oh, hi! 
I'm the girl, Gracie. Here at GML you can follow my journey of dreaming, working, eating, loving, dancing, and blogging my way through life in NYC.
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Yesterday I went over some of the reasons I moved to Manhattan. While they’re all very true, they’re sort of the logistical side of my decision. So, here are a few more reasons…ones that drew not just my mind – but my heart – to New York City.
I’m in love with this city.
Yep, it’s true. We’re like kinda sorta dating, actually.
The people. The sights. The sounds. Even the smell. As cliche as this sounds, New York City makes me feel alive, and I really don’t think I ever want to leave…
I want to spread the love.
Manhattan is a place where people are constantly searching for things like wealth, fame, affection, etc. And, well, I want to let them in on a little secret: I’ve found a love that is unceasing and never fails me. So I want my life – whether I’m on the subway or out dancing with my homegirls – to be a testimony for Christ. This is my mission field, so watch out…I’m coming for ya 
It’s FUN.
Let’s be real for a sec…NYC is even more fun than I thought it would be. Sure, miss “I get 8-10 hours of sleep every night” has become a bit of an insomniac, but I’d trade in a few hours of sleep for epic nights out without giving a second thought. While my natural tendency used to be very type-A and even a bit rigid with my “routine,” being in NYC has taught me that most of what I worried about was…well…a huge waste of time and energy. My new life might be a bit on the crazy side to some, but I’m finally living life, and I absolutely wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now let’s get on with this Cinco De Mayo, shall we?  xoxo G
Since sharing my plans to move into the city over a month ago, I’ve done barely any explaining as to why I made the decision. I guess you could say I just got so caught up in getting here that my desire to write long(er) posts sort of went out the window. But now here I am, sitting in my little nook in New York City, finally providing some of the deets
I moved into the city…
To be closer to my job…and everything else. Ever since moving to LI, just about 80% of my time was spent in the city anyway. And then when I got the new job…well, it was a no-brainer. Although my commute before wasn’t terrible, it was an hour longer (each way) than my new, just-about-ten-minute trip to work. Not to mention it just feels so much easier knowing I live around the corner rather than across the river.
It makes more sense financially. Although my apartment is substantially smaller than my previous one, my housing expenses come out to be just about the same. But now I’m spending half the amount for a subway pass than I did for the train, and I was able to get rid of my car (payments, insurance, gas). Once again, a no-brainer!
To be closer to my family. It’s actually a lot easier for me to get back to Pennsylvania from Manhattan than it is from Long Island. In fact, most of the time when I wanted to go to PA from LI I’d end up taking the train into the city then hopping onto another just so I could avoid crazy New York drivers the traffic. I’m thinking that a lot of my friends and family will be more likely to visit me now too (Y’ALL BETTA).
To be closer to my church family. Since the beginning February I’ve become a part of an amazing community – one that I see myself being a part of indefinitely. It wasn’t easy trying to cultivate those relationships when I lived 40+ minutes away, so I knew that I had to be closer in order to grow and do God’s work in this city. Side note: if you’re in the NYC area and want to learn more/visit my church, *please* shoot me an email! gracie(at)girlmeetslife.com.
Last but not least…
I just knew. Shortly after getting the new job, I started to feel a strong desire to move. At first I forced myself to stop thinking about it as if it just wasn’t an option. Then I began to question every possible direction I could take – how would it happen? Am I being too rash? Is God trying to teach me how to be content? Finally I realized that if I’m walking with and fearing God, He’s going to lead me exactly to where I’m supposed to be without trying to teach me some backhanded lesson (earth to Gracie, that’s not how He works). While I certainly didn’t want to force open doors that weren’t meant to be, I also didn’t want to miss out on His plan because I was busy thinking too much into it.
So, I got determined. I began looking for new apartments while also trying to get a new tenant for the one I was living in at the time. A little over a month later…and, well, the rest is history.
The process has taught me quite a few lessons, for sure. But the main thing I learned is this: there isn’t always going to be a known reason as to why things happen the way they do. Sure, there are plenty of things in my life that I look back on and think “THAT’S why that happened!” But there are also a ton that still boggle my mind, and I’ll most likely never know thee answer.
