"Even if I fail at reaching that dream, I wanted to at least be able to say that I tried. I didn’t just dream it, I went after it.” - Erin Laviola, 23, moved to New York from Ohio
Have you been waiting for a dream to come true for what seems like an impossibly long time? Perhaps you are fighting to hold onto the dream while at the same time trying to not be so stubborn that you push your way through a door before it's the right time. If so, I am pretty sure that we are not alone on this tricky tighrope path of seeing our dreams become reality.
I remember so clearly that senior class trip I took to New York City... quite a hilarious, embarrassing, and out of control adventure that I will have to share with you in more detail in a future post (Let's just say one of the stories involved a particular underage classmate of mine was determined to get her hands on a wine cooler and I was nominated as her unwilling accomplice..I was certain that I was going to end up in jail at some point on my first visit to the big apple). During that crazy trip a dream was planted, I knew that one day I would have to live in New York, for how long I didn't know, but I knew I belonged there, at least for a season.
The summer of 2000, after travels to New York City, Juarez Mexico, and Germany I packed up and moved from Little Rock, Arkansas to Seattle, Washington. It was a life changing event, yet one that I was so completely ready for. Here I am twelve years later, and I must say my life has been pretty darn unbelievable in Seattle! I have been given incredible gifts in the places I have seen and the friends that I have made. Honestly, I feel so torn leaving everything and everyone, but I was offered an amazing opportunity to attend a college in New York and well barring any major life changes - I am excited to announce that I will be moving to New York City in August.
As you join me on my journey via Southern Nomad, letters, Skype calls, texts, instagram, etc. I hope you will be inspired by seeing a dream come true and the knowledge of knowing some dreams are so worth holding onto..I am sure there are going to be highs and lows, and I so value your encouragement, advice, etc.
Are you ready?! Am I ready?! Ok I am freaking out a wee bit... like when your heart beats a little faster because you are just a ball of emotions...To help me begin to focus on some of the practicals, I would love to hear:
- What are your favorite books, blogs, music, movies, restaurants related to New York City?
- Also, I am curious do any of my followers currently live in New York? If so, do you have any tips for my big move?
Ps - I can't wait to visit some of the new york spots I have recently blogged about: The Nomad Hotel, Ernest Alexander, Sunday Suppers and Mast Brothers Chocolate to name a few...
photo: Taken at Arabica Lounge