Happy First Day of SPRING! 🌸
Excited for the warm weather and spring beginnings! ✨
Happy Pi Day
For those of you wo do not know, π Day is TODAY!
Pi Day is celebrated on March 14, in honor of the mathematic constant π, which is the ratio used to represent a circle’s circumference to its diameter. π is an irrational number beginning with 3.14, which is why it is celebrated on March 14.
This year I celebrated Pi Day with a visit to Little Pie Company in Hell’s Kitchen. My favorite classic pie to get is the Sour Cream Apple Walnut Pie!
Check out my adventure to the Little Pie Company here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbHO2q-g-uP/
Speed Mentoring with New York Edge
As many of you may or may not know, I am very involved with the non-profit New York Edge, in fact I am on the Young Professionals Council (YPC) and am a co-founder of the council. New York Edge is the largest provider of free after school programming for students K-12 in NYC.
Today we hosted our first volunteer event since the pandemic began. The event was a virtual speed mentoring program with MS355Q in Jamaica, Queens (unfortunately, due to school restrictions, we are not allowed into the schools). We did 3 rounds of cluster mentoring with the 8th graders of MS 355Q.
It was interesting to hear what the students were thinking when it came to careers and the entire HS process. They all had a diverse interest in careers and high schools. If you know me, you know how much I value learning and education - in fact my platform as Miss New York was “empowering youth through education, by providing them with the tools necessary to succeed in life.“ It was through third platform that I actually initially heard about New York Edge and became involved.
Group Shot!
For those of you who are not from NYC, the NYC public high school process is like applying to colleges. There are so many high schools, general high schools, those that specialize in different subjects and magnet and specialized high schools that you need to take an exam to get into. I feel like most people do not fully understand the how rigorous the process is, so I am always happy to speak about it as I can relate and the experiences my friends and I had at the various schools.
Thank you to all of the volunteers, staff and everyone who helped coordinate this event! Hopefully we will be able to do more and bigger events soon… and in person!
If you are interested in getting involved with this event or getting involved with New York Edge, do not hesitate to reach out. I have been involved with New York Edge since 2013 and love the work that they do to provide free after school programming to students across NYC!
My Belongings Have Returned!
I finally received my belongings from my ex in Minnesota! It only took Daniel 7 months… and he had to commandeer his mom for help. Thank goodness for her, she is such a great human being!
I got most of my stuff back - still a few items missing, but at least I got my coats! However, my Coach purse was nowhere to be found.
Not sure if this was on purpose done by him or the person he’s dating, but he sent back the sloth stuff animal (Sloth Skaggs) I gave him for our first Valentine’s Day… now I have the burden of figuring out what to do with him.
It is also unclear the person he is seeing coordinated for it to come back around/on Valentine’s Day - she’s done some shady things that even our mutual friends picked up on that Daniel refused to see…
I am just happy to say this saga of getting my stuff back is OVER!
Career Day at UAGateway
Career Day at UAGateway
Today was career day at United Assembly Gateway School of Technology (UAG). I was invited to speak on a panel to a class of 9th graders. As a native New Yorker, I especially love speaking to students from NYC. I am a product NYC public schools and want the students know all of the opportunities that are available to them right at their fingertips! Coming from NYC, I think sometimes we take it for granted, but there truly is no place like NYC and encouraged them to take advantage of everything NY has to offer! Hopefully I was able to provide them with some guidance and helpful information as they start to think about colleges and potential careers.
Me & my Little Eleena!
While I loved speaking to the 9th grade students, the most exciting part of the day was I finally meeting my Big Brothers Big Sisters little Eleena!!!
I have been volunteering with BBBS for 3.5 years, it will be 4 years at the end of this school year. My little Eleena and I were matched last year, but we were never able to meet due to the pandemic. However, when we were invited to speak at career day at UAG, I knew I had to go! It was so great to finally meet her after 1.5 years of virtual meetings! I know I get excited pretty easily, but we were both equally super excited to finally meet each other!
When I finally made my way there, Eleena came to meet me at the elevator and took me around the floor - she even took me to the Principal’s office… eek! 😲 As the COVID-19 restrictions begin to lighten up, I hope we get to see each other in person more and that the other matches who haven’t met yet get to do so!
Thank you UAG and BBBS for a wonderful day!
Chinese New Year Traditions
Happy Lunar New Year!
