ollie's adventures in NY

just over a month ago i got on an airplane with 2 suitcases, a carry-on, and a backpack.  5 1/2 hours later i arrived at JFK and somehow managed to give my taxi driver a $20 tip as he dropped me off at my new apartment.  i found my way upstairs and was greeted by my perfect {new} roommate, alex, and her boyfriend.  i fell asleep on my heavenly bed and contemplated how life is absolutely incredible and most definitely unlike anything you have planned.

i've always had the dream to live in new york-- but i never thought it would become a reality.  when an opportunity presented itself to move out here for a few months to do an internship for a big 4 accounting firm, i couldn't believe something this exciting was really happening to me.  how often do you hear about someone moving across the country to pursue their dreams and they just have the most amazing experience and get slightly envious of them every time they tell you about their big adventure?  yeah-- i was going to be THAT girl.

i've realized that adventures come in all shapes and sizes.  and with those adventures come unexpected stories and emotions.

one of my first adventures happened as we were cleaning the church a few weeks ago.  yes, you might know where this is going-- it's the matzo ball story.  i was talking to this kid from utah about being a jew and he thought it was the coolest thing ever.  i asked him if he knew what a matzo ball was and he said, "yeah it's like a party they have when they come of age."  thankfully i hadn't had anything to drink within the past hour because the episode was even funnier in person.

there have been homeless people who have caught my attention-- one in particular.  i was walking to work one day with my lunch in a bag and i thought. "you know, if i see a homeless person i am going to give them my lunch."  and then lo and behold, i saw a man right up the road from me.  i stopped to give him my lunch and he said, "hold on-- what's in there?  i'm on a diet."  he then proceeded to stick his whole hand in my chicken and rice concoction and sniff it-- and then tried to give me back the leftovers.  um, pass...

i have heard my fair share of swearing and seen more than my fair share of people being rude to each other. but in between all of the profanity and shoving, there have been random acts of kindness that allow my faith in humanity to be restored.  alex and i were catching the train to church this past sunday and i couldn't get my metrocard out of my purse quick enough [i was only slightly paranoid because i had lost my metrocard the night before and had to buy a new one] and the train was getting ready to leave the station.  as i was clearly on the struggle bus, some guy, who was walking out of the train, said, "here" and swiped his metrocard for me.  that tidbit definitely belongs in a book somewhere.  it was perfect.  and the thing is, it probably meant nothing to him.  but it made my day.

then there's the opposite side of the adventure-- the fact that you're moving across the country.  when i came to new york, i had 3 friends-- my currrent roommate, alex, my old college roommate, logan, and her husband, charles.  in my mind i thought that i would go to church my first sunday and make a gazillion new friends; we'd go shopping, see plays, go exploring, and experience city life together.  in my mind, i didn't really think about how when i moved here i only knew 3 people.  i kinda sorta forgot how the whole "making friends" thing has to happen before i can be besties with someone.  i don't think i realized that moving somewhere new might put a damper on my social life-- and my social life is already that of an old married couple.

while i love living in the city that never sleeps [because that means there are food places open at all hours of the day] it can also feel a little bit lonely at times.  i'm having to learn to go outside of my comfort zone.  i'm learning to be independent; and i think that also means i'm learning to be an adult.

i'm not exactly sure why this whole new york thing worked out so perfectly.  but in the words of elder wirthlin, "come what may and love it."

i think i can do that.

xoxo ollie in NY