Advice on men for women

Posted on March 25, 2013 by jerlyn

I’m not sure whether Oprah really said this but if she did, I’m not surprised. I do agree fully with this advice and I thought it deserved a repost (it has been reposted hundreds of times online I’m aware). Maybe after this people will stop asking me why I’m unmarried and without child.

There are many roles in life that doesn’t include playing house—lots of adventures. I’d never written out a goal that involved getting married and procreation. I’ve always wanted to make the best me that I can possibly make. Self improvement is a huge priority in my life. There’s also millions of men in the world, we all need to realize that. It’s not about settling but finding that one person that will make you the best you possible—yes, I think that may exist.

It’s unfortunate that some women want to get married so badly that they settle or get into situations what make them unhappy for years before filling their lives with bliss before they meet that special someone. When that special someone is met you will continue the adventure together.

So here’s what has circulated and unfortunately snopes couldn’t figure out whether Oprah really said it. Share:

“If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn’t want you, nothing can make him stay. Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache. Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that’s not meant to be. Slower is better.

Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.

If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can’t “be friends”. A friend wouldn’t mistreat a friend.

Don’t settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is. Don’t stay because you think “it will get better.” You’ll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better. The only person you can control in a relationship is you.

Avoid men who’ve got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn’t marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?

Always have your own set of friends separate from his. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up. Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later. You cannot change a man’s behavior. Change comes from within. Don’t EVER make him feel he is more important than you are… even if he has more education or in a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.

Never let a man define who you are. Never borrow someone else’s man. If he cheated with you, he’ll cheat on you. A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you. All men are NOT dogs. You should not be the one doing all the bending…compromise is two way street.

You need time to heal between relationships…there is nothing cute about baggage… Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship. You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you… a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals… look for someone complimentary… not supplementary.

Dating is fun… even if he doesn’t turn out to be Mr. Right. Make him miss you sometimes… when a man always know where you are, and you’re always readily available to him – he takes it for granted. Never move into his mother’s house. Never co-sign for a man. Don’t fully commit to a man who doesn’t give you everything that you need. Keep him in your radar but get to know others.

It’s my birthday! I’m too busy living life to write about it

Posted on February 19, 2013 by jerlyn

I made promises over the year to keep this blog up and running but lately I’ve just been doing drive by posts. I’m doing one again on my birthday. I wrote one last year and the year earlier. Each year, it’s difficult to let the day pass by without reflecting on what I’ve learned about myself over the last year, but this time, I want to think about something that John brought to my attention a few days ago.

Currently, the celebration of this age means he would have known me for half of my life.

I wonder what I was like all those years ago. Actually, I know exactly how I was all those years ago because I have the blogs to remind me. I was this kid whose dad agreed to allow to work on John’s websites. My dad was very protective (I am his oldest daughter) and I had no social life. In retrospect, I’m extremely happy things worked out that way although I had to learn certain survival skills once I moved out. I love being who I am and spent the thousands of hours gaining a skill that I still use today. I was discussing a timeline of my life growing up online when I realized that today, on my birthday:

“I’m too busy living life to write about it.”

Every time I think about what I should blog about I realize it’s something that I don’t care as much about, like all those years ago when I first got a blog.

I don’t really want to share angst about beliefs, unfairness, relationships, weaknesses, disappointments, etc. I realized that as a kid it was easy to have people comment on posts that touched on those subjects because we all hurt together. However, at this moment in my life: I’m content. My life is fine. I’m not going to rub it in anyone’s faces about how great of a time I’m having because that isn’t the truth at all—absolutely isn’t. However, I’ve learned to let life be as is. Accept things I can’t change and work on areas that I can. I’m also not going to say life is what you make it because a great deal of us struggle unlike others. Most people don’t have choices, so we can’t say, you have a choice to get yourself out of certain things. With my experiences, I still think that:

I’m very lucky.

Very lucky to have met the people who have influenced my life and very lucky to have experienced all events that make me who I am today. I’m very lucky to moved from where I was to carry out things that were beyond my reach. I’m so fortunate to not be jaded with my experiences. I believe that if I ever tried to be absolutely honest about situations that I chose not to write about I’m sure you’d wonder why I still have a positive attitude towards people and life itself (definitely not an understatement). I think that’s growth. I think that’s what I love about getting older. I’m really happy to have lived this long and I hope that I’m blessed with more to come. I never want to lose my positive outlook on life.

