New York, pt.2 September 2010

I find myself to be a confident woman in New York. I am assertive, throw flirty glances, and find myself striding assuredly with a smile for everyone.

I came to New York City determined to look and act like a city girl. I packed only 3 pairs of shoes: cute heels, leather boots, and non-skid work shoes. No slippers, and you know I love my slippers. But honestly, I don’t know how these city girls do it. A full day in heels and I’m ready to cut my feet off. Did I mention that I have flat, wide feet? These heels don't allow for swelling. And then the next full day in boots. Ugh. The skin is being polished off of my scrunched up pinky toe, exposing raw flesh and causing shoe chafing, making me walk slower in hopes that the rubbing will be less painful. Guys, whenever you think some chick in heels is walking by "seductively", it’s probably because her feet hurt. A lot. I swear it.

I came to work the International Chefs Congress, a solid lineup of famous people demonstrating famous things and sharing some of their famous philosophies. I was the lead kitchen volunteer, which basically means I had to coordinate all the ingredients, supplies, and equipment that the various chefs and presenters would need to do their segment. It’s nice to be recognized for working hard and doing your job well, and I got a lot of personal thank yous which gives me such internal satisfaction. I had fun, most definitely, but you know I love running the kitchen. My defining moment, of course, was hearing Suzanne Goin (God, I love her) talk about the balance between chef and mother and wife and boss, and how you’re always going to let someone down. Those are her exact words. She said you’re always going to miss a soccer practice, or not be able to cook at a friend’s wedding, or something, and that’s just part of the deal you accepted.

Is this industry still for me? Hell yes.

All this she was explaining as she was doing a cooking demo of pork confit, chorizo cornbread stuffing, and cavolo nero. I love her style, I love her philosophy, I love the way she carries herself and her carefree, sassy yet confident demeanor. My kitchen partner asked why I don’t try working for her if I love her so much, which made me stop and think. Why don’t I? It’s never even crossed my mind. But I think I’ve already put her on too high a pedestal bordering on semi-idolatry. I would create an equally idealistic view of what working for her would be like. What if it doesn’t measure up to my expectations? I don’t want to lustily crave what might not exist because I’m starstruck; it would be a crushing blow to all of the illusions I’ve created for myself. So in this particular case, I think I’m better off with my dreams intact.

After I got my cookbook autographed, that is. After all, I still love her.

The last time I was in New York was ten years ago as a sophomore in college, when Manhattan was the biggest city I’d ever been in. I remember being frustrated by the crowds, blinded by big lights, and simply overstimulated by all of the attitude and energy that is the big city. After 2 weeks, I was done. New York City was not for me.

Now that I look back on it, I think it’s more accurate to say that Manhattan is not for me. I’m staying in the outer borough of Sunnyside in Queens, which is what I would call a legit neighborhood. I have easy access into the city by bus, train, or subway, and feel normal walking around, eating out, and doing laundry like a regular person. I’ve been treated fairly well by everyone, and generally have only encountered nice, helpful people. As long as I don’t have to live in the city city, I heart New York. I think I heart it a lot.

People of note: Shauna is doing her medical residency out here, and I was lucky enough to be in town at that same time as her sister Christa and boyfriend Ben, both in from Paris, their dad Paul from Hawaii, and the now-husband Matey (who was just the boyfriend when I first met him). Valentina (one of Soaf’s classmates from Stanford) squeezed me into Brooklyn, and gotta love Mark (my ICC partner-in-crime and drinking buddy). I couldn’t be a happier girl with life right now. Things seem to be going so right.

see more New York City/ICC pictures here