NYC AIDS Walk

Several weeks ago, I signed myself up to participate in the NYC AIDS Walk. Now - everyone, who really trully knows me, knows that this is completely out of character for me.






There are many reasons for this:

1. I am somewhat selfish. Selfless people always amazes me - I almost find it unbelievable, and I trully admire them. Mostly because I don't understand them. I feel like such a bitch saying this. I am ashamed of it. I know that some of you will be shocked. And yet I know that some of you understand me - but will also be too ashamed to ever tell anyone other than me.
2. Mostly because I am lazy. I am so lazy that I have a housekeeper who has been in my apartment for the past 6 hours cleaning up after myself and my roommates. I can still hear her cleaning my bathroom right now. I am so lazy I wake up late to work every morning - sometimes I am so late I don't even have time to shower. Yes - how gross. I am so lazy that I buy my cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day. Yes - I don't cook. I leave my clothes at concierge, so that they can take it to the laundromat for me.
3. I am unhealthy. I don't exercise. Period. I don't like walking, I don't like stairs, I never run, I don't go to the gym, I don't do sports, I just don't do anything really.
4. I also don't like committing myself. I mean - in order to participate in the AIDS Walk, the team set-up is at 7:30 AM in the morning. So that means 2 things. I have to commit myself to not go out the night before, or at least get home early so I have enough time to sleep. And I have to commit myself to waking up early.

So - why did I do it? I don't know why (or at least I don't remember why). It was a spur of the moment thing. Maybe because I'm bored. But I signed up for it. Also, I figured, it's a walk - how difficult could it be?

So, the night before the NYC AIDS Walk, I had 2 birthday parties to go to. I figured I'd make an appearance to each one then leave and get home by 2AM, which will give me around 4.5 hours sleep.

So I went to the first birthday party at 6's and 8's in the lower east side at around 11PM. Unfortunately, I forgot that most parties don't get started till after 12 midnight. I felt bad leaving so early, because there really weren't that many ppl there. So my friend and I stayed at the birthday party till about 12:30 when other ppl were starting to arrive, and we made our next move to the other birthday party at Guesthouse in the meatpacking district. I had so much fun with my friends that I ended up staying there till 3:30, and when we all walked out, I still didn't feel like going home. So I walked around the corner, and went to Marquee - thinking, I could just stay there till it closes at 4:00. But they closed a little later that night, at 4:30. And by the time I got home it was 5:00AM. Ouch.

Luckily I had 3 alarms all set for 6:30AM. And when those alarms went off - I kept thinking to myself - I can't let all those people who had donated money to support me (and the cause, of course) down. So I forced myself up - and headed out to Central Park. It still amazes me that I actually woke up.

May 21st, 2006 - NYC AIDS Walk photos

And wow - I was so sore the next day! Right after the walk & the lunch, I went straight to the nail salon, had a nice pedicure and manicure along with a much needed massage. Then I went straight to sleep. zzzzZZZZZZzzzzzzz.....

My team raised over $15,000 that day - and the entire event raised over $6 million. I am happy that I had the support of my family and friends, so that I was able to participate and help contribute in my little way. Thanks guys!!

and another day passes by...

I cannot believe it's already May... I mean, J and I have broken up for over half a year already... and I've been getting my own life together for 3 months now...

i feel so happy today - i feel somewhat refreshed & rejuvenated, as though i've almost got it together now... i mean, today was by no means perfect - i had my ups and downs... but it was well-balanced... it felt as though everytime something bad would happen, something good immediately counters it... i felt as though nothing could get me down...

- I woke up... (i'm SO NOT a morning person)
+ The sun was shining (but my mood is completely controlled by the weather)
- I still felt sick..
+ When I walked out of my apartment, one of the twin baby girls who live in the apartment across from me greeted me good morning
+ As soon as I got to the platform, the train arrived (it generally does anyway - but still, not always!)
+ I got a seat on the train
+ I was up to my 10th cup of coffee, which means it will be free tomorrow!
+ A very cute guy who I'd interviewed over a year ago at the client's remembered me by name and greeted me by the elevators
- Worked (hahaha..)
- My colleagues were too busy, and had to work through lunch, so they couldn't eat lunch with me
+ They served Maine lobster and shrimp at the Chef's table for lunch!!
+ One of my staff bought the team chocolate truffles
+ I was invited to watch Sentinel tonight by the guy I met on the plane from HK
- One of the guys called and told me that my friend had brought one of her "Chinese Aussie" friends with her on Saturday and introduced her to my new group
+ I spoke to her and found out it was someone new from Melbourne (and not someone I didn't want intermixed with my new friends *phew*)
- J called and said that his new gf from Washington DC is coming over to NY for the week
- Felt like crap after that call
+ Dropped over at Fay Ray's place, who cooked dinner for me
- The guy I met on the plane couldn't make it till later, so I postponed our date
+ An asian guy asked me for directions, and I helped him out (and felt like a good Samaritan - wow, I don't think I've used that word in many years)
+ A guy approached me at the Wall St subway station and started chatting
- He started to get a little creepy
+ My colleague called me at that perfect moment
+ When I got on the train, I realized I had my nano with me, so I listened to music on the way home
- When I got out of the subway, the weather suddenly changed, and it was very windy and started to sprinkle
+ Got home and watched Capote with my roommates
+ Got my Internet fixed, so that I could write this blog...
- it's 12:41AM now, which means i won't be able to wake tomorrow morning
+ time to sleep!!

And that is my day in a nutshell...