San Francisco

My family and I were supposed to go to Mexico last Spring but because of the Swine Flu (lame) we couldn't go. So...I had a ticket that had to be used by Jan 31st. Where oh where should I go??? Well, one of my good friends...Mr. Wayne Covington...was living in SF. I decided to go and visit him. His job got transfered to NYC a week and a half before my trip (which ended up being great...he's my neighbor in nyc now!!! loves it!) so I'm thinking, now what? I called the travel agent and she said the ticket was non-refundable.

I LOVE to travel so I couldn't see just throwing the ticket away and just not going at all. I say...screw it...I'll go alone and I'll have the best time EVER! It's not like I'm shy. PLEASEEEE I figured I would go and just meet some cool new people. So I book a hostel and decide to go with no plans and just see what happens on the other side of the country.

I'm on the plane, seat belt fastened, ready for my travels to begin. Then I hear the flight attendant asking if someone could get off the plane for a stand by passenger. I had no plans upon arrival so I figured...WHY NOT? I get off the plane...I get a free $400 ticket to anywhere I want to go and a free dinner. Anyone want to go on vacation by the way??? My next flight left in an hour and I was ready to explore San Francisco.

As a poor New Yorker I decided to get to the hostel by the train system...I think it was called BART. I found the hostel by myself...no lie...I was kind of proud when I reached my destination. It was the cutest little hostel. I had the bottom bunk bed and shared a room with 3 other strangers. Throughout the week I met several newcomers to the room but one girl stayed the whole time.

The next morning, it was beautiful out and I decided to spend the whole day outside. I took a bus to the golden gate bridge and walked everywhere taking photos. I've been getting into photography so I was having the greatest time. I then walked across the Golden Gate Bridge thinking a little town (forgot the name) was righ ton the other side. After walking around ALL day...I found out that the town was a little further than I thought and I would have had to walk along a highway to get to it. Not a good idea especially since it was now dark outside. The next thing I found out was that no public bus comes to the other side of the bridge so I would have to walk all the way back across the bridge. HELL NO!!!! There was no way that was happening. I was tired I would have hitched hiked at that point! So I see a bus that gives tours and stuff and I start talking to the bus driver. I ask if I can get a ride across the bridge and that I would give him $5. He says he will drop me off at my hostel! It was great!!! I sat on the top of the bus with the rest of the tourists...listened to the tour and got dropped off right in front of my door. Perfection.

SF has an amazing China Town so I knew Chinese Food just had to happen. So one of the girls who was in my hostel went with me to get some mai thais and chinese food. It was sooo much fun. We then went to 2 different fun bars and danced the night away.

The next morning, Me and the girl (I forgot her name) went wine tasting in the Napa Valley and Sonoma. It was AMAZING!!!!!! We went to 3 different vineyards. I had a blast and it was SOOOO beautiful. I am really happy I went because it was an experience I will never forget and something I would love to do again.

After a reallyyyy great day the bus was on its way to drop us off. I read that the Irish Coffee was created at a restaurant in SF (forgot the name of it). As the bus is driving we pass this restaurant. I LOVE IRISH COFFEES! I could drink them all day everyday. I know Im a weirdo but they are SO good! Well, after a little too much wine...I get excited and I tell the bus driver to pull over.

I go to this restaurant sit right up at the bar and get myself an irish coffee. I start talking to everyone and make friends with some old man. He buys me another Irish Coffee and we continue our conversation. I'm explaining to him that I'm traveling alone and what I have seen and done. He's saying that he's an SF native and he would love to show me around. Well after chatting for about an hour I said sure. I mean what's the point of traveling alone and not meeting people especially those who are from the area.

Next thing I know....he buys me ghirardelli chocolate and takes me out for an expensive dinner. He gets a bottle of wine appetizers, fancy entrees. Meanwhile, the whole time Im telling him I have to be back at the hostel by 10pm because Wayne's best friend Amir was going to take me out and show my the nightlife of SF. Sure enough after a great dinner...the old man (never got his name) brings me right to the hostel and said he hopes I enjoy the rest of my time here. SEE FRIENDS....THERE ARE NICE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD. I think people need to take more risks and live a little instead of always worrying about the what ifs.

Anyways, I then went out with Amir and had a crazyyyy night of dancing. SO MUCH FUN! SF def knows how to have fun!

The next day, I walked around Union Sq, Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. I rode one of those cable cars and again took lots of pictures. I think the best part of traveling, especially when your on your own, is to just walk around and explore. I took myself out for dinner which included a sourdough bowl with clam chowder in it....ohhh and several fruity happy hour drinks ;) It was such a nice feeling sitting at this restaurant alone...looking out to the bay with seals. I know it might sounds kinda lonely but it was liberating knowing I had no one to impress, no obligations, I was just there enjoying myself.

