Day 103: I Love New York

Today is a beautiful day and I am taking some time to stop and smell the flowers.  New York is in full bloom.

Near Madison Square ParkI’ve been busy following up on a few opportunities on the west coast and meeting with some of my contacts here in New York.  I am trying to build a network out there so that when I arrive I can jump right into meetings, line up some offers and have my pick.

Lyla on our walk around Gramercy Park. If only we had a key.As I walk Lyla today, a sadness comes over me.  With everyday that goes by, the thought of leaving New York becomes more real.  I am happy that I decided to take my time and enjoy New York before I leave.  I am going to miss this place.   I think back on the past three years, to the people and places that have shaped my New York experience.  I know there is so much more that I could do here.

Holiday Party at my first apartment in Murray Hill

Lyla’s first winter in Sheep Meadow, Central ParkIt was easy to come up with a list of things that annoyed me about New York when I was living and working here a few months ago.  Those things still annoy me, but I can’t negate all of the wonderful things this city has to offer.  It is like no place else.  Most New Yorkers will tell you, this is the best city in the world.  Having traveled the world, I can’t disagree.

I think of all of the things I will miss….

1.  New Yorkers.   People here are real.  There isn’t enough time in the day to pretend. This city attracts the most motivated and driven people in the world.  People come here with purpose.  There is a hunger in the belly of every New Yorker.  Frank Sinatra was right, “if I can make it here, I can make it anywhere.”  I’m about to leave here for anywhere, USA.  I know I will no longer be constantly surrounded by people with the same ambition and sense of purpose as that of New Yorkers.

This city has no shortage of characters2.  The plethora of interesting things to do and the constant stimulation.  If you are bored in New York, then something is really wrong.  The possibilities are endless.  Every day, anytime of day and anywhere in the city.  There is always something to do.  There are the museums… the Met, the Frick, MoMA, and my favorite, the Museum of Natural History, just to name a few.  Live Jazz, Sunday brunch, a stroll in the park… I can’t even touch the surface here.

Sailing around the harbor

Kate sings “A New York State of Mind” at karaoke3.  My family.  I am fortunate to have almost my entire family within a sixty mile radius.  I’ll make it back for all of the holidays, but I won’t be able to see my family in the same capacity as I’ve been accustomed to.

My family at my aunt Gail’s house last ThanksgivingLyla chasing my brother Matt4.  Going for a stroll around the neighborhood.  I am going to be spending a lot of time in the car soon.  I take Lyla for a loop through Union Square, around Gramercy Park to Madison Square Park and back down to Washington Square Park this afternoon.  We are on our way back, walking up 7th Ave, when I notice a little boutique with colorful dresses in the window.  I stop in for a look.  As I try on a dress, I chat with the owner, Clara.

“How long have you been in this location?”

“10 years,” she tells me.

How odd that I’ve never noticed this place.  It is about the size of my closet, but they have a nice selection.  I pay for the dress and I am on my way.  As I walk out the door, I realize that this is not how I will be shopping in the future. 

Lyla on our walk5.  My friends.  I don’t know many people in California, yet.  I’m great at making new friends, but friendships take time to build.  I’ve made some truly wonderful friends in this city.  Many, if not most, of my friends from college or from my childhood are here too, and those friendships have grown in ways I never expected. 

High school friends catching up on my patio two summers ago

My 25th birthday at Tortilla Flats

At the Jane for Sima and David’s engagement partyJay and Nicki at Don Hills after the Seeds of Peace fundraiser

Pool party at my parents’ house in PrincetonI know that you will always be in my life, no matter where I am, but I am going to miss your daily presence.

My soccer team

Jamie, Billy, Gustavo, me and Sywia on Billy’s roofdeckHalloween party at my apartmentHoliday party at my apartment last winterThe list of things that I love about New York goes on…  the restaurants, parks, neighborhoods, nightlife, architecture, diversity, shopping, shows, skyline, delivery food, characters, history.  It’s endless.

Maybe I’ll be back in a year, maybe two.  I may end up staying on the west coast for business school.  Or perhaps I will hate it there and want to come back shortly after I arrive.  But in order to give this a real shot, I’m committing at least six months to this move once I’ve settled in LA or SF.  I think that will give me enough time to decide.

At my brother’s old apartment in Gramercy, before I lived hereIt’s comforting to know that New York will still be there when I leave.  I can come back if and when I am ready.  I see New York in my future.  I know that when I do return, I will come back with a new found appreciation for this incredible city.  See more pictures.

