It took 3 months, but it happened. I finally saw a rat in the NYC subway. Not that I *wanted* it to happen…but I just hadn’t seen them. I now feel like a “real” New Yorker.
Regardless, it’s been a wild 3-and-a-little-bit months. Lots of firsts and I’ve even learned a lot…wanna know some of ‘em?
· I locked myself out of my apartment. And my roommate works in PA. And I don’t know my superintendent’s last name OR where he lives.
· I got stuck in a – packed! – elevator on Wall Street.
· I’ve seen “our” name in lights – well, it was really a welcome to the Avon Walkers at a NJ car dealership…but it certainly was an experience.
· A homeless man told me I was beautiful – and DIDN’T ASK ME FOR ANYTHING (a rarity, I’m told)
· I saw a very hip, well-dressed young woman steal another woman’s wallet from an ATM…thieves don’t always come in stereotypical packages!
· I had to learn the subway system the HARD way one night when my beloved L train was closed “due to an incident.”
· Legwarmers are back in – I find this scary, actually.
· My front door was recently graffiti-ed…it now says “Juicy” – cool, huh?
· My ‘hood is FABULOUS for people-watching. I swear one night some guy was wearing a Bichon Frise on his head. Ok, ok, ok, it was a large fluffy white scarf, but STILL.
· I’ve learned that EVERY time I plan to move, it’ll snow. Seriously! All 3 times I’ve moved in the last 3 months, it’s snowed…once, we even got 2 feet. So, plan on inclement weather if I ever have to move again. Grrr!
So, how do I know that I’m settling in? I can sleep through the JMZ train going over the Williamsburg Bridge a block and half from my house. I’m getting a dogwalker instead of being one. I know my way ‘round a lot of the Tri-State area better than some of the natives – I wish the Long Island Rail Road gave out frequent “flyer” miles! The only thing I can’t accommodate is the d@#$*& car alarms that go off several times a night. It’s justifiable homicide!
And, yes, even the dogs are much more “city dog” than I ever would have imagined. I’m even more of a New York Gal at heart than I would have believed. I love the energy of the city. I love the way the city and its bridges look at night. I love my job. I love my co-workers. I love the people I’m meeting and the experiences they share with me. I even love the witchy Russian girl who runs the register at the corner bagel store – she’s so “New York.” It’s all part of the experience, right?
I’ve even decided to tackle the fundraising hurdle again. The American Cancer Society has a Dogswalk every year, so guess who’s participating. Me! And my stinky pooches. We’d love your support if you’d be so inclined - http://www.dogswalk.com/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1000&px=1017106. If you’ve already donated THANK YOU! We highly, highly appreciate it. Yes, I know…I’m a fundraising geek. I really do like it! Guess that makes me perfect for my job, huh?
I’m sorry I don’t get to talk to more of you more often. Life is crazy up here…between work, working weekends, weddings, traveling to other events, and SLEEP, there’s precious little time. Can’t wait for summer when things will slow down a little! I think of you often and miss you more. I definitely miss Girl’s Nights and impromptu Barley’s pizza trips. Let me know if you’re ever out this way…
But it did take me 3 months to see my first rat in NYC…and little over 3 months to see my first mouse!
Much love,
Hannah
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
Monday, January 13, 2003
All tucked in...safe and sound...and mostly warm!
Well, I'm here. It's been just over a week and I *still* don't think I've thawed out. However, minus the snowy, way-too-wintery weather the payoffs are HUGE. I guess I can tolerate snow and frigid, breath-taking weather in order to have access to my newfound professional dream and one of the biggest, baddest, rarin'-to-go cities in the world.
As some of you know, the trip up here was fairly horrendous. Rain, sleet, snow, general yuckiness. A sleepless night in a hotel in Richmond - yes, I *know* their house burned down, but that's no reason your kids have to run up and down the hallway at 2am - ! - and stand outside my window trying to get my dogs to bark!!! Second day of driving...even nastier. And just YOU try to find a hotel in Newark that'll take you and your two dogs under their wing. What a challenge. If it hadn't been for Carol, my VP Guardian Angel, passing me on to our new travel agency where Guardian Angel #2 had me a room in minutes at the Hilton, I'd have been a very sad/angry/frustrated Hannah sleeping in her car by the side of the road. Instead, we snuggled up on the king-sized bed and slept like babies....after trying out the elevator for the first time. Yep, another first for Kali & Mav - elevator riding and hotel-staying. All said and done, they were FABULOUS!
