We got some snacks and such, then headed out to Shohola. Their house is amazing. The whole back facing the woods is huge windows, and they have a pool. Aaaawesome. So we lounged by the pool, then Paul made perogies, then we watched the US lose. Such a shame. For dinner, we had duck and sausage. I'd never had duck before, but it was yummy. Then it started to rain so we just chilled inside. Today we have to go back, but after this, I reeeally don't want to go back to Passaic... Ohhh well.

Friday was good. I really love Summer Fridays. We got to hear from several designers, so I felt like it was really relevent to me. After that, I caught the train back, and spent over an hour on the phone with customer service at at&t. Finally we worked something out, and I will be receiving an HTC Aria in the mail soon. Yay! Then I packed up my computer and shipped it off to Texas. Oy. I'm currently writing this on my phone, which is not so awesome. Oh well. After the UPS store, I figured I'd go to Food Basic since I already had the car and I needed water and such. Then I spent the rest of the night chatting with Nagymama.

Saturday morning I got up at 8 and caught the train to Summit to meet Tom and Meghan to go to Paul and Sarah's.

Hey! Let's run around the city all day when it's 95 degrees outside! Now let's make it a scavenger hunt!

Today was fun. For my half day in the office, I steamed clothes and did research on StyleSight for a new top to add to the Spring '11 collection. Then I got lunch at Europa with Alanna. Yay design interns! haha. Then we all met on the 9th floor, and separated into our FOBs. We chatted with Rush for a bit, then got back in our color groups, and were told we'd be going on a scavenger hunt around the city. Uhm, exciting? YES. So we got a flip video camera, a list of missions, and metrocards. We started at Central Park, went to Columbus Circle, then to a street performer (an AMAZING violinist), then it downpoured. Oy. Then we went to Strawberry Field, then back to Fashion Ave. Went to Mood, the button and needle, the Fashion Walk of Fame, then to Macys. Got customers, modeled stuff, then ran back to Penn Plaza. We were the first team back by like, 20 minutes. It was awesome. We got EVERYTHING on the list, including the bonuses. We beat the other teams by over 400 points. ahahaha. I am NOT competitive with things like this, but we really destroyed. Then we broke out into Final Project groups, and our group made a lot of progress! yay! Clocked, and ran to Penn. RAN to get on the 6:03, and the conductor pushed me off and said she didn't have room for anyone else!! I was so pissed! So I ran back up and got the 6:11, which left like 7 minutes late. Ugh. Then this train lost power too! What?!? Ugh. Got to Secaucus at 6:28. Of course, my train leaves at 6:28, so I ran again, and got on just before it left. YES. Nooow I really want to go in the pool. I'm SO tired. But I won another Starbucks giftcard. woohoo. haha I'm saving then for Alabama, when I reeeeeally need coffee.

I THINK this weekend I'm going away, so that's exciting. If not, Alanna and I will probably hit the museums. Either way, I'm excited. I don't do the traditional go out and get smashed thing. Honestly, I don't drink, and bars aren't really my scene. I'm a nerd, but I'm good with it. I enjoy myself. =]

and i hope that you know this is a miracle, a miracle, and i hope you know this is a miracle life.

Today was insane. Got in around 8:45, and went to work immediately. Spent a few hours steaming clothes for the PLR meeting. The big boss lady really liked the Liberty print I picked out, so I was REALLY excited about that. She doesn't know I picked it out, buuuut that's okay. haha. I made sure Diane knew I really wanted to sit in on the meeting, so when it started she called me in. I was excited. We got to see the best/worst sellers, then tell our story for the Spring 2011 season. It was really cool. About halfway through the meeting, Durga realized we needed a new sample for the PLR meeting tomorrow, so I was sent out to find fabric. Went to Mood, whose selection was pitiful. Sad. So then I went to B&J, aka my new favorite fabric store. Got what I needed (Poly CDC), and got back on my merry way. By this point, it was almost 4 o'clock, and I hadn't taken lunch yet. Yeah, we were really busy. So I grabbed a wrap from Europa on my way back up. Not bad. Oh, I forgot to mention yesterday, but I won a $5 Starbucks gift card during one of the debrief games. haha Just so you all know.. Aaaaaanyway. Got back, ate my lunch, then talked to Tiante and the other girls near me. They were curious about the coconut M&M's (I didn't know they existed) so I bought some and we shared. It's nice to bond with people. haha. Then they went and bought Starbucks. Yummm love free coffee. =] Then I spent the rest of the day organizing the fabric swatch cards. I like my system...hopefully they do too. Half day in the office tomorrow, then we're "trend spotting." Oh dear. Oh, and my team had a meeting with someone to help with our project today. Blaine and I couldn't go, but everyone else did, so hopefully that was productive. Blaine and I will meet with Rush tomorrow so we can get more insight.

