A lot has happened since I arrive, and yet, it feels like nothing has happened all at the same time. The very first night that Emily and I got into town, she started working at a really cool sports bar in downtown Brooklyn (O’Keefe’s). She got very lucky landing this job before she even got into town and has turned out to be even better than she ever expected it to be. That same night, I met for the first time my new roommates, Lois and Rose. Lois and Emily know each other from Arizona where they met working for the same catering company; and Rose is good friends with Lois’s > sister's > roommate.
The following day, Rose took us to view the apartment they had found for us the few days before. It’s in an area of Brooklyn called “Bedford-Stuyvesant” or “Bed-Stuy” (pronounced Bed-Sti) right on the border of Clinton Hill, near Williamsburg.
I was trying my hardest to be as optimistic as possible when getting off the subway to view it- but hard as I tried... I wasn’t sold. Which was especially hard for me as all of my other roommates were absolutely head over heals in love with the place and the neighborhood. When we finally got into the apartment to see where we’d be living, I was having a very hard time visualizing what it would look like. When we first viewed the place, it was two seperate one bedroom apartments that had a door that led to a spiral staircase connecting the two apartments. We were told that our landlord had a wonderful team of contractors that would come in and gut one kitchen and turn the two-one-bedrooms into a five bedroom duplex for us.
Now, I know I’ve never lived in NYC before, nor have I ever had the chance to visit someone who lives here to see their apartment; but on only about 5-6 hours of sleep- I was struggling to see what all my other roommates saw in this place. It’s really not the best feeling in the world to be signed up to live with five other people, and you’re the only one who not only isn’t completely sold on the place, but do not even be on the same page as these 5 other people. But, if I know one thing about NYC, it’s that real estate doesn’t last long. I knew that if we didn’t make a decision (and fast) about this apartment, it would be gone. I also knew that trying to find a place for six people to live was never going to be easy. Essentially what it boils down to, is that I felt obligated to sign the lease on the apartment even if I was less than thrilled about it. I later expressed these things to one of my roommates, and how I regret not speaking up for myself about the fact that I wasn’t 100% on board before making things official.
I am here to learn. Since I never finished college, and don’t have plans to go back anytime in the near future if at all- this is my college. This is the school of hard knocks (for lack of a less cheesy description). I am living, and boy am I learning.
After spending the first week on the Upper West Side, with my friend Anna and her husband Marcos, it was time to move in. When we signed the lease we were told that our upstairs portion of the apartment would be finished by September 1st if not sooner and the bottom portion of our place would be finished by September 7th. Emily and I were so looking forward to finally having a place to call our own. Emily and Lois both had to work on the 1st and Rose wasn’t able to move in that day- so I was the first to make it to the apartment. Bombshell... Our apartment was not only NOT ready to move into, but it was hardly even close. “Apparently” our landlord had failed to mention to the contractors exactly when everything was promised to be finished so they had been working at a slower pace. The upside of everything, was that both our upstairs and our down stairs were being worked on at the same speed and would be ready at the same time rather than having to wait an extra week. The downside of this meant that someone needed to be in the apartment whenever the workmen were there to watch over our stuff. Just in case you’ve ever wondered... sitting in an apartment with no furniture, no internet, and no TV, is booooooooring!!
After three days of this Emily and I were very much in need of some refreshments (if ya know what I mean... and I think you do). As it turns out, a nephew through marriage (my Aunt Andrea is married to Michael who’s sister’s son is Ricky: my new neighbor!) was looking for an apartment in Brooklyn at the same time I was, and the apartment on the forth floor of my building was available! We all moved in on the same day, and were going through the same hard times with our apartments not being fully ready; so they were more than happy to join us that evening. It was fun having automatic friends, especially when they already knew people in Brooklyn! Emily and I had gone “window” bed shopping a few days earlier but hadn’t purchased anything since we weren’t 100% about our exact move-in date or how much we were interested in spending on beds. By this time, enough was enough- I was sick of sleeping on the floor; I needed a bed ASAP. I went back into the city to purchase a bed I’d had my eye on. I was a little sad to find out that they weren’t able to deliver it for 4 1/2 days, but just knowing one was on its way was enough for me!
