The Greatest Among You Shall be Your Servant.

 THE GREATEST AMONG YOU SHALL BEYOUR SERVANT.Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
 - Matthew 23:11-12

My mom got me these cards for my birthday called "Walk with the Word". Here's Week #1 as you can see on top of the card. It comes with this cute little stand and you can put on your office desk, kitchen sink, night stand, etc.

I like this verse because it reminds me me all all the people who serve others. Think of the waitresses in a restaurant. They are representing the restaurant with their appearance, their words, their actions, their service. Nurses. Firefighters. Mayors. Police. Mail Carriers. I'm a personal/executive assistant who serves my boss. I represent him to any of our clients I contact throughout the day.

I helped out some of Kent's friends who held a conference-like gathering for many entrepreneurial friends. They had a vip dinner the night before that I helped out with; bartending, serving food, clean up, etc. The following day when Kent was up on stage as one of the guest speakers, he introduced me and I could see many people a lil' surprised when they found out the "bartender" from the previous night was also Kent's right hand man. The reason I bring up this event is because I remember I brought up scripture to the head man when he thanked me for helping out with his event: taking out the garbage and helping with the not so fun part of the event. I replied, "hey, if Jesus can wash his disciples feet on his last supper, then this is the least I can do."  I surprised myself with that reply.

I think about that quote often when there's tasks that don't sound or look appealing.

You often hear it in books, magazines, movies, on the radio, etc.: "What would you do if it was your last day on earth?"

You rarely hear the response: Wash my servants feet.

It's as simple as The Golden Rule: Treat others like you would like to be treated.

Lessons:

- Never judge a book by it's cover.

- Treat others the way you want to be treated.

- Serve, serve, serve.

- Always remember his actions during the last supper.

- Are you serving others daily?

________________________________________________________
SaraHHouse365 | Accepting Your Assignment, Purpose Driven Life
SaraHHouse365 | Judging Others

 

SaraHHouse365 | Nick Vujicic

The people we live with everyday....

It's funny how the people we live with everyday, we get the most annoyed of. Yet, if something happened those are the same people we would drop everything for.

Lesson: We're all human. Love them for not being perfect.

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

ACTS 20:35
"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Village happy, credit Chief

If the people of the town and village are all happy,
look for the chief.

Jacquelyn's 1st fish on Sherwood!!

Sherwood, April 22nd, 2012
Jacquelyn's first fish on Sherwood!

Wooohoooo!! Go girl!

Jacquelyn's fish bass! yay Momma!

"Can you buy me some cigarettes?"

Everyday we are faced with challenges and opportunities that test us.
Today my challenge didn't waste any time, it came at the crack of dawn!

I had just dropped my brother off at LAX and needed to put on some gas when arriving back in Westlake around 5:30 am. I was (nervously) pumping gas thinking about my sister lecturing on getting gas in the day time light to avoid dark, unsafe situations for a young woman like myself. I was startled when I turned around to wash my back window. There was a younger gentlemen approaching me,  "Can you buy me some cigarettes?" he mumbled.
I asked him to repeat, he said, "can you buy me cigarettes? I forgot my i.d.".