Happy annual 25th birthday to me!

Oh yea, if you want to give me a great gift: Donate to two of my favorite charities: Girls on the Run & Battle against Breast Cancer.

I’m running another marathon

Posted on January 24, 2013 by jerlyn

It’s only a couple of months later. Initially this marathon was all about me pushing my mind and body to a level I’d never been to but in retrospect, I want it to mean even more.

I was able, with assistant from peers and coworkers, raise some money for Girls on the Run at the last marathon. This time around, there’s no charity but that’s ok. I’m still running for women. For all women who think they can’t because I first thought that I couldn’t. What I want everyone to know that running this isn’t impossible if you have limbs (even if you’re in a wheelchair, there are people who will be racing in those). A marathon covers 26.2 miles. No matter what, the women I’m running with have one goal in mind: to finish. Why? Well, everyone who participates and completes it gets a medal so why won’t you crawl if possible? You have 7 hours before the course closes.

I’m not sure whether Miami marathon will be my last but I know that, God-willing, I intend to show everyone else what else isn’t impossible. I didn’t have the months to train like he last one but I have determination on my side even if I had an injury.

Pain has gone away but regardless of my knee being strapped up for the race, I intend to finish.

We have one body, take care of it. It can do more than you can ever imagine.

Thank you John

Posted on January 9, 2013 by jerlyn

I believe that periods of people’s lives are made up of pieces of puzzles meant to be solved to create a bigger picture. Each of these puzzles pieces has a story, and those involved were catalysts for getting each particular person through said time period. I know that getting to this time period wasn’t just by myself, after all, I read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and I fit one of the profiles (I think I’ve had over 10,000 hours working on the computer learning code and designing). Each experience I’ve had got me to where I am today, my story wasn’t meant to have been written this way. In another dimension, I may have lived on another continent or still lived in Dominica. None of those are bad, I mean, those experiences could have possibly been great also but at this moment, from where I’m jotting these notes on my iPad, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Before I go off on tangents, I’d like to note that I don’t usually write about specific people highlighting them by entire entries on my blog. I highlighted my friend, Gardenia, quite awhile ago and I still believe that she’s an amazing person. I made the right judgement of considering her a friend and I wanted people who read this continuing autobiographical digital recollection of mine to know that she was important. Trust is important to me because I don’t trust easily. I seldom consider women as friends (now you know) but, I feel like I can trust her and a handful of others and that’s pretty huge—considering. When you meet people who want you to succeed with no ulterior motives, you should appreciate them. My lifestyle has been sporadic but I still value all those memories, and experiences she shared with me. Gardenia is creative, talented, bold, driven and embraces life like no other person I’ve met before. I feel like I aspire to be just as driven.

Now, another person I’d like to highlight, who I’ve mentioned before is John Boyd.

John’s an interesting character (and this is entirely based on my point of view from my experiences with him). I’ve always felt challenged when I had a conversation with him. My first employment was with him and he took me under his wing. I often wondered why he found me intelligent at all but, communicating with him made me aspire to be as brilliant as I could possibly be. Now after reading Steve Job’s autobiography (if you read it you’d get this next point) I wondered if John was using the smoke screen concept that Steve used with his employees. However, he often repeated: “If Bill Gates can do it, you can do it.” Funny that now I just see Gates as a someone involved in a company that pretty much rips off other companies (many companies do this).

However, his approach was to succeed at tasks such as morphing illustrated children story characters into candlesticks with now obsolete imaging software that has made me feel like I can tackle problem.

Here’s a few other John points that altered my life:

John thought that if he paid me to learn he would benefit from it. My first programming language was PERL when I started working with him. I had spent much of my previous years discovering pedophiles in yahoo java chat rooms and learning about HTML by search engine since google wasn’t available yet. I was also knowledgable at using Macromedia Dreamweaver and Flash 2. Sometimes I used Netscape Composer and Frontpage Express (the web had low standards back then). Then we stumbled upon PHP. Coming to work after awhile wasn’t about the money but because I was exposed to a faster connection, lots of literature and I had the passion to learn.

John believes that you’re not too old to learn. When I started working with John at the age of 14, we journeyed together in the abyss of the www by learning languages as we go. I was fascinated by how educated he was and thought he could do everything (because he learned to do them as he went along, I do the same today). I think all you need is the drive to tackle anything and you can.

