January Thoughts

One of my first impressions of NYC (as a tourist turned to a resident?) is that almost everyone is in a rush. Most people cross the road before the signal turns to "walk" and I am amazed by how people are quite vigilant about the stoplights. They know when to start walking. Up to this day, I still feel scared crossing the road sometimes especially when I am in some busy streets like Union Square or Times Square.  A lot of cars that I've seen on a red light would honk at the car in front of them the second the light turns green. I thought to myself, you ought to give the driver in front of you time to accelerate! Definitely take my observation with a grain of salt, even if this is one of the common "stereotypes" people have about people living in NYC. Before moving here, I wondered if I would become impatient about time. I did not want to pick up on the trait. 

Thankfully, I haven't. This is probably part of my honeymoon phase with NYC.

I feel that not having a car in NYC contributed to having more time. I dreaded not having a car and did not quite imagine a life without it. Suddenly, here I am! My work hours became much more normal as well. The time spent not driving has been spent doing other things I enjoy such as reading. I like to avoid situations where I would need to "run" toward the train (only if I am with another person, like my better half, who would definitely sprint if he has to). I personally do not mind waiting some more depending on the time of day or the task at hand during the day. I would grab the book out of my bag and continue to reading. I am strangely happy about this. 

I feel that the schedule and time I have now is the perfect way to make friends although that is still a struggle. Back in San Diego, my work hours made it so difficult (took me forever to establish non-work friends). I find myself attending Brooklyn's "Girly Book Club" two consecutive months in a row and I've recently just signed up for the February meeting. I bought next month's book at Book Club bar here at lower east side during my work lunch break. As far as social life goes, attending a book club seems quite promising.

Time. I used to wonder if living here wont make time enough but the opposite happened. I have more time. I have more time to think, meditate, and wonder. I have more time to see places to and from commutes. My alone time is balanced with my better half's busy work as well. So far, everything is in a great balance. 

I also thought having a "full planner" means productivity. No, actually, I embrace an empty planner and would rather jot down thoughts on it than "plans." I embrace having a free time at the moment. 

I guess everything is through a certain perspective and how I would want to go about the situation presented to me. To be miserable or to be impatient is a choice. I am quite thankful to find myself being occupied with something productive. 

Did I mention that I truly enjoy reading?

The Book Club

One random morning during my walk to work, I took another route (because there are multiple ways to get to work and it is nice to see random establishments along the way). Sidenote: I love how there are so many food places and cafes here in lower east side. Of course there are plenty all over the city but I spend more time in lower east side because of my job. It may be obvious already because it is NYC but I can't help but still be amazed. I love cafes and love being in a city where I can be in a different cafe almost daily if I wanted to. A plus side: an option that is not only Starbucks!

Love the interior!

There are major bookstores (like Barnes and Nobles) that actually has a cafe inside its premises. There would be tables too. What made the Book Club bar so cool for me is that it is an independent bookstore. It is also nice being able to be in close proximity with all these books. They plan to serve alcoholic drinks and small eats in the future (according to their website.. can't wait!). I believe that people can host a book club here. This space is available as long as they are notified in advance via email. I am just unsure about the duration and fees.

There are probably other cafes that functions like this one but I think I got lucky to be able to have one en route to/from work/home.

Unfortunately, the books in the shelves are not meant to be borrowed or read for a long time even if one would intend to sit down in the cafe. The books are brand new and are for sale. In my opinion, I think the selections are amazing.  There are various genres and a lot of notable authors. Keep in mind that there is a "sit down" fee (which basically means buying a beverage to be able to sit down). I intend to buy my next book here to support the business.

I was sitting at a table next to this area of the cafe. 

This hidden gem in lower east side is worth a visit especially if you are a person who loves coffee and books. Personally, there is something comforting about being able to drink coffee while reading and being next to a bookshelf. I am so grateful that such a place exist in an area that I frequent in. The area itself is not an "upscale" neighborhood and there are definitely some "interesting individuals" lurking around but being here balances the mild chaos that exists in the streets.

I hope to come back here with my laptop as well. This is a strange realization but being in this environment inspires me to write something and work on my planner (to make an attempt of getting my life together, haha!)

Looking forward to coming back.

The Commute

The subway can be the most horrible experience for some people, but I refuse to let that fact overpower me. The subway is a necessity for me at this point from getting to point A and point B. I am lucky that Eug's flat is conveniently located near a station. On top of many other things I miss about San Diego, I miss my car. I mentioned that it was given to me by my father so it has a lot of sentimental value. I do miss driving but I am not fond of the idea of driving around NYC. I feel that it is more rough here and the drivers are more impatient. I noticed that drivers honk right at the second the light turns green. Come on, give the driver in the front a chance to accelerate properly! 