With his baggy pants, oversized hooded sweatshirt and Mexican descent, I thought for sure he was about to pull a Glock on me. Yes, I know, how horrible for me to judge him on his looks, anyone whose not white and in a business suit or a John Deere hoodie is a potential gangster. I replied yes to buying cigarettes. Why? Because I thought $7.00 was a cheap way to avoid a stick-up and spare my life. I was mildly suprised when he pulled out money for the cigs. I made small chat with him while I finished filling up the Jeep. I'll admit it, mostly the reason I made small talk was because I thought, "he'll have a harder time killing me if I'm a nice person and talk to him like a normal human being."
I learned his name was Angel and he worked down the street as a cashier in a great restaurant.
As I finished up twisting the gas cap back on and he waited nearby, I asked him what kind of cigarettes he wanted as he handed over the cash. I went in and while picking out the most delicious looking huge gourmet muffin and an orange juice, I still contemplated what I would do about the cigarettes.
What if he was lying about the i.d. and he was really only 17?
If I didn't bring out cigarettes, would he pull a knife on me?
Why did I tell him yes right away? It was impulse.
Wait, why am I even questioning this?
 The cashier asked if I wanted anything else and I told him, "well, the kid outside wants some cigarettes but I think breakfast would be better for him." The cashier shook his head, smiled about the breakfast then informed me that it's been happening a lot and the fine for buying cigarettes for minors is $1,000. Relieved with my choice, especially after hearing about the fine, I thanked the cashier.
As I walked back out, I told Angel that the cashier saw him hand me the money earlier and that I couldn't buy him the cigs. Then I handed him the bakery bag and orange juice and said "but I still thought you might enjoy breakfast". He couldn't believe it and got this smile on his face, "really?". As I opened my door, I felt I had to encourage him or give him hope some other way.  I said "Hey Angel, you should come hang out at Calvary, my church on Sunday." He smiled again and said "yah Calvary, I went there for a while." I went on, "oh really? Yah, you've got a good personality and I think you'd really enjoy it." Angel got this sweet smile and a lil' bashful from the compliment, "really?". I confirmed the compliment and got in the Jeep. That bashful smile will keep me going until I hit the bed tonight.
As I drove off and did the final wave to Angel (who was cigarette-less and still had a smile), I thought about how many different ways that situation could've gone.
- I could've said "No, I'm sorry" and turned away.
- I could've bought the cigarettes and let him carry on his day.
- He could've had a gun and shot me.
- He could be working for the police and if I bought the cigarettes, I could've had $1,000 fine.
- I could've bought him breakfast but speak no words of Hope into his future.

 I thanked the Lord for the lesson and how everything turned out. I truly believe the Lord set that up in today's plans for me and guided me step-by-step through that situation.

Lesson for my kiddios: Sometimes $2.59 + a compliment (aka HOPE) will go farther than you know. Or maybe not.

Patching makes a garment last longer...

Patching makes a garment last longer.
-Yoruba

Melrose Trading Post

Homemade denium thong

A Stroh's snowman
sweatshirt I almost
bought for Eric Stroh

So last week in between attending an event with Aubrey on Hollywood Blvd. and meeting some friends, I found myself in West Hollywood on a Sunday morning. I remember there's a flea market on Sunday mornings down in West Hollywood at the intersection of Melrose and Fairfax and decided to waste a little time. The Melrose Trading Post starts at 9 am and goes until 5:00 pm. It's $2.00 admission but you can get in for $1.00 if you found the coupon their webpage!

There's no better place to people watch! Anyone who lives in LA knows that anything really goes when it comes to clothing. If it looks weird, it's probably the latest trend. Nobody really questions anything though. The Trading Post is a treasure to very artistic and unique individuals. Many celebrities are also spotted here to get their one of a kind items.

Chelsey enjoying the rummaging!

Chelsey, Mama Denise and Cody came and met me towards the end. Chels and me had a blast looking through the vintage clothes and leather bags.

 

Buy someone else's photos: $1.00/photo

Beads from the Carribean

the latest purchase

I ended up going away with 3 shirts and a beautiful antique looking ring! See picture.
Then I got a parking ticket for being 30 min late to my meter. A normal parking ticket is maybe $15-$20, right? Not in West Hollywood!! $58.00 !!!!!!

