New Beginnings!

Okay so my camera broke and I am officially unable to physically document my new life here, which is slowly killing me. Anyone who knows me well knows that I am very fond of taking pictures. Not being able to chronicle my experiences for my three readers (and myself) is really upsetting as more and more exciting things begin to happen to me. My desperate need for the practicality of a bicycle right now is overruling my absolutely insane desire to buy myself a new camera. So anyone who would like to start a project fund for a girl in an expensive city and take collections would become a hero of mine.

Today I had one of those amazing days in my new neighborhood in Greenpoint (which is right next to Williamsburg) that I've been craving to experience here. I needed to run a bunch of errands and I've been working crazy hours at my job at Brooklyn Bowl so I've not had as much of a chance to check out the area as I'd like. I laced up my battered Converse, brushed my teeth, and set out to my adventure into my new home. I'm so thrilled to be able to think of this neighborhood as home after so long of feeling like a green eyed alien. I set out early and decided to try to kill as many rats with one BB pellet as possible. In Bed-Stuy a day where I needed to go to the post office, laundry mat, bank, grocery store, etc. would have meant I needed a car, or at least a bicycle. And it also meant getting cat calls whereupon I would be compared to a piece of bread or some other cute nickname, often by a boy no older than fourteen who stood on the dirty, overcrowded corner with his pants practically around his ankles. I walked four blocks away from my apartment, which is on the last street before Manhattan so I have an absolutely glorious view of the skyline, and managed to accomplish all of my chores in under an hour. It was incredible! Walking around I found that everything I needed was right next to my doorstep. Which is the picture of NY I'd had in my mind before I left. I laid awake at night dreaming of the city and having everything you could possibly need or want lying in covetous wait just for you. All it craved was for you to find it. I felt so charged and happy. The air was brisk but not cold and while I know I am about to encounter a winter I am indescribably scared of I am enjoying these last days of an all too short summer. I'm seeing fewer and fewer pigeons, which truly means that the warmth is about to make its prison break.

One of the best things about it though is that I live so close to work and all of my friends now that I rarely need to take the subway anymore, which is saving me a huge amount of money. Everything is so close! I'm excited about leaving my house for the first time since I moved here. I step outside and lock my door and finally feel like I'm easing my way into becoming a New Yorker. The streets are lined with oak trees, there is a cute little park across the street where weary day shifters take their dogs to walk and kids sit on swing sets. Every other small side road off of the main avenues possesses a hidden art gallery covered in graffiti or a whole foods market sporting an illustrious line of fresh flowers that will all too soon be pulled inside. Bicycle riders already wearing winter hats speed past in the bike lane and people chat happily on their cell phones while enjoying a glass of white wine in the early evening hours at an outdoor Bistro. It's my perfect version of Brooklyn. It might not last, but for now I am sincerely just enjoying the moments of being able to savor it like a good neat whiskey.

The fact that I am blessed enough to be able to walk along Franklin street (my street) and look over the river where the Empire State Building towers over the Manhattan skyline on my way to work is a treasure that does not cease in value as the days slide by. In fact, it is a testament to me that I am finally truly here, in one of the most exhilerating cities in the world. Now I just need to start making some new friends so I can begin my journey as an urban explorer. There is so much here! I feel rejuvenated for the first time in more months than I wish to admit and realize that I am so lucky to be able to say that I live here.

Bring it on NY!