18 October 2012

Two months in

Today marks exactly two months since I have been in NYC.

Changes I have noticed:

  • I am back to my college ways of walking long ways and not thinking it is a big deal.  I remember just a few weeks before I left St. Louis when I didn't want to walk a couple blocks to get a smoothie, now I walk several blocks to get to the train each day and walk a lot to get places.  It now feels strange when I get into a car.
  • Even though I am walking a lot, I feel as though I have put on weight because of the lack of cooking home meals the first month+ that I was here as well as the yummy food I can get in the city.  I have started to cook more at home, but even with that, I feel more hungry throughout the day than I used to and end up eating more than I used to.
  • I am able to tell tourists pretty easily - before they even pull out their maps.
  • I have become a regular at the wine shop by my school.  So much so that when I walk in the clerk doesn't have to ask my name anymore.  He just reaches into the notecard file (think Dewey Decimal System) to find my name while I pull out the money to pay.
  • I have neighbors who recognize me and say hi when I walk by.
  • I don't think leaving the house before 6 is a big deal when going to work.  I like when I get there by 6:30 so I can be the first to use the ancient, slow copy machine before it gets crowded with the morning rush of teachers.
  • I was a good packer before - even became the go-to person for my boo when he traveled so that I could get everything to fit and fit well in his bag.  I now pack my bag with another bag when I go grocery or other shopping, pull out the bag from the pack and stuff both of them expertly for the trip home.
  • I take power naps on the subway to and from work.
  • I know the times when the subway will be most crowded on the way home and I know where best to enter the train to avoid the masses.
  • I feel like I have become better at my sly-style people watching so I, hopefully, don't look like it is all still amazing to me.

I thought I was really at home, but just two days ago, I got off the subway and thought to myself, "I actually live here?" I guess, it is still unbelievable in some ways.

The circumstances for moving came so quick and were so unexpected, that it sometimes feels as though I am just on vacation or something.

That is, until I have to pay the exorbitant rent at the start of the month.

12 comments:

  1. Found you through BlogHer. Love this post. I've often thought of visiting/moving to NYC. You make it sound less difficult than I imagine.

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    1. Thanks for stopping in!

      It's definitely easier than I anticipated.

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  2. Perhaps #4 has something to do with #2? ;0) Sounds like you are settling right in and getting your NYC bearings. Way to go!

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    1. I think you are on to something with that connection...

      Thanks. I am definitely getting my bearings in this city.

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  3. I am chuckling..You are one of "us" now when you can spot the tourists easily! Glad you are settling in so nicely. It really is a lifestyle. You didn't run home after a week, so I think it has stuck. We had a friend visit from ND and he went into Manahttan once and for the rest of the week stayed home with mom in Queens instead of venturing in again. So funny to me, but the farm where he lives didn't see that many people at once ever (the subway did him in I think..)

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    1. That is hilarious!! I have heard of people who had a hard time getting around, but never heard of a person hibernate while here.

      I was talking with a colleague about more of the wineries in LI. I still need to get out that way. Now would be great with all the pretty season-changing scenery they may have.

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  4. Oh you're settling in! All of this sounds so exciting! I get that, "I live here?" feeling... happened to me a couple of months ago and it's only been what.. almost two years?

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    1. LOL!! I'm sure there will be many more days of me being shocked that I live here.

      Even more so after I return to StL for Thanksgiving and return here.

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  5. I am so pleased you are feeling settled. If it is any consolation I get the 'I live here?' sometimes and I have lived here all my life (sometimes in a good way sometimes not so).

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    1. Thanks!! You make me feel better about asking if I live here. :-)

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  6. I'm glad to learn you're settling in so well. All the little tricks New Yorkers have to learn to get by, like the best subway car to enter, etc., don't seem like they're so important, but when you're living it, they totally are.
    Mina's Resurrection Blogfest!

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    1. Thanks!

      The first few weeks I was here, and when I had visited, the BF always went to a certain area to get on certain subways. Said it was habit and was easier. I thought he was just being obsessive. Once I started working and realized that there were certain cars that could get me to certain exits easier and ease my walk, it really has made life easier (at least on my feet and sanity).

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