I moved to New York

It's 2020. I graduated college in June, and I wanted to live my dream of moving to New York. This pandemic has made everything in this world trickier, but it wasn't going to stop me from making this happen. So at a time when we have a record-breaking amount of people leaving NYC, I made it my home. I currently only have a part-time job. But we are actively working on that situation. 

Now to the good stuff: 

I love New York. I love the sounds of the city. I love that there are always people around. I love how diverse the people are here. I love the "you do you" mentality of New York. With a few exceptions, people really don't care what you're doing. It's very refreshing. 

I'll tell the rest with photos: 

This was the worst traveling experience. I knew it would be bad. But my guitar made it and that is what matters.

So technically my first meal in the city was a pad thai from Whole Foods, but this was my first real meal. Dig Inn for the win every time. 

Kylie and I got a pizza! My first one in NY. 

Jenny made b&w cookies . . . so delicious

Somehow PB wasn't in my original grocery order. I had to go 4 days without it, and it was a very long time. I can now be myself again. 

Love how much this reminds me of my favorite trail in AR. 

My sweet aunt & uncle & cousins put together a sunshine box for me! Truly made my day. So many favorites inside the box and I felt so much love. 

Aug 28th was when MLB celebrated Jackie Robinson Day (delayed due to covid). I decided to watch 42 that day since it's one of my all-time favorite movies. I had a very emotional experience watching it - Chadwick Boseman is a truly incredible actor and gave so much to this role. After I finished the film, I got on insta to discover the Chadwick had just passed away. He will be so missed. I am so grateful for what he gave to his work and how he blessed us all. 

felt relevant 

First subway ride as a New Yorker!!! 

Dinner with the roomies in West Village 

yummm

Conservatory Gardens. Very pretty, but lots of hs kids

This was a fun evening. Some friends of my roommates are moving out of the city and are selling a bunch of their stuff. We visited their place and I got this anthro coaster I am very excited about (along with a basket, hangers, and eventually desk & chair). I also picked up a bedside table on the side of the road. I got anxiety about bed bugs being in it, but I think we are good. Hopefully haha. We also carried a shelf 12 blocks. No one on the streets batted an eye. We took a breather halfway home at milk bar and I got this delicious cake. 

Shakespeare Gardens in Central Park 

Ah, Brooklyn. This was from a fairly traumatic day. I thought it would be a good idea to get a job as a marketing assistant. I got interviews and two companies. I did well and they both sent me through to the next round but they were both NOT companies I wanted to work for. They were wanting me to make a career out of marketing and acting is still very much why I am here. Still, it was fun to travel around the city and have appointments inside buildings. 

After my interviews, I used a Starbucks gift card (courtesy of my mother) to treat myself to a double chocolate frap at Starbucks. The barista was a little confused about what I was ordering. That's a very common order in Provo — apparently not so much in NYC. I forgot about the mask though and tried to sip immediately. Then I had to walk home with the obvious stain on my mask. And the drink in hand so everyone could know exactly what happened. Fortunately, no one here cares. 

Outfit for my first date in NY (as a new yorker - maybe I'll share the real first date story another time)

Saturday was a very perfect day. Again, maybe I'll give more detail later ;) 

I'm loving that this city feels more and more like home every day. On Saturday I needed a hair product and it was at the CVS that is literally 4 minutes from me. I love NY. 

OHH and here are my fun facts about NY. Looked these up during quarantine: 

1. I’m a 4 min walk from the longest line, the 8th Avenue “A” express train (stretches more than 32 miles)
2. August Belmont was just passing through NYC, but due to the financial crisis of 1837, he stayed. Ended up getting married. Had a bunch of kids. One of those kids financed the building of the Subway. So we can thank that financial crisis. Kinda. 
3. I’m a 10 minute walk from Milk Bar 
4. Literally any article about the subway emphasizes how it runs 24/7and NEVER closes, which just goes to show you how truly unprecedented these times are (yep. I used the u word 🙄)
5. Broadway contributes nearly $12.6 billion to NYC’s economy and directly supports 89,000 jobs (in 2018)
6. A theater must seat at least 500 people to be termed a “Broadway theater” 
7. The Pizza Principle is awesome 
8. The Brooklyn Bridge is older than the Tower Bridge in London!!!!

xoxo