Since all the “excitement” of moving into an unfinished apartment and finally getting my bed, nothing really actually exciting has really happened. I’m sorry to report. I know a lot of people are expecting me to write home about how amazing and fabulous my life is now that I’m living here. It’s not that it’s not, it’s just that I’m still getting settled and don’t exactly have the funds to do anything super fabulous. Besides, I’m waiting for people to come visit me before I do any of the touristy things. I know a lot of people (ahhhemm roommates ;) think that since I live here now I won’t want to do typical touristy things. Think again. I cannot wait for people to come visit me so I can have a reason/excuse to finally get to do these things!
I’m sorry if for some of you, this update is not exactly what you were expecting. I don’t want to come off as being negative, or upset, or even maybe to some of you, naive. I just want to be honest. I don’t want to sit here and write about how amazing and fabulous my life is here, when it’s not... yet.
I’m still learning so much and slowly but surely every day seems to get a little better.
I’ve only gotten myself lost twice- and I’ve gotten myself out of it without too much stress.
Last week I interviewed with a photography agent to be an intern. I haven’t heard back yet, but please keep that job for me in your thoughts and prayers- it seriously would be such a dream for me. Just yesterday, I interviewed with a photographer to intern with, and got the job! I’m so thankful! Since it is an internship, it’s not paid- but I knew coming here that finding a job exactly like this was highly likely. And I’m so lucky because I can roughly make my own schedule with this photog, and work as little as one day a week if I want to- so plenty of flexibility to find other (paying) work. And get this, the best part... this photog is a WOMAN!!! Someone up there is listening to my prayers!
I hope everyone’s decent into fall is going well. Enjoy some pictures below of my first few weeks in NYC!
So much love to you all, and as always, thank you for reading!
Emily had heard of this free music festival going on in Williamsburg. On our walk to the festival, we found tons of fantastic photographic areas. You can totally see the resemblance, right? > Emily and I on the Williamsburg Waterfront with NYC in the background > I still can't believe I live here sometimes!!!
I'd heard of Centro Vinoteca from a blog I follow (Missy Maintains). It sounded too good to be true that for $22 you could get a delicious brunch with unlimited drinks!! Emily and I were not let down, delicious indeed :) > Emily got the eggs benedict > I got bacon, eggs, and home fries > Emily and I with our yummy bloody Mary & Belini
Time Square... I hope I don't have to come back here very often. It's utter chaos. A note to those coming to visit one day: If this is something you want to see, you might be on your own; I'll meet up with you when you've had your fix. > Grand Central Station: I am so in love with this building! I wish I had a reason to pass through here every day! I also can't help but think of Gossip Girl every time I'm there ;) > Central Park: I felt really lucky that Anna and Marcos lived so close to CP, it was such a lovely day when I went to go see it. I can't wait to spend more time there!! > My toes: I know this is kinda gross, but I just wanted to point out how much walking I've been doing. What's really funny is that one day I came home and looked down, and this is what my toes looked like- I didn't even feel them hurting that badly!
Boom Restaurant was hands down the best lasagna I've had in a very long time. I was almost sad that Emily and I were on our way out for the evening so I couldn't take my left overs home! > Fred's was a really great chill bar just up the street from Marcos & Anna's house, plus I got a "free" umbrella! ;) > Marcos suggested we not leave the Upper West Side before we had a chance to try out Crumbs cupcakes! They're no Saint Cupcake, but still...They were DELICIOUS!! > Cafe 71 was one of my favorite places when we were staying with Anna & Marcos- it's just a deli, but they had such an amazing assortment of food!!! I want to go back!!!
