Friends had Central Perk. How I Met Your Mother had Maclaren's Pub. Saved by the Bell had The Max. Me? I have Park Ave.
Park Avenue Cafe, or Park Ave. as us overworked actor types love to call it, is my Central Perk. It's a small coffee shop right across from campus and it's a welcome escape from the Starbucks that surround campus at every corner. While I have nothing wrong with Starbucks, Park Ave's atmosphere is something that just needs to be experienced.
My first experience with Park Ave. was last year, when I went there with a group of my actor friends. I always get nervous going to unknown coffee places for the first time. It's a little like a first date. I barely know the menu, everyone seems to be one step ahead of me, and I get very anxious. But, my thoughts on Park Ave. are the equivalent of what love at first sight is said to feel like. I look forward to heading to school because I can always go to Park Ave. I'm greeted by lovely baristas who really try to get to know me, with the sounds of Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, and the Boston Pops playing in their speakers, and for the more athletically-inclined, there is always Spanish football playing on the TV in the back of the cafe. It feels like a bistro, and it's everything I've ever wanted in a coffee establishment.
The staff that works there are some of the nicest people ever. I constantly find myself spending more and more time talking to my favorite barista (who happens to be a good friend of mine) as we mutually kvetch about the machinations of life and school and all various happenings. We dance a familiar tango, and the steps go like this: I greet her, she greets me, I ask for the largest coffee they can get me (a la Lorelei Gilmore, minus the seduction), she jokes and asks if I want it to go or my usual "bucket", we laugh, we catch up, I sit down, she gets back to work. Some people say that routine is a problem, but this particular routine is one that I can get used to.
Park Ave has been the home for many work meetings, class meetings, awkward first dates, even more awkward Tinder dates, relaxation sessions and so much more. I've sat in every booth, at every table, and every time I go in, it always seems like there is some new experience there, and I love it. It's in those booths at Park Ave where I, for only $2.25, get not just a cup of coffee, but an absolutely defining sense of self. I'll always be grateful for the sessions I have with an actor friend of mine where I order my large coffee and he his chicken salad sandwich and always offers me his potato salad, or where I eat my breakfast bagel and contemplate future ideas that I have. And whenever someone asks to meet me somewhere and they don't know where Park Ave. is, I tell them "Look for the red umbrellas". So, whenever you're feeling low, feeling unsure, feeling jubilant, find your red umbrella coffee shop, wherever you may be.
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"DESTINY IS FOR LOSERS. IT'S JUST A STUPID EXCUSE TO WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM HAPPEN." - BLAIR WALDORF.
The world stopped in 2012 when our beloved show "Gossip Girl" ended. For six straight years, we would all tune in every Monday at 9:00 p.m. to see Upper Eastside royalty in the form of a Burberry headband clad Blair Waldorf. Blair was the big sister that we all loved to hate. How could we ever forget the epic showdowns between her and her frenemy Serena Van Der Woodsen? Or the time she banished Georgina Sparks to a Christian summer camp? How about that time when she and her girls took down Bart Bass? Blair is life. She's taught us how to dress, how to be ambitious, and most importantly, how to throw the perfect shade.
HER WARDROBE:
It's no secret that Blair is a fashionista. From her fabulous headbands that coincidentally go with her every outfit to her in season Tory Burch Flats (because we don't do last season's Tory Burch flats), Blair captivated us with her stunning style every Monday. Being the offspring of the hottest designer on the Upper Eastside and best friends with the "it girl" (debatable) Serena Van Der Woodsen, Blair always had to stay on her toes. Through her fashion, she taught us that no matter what you are going through, you must not look like your struggle. Always be fabulous.
HER LOVE LIFE:
BLUCK or CHAIR? I think we'll just go with the hottest couple on the Upper Eastside as a nickname for these two. This relationship that's shrouded in scandal grew from an illicit affair in a limo...need I say more? Throughout all of the scandals, triumphs, losses and suitors in between, these two have managed to stay ahead of the game and become THE face of Manhattan. How inspirational!
