People Watching

The day I heard the words, "We'd like to hire you" was music to my ears. It didn't feel like I had accomplished something and that I was hired for a part time job until that first day of orientation around the large circular/oval table with the other people who made it through the long interview process. Today, as I travel from new Jersey to the Upper West Side, or UWS, I think about all the other past interviews and the ones I should learn from as I continue to look for a full time marketing opportunity in the city.

So, here is a little information about me. I guess you can call it my bio. Every time someone asks me where I am from, this is what I say. I was born in Great Neck, Queens NY. My family moved to New Jersey when I was 2 years old. I grew up in Jersey until I was about 13 years old. Yest that was right smack in the middle of middle school. Not only that, we moved to Florida in January which is right in the middle of the school year. I graduated college in Orlando at the University of Central Florida (go knights!!) and decided to come back to the big apple! I have plenty of friends and family still here. It was only my family, of course, that left the Northeast (besides my dad's side of the family which are all on the west coast which is another story). Thanks to my family and family friends in the New York and New Jersey, I knew I wouldn't have too much of an issue finding a place to crash or hop from place to place while I was trying to settle.

Everyone at school in Florida thought I was crazy! People from New York or have family in New York said, "I'm right behind you! See you in a few years!" My parents on the other hand, made it a little difficult for me. I was determined to go back to the city. Not just any city though. I was determined to return to New York. My mom said, "But you love Orlando!" and my dad had a little more to say, "You're not going to find any jobs in Florida. You have to go to New York! I won't support you if you stay!" Clearly, what was really happening was my mom was tired of everyone moving away from home, one of my younger sisters left for school in Pittsburgh, and my dad wanted all his kids back in New York so he would have a better excuse to go back himself. I was pretty set on what I wanted. It was just the motivation I was trying to find in actually leaving.

While suffering anxiety and depression, which happen to be genetic, I kept putting off the whole 'planning a trip to New York'. When I graduated in May, I didn't actually pick up and go until June 4th.

Now, with my part time job, sitting in the subway on my way to the part time job (PT), I look around at everyone else sitting on the subway train. You know the saying, "people watching"? Well your life in New York City becomes a life full of "people watching". It is important to stay aware of your surroundings at ALL TIMES. This is an important part of being in NYC. ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. I'm sure those of you who are not from the city have heard rumors. Even if you are from the city, you know there is a stigma. But I love New York City. There is no place like it. I have never been in a city quite like this one.