And waste the night away.

So, Tuesdays are kind of eh. We have speakers all day, which makes the days seem forever long. Some of the speakers are super interesting, so that's exciting, but other than that, it kind of makes you want to rip your hair out. Had lots of speakers from everywhere, including buyers, planners, DPM, DMM, DP, store managers, etc etc etc. Had lunch at Bagel Maven...it wasn't too bad, just pretty pricey. But anything in midtown is going to be pricey, so I wasn't surprised. Had some time for the final project. I really despise group projects, just about as much as I despise debrief games. =P But seriously. We set up some meetings. I can't believe we have dress rehearsal in like 3 weeks. It's insane. Hopefully we got some productive stuff done today. Clocked, caught the right trains, got back. Watched Ace of Cakes, now looking for cabins for fall break. You can never start too early, right? Ha. OH! Facebook told me Mosaic is out. MUST GET NOW. I'm SO excited. For serious. I will scan the crap out of it when I do so you can all see it. AH! =D Also, one of the other interns told me her boss is looking for a fit model for one of the junior plus lines, and asked if I'd like to do it. Yay! Hopefully that pans out. That would be AMAZING. Now off to bed. Blah blah.

I will be on your side, I will be on your side.

Today was extremely busy. We're getting ready for the PLR, and we have a new boss, so everything is really hectic. I started the day sorting swatches, then Diane needed me to return something to Jeffrey. I've never been to Jeffrey. It's REALLY cool. and REALLY expensive. I returned an $800 skirt. EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS. and that's pretty cheap there. It blew my mind. haha. Anyway, it's in the meatpacking district, right down from the Moschino boutique. I really need to go window shop down there, there are so many neat places. I took a cab there and back, because I needed to be quick. Got back and worked on the swatches more. I also helped Kristin fix up her design boards and sort the rack. Then we realized we needed a sample made by tomorrow, and our inhouse sample makers were booked, so I had to go to B&J and get fabric, then run it over to Pepe. Have I told you how much I love B&J? Everyone is super nice and helpful, they have a bazillion Liberty prints, and it's like Mood, except not famous and full of pushy touristy ladies. It's awesome, and tucked away in a nondescript building, much like Mood. So after all of that, I ran back and helped finish up some boards, then I caught the 6:36 out of Penn Station, to the 7 out of Secaucus. The conductor finally asked to see my military id. haha. The guy standing next to me asked why I got ID'ed, and I explained the military discount and all of that. So we had a nice chat about the Navy and all of that. It was nice. =] Overall, today was good. Amazingly busy, but good. Tomorrow is an all day intern day. ugh. Those get old real quick.

It's my birthday..

Oy. Did NOT want to get up this morning. Made it up and into the office, and listened to speakers all day. The Product people were alright, but I'm not in product, so I really didn't know what they were talking about. The design director for mens was awesome. I really enjoyed hearing him speak. Then we learned how to not sexually harass people, then I ran and caught the 1:05 to the 1:48, and I have the house to myself for a bit because Nagymama's mixer broke. It's quite a lonely birthday...I don't much like that.

paparazzi

Oy. So tired. Got in around 8:45, and Diane didn't get in until around 9:45. First hour, I just kind of did my own thing. Looked up the mens stuff on Macy's to get familiar for the final project. Then, I organized swatches, then she sent me out with Sophia to get fabric for samples. We went all over the place. To Mood, To B&J, to New York...something or other, to Rosen yada yada, etc etc etc. Oy. And of course I had to be back at the office by noon. So I ran back there after some trim store. Ate some mac n cheese, changed, then met everyone in front of Penn Plaza. We took the A over to the Brooklyn Bridge Park. It was really really pretty. And LOUD. We chatted, blah blah blah, then we had to do a skit. Oh dear. Our group did a song about MMG to the tune of Paparazzi. Obviously we won. hahaha thennn we talked about the final project, then peaced out back to Penn, and I caught the train home.

Tomorrow, Summer Friday hours, and it's my birthday! huzzah!

