Well hello, stranger!
I realized the last time I (really) updated this blog was shortly before I moved to New York in April. I'm currently on my last day of Christmas vacation, headed back to NYC tomorrow, so I figured I might as well use the occasion to stop by and say hello.
Hello!
I've been pretty consistent about updating my fitness-related Tumblr and Twitter, despite the last 9 months having been a really wild ride for me. I don't even know where to begin!
New York is everything and more that I ever dreamed of. I'm not going to lie - I've had my tough moments, filled with homesickness, the feeling of not fitting in, being a stranger in a weird city/country, missing my family and friends, craving comfort food and my safety net of everything that used to be familiar. Sometimes, New York is too loud and too busy. There are too many (stupid) people. It's too expensive and there's too little space. It's too competitive and making friends is so hard. It's too hot in the summer (first apartment, tiny, cramped, no circulation, no AC. I know what I'm talking about) and it's too cold in the winter (second & current apartment, large, open space, lots of natural light, poorly isolated windows and heating. Again, I know what I'm talking about.) Healthy, fresh food is expensive.
But New York is also exciting and breath-taking and challenging (and rewarding!) and at the end of the day, moving to New York has been a dream-come-true. I've grown so much during those last 9 months, both professionally and as a person. I look back to the last year and I'm proud of who I am. I look at myself and I love who I am despite my flaws. I'm confident.
I've done some pretty amazing things in 2011, obviously, the most amazing thing being the move to another country all by myself. I've made new friends. I've discovered a sport (running) that I'm ridiculously passionate about (we're talking mid-term goal half-marathon, long-term goal full marathon), I've lost 50 lbs, I eat better and I'm generally more healthy and stronger. I've seen great shows (on and off Broadway - featuring Hugh Jackman and Cillian Murphy), concerts (Paul McCartney) and sporting events (Yankees). I've eaten amazing food at great restaurants. I've set a career goal for 2012 and I'm determined to reach it. There are so many great museums, shops, parks and things to do.
I look back at 2011 and I just feel blessed. Not only am I privileged to live in the city I always wanted to live in, I'm privileged to live a good life. All the annoyances seem minor when I look at other people's struggles, not just in New York but on a great scale worldwide. I look back at the last 9 months and I have absolutely no reason to complain.
Life's been incredibly kind to me. I hope it's been kind to you too.
Hello!
I've been pretty consistent about updating my fitness-related Tumblr and Twitter, despite the last 9 months having been a really wild ride for me. I don't even know where to begin!
New York is everything and more that I ever dreamed of. I'm not going to lie - I've had my tough moments, filled with homesickness, the feeling of not fitting in, being a stranger in a weird city/country, missing my family and friends, craving comfort food and my safety net of everything that used to be familiar. Sometimes, New York is too loud and too busy. There are too many (stupid) people. It's too expensive and there's too little space. It's too competitive and making friends is so hard. It's too hot in the summer (first apartment, tiny, cramped, no circulation, no AC. I know what I'm talking about) and it's too cold in the winter (second & current apartment, large, open space, lots of natural light, poorly isolated windows and heating. Again, I know what I'm talking about.) Healthy, fresh food is expensive.
But New York is also exciting and breath-taking and challenging (and rewarding!) and at the end of the day, moving to New York has been a dream-come-true. I've grown so much during those last 9 months, both professionally and as a person. I look back to the last year and I'm proud of who I am. I look at myself and I love who I am despite my flaws. I'm confident.
I've done some pretty amazing things in 2011, obviously, the most amazing thing being the move to another country all by myself. I've made new friends. I've discovered a sport (running) that I'm ridiculously passionate about (we're talking mid-term goal half-marathon, long-term goal full marathon), I've lost 50 lbs, I eat better and I'm generally more healthy and stronger. I've seen great shows (on and off Broadway - featuring Hugh Jackman and Cillian Murphy), concerts (Paul McCartney) and sporting events (Yankees). I've eaten amazing food at great restaurants. I've set a career goal for 2012 and I'm determined to reach it. There are so many great museums, shops, parks and things to do.
I look back at 2011 and I just feel blessed. Not only am I privileged to live in the city I always wanted to live in, I'm privileged to live a good life. All the annoyances seem minor when I look at other people's struggles, not just in New York but on a great scale worldwide. I look back at the last 9 months and I have absolutely no reason to complain.
Life's been incredibly kind to me. I hope it's been kind to you too.