Hey rockstars,
I’ve been meaning to blog for a few weeks now, so here’s a chaotic little omnibus of all the half-formed ideas I’ve had.
If you’re reading this and you’re going: “Okay, there is absolutely no transition between these two thoughts,” then congratulations, that’s exactly what it’s like to talk to me in person.
I’ve been told I tend to talk like people can read my mind – without actually connecting the dots. God forbid I think the person I’m talking to is smart enough to connect the dots for me. But it’s actually quite a predicament. I’m really good at giving context for my work stories because I know most people are not as fascinated about the inner workings of antitrust as I am, but some stories I just expect people to know. The best is when you’re talking to someone who just gets you and what you’re trying to say, like yes queen, A+ in reading and listening comprehension.
Jetsetting (Or Amtraking) to NY
But okay, my last week was busy busy. I went to the New York office for a 2-day training, and even though I loved New York last time I visited, it was over a year ago and the adoration had faded. I did take the “new, fast” Amtrak, which honestly is the same time as (or even longer?) than the Acela and is about $200 more expensive, so needless to say, it’s not really saving you any time or money. BUT the train is brand new and beautiful so I do recommend going on it at least once. It’s ruined me for all future Amtrak rides though.
But New York, like always, was pleasantly surprising. Our office is now in Rockefeller Center – and as a total outsider, I can say that Rockefeller Center is one of my favorite places in NYC. Yes, I might be basic, but no hate. (Other favorite places in NY are the High Line and the MET). So I get there Wednesday night and one of my favorite things about New York is that everyone I know in NY, always makes time for me to see me. I got spontaneous drinks with my friend Conner, and dinner with my sweet friend Megan!
Now those of you who read my last New York blog post, know that I took the subway for the first time, but only with Megan’s help. So naturally Conner and I are figuring out where to meet, and he tells me that it’s actually easier to take the subway to get to the restaurant than it is to uber. I was like: “… bruh it’s a no for me.” But then of course he graciously and patiently walks me through it and tells me exactly which stops to get on and off at and which direction to go.
To be clear, it was probably the easiest subway ride possible. I walked .2 miles to the station, rode the subway for 3 stops, and then walked .2 miles to the restaurant. But my nervous ass was still scared. Conner reassured me I’d be fine, then said, “Text me or call me if you have any issues — but I think you’ll be surprised at how not scary it is.” To which I replied, “I will be live-texting you the entire time.” He goes, “I assumed. Live-texting your panic is a classic Sandhya move.” … and damn, is he right. But once I live-text the panic, the panic’s gone!
So really, I just live-react dramatically to everything happening to me and then I’m like, “okay this is fine.” But uh, I still chickened out and took a taxi instead of the subway. I know. I know. Next time.
But the drinks, dinner, and training were all good, and I skedaddled out of New York Friday evening basically as soon as I could.
Harry Potter, Nostalgia, and Re-Reading Joy
I had a pretty good weekend when I wasn’t working. On Sunday night I had a paint night with “book club” (as I so affectionately group my closest friends). So we all got together and painted canvasses – I made three! We sat on Katie’s screened-in porch, sipping whiskey sours, snacking on fries and charcuterie, and blasting old-school Jonas Brothers and One Direction albums.
Lately it’s been a very “ode to my childhood” type of energy. I’ve decided to start re-reading the Harry Potter books because although I rewatch the movies basically every other month, I don’t ever reread the books! So I started with the third (Sorry 1 and 2) 2 weeks ago, read the 4th last week, and am reading the 5th this week. It’s gotten to the point where I’m reading before bed, then will have a dream about a future chapter, and then wake up and realize that I haven’t gotten there yet and get excited that I get to experience it again. That kind of joy–knowing what’s coming and still being excited–is my favorite kind of nostalgia. Plus, anything Harry Potter-themed is peak Sandhya-coded.