John told me that it was ok to be selfish. At age 14, I felt like the world was on my shoulders to impress my peers and parents…To survive, to succeed, to get out of the Caribbean. If John hadn’t told me it was ok to be selfish and take care of myself first in other to help others, I may have lost the person I am today. I’m selfish with my happiness and always will be. This is how I survive.

John found it quite alright to challenge everything. I spent some time trying to hack into the security holes in websites back in the late 90s. It was a little hobby of mine where I emailed the company and told them where their sites weren’t secured. John always challenged everything from technology to politics.

John told me it was important to invest in myself. I hadn’t figured out my plan for college during my final years of high-school and he made me believe in investing in myself even if I had to take out loans for college. It was a great investment in my self worth and future (even if I have to pay it all back). He and his late wife, Dolores, took me to the U. S. and introduced me to art and history. I am forever indebted by this experience because I can appreciate works from Picasso to Rodin.

John called me a polymath a few years into my career. I always wondered why I couldn’t stay focused on one hobby just like most of my peers. He made me feel like mastering each interest and moving on was healthy. Or, maybe it’s just ADHD haha.

These days, John lives on St. Croix and started Hike St. Croix (which you should check out). The hike we went on can be seen here.

I hope I’m making him proud because John bought me my first domain (Jadersworld) where I started blogging before blogging was a term. Now as I blog this on designladynyc, I hope he realizes how significant he was and still is in my life.

Thank you.

Au revoir 2012

Posted on January 1, 2013 by jerlyn

(I apologize for the lazy formatting of this post)

2012: what a year. I’m wrapping it up again like I did with 2011 and prior. What I love about these yearly recaps is the lessons that I have learned. Sometimes I try to apply them to my life the following year. I have no idea what 2013 has in store for me but 2012 has been a whirlwind, however a whirlwind of mostly good. I had a great deal of preconceived notions at the beginning of the year (I was wrong for most). I gained friendships, lost people, made career moves and embraced life… And finally some sort of religion (whatever it is, I’m more spiritual). I also ran my very first marathon. Before I get ahead of myself, lets recap from January 1st:

January: Premonition

I worked at my very first pharmaceutical advertising agency and had been there for little under a year. I had the worse boss (and it’s difficult to talk about my job on my blog since many people have gotten in trouble for it). I was incredibly burned out. I was gaining weight and didn’t know why. I saw the NYE photos and got pretty self conscious.

Gaining weight

I ran almost everyday but I wasn’t getting enough sleep and getting home after 10pm daily sucked. I felt unappreciated. I needed a break. My birthday was coming up the following month so I asked for 3 days off a month and half ahead of schedule. I was given a hard time. I sort an escape. I trusted no one. I loathed my team, everyone seemed so fake I was out of energy for politics. I didn’t know who to trust. I couldn’t understand why work had to be my life. Why did the thing that I love the most start to feel like a chore? Dating was a nightmare and with some sort of narcissism I started using it for an outlet. It was pure comedy. People was weird, I was weird. I learned to laugh at myself.

I built an art bin container by gathering supplies from home depot, I’m not a carpenter but it felt amazing using powertools and a saw:

I purchased the Wacom Inkling:

February : Awakening

I was approximately 400 feet in the air parasailing when I made the decision to quit my job, even if I had no plans.

I was interviewing and didn’t care if I caught nothing. I was in the middle of the bay in St. Thomas and it was my birthday. I really hated my boss by then. I even dropped the F-bomb at work after getting off a phone call with him. He had made me look bad. Something was about to give and I know I couldn’t last another month of being out of control of my life. I hated him because I had lost respect. I thought he was incompetent and a manipulator. I wanted a better role model. I went to work daily with fear of losing my job and I cried everyday because I believed he would have sabotaged my career. I thought I was pretty good at what I do. When I got back to NYC, after the few days away home in the Virgin Islands, I decided to give it another two weeks before I put in my 2 weeks notice. A past colleague reached out to me. I interviewed at his agency. Everyone seemed to like me. I wondered if the grass greener and was ready abandon ship.

