I can’t believe that it’s been 4 months since I’ve updated the blog.  I blame it on Laura.  There is a direct correlation between her moving here and joining me in NYC full-time and (a) my happiness (b) my weight gain (c) not updating the blog.  I’ve come to the realization that writing the blog is not only an update for family and friends on my NY experience but it was therapy for me.  It helped maintain a connection between both of my worlds (TN and NY).  Now that Laura is here, I don’t NEED the blog.

However, enough “stuff” has happened that I feel the need to bring you up to speed.  Speaking of speed, with Laura moving here and all the kids either married (Jessica), in grad school (Jessica and Erin) or in college (Conor and Cassie), we are officially cruising in to the world of “empty nesters”.  Look, if you’re going to begin a new phase of life, there is no greater city to cruise into and explore than New York.

Through this blog, you know how much I love the City, but you may be asking, “How is Laura handling the change?”.  Well, great question, I’m glad you asked.  Laura moved to NY a few days after we took Cassie to MTSU near Nashville.  So, for a while it was really tough on both of us.  Cassie is our baby and the thought of her being in college not near any family was disconcerting.  There were the typical tears, prayers and phone calls multiple times a day….and that was just me.  Laura cried of course but we both knew Cassie would be ok, she’s our most independent offspring.  When she was 10 she told me she was ready to get her own apartment.  It took Cassie a couple of days, but she has settled in nicely.  Laura and I drove to NY and it started to really sink in that this was the first time in 28 years that she could do what SHE wanted to do.  There was no one that needed her constant attention.  Her days as a short order cook and chauffeur were behind her.  It was tough.

So, with that as a backdrop, we started our life together in the Big Apple.  For a month, the City overwhelmed Laura as it does to virtually everyone that moves here.  The senses are attacked 24×7.  New sites, smells (good and bad), constant lights and noise have a disorienting effect.  Not knowing the best routes to take to any destination whether you should walk, ride a bus or subway is really tough when you’ve been dependent and attached to a car all of your life.  Cars offer a bubble of safety, a sanctuary where one can escape the outside world while comfortably transporting you from one place to the other.  Buses and subways….not so much.  Plus, in NY it’s you and 8 million of your “closest” friends.  Laura felt vulnerable and exposed.  She felt like everyone was watching her.  After a month or so, she settled in nicely and can now travel with the best of the New Yorker’s.  But after the shock, what are her thoughts about her new home (one of her homes because home will ALWAYS be in the South).? Well there are good things and bad:

BAD:

• Noise, and lots of it.  Constant sirens.  This has lessened over the months to a non-issue because you learn to block them out, ignore or just play music and TV louder than the outside distractions.
• Lack of space – closeness of the building, and everything – no wide open spaces
• Busyness – she describes walking around the City as a constant game of frogger – people need to learn to WALK ON THE RIGHT!
• Dogs pee and poop on the sidewalks, she walks on the sidewalks….enough said

GOOD:

• Food, food and food – restaurants everywhere and they are amazing.

• Proximity to everything – we live next to a Whole Foods, there is an amazing coffee shop in our building and shopping on 5th Ave is second to none.
• Decor – NYC is a visual masterpiece whether in the restaurants, the buildings or the parks

• Adventures – always something new to see.  Historical sites, culture, architecture, bridges, on and on.
• Culture – Broadway, open air concerts, movies, museums and shows of all kind – top talent.
• Touch of home – We love our UGA sports bar – American Whiskey (owned by a UGA grad) – perfect spot for watching football games.

• Exploring – Great new places like the woods of Westchester, Long Island, Mystic Connecticut, Sleepy Hollow not to mention all the places to explore in the Concrete Jungle itself

• New Friends with a totally different world view – one raised in South Africa, one Jewish woman who loves bacon.
• Old Friends – Having Phil and Susie Bagrow in our building has been a huge help and has provided a great connection with home.
• Me – I added that one (actually she said it, but I wrote it) 🙂

Bottom line is that we are nicely cruising in to a new phase of life with all the good and bad that accompanies major change.  We miss the kids and family terribly but keeping the house in TN helps us maintain a true home.  Plus when they visit, they are all ours.  On the good side, the change opens up so many new adventures and we are embracing them fully.  In fact, we have another change coming in a few days.  On November 18, we are moving to Long Island.  More about that coming soon…