Bring it on 2014

I graduated college in May of 2013.

I bought a one way ticket to New York in June.

In July I flew back to Florida to pack my things and drove from Florida back to New York.

I landed a job in August and then a full time job in October.

I found a place to live in December 2013.

8 months. I accomplished what I thought was too difficult, scary, a dream and impossible in 8 months. I was so afraid to jump-start my life! Nothing, really nothing, should hold you back from your dreams!!! Walking down the streets of NYC reminiscing my journey to this job and the life I have accomplished at this point and I keep thinking, I did it!

I was settled in Florida. Had my immediate family and college friends always with me. I wasn't really sure that I wanted to leave. Deep down in my heart though, I knew it was time to go to New York. My heart was calling for it but my body and anxiety were fighting it. My goal throughout college was to move to New York and find a job once I graduate. When the question, "What are your plans when you graduate?" were always answered by me going to New York. But, the closer my graduation date approached, the more of a dream my goal became rather than a reality because of my anxiety. Some people started moving on, getting married, finding a job, moving back home. Mostly others still have school. Am I ready jump start the reality of growing up?

Of course I was!!! It only took a few weeks but I was fed up with my laziness and tired of my parents talking about going to New York. One day I called my dad saying, "I am going to New York on a one way ticket!" I luckily have the support of my family for making this decision and I also have family already in New York who were more than happy to have me. That is how it all began! I am so blessed.

Looking back over this year, 2013 has so far been my most accomplished year of my life (I am 23 years old. Watch out world!). I live on my own in my own apartment. Crazy!!!!

Actually, not crazy. This is what's supposed to happen, right? Isn't this the goal of every graduating student? Doesn't everyone want to move out and live on their own or with friends away from home and school? In this economy, most of my friends are living back home or are still in school. I only know of a few who are actually away and living on their own. Even my coworker at my current NYC job still lives at home. Living at home has a lot of benefits. Take advantage of what you have at home!! Don't just move out because it is what you think is supposed to happen. Living at home guarantees leftovers from mom's cooking (I am very jealous about not having that anymore!), free laundry and it's comfortable! I am still in the process of putting my apartment together so that I can live more comfortably! I just put together the last few pieces of furniture I ordered and am experimenting with the space I am given in this studio. My Superintendent is a God-send. He has helped me build almost all of my furniture. I am happy to call this place my home and it is already becoming comfortable. I am building a daily routine and everything is falling into place just the way it is supposed to. Pinterest and other DIY's are sites I am constantly browsing to keep my creative mind rolling so I can come up with more ways to brighten and enhance my small living space.There is still much to do with my apartment but I couldn't have asked for a better way to end the year. So bring it on 2014!!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!



xoxo
OneSmartLady

   

Move In Day

Moving is one of the most stressful events in a person's life, compared to other life-changing events. Knowing that, I figured using my four day weekend of the Thanksgiving holiday to move would save me some stress. It turned out to not be the best way to end a holiday weekend. I was hoping to sign and move my things into the apartment the Friday after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, everything doesn't plan out the way we all hope. I had move Monday, the weekend AFTER the holiday was over. My reasons for this are the apartment management company is only open Mon-Fri 9-5 which is the time everyone else is working. And of course they were closed for the Friday after Thanksgiving. Because of that, I had to ask off work for the Monday after (I don't get paid sick days yet since I am still a temp). I had my BF with me for only that day so I used him and that time to move my stuff from New Jersey all the way back to Queens. I had to rent a car large enough to transport my mattress. I had to bring my BF to the airport by 6. So this is what my schedule of events ended up looking like for that day:

1. Rented car
2. Withdrew enough money (barely) for management company
3. Signed lease
4. Drove to NJ
5. Packed the car
6. Drove back
7. Unloaded the car
8. Drove BF to the airport
9. Returned the car
10. Headed back to my apartment all alone to my new mess of things all over the place

I  was pretty overwhelmed. I cried the rest of the night for that day. I couldn't stop crying probably because I felt out of control. I  was overwhelmed by all of my belongings in the middle of the room and the fact that I had to then figure everything out alone. A month prior, one of the reasons I almost backed out completely was because I was afraid to be alone. I realized that renting an apartment alone would mean no more college roommate, no more family roommate, no more anyone. Just me. Was I ready to be with just me?? Am I satisfied and happy spending time with just myself? It sounds silly. But there are a lot of insecure people out there. Those who are always in a relationship or always with friends are never really alone. I had to learn to really like being with just me. I grew up with three siblings. I was never alone. When I was younger, I shared my room with my sisters. When I moved into my own room, I was always with the family and never in my room. In college, I always had a roommate. I would have my own room but living in my own space is different. When I lived with a roommate, I always knew someone was home or that I could talk to someone. Is being alone such a bad thing? With technology today, no one is really ever alone. I have my phone on me all the time. I have the computer and soon the television. Books? What is a book??? Just kidding. I actually enjoy reading. The only struggle is actually picking up the book. One of my goals is to have a shelf for just books in my apartment.

