Day 22 (9/5/2016)
It has officially been 3 weeks! To think that 3 weeks ago I woke up at 6am, grabbed my bag, grabbed my boarding pass, and loaded onto a plane is crazy. I'm beginning to feel less alone. Although I don't habitually talk to people here I went to 4 parties this weekend, met people from all over the world, and met even more people who used to live in Salem. I went to NYU with Emily to meet up with Daniel who lived in south Salem, and Joey who is from the Dominican Republic. It was nice to actually have friends here and know that I can text or call them anytime I feel like.

Besides partying I've met up with my boss new a few times (although when I talk about Maps I still say at work”). He showed me the office that I'll be working at, we had lunch, and talked about our aspirations. He's very nice. He left his old secure job to follow his passion of education, which I admire. He has opened many learning institute and makes a killing doing so. He is putting a lot of faith in me solely because of the fact that I made the ballsy decision to pick up everything and move to New York. Although I have spent a lot of time questioning my decision to move here, I am feeling much more secure. I don't know what it was that made me feel better. Yesterday I just stayed home and watched movies and did some chores. Then today, Emily and I went out to breakfast, watched TV, bought some necessities, and did some laundry. Maybe each day feels more like home. Maybe each day I learn something new. Maybe each day really does get better. 

Breakfast was amazing. We went to a little crape/waffle/bagel/drink shop. You get to pick a base and add toppings. I had waffles (of course) with Nutella, whipped cream, and bananas. Ohhhhh my goodness. It was so good. The Nutella was drizzled all over, the bananas were cut into perfect bite size pieces, and the whipped cream was on the side for an eye pleasing effect. To wash it all down I had an ice hot chocolate – that's right. Iced. It tasted exactly like hot chocolate… without the burning effect of 190-degree water.

After breakfast Emily had some work to do from home and I had a nap to take. Moving to a New Place and walking everywhere and being emotionally distressed takes a lot out of you... but it's getting better, and I'm sleeping better, and I'm getting used to walking everywhere; it's been very good for my health. Reaching 10,000 steps almost every day is very satisfying and very healthy. I want to join a gym but right now my priorities are work and school (because I tend to take on too much too soon).

Tomorrow if my first day of work, and I have to say, I’m pretty excited. I’m excited to have a place to go all day, I’m excited to start making money again, I’m excited to be a part of a company that is growing exponentially. I just called mom and talked to her about her day and my day. She’s been sending me pictures of the delicious meal that her and pops cook, I’m jealous, but I’m inspired. I’m continuing to eat healthy so brown rice, chicken, and veggies it is. I got a single serve smoothie maker this morning so I’m going to have a protein and micro-nutrient packed smoothies for breakfast. Dinner might end up being a sandwich on whole grain bread because I’ll get home so late and probably won’t want to cook. So as mom suggested, lunch will be my big meal of the day. It’s nice to be in control of what you buy and – if you eat bad, it’s on you.

It’s funny the things you learn when not living with your parents. You realize that you don’t know everything, and you’re not always right. Hanging out with college kids made me realize how much of a know-it-all I sued to be. College kids act as though because they’re in college that they know everything and have to right to bash anyone with a disagreeing opinion. It’s irritating. And I realize that I used to do that. I used to be that irritating. God, that’s embarrassing.

My roommate and I had a discussion about college and partying. After spending all weekend around drunks, staying out late, and eating crappy food, I realized that this isn’t what I came to New York for. I didn’t come to party, I didn’t come to stay up too late, I didn’t come here to get middle of the night ice cream – that’s what I did in high school. I know that the typical depiction of college is partying, drinking, and having fun. But to me college is a place to meet like-minded people, to learn, and to grow. Now, at parties there are a lot of like-minded people there… however, I’m not one of them. Anyway, some people brought up the point that I’m going to miss out on my college experience. To people who agree with that, I rebuttal: One, I’m not actually in college yet, so when I join a university I’ll be more comfortable going out. Two, just because I don’t want to go to a frat party every weekend doesn’t mean that I won’t go once in a while and doesn’t mean that I’m not going to be social. Last, college to me is a place to figure out what I want to do and what’s important to me. I’d rather focus on my future than the next beer run.

I’m excited and stumped by what the future holds. I’m ready to work, learn, and be a self-sustaining adult. Funny how I have to convince myself to do that last part. No one has ever shared the struggles they endured when moving away from home. But I’m going to. Not just to share with everyone else, but to also keep myself sane. Writing helps. Talking help. And having people close helps.

Tomorrow is a new day. A day where I officially become what I didn’t want to be – a 9-5 worker (actually 10-6). However, it’s necessary, it’s a new chapter, and it’s a start to my future.