Full Circle

So I wasn't satisfied with my first post so here's another...

This may also have something to do with my newly developed insomnia, which I only got a few months ago when I came....full circle.

How?

I was born in New York, lived in Queens until I was 10. The day my parents told me we were moving away was probably the most devastating day in my childhood. I was sitting at a Blimpie? I think it was one of those, I remember the awful smell...My dad asked a 10 year old "What do you think about moving to another city?" and the reply was like "Long Island?" Later I was told that all the family vacations we were doing across the US past 2 months were in fact potential cities...then I was asked "Can we move to another city in another state?" the response "Do I really have a choice"

"NO"

Next thing i remember I'm driving to New Orleans (N'awlins, nola, the Big Easy, 504) in a big UHAUL truck with my family and it felt like a vacation..like after a week or so my parents would come to their senses and realize what they left behind.

For years I hated New Orleans and always told everyone that one day I would move back to New York. I grew up and never planned to move there. Every kid has plans but how many of those plans actually work out?? For as long as I can remember I despised New Orleans. I would say hate but as some of you will come to know I absolutely adore that city now and would never use such a strong word...even in past tense...

So I grew up, knew I was going to move out of nola eventually but lacked the motivation.
Then one day, everything changed, and if it wasn't for this 1 day my life would be completely different.

August 25, 2008, Hurricane Katrina, city under water..etc etc y'all know what happened. it's old news, city's all good now.

My school (Loyola) closed for an entire semester and I transferred to Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. 6 months in LA, despite the circumstances that lead me there, I was still pretty excited. It was gorgeous! Definitely tried to take advantage of being in an amazing city and realized that I belonged in a big city...I didn't know if LA was the one and I still don't fully know. But growing up my heart knew I was a "big city girl" I was meant to do big things.

Semester ended, family reunited, awesome feeling to be going back HOME (NOLA)

Future was clear, that I needed a big city to satisfy my desires...But I needed to properly enjoy NOLA and that I did for 8 months although the city was still rebuilding that entire time. However, I helped and did my part. There aren't words that can describe the feeling I had being back at home with everything so out of the ordinary. It's Pre-K and Post-K (K=Katrina)

Like most college students, I decided to focus on my future and decided I needed a big city. So most people in my situations make a list and visit each then decide. I, on the other hand, made a list...New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. So having lived in two of them, I chose Chicago. FYI I had never been to Chicago in my life. Applied to DePaul, 4 months later I was in the car driving to Chicago.

Amazing 4 years of my life. Met some great people and also met a couple not so great. Overall, it was the best decision I have ever made in my life. 18 on my own in a completely new city. School, work, friends, amazing time!! Hated the brutal winters but the summer made up for it. But all good things come to an end eventually, right?

So last year I moved back to New Orleans. No work, all fun and play :) Didn't want to stress about anything, just travel and spend time with the family. In June I visited New York for a family wedding...walking down Times Square, all I could think of was the Alicia Keys and Jay-Z song "New York" and it put a huge smile on my face. 1 day in July I decided I should stop the traveling and find a job, the perfect city for me was New York. So the next day I booked a one-way ticket, packed 1 suitcase, 1 week later..I moved to New York. no job, no apartment, very few friends/family. 4 months later..here I am today.

An Insomniac...

Writing about how I came full-circle in life and I'm back in the city I was born in. I was reminded of my childhood dreams the other day, how I was going to come back to New York and do the things I did as a kid...guess what? I did! I went to Famous Pizza, and Flushing Meadows Park where I went as a kid almost every summer day. I was reminded of old memories...BUT
I made new memories too..I remember going to AC (Atlantic City) as a kid while my parents gambled..always told my parents "When I grow up take me here" I grew up..and one night randomly it was decided for me. I was going to Atlantic City!

There's a phrase.."only in new york" and I say that a lot because it's true. You can encounter the strangest, funniest, and most coolest things in this city and if you close your eyes for too long...something great might pass you by. I believe strongly in destiny..something always happens for a reason. It's true if you think about it.

I try to keep my eyes open all the time so I can never miss an opportunity or an experience. I do sleep occasionally, but for an exciting life in an exciting city sometimes...I would much rather give up sleep for a typical new york day/night!

So I live in New York, it's a lot of fun! I should mention while I love NYC, I will not give up the 504 area code, and will always claim New Orleans as my home..bc anyone who really knows me, knows how much I love Nola...and I LOVE the Saints not just bc they won the Superbowl but always have... I also LOVE Lil Wayne...and I'm secretly a little ghetto at times..So what? I'm definitely a nola girl...

 I moved to NYC for my career and high aspirations and an exciting life, I can do things GOOD back in nola but I want to do things BIGGER and BETTER so NYC is the place for me! I love it, it's exciting and it's a struggle, the cause for my insomnia..but it's worth it!

xoxo,

Ms. Nola