So will I ever know why God had me move my entire life and live in Long Island for five months if I was ultimately supposed to be in the city?
Probably not. Maybe. It doesn’t really matter.
Because the truth of the matter is that the “why” is always going to be the same – to love God, to love others, and to live my life for His cause – wherever I may be.
And for now….that just happens to be in a concrete jungle.
April was a good month.
Dare I say it was the best month of 2011 so far?
Here are some of my favorite things from the past 30 days.
1. becoming a resident of New York City.
…with a self-photo taken in the back of a cab to prove it, of course.
Side note: I’m just now realizing that I’ve done little-to-no explaining about how or why I decided to move. So…more on that to come!
2. an oldie-but-goodie song.
…that I’ve had stuck in my head just about every day. And don’t mind it.
4. a definitely-not vegetarian meal from Corner Bistro.
The “best burger in NYC” claims are indeed correct.
5. Rusk Str8.
Because the humidity gives my hair a very evil mind of its own. And we cannot have that.
I found Str8 at CVS for about $8, if I remember correctly.
6. Easter weekend.
Let me break it down here for a second. Last weekend turned out to be one of the most heavy weekends of my life…in a good way. You see, even though I’ve been a “Christian” for nearly my entire life, the celebration of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection has never been so real to me. I’ve been feeling more overwhelmed by His love and mercy in my life than ever, and constantly being reminded that He alone is enough for me. In a month that was quite frankly full of moments of uncertainty, fear, and doubt…my joy and confidence is in Christ and Christ alone!!
Was April a good month for you? What was one of your favorite things about it?
Nothing I do or don’t do will change what God has planned for my life.
BUT. His Word was given to me…to us…for a reason. My knowledge of Him and faith in Him is part of the plan, so I must make it a point to live accordingly by acting on these things.
I might not know or be able to control what my life looks like one week, year, or decade from now. But I can practice what I do know. Right here, right now.
Loving God.
Loving others.
Using not just the words I say but the fruit I bear to point to His glory.
Maintaining a hopeful trust in His promises.
God is real, He is mighty, He loves me, and He has saved me.
That is what I know for sure.
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…happy Easter, friends xoxo G
…life lately.
“The Lord will cause us to stand in our lot, and our place is appointed by His infinite wisdom. A wiser mind than our own arranges our destiny, The ordaining of all things is with God, and we are glad to have it so; we choose that God should choose for us.” – Spurgeon.
Sorry I’m not sorry for the slight MIA. Bear with me, please
xoxo G
Hi, friends! I hope that this new week has been faring you well so far
I also hope you have your reading pants on because I’ve got a slightly wordy one for you. Hey, that’s what happens when a girl’s only source of blogging material is a pen, a notepad, and her mind.
You see, on my commute home last night I found myself suffering from a classic case of “million mph mind-racing.” We’ve all experienced it, no?
It got me thinking about fear – something I must admit that I struggle with on a daily basis. Well…I used to, at least.
I’m not talking about “typical” fears, though, like heights or spiders. In my life, fear tries to sneak in and rear its ugly head just about everywhere.
I fear missing out on certain things in life.
…but I also fear that taking certain risks will backfire on me.
I fear being hurt by others.
…but also fear that I might settle for less than I deserve.
I fear making hasty decisions.
…but I also fear that I over-think too much.
(Clearly this post is beginning to point toward the latter on that one. Ahem.)
For the longest time I thought that these fears were normal. I thought it meant that I was just being “smart.” But the truth is that my fears became so debilitating that they kept me from moving forward and making any sort of impact with this life and calling I’ve been given.
Thankfully, I can say that the past few months have taught me that these fears are certainly not normal. I guess you could say I sort of got to the point where I just stopped caring so darn much about whether or not I was going to be struck with the worst-case-scenario. And, that gave me a sense of freedom with my choices and taking (what I considered to be) certain risks.
…It’s not just about “taking risks,” though. Sure, risk can be a great thing sometimes, but it’s not the only alternative to being free of fear. If you ask me, freeing ourselves from these fears we impose on ourselves is one of the most basics steps we must take in order to just…live. And I mean really live.
