Movin on Up

Chancho is officially an NYPD Sergeant. Yesterday, the memo came down and he was given his new precinct, or um, 2 precincts. He was given a Housing Bureau. Which means he is in between two precincts covering the housing developments. It is a Police Serving Area. So he is part of PSA _. There are several different numbers assigned to the PSA's. So PSA 7 or PSA 11, instead of saying he is from the 50th Precinct, he'll say he is from PSA _. Essentially, these housing developments are known to have high crime rates and are considered the projects. This is why they have their own police force within the precincts.
When Chancho was talking about where he would want to go, not that he is given a choice, but if he did have one, he said he would like to go to Manhattan South. The least likely place he would like to go? PSA. He is not very happy about this transfer and is already talking about the next test so he can get out. From what I've heard, I'm not thrilled either. Like I've said before, we were both extremely spoiled with his last position. Even though he was a domestic violence officer and that is considered to be one of the most dangerous positions, he was behind a desk for the majority of the time. I knew where he was and that he was safe. My mind was usually always at ease, expect for those few times he would be out doing home visits. Now, he will be out on the streets all the time. When we first started dating he was out on the streets and those feelings have returned. The uneasiness. He hasn't even started his first shift and already my stomach is in knots. I can recall all of the crazy stories he would share with me over the phone at 1am as he was getting home and I would sigh a relief each and every time that he was heading home safely. I did it before, I can do it again.
Today was the promotion ceremony at 1 police plaza. It was quick and to the point. I had a good time. They provided the promotee's and families with free food and drinks before hand and the ceremony was only an hour. Actually, it was probably less than that because we were out on the sidewalk by 3pm and it started at 2pm.
This weekend we'll be having a BBQ to celebrate all of his hard work and have one last hoorah before he starts his new position. Lots of family and friends will be joining.

Couple of pictures from today's event:

Just before the ceremony began.

NYPD marching band, which played while we waited.

Commissioner Kelly giving his speech. 

All 76 Sergeants being sworn in.

Had to place their plaques under their seats when they returned.

Wheeling his grandmother back to the car.

On the way home, found a NYPD boat.

Beautiful drive home.

Quote of the Day:

"Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those cards you hold well."

The best way to start the New Year?

By being surprised by Chancho of course. The day went as so...
I was over at Chancho's house hanging out with him before he had to head in to work. I knew right off the bat that he would not be spending New Years with me. He hasn't the past 2 years either, he always is called in to work Times Square duty. I was just thrilled to be with him before hand. I got my New Years kiss before he left for work.
I went home and started getting ready for my New Years plan. TG and I were planning on going to my best friends house for the evening. She was throwing a party for all of our friends. I had plenty of time to get ready as TG was still at work and I was waiting for her to get home. All the while, Chancho was texting me messages letting me know that he got to work safely and that he was being sent out to his station for the evening. He even sent me a text telling me that he had forgotten his gloves and was standing in a hotel to keep warm before he had to be out for the ball drop.
TG got home and quickly got ready. A friend of ours stopped over and we walked down to the party. It had taken us a little longer than we had thought because TG was stuck at work, but we got there none the less. I'm in the living room chatting with some friends when I hear a bunch of people screaming in the kitchen. I slowly make my way over to see what everyone is screaming about and it's Chancho. He's standing in the kitchen!! He made it all up just so he would be able to surprise me.
As the ball dropped, entering 2011, I was in his arms getting THE BEST New Years kiss. He then looked at me and said he had picked out the date, what he was going to say and the plan to how he was going to ask me to marry him. heart had melted and eyes became teary

The next day we quickly recovered from our nights partying, with eggs, bacon and pancakes and headed into the city to look at the tree and engagement rings! However, the plan was a bit foiled because it was a Saturday and the diamond district is closed on Saturdays. Womp Womp We were able to look at Saks Fifth Avenue a bit, but we've made plans to go in again sometime this month, not on a Saturday.

Rockefeller Tree 

(When I get the pictures from the camera, I'll post better ones!)
Happy 2011 to everyone!!! Be healthy, be safe, be happy and enjoy yourself!


Quote of the day: "Be grateful for everything. Just enjoy every moment for none of it will happen the same way again. Remember, even great things expire." 
Listening to: "Raise Your Glass" by P!nk

Tourist for a Day

10 done only 2 more days to go of work. Then I can have a day off finally. Saturday was a blast, but exhuasting. I worked a 5am shift, so before the birds started chirping, I was up and showering getting ready for work. I walked into the store and noticed that the unload team (the guys who unload the truck and get rid of all the cardboard boxes) didn't get to finish, which meant that the truck came late and left us with the task of having to take everything out of the boxes. However, within the first 28 minutes, we were done with that and moved on to our task of putting all the merchandise onto the shelves. 9am came around, too slowly for my liking, and out the door I went. I headed straight for the train station to meet my roommate in the city! Luckily, I nabbed a local train giving me an extra 10 minutes to sleep on the way in.
We met at Grand Central and started our adventures for the day. We made some tourist stops, like Times Square, M&M store, Trump Tower, Tiffanys, FAO Schwartz, and Central Park. Then we subwayed over to the village for some shopping. The day went by wayyy too fast. Before we knew it we were back in Grand Central heading home. A day in the city just doesn't seem long enough when you've traveled 8 hours for a visit. But it will just have to do.
I was supposed to go out with coworkers that night, but when I got back from the city I headed over to Chancho's place to finally see him and what did I wind up doing? Passing out in his bed til 11pm when he woke me up telling me that I needed to head home. So instead of spending time with him, I slept. The one thing I'm always nagging him about! Ha, go figure!
We've had plans to go get ice cream for the past week and a half and it just keeps getting pushed farther and farther away. I am determined to make it happen this week. He also is on this grill kick. He really wants to buy a grill. I have a feeling that will be added to the list of things to do, which I know I won't regret when the summer finally gets its act together and shows up. I love nothing more than being outside in the sun and eating freshly cooked food.
Just a few more days and I can have a day to relax.

