Mary C. Wolff

We make plans. God Laughs.

[marycwolff]

Number 5. I’m Alive.

Well, this is just about the laziest post yet.  Truth is, I copy and pasted the below text from my facebook post.  But you know what, I spent some solid time on it, so I decided to salvage it OK.  Not the best way to welcome myself back to the blog world, but this is me promising some EXCELLENT posts to follow.  

Five years ago today (3 days ago) I followed my heart to the city where dreams come true. Ah, New York City. You have made me feel so much.

This heart has been in love, it has been torn to pieces, and it has been deeply broken. It has starved, been filled up and gotten completely drunk in things only this island is home to. It has fluttered, it has beat uncontrollably, and damn near stopped a few of times. I have had countless heart attacks, a few near failures, but managed to have been revived. New York City has opened my heart to so many unimaginable experiences that I would never take back. Were they all good ones? Nope. Def not. But all will remain so very special to me.

It would be impossible to list all of the things that New York has done for me (to me?).

But It’s kind of amazing that some of them were documented on this here blog! Go me!

I do know that my experience has not just been a rollercoaster ride. No. New York City is like one big ass amusement park complete with scary rides (taxis), delicious snacks (so much food), bottomless beverages (caffeinated and boozy) cute/ scary animals (dogs/ people), lights (probably ambulances), sounds (probably sirens), endorphin induced activities, spectacular shows (people watching), and freak shows (more people).

But you know what, I am a freak now. New York, you did that to me. AND I LOVE IT. My weirdness got even weirder once I moved here and even more so, I’ve become slightly numb to any strange things that happen here. New York, Thank you for giving me life and taking my breath away all at the same time. And even though, every day, you continue to lead me to believe that The Men in Black is based off of a true story, I can’t wait to spend more playing in this amusement park.

Someone once said, “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” Welp, definitely not making it. If by making it, you mean, making it BY, then sure.  I’m living. I am doing some really cool shit though.  And having an okay time doing it too :)  I’m exhausted at the end of EVERY single day and I ask myself, “WHY am I doing all of this again?”  Because when you live in New York City, whether it be 1 month or 10 years, the good will ALWAYS outweigh the bad.  The food will always be better here, the holidays will always feel for magical, and the bars are some of the best in the world.  There is a special bond between everyone that lives on this island (and surrounding lands) that everyone feels connected by.  It is felt on Sunday’s when we Brunch.  When a natural disaster hits and everyone all of a sudden goes into spring break mode and drinks their face off at the neighborhood bar.   During the holidays when New York turns into one giant snow globe.  We LIVE for the unusual, unfamilar, and uncomfortable (But will never admit it). Well, this is my confession. I love this crazy place I call home. And I will forever be proud to call myself a New Yorker. 

[marycwolff]

So Hot Right Now.

Things are finally heating up in Manhattan.  I opted to not have an air conditioner AGAIN this year.  And I’m not quite sure why I putting myself through the torture again.  Probably because these crazy hot days are outnumbered in comparison to the entire year.  I mean, this last winter had to have been a solid 5 months.  I may wake up in a full on pool of sweat but I’ll tell you one thing, I would take that over no heat and negative degree weather ANY. DAY.  That’s just me though…

[marycwolff]

Start Yer Engines...

Just like that 3 months pass, my life becomes one blurry mess, and my blog gets the shaft.  It’s funny how I TOLD myself I would try and blog at leeast a couple times a week. Instead, the complete opposite happens.  Damn it. I feel like when I don’t blog, I have Alzheimer’s or something. Like if I don’t record everything that happen in and around my life, they are forgotten forever.  I started this blog the day I moved to New York (go me!) with no real intention of making anything of it.  But since then, it has become a little time capsule for some of the things that have happened during my “New York years”.  I wish I had been more religious about posting, because I KNOW I missed some good shit.  

So, here’s my attempt to back track a little and start this engine up again.  A time travel machine engine perhaps?

Did you know I am a personal assistant now? Hahaaa. Yeah. Soo, I work 1 - 2 days a week for a hilarious, sweet and quiiite successful Upper East Side Jewish family (if you catch my drift). Well, mostly just the mom of the family.  She pays me to do various things that include returning numerous online orders to UPS, buying more things online, running errands on the UES, and several other organizational tasks around their apartment.  And of course by apartment, I mean penthouse.  They currently reside in one of the most beautiful penthouse apartments I’ve ever been in on the UES with a stunning  brick terrace wrapping around the entire apartment.  It is actually unreal.  They just moved in too and I have to wear those surgical booties every time I’m in the apartment. It’s the best when I realized I’m still wearing them halfway to the subway. Look, I’m certainly not looking to advance in any careers with this job, but hey, money is money right?  Plus, it’s just so fun being on the “other side” some times.  That life you always hear about don’t actually thinks exists.  Well, IT DOES.  And it is so damn fascinating.

It is great being busy though. There is nothing more I hate than being bored.  Movement gives me energy and fuels my day.  So even if it’s just returning packages at UPS for wealthy UES families, I’m cool with it for now. 

Cheers to new adventures and happenings. Because things ARE happening.(Cheers brought to you by my first Kombrewcha- Kombucha with a sassy alcoholic kick).

