Happy anniversary!
One year ago today, I moved to New York City. I would have arrived on my best friend’s (now fiance!) birthday. Instead, my flight was delayed five hours due to a storm nowhere near Pittsburgh, nor New York. But that’s where the plane was coming from, so my official moving anniversary lies squarely in the early morning hours of July 30.
At the time, M was managing breakfast shift at a fancy restaurant. By the time he brought me home, he had only enough time to throw his suit and tie on before rushing out the door. I slept on my air mattress for several hours, and unpacked my suitcase the best I could before venturing out. I purchased a subway pass and rode downtown, not sure where I was heading. Got off somewhere downtown… and walked. (Consequently, this is still one of my favorite things to do.) I saw Ground Zero for the first time and discovered the Excellent Dumpling House in Chinatown. As if it was yesterday, I can remember sitting there, sipping my tea and underlining things in my little AAA guidebook. It was like a dream and i kept telling myself: you live here, you finally live here. Oh and the dumplings? Heavenly. It was also that day that I was introduced to Zona Rosa, home of the best margaritas in midtown.
Today, I went to the beach. It is a somewhat long ride from The Bronx to Brighton Beach, but I am still in awe that I am a mere hour and a half, and $2, away from the beach. The beach! And the ride on the air conditioned train is well worth the trip. Aside from the fact that it’s the beach. I only stayed for a little while. It was late by the time I got there, however I hadn’t intended for it to an extensive trip. Then I came home, showered, had a bit of dinner, and vegged out. Watched Project Runway.
They did a challenge where the contestants were to take pictures of New York at night, and use them as inspiration. It was to depress me, to watch shows like that… I wanted to live here so badly and had been let down in the past, by someone too scared to make good on a promise. Everything happens for a reason. But now- to see that footage and realize that yes, I really truly do live here… is so cool. That’s my city! That’s a place I saw today, out and about on my daily adventures. It’s a really neat thing.
I am no less excited than I was that very first day.