So I have been in my apartment for exactly one week today. I put together my bed frame, cleaned the floor, and now need to just put together my desk and buy some furniture. I am also still waiting on the cable and internet people so there isn't much else for me to do but unpack! I am on a great start to a most beautiful "pent house" apartment!!! (I am on the top floor hence the pent house part) also (stay tuned for pictures!!!) I am much more at peace now with everything coming together the way it is. When I keep on progressing, I feel better and continue to accomplish my dreams!!


And here are some silly pictures about moving.
    

**Gobble Gobble**

Tip of the day:

• If it's cold outside, lets say 20 degrees, do not decide to leave your scarf and ear muffs inside your car over night. This will result in putting on cold ear muffs over your cold ears and a cold scarf around your chilled face when coming out of the house into the car to work. Then, you'll have to wait for the ear muffs and scarf to warm up on your way to the train with your own body heat, which eventually happens so if you really have to then leave them in the car. But to save some time, just bring them inside with you.

Ask Questions

Broker fee??? Oh, thank you for telling me AFTER I said I would take the apartment. Now I can't take the apartment because I never factored in the broker fee, so I am NOT able to afford it. It is a trick they all play and they do it often. I now always ask because 15% is a big difference from 10% and 10% is a big difference from no fee. It is a huge difference when you didn't know there was a fee at all! Advice: ask as many questions as you can. If you are going to live there, it is important to know certain things. Here are questions I have learned to ask every single time and as the hunt continues I learn different places deserve different questions:

• what is the rent?
• how much are approximately the utilities and electric?
• what is the broker fee? (if you are dealing with a broker)
• how far is the apartment from the train when walking?
• how far is the commute to the city? (Penn Station)
• are there any pets/ were there any pets? (I ask because I am allergic)
• did the person before me smoke? (I don't smoke, it's gross)
• am I able to park? (street parking vs no parking vs driveway)
• bugs??
• Can I have guests? (if it is a shared apartment)
• is there laundry in the building? How far is laundry?
• is it furnished?

It is very inconvenient  to be working and searching for an apartment because I have a limited time frame of when I can actually go out to Queens and see these places. I can only go after work or weekends and of course this weekend and next weekend I work at my part time job. It is going to be a long month. Wanting/needing to find a place by Thanksgiving/December is tough and so stressful. If I am available to see an apartment, that doesn't guarantee anything if the tenants aren't available at the same time I am. Now that I am searching with the help of brokers, I feel more stressed because I hear how fast apartments are renting out compared to before when I was just browsing. On the other hand, working with brokers is easier because it is safer and I don't necessarily have to see these apartments with a friend.They provide me with more than one option of available apartments within my budget. When I view these apartments after work, I have to travel from work into Queens, then Queens back to the city back to New Jersey all by train. I am EXHAUSTED!!! On the positive side, I am learning about the trains and their locations and how they work. So it isn't hard anymore, it is just time consuming. I might not arrive back to my cousins house in New Jersey until 9 or 10pm and then fall asleep by 10 or 11 pm and have to wake up again by 6am the next morning. It is taking a toll on me now. I sit here wanting to just lay down and watch TV/movie or sleep! Luckily, my feet don't hurt because after yesterday's travels to Elmhurst and back, my feet were killing me!! I hope today my feet don't hurt after traveling back to Elmhurst for a different apartment I found.

The housing market literally shifts so rapidly that there are different listings for different places all the time. I just have to remember, don't get desperate. I have to find a place that is safe and comfortable. I will be living there for at least one year!

On one visit to an apartment, a broker introduced me to an apartment in Elmhurst. It was magnificent. The living room was so spacious and had two windows. The bedroom also had two windows and a nice closet. The bathroom was full and the kitchen had all the utilities necessary. I felt this apartment was it!! I found it!! The broker was discussing the requirements with me for rent and expenses as we were leaving the apartment and as he turned the door knob to the front door to leave, it wouldn't turn. We were locked inside the apartment. He sheepishly told me to stay where I was while he was going to climb the fire escape to reach the roof door and enter the building from there to open the door from the outside. It was a very awkward moment as I watched this grown man climb out of the window up the fire escape. Then, instead of coming from the front door, he came back from the window saying the rooftop door was locked. We had to call his wife for a phone number but while I was trying to retrieve this number, he took off the door handle and used his keys to turn the lock. It worked luckily and might I say it was a very entertaining moment for me.Unfortunately, that apartment's requirements were ridiculous and very strict on certain areas. I guess that apartment is not my future home. So the search continues.

