totally happening this weekend, I've decided)

4. Metropolitan Museum of Art (I can't get enough...still so much more to see)

5. Museum of Natural History

6. Metropolitan Opera (I've been to Broadway and the NYC Ballet...must conquer Opera!)

7. Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building

8. A NYC sporting event (shocking I know)

I know that there is more that I need to add, but I'll leave it at that. I also need to find my pizza place in my neighborhood...so pizza gods, I am putting that in your hands. :) I love New York.

-Jackie O.

PS: This post's youtube video is courtesy of the movie You've Got Mail. God I love that movie. Hahaha. Such a perfect movie. You must watch it!!!