Country Meets City. Day #1

So yesterday afternoon I picked my lil' brother up at LAX. This was Michael's first time to California. In fact, this past December, he took his first commercial airline flight so this was just his second time flying, and first time venturing out on his own! He's come out to visit me as well as scope out a potential job down in San Diego.
For those of you who don't know "Lar" (a nickname he's had since he was a toddler), he is your all american country boy. This was going to be quite the trip - country meets city! I couldn't wait to see his reactions to the city, the people, the traffic, the mountains, the ocean, the cars, everything! Other family that has visited all have said the same thing: "This is a whole different world!"
He landed and we found each other at baggage claim. I guess he met some other guys from NDSU on the plane. They were a bit nervous so they had a few cocktails on the plane to keep their nerves down. Oh great! He was fine when he landed. We walked to the car, I think it was his first ride in a Mercedes Benz. He tried to roll down the window but his seat reclined instead. He couldn't figure it out. (And so the entertainment begins...!!) I showed him that the window switches were in the central counsel. He replies, "all fancy!"
We're both starving so we go to In-N-Out where he's amazed at the simple menu and the cheap prices. Total for both of us: $8.80! Yes! While we're waiting for our food, he's standing and people are knocking him left and right. He says to me, "This is crazy, everything goes so fast!". We proceed to sit outside where he enjoyed feeding the pigeons - something everybody knows is a major no no. Cheap entertainment for him I guess! hahA. Then he starts naming the sparrows and tells me a story about him shooting some at home and how the robins are rocking mom's bird feeder at home. I love having him around!
Then out of nowhere, a little asian guy puts 2 keychains on our table and walks away. See picture. I immediately say "no thank you" and Lar goes "what? we have to!" He throws a $5.00 and decides he'll give the keychains to Aubrey. Then he says "If he would've put 'I'm deaf & dumb, I would've drop a $20". Oh no you didn't!!
Time to get on the road! Traffic is nuts. We're at a complete stand still when we finally start rolling up to an accident. Lar has his head so far out the window scoping out the accident and counts out loud while all the accident victims are standing there, "1...2...3....4!! There's 4 cars!!! Holy smokes!!"  This kid is the best entertainment!
As we get on the PCH to drive home, he sees some dump trucks going down a pretty steep incline. We drive through the canyons and he loves it! He can't believe the landscape change up.
He gets his first frozen yogurt experience at Menchie's.
We head home and he can't believe I live in a gated community. He meets Kent and our producer Shane and as him and Kent start talking, I see a bromance developing...ohhh great!!
We had to go drop something off for Kent and it takes longer than we thought but we still make it back to Ciscos for the Happy Hour appetizers and drinks.

Malibu Canyons

Once we get home, we hear Aubrey's voice. She says "Sarah! Is your little brother here?!!?" She finally gets to meet him and is a little shy at first but warms up. We're so wiped and we watched a few youtube videos and decide to call it a day.

Don't keep it to yourself; share it!

I went and watched Nick Vujicic speak last Friday night. Nick asked when was the last time you told someone you loved them?
I didn't have to think too long. I was content with knowing that I had just texted my mom that afternoon a few hours earlier, "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"

My family has always said "love ya" at the end of conversations. After my Grandma Mim passed away and then my Grandpa Bill two years later, I realized the importance of those words. Both deaths were from cancer so we time to share our words with them. Then this past year, we were shook with something we didn't expect: mom had a serious accident. She was delivering the mail in rural Minnesota and struck by another car while on the route. Being in California away from home was the toughest. I was informed she was being airlifted but there was so many questions still. After learning she had broke her neck and there was a chance she wouldn't walk again, something inside you dies. Yet, she was a live and we were so thankful for her life being spared. A few days after surgery, they tried walking mom with a walker. It was tough at first and she was shakey but as time went on, she stayed strong (mentally and physically)! So when the doctors said, she's lucky she's not in a wheelchair, let a lone a pine box, you realize just how precious life is.
 From then on, I made more of an effort to let people know how I felt.
What am I waiting for? Am I waiting for someone to get a life threatening illness to tell them I love them? Am I waiting for someone's dad to die to show them I'm there to support them?
I think I mentioned before, I was keeping a blog of these lessons but had it set to private because I thought some of this stuff was silly. I was afraid. I had the fear of others judgement and critism.
 I would have a friend call me or talk to me about a tough time and everything they needed to hear, I had just written in a blog! I can't remember what finally fueled it but I decided life is too short to not share this....we're going public!

You can think up anything in your head, you can act in your head but if you don't say, do, act, sing, speak it out loud, well then, it doesn't do much good, does it? You need to share it!!

I've been doing the sharing portion with books for the last couple years. I know it looks cool if I have "Eat, Pray, Love", "The Help", and other great reads on my shelves. But I've already read them....so when it comes down to: it looks cool on my shelf vs. sharing a great read with others, I've forced myself to share. I made myself pass books onto others because it's no good if I keep such a great work of art to myself.
Learn to do the same with other materialistic items: necklaces, purses, clothes, etc.  I had a guy tell me he liked my necklace last Friday at dinner. I asked him if he wanted it and he thought I was nuts. I said, "do you want it for your wife/gf?". I would love for them to have it. I've had a good run with it and it's brought me great satisfication with many outfits but I would love to pass it onto someone else. He thought I was nuts and denied it. Oh well, I tried.
Sharing doesn't just go with materialistic items, also learn to share your love, speak it.
Now a days everybody is afraid of everybody else. Everybody has fear of everybody else's judgements....including me!
We're all silly, just afraid of everybody else's judgements and burns.


 so I encourage you to overcome that fear because there's a good chance they'll admire you for your courage. (or like that guy from Friday night, think you're nuts :) haha)
Share it! Pass it on! Give it up!

