Sunday-Day 6

I am blessed with good friends. One of my best friends, Mikel, told all her NYC friends that I am here and one of them, Emily, reached out to me. Although we were not great friends in high school, our family are friends and have shared much of life together. Emily is a talented singer who is currently doing an off broadway show called Voca People. If you have not heard of them, really fun to google/you tube. I plan to see the show in person in the next couple weeks. She and I met up this morning for church. I had heard of this church prior to leaving from several different people and all spoke highly. I had every intention of going myself, but had not planned that far ahead. When Emily and I talked, she mentioned she was a member of this exact church. I latched on. This connection could only be from Him, again love when I recognize the power of being in tune. The service was great, the pastor was not the famous guy, however, he was what I needed at that moment. His lecture was about the things in life we "wrestle with" and how important the role of a father-physical and spiritual-is. I needed this. I am excited for things to come!

Saturday-Day 5

Today I start work. I hear my phone ring at 7.45, and realize that is is not my family-they are one time zone behind. Calling is one of the outgoing guys, he is ready to pass things off and leave this place for California. He is clearly over his one year in NYC. I decide today should be filled with both work and play. I read for an hour or so, then get ready and head out. As I head out, one block into my journey, I hear a huge commotion around the corner. I notice that a group of 20+ men are all picketing Sotheby's. I was too chicken to take a picture, but later I would return to only 10 or so and snapped a quick pic.

I hop on the subway and make my way to Soho to shop for furniture. A new friend had been the night before and recommended several shops, so I had a plan. I stepped off the subway to one of my favorite sites, the street vendors. Having been here before, this is always a fun place to be. The bargains, the people, the sheer bliss of each person looking for the best deal! I found my shops, had too much fun, found great furniture and wondered a bit. One thing I did notice was that all the shops have at least one door man who constantly watches the flow of traffic. I must admit I am a closet reality tv/people magazine fan-so, like any good tv watcher, I had to find Dash. I was in shock when I saw the line. No other store had anything like this, but this line wrapped around the corner with people from all walks of life. I shot a quit pic and wondered, was Kim in there?

I also passed a patch of grass and a fountain. I think every person in NYC decided that they could fit in this small section of land. I assume this is sunbathing here, and the fountain the pool?

I met up with a friend from work and his wife. They are great, and they were generous with information about how to navigate this city. Sabrina, the wife, told me "NYC has everything, you choose what you want and the level you want and make this city yours" as we discussed the $175 membership to a gym per person. I thought this quote was very applicable to all things here, this city truly has everything for everyone, some things cost money, some things cost time, but it is up to me-where will I choose to invest?

For dinner, I decided to use my first take out menu. My friend that spent the year here previously left me with more than 25 menus that he found worthy. I went with sushi, no surprise. Dinner was great and complimented with the fact that I got to talk to my husband. Facetime is amazing! To see his face when my screen rings is something that soothes the soul. He is the most amazing person I know. I love sharing life with him, and I am sad not to share the joys of time here with him. So for now, the blog will do.

Day 3 and 4

These days run together as they were mostly filled with more orientation. One moment did stand out for me on Thursday. As you know, I dropped my phone in route here and had no contact to my old life. Maybe needed for smooth transition, rather symbolic? I don't know, but I do know that I am too dependent on that thing. I went to a repair store, for which I had carefully planned to get there, but did not make a return plan. I assumed my phone would be fixed and I would have my pocket tour guide back. Walking out of the store was a very uncomfortable feeling. I had no idea what time it was, what direction I was facing, where I could go to find a place I knew and nothing to do about it. I humbly asked the man inside the repair store, where his competition was located and how to get there. I marched directly to the store and left with a new partner in crime to conquer NYC.

Friday night my class was invited to our bosses home in Greenwich, Ct. What an amazing opportunity, this town is picturesque. The houses sit on acres of land and have the old beach house look. The sharp contrast from the noise, hussle and chaos of NYC to the soft, spacious, small town feel of Greenwich was evident from the minute we stepped off the train. This was my first train ride, which was another joy all in itself. I am loving the new challenges and adventures this move has forced me to undertake. Our boss picked us up and gave us a great history lesson of his time here, as this is where he was born and raised. We arrived at his house, to his gracious wife. She was kind to her soul. We were asked to bring suits to enjoy the pool-however, we all strategically avoided bring them. We sat around the hot tub, eating and drinking and getting to know each other on a more personal level. Something I think is lost in the daily grind of work. My boss's wife cooked a phenomenal meal, his son joined us and we had deep conversations until it was time to go. This was a wonderful way to start our time here, I felt as though I had friends in my co-workers and a boss who truly cared about me.

Day 2

Orientation...I thought this was going to be such a waste, but it turned out to be a pretty good day. I walked across the bridge into my new work place feeling full. Knowing your are on God's path is a pretty amazing thing, and words do not describe being present as it plays out. I spent most of the day in a room with 50+ colleagues all starting their own adventure. I met a really neat girl from Argentina, hearing her story of the hard work, hours and dedication to our trade she has devoted was encouraging. She actually met one of my friends who lives on the other coast, the week before. Felt like she and i were supposed to have this time.

At the end of the day, we met up with the outgoing guys to get the low down on the next year. The one I will be directly following is a great guy. He went out of his way to make sure I felt comfortable. Just as we were discussing our boss-he walked by. I was re-introduced as it had been two years since I had met him. He had just finished a long day and appeared to be walking away to go home when he yelled my name. "Hey, your from Oklahoma? Come here. " "Yes sir," I replied and quickly went towards him. In a whirlwind of trying to make a good impression and not really knowing where I was, I met up with him and follow him into a room. In this room sat jerry seinfeld. Wow, I am sure my jaw literally dropped.  I was quickly introduced, talked for a few minutes and walked out. Afterward, my boss said, "You don't see that in Oklahoma every day, do you?" He had set me up, but somehow knew I'd love it! This was my first full day here, my first day at work and my first celebrity, if my year is anything like today-this is going to be a great year.

The history

This week I started a new journey, one I was so excited for and yet one filled with tears. I had to leave my husband behind to start this crazy year, so I am using this blog to share the amazing things that happen along the way!

Day 1-I had breakfast with a great friend who has always been there for me. She is someone I look up to, she always has her stuff together. She volunteered to take me to the airport even. So, all five bags and me took her up on it, and I started my journey 1500 miles from home.