Gramercy Pets... Barbara Vasconez's kitties!

Karma Delight Vasconez
She was found in a scary neighborhood. She was addicted to cat nip and then I saved her. A few times I caught her trying to buy some cat nip but I stopped her. She is now one of the happiest cats in the world.

Kenneth the page Vasconez. I found him walking around 30 Rockefeller Plaza. He had laser gun wrapped around his belly. He told me he auditioned to be part of Lazer Cats, but Bill Hader never called him back. He was so upset, he turned to drinking whole fat milk. For months, he was waiting to work for 30 Rock again but he couldn't. He was out of shape and scared of the world. Then, along came an awkwardly shaped Barbara and saved him. Now, we both long to work with 30 rock forever. But for now, he is happy to be home with Karma and my parents.

Gramercy Cats!

I think we all loved Lizzie's adorable animals last week, but this week it is all about the cats... Maxine's cats to be specific!

My Dad, my sister and I adopted Junior when he was 6 months old. Our family has a bit of an unofficial 'tradition' of having black cats - Junior is the third one to join the ranks.  Our previous black cat, Blackos, had passed away and the new kitten we got a few months later looked just like a small version of her, thus the name Junior.  

Despite his name, he's now a huge cat, and makes an audible thud when he flops down on the floor for belly rubs.  He comes out to greet company, eats every kind of food known to man, and will occasionally drool with happiness when you scratch him on the head.  Many people say he's the sweetest cat they've ever met, and he's kind of the mascot of my dad's recording studio amongst the clients and musicians, hanging out during recording sessions (until he gets kicked out for walking all over the equipment) and soaking up the attention. He loves going outside to hunt, and has brought back his fair share of small animal victims over the years, and even a battle-scar on the ear not too long ago, which I wasn't very happy about! Junior is aging and graying, but he's really been a big kitten his whole life.

My Mom and I recently adopted Jeffery, a shelter cat, who had been previously adopted and then surrendered back to the shelter after two years of home life.  On the day we brought him home, he was quickly out and about, exploring the house and and being super affectionate. 

He's a big guy, with a gray body, white socks, and a white streak that runs down his nose and underside.  We often describe him as looking like a shark because of his white underbelly and gray body, or as a mouse because of his pink nose and long, white whiskers. He's talkative, runs through the house at top speeds, and is the typical curious cat, always sticking his face in small places and coming out with dust bunnies hanging from his whiskers.  He really enjoys being around people and being involved, and will follow people from room to room. Being woken up in the morning by Jeffery walking and kneading all over me is one thing that makes me quite homesick.

How cute are these cats?!  Want to share your pets with Gramercy?  E-mail RA Molly at mollykom@yahoo.com!

Gramercy Pets!

I think we all secretly wish we could smuggle our pets into Gramercy.  Sadly, we can't do that.  So, to appease our need for cuteness, Gramercy presents Resident's pets!  Today we are featuring Lizzie's adorable animals...ENJOY! 

Nicodemus - The Rat - age 4 months to a year

With fur white as the driven snow, and eyes ablaze like an inferno, Nicodemus is a happy, young fellow. He will greet you at the cage door day or night. Very mindful of his personal appearance and cleanliness, he spends most of his time keeping up with his grooming and preening. If your ears are particularly hairy or just not up to his standards, he will take it upon himself to tidy them for you. In return for his efforts, he always appreciates a good back massage. Affectionately known as 'Nicky', he has the curiosity of a true explorer, daring to venture across even the most vast of bedspreads or atop the highest shoulder. 

How Not to Starve at College - Pumpkin Cheesecake!

Erica Knauss contributes an awesome recipe this week.  Take a look!!!

I grew up in a family that is centered around baking. My grandfather was a cook in the Navy and later on, owned and ran his own bakery with my grandmother. My dad, and his brothers would each take turns working in the bakery when they grew up. My dad was the one who spent the most time there learning all he could which he passed on to me. I grew up baking with my father, and later working as a cook before attending SVA. In the summer of 2010, I shadowed at a bakery, working from 12am-9am. It was fun, despite becoming nocturnal. At some point in my college life I wanted to go to culinary school so I randomly applied one summer and was accepted into the Culinary Institute of America. I didn't go, and continued at SVA with the idea that some point in my future I would be able to do both graphic design and baking. I think I just wanted to feel that, going would always be an option. To compensate I ran a food blog my junior year, with much success. It was sort of my way to get the best of both worlds, art and baking. This year I am moving from my tumblr, to coding my own website, "How To Not Starve In College".  Look out for it this spring! 

Kitties!!!

Gramercy Resident Kjersti Faret shares her volunteer experience! 


Growing up in suburbia, I always had pets (cats specifically). Moving into the city, into a school dorm, left me living without a cat for the first time in my life. I’ll admit it was sad and strange to actually be alone in a room sometimes without another living creature sitting on my bed. Whilst going through cat withdrawal first semester last year, I found myself in the Union Square Petco. Inside the store, I stumbled upon Kitty Kind, the no-kill and not-for-profit cat shelter and rescue group.

 Finally I asked to volunteer. Anyone can volunteer! Everyone who is apart of Kitty Kind is a volunteer, from the adoption reps to the cleaners. That’s what I do; I’m a cleaner. You’re probably thinking that means cleaning cat’s litter boxes. Yes, it does. But besides that we also give them fresh bedding, feed them, new water, etc. But the best part is being able to play with all the cats. It’s just as important to socialize with them, as it is to take care of them. Since the cats are stuck in the cages all the time, they don’t get many opportunities to play even if they have a cage-mate. So many of the cats are sweet mushes, you know, the ones who just want to cuddle and be loved. There are so many adorable ones who jump into your arms or climb on your shoulders as soon as they can and rub their heads on you and purr. There are a lot of energetic kittens and cats as well who love nothing more than to chase the mouse or even your hand as you clean their cage. Every cat is unique and just waiting to find a forever home and love.

This is the official Kitty Kind website: http://www.kittykind.org/

Kitty Kind blog: http://friendsofkittykind.wordpress.com/

And facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/KittyKindNYC?sk=wall

If anyone is interested in volunteering, there is always room for more volunteers, or if you would like to adopt or know someone who is looking to adopt, Kitty Kind is a wonderful shelter with many loving cats!   If you want to check out more pictures of cats, and let's face it, who doesn't?!  Click Read More!!!

Gramercy Tea Time!

Look what talented resident Sarah Scafidi made!