The dawn will break...

However long the night, the dawn will break.





LESSON: Hang in there.

Making excuses...

Ketchikan Boat Harbor, Ketchikan, Alaska
S. House

"He that is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else."

Maybe you are like me and when you read this, you thought "is this me? Am I better at making excuses than just hitting the task head on?"

Add "excuse making" to my list of things to work on!

Lesson to my kids: Rather than make excuses, suck it up and hit it head on. Learn it, overcome it, master it, whatever it may be!

____________________________________________________
SaraHHouse365 | It's Never Too Late...to be better than you are!
SaraHHouse365 | Worth doing right

Be Joyful always

Be joyful always: pray continually; give others thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Bob McDonnell *


What do you like most about your job?
Hmmm....its one of those questions people might take a couple seconds to think before answering, right?
I'm the same way... except after last night, cut out those couple seconds of pondering!
Ask me again.
Okkk.....?
What do you like most about your job?

L to R: Sarah House,
Kent Emmons, Bob Donnell, Bob's friends

I love the new people I always get to meet! I do. I seriously always get to meet the greatest people!
Thursday night Kent tells me that we're having a dinner guest over, Bob Donnell. After a strange car I didn't recognize followed me up into our neighborhood, I met him out on the driveway and greeted him with a "You must be Bob", in reply he said, "And you've gotta be Sarah."

Nick Vujici @ Calvary Community Church
April 23, 2012

24 hours later, we were like old pals attending a Nick Vujicic event and afterwards we grabbed dinner at BJ's where I got to meet and visit with a great group of Bob's friends, the majority belonging to his Association by Next Level Live.  Man, it is always refreshing to meet a group of people who are continually working on "becoming a better me", so refreshing!
This morning I told Bob I would wake up and make coffee before he leaves (early morning of 5:00 am -eek !) While I listened to the coffee brewing, I sat down and wrote down some of the things that popped out at me last night. After dinner when we got home and discussed the things we took in from the night's events. I asked him more about "his people" and learned more about his story and how's he come to where he's at today. Bob has a phenomenal story and a true passion for what he does. It was not only fun to hear his story but I got some great lessons.
I wrote down some of the notes over our conversation....

When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change...
example: If a doctor says, "if you don't eat better, you're going to die." It then makes you contemplate the pain of staying the same and heading down the road towards DEATH.....is that pain really greater than skipping the next McDonnell's (there it is! ;) Combo Meal?
What is your greatest pain / fear?
What is your pursuit of happiness or you most desire in life?
Some people say, I want $250,000. Okay, here's $250,000. Put it under your bed. Are we good now? You happy?
Oh wait, you wanted to spend that $250,000?!
Well, what are you going to spend it on?

• Debt
• Daughter's college loans
• New car for wife

And why these things?
Debt to create less stress, peace of mind.....security. Daughter's loan to teacher my daughter independence and get a college degree so she's stable .
I want to my wife to feel safe in her vehicle and know that I can provide for her.
So what it gets down to is self worth or significance. This dude really wants significance. Significance that he provides for his family, has self worth, accomplishment, etc.. Is $250,000 the solution or is teaching him a way how to feel significant the solution?

Lessons:
#1: Find the problem, not the symptom.

Lesson #2:  Let people stay at your house. Right before you go to bed or arise are some of the greatest times to visit and really get to know someone.

#3: When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change...
#4: Always work to connect people! Also welcome the opportunity to always be meeting new people.

*In this 24 hours, I also emailed Bob and mistakenly said McDonnell instead of Donnell - hey, and now we have our own inside joke!

Releasing Burdens

Part of Prayer is releasing our burdens to God and letting them go.

Selflessness

Selflessness is others-focused, not me-focused.