March: Cabo

I climbed the Rockefeller center in 16 minutes for MS climb to the top. It was one of the events that made me sad about leaving the first job. It was the first time that I got to hang with the CEO (not like we did any talking). Emily and I went to Cabo as soon as I started my new job. It was just 49 hours and perfect. I provided tickets, she provided boarding.

It was a blast to me, I needed it. I relaxed, I had just started a new chapter at a new job.

The clients loved my team, they immediately loved my work. I was wondering whether they were just joshing me but I felt love for them anyway.

April: Daredevil

I started paying attention to my body more. I started loving my job! I signed up for the Miami marathon.

I started earning my body with 30 day challenges. Did boxing for the first time and I enjoyed it so much! I hated that I was interested in too many things. I thought that’s why I was so stressed out. I signed up for zip lining for the first time to face my fear of heights. I wanted to learn to let go and I love it. I also started to really appreciate people around me.

May: Challenges

I exercised everyday for at least 1/2 hour and found out that I had 17% body fat. I bought a fitness bike taking after my dad’s cycling hobby. It’s now one of my most treasured possessions.

I ran a great deal. I had went the furthest I’ve ever gone.

I visited my old job and was happy that I didn’t work there anymore. It’s because I realized very few people liked me there and I bided adieu wholeheartedly. Later, I tried a Russian rotten bread beer for the first time. I tried to learn capoeira and appreciated the history.

June: Au naturelle
I went through a natural hair transition:

I ran the pride race again this year beating a personal record.

I beat all my PR this year. I also lost a follower because I ran that race… I still believe that we should just accept people no matter their sexuality. I got to see my aunt get married.

Took watercolor lessons.

Bought my first pair of Cole Haans.

Learned a great deal from Gary Mack. Went zip-lining and signed up for a local marathon, another one besides the Miami marathon.

July: Sobriety

Did an entire month of sobriety. Someone accused me of bullying fat people, it was hilarious! I wrote about the fat topic in a response. Found out my ex boyfriend since 4 years ago had plotted to have me beaten up. His ex girlfriend at the time tried to befriend me (which was short lived because I’m hardly ever friends with girls, she’s a talented comedian though). Started doing 60 day challenges in motivate and get in shape group which became super fun. I really enjoyed boxing classes:

August: Affairs of the heart

Bought myself a pull-up bar.

I overslept on my first race.

I also signed up for a race with the guy I was dating. Also convinced him to runs marathon with me.

I biked 20 miles on my own:

I read fifty shades of gray and committed literary suicide (after wondering where I could find a mr. Grey). By dating the perfect guy I realized that he’s not so perfect (but that’s months later…). It was very nice to have him in my life. He balanced my life a great deal.

September: Growth

I did a 30-day challenge of push-ups, also had no coffee for 30 days. My boyfriend at the time saw me run. I was so happy that he made it to my race. He was the first person to ever come out to my race. I think from now on I’d love spectators. There’s just something about running for a purpose.

October: Enlightenment

I tried a Paleo diet.

I ran my first race with my then boyfriend. It was fun and I hope that whosoever I end up with in the future will be as active and into fitness as I am. Sandy also occurred and I was humbled by how fragile New York could be. I was stuck in Maryland for a few days after running The Glo Run, with my then boyfriend, and I appreciated the fact that I lived alone.

I met Calvin Lee @mayhemstudios. He was surprised that I was tall in person.

November: Dreams of a marathoner

I exercised my right to vote. Tried a yoga per day challenge for the month of November mostly for my group on facebook: 30 for 30 fit.

I ran a marathon and made it in 4 hours 18 minutes.

Then I hurt myself a week later from patella tendonitis with anterior knee pain. My quads are stronger than my hamstrings. I realized that I had to stop training with my personal trainer and I start physical therapy because I am still going to do that marathon in Miami. I felt accomplished and I will forever applaud anyone who has attempted a marathon.

I spent quality time with my niece and sister <3. Family is so important.

December: Single and seeking religion
I started experimenting with a new type of illustration on my iPad:

I started physical therapy:

I became single shortly after discovering some sort of spirituality. I went back to my “home” in St. Croix to transition from breakup to being an eligible bachelorette.