I've had some negative experiences in the subway. Just like everyone else who experienced commuting, the pushing and crowding is inevitable. It is frustrating especially during rush hour. There are people from all walks of life who has to use the train and people from different social status, if that is the proper term for it. There are so many stenches from expensive perfumes (the ones that would make one nauseous) to people who probably haven't showered in a month. There are also tourists who may be just confused about where to go, where to stand, where to hold on, etc.

From my personal experience based on my daily commute from point A to point B, the beginning of my ride in the morning usually starts mellow. It depends how early I get up. Before 07:45, I am guaranteed a seat most of the time. As the time gets closer to 08:00 or after, it can start as mellow and end crowded by the time I get to my stop. People are definitely grumpy as they wait for their caffeine to kick in.

On my way home, it can start crowded. I do love the fact that by the time I get to my home station, it becomes close to empty. So it can start with grumpy, tired people and end with people who finally calmed down and potentially miss their stop by falling asleep.

I can appreciate the fact that I start my day rough but could conclude my day calmly.

There are a few things I've learned to do to make my trip much more bearable on the daily. I meditate. Yes, there will be some pushing and some grumpy people around but I am thankful to be one with my thoughts for the most part. I just simply like to think. Some things that I would normally think about is food (as in what to eat for dinner or what to buy at the grocery store which leads to me updating a shared to-buy list), my family, the future with Eug, the plans I have with my friends, specific things that I want to do with my sister, Ate Cam and her family, and some other creative things pertaining to writing. Recently, I decided to have this silly goal of submitting a story for the New Yorker but hey! One can hope! I just need to start writing.

I also read, read, and read! Just like almost everyone else on the train. I just don't know how much they enjoy it or if they just do it to pass the time. I feel happy seeing people read no matter the reason. I definitely enjoy reading and it helps with the time. I try to be productive while on the subway instead of thinking negatively about the experience.

In the entirety of it, it simply feels nice to get out of my stop feeling accomplished about something -- it doesn't matter if it is just finishing a chapter of a book or being able to plan dinner -- and that I also feel grateful to be able to arrive to my destination safely.

First post, yay?!

I am definitely not a writer but I spent most of my teenage years blogging (on Livejournal). It was private and the people that had read that blog were friends who I met online. It was a virtual life away from real life. I am also a diary keeper but I enjoyed sharing a part of my life with people who became my friends. Some of them are people that I still talk to up to this day.

Looking back, I don't think I would ever consider moving out of San Diego. Life is not perfect, but the weather, food options, and friends are amazing. The closest friends I have were not even locals. In San Diego, that was where I lived and learned about my dating life. Moving forward, an experience after another just made me realize that it was time for change. Unfortunately, I did not reach the peak of my career there. I don't plan to give up though.

I would say that the build up to my move in New York started in mid-2014 but that is a long tale to tell. In short, I finalized my move to Brooklyn, New York last September. I was in my late 20s (still am) and it is partially for a person and partially for a change. The move took three stressful months (to meditate, to transfer my LPN license, and to make sure my plans in San Diego can be done there as well) and a little over three months after the move, this is a decision I have not regretted yet. It was definitely necessary.

I can list some differences between San Diego and Brooklyn, or NYC in general, but I feel that I will just be stating the obvious. I definitely used an umbrella here way more than 18 years of my life in San Diego. I am not entirely new to NYC to the point where I needed to do all the touristy things but I definitely adjusted comfortably to resume my day-to-day life. If anything, I feel that I was more productive here than ever. I was lucky to be able to find employment during my first week and I eventually just got used to a life without driving. I miss my car because of its sentimental value (given by my father) but it is with the best person who can have it -- my older sister. Since I don't have a car to drive here, riding the subway has been a great way to catch up on my reading. Life in San Diego became so off track that I lost sight of my own hobbies but was easily picked up here.

The move has its plenty of positives, of course. For some, maybe I am just in a honeymoon phase with NYC. Overall, I'm glad I pursued this change. There is so much to do here and so many places to eat. I do not know where to start. I look forward to experiencing NYC with some fresh eyes as well (perhaps family and friends who will end up visiting). I have yet to make (more) friends.

Perhaps this is just another attempt to start a public blog. Maybe someone out there will be able to relate to the bits and pieces of my life that I will choose to share.

I also dedicate this blog to my beau who is a big inspiration for my writing.

My name is Ciara.

Welcome to the snippets of my life here in NYC.