Year One

I've been in New York for a year! I made it, woo-hoo! This is what I've learned:

I like: (in no order)
~The cold. I smile to myself when I say "It's warm today...45 degrees."
~Snow. Oh em gee. I love it.
~My neighborhood. It's quirky and I love everything about it. Even the occasional pee smell.
~Times Square. I was warned that I'd get sick of it. Ha. I walk through it every day and I. Love. It.
~My iPhone. Only relates to NY because I'd probably would be lost in some outer borough without it.
~Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It's home and it's beautiful and it's full of all my NY "firsts."
~Nicknames. I've acquired a few this year and it's a nice way of hearing you've made your mark somewhere new.
~Growing up. It's been tough but kind of rewarding. Responsibility is only nice when you've remembered you have them and live up to them. Luckily no one is depending on me to feed them.
~Driving in the city. I may occasionally run a red light but it's exciting.
~Todd's apartment. Smells like home. Every time I walk in it's like - *sigh* home. ~Crossing the street on a red light. Especially in front of a group of tourists who all gasp as soon as I set foot on the black street. Haha. Simple pleasures.
~Walking the wrong way down the middle of an empty one-way street. It's so empowering! Dumb, right?
~Eating at restaurants in Brooklyn. I'm not rich and so I love that restaurants in BK are reasonably priced and dee-lish.
~Ordering coffee. You can say "light and sweet" and they make it just how I like it. How great is that?!
~Crying in the street. Once during a rain storm I was emotional and just started sobbing. I walked 20 blocks along 8th Avenue just sobbing. I might have been bothered that no one asked if I was OK but...the city gave me just what I needed at the time.
~Cabs. I most like the SUV cabs. Not sure how good my hailing has gotten but I manage.
~Starbucks. On every corner. I only really like their specialized drinks but I love that the option is there. On every corner.
~The Q train. It gets me to Brooklyn quickly. And I like the yellow and orange seats on the Q trains. I have a favorite spot to sit :)
~The Brooklyn Bridge. I know. Everyone likes the Brooklyn Bridge. But - the first time I walked it, I got a history lesson from Todd and now there's just this extra appreciation for it and it's existence. Same can pretty much be said for almost anything in Brooklyn.
~Bryant Park. It's definitely not given enough credit. Also - I think its Christmas tree is much more beautiful than the one at Rockefeller Center. Just sayin'
~The buildings, the streets, the people. Like no other place I've been and I don't want to ever leave it. (Most days.)

Don't likes:
~Queens.
~Growing up. It's been tough.
~The A,C,E trains. I don't know why. I just don't. Stems back to my summer on S. Oxford street. The C sucks.
~Working two jobs. I'm tired and it's cold. Send money. In large quantities.

I think this is it for now. Huge thanks to Mom, grandma Carmen, Dad and Todd. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for each of you.

LOVE