Namaste, 

Mar

[marycwolff]

East Bound and Down.

The Wolff has relocated! 

Not me.

Hah! Yeah, no.  I'm not going anywhere.  

But one of the Wolffpack members has jumped ship…

Several month ago Diane recieved a phone call from a recruiter in Florida (we'll call him Dan) indicating that they are hiring for a new job position.  Confused, Diane kindly says that she isn't looking for a new job at the moment.  Dan then starts to explain how he came across my Mom's information.  He recieved her name from a Phlebotomy conference a couple months back and highly recommended for the lead supervisor at a hospital in Connecticut.

Whoa. Hold the phone. CONNECTICUT?!!

"Ugh… Ha, well, I live in Nebraska."  She kindly says to Dan.  But after a little more chatting, Dan convices my mom to do a phone interview and eventually an in person interview in Connecticut! Aka directly north of me.

Everyone thought she was a little crazy.  No one leaves Nebraska.  She's been there her entire life! Everything and everyone she knows and loves is there. That would just be silly. But then…

Not a week later, I recieve a phone call from Diane with big news.  In Feburary, her and Sebastian will be new residents of Connecticut!  

WHAAAT?! OH MY GAAHHHH!!!

Fast forward to 2 months later.  Diane packs up a few things in her midsize car and Joe and her head east bound and down to the dear old northeast.  Did I mention how close this is to me?  Two hours. Driving.  Not a 2 hour flight.  Did I mention how lucky I am too? Extremely.  My mom has become one of my best friends and now she's just a hop-skip away.  I think I speak for several women when I say that there is a time in your 20's when you stop neglectling and dispising your mother for everything she does and says and instead realize how right, insightful, important, and beautiful of a person she is (amongst the 1000 other things).  And whether you accept this or not, it happens to all of us in some capacity.  

Well, before this turns in to your next Hallmark card, I'll put the sap on pause.  I AM just SO excited to have her so close to me.  There's some thing comforting about knowing that she's just close enough.  Because if there is one thing that is true, 20, 27, 35, or 45 years old, your mom will always be the same person to you she was when you were 10.  I have no shame in saying that I still go to my mom for every question about life, health, or daily hack.  And I will probably never grow out of that.  

I am so proud of my mom.  Completely relocating your life in your 20s… mmmm, easier than say in your 50s.  This was such a leap of faith and almost even insane. But then there's this sweet realization where I think I will be just as much of a comfort for her as she is to me…

Cheers to new Wolffpack adventures! 

And welcome to the northeast Diane.  I'm excited for what lies ahead. 

A very excited daughter,

Mar

[marycwolff]

So we meet again new year...

And here we are.  Another new year.  Another new year post.  I wish I could say that this going to be one of this exciting, inspired, motived, and hopeful posts about a new year.  #newyear #newme #letsgo2015 #motivated #inspired! Well, it's not.  I feel like I have a lot of things going on but nothing… figured... out? Am I making sense?  I think I know the direction I want to be going in, but it's just a matter of getting there.  

With that, I'd like to briefly give you the rundown of what I have been to the past couple of months...

This past September I was invited into the training program to be an instructor at Cyc Fitness!  Cyc is an amazing, young, and rapidly expanding cycling studio located in Village here in the city.  Training… you know, learn how to ride the bike, teach, and switch some lights on and off.  NO. WRONG. It is MUCH more than that.  Training has been one of the most physically and mentally exhausting experiences I have ever been through.  But yet one of the most rewarding.  Not only was I expected to perfect my ride (which was the easiest of all the things we had to do), other things included, learning, perfecting and speaking the method, working with playing with the lights, talking on a mic while teaching, and putting together seamless, yet genius playlists that fuel each road trip...As we like to call it.  Yes, I'm now techinally a certified DJ.  It sounds pretty simple.  But it is so much more than you would think….

                                        Year of the Wolff.

That aside, Cyc Fitness has just been so wonderful to work for.  They are still quite new to the fitness world and it feels like one big family.  #fitfam, as we like to refer to us as.  Everyone is both motivated and motivating, inspiring and inspired, energized, postivite, warm, and beyond.  I feel lucky to be a part of (in the smallest way) such a driven and wonderful company of individuals.  I am so excited to continue to be inspired and pushed this year with them. 

And the best part is that you can all experience it too!  Sign up for a class if you haven't yet.  It will change you in the best way possible.  Whether you go there to sweat out your holiday curricular activities or maybe just get away from life outside the studio. You will 100% get something out of every class you take at Cyc.  Don't believe me? Sign up for ONE. 

Okay so, maybe this is one of THOSE posts. Let's go for a ride 2015...

Totally Cyc'd for the New Year,

Mar

                                   Holiday's with the Family.

[marycwolff]

Wolff Attack.

Guess who got to rehearse and do some cool moves for a well-known dance artist and perform at The Alvin Ailey Theatre…? THIS GIRL!!

