I couldn't be happier with how things have turned out.
I started this blog to record my "thoughts on a Big Move." I now consider my move complete. I have no more property holdings in Georgia (or...ah...anywhere, thanks to pricey New York). I have built a good circle of friends in New York (while, of course, maintaining my wonderful Atlanta friends!). I now quickly say "New York" when people ask where I live (rather than stumbling through "Atla...I mean, New York"). I will, however, always say "Alabama" when people ask where I am from.
I know the move is over, and I am a New Yorker now because I rarely get lost in the City and can follow the schedule changes on the subways. I actually ride buses. I don't buy anything unless it is on sale (this place is expensive), and I appreciate a good 99 cent store. I actually have regular haunts and restaurants where I know the hostess. I understand why everyone leaves the heat of the summer, and I plan to find a way to do it more often next summer.
I get frustrated at slow moving tourists on the street, and depressed by the European shoppers buying everything I cannot have (but I am happy that I get to stay here when their trip ends).
I know to look BOTH ways when crossing a one-way street because those Chinese food delivery guys on their bikes can come at you from any angle. I know the importance of several good pairs of sunglasses and plenty of Purell. I believe that umbrellas and gloves should basically be considered disposable items, and that my city bag/man purse/backpack collection is practically taking up one of my two (very valuable) closets.
I know the freedom of never going into home furnishing stores because I have no room in my 500 square feet for another tsotchke.
I know to look BOTH ways when crossing a one-way street because those Chinese food delivery guys on their bikes can come at you from any angle. I know the importance of several good pairs of sunglasses and plenty of Purell. I believe that umbrellas and gloves should basically be considered disposable items, and that my city bag/man purse/backpack collection is practically taking up one of my two (very valuable) closets.
I know the freedom of never going into home furnishing stores because I have no room in my 500 square feet for another tsotchke.
I am now thoughtful to run the air conditioner judiciously because ConEd ain't no Georgia Southern. I mean, a $290 electricity bill for one month for 500 square feet? Really?
I know that getting out of New York at Christmastime to go home is stressful, frustrating and will try your patience and good will towards men. Yet, I know it is entirely worth it to escape to the solitude and comfort of an Alabama lakeside home filled with the family that I miss tremendously and love completely.
I know it is sometimes difficult to be so far away when my Father is struggling and my Mother is being so strong in supporting him. But I also know how they support me for being here.
I know the promise of this City is that when one door closes, another one can open right across the (dance) floor from you. I am glad, thankful, and thrilled that New York and Boston are not that far apart. I praise Amtrak.
I know the best routes for taxis to take, and the best corners in my area to get one. I know even is east and north, and odd is south and west.
I miss the Twin Towers even though I don't know New York with them standing.
I know that I am a New Yorker because, while I may yell at the craziness of this City when I am here, I miss it the minute I leave.
I know that I am a New Yorker because I believe that while this City seems to take your every dime, it is worth every penny.
I know that I am a New Yorker because I believe that while this City seems to take your every dime, it is worth every penny.
I know that I am a New Yorker because I have strong opinions on lifting the mayoral term limit, the look of the new newsstands, the new governor, congestion pricing, and anything that improves NYC public schools.
I know that I am New Yorker because I know how to ignore things that used to make me stare. I know how to turn off the people-watching impulse and just walk. I know that walking a few miles a day is not that bad for the figure, and that I don't even miss having a car. At. All.
I know that I don't regret making this big, exciting, expensive, frightening, thrilling and utterly rewarding move to New York City.
I know that....I love New York.
This is the last posting on this blog, for now, because I feel like the Big Move is complete. I am going to keep this blog up, though, because life's Big Moves can come in shapes and sizes other than a change of one's physical address.
And, when that next Big Move happens in my life, I am sure I will have more thoughts.
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“ There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born here, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size and its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter — the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. […]
Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness; natives give it solidity and continuity; but the settlers give it passion." ----- E.B. White,
And, when that next Big Move happens in my life, I am sure I will have more thoughts.
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“ There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born here, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size and its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter — the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. […]
Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness; natives give it solidity and continuity; but the settlers give it passion." ----- E.B. White,
