this week marks my junior year in new york. i passed the official two-year mark on september 3rd. last year was a pretty special one, filled with many milestones and plenty of hiccups. i try and keep my blog pretty upbeat, in order to focus on the positive and weed out the negative. but trust me, there are plenty of new york, um, eccentricities that leave little to be desired. which is precisely why i try never to mention them. not in an attempt to be smug or boastful, but to look on the bright side.
here is the long and short list of my sophomore year in new york:
* i started a new job, with the hopes of making progress towards my dream.
* i chopped off about 12 inches of hair that i had been growing since i was 18.
* i changed my hair color three times, after almost 6 years of being a platinum blonde. it took me turning 25 to realize that the color of your hair, really, isn't that important. and that it is better to be kind to it.
* i married the man of my dreams on a farm in georgia and shared that day with the people i love most in this world. and i can't believe he's mine for keeps. best thing that has ever happened to me.
* i learned that maybe i'm not a big city gal after all. it took moving to park slope to remember how much i love the smell of trees, quiet and polite neighbors, and a sense of community. and farmhouse sinks are a mighty good cure-all.
* i knitted my man a hat, after years of his pleading. i used a nifty knitter, which is probably considered cheating by purists... but i don't really care. i find it therapeutic and rewarding, two things which are awfully hard to beat.
* i remembered how much i love to draw. it is one of my biggest passions, and this summer re-ignited my curious little right hand. i don't claim to be good at it, but it wakes something inside of me.
* i witnessed a true fashion fairytale unfold for a 14 year old girl, made possible by a crew of kind-hearted fashion heavy-hitters, and one outstanding fairy godmother. made me believe in miracles and restored my faith in humanity.
* i started telling people in my industry how much i respect their work, instead of pretending not to know who they are when they come in my store. i don't want to act blasé or unaware when accomplished photographers, designers, or stylists come in. i grew up wanting to be in the fashion industry more than anything, and i think it is ok to thank the trailblazers... for just giving young people hope that one day they can accomplish their dreams and passions. and maybe that makes me horribly uncool, but that is fine with me.
and for my 3rd year, i hope to...
*redevelop my portfolio and improve certain areas of weakness. i want this to be a year of moving beyond treading water.
* help my boss lady nurture this incredible non-profit she has been helping to develop. she has a wonderful cause that i can't wait to lend a helping hand toward!
* become a master of soups, stews, and broths. my momma is sending me a soup pot, so i will learn how to procure some delicious and hearty cold-weather meals.
* save up enough to buy a white kitchenaid mixer. at some point i will no longer be paying two rents and paying off remaining wedding fees. 'til then, a gal can plan accordingly...
* craft my halloween costume... and maybe organize some sort of halloween shindig.
* sew my wedding quilt and finish all my thank-you letters.
* start an etsy shop and maybe one day, have a brick and mortar shop.
* grow my hair long enough to pull it back into a pony tail. i know this sounds horribly shallow, but i miss long hair. i am aiming for waist-length, but i think i might be about 3 years away...
there is much, much more but i think i should start small. and stick to baby steps. after all, a dear friend of mine always reminds me, "slow and steady wins the race".