It was for a festival called The Dance Gallery Festival, where a handful of artists are commisioned to bring in their work to display for a weekend at the Alvin Ailey Theatre!  Which, for those of you unfamiliar with Alvin Ailey, he was like one of the prophets of the modern dance movement.  Big deal you guys.  My situation was specal because, I was chosen to be a part of a week long workshop with a sweet choreographer!  Most of the other performers were established companies.  Well, one of the reasons I auditioned in the first place was because the choreographer was Dante Brown, a kickass dance artist who teaches all of the time here in NYC!  His work is fierce yet smooth, lovely yet sexy.  I always feel so great doing it and was beyond thrilled to be picked to be a part of his creative process with this festival! This, of course though, was one of those unfortunate situations where not only was I not getting paid, but I would also have to pay to be in it… *sigh*... yeahhh.  It was worth it though because all goes towards a greater purpose… doing what I love.  The week of rehearsals flew by and  all of a sudden it was Friday for the first performance! 

There was, however, one very very sad truth to all of this… while I said yes to the workshop, I had to say no to attending to one of my best friends wedding back home, Mrs. Katie Downs (Paxton).   And, of couse, I was abnormally excited for this one. And just crushed when I found out they were on the same weekend.  Added bonus: Diane was doing the wedding cake! I love that damn cake.  Katie is an angel and all around wonderful person for understand and forgiving me.  

Okay, absolute downer right there.  BUT, the next piece of the story made this one of the best moments I've ever had in my life...

Finished last performance, but left early because I had seen it all already.  I'm posted up in a coffee shop a couple blocks away working. Katie came to see the show but stayed the whole time and calls me afterwards...

K: "where are you?" M: "down the block at a coffee shop working, sorry I thought you left!" K: "okay welll, I am going to come meet you"  M:" mmmm, okay?!" -- 15 minutes later--- In walks Katie.  Followed by DIANE WOLFF!!!!

Tears.  Flowing.  Everywhere.  I was a cry baby.  I couldn't help it.  Not a clue.  Surprised would be an understatement. 

How the in God's name did she pull it off?? Who knows.  I bet Mom's know.  Damn it, they are seriously the best.

We spent the next day and a half together.  Ate too much food, like we always do, and just had the best chats.  She had an extra great time too because she a major shopping spree…   "Yeah, I spent 2 hours and $200 at the NY Cake shop! I did some Christmas shopping, new tennis shoes and sunglasses (Tory Burches too! Kudos mom!), went to the Containter Store, bought a box and shipped it all home already!" Haha. Diane, you never cease to amaze me.  

                                 Wolff Attack.      

And what do you know.. I get to see Diane again this weekend!  Just for a day.  But we will without a doubt make the most of that 24 hours!

Until the next surprise,

Mar 

[marycwolff]

Mo' Money

Things are happening… BIG THINGS.

And they have all been happening so fast I haven't even had time to write and reflect.

Here's a start...

I'm not interning for Summation Dance Company anymore… because I am EMPLOYED by them! Whaat? Getting paid for doing something I enjoy and am passionate about? OK.

The company liked me enough to bring me back in for a second season and even pay me.  Very little.  But it's SOMETHING!

I will be doing a lot of what I was doing last year for them, which was help with fundraising, promote the company and their events, and other miscelaneous things.  The best part is that I get the fancy and oh so official title of Director of Development. 

But in all honesty, I really didn't need any of that.  Working for an arts organiation like Summation for little to nothing makes me realize how much I love my career and craft.  

When you find something (or someone) you care about that much, it's crazy how much nothing else matters.  

And how all things start to fall into place.

More pieces of the puzzle next time...

Puzzled yet hopeful,

Mar

And I leave you with another photo from Vegas...

                                Here's Lookin' At You Kid.

[marycwolff]

Cause We're the Three Best Friends...

Ahh family vacations! Disneyworld, skii resorts, tropical beach getaways.  Vegas.

Listen, I was just as confused as you are about whyy we decided on Vegas. But here's the short version... Joe had never been and you can go and stay there for dirt cheap.  And that's pretty much all Diane needed.  Paul and Diane don't do the extreme outdoor activities, no one knows how to skii, and everyone, except for me, would rather stare at each other in silence than be on a beach all day.  Yeah, I don't get it either.  Buut we made the most of our similar interests and had a TRUE Wolffpack Vegas vacation. Minus Carlos and a tiger. 

I got in first on Monday night late.  I had been traveling for 8 hours and the time read 12:15 am.  Which, was actually 3;15am in New York.  Woah.  But I, of course, got Vegas fever and just couldn't justify going to sleep.  Soo naturally, I went out for a drink by myself at Margaritaville.  Got a little drunk, ordered Johnny Rockets and proceeded to pass out.

The Rant:

Diane and Joe were the next to arrive on Tuesday morning.  They picked me up right away in a rental car and we hit the road.  Road trip away from Vegas you say?? Welll, I had the idea to do something a little different with our time in the desert.  I've been on this outdoors kick lately and threw out the idea of taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon!  None of us had seen it and didn't know the next time we would get the chance.  It was hell of a long drive for a such a short viewing, but, So. Worth. It.  My God, I thought I was visiting the holy land.  I mean, the fact that something THAT BEAUTIFUL exists in our backyard?!  If you haven't left your home state in awhile, get the hell outta there.  Those 2 short days God gives us to "enjoy" for a weekend can turn into a sweet adventure if you just do it.  Get out!  And I am a firm believer of making that possible now.  

                                    Wolff Cubs.

                                   It's All About Balance.