I realized I only loved like this once in my life so I’m not prepared to do it again as yet. I’m still not sure where I stand on religion but I seem to be learning a great deal. Although I fear introducing this topic to my blog, I believe that it’s a personal journey and I’m quite content with where I am currently. I’m constantly challenged and I do believe that I’ll be considered a heretic eventually, but for now, I’m quite amused by the events around attending church and reading the bible. If its worth anything, I thoroughly enjoy challenging and discussing it. As a scholar, I can’t consider being anything than apathetic agnostic, so that’s where I am. I just believe that I don’t know everything, it’s difficult to determine whether any religion is right or wrong—no matter how much people will try to indoctrinate me. Just a few days prior, I went to a church where I couldn’t enter without wearing a very long skirt (I met a cousin who found my blog)… then the day after I went to the church that i frequent with acceptable conservative dressing:

One thing’s for sure: I’ll always be moral. As for being single, well that’s not abnormal of my lifestyle, and well, who knows, maybe I’ll find love in 2013 (or just be fabulously single as usual). I’m always very optimistic about it. I realize that I can’t plan or control matters of the heart no matter how I feel at a given time. You can change or the person can change. I’m not sure what the future holds for me, or my ex, but I’m happy that I went through it. As of now, I’m not prepared to be married or have a family as many of my peers were this year. I also learned to take no one’s advice on relationships because everyone just gives advice based on their own experiences and what’s right for them. I still struggle to find what’s right for me but it’s my own journey.

I can say this: 2013 is going to be my fittest year ever if all goes well and I’m continually blessed. Check 30 for 30 fit for updates as I try to make 2013 my fittest year ever. Now it’s less than a month until my second marathon.

Love you, hope your new year is fullfilling!

I am a marathoner

Posted on November 19, 2012 by jerlyn

I’ve joined the exclusive club of distance runners who have followed Pheidippides footsteps: I ran my very first marathon. I didn’t die right after, obviously (I was worried about that by the way!). I remembered saying I’d never run a marathon. A half, sure… easy.

Fast forward to this year, “I’m going to run a marathon,” I said when people wondered why I was logging so many miles via my dailymile profile. The truth is, I really do love running. It helps me clear my mind. When I’m antsy, running calms me. When I’m indecisive, running takes me to a place where I’m centered enough to question things and gain clarity. I really feel like I could run forever sometimes.

There are a few different reactions that I’ve gotten from this statement over the past few months. However, the date came and past: It was this Sunday. I’m officially a marathoner, no more dreams to aspire.

Runners who had ran a marathon before have been excited for me whereas none runners tend to think I’m insane. “Who’d want to run that much?” they’d asked. Then I get the question, “How long is a marathon?” Then they would respond when I answered: “26.2 Miles! Why?”

The thing is, training for this marathon has taught me a great deal about myself. Running has been the best partner that I’ve ever had. It never let’s me down and it makes me feel good. It has kept me in good health and assists in pushing my limit.

There’s a great deal that you can’t ask from another person that you get from running, you control it. When you do it, how long you do it and you get out of it what you put in.

Four years ago, September of 2008, I joined Yvonne So for my very first 5K. That was the toughest thing I’d ever done. I was not a runner in highschool! In fact, I always came out last in every race, even if I was slender with long legs. After that initial 5K and induction to running addiction, I continued on and did numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, a half marathon and this year I signed up for a marathon in January from my aunt’s suggestion. However, since I was logging quite a bit of mileage already, I signed up for a local run. Why would I leave this wonderful city of runners and run elsewhere first? I decided to sign up super local: The Brooklyn Marathon. I live in Brooklyn, I love this place.

Sunday 18th, 2012… gorgeous day for a run. The race started and ended on Center Drive in Prospect Park. The course exited Center Drive at West Drive where runners mades 2 circuits of the lower loop of the park, followed by 6 full loops and 1 final lower loop before returning to Center Drive from East Drive and completing 26.2 miles.

I’d been carbing up for the past days like I read from Runner’s World Magazine. The night before, I had my favorite: Black Forest Ham on a 9-grain honey oat footlong from Subway with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, onions, banana peppers and lite mayo.

I had spent the day hydrating. Then, I woke up at 5:30 (The race started at 8:30am) and had my choice fuel: white rice and almonds with a cup of coffee.

I had prepared everything from the night before:

I decided to run in my New Balance 890v2 since I had been training in them the most. I also knew that since we’d be running the park, they felt better on the concrete. My legs do drag when they get tired even if I am a minimalist runner.

540 was ready to go!

