I made it. Here I am, sitting in my room in Astoria typing a blog post about how I've moved to New York. Hard to believe that this is my new home. It doesn't feel like reality yet. I'm used to coming to New York and staying with my friend Liam, so it feels normal. Although, I did have a moment as I was staring into my newly delivered boxes; part of me thought, "why didn't I just leave this stuff in Hawaii," while another part of me remembered, "oh yeah, it's not my home anymore." Otherwise, I'm just taking each day as it comes and nothing feels too weird or out of place.
Going to Portland and hanging out with my friends for a few days helped me to not feel the sting of all that I was leaving behind, which was a heck of a lot. And brings me to the very valid question that everyone is asking: why did I leave Hawaii and in the winter? It doesn't make much sense. I mean, I finally felt at home there after years of feeling like some kind of mainland invader and was even helping to raise Teldyn--one of the most valuable experiences of my life. Well, I yearned to be more than an office manager living with my brother. When I tried to branch out to find work that better suited my potential, my lack of a Master's degree continued to be a barrier. So this summer I made the decision not only to return to school but to move to a place that would challenge me personally, professionally, and intellectually. Wanting to live in New York since I was in high school, it seemed an obvious choice. However, I want to be clear, leaving Hawaii and Teldyn is the hardest thing I remember ever having to do, and that's part of why I'm doing it. I needed to step out of my comfort zone, to test myself, to grow. Leaving Hawaii after I made it my home, feels like I've left on my own terms instead of running from something; and it provides me the added security and luxury of knowing that I have a whole life to go back to in Hawaii if and when I want to.
Now I'm applying to New York University, New School, and City University of New York for their programs in Public Policy. I want to learn about what policies work, how they can work better, and the potential for applications. In order to afford those first two schools, I'm applying for jobs there to get the benefit of free tuition after one year of employment. And that, right there, is the reason why I made this move in January, of all months. I'm hoping to get a job as soon as possible, so that when I start school in September, it won't be too long before I can get the tuition remission.
I spent my very first day here (Wednesday) unpacking and cleaning. The next day, I did some food shopping and met up with a friend in Manhattan where I was recognized by another friend who happened to be at the same bar. (I guess this city isn't as big as people say it is.) Yesterday and today, I took it easy. I haven't been feeling very well (congestion, sore throat, slight fever), so it's been a good excuse to stay inside and sleep, which I'm much better at than I thought I'd be.
It's cold here. The kind of cold that makes your eyes water, and since I haven't really experienced winter in four years, I'm approaching it the way a bear would--hibernation. Luckily, staying warm and rested has meant that I'm kicking this cold pretty fast, and I'll be ready to get back in the city in no time.
I'm not really sure what this blog will look like now. It's not going to be about my jaunts and travels (for a while), but if I keep up with it, it could be about my biggest adventure yet. Are you ready? 'Cause I'm ready.
Going to Portland and hanging out with my friends for a few days helped me to not feel the sting of all that I was leaving behind, which was a heck of a lot. And brings me to the very valid question that everyone is asking: why did I leave Hawaii and in the winter? It doesn't make much sense. I mean, I finally felt at home there after years of feeling like some kind of mainland invader and was even helping to raise Teldyn--one of the most valuable experiences of my life. Well, I yearned to be more than an office manager living with my brother. When I tried to branch out to find work that better suited my potential, my lack of a Master's degree continued to be a barrier. So this summer I made the decision not only to return to school but to move to a place that would challenge me personally, professionally, and intellectually. Wanting to live in New York since I was in high school, it seemed an obvious choice. However, I want to be clear, leaving Hawaii and Teldyn is the hardest thing I remember ever having to do, and that's part of why I'm doing it. I needed to step out of my comfort zone, to test myself, to grow. Leaving Hawaii after I made it my home, feels like I've left on my own terms instead of running from something; and it provides me the added security and luxury of knowing that I have a whole life to go back to in Hawaii if and when I want to.
Now I'm applying to New York University, New School, and City University of New York for their programs in Public Policy. I want to learn about what policies work, how they can work better, and the potential for applications. In order to afford those first two schools, I'm applying for jobs there to get the benefit of free tuition after one year of employment. And that, right there, is the reason why I made this move in January, of all months. I'm hoping to get a job as soon as possible, so that when I start school in September, it won't be too long before I can get the tuition remission.
I spent my very first day here (Wednesday) unpacking and cleaning. The next day, I did some food shopping and met up with a friend in Manhattan where I was recognized by another friend who happened to be at the same bar. (I guess this city isn't as big as people say it is.) Yesterday and today, I took it easy. I haven't been feeling very well (congestion, sore throat, slight fever), so it's been a good excuse to stay inside and sleep, which I'm much better at than I thought I'd be.
It's cold here. The kind of cold that makes your eyes water, and since I haven't really experienced winter in four years, I'm approaching it the way a bear would--hibernation. Luckily, staying warm and rested has meant that I'm kicking this cold pretty fast, and I'll be ready to get back in the city in no time.
I'm not really sure what this blog will look like now. It's not going to be about my jaunts and travels (for a while), but if I keep up with it, it could be about my biggest adventure yet. Are you ready? 'Cause I'm ready.
