My "Peace" of Mind

I am not used to having so much free time these days. There are some pros and cons to that. I often times find myself worrying more than I should or analyzing things that are out of my control. I am starting to drive myself crazy! I try to go for a run every morning. This gives me time to enjoy my new home, explore, get rid of this built up energy, and find some peace in this crazy city. I have found an amazing running path 2 blocks from my home on the East River. It is not such a bad place. It is moments like these that I am convinced everything is going to be ok!

Love,

Courtney

Harsh Love!

New York and my relationship is off to a little bit of a rocky start. We have MUCH to learn about each other! I will share with you the cliff notes version of where I stand...

Job I am learning to practice my patience while looking for a job! I have been applying to everything, meeting with recruiters, attending "networking lunches" and so on. I am not leaving one job opportunity unturned. It is a little bit difficult to remain picky (wanting to work in event planning) when a lot of the available jobs are receptionist/assistants (not ideal for me)! I am learning to stay optimistic and keeping faith that there is a plan! I promise you all will be the FIRST to know WHEN I land my job!

Apartment The next situation that I have is my living situation. I am sooooo lucky to have Lacey open up her home to me! However, this is not a long term option. If I am going to take on NYC, I am going to have to find a place to live. While taking a break from my job search one afternoon, I stumbled across an apartment on craigslist. I immediately walked down the 3 blocks from where I am currently living to look at it. I loved it. It is cute, clean, great location, safe neighborhood, close to my friends and uncle. There was one minor problem. It is DOUBLE the rent that I payed in Manhattan Beach and it is SOOOOO small. It is so small that I am not sure how I will fit a queen bed in it. I learned quickly that you don't have time to think about these things because apartments go fast. So I started the application process which is a NIGHTMARE. You have to make 80x your rent in order to rent it. Minor issue since I am unemployed and even if I did have a job.. I wouldn't even be close! I am sooo grateful that I have a guarantor (my parents :)! As I started this process, I began to have doubts since I haven't looked at any other apartments. So my good friend Sam came with me to look at 3 other apartments. They all looked liked dungeons and smelled horrific. So.. I feel confident that I am not going to get a better deal for my money, and I better start making millions. No biggie. Here are some pictures of the apartment. Don't worry.. the moose head is NOT staying. 

Weather The weather has been so nice lately! It is a little bit chilly at times, but the sun is always shinning! I want everyone to know that I am appreciating it for as long as the sunshine wants to stay!!!

Daily Stroll I am still in the figuring out this city mode. Every time I step out of the house, it takes a lot of effort to figure out where I am going, how to get there, what way to look when crossing the streets while carrying everything that you are going to need that day (since you cannot throw things in the trunk of your car). It is exhausting and amazing! I spend a lot of time just walking around getting familiar with my new home. I am getting  a better feel where I live and learning the little nooks and crannies of Manhattan! 

Conclusion I have realized that this is a harsh city. It is not easy and you could easily fall between the cracks. I feel like I have to be "ON" at all times. However, I LOVE IT HERE! I know that if I had any doubts if this city was for me or not... I would already be home! You cannot survive here unless you are so confident that you want to be here and make it work! This city is challenging me in ways that I may not have been prepared to be challenged. I am nervous, anxious, excited, happy, and probably every feeling possible about what my future holds for me. What I do know for sure is that I am supposed to be here, and I will make it work. The journey on how that will happened is still to be determined! 

Love,  Court

Warning: Not for the weak stomach!

Upon my arrival to NYC, I was faced with a reality that I was not quite ready for. I had prepared myself for the overpriced grocery goods, the constantly changing weather, the fast pace of New Yorkers, the inconvenience of not having a car, and so on and so on. No one cared to mention that I should prepare myself for the over population of rodents in this amazing city. There are mice and rats everywhere!!!

My friend Amanda and I grabbed some dinner at an amazing little vegetarian restaurant called "Maoz". Since there is limited seating in the take out restaurant, we decided to cross the street to enjoy our feast in Union Square Park. With the absence of the sun, mickey and his friends were out roaming as if we weren't even there. (FYI: We call all mice mickey) While sitting on the bench in the park, we had to keep our feet off the ground so that mickey and friends would not run into them. After a couple minutes of pure shock from this site, we decided to take our meal elsewhere.

It was the next night that my reality of the rodents was taken to another level. After a long day in the city, Lacey (who I am currently living with) and I arrived home to throw up our feet and relax. As we opened the door, there was an overwhelming stench. After trying to blame the smell on her little dog Hank,

we began to tear the apartment apart and this is what we found....

We found Mickey in the House! I hope I can survive this city!

Courtney