This year is the year of the TIGER! 🐯
Happy Year of the Tiger!
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese culture, so I thought I would share some of the Chinese New Year traditions!
Chinese Zodiac 🐅
There are 12 Chinese zodiac signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The tiger represents courage and bravery, therefor this year could be a year of resiliency and bravery.
People born in the year of the tiger are brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. They are also quick-witted, resourceful and well liked, however can sometimes be stubborn as well.
Traditional Greetings
Chinese New Year Sweets
Some of the most popular Chinese New Year traditional greetings are:
新年快乐 - Happy New Year!
恭喜发财 - Wishing you happiness and prosperity!
身体健康 - Wising you good health!
Red Envelopes 🧧
One tradition during Chinese New Year is to give out red envelopes. Traditionally children wish their parents and grandparents well wishes (see above) and in return they receive red envelopes with “lucky” money for the new year.
The envelopes should contain new, crisp bills and not be in a denomination of an unlucky number, such as 4, which sounds like the word for death in Chinese.
Traditional Lucky Food
Similar to many holidays, there are traditional foods that are eaten to bring you luck, happiness and prosperity into the new year.
Chinese New Year Dinner
Here are a few of the dishes and what they represent:
Fish 🐟 - Abundance
Shrimp 🦐 - Laughter
Noodles 🍜 - Longevity
A whole soy sauce chicken (head and feet) 🐓 - Togetherness
Lettuce 🥬 - Wealth
Prosperity Cakes (fa gao) 🥠 - steamed rice flour cakes
Oranges & Tangerines 🍊- wealth, success & good luck
It is also a tradition to have an excess of food and to have the leftovers the next day, this is to represent that you are bountiful and not going hungry into the new year. My family and I try to have 8 dishes since 8 is a lucky number in the Chinese culture.
These are just a few of the many traditions for Chinese New Year!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Lunar New Year with your loved ones!
恭喜发财!
The Lion King on Broadway
I can’t believe it, I WON lottery tickets to see THE LION KING!!!
I have wanted to see The Lion King - The Musical on Broadway for YEARS, and was ecstatic when I found out I won tickets for the 5th row center! What are the chances?
The show did not disappoint, it was hands down the BEST Broadway play I have seen. I would definitely recommend going if you get a the chance!
You can enter to win Broadway lottery tickets to see the Lion King here: https://lottery.broadwaydirect.com/show/the-lion-king/
The lottery opens from 9 AM to 3 PM the night prior to the show, at 3 PM they draw the winner and you have 1 hour to claim and pay for your tickets.
Good Luck and please support the Broadway community!
Happy 2022!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎉
I am excited for 2022 and what the new year will bring! I hope everyone has an amazing 2022!
Fun Fact: These are the actual numbers displayed with the NYE ball in Times Square!
My New Year Resolutions this year are:
Reconnect & keep in better touch with friends and acquaintances
Take risks - keep an open mind when it comes to trying new things
No Regrets - don’t hold back!
Be true to myself
What are your resolutions for 2022?
As Macklemore said in his new song, which is also going to be my anthem for 2022,
“Next year’s gonna be better than last year!”
2021 was a tough year, but rather than viewing all the tragedy & hardships as problems, let’s look for the silver linings & turn them into opportunities! ✨ Where there are endings there are new beginnings!
Cheers to 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣! 🥂
2021 Recap
Happy New Year’s Eve Everyone!
With the NYE Ball in Times Square
I hope all of you are able to (safely) ring in the new year with friends, family and loved ones!
Check out my 2021 Recap here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CYMFXjUhlIv/
2021 was definitely a rough year for many, including myself from:
Global Pandemic 😷
Horrible Breakup & Heartbreak 💔
Lies & Betrayal ☠️
However, 2021 also ended with a lot of positives I am grateful for:
New Job & Promotion 📝
New & Strengthened Relationships 🔗
New Perspectives 👀
Personal Growth 💪
2021 was a year different than any other. We are resilient - all of the tragedies, hardships and unexpected events only make us stronger. Let us take this and rather than viewing them as problems look for the silver linings & turn them into opportunities! ✨
For 2022, I want to bid good riddance to toxic people and negativity!
What are you bidding good riddance to in 2022?