I got there at 8am and checked-in my bag, had a quick sip of water and ensured that I used the porta potty before the lines formed.

At 8:30 the race started after quick speeches and the national anthem was sang (the woman who sang it fumbled some lines but people were nice about it). We were off! I ran the first two loops quite well and anticipated the hills that were very familiar to me. I ran the Battle of Brooklyn twice, which includes the hills being ran 3 times, however by the 4th climb I mumbled to myself, “I can’t believe I have to run this 2 more f’ing times!” I kept checking my Garmin so when a half marathon was complete, I thought that I was right on time. My goal was to run a sub-4 marathon as my first. However, I was not prepared for the awesome wall that I got early: MILE 18.

I wrote about Patellar Tendonitis before. I do overuse my legs sometimes: I jump, skip, dance, run… bike. It shouldn’t be surprising that I got this and the doctor did say it would come back. The same thing happened in my first and only half marathon and it got me at Mile 7. I limped all the way to the finish. Essentially, this is what happened for the marathon. Everything hurt. My knees and thighs were gone! I still pushed it and looked forward to either an ice bath or Epsom salt bath in my future (I opted for Epsom Salt by the way). At mile 21, since I was walking anyway, I turned on my phone and updated my status to:

I didn’t have time to look at the comments but my friends were cheering on. I continued running where I could and walking where I could. Ever so often, I stretched. I had to finish. I had raised money for a cause after all (I raised for Girls on the Run and we came up to $566.20 thanks to everyone’s generousity. You can still donate here: http://bit.ly/runjerlynrun)!

After the final loop, when I came to the final turn I saw my friend from college, Ainka in the distance. I waved and beckoned her to run along with me. It was very welcomed because a pacer is always great (she was going too fast though). Haha, we ran the last .3 miles together and I made it!

Time: 4:18:26
Division place: 35/66 (ages 20 to 29) ,
Overall: 266/443
Gender place: 87

We had some cheesecake right after and I felt really happy (I usually like a banana and Gatorade as my recovery by the way). I did it. The months of training, the 2 lost toenails in the past 2 years (yea people don’t tell you that you might lose toenails!), the injuries, the time management, diets, recovery, lack of social life, etc. was in fact, worth it ALL. I did everything right: I listened to stories, asked about everyone’s experience, read the magazines, the blogs, etc… Next time, I won’t forget my knee braces and tiger balm all over my legs.

The shiny medal:

I even found out through a school mate that I appeared on tv:

I’m now a marathoner… I got a massage tonight, I did make it to work today after spending the night ensuring that my legs got TLC. I thought about what I’d like as a tattoo (well, I opted for a necklace for now):

Thanks so much to everyone who has cheered me on and believed in me. I really think that we are capable of doing anything! Dream completed. Also, cheers to my family and incredibly supportive current boyfriend (who will be running Miami Marathon also) for having patience with me.

Chapter 2: Now to train for Maimi… mmm starting Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving!

Post Sandy

Posted on November 5, 2012 by jerlyn

Lots have happened but Design Lady NYC extends her heart to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

As someone who has experienced many hurricanes, I know this is a devastating time including those close to me who have lost their homes, are without power and/or heat.

If you haven’t been affected by the storm there’s many ways that you can help. Including donating directly to the red cross (easily done through iTunes).

My family and I are fine. I wasn’t affected by the hurricane (was out-of-town for the Glo Run). Thanks for those who were concerned and contacted.

Microtropolis: It’s all about the apps

Posted on October 25, 2012 by jerlyn

I didn’t proofread this! Just wrote on my iPad on the commute home on the subway:

I was speaking to @asciibn tonight at the microtropolis event in Chelsea. He was my plus one. I got an invite to the Windows 8 launch event via kloutperks and figured the person who would enjoy this the most and was a bigger geek than me would be him… Plus there was booze. I’m not particularly fond of open bars but anyway, that’s another topic.

I got there early because I work across the street from pier 57 and literally spent all day wondering what to expect. I haven’t opened my windows machine for over a year after I got my iMac and MacBook Air because I just don’t have the time (definitely not because I’m a Mac fan). I just have no time outside of work to work on anything else, I’m actually hugely against apple even if I own many devices. They are overpriced for what they do but majority is what is need to follow if I want an income. I’ve been called a hypocrite but I believe your work is based on the mastery of a tool — any tool.