Blair is an icon. A global one at that. She taught us how to color coordinate with with accessories & Dior bags, how to scheme our way out of uncomfortable situations and to never settle for less. We all cringed when she single-handedly sent Georgina Sparks away to a Christian boot camp when she was harassing her bestie, Serena. We laughed when she banished that poor freshman from the Met steps because she was wearing "last season's Tory Burch shoes." We cried when she professed her love for Chuck millions and millions of time during the show. We love you and miss you, Blair. Thank you for teaching us that it's okay to be a total bitch.
11 Moments Every College Freshman Has Experienced
Because we made it, and because high school seniors deserve to know what they're getting themselves into
We've all been there. From move-in day to the first finals week in college, your first term is an adventure from start to finish. In honor of college decisions coming out recently, I want to recap some of the most common experiences college freshmen experience.
1. The awkward hellos on move-in day.
You're moving your stuff onto your floor, and you will encounter people you don't know yet in the hallway. They live on your floor, so you'll awkwardly smile and maybe introduce yourself. As you walk away, you will wonder if they will ever speak to you again, but don't worry, there's a good chance that you will make some great friends on your floor!
2. Getting to know your roommate.
There are plenty of awkward conversations, because of course, you have to figure out how to not get on each other's last nerves, but since you are living together, it is very easy to get along and hang out constantly. However, make sure you get of your room and make other friends too.
3. Attending your first class.
You will get up for your first class, and while you may be nervous, you will be excited too, because all your life people and movies have told you that college is different. The classes are different, and you will feel ready for anything that first day of class can throw your way.
4. The good first experience with dining hall food.
Everyone warns you about the dining hall, so of course, you are wary to try it for the first time, but plot twist: it tastes good. You are so relieved because your college defies the norm of bad dining hall food -- for now.
5. Exploring the flaws on your campus.
It's pretty common knowledge that college dorms and buildings are not exactly pristine, so even if you aren't looking for it, you will find some damage. Hopefully, it isn't in your dorm room though.
6. Contemplating skipping a lecture.
There will come a time when you will not want to go to class, and whether it is because of the time of the class or the content of the class or whatever, the truth is that at some point you will skip a class. This is college, so it isn't big deal to miss class, but you will need to make sure that you stay on top of the content, even if you don't go.
7. Using college as your explanation for everything.
Whenever someone tells you something or you have to explain something, there will come a point when you just say, "college," as your explanation, because really, that's all it comes down to. You will change, because that's what college does to you: it pushes you to grow and mature.
8. Finally finding dining hall food annoying.
Honestly, if you make it more than a month without getting sick of the dining hall food, I will be impressed, because seriously, no matter where you go, the food will get to you at some point. When you are unable to consume dining hall food, you will turn to food trucks, take-out, and, most importantly, free food.
9. Getting mad at your roommate.
Let's face it, you will have less privacy, and even if you are good friends with your roommate, there will come a moment when you are just too annoyed to deal with them. The important thing is to talk it out, so that you can move past it and continue to be good roommates.
10. Feeling like everyone else has it all figured out.
When everything seems a little confusing and impossible to figure out, you will feel like everyone else is able to figure their lives out, but here's the truth: most of us are in the same boat. Don't assume that people's lives are perfect because it's quite likely that they think you have everything figured out too.
11. Feeling overwhelmed by finals.
The first set of finals in college can be a daunting task, and you will wonder how to study properly, because you probably didn't study properly in high school. It will be difficult, but the key is really using your time wisely and making study groups.
So, at the end of the day, to my fellow freshmen out there, we will make it through our first year. So, congrats! And, yes, we probably have had moments like this:
Or, even like this:
But, hey, we made it. We faced the awkward, the scary, the annoying, and the sleep-depriving, and soon we will have finished our first year of college. We seriously done good, and I'm proud of us.