I could have spent the entire trip and more there, but we had to head back that evening so we could get up and play with the last member of the wolffpack, Paul.  

                                       The Pack.

The next two days were great.  Even though we are all super different in our Vegas wants and needs, we dabbled in a little bit of everyones fancies.  We sat at the sports book with Paul, we walked around the casinos and shopped with Joe, we went to downtown Las Vegas (yep) for Diane, and we had a nice sit down dinner for Mary (because I don't ever get to experience nice food).  We DID all enjoy the show we went to, The Michael Jackson: ONE show.  Yes, I cried.  RIP MJ. 

Lost and Found:

But next to the Grand Canyon, I'd say the stand out moment of the trip was when Diane got her purse and camera "stolen".  We knew there was no way anything was stolen.  Her camera was a $150 point and shoot and her phone would have been the hot item in 2002.  But we retraced our steps and eventually made our way to security.  Where, by a sweet prayer, they had Diane's camera.  Tears were shed, thank God's were said, and all of the kids were silently cheering because Diane's ancient phone was still lost. Because this would mean it would have to be replaced.  We've been trying to make it happen for years. It's embarrassing you guys.  But in a sad turn of events, we checked one last time on the last night we someone had turned in the damn thing.  I was… happy? for her.

As a whole, the Wolff family Vegas vacation was successful and a good ol' time. We all ate too much food.  Brunch definitely won in that category.  Joe and I got drunk and had one of those insane sibling bonding moments.  And I discovered that I suck at gambling, mainly slot machines.  The disappointment was real ya'll.  Shit's hard.

                               Three Best Friends.

It wasn't the Vegas I was trained to experience, but damn it, I still love that  adult playground.

Until the next Wolffpack trip, Probably Branson, MO,

Mar Wolff

                                   Zippin' on Downtown.

[marycwolff]

Had My Cake and I Ate Two.

Err, Three...

I was back in Omaha this last weekend for Miss Kayla Krysl, aka Mrs. Schanou's, wedding and a bit of a high school reunion.  And Diane's cake.  Because she made the wedding cake.  And the lord know I gotta get that in when ever there's a chance.  Came out of the womb feeding on the stuff.  

I got into Omaha Friday evening, relaxed at home, and caught up with Diane.  Then I was up early and went on one of my favorite runs in my neighborhood, through the Dundee area of Omaha.  That route always reminds me how beautiful Omaha actually is.  It's continues to grow in size and things to do and always so well groomed by it's patrons.  And yes, people from Nebraska are as nice as you might have heard.  I swear every person or car I passed, gave me some sort of friendly acknowledgment.  I was extremely inspired, so I gave a random girl a high-five along the way.  It was awesome.  

                                Hood Rat Love.

The ceremony was at 2pm at St. Bernadette's, which is nicely located next to my old high school.  It's always fun driving the ol' route you took for 4 years straight.  Definitely more leisurely driven this time around.  I hated me in high school.  We call them "Sunday drivers" in Nebraska.  Just cruisin' through town.  Unless you're from Iowa.  In that case, you're just a terrible driver.  It was nice Catholic wedding.  Plenty of tears, hugs, and Jesus present.  I had to whip back home after with the car because Diane needed to deliver the cake.  She looked "stressed", but I knew she wasn't.  The Great Cake Caper has been doing cakes for 30+ years.  Pro. Status.  I felt bad went to help set it up anyway and skipped on the trip to the bars.  I instead waited for my lovely date, Krisitin Sterba to meet me at my house!  She was actually working with her brother, taking pictures of the wedding.  Her dad is a photographer and she has decided to dabble a little bit in the family business!  Maybe I should take a cake decorating class… Diane would be so proud. It would be real life Two Broke Girls, the television show. Haa.  

                               It's Not Even My Birthday...

                                 Prom Pose.

This wedding was pretty huge.  Kayla and Chris both come from big families and are young, so there were tons of friends in attendance.  A lot of which I knew and were good friends with!  I haven't seen or talked to most of them in so long and some good catch up time was much needed. We all drank, chatted, snacked, and drank some more.  Shout out to Nick Peterson for providing the company of my good buddy Jack.  With no hard alcohol provided, I was anxious to do a little whiskey tango.  

                                   Whiskey Tango.

I wanted to play catch up time for way longer than I was given, but there were bigger things I had to attend to.  Terrible wedding music was in full force and I just had to do every dance move it was demanding us to do.  In typical wedding fashion, we cha-cha slided, electric boogied, and taught someone how to dougie.  I'm not a fan of all the tacky wedding music, buut there's a reason there's such a genre.  It's all so damn crowd pleasing and catchy.  We danced until they told us to GTFO and ended the night at one of our favorite neighorhood bars, McFly's.  Weddings are exhausting fun.  

But I can't wait to do it all over again in October for one of my best friends, Miss Katie Paxton's wedding.  I am extremely looking forward to that one.  Oh and Diane is doing the cake for that one too.  Did I mention I had 3 pieces of cake at the wedding?  Well, I did.  I picked at my food a bit but decided to have cake as my main dish.  It was a great decision.  I wasn't kidding about my love for that damn cake.  

                                          1 of 3.

Until the next slice and slide,

Mar

Congrats Kayla and Chris!

[marycwolff]

Men In Black is based on real events.