So, you might be thinking, “how does one live without fear in a society and world saturated with pain, lies, and negativity around every corner?” For me, the answer has been simple.
Fear GOD and God only.
Because when you fear God, the fear of other things seem to become completely insignificant.
Fearing God isn’t about being afraid of Him. It isn’t about being worried, anxious, or distressed. Instead, to fear God is to be in awe of Him and humbled by the fact that there is nothing…literally nothing we fear in life that could come even close to defeating Him. And, nothing that we do or don’t do will change God’s sovereignty or mercifulness.
So fight fear with fear. And fear God – not just because it makes the other fears disappear – but because He is worthy of it.
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Do you have a fear-consumed area in your life? How do you (if at all) work towards overcoming it?
I must’ve jinxed myself by labeling yesterday “Sunday Funday” because today turned out to be quite the grueling Monday. It was mainly because I was just downright exhausted. You know – one of those tired moods that you just can’t snap out of no matter how many ventis you guzzle…??
The fact that I’ve convinced myself I have the world’s worst commute certainly didn’t help. I never thought that my commute was half bad (and, it’s not) until I got my mind set on moving into the city. Funny/annoying how that happens, isn’t it?
Thankfully, though, there were a number of things that helped take my mind off of the pity party “gruelish-ness.”
…like during my train rides, where I zone out and listen to worship music.
(Side note: if you need some comforting music in your life, definitely snag Hillsong United’s newest album Aftermath, k?)
Saying “peace out” to Twitter for the day was also a good release from the gruel. In the same way that I got sick of knowing what everyone was doing via Facebook, it felt great to just be…disconnected, I guess. Don’t worry, though, I’m not getting rid of my favorite social network anytime soon
Knowing that I had a nice semi-homemade meal to look forward to perked me up towards the end of the day…which was definitely needed, considering my late-afternoon doughtnut habit is not doing my energy tank any favors (oops).
Pasta + tuna + spinach + cheese = Tuna Casserole For One.
…also known as, “Lazy Girl’s Comfort Food.”
And now – time for some R&R. Farewell, friends! xoxo G
What makes your grueling days a little less…well, grueling?
One of my favorite things in life is the changing of seasons.
No, really…it’s in my top five.
To me, the way that the weather and nature transforms four times a year (depending on your location, at least) is such a beautiful indicator of God’s personality and…artistry.
The only thing better than the change of scenery is the symbolic significance of the seasons. And, while autumn will always be my saison de choix, spring holds some of that same symbolism.
So here’s to change.
Here’s to new beginnings.
Here’s to new adventures.
Here’s to life in bloom.
Here’s to picnics!
Here’s to sundresses, rompers, and all things floral.
Here’s to beauty that emerges out of the tough times.
Here’s to placing hopeful trust in a God that redeems, renews, and authors each and every season.
(sources: one, two)
What’s your favorite thing about the onset of spring?
That’s right. On this day 24 years ago, yours truly entered into the world.
(Did you know that I missed being born on St. Patrick’s Day by about one hour? And that a nurse delivered me because my mom’s doctor was too drunk to do it himself? True story.)
The past near-quarter of a century seems like it flashed before my eyes, but thankfully I have some amazing memories and experiences to look back on. And, there have also been many lessons learned along the way. Some are important, and others not so much, but in no particular order – here they are.
24 years, 24 lessons learned.
1. When in doubt, wear all black.
2. Fear God, and the rest will follow.
3. When in a relationship, going on a break never works.
4. Mom always knows how to solve the problem.
5. Listening is one of the (if not thee) most important abilities to possess.
6. If a girl friend(s) never compliments you, it’s a problem.
7. Using a sharp knife is not the time to be reckless. And apparently there is a very large vein in the fingertip (yuckfhsvgikguig).
8. It really is as simple as “he’s just not that into you.”
9. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
10. When in high school and/or college, pay close attention in your language classes. It’s what you’ll regret forgetting the most.
11. I’m not a long-distance runner and never will be….nor do I want to be.
12. I’d rather have a life of oh wells than a life of what ifs.
13. “Scrunching” straight hair with gel and hairspray was never and will never be a good look.