I am excited for 2022 and what the new year will bring! I hope everyone has an amazing 2022! 🥂
Happy New Year! 🎉
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!! 🎄
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! I know many of you were unable to go home and see your families and loved ones due to Omicron and hope you were able to spend some virtual time with friends and family.
This year I was fortunate enough to see some of my relatives on my dad’s side who I had not seen since Christmas of 2019 (after taking 4 tests, 2 rapid tests & 2 PCR tests). It was really nice to catch up with with my cousins and great Aunt & Uncle after so long!
My great aunt pulled out all the stops and made an authentic Chinese style lunch & a delicious dinner!
My Christmas wish and is hope for everyone to be able to be with their loved ones in 2022!
This is 33
First and foremost, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone for the warm wishes, gifts and birthday love! You really know how to make a girl feel special and I am so grateful for all of you!
Last night I went out to celebrate my birthday with some friends at Cathédrale in the East Village. The venue is GORGEOUS, I loved the high ceilings and ambiance! I can see why Heidi Klum had her infamous Halloween party here! I was pleasantly surprised by how the delicious food and desserts at Cathédrale were!
I was fortunate to have friends from many different parts of my life come - middle school to college debate to internships to my first and current job, even a friend from SF that happened to be in NY for the weekend.
After Cathédrale, we planned to go to Alphabet Bar, but it was closed before we even finished dinner, so we went to the Wren AND Pianos. We had such a good time, we actually ended up closing down both bars for the night! I have not done that or been out that late since pre-COVID or even in a few YEARS to be honest.
The COVID rates are starting to increase again, so I am happy I was able to get in one last hurrah and a first since the pandemic started in 2019 before it begins to get bad again.
Here’s to 33!
It's my Birthday!
Today is my BIRTHDAY!!!
I woke up today very excited & happy to celebrate my birthday and for what the year will bring! This past year was a bit of a rough year between the pandemic to my breakup, but it has only made me stronger and know this year will be my year!
Mother Nature decided to share in the excitement with amazing warm weather and sunshine today! ☀️ Here’s hoping for many more days like today! ❤️
I definitely had the “treat yo self” mindset today and treated myself to some dim sum for lunch from Tim Ho Wan, sesame balls from Dim Sum Palace & bubble tea from Ho Ho Te! I also splurged an got myself a nice ring from Local Eclectic! My ex’s super sweet mom also sent me a birthday/holiday gift from Aveda, which was a pleasant surprise I received today!
Tonight my friends and I will be having dinner at Cathedrale, a cute restaurant in the East Village. I can’t wait to celebrate tonight with my friends, especially those who I have not seen since pre-covid!
Kabbage Potluck 2021
Today we had a potluck at work! We had a variety of sweet and savory dishes, and surprisingly lot of Asian dishes as well. On the savory end, we had everything from dil carrots & gnocci to pineapple fried rice to sushi and dumplings to vegan chocolate cookies to panna cotta and cake.
Potluck Spread
Group Shot - all the chefs & bakers!
I am not much of a cook, so of course - I baked! I baked a funfetti cake with homemade fluffy vanilla frosting! I had never made frosting before, but I got LOTS of compliments from my co-workers who ate it straight, so definitely a crowd pleaser!
Here is the recipe I used, which is very simple and the perfect amount for the bundt cake i made w/ plenty of extra.
Fluffy Vanilla Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup or 2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)
2.5 cups confectionary sugar (powdered sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 pinch salt
Directions
Beat butter with a mixer until fluffy
Add sugar 1/2 cup at a time, mixing with mixer
Add vanilla and sugar mix until fluffy
COVID Booster Shot - ✔️
Finally got my booster shot!
I received my booster shot this morning at Walgreens!!! Apparently this one had just opened up 4 days ago, which was also exciting!
Its crazy to think how things have changed so much from last year to even this May when I was fully vaccinated to now being boosted. I remember being hesitant to do a lot, as were many others! I am so happy that the vaccines and boosters are now available to everyone 5 and older!
I hope this alleviates a lot of the fears everyone is having and most importantly that people can see their loved ones this holiday season!
Symptoms:
I was fine, until later afternoon, my entire arm is now sore and I may have fallen asleep earlier, unclear if it was the topic at hand or if it was the booster though, but I am fine otherwise!