Get Used to Rejection

It was raining the other day. Not a big deal because luckily it wasn't cold and not very windy. But for someone who is only five foot two, it can be a little difficult. Walking through the city holding my umbrella, I literally have to dodge everyone else with their umbrella because my umbrella is up to everyone's face.I am about to poke someone's eye out if I don't be careful. I took this picture from my Instagram to try and show what it looks like from my view.

Rainy day!

Anyways, I am still looking for a place to call home. I found another website that has listings.

• sublet.com 

 and was told just now about these

• naked apartments
• Villow
• Zillow

I decided to pay for the upgrade on Sublet.com and I have received positive feedback and responses since deciding to pay for the service. Paying probably does pay off in the long run especially because I am on a time crunch. I found one that I really liked even though the roommate was hard to understand because she was Japanese. I don't mind living with other cultures; I actually enjoy it. But I found out that she chose someone else. I was frustrated because I don't think I can take it anymore!! Well that isn't true but I am so tired of looking!! Ahh the rejection! Go numb? No. Get overly upset? No. But I'm getting desperate here! I almost agreed to an apartment with a dog and they weren't allowing anyone to use the kitchen! But then I came to my senses and realized I need to be able to cook and also not live with animals, including the neighborhood mouse (which was actually mentioned in one listing). I just have to let go and get used to the fact that it isn't going to be easy and it isn't supposed to be!!

Thank goodness to one of my dad's best friends. He lives in Midtown Manhattan and remembered one of his friends who is in real estate. Hopefully they can help me find a place soon!!!! I will not (cannot) give up!

xoxo

'Home Sweet Home' Where Are You!?

I finally tried the CitiBike last week as my way of transportation and exercise to my part time job on the upper west side.  It was a great way of exercising but I was late for work and it took longer than 30 minutes to get there. The thing with the Citibike that you need to be aware of is that they only allow 30minute increments while riding the bike. Not sure why but I bought a 24hour pass because I only used it for literally 20 minutes. After 30 minutes the deal is you have to get off the bike, lock it back into a machine, wait a few seconds and then you can take it out again if you are still not at your destination without any extra costs for the next 24 hours. Some people buy a month or year pass because they know streets and it can definitely be cheaper than paying $2.50 every time you have to go on the subway. I just wanted to try it out. I could have used it again for the rest of my ride to work but after 20 minutes of riding I realized I was going to be late no matter what based on the time and didn't want to risk showing up even later. I thought it would take me only 30 minutes to ride from 35th Street and 6th to 74th and Columbus Ave. Anyone from New York reading that would laugh at me. How was I suppose to remember which streets were one way streets? Lets just say I need to walk more to really know the streets better before I can start bike riding around the city. So I took the subway the rest of the way after dropping off the bike at Columbus Circle.

 

The next day, I went to check my bank account and found that there was/is a charge of $101 from CitiBike. I was so mad/confused because it only cost $10.95 or something. They did mention there would be a charge of $101 but I thought that was ONLY if the bike was stolen. What it really says is they put a hold on your account until they can verify the bike is fine and dandy. So I called the number on their home page and a woman answered. She told me that there is a hold for the next 36 hours just to make sure there is nothing wrong with the bike and the bike was returned. The money has not been taken out of my account and will stay there as long as the bike is fine. Today, four days later, I check my bank account and there is clearly a charge for $101 from CitiBike. I don't understand?!!?? I returned the bike almost four days ago!!! Why are they charging me?! I am at work so I can't just call them so I emailed them. I ended up with the money still in my account but word of advice for CitiBike usage:

• they are a great and cheap way to get around the city
• there are bike lanes in the streets but not on all streets so still be cautious
• they put a hold on everyone's account until three days (four) after your 24 hour pass is over as a precaution (they wait for how ever long you pay to have the pass for riding the bike is expired)
• they do not provide helmets
• the bike machines are literally everywhere around the city so it is easy to return and use one of these bikes
• I see them being used everywhere!
• if you are in a rush, do not attempt to use the bike unless you hate the subway, don't want to walk, have biked in the city before, or do not want to pay for a taxi

Not only have I finally tried riding a CitiBike, but I decided to finally just Google search "roommates in NYC" because I feel I have tried everything when it comes to looking for a place to live! I have used so many different sources to find a roommate or just an available/empty room in an apartment long term. Maybe I am having trouble because I know what I don't want in a living situation. I can't help that I am allergic to animals that shed and I would rather live with women (or a gay man) then a straight man! Here is a list of many places I have looked. My dad says I should just find a real-estate person to help me. The only issue is I can't afford to live alone and I don't want to pay a fee. At this rate, I will never find a place to live!

