the lunch spot

Lunch. It is without a doubt the best part of the work day; it's the one time of day when you get to escape your cube, office, or in my case closet, and venture out into the sunshine to refuel your body. The fresh air, the food, and if you're lucky enough to be close, the friends always put a little more pep in your step to help you finish off the day strong.

As I am living the life of a struggling, poor, unpaid, and trying-to-be-healthy intern, I can't afford to pop on over to my favorite salad place at Chelsea Market, grab a low-cal wrap from Pret a Manger, or treat myself to the baked salmon with roasted veggies at the restaurant next door every day for lunch. I've got to be frugal. Thus, I've turned to brown-bagging it. I pack myself a variety of options for lunch, ranging from rolls of turkey and cheese, to Trader Joe's gazpacho soup, to sugar snap peas or edamame, to fresh fruit from the fruit stand man. There are so many good treats to be had and delicious dinners on which to dine here in NYC, that I find it's better I save my money; have a lame lunch so I can enjoy a fun evening instead.

Since the beginning of my time I've always had a "spot" at which I like to eat my lunch. As a toddler I knew where everyone sat and whose bib went with which child in playschool. In elementary school my friend Sarah and I always insisted sitting opposite each other at the end of our class's table, while Marybeth and Clair switched off sitting next to us each day. In high school my friends and I had what we called "The Lunch Table" which was a specific round table at which our exclusive group of six sat and ate in the dining room every day; we celebrated every member's birthday with decorations, songs, and treats, and shared many a laugh and many a tear at that table as well. True to form, I have found my special lunch spot to which I return each day here in the city. After finally breaking out of the cold, fluorescent office, my lunch spot welcomes me with cute green tables, surprisingly comfortable silver mesh chairs, and plenty of open air and sunshine.

I'm fairly certain that these little eating spots are actually scattered all throughout the city. I know that these same tables and chairs reside at the garden in Union Square and I believe I've seen them in other locations, but I am fortunate enough to have this perfect outside eatery where I can bring my bag of surprises to dine in the shine right next to my office. Talk about conveinence.

Here, I like to dawn my Kim Kardashian shades and watch the world go by without anyone knowing I'm watching them. I can catch a few rays and soak up some extra Vitamin D, or hide under an umbrella in order to escape the heat. On a day like today, when the high temperature is 83, there's a nice breeze running through my hair, and the humidity is nothing close to what I would be experiencing in Nashville right about now, eating lunch at my special spot outside is the perfect way to find a pleasant break in the middle of my day.