I moved to New York City from Lambertville,
Michigan, four years ago. I knew at the time that this new chapter of my life
would be an incredible adventure, and was smart enough back then to start and
maintain this blog.
I have experienced both the absolute best and
lowest worst times in my life to date here. I've done things I never imagined
I'd ever do - both good and bad, unfortunately - and have come out on the other
side a completely different person.
From behind an espresso maker, I lost in New York City, found a dead person, and became completely desensitized, but learned more about people than I ever could have imagined.
Professionally, I got rejected over and over
again in the cutthroat publishing industry even after
attending a competitive publishing course at NYU, but
eventually landed a job where my food options and
experiences expanded threefold and I ate for a living at the most amazing restaurants in NYC.
And just living in the city of opportunity
opened up doors for me to accidentally become an actress, sing in a band, become an artist, endure some barbaric beauty procedures, play basketball with the greatest people ever, and have many one-night stands. I also found my
soulmate.
And now it's time to go - ironically in the
same timeframe as the faceless woman at B&N.
The New York I "knew" was the second post on this
blog. I wrote it before moving here, and re-read it right before
writing this post. Time has passed and I wanted to set the record straight:
Assumptions I made about New York that proved
true (with small incorrect parts struckthrough):
- It's HUUUUUUGE!!
- Our apartment
will most likely be the size of a walk-in closet where we'll cram all our
stuff in every corner
of the dark and dirty, roach-infested place. Since our apartment will be so small,we'll have to trade in our German Shepherd mix in for a Chihuahua. - Instead of
squirrels, we'll see rats.
- The city will
be a place of many colors - a sea of yellow taxis and people of all
races.
- Starbucks
will be the only staple on every corner.
Assumptions that now make me laugh (comments
from today in italics):
- I always need
to be on my toes watching out for muggers, rapists, and all around bad
people.
- I'll most
likely get flipped the bird more than I actually see birds. People will be
regularly shoving, yelling, and belittling each other because there will
be no elbow room anywhere.
- The buildings
are probably so tall that they block out the big blue sky that I'm used to
seeing in Ohio. And the only color I WON'T see is green, as in trees
or grass. (Might have been true had I not moved four blocks from
Central Park.)
- I'll stick
out like a sore thumb because I don't have the model looks nor am I
anorexic. In addition, I don't own many designer clothes and can't justify
spending the money it will take to wear the labels that most everyone else
will be walking around in: Prada, Gucci, etc. (Everyone just wears
black. All the time.)
- If I'm hungry
for a basic sandwich, I'll need at least a $10 bill. Since I'm not willing
to spend $10 every time I want lunch, I'll probably lose tons of
weight! (Only $10, Erika? HA! And losing weight with the amazing
restaurants here? HA!)
This small-town girl is leaving the big
city both against my will and willingly because I know it's time. I've
grown into my own here, spread my wings, got a pretty sharp edge, and had some
all-too-real life lessons, but it's time to grow in different and hopefully
positive ways. Besides, I've got another big city waiting for me.
This now small-town girl at heart is on to the
next big city...