So, a couple of days to decompress...off went the City Chick on the train, bright and early for a couple - long - days of training. Tons of information, lots to do, eager beavers ready to start (there are actually THREE of us hired now, so it's not just me!)...and then we learned something about New York City. Who knew that it can take 4-6 weeks to get a phone line installed? Long story short, our first week of work was spent sans phone lines OR computers! It's been a looooooooong time since I've done nothing but cold-call...and on a borrowed phone line (from the people we're sharing an office with) no less!
At the end of the day, this is definitely where I'm meant to be. I feel comfortable in the city and the commute isn't so bad. The dogs are doing AMAZINGLY well - thanks to my friends Lisa and Mike for not only being excellent hosts, but thanks to their profession that lets them come home during the day to let all the stinkers out (they have a pooch, too, so Mav's in dog-heaven w/a live-in playmate!). This is truly the best transition to date. Not only that, but professionally I've found the precise spot I'm meant to be at this precise time in my life. I'm SO thankful for the last year...and that I was given the opportunity to take the time to figure out where my foot would land in the next step I took forward. Thanks to all those out there who have supported, hand-held, offered shoulders and hugs, and especially to my parents....I know you're supposed to worry, but this cat landed on her feet - mostly - again!
So, off I go to explore this amazing city, dive into my new job, establish myself in a community, and continue becoming the woman I'm meant to be. I hope y'all will continue join me on this roller coaster....
much love and many kisses,
hannah
PS Don't forget about that thing called keeping in touch, 'k???
"You get in life what you have the courage to ask for."
- Oprah Winfrey
As some of you know, the trip up here was fairly horrendous. Rain, sleet, snow, general yuckiness. A sleepless night in a hotel in Richmond - yes, I *know* their house burned down, but that's no reason your kids have to run up and down the hallway at 2am - ! - and stand outside my window trying to get my dogs to bark!!! Second day of driving...even nastier. And just YOU try to find a hotel in Newark that'll take you and your two dogs under their wing. What a challenge. If it hadn't been for Carol, my VP Guardian Angel, passing me on to our new travel agency where Guardian Angel #2 had me a room in minutes at the Hilton, I'd have been a very sad/angry/frustrated Hannah sleeping in her car by the side of the road. Instead, we snuggled up on the king-sized bed and slept like babies....after trying out the elevator for the first time. Yep, another first for Kali & Mav - elevator riding and hotel-staying. All said and done, they were FABULOUS!
So, a couple of days to decompress...off went the City Chick on the train, bright and early for a couple - long - days of training. Tons of information, lots to do, eager beavers ready to start (there are actually THREE of us hired now, so it's not just me!)...and then we learned something about New York City. Who knew that it can take 4-6 weeks to get a phone line installed? Long story short, our first week of work was spent sans phone lines OR computers! It's been a looooooooong time since I've done nothing but cold-call...and on a borrowed phone line (from the people we're sharing an office with) no less!
At the end of the day, this is definitely where I'm meant to be. I feel comfortable in the city and the commute isn't so bad. The dogs are doing AMAZINGLY well - thanks to my friends Lisa and Mike for not only being excellent hosts, but thanks to their profession that lets them come home during the day to let all the stinkers out (they have a pooch, too, so Mav's in dog-heaven w/a live-in playmate!). This is truly the best transition to date. Not only that, but professionally I've found the precise spot I'm meant to be at this precise time in my life. I'm SO thankful for the last year...and that I was given the opportunity to take the time to figure out where my foot would land in the next step I took forward. Thanks to all those out there who have supported, hand-held, offered shoulders and hugs, and especially to my parents....I know you're supposed to worry, but this cat landed on her feet - mostly - again!
So, off I go to explore this amazing city, dive into my new job, establish myself in a community, and continue becoming the woman I'm meant to be. I hope y'all will continue join me on this roller coaster....
much love and many kisses,
hannah
PS Don't forget about that thing called keeping in touch, 'k???
"You get in life what you have the courage to ask for."
- Oprah Winfrey
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