Pinay New Yorker

While I will soon find myself calling Manhattan my “homebase” (work-wise, that is), I am still in that “thrilled-to-be-in-the-city” mode during days like this when a visit to my gynecologist brings me here. I usually opt for an appointment as close to the end of the day as possible, but I had no wiggle room today because it was a reschedule. Now, as a forty-something Mom, my annual check up is not something I take lightly. There’s the matter of all these maladies afflicting women my age (— that’s the “forty-something” element) and having Angelo now even makes it all the more imperative I stay healthy. (That’s the “mom” bit.)

The shop windows were beckoning but I successfully resisted the urge to go in. I did relent when my tummy pointed me in the direction of Cucina & Co.’s food court (In the Cellar) at the basement of Macy’s flagship store. I’ve always enjoyed eating there because of the variety of food — from a salad and fruit bar, pasta a la carte and make-your-own pasta, to a wide offering of gourmet finds like special concoctions of oils and spices. I had shrimp scampi in white parmesan sauce with a parmesan toast. After lunch, I casually strode through the first floor of the store and browsed some accessories — but I wasn’t really in the market for any new ones anyway because of all the goodies I brought home from Manila.

The bags section has always been a favorite, but I am still “rotating” a number of new ones — it was just all eye candy to me.

The express buses park on Sixth Avenue (a.k.a. Avenue of the Americas) between 35th to 37th Street and there is are a number of bead stores there which I always pine for but which I never really have time to visit. Today, though, I found myself with some time to kill, so I went into Toho Shoji.  It’s a beader’s paradise and I wanted to grab bits and pieces to help me work on the beads I have at home, but I didn’t want to go shopping on impulse.  I have to seriously study lengths and options to make the necklace I want to come up with, and I am still trying to figure out how I can best use the wooden beads I had brought from Manila to New York.  Seeing the materials, though, gave me an idea of the possibilities I can come up with in combination with what I have.  I held off buying anything.   It was difficult to resist but I shook the urge off.  I can always plan a bead spree next time, and perhaps after I visit the other beads stores in the area. 

At the same time, our visit to Orient Point Beach a few weeks ago inspired me to work on trying to find out how to bore holes into beads, as the shoreline on Orient point was matted with multi colored stones that could be made into beautiful pieces if polished and crafted into accessories. 

I managed to get on the bus early and head home.  Alan and I had a movie date which turned out to be an afternoon well spent.

It’s the end of the day and I have a headache, but I’m happy with the way things have turned out.  It’s a special Monday for me — in many ways and for many reasons.  Just glad to have found the time to take care of “me” — I keep getting reminded how important that is when I look at my boys.  After all, I can only take care of them if I am strong enough to do that — and to be just that, I have to take care of myself.