Monday, September 17, 2012

An Official Brooklynite (Brooklyner? Brooklynarean?)



You may have noticed that posting has been a bit sparse lately. I'd like to blame it on the fact that I came back from Paris, went apartment hunting in New York, flew back to LA, packed up my life and my cat, spent a week back at my parents' house, and then spent 2 weekends in a row moving stuff into my new apartment in Brooklyn. It sounds like a good excuse when I phrase it that way, but the truth is that I've had a lot of downtime over this period. And I could have been posting more. I just didn't feel up to it. The transition from west coast to east, student to lawyer, and dating to single left me feeling unmoored. Even though I have wanted to live in New York for years and years, I found it hard to get excited about starting over again. It wasn't that I felt particularly sad or depressed. It more felt like there was this huge mountain in front of me, and I wasn't making any progress climbing it. Usually on J Street, I try to post happy/fun things. And I guess since I didn't feel very happy/fun, even though I have been doing some cool things with friends and family, I just didn't know what to post.

But this weekend and today especially felt like a break in my bleh mood. I've been talking to friends and browsing the internet for things to do this fall, and the thought of all these possibilities made me truly excited to be in New York. Did you know there's only 2 more weekends of the free ferry to Governor's Island? And there's an art installation at the High Line until December of hidden Lilliputs? And the Brooklyn Book Festival is this weekend? And that Sleepy Hallow is a real place and its in New York and has awesome Halloween festivities?!?!

Plus, with the help of many great people (Mom, Dad, Erin, Brittany, Jamie), my apartment actually resembles a home after only a week. I'm still broke with no furniture, but now that I can see the layout, I've got all these great ideas about what to buy to maximize storage in my apartment. (This couch which folds into a bed and has storage under neath and this bed frame with 12 drawers are top on my list to buy once I finally start work.)

So I guess generally what I'm saying is that I'm feeling more positive about life. I am a long way from reaching the top of this mountain that I still see in front of me, but I kind of feel like I was able to look down and realize that I'd come a lot farther than I thought. Hopefully this will result in more blog posting as I regain my motivation and confidence.

PS: This amazing sidewalk fence can be found on the west side of Clinton street just south of Veranda Pl.

4 comments:

Melinda's Musings said...

Sorry to hear you've been in a sort-of-slump... Your post popped up on my Bloglovin' (I added your blog a while back). You're going to love living in New York, there are so many things to do (and lots of them are free or close to free!) Welcome to the neighborhood!

I'm a Brooklyn-based blogger (by night) and childrenswear designer (by day) I blog at Melinda's Musings if you'd like to check it out!

Stephanie said...

two thumbs up!!!

Kate said...

Yay Cara! You made it to NY! Can't wait to see all of your creative craftings in your new apartment - and to see YOU soon! xox Kate

Anonymous said...

Wow it is good to see your blog going again. I'm glad you are starting to feel more settled. Also, looks like you have meta new blogger in your town.
Love,
Mom