I was combing through my abandoned Blog – only to find this post written 2 months ago. Enjoy!
I can happily say that I survived …
I moved to NYC in mid June – warned by friends of family of the weather, people, attitudes, hustle … but I had no idea.
The journey felt like the movie SPEED when after each challenge – the broken elevator, the train explosion, the bomb threats – you swore the movie was coming to an end but NO – there was always more. This has been my experience moving to NYC.
It began with finding an apartment to live in – I combed over 35 apartments in NYC. I had an unplanned tour of Queens, Harlem, Manhattan, Brooklyn (BK Heights, Williamsburg, Carols Garden, Crown Heights) and this was done in a two week period in humidity that was unexplainable. I had initially told my broker that I wanted an apartment in Manhattan on the 2nd floor w/ a washer and dryer, modern and new, high ceilings, closet space and 1200 square footage for …. $?. He looked at me and said “uh yeah…”
It was no easy task. In Manhattan the places I saw were old, small and expensive. After looking at location 14 I decided to call the search for a NYC apartment “Compromise.” Slowly your list of desired amenities is reduced to “I just want a place to live!” I was hard set on finding a place in Brooklyn. I found spots that were more expensive than Manhattan but had some crazy rules attached to renting the property. The fear of homelessness neared.
Well … in the end I found my apartment and it’s perfect. Blood, sweat and luckily no tears – I found her and by “her” I mean the apartment that I’m making my own. There is no laundry in the building but I’ve found ways to cope by taking the taxi to the nearest laundry mat and handling my business every two weeks or calling for pick up when then there’s no time.
My entire apartment was gut renovated so all appliances are new 🙂 I have an amazing super who comes same day and builds everything for me because god knows that’s just not one of my talents.
1 down — onto transporation …
Since I get lost everywhere I go – with or without GPS -it only made sense that I got lost on the subway. Not to mention that NYC is the only place where it’s imperative that you note if a block is a street or avenue. For the first 3 weeks I had a 3 /10 ratio getting to where I needed to be. I had to laugh at some point. I made more friends on the subway than anywhere else. “I’m not from here” It was awesome.
5 months later – I shoulder bump everyone on the subway to get to where I need to be, my patience for bullshit has decreased, I HATE when people stand still in the middle of the side walk (who does that?) and “keep it moving” leaves my lips at least once a day to folks strollin’ on the street versus actually “walking” … true story.
I started a brand new job in New York – it’s been non stop since touching down in NYC. I eat, sleep and dream about events. I’ve been so lucky to be able to travel, learn and be amongst some of the coolest people in each of the East BU’s markets. Shout – out to Yaya, Nu and Brad 🙂 I’ve been able to learn so much in a very small amount of time. It was a brutal learning curve but really necessary on a lot of levels. It was tough being away from all my loved ones and barely having the time to keep in touch due to the craziness that comes with adjustment and moving but … I made it.
Due to this opportunity I’ve been able to visit Seattle, Chicago, DC, Philly, Boston and now I’m going to Madrid this month. I’m learning a TON and I’ve met some incredible people. I’m tired as hell but completely inspired by the projects and talents of the people in my business unit. I can’t wait for next year and the slew of events that I’ll get to work on. I completed my last event for the season in DC this last Monday and it was amazing. A big shout out to our vendors and team – Ankh Marketing, Media House, Comms, Brooklyn Bodega and the local Red Bull DC team. Everyone contributed to making it the success that it was!
I’m looking forward to some time to enjoy the city a bit. I started to take dance class with one of my co – workers and getting my upkeep together. Hair done, nails done …lol & hang out with the friends (that I don’t yet have) that I’ve already had to flake on. LOL. I found an amazing stylist Christian who is fabulous, gay and makes me laugh to tears.
I say all this to say – learning curves can be brutal but so necessary to push us to reach our very highest potential.
Shelley Oto 