14. …the same goes for hair that is black underneath and platinum blonde on top. Not that I’d ever do that, or anything.
15. It’s okay to be picky; life is too short to settle for “good enough.”
16. Laughter really is the best medicine.
17. Everything is better when topped with nut butter. And I really mean everything.
18. Integrity. Have it.
19. Who cares??
20. Wedges are the most underrated accessory.
21. The book is always better than the movie.
22. Everybody is different…usually with a different perspective of reality.
23. Always bring your cell phone, because the one time that you don’t is when you’ll end up stranded with a flat tire. Trust me.
24. I can worry and stress my life away, but in the end it all comes down to the fact that He alone is enough for me.
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birthday giveaway winner.
The winner of the Crumbs Bake Shop birthday giveaway is:
Congratulations, Lesley girl! Please email me at gracie@girlmeetslife.com with your mailing address *and the six cupcakes you’d like me to include in your pack.*
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I’m off to enjoy some birthday stuff, such as an early-exit from work and a night on the town with my favorite girls.
Enjoy this spring-like day for me, please?! xoxo G
Today is a great day.
I could easily say the opposite. I mean, I woke up at 5:30am, it’s pouring rain outside, and this morning I noticed that about 1/8 of one of my molars is chipped off. No big deal.
So, what exactly has made this day a good one? Why am I in this peaceful, content mood?
It could be the fact that even though it’s rainy out, I’m having one of those good hair days that are only experienced the day after visiting the salon. Nope…not that.
Maybe it’s because my lovebug Erica is arriving tonight for a two-day-long visit.
Love ya E, but that’s not it either.
Is it because I made the impulsive decision to stop in a bakery I walked by and treat myself to some….treats?
(mini coconut mousse pie and mini cannoli from Pasticceria Bruno in the Village)
They could very well make for a superb day, clearly, but not in this case. (Side note: New Yorkers – did you know that this week is Cannoli Week? I actually got that mini cannoli on the house, hint hint )
What about the amazing and very much needed message at church this morning (where I heard this quote that I can’t get out of my head)?
Getting warmer, but that alone is not what made today a good day.
What makes today a good day…and every day, for that matter…is that I am saved by grace. My God has a plan for me, and although I might not have the slightest clue as to what that might be, I have hope. I have faith. And He alone is enough for me.
So to early mornings, rainy days, and broken molars…better luck next time.
Does anyone out there like rainy days? (I sometimes do!)
Any tips/products to avoid hair from frizzing in the rain?! This is a serious issue, people
The 140-character limit on Twitter is arguably what makes it so popular and even…revolutionary.
But, are you ever left wondering what the back-story behind someone’s “awesome night” is? Or the reason why they tweeted that cryptic song lyric? Or why they’re “totally craving a cupcake right now?”
I am! So for fun, here are the stories behind some of my recent tweets.
the tweet:
the story:
That’s right, I love Trump. I think he’s hilarious, and I appreciate when people say what they mean and mean what they say. Whether you take him seriously or not, homeboy knows exactly what he’s doing.
the tweet:
the story:
No explanation necessary.
the tweet:
the story:
I’m following a “read through the Bible in a year” program, and right now I’m in the book of Numbers. Let’s just say…it’s not an easy read. Whether you consider yourself a Christian or not, it’s difficult to deny the depth and historical accuracy of the Bible!
the tweet:
the story:
I usually don’t buy clothing if I feel an ounce of doubt, but I’m also rendered helpless to a good sale. If we’re being honest here, though, part of me thinks this dress is hideous  So I’m going to take a page from other bloggers’ books and ask for your help. Yay or nay??
the tweet:
the story:
Broccoli, cinnamon raisin bread with coconut butter, and peanut butter hummus. Not a typical dinner, but an outstanding one.
the tweet:
the story:
Be sure to check out Katie’s Bake Sale, which is taking place today! The proceeds will help to cover the cost of airfare for Katie’s service trip to Nicaragua.
I’m donating some of my Chocolate Hazelnut Oatmeal Cookies.
Your turn – give me one of your recent tweets and the story behind it!
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