Romcom Energy and the Great Pastry Heist 🥐
Another “classic Sandhya move” is doing outrageous things to feel like a Romcom character. [Cue the iconic picture of me standing in front of my car, wearing a floral dress, holding farmer’s market flowers]. So there is a new cafe near me called “Layered” that has these “insane” (direct quote) pastries that look like realistic and actual fruit. So the one that looks like a lemon is lemon-flavored, the one that looks like raspberry is raspberry flavored, mango = mango, you get the idea. There is a pastry drop at 7am, 12pm, and 5pm every day. And as of two to three weeks ago (their soft launch), patrons would line up 30-45 minutes ahead of time to get their pastries. I had seen their marketing on instagram, and I talked to my friends Nimra and Charmi about it because they tried to go a few weeks ago and despite getting their 40 minutes early, did not get a pastry before they sold out.
So last night we were determined. I texted Nimra that we should get in line. I knew what an undertaking this was for both of us because we’re both decidedly mid-morning people, not morning people. We finally agreed on going today and agreed to meet at 6:30am at the cafe to hopefully have enough lead time to get the pastries before they sell out.
So last night I tried to sleep at 12 after reading a bit more of Order of the Phoenix, then woke up at 2, to read more Order of the Phoenix, and then woke up at 3:30, 4:30, 5, and then just stayed up until 6.
As I mentioned, I’m aggressively a “mid-morning” person, so going to a coffee shop at 6:30, with plans to go straight to work at 7:30 is very off brand for me. For years, I watched teenage shows and sitcoms of people hanging out with their friends before school or before work; that has never been my experience. Sometimes I’ll meet my roommate Sarah in the living room as she’s heating up the water kettle while I’m putting on my shoes to leave for work, but it’s not like we get up to hang out.
But this morning we were determined – one morning person (Justin smh) and three mid-morning people (Charmi, Nimra, me) all set out on this adventure. So I’m driving, blasting some Taylor Swift, and I see Nimra, Justin, and Charmi in the car next to me, as we collectively drive to this coffee shop.
It. Is. Dead.
There is not a single soul in this parking lot, there is not a single soul waiting outside. So we’re back on our clown bullshit because we got up early for no reason to line up for a bunch of pastries that are not about to sell out. Justin commented that we’re going to get arrested for loitering, I said “Relax, I’m a lawyer” – knowing full well that my antitrust background will be zero help in a criminal law situation. But I needed to instill confidence, and I aim to inspire.
Finally we got inside and it was one of those perfect mornings where we all got pastries and coffee, and then sat on chairs/sofas and started chatting about our lives. It was the dream “Central Perk” moment that I’ve craved for years.
Tiny Gestures, Big Feelings (and a Missed Call 💌)
But today was a great day overall. I got a free bagel for our office’s “Bagel Tuesday!,” I went to one of my favorite sushi restaurants for lunch with my friend Julia, and I got a coffee with a new case assistant on one of my cases.
But the highlight of my day was getting a missed call and voicemail from my favorite person.
I’m a sucker for voice notes and voicemails. When I miss someone, their voice is the thing I miss the most. When I read texts from anyone, I read it “in their voice,” and I can actually hear them saying it. Being able to listen to a voice note or voicemail where someone is recording their voice to tell you to have a great day or that they were thinking of you, is a small but incredible gesture of love for me. It’s like a hug in audio form.
It reminds me of my favorite lyrics from that song, Beginning, Middle, End: “There’s magic in details, the tender, small gestures of love, and the way they all add up.”
Another Classic Sandhya Move – relating every emotion to a song lyric or a scene from a TV show.
A Gratitude-Filled Tuesday
All in all, a pretty wholesome and endearing Tuesday. The rest of the day I plan to keep working, do some more Harry Potter reading, take a walk tonight, write in my gratitude journal, and probably write a snail mail letter.
I hope you all have a wonderful day and week ahead. Let me know what your “classic you” moves are — the little quirks and habits that make you, you.
Until next time!
xo
Sandhya
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