Listening to: "Buy Me A Rose" by Kenny Rogers
Quote of the Day: "I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it." - Audrey Hepburn

ooo la la

So today I had the pleasure of seeing Chancho in his uniform. Now most of you are probably wondering why this is something out of the ordinary right? Well, for one, we don't live together so I don't get to see him right when he gets home from work, most of the time anyways, and two, he changes at work. He doesn't bring his uniform home. I am still uniform struck every time I see it, which has been probably only a hand full of times. I think I can count on two hands how many times I've seen it and we've been together for about 2 years now. The only time he brings his uniform home is when he does his Paid Detail of working for another company. Today he is working on 5th Ave across from Central Park. In his transformation from a plain clothes individual into his uniform cop look, I noticed that his vest has a pocket. I questioned him on it wondering why there would be a need for a pocket in a bullet proof vest. His answer was that it was for a metal plate for his heart. I then automatically questioned him on where it was. His response: "I forgot to get it." He's been a cop for 3 years now. How do you "forget" to get something that could essentially stop a bullet from entering your heart?! He went on to answer my shocked expression that it's expensive and he just never got around to it. In my opinion I think I would want to invest in something like that, but that's just me. I am quickly reminded of the two times that he's been shot at. The first time being his first day on the job and the second when he was pulling over a car and the woman in the passenger seat got out and just started shooting at them. I don't know about you, but I would want that extra metal plate there for the "just in case" moments.
Then I noticed his hat. It has a clear plastic pocket on the inside. I asked what that was for and he said that some people put pictures in there of their loved ones. I'm now on a mission to find a picture for him to put in there of me. Do any of your cops have pictures in their hats?
I was very close to traveling with him into the city tonight for a "ride along". NYPD forbids ride alongs so I am very interested as to his life while he's at work. Since he's working for another company, I would be able to be in the vicinity of his post, essentially spying on him while he did his work. The only thing that discouraged me from going was the fact that he's there until 11pm tonight and I have work at 7am. Plus, what was I going to do for 8 hours in Central Park? There is only so much one can do for free by themselves for 8 hours in a park. We'll have to plan better for next time. I'd love to see him in his uniform for 8 hours. Maybe that will give me a long enough fix and I won't be caught drooling over him the next time he's wearing it.

Listening to: "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train
Quote of the Day: "Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door." - Coco Chanel

It's a New York Christmas

Chancho and I took a day to ourselves. We started the day out with putting "Big Bertha" into storage for the winter. He braved the blustery wind and drove his motorcycle to the storage place in 17 degree weather. From there we traveled into the city. For one reason only, to see the big tree. Here are some pictures from our journey to the storage, Rockefeller Center and the tree in all it's glory.

Here are some pictures of our dessert. We had dinner in little Italy. We didn't have a place in mind so we just stumbled across a little place, that I can't even recall the name of now. The food was okay, not good enough to go back again, but it filled me. We stopped off for dessert at Cafe Palermo for a cannoli and cheesecake.

And lastly, here is my decorated Christmas tree. We put the lights up last night and tonight Chancho came over and sat on the couch while I decorated. My mother cleaned out our ornaments tossing some of the old ones and putting some in the "tag sale" box. I swear this tag sale box that she has is one that she just picks out of and puts the items right back into our closets. I never see her dragging the box to any tag sale.

Quote of the Day:  "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more."  --Dr. Seuss

Keep on Keepin on

Day 3 of not seeing Chancho. Tomorrow will hopefully end that streak. We barely have had time to talk to one another. Thank goodness for texts. Without that we probably wouldn't have contacted one another yet. Crazy busy days mean no time for each other. I cannot wait to get back to our regular routine. For me that starts tomorrow.

My friends have left after a wonderful visit. They were able to witness a fabulous Yankees vs Red Sux game. I am very jealous that I was only able to see it on TV. I was their tourguide around NYC for it was their first time ever going there. We did all of the tourist sight seeing spots. I took advantage and took some pictures myself. We must have stuck out like a sore thump though because they were getting stopped left and right to see things. They unfortunately got suckered into spending $20 for 4 lousy pieces of candy. I had to laugh at them when I turned around to see them walking towards me bewildered at what just happened. From then on they practiced how to say no. It turned out to be a lovely day for a walk around the city. It wasn't too hot and there was a breeze to cool us down after walking long distances.

The BBQ went well. Not too many questions about why I was there alone. It still baffles me as to how many people can't understand the hours that people work. There are always follow up questions to why he works until 1am every night. People must not understand that crime occurs at all hours and not just from 9-5. I was a little too exhausted to partake in a lot of the festivities, but that seemed to work out fine as I watched another amazing Yankee game. 15 innings worth! and a win!

Better get ready for another long day of work! Here is a photo from the trip to NYC:

View of Statue of Liberty from Battery Park