Yoga, Cocktails, and a Black Eye

So, I have sucked at actually blogging. Obviously. So, I've decided to abandon trying to blog about absolutely everything and making sure it is all chronological. That's just not going to happen because I'm too busy being awesome in New York.

So, today's tale is the Adventure of Randi's Black Eye.

Yesterday was a faaaabulous day. I got up early and went to celebrate the summer solstice by doing yoga in Times Square with another 14,000 people. It was AWESOME! No, some yogi didn't kick me in the face coming out of some crazy pose. Haha! My roommate Jill came with me. We got there a bit late so all the free gift bags and yoga mats were gone. Sad. We registered, found a spot, and found our zen amidst the craziness of Times Square. It was amazing and just so much fun to be part of such a huge event. I love New York because stuff like this happens allllll the time.

After that, I went to work and listened to musicals while working. Always a good time. That evening for work we attended a big networking cocktail party. Scary!!! Networking is so essential but so scary. Don't worry though. I rocked it. I met a lot of people that do a lot of good work here and throughout the world. Bonus prize: I got to sit and talk in Spanish for awhile too. I could live in NYC forever cuz there is soooo much Spanish! Plus, there were lots of free cherry tomatoes. It was great. We socialized, networked, exchanged info and then we were off.

My boss decided we would take a cab back. Normally I don't take cabs because cabs cost money that I don't have and the subway is always nearby. But, hey, if the boss asks if you wanna come along, you say yes. So, we jumped in a cab and we were in the midst of a fabulous conversation when all of a sudden I was flung forward. The cab driver had slammed on his brakes... Hard! Consequently, my face slammed against the plastic divider wall that separates us from the cabbie. I left my greasy face mark on the cab, my glasses broke, and my eye was cut, bleeding, and starting to swell. The drivers involved immediately got out of the car and began asking "Are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital?" blah, blah, blah and all I can say is, "Where are my glasses? I'm blind! I really need my glasses! Can anyone see them? Seriously, I can't see without them!" as I am sitting there holding the broken off arm in my hand. I think in the intensity of the moment I really felt I could not accurately determine my wellbeing without the ability to see. In hindsight that's ridiculous. Once my glasses were secured, I got a nice lecture about the importance of wearing a seatbelt. Great timing cabbie, great timing.

So, I went home and was flying on adrenaline. I was totally stoked!!! I secretly have always wanted a black eye! And here I was with the beginnings of my own personal black eye. So exciting! Well, the adrenaline and the caffeine from my Coke started to wear off and I started to crash. Then the headache kicked in. Our friend Alex came down to try and fix my glasses and he asks if I could possibly have a concussion. Cue panicking. I really had a hard time letting myself sleep last night because I was so terrified that I'd go to bed and never wake up again. Don't worry though, I'm still alive and kicking.

I took the day off today to try to sleep off the headache. It didn't work. Eventually, with the persuasion of my program counsellor, I decided to go see a doctor. First, I made my way to a walk-in clinic and they wouldn't help me as I don't have an insurance card yet. I have insurance and I have a copy of the card in an email on my phone but the actual card is in the mail and should be here in 4-6 weeks. Ha! Really helpful. So, I went to work, printed of any proof of insurance I could find and headed to a hospital. Whaaaaaaattttt a gong show. I am proud to be Canadian if for no other reason than our hospitals are organized. And efficient. And not a complete gong show like this place. There's a guy in cuffs with a cop and the cop's gun that has kinda followed me all through this process. It's been funny to listen to them argue about when he goes to court and who gets to decide what his treatment is and on and on. Once I made it through the bureaucracy side of it all it hasn't been too bad. Just waiting for a cat scan and for the all clear and then I get my headache drugs and my black eye and I should be good to go.

Just another day in NYC.

Ps. The story I'm going with is that to get the full NYC experience I have joined a gang and I got it during an initiation... thing. Seems tougher.