a day in the life of an assistant account executive.

5:37am: wake up and look at my cell phone that sleeps in my bed with me now due to me sleeping on the top bunk of an Ikea bunk bed
7:35am: wake up to an alarm I am going to ignore, hence, giving up any opportunity to shower
8:35am: wake up for the third and final time in a panic
9:43am: stroll into work, notice my boss is not yet in and do a tiny fist pump
10:00am: try to start working with the studio on a massive project, but can't because Baky (my studio guy) doesn't get in until 11:00am
10:02am: start listening to the new Taylor Swift CD on repeat (this will last all day)
10:57am: get a call from Baky, this is the beginning of a long day of pouring over layout after layout with this man, who I know is really tired of seeing me walk toward him
12:00pm: lunch time, but I won't be eating... I'm too busy
1:46pm: find a free sandwich in the kitchen, best break of the day
2:00pm-6:44pm: not really sure on the specifics here, but they have a lot to do with Baky, grapes, Taylor Swift and that sneaky little machine that spouts out pretzel M&M's.
6:45pm: watch all of my co-workers get dressed up and go to the work Halloween party.
7:46pm: receive call from my boss... "What are you wearing to the party?".. "I'm just going to wear my normal clothes".. "No!! I have two costumes for you to choose from, devil or army girl.".. I'm thinking, "man, those both sound slutty.." so I went with the army girl. If any pictures surface I will definitely post them.
8:15pm: boss arrives with before mentioned Halloween costume... It is undoubtedly skin tight (I think she's a size 2) and is definitely going to rip if I ever sit down. Luckily there is a zipper in the front? Ok ok, so I slip (more like squeeze) into this little number only to have part of the zipper come apart. Did I mention that I am just standing in my cubicle?  So naturally my boss comes over (who is a female) while I am just standing in black tights and my bra. She and I stand there awkwardly together and fix the zipper. We are on our way.
8:23pm: my boss hails a cab, I explain that I will not be able to sit down in the "dress" and she tells me just to pull it up in the cab. I do.
9:00pm: We finally arrive at the Halloween party and you know what? Everyone there is awesome. I love my job. By the time we got there everyone was at least buzzed (they had been there since 7pm afterall) and did not seem to mind that I wasn't drinking. I'm so glad I'm Mormon.

New Developments

Since it has been several months since my last post,  there have most definitely been some new developments as it were.

- I have a job. A real job. You know, the kind where I wake up every day and go.
- I am a commuter. This goes along with having a real job.
- I have 2 roommates. Brenda and Hannah. They are fabulous.
- I bought a sweater with horses on it. (See below)
- Ok, I guess there aren't that many new developments.

I am going to write more in depth on each of these topics, excluding the last one.

I'm Free!

This week has been especially crazy. I worked 51 hours and all of those hours were spent watching focus groups. Needless to say, I felt FREE when I finally got to leave tonight at 7:30... While we're on the subject of free, I would like to brag about the things I have swindled out of people at little to no cost to myself. They are in no particular order.

1. Movie tickets (I saw Inception and yes it really is cool)
2. Yankees tickets (Company seats, amazing)
3. Toothpaste (Colgate is one of our clients)
4. Orange juice (They, meaning marketers, pass it out on the streets some mornings)
5. Billy Elliot ticket (Thanks to a dear friend)
6. Lunch and dinner almost every night this week (Company expenses right?)
7. Pink Berry (Lucy and I used the Secret in order to have the man in front of us buy our tasty treats)
8. Bagels (My favorite thing about Monday mornings)
9. Goldfish (The cracker, not to be confused with Frank, they are also a client)
10. Granola bar (Someone handed it to me on the street attached to some sort of propaganda)
11. Ice cream (Courtesy of Coach)
12. Band of Horses concert, t-shirt and poster (It was just free)

That is all I can think of, but rest assured it is my main concern throughout the day to find things that are free that are not garbage.

Today on Wall St.

I think this is funny because not only can this preface describe things that are going on in the stock market, but also things that are going on in my apartment.

everything is a crisis.

That's it for this thought.

the boss man

Me: Do you have the latest status?
Will (boss): Yes, but it hasn't been updated since you had it.. we should go over that this afternoon.
Me: Ok, what time?
Will: Why do you always need times?! ...2:30

dogs.

Everyone has a dog here. Isn't that gross? I have an embarrassing story to tell you. It's not that bad, but I want to get it out there.

Ahem. I was being a brat on Sunday, nothing too uncommon. I asked Chad Rogers, a frequenter on the Cara Show, if he was going to come on the subway with me as it was night or whatever. He said no and then feeling kind of dejected I walked to the corner, not seeing that this couple had a dog in tow. I, of course, tripped over the leash of said dog twice, but luckily did not fall. I hesitated to turn around, because I knew all of my friends had seen me. I turned around and laughed at myself, but not as hard as they were laughing. And so there I stood on the street corner pretending to laugh for another 30 seconds, standing only feet away from my ridiculing friends waiting for the light to turn green. Not my brightest moment.

I don't know, what do you want to do?