My dear friend Audra and I decided one day that we wanted to get out of the city!  We loved the idea of a beach just as much as anyone, but we wanted to do something more hands on.  So, we decided it would be great to go hiking!  You read that correctly.  Hiking in New York!  Because little did you know, New York is, in fact, NOT a planet located somewhere else in our universe.  Although, I'm positive that there are other life forms living on this island.  And the film Men in Black was based off of real events.  

I digress.  

The point is, I am surrounded by nature here and I don't take advantage of it even close to enough.  

We were limited to hikes you could get to by a train because we both don't have access to a car… Totally OK though.  There were plenty to choose from!  Audra and I did a little research and settled on a sweet trail a just over an hour north of Manhattan called Breakneck Ridge Trail. The hiking search site said "strenuous", but we were up for a bit of a butt lifting, sweaty, down and dirty, climbing challenge.  With some good views of course.

                                 Love on Top.

At the beginning of the trail you are forced to choose your destiny and follow either the white or the blue trail.  We blindly chose white. The trail was fairly easy to follow and just enough of a challenge to where we were huffing and puffing a bit, but still actually enjoying ourselves.  Of course, we stopped at one of the higher points to rest and have snack time.  

                                   Nature Babes.

As we were descending, we came to a point where the white trail ended.  We cluelessly didn't bring a map with us, but luckily ran into a couple who informed us that we would have to choose our destiny again with a new color trail from there.  We chose our new route and made it back down to where we started.  Like champs.  

Before we left, we stopped in the town between the train and the train.  It's called Cold Springs and is THE cutest.  In small town fashion, ice cream shops, cafes and antique shops lined the main street.  I felt a small hug from western Nebraska while I was there.  We got some snacks and headed to catch our train.

                                   Small Town USA.

                                   Cold Snacks.

We rode back feeling exhausted, energized, accomplished, and hike blissful all at one time.  We had such an awesome day, we already started planning when and where we want to go on our next adventure! Probably Mars or something.  I hear they're planning a trip in 2015.  I figure if I start saving now, sublet the room in my apartment, couch surf a bit, and pick up some extra shifts, I will have that trip paid off by the time I'm 60 instead of say, 85.

Let's hear it for some good ol' outdoors fit fun! And my ass hurting the next day.   

                             Creatures of Manhattan.

From the concrete jungle now,

Nature Mar

[marycwolff]

Learning my ABC's

Well, we moved. AGAIN.  And I just keep moving farther down the island.  You would think by about the 4th time, we would really have a grasp on this whole moving in the city thing and would be somewhat easier.  Nope.  It still really sucks and is one of the worst things people have to go through in life.  BUT, good news, I LOVE my new apartment.  It is brand spanking new. No one has ever lived in this gut-renovated apartment! 

It is a bright 4 bedroom apartment complete with 2 bathrooms, living room, full appliance kitchen, dishwasher, and a washer and dryer.  COMO WHAT?! Yes, we have a washer and a dryer inside of our actual apartment.  Right outside of my bedroom.  It's a pretty big deal to have such a luxury in New York.  You know what's also a luxury? Having a closet in every bedroom.  And windows.  Sad. 

And our neighborhood, well, it rocks.  It's probably my favorite thing about the new place.  We live on Avenue C in the heart of Alphabet City in the East Village and I feel like my love for New York has elevated even more.  The East Village is crawling with different walks of life and I'm excited to learn more about all of the characters that roam this once dangerous neighborhood.  

And have I mentioned, we have a new roommate?? Miss Alli Freese has joined the "Nebraska takes over NYC" crew.  And she is starting her residency for Optometry! Yup, she's a doctor.  And a complete sweetheart and firecracker!  So happy to have her here :) 

Just 4 Midwest girls in the East Village.  Totally innocent.  Never gets in any trouble.  Probably just watching some Netflix at home.

Right...

Cheers to snacks on snacks and more NYC adventures!

From Ave. C, Mar

[marycwolff]

California Dreamin'

Wanted to first start off by blaming our recent move on this delayed post. I feel like we are just now starting to move in after 2 weeks of being in there.

Oh yeah, WE MOVED! Our place is crazy beautiful.  More about it next time.

Back to where I left off...

Diane and I are about to hit the road for a 3 day, kickass road trip down Highway 101, aka the Pacific Coast Highway, in California. We leave the San Francisco Bay Area in our small rental car with no real plans, other than to experience as much as we can in the short amount of time we have.  First, I had to see the Golden Gate Bridge before we left.  It's like the Statue of Liberty.  It's a must see.  So, we snapped a pic and hit the road.

                              This Bridge is Gold.

I didn't have a set itinerary for our trip, but had some things in mind for us to see.  Santa Cruz was only a couple hours from San Francisco, so we decided to make it our first stop.  The weather was gorgeous and perfect for a day at the beach.  Santa Cruz was your typical beach town.  Clearly I don't hit the beach too often, buut it's everything I imagined it to be.  There's a pier, a soft sanded beach, a nearby downtown area with shops and treats, and an old school boardwalk with carnival games, rides and fried anything.    

                           Cowabunga in Santa Cruz.

