I didn't realize it until last week, after coming home from an exhausting day of apartment hunting, but I finally feel at home in this city. Soon, I will begin the second phase of my life here in New York. They say it takes a year to be considered a "real" New Yorker. If that's the case my graduation will be coming up in 2 and a half months. Its hard to believe I've lived here almost a year. It seems like only a month ago that I moved into my tiny, un-airconditioned apartment, with little to no furniture. It has surely been an adventure to say the least. My life has taken some very unexpected turns in the past year, with career, love, family, friends and ultimately my own identity (forgive the dramatics). I can say with certainty that I have learned more about myself and human beings in general since I've been here. And I know that's just the tip of the iceberg...
July 1, 2006 I will move into my new crib. After hundreds of phone calls, frantic searching, some tears, debating between Eastside or West, uptown or downtown, my roommate and I wound up exactly where we started. One street south of my current residence, wedged between the Hudson River and Lincoln Center, is where my new home will be. My address will still have the same zipcode but the new place is a little bit bigger and a little bit nicer, with a fire escape that I can actually sit out on (unlike my last dilapidated excuse for a fire escape). I've looked all over this city the last 2 weeks and I can honestly say I love the upper west side! With that said, I've created a little list that I would like to call "New-Lease Resolutions." Screw New Years resolutions. They're overrated and I never stick to them anyway -- too much pressure. Why wait til January 1?? Besides, New Years Eve is my birthday and I feel that turning a year older is enough change on its own.
New-Lease Resolutions (in no particular order):
1. Paint my new apartment (Either brick red, a mute yellow or moss green??).
2. Be more open and accepting to the idea of "dating."
3. Get back to my normal weight.
4. Read a book that will top Kite Runner.
5. Work on a film (independent or feature).
6. Edit a short video on Final Cut Pro.
7. Color my hair dark auburn.
8. Start a piece of short fiction that I would seriously consider submitting to be published.
9. Meet Leonardo Dicaprio.
10. Be less judgemental of others.
11. Find an excellent Burmese restaurant in the city, equivalent to Burma Superstar in San Francisco.
12. Find the perfect dress.
13. Take more pictures!
14. Answer and return phone calls.
15. Shop less (spend less).
16. Do another open mic.
17. Bike around the city more often.
18. Travel overseas (London, India and Thailand).
19. Forget those that deserve to be forgotten.
20. (It's a secret).
Is this unrealistic for a year? I think I can do it. Give me a little credit, I'm stating this for anyone to read. You can even follow up with me in a year and see how far I've gotten. If I haven't accomplished more than half of what I listed above, then feel free to publicly ridicule me.
So, cheers to New York, New Leases and New Beginnings!
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14 comments:
Re: 18. If you ever make it out to London, I'd be happy to help out in places to see, do, etc..
As kiki’s older, wiser roommate (haa!), I feel compelled to add to this “new-lease resolution” list. After all, this will be our third year living together and we do share some similar ideologies. (BTW, living together for three years, we have acquired the name “LTP”, but I won’t decode the acronym, in fear Kiki may yell at me!) Moving on, I must add to this list, that I too will be more “open”. Kiki said “open” to dating, but I think I’ll just add “open” to people. I’ve taken a recent vow not to date, because of the recent dates I have gone on and the mindless conversations I’ve had to partake in (I would rather be working on my thesis!). I will also add taking an art class (which I can hopefully convince Kiki to take with me) and a cooking class. Lord only knows I need to learn how to cook! Although I do make a mean bakri! I would also like to add to the list that Rakhs and I will make our apt one of a kind! Our current apt, well, it could use some help! I have a ton of other “resolutions” to add, but maybe I’ll just make a list and post it on the fridge. No need to bother the readers anymore. I’m not the roommate that writes! ;-)
good books? might i suggest two: 'maps for lost lovers' by nadeem aslam & 'texaco' by patrick chamoiseau (derek walcott said 'read this book' so who are we to quibble?)
If you find a burmese restaurant just like Burma SuperStar in SF I will move to NYC. Done
First of all, to my "anonymous" roommate, thanks for revealing my household nickname! Now that my alter ego "Kiki" has been revealed I will have to share her adventures with the readers in future posts. And on another note I also agree with being "open" with people in general.
Expat in London, thanks so much for the advance hospitality. I actually have quite a large family in England and have been going there since I was a child. Its much like a second home to me. Though it would be nice to experience London outside of family. I will keep you posted on my travels.
re: Books -- I've never heard of either of those books but after I'm done with the 3 in my que I will add your suggestions to my list. Currently, I am reading Kundera's "Unbearable Lightness of Being." Quite captivating. My series of thoughts on this are better saved for a post.
re: Burma Superstar. I WILL find a restaurant in NYC like it. Mark my word.
burmese restaurant-7th and cooper in the east village if my memory serves me well and if it's still around. if you think it's rubbish then i apologize. re: unbearable lightness-the opening discussion of 'eternal return' is one of the best openings in all of literature-if you haven't already try 'the joke' (who knew a mere mention of trotsky could be so damning?) and 'the book of laughter and forgetting' (which might be kundera's best)...a film of unbearable lightness was made some years ago, could be worth checking out...nadeem aslam is an english-pakistani writer whose prose renders wonderfully the beauty of urdu in english and he begins with a quote of faiz which is always a mark of quality...chamoiesau is a personal gospel of mine...
I vote for red or yellow. def. a matte finish.
u STILL want to meet Leo?
ooh, dark auburn, luv that.
i want to come biking next time.
let's go to London & India (Goa)!
DEF. forget those who deserve to be forgotten! good one.
can't wait to see your new place!
Kiki's roommate wrote: "I’ve taken a recent vow not to date, because of the recent dates I have gone on and the mindless conversations I’ve had to partake in (I would rather be working on my thesis!)."
To the "Gentlemen" of NYC...get your act together! That's a five-star babe up in this mother!!!
To P: I'm not sure the gents of NYC are up for a quality lady such as yourself. Brains, beauty and excessive cuteness..it's such an unfair array of weapons really. As a matter of fact, you might qualify as a lethal weapon. You should come with a disclaimer. WARNING: THIS GIRL IS EXTREMELY COOL AND DAZZLINGLY HOT.
(and cut out that humble, "Me? Huh? Whatever?! I don't know what you're talking about" stuff too...we know what's up ;) )
another burmese suggestion- http://www.villagevoice.com/nycguide/ve14143,1.html
yes, a bit of a trek-live dangerously! you could visit the queens museum of art-often has interesting exhbits-they had this south asian art show a short while that was great, latest works from shazia sikander among others, but i digress...
supposedly leo was at 230 5th rooftop sat night, had i known you had a thing for jack dawson i would have called..
i'm a fan of 19 too, perfectly stated with minimal words, yet speaks volumes..good for you!
red or yellow fo' sure, happier brighter colors..
r-
You DID call "R." Remember (you drunkard)?? And no mention of Leo! How could you?! I'll let it slide this time, since you were unaware of my obsession. Next time you'll be in big trouble mister!
if i spot him i'll text you but won't reveal the location just to slightly torture you. or i can send you clues/random puzzles and you can guess where he's at, it'll be fun no? i like trouble..
Torture? Not a fan. But if you have any clue of his whereabouts I'd like a hint.
However, I think the more important issue here is how would you text me if I don't even know you??
ok i won't torture..in fact i'll be super nice and possibly intro you to another celeb. i just found out that a friend of mine knows jude law, its not leo but never the less another dreamy man according to most women. soooo meeting "alfie" is more much of a reality now, if your interested...
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