new york // and why (moving there) is always a good idea

alright people, let's talk shop. in t-2 months, j and i are moving to new york.

i realized it was high time to start writing about this, seeing as how new york is truly the only thing buzzing around my brain (at all times) (every day) (help me). really though - the closer we get to The Big Move, the harder it is for me to think about  a n y t h i n g  else. biking to school? new york. doing laundry? new york. debating between original and double-stuffed oreos? new york. (always go original, by the way)

moving to new york city is something i never thought i would do. even today, this close to the move, it still sounds like one of those things that someone-i-wish-i-was would do. you know what i mean? i have to keep reminding myself that this time, i really am that person. me me me! the whole thing is kind of thrilling. and kind of terrifying.

hopefully, thrilling + terrifying = adventure.

this photo was taken during our last trip. j had just taken me ice skating in central park because people do that in real life and i was like WHAT MOVIE AM I IN RIGHT NOW. and also, THIS PLACE IS MAGICAL. and finally, WE SHOULD LIVE HERE. and he was like, "okay!"

and that's how it happened.

just kidding.

i really can't believe that i haven't written more about this. there's so much to write! so much to tell you! for instance: how this wild idea first came to be, the moment - the ridiculous look on our faces - when we realized that we could actually make it happen, what our friends and family have been saying, the planning that we've been doing (or lack thereof), why we don't think it's crazy to move to nyc with only $12 in our pockets, etc etc etc.

instead of trying to tell you everything at once, let's start with some background -

the first thing you should know is that i've only been to new york two times. i think i've spent a grand total of 17 days in manhattan. maybe less. who knows. whatever the magic number is, it was more than enough time to convince me that that was the place i was supposed to be. (really though, i think one day would have been enough) i remember flying back to oregon after my last trip and feeling so sad - like i was leaving this major piece of myself behind. and it was only my second visit!

fast forward one year later, and here i am, buying a one-way ticket.

as far as plans go, the end! that's all we've got.
we're moving without jobs and without any real place to live (minor details). we don't have any friends in the city. just about everything in our apartment right now is going to be sold or donated. the couch, the bed, the table and chairs, the desk. probably even the plants! (sorry, plants) this next chapter of our lives is going to start with whatever we can cram into our suitcases. fortunately, my suitcase is roughly the same size as your refrigerator, so i'm not too panicked (yet).

there are so many unknowns to this whole thing. so many risks. and potentially, so many rewards. sometimes i wonder if we're setting ourselves up for total disaster and disappointment. so many unknowns! but other times, i think this might be the best and most exciting thing i could do right now. and how will we know unless we try?

besides. new york city is always a good idea.