The Comeback and the Catch-Up

The following post comes from my old blog (you can view the original post here). Since it's my catch-up post about my time in NYC, I thought I'd add it here! Enjoy:

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It’s been 20 days shy of a year since my last post. I have no excuse. Life has taken an insane course and it would take months to give an adequate update.  I mean, there is a lot to talk about. The biggest thing? I moved. to NEW YORK CITY. Yea, I know, right? The one place I never thought I’d end up.

I want to tell you all about it! BUT: The thought of rehashing the past year gives me a serious case of anxiety. I feel so much pressure to get it all orderly and coherent and cute and funny.  My stomach hurts just thinking about it. To avoid paragraphs or timelines, my friends sent me questions and suggested that I cover my bases by answering. Hopefully this will make backtracking less painful!

::What music did you listen to on your flight to NYC?::

I think this is my favorite question because my playlists always feel pretty significant and indicative of an emotional state that I’ve been unable to give language to. Mumford and Son’s, NeedtoBreathe, Tyrone Wells, Misty Edwards and Caleb Carruth. There is one line in Caleb’s song, ‘Darkness Falls’, that says ‘When darkness falls and the distance calls- You still remain’– and that was something I was really trying to claim. I knew the life ahead of me was going to be seasoned with the good and the bad, and I was begging myself to really hear those words.

::What was the first night alone like?::

1/2 Exhilarating (ADVENTURE!), 1/2 Terrifying (What the HELL am I doing?). I remember this ‘lonely-yet-excited’ feeling. I still feel that sometimes.

::How was your first grocery shopping experience?::

Nothing short of humiliating. I got a buggie and it wouldn’t fit down the aisle! I kept bumping into people and I was so embarrassed. But seriously, why do you have buggies (excuse me, ‘carts’) that don’t fit down the FRIGGIN AISLE! (Did I mention I asked the stock guy 47 times where I could find shoestring hasbrowns for my casserole? Oh, the look on his face.)

::How long did it take to figure out the transportation situation? Subways? Busses? Cabs?::

FourTEEN Forevers. Walking is really easy because most of Manhattan is a grid. I appreciate the subway, but I’m still not a fan. Give me a bus so I have something to look at.

::Explain your closet situation…..everyone knows there is noway your stuff fit::

You are right. I need to put a picture up of my current ‘closet’ (if you can call it that).

::How is NYU?::

IN-CREDIBLE. I can’t say enough. I am truly HUMBLED to the core that I get to sit under such distinguished professors and study beside such brilliant people. love, love, love it. That’s the best part of being in NYC, no doubt.

::What is NYU’s mascot?::

GO BOBCATS! Bobcats are our mascot, but our sports teams are the Violet’s… yea, I know. If you only knew how fitting that was.

::Do people that live in NY actually go to the Today Show?::

I’m not sure.. I don’t really think so. I set my alarm so that I could catch James Taylor on the plaza before work but I was too tired to make it.

::Have you seen any fabulous celebrities.. (like Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson, John Mayer)?::

Well, somebody is a twihard. I haven’t seen the vamps — or anyone especially cool for that matter. I  did see John Mayer play a show at the Garden–so I have seen him, sorta. The celebrities I have seen are somewhat laughable: I spotted Ricki Lake in Union Square, Chelsea Clinton at the Space Market, and Robert Verde on Fifth Ave… I saw Rufus from Gossip Girl skating through the West Village a couple of weeks ago. OH! I did see Larry David and the cast of Curb Your Enthusiasm filming on Bleecker this weekend.

::Explain the experience of moving from one apartment to the next::

I honestly can’t. It would take hours and I would pull all of the remaining hair out of my head. It’s a disaster, I’ll just tell you that.

::Favorite place in New York that isn’t touristy?::

I’m a lover of ANY place that doesnt have swarms of cameras and fanny packs or people asking me which train goes where. I stay pretty far from Times Square unless I’m out for a show. My favorite ‘not-touristy’ spot is probably Trattoria Spaghetto in the Village or the Red Mango stand off of St. Marks. I also love browsing the record stores on Bleecker because people are just in their element.