Day Ninety-Seven: And Then There Were Four

Coachella was amazing.  I am on a festival kick.  I check out the line-up for Bonnaroo, another music festival in Tennessee, June 9 - 12.  Laura, my friend from Buenos Aires, is planning a trip to Europe for a few months this summer and I convinced her to make a stop in NYC for a week before taking off for Madrid.  She is buying her tickets and asks me about dates. 

I have an idea!  After a week in NYC, Laura can join Jay, Lyla and me for the first leg of our road trip to California.  She will join us for Bonnaroo and get to see some more of the US.

Laura is as spontaneous as I am.  She loves the idea and her trip to Europe gets pushed back until after she travels the country with me.

Laura and me in Mendoza

We buy our tickets for Bonnaroo.  She buys her ticket from Buenos Aires to New York.  It’s planned.  June 6 is the official launch date of a cross country road trip with two amazing people I met on this adventure.  Jay and Laura.

Me, Lyla and Jay in MiamiI write them an email outlining the itinerary and introducing the two. I have no doubt this will be an amazing trip.

Now, how to deal with the issue of luggage space.  Looks like I will be packing light.

Day Ninety-Two: Coachella

Julia, Jen, Alanna and ChristianI am wandering around the festival grounds at Coachella in Indio, California when I brush shoulders with a girl in a tutu.  “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!” she says.  She really means it.  One of the best things about Coachella, aside from the music, is the energy of the people here.  It’s full of good vibes.  Everyone is here to have a great time and promote the enjoyment of others.

Alanna is making a documentary about our generation and I am helping her interview people.  “Can we ask you some questions for a documentary?” I ask a group at the camp grounds.  They are sitting next to their car in the shade trying to escape the heat of the day. 

Kelly, Kara and Jake open their temporary home to us and give us thoughtful answers to our questions.  They drove 18 hours from a little town in Oregon to get here.  They are students.  The majority of people here are in their early twenties.  They are eager to answer our questions.  I am surprised to learn that although our backgrounds are very different, our core values are essentially the same.  They are us and we are them.  It’s our generation.

Alanna filming

I take off on my own to see the Black Keys and plan to meet my friends at the flower structure before heading to Robyn.  The meeting place made sense at the time, but unfortunately everyone else had the same idea. 

I watch as people search for the friends.
“Owen!”
“Julia! We are over here!”  
“You guys hold on!  Brian! Were sitting down.”
“Sarah!  Ahh we found you!”

There is no lack of distractions here but I am trying to focus on finding my friends before the show.   Someone shouts “Katie!” and I respond as Lyla does when I call her name,  I look up, look around.  I am not the Katie being called for.  A Katie is like a mom, everyone has one.  Then I see Jen pop up.  She is on Christian’s shoulders, a good place to be to scan the crowd. 

Jen on Christian’s shouldersWe head to the Mojave stage.  Robyn comes on and everyone screams.   Time to get up.  See more pictures.

Day Ninety: And Then There Were Three

Jay comes over and we catch up over some vino.  Jay’s job has been frustrating him.  “Everything I came back to New York for has gone wrong,” he tells me.  “The men, they suck!”  He tells me that the man he has been seeing is making him claustrophobic.  “I thought I could come back and start over, but it is the same,” he complains.  

I tell him about my plan to drive to California.  “You should come,” I suggest.  “I don’t think running away is the best solution, but think of it as a new beginning.  We could get our grounding in a new city.”  

He can’t come up with a single good reason why not.  “The stars are aligned, I think we should do this” I say.  “Sleep on it,” I advise him.  

“I don’t need to sleep on it.  We are going.  Don’t you dare change your mind.  I’m really doing this.  I walked in here and said this girl is crazy.  But we’re doing it, and I cant wait.”

Day Eighty-Eight: I'm Taking a Road-Trip, Again

“Happy Monday!” I chirp to Lyla as I pull the shades up and let the sunshine in.  It’s t-shirt weather.  Spring! Finally!

I take Lyla for a run on the river before mapping out my road trip and checking out some job postings at start-up companies in the bay area.

I’ll stop in Nashville and spend a few days in Austin before hitting Santa Fe, Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.   I think I’ll leave around April 24, two weeks from today.  There is a lot to do before then.  I need to put my stuff in storage.  Packing shouldn’t be hard now that I know where everything is after my spring cleaning. 

I play California Gurls by Katy Perry and dance with Lyla.  “Ready girl?” I ask her.  “Of course you are!”