Our next stop was Carmel.  I made the decision that this was where we would stay for the night for a change of scenery and the fact that Carmel is possibly THE MOST charming town ever.  It's one of those towns that has small maps at every venue and hotel, indicating where restaurants and shops were all located.  Kind of like a theme park.  Our bed and breakfast, I booked with my Hotels Tonight App, was adorable and complete with a fire place and rose laid across the bed upon arrival.  We had dinner at the popular Greek spot in town and because it was Mothers Day too, I was able to treat Diane.  

                                      Rawr.

                                 Mother's Day Treats.

The next morning we left for our longest stretch of driving, but definitely not lacking in any beauty or views.  This was our Half Moon Bay and Big Sur leg.  Just when you thought the United States was devoid of any true and natural beauty, you experience something like that stretch of highway and faith is restored.  It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen.  The water was a pristine greenish-blue and didn't look aanything like the water we have on the East Coast.  It looked a lot like the scene in the Little Mermaid where Ariel is perched on the rocks with white waves exploding behind her.  No mermaids, of course.  BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE THOUGH?!  This highway is also home to the famous Bixby Bridge, known for its gorgeous concrete design and the most photographed bridge on the Pacific Coast.  And how about those nasty curves?!  The highway hugs, and I mean HUGS, the coast creating some crazy James Bond movie like turns.  Unfortunately who ever the driver is, doesn't have much of chance to take experience the beauty.  Diane and I switched seats half way through, so she could do some scenic viewing for herself.  Cue: the part where I am white knuckling the wheel.  Oh, I forgot that I don't drive EVER.  And also hate it.  It's why I live in a city where I don't have to.  

                                 Smoke On the Water...

                             Bridge Over Troubled Water.

                                 Tangled Up in Blue.

We continued the scenic drive south, stopping to take in the beauty when we saw fit and eventually ended in Santa Barbara.  Santa Barbara was bright and clean and could definitely see myself living there for awhile… Diane and I found the beach right away and decided to rent some bikes.  We needed to stretch those stems from all of the driving! Along the way I spotted some locals attempting some sort of tightrope walking between trees. And when they invited me over to try it out, you better believe I hopped right on!  More like, OFF.  Pretty embarrassing as a dancer not being able to balance. But, that shit was hard!  We worked up an appetite for a happy hour in town and then hit the road for our last stop, LA.  

                                  Stay Grounded.

The main point of ending in LA and Diane joining in on this trip was to see my cousin, Andrew Nowak.  He moved to LA a little over a year ago from Chicago, where he went to school for acting, to really get his acting career rolling. We met up that evening and it was SO great to see him.  He picked us up at our hotel and drove us around the city.  It was a perfect little tour-guided view of the city because, Diane and I were not about to try and drive around that city and sightsee ourselves.  At dinner, we caught up and talked about things Diane and I could do with our last day.  We decided to hit up Santa Monica for a little shopping and then my most excellent idea, catch some All-American ball at Dodgers Stadium!  AND even more exciting, I found out Tyson and Toomey were going to the game that night and was able to meet up with them at the game! It was a beautiful night with a beer and Dodger's dog in hand.  It was the perfect ending to our small, but mighty, road trip.  

                                    Ballpark Babes.  

But for real, this was one stellar, spontaneous road trip.  I plan on doing it again in the near future, but with a slightly more aggressive approach.  More hiking, sightseeing, food tasting, and drink sipping.  

Until my next trip, California Dreamin',

Mar

[marycwolff]

A San Francisco treat.

The first leg of my west coast trip was a 3 day stay in San Francisco...

The main purpose here was to help out with Summation Dance' two night show as "assistant stage manager".  But because this took up so little of my time there and I was able to explore San Fran all day long!  Just like a little Chinese immigrant discovering the west coast of the US for the first time.  

San Francisco was preeetty awesome.  In my personal opinion, it reminded me a lot of New York City… Surrounded by water, tons of neighborhoods with different things to offer and do, a lot of people, good food, and an unbelievably high cost of living. All in a tiny, condensed area.

The first day we sought out a delicious spot to brunch.  Because, once a again, just like New York, San Franciscans knows the value and splendor of a good brunch.  Meg, Devon and I then decided to get a little culture in and check out the SFMOMA (which is 2nd to NYC's MoMa.)  It was currently under construction so the gallery we saw was at a nearby venue called Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.  We spent some time walking around there before heading back for their rehearsal.

Day 2 was my favorite I think.  The girls and I took a modern class in the morning at a ODC from Gerlad Casel. There is no place that offers an amazing modern dance experience quite like New York, but San Francisco is still a rockstar in the modern world.  

                         NYC SDC in SF at ODC.

Everyone went their separate ways for the rest of the day, so I ventured out on my own to visit some different neighborhoods.  I wanted to stay close to the area but there were plenty of good things nearby.  I walked down, across, and up some more through the hills of Frisco.  Those suckers are for real. Calling San Francisco hilly might be an understatement.  I eventually made my way to The Castro.  This lively neighborhood is known for the famous gay rights movement in the 60's when Harvey Milk was running for Mayor of San Francisco.  Ever seen or heard of the move Milk? This is where is alll went down.  And let's just say, the movement has never left the area.  