::Favorite place in New York that IS crawling with tourists?::

I hate to be cynical about tourists because I used to think it was so rude that the jaded locals always snubbed them… but it’s true- places that attract tourists do not typically attract me. With that being said, I’d probably say the Theater District. I also love John’s Pizza on 44th and the Met lawn in Central Park.

::How was the crazy snow in New York this year? I mean you are from Alabama so…it had to be epic (like my choice of word, epic)?::

Why, yes it was ‘epic’! It was pretty insane. Going to central park during the big snowstorm was magical. I feel ultra dorky for saying ‘magical’– but it truly was. After the magic wore off, I was just annoyed. Snow is pretty when it’s falling- but when it sticks and melts? NO THANK YOU. It gets old rather quickly.

::Favorite spot to get away to and forget you are in the city?::

My rooftop. I thank my lucky stars for that little slice of serenity. I can still hear the City and see the people but I’m not visible to anyone else. I can take it all in without having to talk or listen or pay attention to streets and signs. Imagine living in a place where you have no place to go when you want to cry or scream. No car, no dead end road, nowhere but your 100 square foot room.. it’s pretty intense. I definitely let it all out on the roof.

::How does it feel to hear ‘Empire State of Mind’ now that you are a New Yorker?::

That’s a funny question. I hear it ALL the time here, but honestly I don’t even think about it. It’s funny because all of my out of town friends use it as my ringtone, so whenever I hear it- I think of them. It’s dorky, but the big city lights really do inspire me.

::Best bar you have been to?::

Hmm, that’s tough. I’m a big fan of the bar below our place called the ‘East Village Tavern’- they have the best blueberry beer. I also like Ammity Hall on W. 3rd and Macdougal- or the rooftop bar at Porch on Avenue C.

::Favorite play you have seen since actually being a resident of NY?::

I would probably say ‘In the Heights’ but I saw it before I officially moved here. I really loved ‘Memphis’ because it reminded me so much of home.

::Worst thing about NY?::

$$$$$$ . This is not a good place to be broke, my friends.

::Favorite thing about living in NY::

My favorite thing about living in NY is living in NY. SERIOUSLY? I get to live here? This is really my life? I just feel like I have the world at my fingertips right now. I am really grateful.

::Favorite place to eat that doesn’t cost a pretty penny?::

Joe’s Pizza on Carmine and Bleecker. Best pizza in the City in my opinion (which means nothing!) Favorite place that DOES cost a pretty penny? I don’t really eat at fancy places- but maybe Cafe Cortadito. DE-LISH Cuban.

::Have you gone on any dates? Did they wear V-necks?::

This question makes me nervous. Yes, I have. Can I leave it at that?  And.. City boys with V-necks are fun to look at .. but most of them stink (not to make a sweeping generalization or anything..)

::You always talk about ‘work’– what do you do? I thought you were in school!::

I am in school- but I work 21 hours a week at my internship. Right now I’m working at a domestic violence agency doing individual counseling and children’s play therapy.

::Favorite thing you’ve done since you’ve been in the big city??!::

I have a lot of favorites. If my obsession is not clear, I’d have to say that seeing James Taylor at MSG tops my list. My favorite New Yorky thing? Probably the Pillowfight in Union Square or taking Samba lessons in Harlem.

::What advice do you have for tourists or someone who is moving there?::

Me? Advice? I’m still a tourist, myself. I’d say pack your tennies and bring your sass. This city will wear you out- mentally, emotionally, phsyically. Know who you are and be ok with whatever that is– and be open to letting that evolve. Oh, and get a therapist.

::Have you ever been scared?::

Not really.

::Do you ever miss home?::

Always. Home for me is: My mama, watching my grandmother can jellies, listening to my Poppa prepare his Sunday School lesson, going to the cabin with friends, and eating Chic-fil-A. Those aren’t easily accessible 800 miles away. I miss that everyday.  I don’t know where I’ll end up, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop missing home.

COME VISIT!