Oh! here are some pictures! =D

So sorry, I nearly lost my head.

So I took the 6:52 train to get in early enough to get online and get my football tickets. Got in around 7:30, and then got my tickets at 8. Woohoo! Clocked at 8:15 so I could leave a bit early. Spent the morning running errands, to the Container Store (SO COOL.), Staples, and All-In-One. The weather was nice, so I enjoyed it. Then I spent most of the day printing dev sheets and organizing the print closet. Then I got to see the fabric library, and worked on the fit books. Thennn I caught the 6:18 and RAN and caught my 6:28. boo ya! Came home, had goulash like a true Hungarian, then watched tv, now some nyquil and sleep. I'm coming down with a cold, which is NOT good right before my birthday!

Like Gasoline

Tuesdays are going to be interesting. We met at 1440 Broadway at 8 am. Of course, it's 12ish blocks from Penn Station, so if I took the 6:52 train, I'd be late, so I had to take the 6:02 train and get in an hour and a half early. Oy. So I walked to the McD's on 40th and 6th, and just sat there for about an hour. Then I walked over, and we spent the entire day in a conference room listening to speakers. Oy. And of course the weather today was beautiful. For lunch, we grabbed Pax and ate at Bryant Park. Some of the other girls and I had a nice time. I like a lot of them. After that, we headed back for more speakers. At 4, we broke off into our groups to work on the final project. It actually wasn't too bad. We went back to Bryant Park, and brainstormed for about an hour and a half. Then I walked back to my office to clock out, then booked it onto the 6:03 train and made my 6:28 in Secaucus just in time. WooHoo!

Tomorrow's a full office day, and I'll probably go over the designs with Diane. Ohhh boy.

I bet you don't go crazy like you used to, when you used to get down with me.

Today I actually got to start designing something! I spent my morning finishing the color cards, then I returned some things, then I spent the rest of the afternoon working on updating one of our bestsellers. It was fun. =]

Caught the 7 o'clock train out of Secaucus, and I need to go to bed like, now, because I have to get up at 4:30 in order to get to Broadway by 8. Oy trains.

Big Apple BBQ!

So Saturday, Dan and Autumn drove in from Pennsylvania, and we took the train into the city. We met Kellie at Penn Station, then took the R downtown to Madison Square Park for the Big Apple BBQ! It started at 11, and we got there around 11:30, which was good, because the crowd wasn't TOO bad at that point. We walked the whole area just to see what was there, then we got into a few lines for BBQ. We started with a place from Yazoo City. Yummmm. The four of us split the plate, so we could try several places. Then we got drinks from the pretzel stand guy just outside all the bbq madness, because it was cheaper and easier to get to. After that, we realized the experts were getting their bbq, then eating it while standing in the next line. a-ha! We could totally be experts too. So we stood in line for some 4 time world champion ribs from Las Vegas. They were decent, but the beans were amazing. After this, we decided to test our expert skills, and we jumped in line for Jim and Nick's, which is from Birmingham! We finished our 17th Street bbq in that line, then got some sausage from them. Yumm. Then we moved on to Stubb's, who was giving away free bbq. Who knew? haha So after that we were all stuffed, so we just walked around the park. It's a cute little park. Then we went to Subway for drinks, because they were cheaper. Then we decided it was shopping time, so we hopped the R uptown this time, and went to Macy's Herald Square.

So, I work for Macy's. I know we're a huge corporation, and the Herald Square store is the largest one in the world. But I was SO not prepared for the intensity of it. There were TONS of people there, and there were 8 floors of shopping. Good grief! I didn't get anything, but Kellie and Autumn both got some shoes. Then we walked over to Old Navy and H&M, and Dan and Autumn got some clothes. At that point, it was probably 3 o'clock. Kellie had never been to Times Square, so of course we had to go. i introduced Autumn to it last year, so now I had to show Kellie around too. haha. So we walked up 7th, and we explored the TKTS area, and all the shops. We popped in to the Hershey's store, and M&M world. We watched some people for a while, then started our walk back to Penn Station. By then it was probably 5 or so. We were hungry by then, so I took them to the pizza place I know in Penn Station. Don't scoff...it's good pizza! We split a pie, and then Kellie caught the subway back to the Columbia dorms, and we headed back to Jersey.

Nagymama really wanted to meet Dan and Autumn again, so I brought them in. They were sports about everything, and she feed them some yummy dessert and told them a lot of her World War II stories (which are amazing, by the way) and then they headed back to Allentown.