Well I will tell you. When you, darling friend who reads my blog, come to visit me we are going to do the following things:

1. Walk around New York like tourists: this means walking extra slow while looking up and more likely than not taking pictures we think are artsy or unique.
2. Amateur Night at the Apollo: if you are here on a Wednesday you will love this. Harlem has never been more fun.
3. Dinosaur BBQ: this is in Harlem and is to be eaten before going to said am. night. Ashley, you probably won't like this, but maybe your mom will so don't be a diva.
4. Magnolia Bakery: I believe I have mentioned this before, I just wanted to remind you this would be happening.
5. Central Park: duh
6. Washington Square Park: this is my favorite park of the parks so far. It has everything you could possibly want: an arch, a fountain, people playing music, people playing chess, people you live there, and usually there is this van that sells shakes and cupcakes. I'm sorry so much of this blog is about sweets. Don't be surprised that I have gained 186lbs. Thanks.
7. The Crocodile Lounge: ok so I don't drink, but this is such a fun little bar. You buy a drink and get a free mini pizza. Plus you get to play skiball which I will beat you at.
8. Broadway musical: if there is one you want to see I will let you buy a ticket for me :)
9. Brooklyn Bridge: A lot of people like to walk across it. I have yet to complete this tourist activity but I hear there pizza waiting on the other side, so hopefully that will be enough motivation for you.
10. Ride the subway at rush hour: it just wouldn't be a true New York experience unless you did this. You will really feel a lot closer to the city afterward.

For ideas on what you can do for free during your visit you can check out www.freenyc.org and http://www.pulsejfk.com/

I have made a paper chain to count down until your arrival!

There used to be a wall there.

What is Wall Street? Yes, this is my new place of residence. I thought for some reason when I moved to New York I would be able to settle down in once place. I have now been here less than three months and in my third apartment. After this apartment I will be setting up shop, I promise. It may be in one of the five boroughs of New York, maybe California, or perhaps even your house. Please let me sleep on your couch. Until I move into your place, here are some pictures of where I call home :)

Things at Y&R are looking pretty good. They know I want a job and talk to me about it. Oh, I am getting paid now. Nothing crazy like a salary or anything, but it helps pay for my cupcake habit. You didn't know about this? Magnolia. Chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, but if you are feeling fruity (take that whichever way you please) I would highly recommend the banana pudding. Very choice.

If you do not want to pay for a chocolate cupcake, although that is foolishness in you, there are always free treats to be had. Please wait until a later blog post so that I can tell you about how I try to survive on essentially whatever I can get wherever I can get it. That is all. Thank you and goodnight!

I love Pipi.

This is Pipi the cat and I on our last day together. We had a lot of good times in Greenwich Village, just hanging around Washington Square Park eating crepes. I wish I had taken a picture of my view from that apartment. I could see the Empire State Building when I was laying in bed every night.

Did you know that they change the colors of the lights on that building almost all the time (perhaps even every day)? They do it for many different reasons. A few of them are:

1. National holidays (red, white and blue... obvious)
2. In support of the beloved sports teams and universities
3. To pay respects to certain individuals (Frank Sintra's death was commemorated with all blue lights)
4. And of course the Westminster Dog show (I don't know what colors celebrate that)

My favorite part of my apartment though, was its proximity to Washington Square Park. To learn more about this park please come and visit me in NYC.

PeePee the Cat

My roommate for next month is a cat named PeePee. Look for his own personal blog in the coming weeks. While you're waiting for that go ahead and spend some time here: thecatorialist.blogspot.com

Let me count the ways.

I love Young & Rubicam for the following reasons:

1. First and foremost, the doors on the bathroom stalls swing outward and not inward.
2. The people are precious.
3. It is on Madison Avenue, which makes me feel like I might have made it big or something.
4. The walls on my floor are giant chalkboards. I don't like touching chalk, but I like to look at it apparently.
5. People have heard of it.
6. They gave me (and everyone else who works here) a Y&R mug.
7. My boss/supervisor bought me a smoothie.
8. I got free toothpaste once.

...There's more, but I can't remember.

Ravioli? Holy Cannoli!

Cake Boss has been one of my favorite shows since I got my wisdom teeth out last summer during one of their TV marathons. Needless to say, when I found out that it is located in the ever-so-close town of Hoboken, NJ, I would find myself enjoying one of their highly publicized cannoli. Now let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Having never tried cannoli before, I had no idea what to expect, but it was definitely worth the two $1.75 tickets to and from Hoboken and the $1.70 for the actual treat. When you come to visit I will take you here and you will love me for it.

The million dollar view.

The view is nice looking out, but there's not much to say about the other side of the window.

Look familiar?

Kelsey and I happened to walk by this little joint the other night after not being able to get on the subway. We thought it looked familiar and further research proved that yes, it is in fact, the very diner the beloved Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer. I love New York City.

Home Sweet Harlem

BYU failed to mention that we would actually be living in Harlem. We have the sweet lullaby of police sirens and the gentle warmth of dirty air to lull us to sleep every night. Thanks BYU.

on the street where I live!

500 Riverside Drive that is. We are essentially living in dorms right by Columbia University. Feel free to send me letters and monies. You're the greatest.
http://www.ihouse-nyc.org/s/707/start.aspx

So, you've decided to spend some time reading a blog.

I am so happy that you chose to read mine. I don't pretend to have anything terribly witty to say, but if you are my mom, you will not be disappointed. I hope to entertain you all with my adventures at the established and prestigious Young and Rubicam in Manhattan. I will be starting in just a few weeks and could not be more excited. You may be thinking, "Cara, it is just an internship! You won't have time for fun." Well let me tell you what I am imagining and fully expecting for myself. Unless I am mistaken my time in New York will be a combination of You've Got Mail (with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan), 30 Rock (I will be on Madison Avenue... but it's close), and last but certainly not least Seinfeld. I'll let you know how that goes.