My next stop was The Haight or Haight-Ashbury.  This far out hood includes a long stretch of vintage shops, boutiques, bars, and good food.  So… all of my favorite things.  Haight-Ashbury is most famously known for it's hippie era and still carries all of its peace and love vibes from the 60's. You can even still visit the once Grateful Dead house! 

                     The corner of Peace and Love.

Day 3 was equally as kickass though.  I desperately needed to move, so in the morning checked out some west coast yoga at Urban Flow in downtown San Francisco.  Julie, Sumi, Megan, Allie and I then put our hiking gear on, aka Lululemon pants, and headed out for a hike up Bernal Hill.  San Francisco is not short of stellar views of its city, but this hill has to be one of the best.  We got some food in us before we killed a wild animal to feast on and took it easy the rest of the day before the last run of their show.

                            This view sucks.

Summations show was obviously, jaw dropping, and I proudly stood off to the side with my headset watching each night.  Diane arrived the last night and was able to watch the girls perform and meet everyone afterwards. After the last show, we threw a party at our home stay, had some snacks and beverages, things got weird, it got late, and everyone slowly died out.

In the morning, my PIC, Diane picked me up to head out for our California road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway. 

The Wolff shenanigans begin.

West Coastly yours,

Mar

               San Francisco, you're pretty cool, I guess.

[marycwolff]

Dream of Californication

It’s hard to begin a blog post when you know just how potentially long and detailed it could be. I feel like I get pretty in-depth sometimes when I post, but for this one, I just don't think I can leave anything out! So, grab a snack or something.

Part 1 of my trip along the California coast began with an idea and a goal…

Highway 1, aka The Pacific Coast Highway or PCH, is a magnificent stretch of highway that hugs the west coast of California.  This famous stretch of pavement has countless stop-off things to do and see and some of the most mind-blowing scenery you'll ever see.  And I had to experience it.  This. Year.  Aka, it probably wouldn't happen, because how often do people reeeally follow through with travel.  But, the thought was cute. Until...

The dance company I “intern” for, Summation Dance, was doing a tour and a show in San Francisco.  After I mentioned to Taryn, the executive director and also dancer, about my California endeavors, she invited me to join them! AND it just so happened that they needed someone to assistant stage manage the show too!

Taryn: “Yeah, you should come Mary! You can stay with us in the house we rented (and is all paid for) and we would pay you to stage manage!”

Me: “Ummm, yes.” Hells YES.

Kind of a no brainer, right? 

So, not only was I able to stay with all of the girls, but they were actually paying me to help with the show.  Which was quite ridiculous and completely unnecessary.  I was and am forever grateful for it though. It was the fuel and reason I was able to experience my Californication.

The next thing I had to figure out was who would be able to make the PCH drive with me.  This all came about about a week before I was supposed to leave.  I knew I wanted to end the drive in LA where my cousin Andrew and friends Tyson and Toomey live.  And I have always wanted to visit them.  So, then it dawned on me that so does my mom… WHO BETTER to be my Partner In Crime on this road trip than Diane! I pitched the idea to her, she was approved to miss some work, and boom, a little PCH with my PIC. She would meet me on Sunday after my time in San Fran with Summation and we would hit the open road heading south for a 3-day west coast getaway...

I'm comin' for ya Cali!!

First stop, San Francisco.

West Coastly yours,

Mar

[marycwolff]

Because I Got High.

Well, I survived!! My first half marathon was a complete success.  If you have ever run a race, hopefully you agree with me as I dish out what went down…

There were some obvious things I was nervous about for the Women’s More and Fitness Magazine Half Marathon… 

Number 1: The race STARTED at 8am.  Meaning I was up at 6am so I could make it to Central Park in time.  The entire race was held in Central Park in which we would have to complete 2 loops around the outer loop of the park.  So this brings me to, Number 2: Central Park is NOT flat.  The incline and hills we had to tackle were for real.  All at 8am.  AndNumber 3: 13.1 miles is prettyyy long.  Especially at 8am. While doing hills.

I signed up for the race with my good friend Shannon Perry, who also happened to be running her first half-marathon.  So, that was perfect and sweet.  At 7am I met Shannon in Union Square and we proceeded up to the park.  Once off, it was like we entered one of those Color Runs.  There was neon EVERYWHERE.  Tutus, matching outfits, even some women dressed as super heroes.  I prefer neutrals so I was happy with just my new gray half-zip and trademark bandana I always wear when I run.  Shannon and I hugged each other and we headed to our assigned corrals.  I must have been drunk when I signed up because I put down that I ran 9:30 minutes miles.  Clearly this was not going to be the case with an 8am start time. Houda was there to send us off with a countdown and so began the rainbow race of almost 7,000 women (The More/Fitness Magazine Half is the largest women’s half in the US).

                                Taste the Rainbow.

                            Gear up buttercup.

I started slow, because I had heard that was the good thing to do. So I’m pacing myself, taking my sweet time when all of a sudden, I receive a little elbow nudge form sweet Shannon!  Either she was flyin’ or I was snailing it because she started 3 corrals behind me!  This did light a little fire and I started to realize that I could manage a quicker pace. 