It's really funny to work in the city, but still do the touristy things. When I'm on the clock, I'm serious business, and tourists get in my way. When I'm just exploring, I'm totally that tourist. =]

Tomorrow begins Week 2 of the internship! We have to start clocking in, so I have to get all of that figured out. Ohhhh boy.

Oh yeah, and for funsies, here are some pics:

I'll get some pictures of myself soon enough!

Summer Fridays!

Oh Fridays, I'm going to love you. Four hours of work, then out! Luckily, I catch the train at just the right time, so I don't have to wait too long. Plus, I think I'll be able to hang with a lot of the interns on Fridays as well. Met a lot more of them today, exchanged numbers and such. Then I got to talk to my lovely work best friends from Alabama on Skype for a while. I miss them! Then sat and talked to Nagymama for 2 hours on the porch. It was a year ago today that Nagypapa died...I can't believe I'm here again. It's so strange. Tomorrow, Big Apple BBQ with Dan, Autumn, and Kellie! Then using my super discount to SHOP at Macy's!! Can't wait. =D

Square Peg In A Round Hole

On Thursdays, I work half a day in the office, then we talk about the final project, then we go somewhere in the city. Today, it was Lincoln Center. The half day in the office was BUSY. I did more color cards, and had to do a lot of scans of samples. All by noon. OY. But I got it all done. Lincoln Center was fine. We just sat outside and talked. Then we met with our final project groups. Ehhhh I don't like group projects. At all. We'll see how that goes.

Summer Friday tomorrow! Out at 1! And then Big Apple BBQ with Dan, Autumn, and Kellie on Saturday! So excited!

Hey Oh Hey Oh Heeeey

So, when your boss gives you a zoomed in picture of a shirt and says "find this, I think I got it at X store or Y store", look through X and Y store's ENTIRE website. Yes, you'll start looking in the sale section once you've gone through 15 other sites, but you'll forget to go back to Y site's sale section. Then you'll waste 3 hours looking for it, when it was at the second site you looked at! Oy. haha so that was the first three hours of my day. After that, I started some color cards, then Diane asked me to do some stuff for her. I grabbed a really quick lunch, then spent probably close to an hour rearranging and updating some excel worksheets for her. She was really pleased with them though, so that was good. Then I grabbed the subway downtown to Ann Taylor and White House | Black Market to return/pick up some things. A lot more fun than last year. Came back, worked on the color cards for a while, then ordered that thing I was looking for in the morning. Ran to the train station, thought I got the wrong one (I didn't) and now I get the house to myself for a few hours. You know what that means? I get to watch tv. hahaha

Second Day/First Full Day in the Design Office

Well, I love Macy's. Their program is so structured, and they genuinely want you to learn from the experience. I realize I've only been here two days, but I can tell. I got to sit in on a fitting, make csm chips, help build design boards, and at the end of the day, my supervisor (who happens to be very important. =D) sat down with me to explain what point of the design cycle we were in, why what I was doing was important, and where we'll go next. She's so super nice. AND I have my own desk and computer. =D sweeeet!

The only downside is how early I have to get up. 4:30/5 on days I have to be there at 8, 6 on days I have to be there at 9. It means I'm going to sleep at 9 or 10 every night. Noooot much of a party time. haha. Oh well. I'm just super excited for the experience! And there are always Summer Fridays and the weekends. Which I will fill with fun. Or sleep. Probably both.

First day down!

Hello all!

Today was the first day of my Macy's internship! I woke up at 4:30 am, caught the 6:02 train, and got in about 45 minutes early. It was either that or be late, sooo I just grabbed some coffee and sat in Herald Square. Walked down to the Macy's side entrance at 7:45, and all 59 of us crammed into the lobby. After that, we were taken up to a presentation room, where we spent most of the day. We learned a lot about the company, and the different positions and responsibilities. We went to 11 Penn Plaza, filled out paperwork, got namebadges, and saw the HR department. Went back, had two bites of ice cream, then met Diane, the woman I will be working for! =D She is a designer for wovens for  Charter Club. I will be working with her, her two designers, and their two assistants. I have my own little cubicle! =D I will be working most time with them, then have days where all of the interns get together for projects. Everyone else was super nice, and I'm soooooo excited. =D It's a really structured program, which I really appreciate. I can't wait to really get into it! =D For now, I need some SLEEP.