• Spareroom
• Roommates
• Hotpads
• Spareroom
• Streeteasy
• Gypsy Housing

I know that I will find a place to live eventually. It just isn't the right timing. The right apartment is out there waiting for me I know it!

 

Using many of those websites, I have seen apartments in Harlem, New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Queens. I personally want to live in Queens because it is right in between where I am working and where most of my family and family friends live. These websites have helped me see and understand what kinds of apartments look like in different areas of New York. It has also given me an idea of how pricing looks like for single studio apartments to 3 bedroom apartments/homes. Well, good luck to you and hopefully I will have a nice place to live in Queens by the subway in the near future.

Late my 15th day

I am tired. No more sleeping until midnight. Sleeping until midnight is like asking to be tired for the rest of the next day. Especially now that I have come to work for the first time late. I woke up at 9:30am. Yes, I said three hours after I am supposed to wake up and the time I am supposed to be sitting at my desk at work. Awesome. I woke up totally confused as to what day it was. I was so out of it. Luckily I am a temp so I went through my staffing company and right now the only consequences are that I am not getting paid the two hours I was late. I can handle that. But I blame my phone. It has been acting weird for the past month and the Apple store won't replace it even though it is only a three month old phone. Last month, it would restart on its own over and over again and wouldn't stop until I restored it to manufacturer settings. I had to plug it into my own computer to for the phone to stop freaking out. That was fun (not). A month later (this past weekend) it happened again. I called AT&T the first time it happened and this time I went to the Apple Store. They said there isn't enough proof to show that the phone needs be replaced. HELLO of course not now that I have restored it, AGAIN just so I can use it! They said only if it happens again will they do anything since I only called AT&T once and came to them once. I guess third times a charm.

I have to wake up at 6am every morning to prepare myself for the day to get ready, eat breakfast and catch the 8:03am train so that I can make it to daily mass at St. Francis of Assisi on the way to the office. I arrive late to mass every morning because the train arrives to Penn Station at 8:28. I just barely make the beginning of mass. Hopefully working two jobs won't kill me.

Now that this has happened, being late, I remember another time where I could have totally missed an interview over a purse. This is only because it broke. It broke on my way to an interview. I was walking and the clip attached to the straps decided to brake. I was running 30 minutes early like a good interviewee. So I decided I had enough time to maybe run into Macy's on 34th street right out of Penn Station. It's been along time since I have been in that store location and if you haven't been there before, I'll try to explain what that Macy's is like as best I can. First of all, it's "The World's Largest Store". It takes up an entire city block and has around 10 levels. Basically, if you're on a mission for a specific item with a specific budget and on a time crunch, it's probably not going to be the best choice in retail options. What did I know? I only knew that Macy's would probably provide me with a nicer and professional purse and it was the only retail store I knew was close to the train station. (By the way, there are plenty of retail options right around Macy's). When I entered the store, I realized what a terrible idea it was as I searched for the sales racks. With no success and wasting time I frantically searched for an exit. I luckily ran out the exit across the street from H&M and went straight for the purse section. I grab a purse professional enough and budget worthy and run to the register. She rang it up and the price came to over $100. That was NOT in my budget. I gave up and just used the purse the best I could. At least I can say I learned from this experience. Now I know how to pack my things and what kind of purse I need to have. When things go wrong, learning from the situation is the best way to deal with it and for it to not happen again.

But, it really is hitting me now that I have no control over my life. I am still living at my cousins and trying to find a place to live either in Brooklyn or Queens. I am not able to buy anything like clothes or decorations because there isn't space in my temporary room. I see my money diminish slowly and thank God how lucky I am to have acquired a job. I can tell I am starting to lose it because I can't remember the last time my nails were this short. I am literally obliterating my nails. I hate that I have the habit already of biting and picking at my nails but I can't seem to help it especially now that I am more stressed with finding somewhere to live and finding roommates. I guess I am on stress overload and didn't know it!

I just have to keep reminding myself of my past accomplishments and how I got to where I am today. I luckily have family I can stay with while. I will hopefully live by an affordable gym when I live on my own or near a nice park to run in. I have clothes and food. I have a car to take me to the train station. I have made friends from work and family. I am alive and living my dream!! I am New York City for heaven's sake!!