Sooo the first loop.  Yeah that was hard. There is this MASSIVE hill on the northwest corner of the park, aka miles 4 & 10. Toes were grippin’ on that beaut.  But there was something that happened a little ways into my second loop.  I’m not sure if it was the increasing supporters as it got later in the morning or if my body was just warm, but I got this CRAZY amount of energy and took off around mile 8.  The sun was out, there were hundreds of people on the sides of the street cheering us on, and I new I was over half done. Woop Woop!

I am not kidding you, the support, the high, the energy of running a race IS REAL.  Even up that damned hill, I felt like I was wearing Katniss’ fire outfit riding into the presentation of Districts.  The supporters increased and filled the sidelines fueling my run.   I approached the finish line on 72nd street in pure bliss, emotionally charged, and of course with a huge smile on my face.  I couldn’t help it.  I definitely looked like a maniac.  

                                Maniac on the loose.

I grabbed my medal, silver cape thingy, apple, bagel and water and found a spot to stretch.  Shannon quickly found me.  I realized how much of a difference it made running with someone, even if not together the entire time. Shannon and I exchanged hugs and running experiences and chuckled at the thought of being up since 6am, it being only 10am and we had just run a half marathon. Talk about having a productive morning.  Because brunch wasn’t until noon (normal functioning hours on a Sunday) we left, desperately search for some coffee.  Brunch obviously included unlimited Mimosa’s and Bloody Mary’s.  My first couple of sips felt like I was injecting one through an ivy in my arm. 

                                Booze Run.

Shannon and I enjoyed the rest of the day together, a little sore and still sieving from the runners high.  Random people on the street and in bars were congratulating us, which was kind of cool.  We didn’t shower because we knew that once we got home, were definitely weren’t making it back out.  Aka, the medals remained around our necks symbolizing total domination and sweaty success. 

                              Choose your weapon.

I am not a runner.  At least, I have never considered myself one.  But after that weekend, I’d feel okay about accepting the title.  And if you were to have asked me if I would ever run a full marathon before this race, I would have probably said it was on my bucket list (probably never going to happen).  Ask me now…

…I’ll see you very soon New York Marathon. 

From a still sore but fully charged runner, 

Mar

PS- Sign up for a race if you have never done one.  Everyone should experience that feeling once in your life.

[marycwolff]

Spanish Lessons

I AM BURNT AND SUN-KISSED. Well, I was...

I can't believe I was sweating and lounging in 80 degree weather 1 month ago.  It's April now and you would thiink I would be sporting some skimmers, a light shirt, maybe even a pair of shorts. Nope, I'm still deep in my sweater collection and trying to avoid still wearing a winter coat. Not wanting to leave the Dominican Republic is an understatement.

For those of you didn't know, EG and I used our FREE flights we scored from Jet Blue and flew south for the winter to the Dominican Republic.  Our goals and itinerary were quite simple: Relax, get some color back in our winter white skin, and have a few cocktails while we're at it. 

Mission accomplished.

We stayed in luxury condos and opted to do an all-inclusive the small resort offered.  It wasn't over the top, but perfect for what we wanted to accomplish.  The "luxury village" as they called it sat around a small marina for cruisers and small ships to dock in.  The boardwalk that ran along the water was almost a mile long and ran all the way to a charming beach. I went running on the boardwalk almost every morning for what was honestly one of the most blissful feelings I've had in a long time.  You know that feeling you get when a powerful, inspiring, or energizing song comes on as you begin a workout and it gives you goosebumps and this crazy, out of nowhere, boost? Yeah, take that and add 80 degrees, sunshine, and an insanely beautiful backdrop and that is how I began every morning.  Some people may disagree, but that is an absolutely perfect start for my day.  

Boardwalk Sunnin' and Runnin'.

After I finished, I met EG for an al a carte breakfast in the hotel where we sat outside in the patio and enjoyed our coffee and snacks before we headed out to get in some major Vitamin D.

Every day consisted of the sun, a little reading, possibly a nap  and a mid-afternoon snack.  All before we headed back when the sun started to descend to shower and get ready for dinner.

Marg's on Marg's.

We ran into a couple spring breakers, which was a bit shocking because of how early it was.  But they were our source of entertainment when you compared them to most of the awkward just-married couples and euro families there.  And naturally we immediately looked like the lesbian couple on a vacation together because we weren't any of these.  We accepted the role and chuckled to ourselves every time we clinked our wine glasses together.  

The most entertaining portion of the trip was, however, the onsite resort entertainment director who played the role of Johnny from Dirty Dancing.  The Dominican version of course. Every day he lead fitness classes around the pool area including, yoga, pilates, and pool fitness! It was pretty amazing and damn entertaining. Then, at night he hosted various festivities including karaoke, DJ parties, and beach gatherings.  We're also pretty sure his sexual hook-ups are lingering in the upwards of 100's. His name tag read James Bond after all… 

Beaches and Books.

Coming back to New York was a brutal reality, but the trip was much needed.  I've managed to maintain a little bit of tan but it is fading fast.  And so is my patience for warm weather.  I hate everything about the temperatures that are still lingering.  

I'd would like to travel more this year too. Here is what's on the very tentative agenda:

1. California 2. Europe 3. Australia 4. South Carolina

I know what you're thinking.  You just relax.  But stay tuned folks.

A Springy traveler,

Mar

[humansofnewyork]

"It constantly depresses the shit out of me that we have to die."