Two Years Later

On the scale of surviving to thriving, my first year in New York lingered a bit too far on the "surviving" side. I'm happy to say my second year in New York enjoyed many more "thriving" moments. 

Favorite fountain. 

This year, the anniversary was more something to remember, not something I was striving to make it to—and for that I am very grateful. This year brought a lot of joy. Though the joyful moments also included heartache, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy, I'm trying to take the attitude of being grateful for what pain teaches you. I laughed a lot this year. I learned a lot this year. I grew in new ways and discovered more and more about what it is to be me, and how I can best do that in this world.

I love making lists of my favorite things, so here are a few favorite things from round 2 in NYC (in no particular order). 

1. Starting a new job and having "in office" experiences 

2. One day my friend and I decided to go spy on another friend while she was on a date; we found her and took pictures and it was a blast

Can you spot me? 

3. Meeting up with all of my college friends in NY

4. Gallivanting around this city with my sister and mom

5. Showing my siblings life in the city 

6. Going out on the row boats in Central Park with a guy I really really liked

7. Running into friends around the city. It surprises me every time it happens 

8. Figure skating at Chelsea Piers on my birthday 

9. Picnics in the park

10. Fourth of July in Queens

*Some of these are technically a collection of memories, and there's nothing you can do about that. 

Sometimes when people come to visit, and something obnoxious happens that is just something that happens in the city, I have this crisis of "Why do I love living here so much?" 

And SO many people have tried to put words to that idea, that pretty much anything I come up with will sound cliche. But I'll attempt. 

It's not any singular thing. I feel a sense of belonging here that feels more right and real than anywhere else I have lived, That's why I stay. That's why I get excited when I get to come back to New York. That's why I love endlessly walking the streets. That's why I hope I get to be here for many more years. 

xoxo

R