Update:
Thursday night - it was painful putting on my PJs and to lift my arm
Friday - my arm was a bit weak and could not really use it, it still hurt to raise my arm but I could use it more than yesterday and was painful when you touched the shot area, but much better than Thursday
Saturday - arm feels less weak/tired, but noticeably still weaker than my other arm and only minor pain if you poke the injection site (AM), no pain when you poke the arm but still weak (PM)
Atlanta Kabbage Team Visit
Team Dinner at Eataly
This week the Kabbage team from the Atlanta office was in town. I was really excited since I had met a lot of them virtually, but not in person yet. Would I be able to recognize them from seeing them on video or would I totally embarrass myself and mess it up? I am happy to say, yes I was! I may have had to confirm someone’s last name but they had to confirm mine as well!
The team was super friendly and nice, they also brought a sense of the start up vibe, which I missed from my internship at Jango days! (I am surprised to see that Jango still exists after all these years, its been at least a decade!)
Tuesday night we went to PJ Clarke’s, I had not been here in over 2 years, so it was a nice to be back and to spend some time with the team that was in town! I met some new colleagues who I know we will be fast friends! There was even a DTF, Down to FOOD, moment - if you were thinking anything else you have your mind in the gutter!
Last night, the product team had an impromptu dinner at La Pizza & La Pasta a Colori at Eataly! We had not done a team dinner yet, so it was nice to interact with a smaller group and really get to talk more as a group vs one offs and get to know everyone!
After dinner we went to to O’Hara’s for drinks, which was nice to chat with everyone. I ended up finding my Kabbage twin James and new BFF Clint, who is super tall! We also found an old man singing his heart out by himself as if he were at a karaoke - can we please adopt him to be our team mascot?
I am even more excited and invigorated to be part of the Kabbage team after meeting the Atlanta part of the team in person! Can’t wait to see all the great things we will do together!
Happy December!
Happy December! Cheers to the holiday season & my birthday month!
Aside from the freezing temperatures, December is always one of my favorite months of the year! I love the holiday season, everything from the decorations, the music (in moderation) and just the general joy and happiness that everyone has during the season!
I walked into my office for the first time since Thanksgiving and all of the decorations were up, I literally just smiled walking through the building to my office!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope everyone has an amazing holiday! I know this has been a hard year for many, especially with the pandemic, but we are all lucky to be here right now and am happy to be here with you now as you read this!
This year my family and I went to my cousins, who hosted for the first time. My family has traditionally hosted at my parents home, so it was nice to switch it up this year!
Thanksgiving dinner with the family!
While this year has been a bit of a rough year for me emotionally with my breakup, I still have a lot to be thankful for. I am so grateful for:
Family
Friends, old and new
Health & vaccinations for everyone over 5 years old!
All the support I’ve received these past few months
New job - my most recent opportunity that I’m excited to explore!
Most importantly, all of you!
Just remember, when things seem hard, just take a moment to appreciate everything you do have.
Thank you everyone, I am grateful for you all!
First Time Apple Picking
Today my friends and I went APPLE PICKING for the first time at Barton Orchards in upstate NY! I had been to Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Minnesota, but it was off season and we were unable to go apple picking. I did not realize that apple orchards had multiple types of apples, we got a few different types including, empire, red delicious and granny smith apples. All the apples were so fresh and sweet!
On this adventure, I had my first freshly made apple cider donut and the fresh donuts definitely live up to all the hype! I had apple cider everything, it was apple heaven!
My friends and I picked SO MANY APPLES! I don’t know what we are going to do with them all!
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween!
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!
Joining the Kabbage (Patch)
I am happy to announce that I received a promotion to Senior Product Manager and today is my first official day joining he Kabbage team at American Express!
I am excited to not only start my journey as a product manager, but to join the Kabbage team. The product I will be focused on is funding for small to medium size businesses through lines of credit. For those of you who are wondering what Kabbage is, Kabbage is a fintech recently acquired by AMEX in August 2020. Despite being acquired by AMEX, Kabbage still has the startup feel and journey, but with the backing of a Fortune 100 company.
In the interview process, I had the opportunity to interview with one of the co-founders Kathryn Petralia, who I learned also happened to be on Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2017! I may have fangirled a little bit, but I am not the only one!
I have already met a few of my new team members as I am transitioning out of my old role into my new role the past few weeks and they all seem great!
This will be my first role as a product manager, so please feel free to embark any words of wisdom and wish me luck!