Rich & Ruth - Happy Anniversary!

Rich & Ruth, April 12, 2008

I've been getting prank calls from my sister quite a bit in the last week: "Sarah, my water just broke!! No, I'm not kidding, Rich and I are getting ready to go to the hospital. No seriously, I'm not....okay... KIDDING!!!"
Ruth is 35 weeks pregnant and ready to pop any day! I joined in the fun yesterday by pranking Mom (as Ruth listened 3-way) as I frantically ask if she had talked Ruth. Note: Ruth had called me 2 min. before to inform me she called Mom 4x to freak her out. As we heard the anxiousness in Mom's voice grow, Ruth cracked, "GOTCHA!!!" We are all so excited to meet this wonderful bundle of joy! (I'm crossing my fingers for a pink bundle of joy)
Four years ago today, we gained our first bundle of joy (via Ruth), Richard Craig Johnson! Ruth has been glowing since they first met, which was in their last month of their last year at Moorhead State University.
Rich makes my sister the happiest woman in the world!
I couldn't of constructed a more perfect man for my sister. I hear that bible verse "you are fearfully and wonderfully made" and it fits him perfectly!
 I remember Ruth telling me that one of her favorite things about her husband is that he makes her laugh daily. I love watching Rich "set-up" Ruth for a situation where he knows how she's going to react. Or Ruth's classic call for Rich...."Riiiiiiiiiichhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" - everybody knows it!
Rich might seem like a quiet guy but if you hang around him long enough, you realize he ends up being the life of the party. Rich's humor is like no other! On the flip-side, I respect and admire his level head. Not to mention that he's a superb father!

Rich & Ruth 3 years later with Luke, 6 months
 and Oscar. Spring 2011

 I was recently talking to my sister about a friends marriage that wasn't going so well. As she was saddened by the news, she went on to say, "there's never been a moment where I've doubted that Rich was the man for me....not even for a second."  How absolutely wonderful that she can confidently say that with such pride and passion!! I'm so happy for them as they celebrate 4 years together today....... and any day now, baby #2!
I thank the Lord for making such a wonderful human being that I'm so lucky to call my brother-in-law. He's definitely set the bar high for my future man.

Surrender day by day

I have to surrender day by day . . . it's not a one-time thing.

Seven C's of Character

Today I'm gathering up some "Character Counts" commentary for one of Kent's radio stations. I'm enjoying listening to these minute and a half clips. Here's one I thought was worth sharing:

There are seven core qualities I call the Seven Cs of character: conscience, compassion, consideration, confidence, control, courage, and competence.   (Revised January 7, 2011)
http://whatwillmatter.com/2012/01/commentary-the-seven-cs-of-character-755-2/

CONSCIENCE. Your conscience is your moral compass. Take care of it. Use it. Trust it.

Melby, MN. June 2007

COMPASSION. Nurture, express and demonstrate compassion by caring about, giving to and helping whomever you can, whenever you can in all ways that you can.
CONSIDERATION. Be considerate. Always be aware of how your words and actions affect others so you can do more good and less harm.
CONFIDENCE. Approach every opportunity and challenge with confidence that you are worthy enough and able enough to succeed. Never doubt your inner strength to overcome temptations, difficulties and misfortunes with honor and dignity.
COURAGE. Protect who you are and what you believe with courage. Master your fears and preserve your integrity by doing what you know is right even if costs more than you want to pay.
CONTROL. Control the emotions, urges and appetites that demean you, damage your name or diminish your future.
COMPETENCE. Continually build your competence, the knowledge, skill and ability to ethically and effectively solve problems

Owner vs. Manager

God is the owner of

all my time, talent and treasures.

I am the manager . . .

am I using it well for him?

you.matter.

you.matter.

What one should know before moving to NYC....

A girlfriend recently called to tell me she was thinking of a possible job opportunity in New York City. My first thought was, "but why?! I always thought you were so happy with your job, living situation, etc.? Oh no, it's the boyfriend, right? You gotta break away?" Nope. Super Happy.
Hmmm? The bottom line got down to......wait for it.....the money! The NYC position paid almost 3x what she was getting at her current Los Angeles suburb job. There's a lot of things she's contemplating but in the end, she is a definite planner and wants to put a good stash of cash away for her future. Can't blame her, makes sense. So tonight I googled "What one should know before moving to NYC" so I could throw a few things at her next time she rings me. Any of you who've thought about moving to The Big Apple, think the following over first...