The next morning I went to brunch in Haight-Ashbury (I think thats what its called...its been awhile). I went with that girl from my hostel. So much fun! We had a mimosa and then went to all the thrift shops filled with 70s clothes. It was fun to look at everything. I then got a massage and was ready to catch my plane.

I had such an amazingggg time in SF!!! I am so happy I went on this trip. At first I was def hesitant to go alone since I did not know ANYONE. But, it ended up being on of my favorite vacations. I would def travel alone again if I ever need a get away. This year has made me even more independent than before...and I like it ;) I have decided that I absolutely LOVE telling stories and those stories are onlyyy created by being adventurous.

The Island of Absolute Craziness...NYC!

I am currently on the Megabus heading back home after being in NYC for 5 1/2 months. I figured it was a good time to share with you all my experiences that I have encountered since I moved here. Before doing so, I want to apologize to all of you (Especially those in SA) who I promised to update this blog of my most crazy stories. I know...FAIL! Starting today I will keep this blog up to date...so if you ever need a good story or just miss me then be sure to check out THIS blog ;) Alright, here's to the last five months. Enjoy!

Everyone who knows me, knows that I have the weirdest luck both good and bad which create all of these stories. So when reading this blog, just remember that for some reason crazy things ALWAYS happen to me. I mean seriously....it's DAILY.

As long as I can remember I have dreamt of moving to the Big Apple to pursue my artistic dreams. Yes...the whole paying wayyy too much rent for a tiny room that you have to walk up entirely too many stairs to, working all day and all night, living off of ramen noodles and oatmeal, and any actual free time you get you audition or take a dance class was all part of my dream. In fact, the whole dream was kind of inspired by the movie Coyote Ugly. I know sooo cheesy but it's the truth.

October 14th, 2009. My adventures begin. Bill and I decided to take the Megabus (double decker bus...amazing) to NYC for the big move. Of course, I wait to the last minute to pack my life into 2 suitcases which actually ended up being 2 suitcases and too many small bags. I was running late and we already had bus tickets. My dad was driving Bill and I into Boston. Bill and my dad were both saying there is NO way we were going to make that bus. I was not listening because I just knew we would make it. Of course, Bill and I catch the bus right as it is about to leave. "I told you so," I said with a wink. His reply, "You have the best luck ever." We knew from there that the start of our post-college life was going to be nothing but great stories and memories.

We hop of the bus in NYC, catch a cab to our Brooklyn apartment, enter the building and jump up and down with excitement. After a summer of anticipation Bill and I arrived in our amazing apartment. We spent that night staying up all night, cleaning and making it our home for the next 2 1/2 months!

The week that I moved to NYC I was asked to be in a performance that was celebrating 25 years of social dance. It was a 60s style dance and was performed at 92nd St. Y. One of the dancers knew I needed a job and got me an interview at Arts Connection. I am now the Site Coordinator for Arts Connection. It is such an amazing organization!!! It is a non-profit that brings the arts into public schools. I oversee that everything runs smoothly. I get to work with so many kids and such talented teaching artists. I feel so fortunate to have this job and I hope to continue with the organization for many more years to come.

So my confidence was rocket high my first week in the city. My second week I decided I needed another job. I put on my cutest interview outfit, print out a bunch of resumes, and I hit the streets. I go from restaurant to restaurant. After spending a whole day applying, I decided my feet were killing and it was time to go home. As I get off the subway in Brooklyn, I get a call from a restaurant asking me to come in to train as a hostess.

I hop right back on the subway and go to Scarlatto's to begin training. Im thinking....SWEET....I got a job! Training went great. At the end of the night I got to choose a meal of my choice and they gave me to glasses of wine. Perfection.

The next day. I get a call from Glass House Tavern. They want me to come in to train as a server. I'm thinking...no wayyyy 2 jobs!! I quit Scarlatto's since Glass House Tavern was giving me a job as a server. I thought I hit jackpot with this job. It's a beautiful restaurant in the heart of the Theatre District. Everything went great for awhile....until they decided to work me so hard til I was burnt out (which can happen easily in the city).

I ended up working on Mondays at Arts Connection and every other day at Glass House Tavern. If I was lucky I had one day off that was spent on dancing and doing errands. I would work from 10am-1am every day. I would leave my apartment at 9am and get back at around 2am. It was AWFUL! I ended up having no social life and got reallyyyy sick from it. Although, I did not like this job I got to meet some really cool people. Some of the people I met at Glass House tavern have become my good friends here in NYC. Also, I met a bunch of Broadway stars and movie stars. I had Thanksgiving with Ray Romano this year...ohhhh heyyyy!!! Ohhh and I guest bartended at Calico Jacks the other night and 2 of the cast members from Rock of Ages came for me....ohhhh heyyy againnnn!