Anyway, I walked into pier 57and saw the hanging signage. Loved it. At first look, I loved the vibrant colors chosen that reminded me of that last windows phone that wasn’t quite a phone… What’s it called? Um, oh yea a … Ugh, crap I had to google the name… A Lumia!

Lets say if you’re used to those phones, you’re not expecting anything new in Windows 8. However, at first glance of the OS after not seeing it in over a year… The windows UI looks very familiar… It reminds me of the @Litl. Wait, what’s a Litl? Well, it just so happens that I purchased one back in the day and it was mostly flash based so I was going to develop an app for it. Why does the stacking order of Windows very similar?

It’s really about the apps. Lets see, I turn on my android phone. I use it for: checking my text messages, checking in, probably instagramming, probably a Facebook message or two. I use my iPad for reading on the subway… I Instagram on it as well… definitely some Facebook.

Scrolling through the windows machine, I figured yea probably wouldn’t look so awesome if it wasn’t a touch screen. Not only that, how many people will be developing apps on that platform based on the users? There’s definitely a market but if you think about it, what device will I be carrying while using this platform? When will I be stationed and why would I find value in it?

I used various devices at different sizes which was refreshing. The company that curated this event was incredible. Especially in the light of Apple introducing the new iPad mini, it’s nice that Windows seem to work seamlessly on each resolution and the company did a great job introducing different machines. They also found companies that would love their apps on the windows platform. I love variety. This means, I can buy a cheap acer machine and install Windows 8… But again, it’s better with touch and, why would I use this? I have an iPad. Not only that, the UI doesn’t intrigue me enough to have adobe suite on it, thus, being an unnecessary purchase.

In conclusion, Windows isn’t for me. It might be for you if you want something very simple. Right now, the apps displayed were quite limited. I’m certain that they don’t come pre-installed and the gestures used weren’t that advanced. There’s nothing unique. I’m unimpressed but might be a great Xmas gift, just like the Litl was, for a non-geek.

OAN: hope you enjoy some of the pics from the event! It was an amazing set!

On my feet: The shoe post

Posted on October 22, 2012 by jerlyn

This was suggested by Ibeliz (Ibelita on instagram and Zilebi designs on Facebook).

I started running outdoors about four years ago. I used to run on the treadmill but I forgot what I wore. I bought my first pair of Nikes: Nike Vomero 4

They were neutral shoes until I found out about Gait and as someone who used to overpronate, I was recommended a new type of shoe: Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 15. I had been getting injured constantly in the Vomeros and had to use knee supports.

So I got a new pair of Nikes but the Zoom Structure still left me injured and felt heavy.

Years later, I decided to go minimal.

I bought a pair of Vibrams KSOs (I haven’t successfully raced in them as yet) and a pair of Nike Free Run+ Shield iD. They were the first shoes I ran in completely injury free.

Later when I checked my Gait again, I found out that I was a neutral runner. So I welcomed my first pair of New Balances: The 890v2.

These days I go between the New Balances and the Frees and when it rains I pull out my Nikes. It’s sacrificing it’s structure for the greater good: not ruining my favorite pairs because of mother nature. They still work great even if I’ve had them for years.

I’m a couple months away from my first marathon and I’m trying to decide on shoe choices. I love shoe colors. The brighter the better. I feel like they put me in a good mood especially since I tend to look at the ground that I’m stepping on.

I love how colors have such prominence in mood. Although my favorite color is red, I’d never run in them (maybe one day). I love purples, pinks and greens.

I wanted a new pair of Nike Frees so I got my final pair:

The furthest I’ve ran was in my New Balance 890v2 but I’m still building miles in my Frees.

A few weeks ago I tried customizing but I think I’ll be sticking to just New Balance 890s and Frees from now on. I still want these:

What’s your favorite pair of running shoes?

The anatomy of an agency

Posted on October 5, 2012 by jerlyn

I thought this infographic was hilarious! “I can fill your white space.”

Design Lady NYC

Life in New York City, as written by @Jerlyn Thomas

Category Archives: General

Advice on men for women

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It’s my birthday! I’m too busy living life to write about it

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I’m running another marathon

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Thank you John

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Au revoir 2012

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I am a marathoner

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Post Sandy

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Microtropolis: It’s all about the apps

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On my feet: The shoe post

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The anatomy of an agency

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