What one should know before moving to NYC....
A few of my favorites taken from a Yelp Talk New York Review Discussion.

1. That air conditioners leak on you if you walk too close to the buildings...it took around five times of getting dripped on for me to learn my lesson.
2. Don't look people in the eye
3. Mystery odors
4. is under construction always
5. Donald Trump will try to kill you
6. You have to actually pick up your feet when you walk...the pavement and sidewalks aren't always flat.
7. 
   separate downtown and uptown train entrances, that somehow become apparent only after you swiped your metrocard
8. cabs -- when the number on top is lit up - it's empty, when it's not - someone is in there, and when the whole thing is on - it's off duty
9. you will live in a shoebox and/or pay a smal fortune in rent
   
   
10. New York City is divided into five boroughs: -Brooklyn  -Queens   -Staten Island   -the Bronx   -and the best-known of all, Manhattan.This is where you will find most of the citys top attractions, such as the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, the Chrysler Building and more. And ferries to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island depart from Lower Manhattan. And for the best views of Manhattan go to the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Centre.
    
11. when a subway car is significantly emptier during rush hour than all the others, it's for one of two reasons: there is a smelly bum stinking up the place, or the AC is broken
12. that 5 dollars for a pint of domestic beer is totally reasonable
13. people will molest you if you fall asleep on the train - and sometimes even if you don't fall asleep    
14. you can know what part of the corner you are standing on and what direction you exit the subway from, if you pay attention to the SW-NW-SE-NE directional signs near the exits. Saves time staring up and down the street trying to read the street signs before taking off in a particular direction.
15. Forget umbrellas. Get a raincoat.
16. that this city will humble you but make you stronger as well.     
17. You need an ipod and a good playlist
18. don't ask the person looking on the subway map if they know how to get where you're going.     
    
19. bring something to read or look at while you're on the train. 
20. The even numbered streets go east, the odd numbered ones go west.
21. There is no such thing as a cashmere scarf/gloves/hat/anything for $5 or $10.    
22. That there are plenty of parks and places to exercise and bike and run outside. That though manhattan is an island, it's large enough that you won't notice and won't feel claustrophobic. I had imagined the city as a but of a cement prison/pressure cooker before i moved here..    
23. you will think it's totally normally to have to visit your storage locker every two weeks to get that outfit you stored there, or the other vacuum cleaner, or your good hiking shoes, and you will pay $150 a month in some dodgy area that requires a $15 cab ride to get to    
24. Your upper-middle class childhood home in Michigan will seem like a sprawling mansion after moving to NYC for the first time for your first job... I practically live in a shoebox.
25. If you weren't materialistic before you moved here... you may become materialistic and brand-oriented after.... All I see when I go home are GUCCI, CHANEL, PRADA... and it makes me feel oh so poor.
26. Don't expect the same prices for groceries as you'd find outside of the city... $10 for a baby watermelon!?!? Are you kidding me!?
27. Walking everywhere is not as bad as it looks/sounds. 10 (street) blocks is not a lot. Even 20 blocks is not a lot. It sounds a lot, but don't be fooled... or you could be out of shape...    
28. do NOT economize on rent. you're not smart. you will get mugged. i personally know 3 people who were mugged. now they pay 200-300 dollars more. (unless you've somehow managed to pay 600 for a room in great apartment on 7th avenue, p slope - like someone i know, but then you are very special and exceptional and it's not even fair)
29. try to be early rather than "on time" - there WILL be a problem with the trains.
30. people you don't want to talk to you won't if you don't look at them.
31. people you WANT to talk to you won't.
32. do NOT wear flip flops beach shoes in the city far from home base. it WILL rain, you will slip on the slippery sidewalks, your feet will be NASTY when you get home. the rain is relaxing, therapeutic in other cities. in nyc it's disgusting.
33. taxis are not easy to find when it's snowing and 3 am and you're wearing party shoes. on a sunny afternoon in july, they are everywhere.

