The day I moved here, was quite possibly the best and worst day of my life. It was the best, for obvious reasons, big city, 21 year old running loose, endless possibilities. However, it was also more difficult than I could have ever fathomed. The last few weeks leading up to my departure could not have been more perfect. I was able to visit all of the places with the best memories and to spend time with all of the people that mean the absolute world to me. Leaving behind my family and friends was a hot mess! I kept insisting that moving to New York hadn't hit me yet. Oh, but when it did, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I cried hysterically! You know, the kind of crying where you're hiccuping and can hardly breathe, and have that ugly Kim Kardashian "crying face" thing going on? Yeah, it was like that, the night before I left, the ride to the airport, at the terminal, on the plane ride over, in bed before I went to sleep...for several days. I questioned why I ever wanted to leave beautiful, sunny, perfect California for filthy, cold, and crazy New York, but as I began to familiarize myself with navigating my way through the city, both figuratively and literally, I fell head over heels in love with this city, and here are a few why:
- I will never, ever be bored.
- There are tons of things to see and do here. Despite the popularized idea that New York is very expensive, there are countless activities that are FO FREE! The parks are free and amazing and each have their own vibe. Central Park is breathtaking and overwhelmingly gargantuan. It has gorgeous walking paths, an adorable zoo for the kiddies, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs galore, and plenty of greenery to lay out on and enjoy. Madison Square Park is where most of the business men and women of the area enjoy lunch. It is also home to the famous Shake Shack, a glorified burger stand that has a never-ending line. I still have not found the patience within myself to stand in line for this place, but I intend on it some time in the future and will let you know if it is worth the wait! Bryant Park is also one of my favorites. It is quite small in comparison to the others, but it overlooks the stunning, historical New York Public Library (which is a piece of art in its own right), and has many vendors, small outdoor bars and restaurants, a quaint little carousel, as well as a killer view of the Empire State Building. The High Line, which is a park that extends for blocks and blocks and blocks, has the most brilliant view of the Hudson river. Apparently, it used to be a subway line, which is where the origin of its name came from. Then there's Union Square, which wouldn't you know it, is precisely one block from where I live. It is great if you like homeless people and side shows. Just kidding...kinda. There is definitely truth in the content of characters in the area, but one of the most beloved aspects of Union Square is the green market, the farmer's market that takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, where you can attain local, farm fresh fruits and produce, as well as other farmer's market-y things. And finally, last of the parks that I have visited is Washington Square Park, which is about 6 blocks from my place. It is also a favorite of mine. There is endless entertainment, puppet shows, musical ensembles, dance groups, etc. There is also a bountiful supply of intellectual, and albeit pretentious, college students. Not only is it near my school, but it's basically NYU students' quad, since they don't have one and all of their buildings surround it. It's a great place to read and people watch, as you may have seen on my Instragram. Aside from its parks, there are also some great museums within the city as well. As a New School student, I have access to the MOMA (Metropolitan Museum of Art) FO FREE! It features mostly modern and contemporary art. The mecca of museums is The Met (Metropolitan Museum). Its architecture is beautiful in and of itself, but the vast variety of art it displays from ancient Egyptian sarcophagi, to medieval paintings, to Greek and Roman sculptures, and far beyond, it is a sight to see. It also can't be seen in one day. That is just artistic exposure overload. There is way too much to see. The famous steps are a great place to sit and relax as well. In fact, one day while I was sitting there pretending I was on Gossip Girl, I even saw a flash mob and marriage proposal. One of the best things about The Met is that it is donation based. So, even though it gives you a "suggested price" of $25, you can literally give them five bucks and they have to let you in. Beyond parks and museums, there's also world renowned shopping and an unbeatable nightlife. Did you know many of the clubs and bars don't even close until 4AM? It really is the city that never sleeps. You could walk down MacDougal at 2 or 3 in the morning and not even notice the time, because EVERYTHING IS OPEN! All of the bars and restaurants, and drunk-people-food pitstops, they are all open for business and jam packed. So I think you get the point here, so much entertainment, not nearly enough time.
- I will never need a DD.
- Everyone who knows me is aware that not only am I a TERRIBLE driver, but also I loathe driving. Coming to New York totally fixed that. There is no need for a car here. In fact, I think it's weird when people do have cars. Who voluntarily purchases a car and insurance, sits in traffic, and pays $500/month to PARK their car? They obviously can't be trusted, those New York car owners. You can take a cab, IF YOU THINK YOU'RE RICH. They eat your money. The cab drivers are usually rude. It is just a waste of time and money. Unless you are in an extreme hurry or are too drunk to navigate your way home, do the right thing and walk or take the subway. I find walking the best way to get around. I have really come to enjoy walking around to get places, especially at night. There's a lot to see, and it is also good exercise. The next best thing is the subway. My rule of thumb is, if I can't walk there in 30 minutes, take the subway. It is not as gross and creepy as people make it out to be. Everyone takes it, and it's the most economical and quickest way to get around, once you know your way.
- I love my school!
- My school is great. It is very much a liberal arts college, with its seminary style of teaching, diverse variety in course options, and overflow of hipsters. If you think I'm joking, I'm not. This place is crawling with them. They make me feel like the most basic B of all. Nonetheless, I have come to appreciate my relationship to my professors and really enjoy everything I am learning. In addition, it is refreshing to be able to have intellectually stimulating conversations among my peers.
- I have amazing internship opportunities.
- Since New York is the home of flagships for many companies, what better place to choose to live during my initial steps into the "real world"? I applied and was offered internships from two companies. One of which was a cheese company. It was really strange and almost comical, but the position sounded cool. It was for a Social Media and Marketing internship, where I would be able to produce and release content and assist in the coordination of fancy wine and cheese parties. Just as I was on the cusp of joining the team and preparing witty tweets about cheese, I was given the opportunity to work for Revlon as a public relations intern. In the midst of fashion week, I would be insane not to take it. So far, it has been a crazy, chaotic, stressful mess! Mirroring the Devil Wears Prada, this industry is no joke. There's no training, no inquiries, you just have to get shit done, and if you don't know how, you just have to figure it out. Today, I had the pleasure of working one of my favorite designers of all time, Marchesa's fashion show. It was beautiful and also crazy. The amount of work and detail and DRAMA that goes into producing these shows is unbelievable, but also extremely rewarding and exciting. I will be sure to let you all know what else is in store for me as this internship as time progresses.
- I meet the most fascinating people.
- I have met and made friends with people from all over the place: San Francisco, Toronto, London, Korea, Czech Republic, and many more. I have been attempting to expose myself to different cultures as well. My San Fransican friend says "hella" way too much and it drives me up the effing wall. My Canadian friends entertain me with their accents and use of the word "wash room". My British friends make me feel like I'm in Skins or Harry Potter, and I also like to pretend that they're friends with One Direction in my mind. My Korean roommate always insists on feeding me, which is very sweet. I even got the opportunity to attend a traditional Jewish dinner party, which I guess is a very "New York" thing to do.
It has all been so fun and exciting. I can't wait to tell you guys about the adventures I partake in and the people I encounter. I promise, the other blogs will not be as long as this ridiculous one is, but it's been 28 DAYS! That's a lot of catching up!
XOXO
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