Cool Dad: On August 29, 2008, we boarded a plane in Orlando, FL with two suitcases, two backpacks, a car seat, and the idea of turning our lives upside down. We landed in Philadelphia, took an hour-long train ride that seemed three times as long, and arrived in New York City.
We’ve told our story on this blog and will continue to tell it as it happens. If you want to catch up, here’s how we left nearly everything we had and everyone we loved in Florida for the unknown challenges of NYC: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Part 4 to come.
Cool Mum: Within the first few weeks in NYC, I was already dreaming of staying here longer than our original one-year plan would allow. I fell in love. Dirt, dog poop, smoke, and all. I came here mainly to take away all I could from the city – life experiences and photo opportunities – and now I am more and more inspired to give, to reach out, to seek God here. Thank you, God, for this opportunity and for putting the desire in our hearts to move here!
CD: We’d like to give you an anniversary gift. Here is a slideshow of Year 1 of the Cool NYC Adventure, set to the song that we’ve listened to the most over the last 365 days: ‘Life in Technicolor ii’ by Coldplay.
CM: I told Cool Dad that I wanted “Dare You to Move” by Switchfoot to be the theme song for the slideshow. My clever and humorous-to-me idea was rejected. But still, I do dare you to move to that place that God puts in your heart, whether it is a new friendship, a new city, or a new country.
CD: We hope that the second year will be even more fun – for both you and us. Thanks for being cool and sticking around. Turns your lights low and your volume high…
[RSS readers: link to embedded video on YouTube]
The Cool Studio is open to you for an exclusive tour. Get ready to be awestruck!
continued... Post a comment (21)To get to and from Connecticut, we rented a ZipCar and packed 5 of us into a peppy Honda Fit. In an actual car, this was our chance to load up on goods without having to lug them across streets and on subways and buses like Cool Pack Mules.
We looked up the nearest Target to Hartford. When we were almost there, we passed a Wal-Mart, and I wondered if we should stop there instead. Then I immediately perished the thought. Why, though? What do I have against Wal-Mart?
WM certainly got me through my college years, with its affordable twin comforters, toilet paper, and underwear. Now, I’m a Target devotee. Am I just a sucker for style? My obsession with being cool might be getting the best of me – Target seems much cooler than Wal-Mart. Four examples:
COMMERCIALS
Target: Red-leather clad guys and girls strut around stylish furniture while the Target bullseye pulsates in the background.
Wal-Mart: A family touts the cheap bags of name-brand chips that one can score for the big game.
STOREFRONT
Target: The clean, red Target and bullseye lure shoppers all day and night.
Wal-Mart: The Wal-Mart sign – burdened with one more letter and a hyphen – often renames the store “Wal-Mrt” or “Wa-art” as letters won’t light up or have just fallen off.
CLOTHING BRAND
Target: Their Merona brand is trendy enough for work and social activities, while comfortably priced.
Wal-Mart: I’m not sure who was in charge of naming their apparel line, but ‘Faded Glory’ doesn’t make me feel good about what I’m wearing. I know I’m getting old; I don’t need my khaki shorts reminding me every time I put them on. I will give WM the benefit of the doubt for the possibility of a veiled, yet unfortunate Moses reference.
PRICE
While I initially had the impression that Target was more expensive across the board, they often give WM a run for our money. We just got 82 size 4 Target diapers for $14, regular price. WM may or may not match with their store brand diapers, which I’m not sure are named. UnderPoos? Fetid Glory?
I’m not knocking Wal-Mart shoppers; I’ve been one for decades. I wish we had one nearby. And cheap chips are a better use of money than pricey, boutique chips.
But as you know, we’re fighting inevitability here and need to hold on to every last shred of cool that we have. If that means propping my red leather-clad legs on stylish ottomans, then I guess we’re aiming for the bullseye.
Where does your discount store loyalty lie: Target or Wal-Mart?
This post is part of Works for Me Wednesday.