As for my high school seniors out there that are reading this, some of these moments may seem terrible, but I swear, it's all worth it. College is a journey, and at least now you can say:
Yes, you will have more responsibility, but it's good. So good luck with your decisions, and don't fret too much, because at the end of the day, you'll end up at a college that is great for you.
21 Things I've Learned About College Life
College is not what everyone expects it to be.
The college years are a time for personal growth and success. Everyone comes in with expectations about how their life is supposed to turn out and envision the future. We all freak out when things don't go exactly as planned or when our expectations are unmet. As time goes on, we realize that the uncertainty of college is what makes it great. Here are some helpful reminders about life in college.
1. Time management is the key to success.
2. Don't leave homework for the night before it's due.
3. Create a relationship with your professors, especially those who teach the classes within your major.
4. Take advantage of school sponsored programs.
5. Go to events on campus.
6. Keep an open mind.
7. Study hard, even when you don't want to.
8. Go to the library.
9. Don't stress yourself out to the point where you can't have any fun.
10. Remember that one bad test grade doesn't define you.
11. Don't let people's opinions define you.
12. Go to sporting events, even if you don't like sports.
13. Stay in touch with your friends from home.
14. You don't have to go out every single weekend.
15. Actually, you don't have to go out at all.
16. Stay true to who you are; don't change for anyone.
17. You won't stay friends with everyone, but your true friends will stay with you forever.
18. Call your parents often.
19. Never give up.
20. Take risks and live in the moment.
21. These are the most important and fun years of your life. Smile, stay positive, and enjoy every aspect of it.
You only get four years of college, enjoy it because one day you are going to be sad it is over.
11 Partial Conversations Overheard In EVERY College Lib In The Last Week Of Exams
"If I'm wearing black tomorrow, it's because I'm mourning my grade."
1. "If I'm wearing black tomorrow, it's because I'm mourning my grade."
2. "Do you want to try ordering Chinese takeout to take back to the stacks?"
3. "This final paper has me questioning if this professor just sucks or is Satan himself."
4. "Is that person over there OK? They've been sleeping for a while."
5. "Why are you online shopping?"
"I want to motivate myself to study."
"Since when do you have money to buy something anyway?"
6. "I wonder how much I could make as a stripper."
7. "There are no stress relief dogs, and I feel conned. My stress today is worse than yesterday."
8. "Rate My Professor screwed me over."
9. "I wore these clothes yesterday, and maybe even the day before, but it's fine."
10. "I wonder if I could sneak a beer in here."
11. "I just really want chocolate chip cookies."
Dear High School Friend Group,
My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.
As much as I love every single one of you, it is not a secret that college and being apart has torn at our friendships a little. Each of us now have our own lives, new people to tell our secrets and gossip too and new people to do weird and goofy things with like we all used to. Things are getting harder in school as we come closer to figuring out what we want to do with our whole lives and that is a little scary. But anyway, we are busy, busy being successful women like we had always planned on doing.
Yes, this is all a little bittersweet. Maybe a little more saddening now that you're reading and realizing how much our lives have actually changed since graduating high school. But, I hope you understand by now that the change is OK! We may have drifted apart, but that is not the end of the world. I think it is important for us to keep in contact as much as possible because we have known each other our whole entire lives and know everything about each other to the tip of a needle. Those kinds of people deserve a spot in your life forever.
This is all becoming so clear to me as I approach the end of the first year of college. The friends I have made in college so far are wonderful and are people who have forever impacted my life and will be around hopefully my whole life. But something else that has come to me is how blessed I am to have you guys as well. Nobody, no matter how close you are to them, will get you like your friend group from high school does.
To my high school friend group, I will no longer call you guys my high school friend group, I will now refer to you as my best friends for life. Because congratulations, you have made it into the next chapter of my life and hopefully, more chapters to come. You all are more than just friends, you are family. I love you all more than you know.
Love,
Your Best Friend for Life
