And today marks living in New York in one month!
Thoughts:
- People here are super ambitious (Perfect for a Slytherin like me)
- People are competitive (Not a fan of actually)
- The pace here is rapid - do or die. (Love this, I enjoy a challenge and action)
- Don't follow traffic lights apparently (WHY. WHY WHY WHY.)
- The UN is everything and nothing that I thought it would be (Interesting read: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jun/04/working-for-the-united-nations-power-privilege-principles-philanthropy)
- People here are kind (no matter what anyone says, I will stand hard by this statement)
- It's a glamorous, bright, beautiful city (Adore this, love going out and doing stuff)
- It's a city that will make you grow up quickly (Gain street smarts-quick).
Most importantly:
- You can indeed live off $1 pizza, don't let anyone tell you otherwise
It's amazing. I've been here for a month already but it feels like quite longer. With all the things I've done, experienced, even giving people directions and tips on what they should do in New York, It's made me really feel, not quite a "New Yorker," but ... one of them. I don't know if that makes sense or not but I do feel like I've integrated well but still kept a lot of the optimism that I came here with.
I know my limits - but I also know my strengths. One of them is the persistence and endurance I have in being enthusiastic and excited. I know I can do it and I will. I will maintain my enthusiasm throughout all of this, not just because it is a good thing, but because it is the right thing - at least for me. People nowadays, I personally find, are too easily jaded, brought down and give up way too quickly. Passion, my friends, that is what will change the world.
Never let your passion go out.
I never want to let my passion go out. I always have my feet planted in two places, the future and the present to move me forward. The past is what it is and having my foot planted there will do nothing for me. All I can do is reflect. Looking forward, I can be optimistic because I know I am in control of shaping my own future (with some limitations) and it makes me optimistic.
I'll let you guys here in on my little secret, on two very personal (Seriously, these are my deep feelings) words that drive me.
Personally, I will always follow my own two philosophies every day to keep me motivated (and sane). These are two words that have stuck with me throughout part of high school and all the way through university.
The first is the Greek word, Ἀρετή, or in English, Arete. Which means virtue and excellence. With virtue, even beyond having high moral standards, I believe it is the integrity behind it. Actions reflect intentions. My sense of integrity leads my intentions which form my actions. Excellence; excellence in everything I do. Why would I try half as hard when I know I could try and give it my 100%? Why wouldn't I ever want to give my 100%? I believe that people deserve my 100%. No matter how big a dick, jerk or whatever they are, I give them my excellence. Because when I give them my 50%, it doesn't reflect off them, it reflects off me. In a world where so many people work so hard, I cannot take my life and my opportunities for granted. I know I must keep working hard.
These two philosophies drive every action I take. They guide my work, my ethics and my life. I want to be better and to strive for excellence. And that, my friends, is how I keep my upbeat and enthusiastic demeanour, even through the toughest times (I'm also trying to work on my poker face).
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| Worst thing to ever wake up to in the morning. A bunch of floats and people yelling. |
Now that I've opened my soul a bit to everyone here, let me tell you what you actually wanted to hear and what you came here for; what I did today.
To be completely honest, it wasn't much! I wanted to take a very chill day today after the hectic, go out every night week that I just had. I had things to do, blog posts to write, people to catch up with, so I ended up staying home for most of the day.
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| Yet another street festival! |
I wanted to sleep in this morning, but unfortunately... there was a parade practising on the streets. Actually. It was a Philipino Independence day parade... and I don't think I've ever hated drums or upbeat music more in my life. I ended up waking up at around 8 even though I was exhausted and just put my arm over my ear (it actually worked, surprisingly).
I ended up getting up pretty early still, I wanted to go to the Botanical gardens up in the Bronx,unfortunately, it was raining so hard... I had to bail.
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| TIMMY'S! |
I ended up going for a bit of a walk anyway (Hey, it's New York and it's gorgeous) and went to buy some groceries at my favourite Trader Joe's!
As I was walking downtown... I found A TIM HORTON'S!!!! Okay, well not a Tim Horton's specifically, but it was a place that sold a bunch of Tim's stuff. Just down my street.
It was meant to be.
I also ran into more street festivals, and, don't get me wrong, I'm still pleasantly surprised and happy with them, but I feel like they happen too often, which makes them less special AND not to mention it's always the same vendors. But it was nice to see regardless.
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| Here I am. Writing to you. |
I headed over to Trader Joe's and, as usual, it was packed with people. As soon as I was finished with my groceries, holy crap, were there an insane amount of people standing under the onning.
It was pouring rain. Cats and dogs people, cats and dogs.
I ended up walking back home anyway because I had an umbrella and only my feet got wet which was okay. As soon as I got home, I did my laundry, cooked up a storm (lol not really, I just eat dip and chips nowadays) and just relaxed. Talked to my roommate a bit before she left and here I am now. Sitting on my computer on a Sunday night, writing something (hopefully) enjoyable for my friends to read.
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