When I first moved here, I thought for sure I’d found my permanent home. Although I’ve had my doubts in the past month or so I’m certain that I was right. Knowing myself I think I’d like to try living in another place, if nothing else than for the sheer thrill of new things and change (because to be honest, I’m kind of an addict to change). When things are said and done, however, I know I’d rather be nowhere else but in this city. And there is something to be said about winter… as much as I struggled through the dreary days, it was ultimately my choice to do so. There is no particular need for me to live in NYC. I didn’t have to stay here. I did so because I wanted to.

I was walking to a bar in the West Village today from work and it started raining. Of course I had my computer with me in my backpack and due to good planning (I’m patting my own back here I know) I brought my giant umbrella. Everyone else’s umbrella’s went up and suddenly I was stuck between the forces of .5never moving miles per hour tourists and fashion gurus who just had to be more important than everyone else. I was in SOHO. At first I was super frustrated. For once, I thought, can the weather just stop making my life more difficult?! I did my best to shield my backpack from the rain, getting my face rather wet in the process and getting more and more annoyed with each tick of my umbrella as I weaved in and out of people walking too damn slow. For some reason I remembered my first weaving umbrella experience… It was so joyful. I remember feeling like James Bond, loosing my umbrella to the wind, and gleefully skipping and wading through people to catch up with it. I got soaked, but I could care less. In fact I was thrilled that I got soaked. I was thrilled that for once in my life the simple act of walking on a side walk was a challenge. A challenge I chose to take on… and to be honest this particular scenario is just a metaphor for every aspect of life in NYC. Everything is a freaking challenge… from grocery shopping to having to finding a place to live to getting from point A to point B without punching someone in the face. This is why I was in love with NYC to begin with and this is why I’m now realizing I’m still in love with NYC. I just needed some sunshine to give me some perspective. The dreary days of the winter were all part of that challenge… and perhaps I can do better kicking that challenge’s ass next year.

A note to a stranger:

If you refer to me as ‘Sweetie’ ‘Honey’ ‘Beautiful’ ‘Sexy’ or any other derogatory (when used by a stranger, yes these are incredibly derogatory) term please note your inquiry will be met with my middle finger. /rant #imnotyourfuckingsweetie

I’m not normally a violent person. I’ve spent the majority of my life keeping a very balanced inner peace that I hope to have projected onto others, but as of late that peace has been turned upside down. Unfortunately the city has a lot to do with it. The fact and reality that I have to fear for my safety on a daily basis simply because I’m female is absurd. This idea has really brought some inner anger out in me this year and I have made it my personal goal to obtain some serious ass kicking skills. Besides the obvious health benefits, I want to feel safe. At the very least, as safe as my male friends.

On another note, I went to the Cherry Blossom festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens this weekend and although the greenery was kind of lackluster (with the exception of a few distinct locations) a great time was had. Most of the Cherry Blossoms looked like they either were already dead or have yet to really bloom, but the Daffodils, Lillies, and Magnolia trees were all around beautiful!

After the gardens, we took to our roof (which has an insanely awesome view of the city and the Statue of Liberty) for a mini picnic. A great Sunday indeed.

I tried Umami Burger (yum) this week and watched site specific (uber cool) theatre at Washington Square Park… overall this past week has been beautiful (I think I used this word a ton in this post)! I hope next week will be just as awesome. I’d like to start giving myself some weekly goals, so here it goes:

* Finish your book (Naked by David Sedaris)

* Include Yoga in your daily activities

* Disconnect from technology for 1 day

* Bring some more art in your life (museum, symphony, whatever.)

Do you have any weekly goals?