    

    New York Taxis

34. if you say "hello" and "goodbye" and "thank you" people will ask you if you're from the midwest. 
    they like it dirty. "it's supposed to be dirty. it's nyc."
35. DO NOT TURN RIGHT ON RED.
    For that matter, do not bring your car. All you'll need is a metrocard and maybe a bicycle.    
36. I love NY. I wish people had told me how great a solo sunny Sat afternoon can be when walking around Chelsea to all the galleries sipping deli coffee, then stopping at better burger for lunch before hitting up Reminiscece to pick up some fun retro/funny/awesome crap I dont need but love. 
37. I still say "Hello" and "Goodbye" and "Thank you" and even "Please" because I am civilized. I don't care if it indicates I'm not from New York--in that regard, I'm a proud Okie.
38. the very few things that are free are the the best the city has to offer like a movie caught at the piers during the summer, concert in central park, a walk along the FDR.
39. The city really changes by the seasons. Even the squirrels get fatter come winter time.
40. Groceries are really expensive. 
    
     
41. Everyone wants / expects / demands a tip. The city is run on money.    
42. That no matter how many people are around, and how busy this city is all the time. It can really be a lonely place.    
43. The city is the epitome of change. You will walk down the same street today and come tomorrow it'll be different.
44. You'll be in a subway car with 30 other people from 30 different nationalities / ethnicities / religions / races and it will seem perfectly routine.
45. People from the world over will move to NYC and lose any sense of manners and niceties ("please", "thank you", "excuse me") because they think that's what makes a New Yorker.
46. You will become suspicious of the sound of silence.
47. Bring it. Bring your A-Game.
48. If you can make it here, you really don't give a shit if you make it anywhere else.
49. You're not the smartest, funniest, prettiest, coolest, or greatest one here - that's what motivates you.
    

    

    Central Park

50. The Sunday paper can give you a hernia - lift with your legs.
51. Golf umbrellas belong on the GOLF COURSE, not on the NYC sidewalk.
52. Also: walk on the left, stand on the right.
53. Be assertive (not bitchy, just assertive) and you will usually get better service at the crowded deli for lunch.    
54. People here care more about how you look in your clothes than out of them (as opposed to L.A. or Miami). Dress to impress, baby!
55. You pay for what neighborhood you live in, not what kind of apartment you live in.
56. I definitely think that stand on the right, MOVE on the left is some of the best advice you can give to anyone coming to NY.
57. Paying the premium to live in a neighborhood where you feel safe at any time of the day/night is unbelievably worth it.
58. Girls, when you meet a guy, one of the first questions you should ask him is what part of town he hangs out in. You'll learn a ton about him (if that hipster-looking guy says he hangs out in West Chelsea, he's either an uber-poser, which is lame, or he likes men, which is cool but means he's not going to date you).
59. that 70% of the restaurants in Brooklyn (and random places in Manhattan) are cash-only
60. Refills are not free.
61. i moved here about six months ago and i've noticed 2 things repeatedly. 1 - no one takes credit cards and 2 - there are no public bathrooms anywhere! i live in fear of not being able to make it to home/work/school without almost peeing my pants.    
62. Construction is everywhere all the time as is scaffolding and with the scaffolding its sometimes for no apparent reason.
63. A southern accent has helped tremendously as people let down their guard a bit ,thinking you are not that smart and then they spill their guts and show you who they really are, which can be either good or bad. Interesting but true.
64. If you come here and don't like it, leave. Whatever you do, don't talk shit to a native New Yorker about NY
65. You Should Tip your Super and Doormen - ONCE a year - at Christmas, you do not need to tip them daily/weekly, just ask a long time resident in the building what the usual custom is.
66. IT IS ILLEGAL FOR CABS TO NOT ACCEPT C.C. if they have the machine!!!!!
    
67. also, until 2 years ago no one had told me about flushing a toilet with my foot, and no one had told me until last summer about pressing elevator buttons with a knuckle instead of my fingertip. Mind-blowing, but oh so sanitary.
68. You will always be broke. Always.
    
    

Because we're thankful, we give...

Good notes

A few notes I wrote down today:

• Only small minded people get jealous.

• Unhappy people like to make others unhappy.

• You will be impacted by who you choose to associate with.

• Don’t get stuck in a rut and get disappointment day after day.

• Dream big, enlarge your vision.