The swollen ankles. The sleepy eyes. The tired wrinkles. The multitude of smells upon smells. Children’s giggles between break screeches and unclear conductor announcements. The descriptions of my new commute could go on enough to fill 100 pages and then some given the diversity found amongst the other patrons. the people of new york.
For those of you that don’t know (and it’s many since I have not used social media regularly in the past), I have made a big life decision and moved to the Big Apple. My lease in Michigan was ending just as my brother had a roommate moving out and vacating a room. Things aligned – our leases, my MHA completion (oh yeah, I also get to add three letters to my name now 😊), my dad’s retirement allowing him to help (physically and financially) – at the right moment that pushed me towards joining the brother and two other dudes to take on my New Girl Era (NY vs LA…same difference, right?).
It's been a huge journey so far. After several goodbyes to work friends, dancing friends, and second family, it began with taking my beloved furniture (I’ll miss you creaky-ass, metal bed) and camping gear (that I never got to try out) and fishing pole (which has yet to catch a fish) and Big Bertha (my purple clown car) to North Dakota. Flying back to Detroit, we loaded up another U-Haul with enough for a family of 4, and made our way across Ohio and Pennsylvania into the city.
Over a few days I managed to fit everything into my little room (although luckily the largest of all the roomies). But apart from the things I am surrounded with and clothes I get to wear – my life is completely different.
No more “small” college town vibes (Ann Arbor compared to middle-of-nowhere America is still a city). Only one familiar face; however, previous to the move, I had seen this face only a handful of times since we lived together when I was high school (which also as of this year is 10 years ago?) and now I get to see it (almost) every day. And maybe most painful of all right now – no job lined up #unemployed
I’m adventuring out to become more familiar with the place I now put in the upper left-hand corner of all the cards and letters I send out more and more each day – still trying to take it somewhat slow so I don’t get too overwhelmed and have a total mental breakdown (mild ones may have happened… but I have not cried yet – so success?).
I am excited to embrace my creativity again; living with artists, it’s bound to happen.
I will try sharing more about what I am up to – maybe start a blog of sorts to document all the crazy things that might happen as I already have some stories up my sleeve from the 2 weeks of being here.
To close out, I will pay remembrance and ask you give a moment of silence. Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of one of the largest news events to terrorize American soil. May we remember the people in the towers, the firefighters and first responders who gave their lives day of and afterwards from the health effects, and the mark that was left on our society from TSA to a different skyline back in 2001.
Additionally, tell those you love that you love them. I learned earlier this week that a previous coworker died unexpectedly. They left behind a family with 2 boys and a girl she just gave birth to earlier this year. In a flash, or a few weeks, your life can change so recognize what you have and show those close to you what they mean, you never know when you may never again have the chance.