reflection

So it's been exactly a month since I came home from New York and I've taken the time to see what my reflection has shown... something I set out to discover as mentioned I in my previous post...

One of those cliche sayings about New York is that 'if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.' So I am happy to say that I feel like I conquered the concrete jungle and made Manhattan my bitch playground. In fact, I did better than make it; I thrived. Some of my proudest moments were times I was mistaken as a New Yorker by others. I was able to give directions a couple of times, was asked how long I had lived in the city. I read a book while waiting for my laundry at a laundromat, complained about noisy trucks passing by my window in the morning, exercised in the park, ran to catch the subway, heard about a concert and went the same day, etc. I could really see myself living in the big apple in the future.

The city is definitely made for a girl like me with big dreams and who likes to always be on the go. I did miss loved ones at times since many of my days I only had myself for company with my brother working long shifts. But as Carrie Bradshaw said in a SATC episode, "New York is the perfect place for the single girl. The city is your date." I thought this when I found myself in her exact situation, on my way to the Guggenheim by myself one rainy summer day.

                                                     my concrete playground

My reflection time came during many subway rides and hours in museum galleries. I recognized a lot of my own faults that I need to work on as person and in my relationships. I have a image of the kind of person I want to be in my head, but often fall short. I need to be harder on myself to get there instead of letting other people dictate my emotions and happiness. It's not easy and I stumble every day, but there is progress. This step back from my usual life will make getting there will be easier too I think.

Now, I've come back to M I A happier and rejuvenated enough to take on those stresses again until my next great adventure: Japan.

Thank you, New York. You truly are the greatest city in the world.

brooklyn getaway

 what will my time of reflection reveal?

My Brooklyn getaway starts on Monday. This trip was not planned for months and months like trips of this length were. It was a gift from above from someone who knew I needed this badly.. A little over a month ago, I called my brother to wish him a happy birthday and we started catching up. It turned out that his roommate and best friend had to leave before his lease was up for some medical classes back in Miami and that he had an extra room, rent-free till August.  I jumped at the opportunity and next thing I know, I'm spending 6 six weeks away from it all. 

People who know what my life entails these days might think, 'away from it all? C'mon your life's not that stressful' and the truth is that even with a full time class load of masters classes and a part time job, it probably isn't (except no, going to work and school at the same time isn't a piece of cake). Nevertheless, I've grown tired of the day-to-day rut and wanted a change of pace. I'm a creature of habit but not a habitual creature. I have routines, but I try take incorporate spontaneity too. So a chance to explore NYC and the vicinity became a shining star to propel me through last part the semester.

For most people I know, time away like this from their loved ones would be difficult and might even prove to be too much. I will miss my friends and family but in an odd way I feel like I've been conditioned for this by now. In the past couple of months, certain difficult situations are making this leave of absence a piece of cake. Close friendships became distant, disappointments dispelled naiveties, and one leech of a job that takes up most of my boyfriend's job anyway means this will be a cinch. . 

NO SLEEP TILL BROOKLYN!