church, WbW, meetUp, and convictions

It is my personal mission to be the nicest person in New York City. Everyone keeps telling me to "get tough", "push through", and "be aggressive". No.

This week has been great so far! It hasn't been as meeting-intensive, but I've made some good contacts. The highlight so far has been new friends! Okay, let's back up:

I went to Redeemer Pres twice and love the sermons. That church is so massive, though, that it's really hard to meet ppl. (I have become involved with their InterArts Fellowship, though, and met some great ppl (Erin, Matt, Joanna, Elise, Kenyon and Alissa).)

Last Sunday, I went to the Village Church. It's a small church where everyone knows everyone. I love that! They made me feel welcome and totally like part of the church. :) (The preaching wasn't too great but I'm going to try it again this week.) I met one graphic designer and one amazing woman who invited me to this thing called Women Before Work (WbW). They meet on Tuesdays at 7 am at Think Coffee and study the Word. They're all young women and so so nice. Alisa and I already have plans to see an off-broadway play together, and Emily and I are having breakfast on Saturday! I really felt like I clicked and belonged with them, so I will keep meeting with them even if I don't continue to go to the Village. (Sorry, I didn't take any pics of that.)

Tuesday was also the day of my first meetUP. (Go to www.meetup.com to find out more.) The group is called "Try Out NYC", and we meet at different restaurants at least once a month. Trying a new restaurant is exciting enough for me, but these people were GREAT! There were about 15 of us, and we met at an Afghan restaurant in the East Village. (Jeez, there is so much to say about the food and the people that I'm a little overwhelmed to write it all.) The food was pretty good. I don't know if I'd recommend it to anyone as more than a one-time experience. It was just kinda bland. That's what everyone said about their food. (Personally, I liked my okra dish, but that might've been the best thing on the menu.)

When you're new to most groups, you'll have some ppl who want to get to know you and some ppl who could care less. Not in a meetUP group! Everyone is there for the purpose of meeting new people, so there's no awkwardness!! Great great great idea. And now I am adding meetUP to my list of businesses I promote (Rhapsody, Intellegentsia, meetUP)...

You can see pics of meetUP fun here.

Other highlights? On Monday, EunYoung and Laurel stopped by to see me during their layover to India! :) It was really really fun.

Click here for pics from that.

I definitely wait too long btw posts. I know b/c so much happens that when I finally write it bursts forth in a rushing river and everyone just gets wet instead of enjoying the stream...sorry...