Alright, so after realizing I was getting sick I decided to quit the job and move on with my life. SO....I had a ticket to San Francisco which I'll write another blog about......went by myself, had some EvieK time to think and decide what to do next.

I'm going to sidetrack for a minute and tell you guys some stories that have happened in between all of this.

HALLOWEEN: So...Since Glass House Tavern at the time was taking over my life my halloween was not as crazy in terms of raging as I would have liked. But...MY LOVELY BIG....Miss. Allyson Toolan was in town which meant I was most def going out to have a drink with Toolan and Cote. Next thing I know Bill called me because he got locked out. I had to wake up early the next morning anyways so I decided to call it a night. Well...I was in a little cat costume and was not taking the subway alone to Brooklyn. I decided to be smart about it and try to take a cab. Little did I know that trying to take a cab on halloween is near impossible. Next thing I know a stretch limo pulls up. REALLY, NO BUT REALLYYYYYYY???? He says there is no way I am getting a cab tonight...Where am I going? I tell him I have to go to Brooklyn and he says awww that's a little too far.

Some guys behind me sees the limo and asks him if they give him $50 will he bring them to a club that was honestly only like 5 blocks away. The limo driver, Dimitri, says yes. I then ask well can I go along for the ride?? Everyone says absolutely and the next thing I know I am jamming out to "Empire State of Mind" with a limo filled with dj's telling me to come to the club and I would be VIP. I say no thank you. I thank the limo driver for the fun ride and am about to leave and try to find a cab when he says you know what...I'll give you a ride to Brooklyn.

He drives me to Brooklyn and shows me different sites of NYC. He has a heart to heart with me about how good things happen to good people. What goes around comes around. Meanwhile, I'm still in shock that I am rolling about to my Brooklyn neighborhood in a strecth limo. Bill is waiting in the lobby as the limo pulls up. His face was priceless. I mean just envision me, Eve Karlin, coming anywhere in a limo. Obviously I was playing the part of a diva!

Next Story: I show up to work early so I decide to go to Starbucks for my caffeine fix. As I am walking I feel something drop on my shoulder. I look...a bird dropped dead on me. I start screaming in the middle of the street. Everyone stops and stares at me...who is this weirdo?? I realize the bird is now on the ground so it just looks like I'm one of those crazies. But...seriously....who has a bird drop dead on them? Gross.

My New Apartment: My sublet for my brooklyn apartment was ending. I see an ad on craigslist for an apartment. I go immediately to look at it and sign the lease right away. Most people would neverrrr do that. Instead, they would search a bunch of apartments....oh and probably would meet the other 4 roommates first. Well, my apartment is in the heart of Manhattan. Chealsea. Amazing. Ends up I have a roommate from Belgium, one from Germany, one from Paris, and one from Jersey. I am living the reality tv show of REAL WORLD. It's kind of fantastic.

Ok, so back to where I left off. I decided that I needed to go to bar school and become NYC's next best bartender. So I graduated from bartending school and next thing I know I see that COYOTE UGLY IS HAVING AN AUDITION! No wayyyy!!!!! Here I was...coming to nyc with 2 suitcases, on the bus, as a struggling artist, living in Manhattan in a 4 floor walkup. OF COURSE I HAD TO AUDITION. Here's the catch. I didn't realize my audition was dancing on the bar, trying to get as many shots and coyote shirts as possible, and not being able to refuse a shot as a coyote. Here I was in nice black pants and a button up.

Well, I rocked out!! I danced on that bar and showed off ALL of my moves. Next thing I knew I got a call telling me to come back and train to be a Coyote. I went several times after that but haven't been going as much. The whole training process is a little long. Who knows maybe I'll continue with it this summer though. Nothing better than being a Coyote...gotta love the Ugly!

I also got a job as a yoga instructor teaching 2-10 year olds. That job is going really well also!!!! I realized that I love working with kids!!!!!! So as of right now....I guest bartend, I am a yoga instructor, I work with Arts Connection, and I dance.

Every day brings new surprises. I couldn't tell you what I will be doing in a week from today. That's why I love NYC. I get surprised daily by what I see and what I do. I am really happy with what I have accomplished in the past 5 months and I look forward to what will come. LOVES IT!

Sorry this post was sooo unorganized and all over the place!! I'll do a better job with keeping up to date!

XO,

your one and only....EvieK