DAY 17
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge
Yep—I'm baack!And this time around, it felt different. True, I was still concerned about establishing a career, finding an apartment, and being able to pay rent, but, Lily Pond Lane proved to be the breathtaking and inspiring welcome back to the city was once tough and brutal yet also brimming with opportunities and possibilities….. When I moved to New York the first time around, my first few days were marked with the stress of 1) Finding a decent bed without busting my budget; 2) Finding a job ASAP—that aforementioned 'budget' was definitely NOT going to last until next month's rent is due, and 3) Adjusting to being away from my then boyfriend (now husband) after seeing each other almost everyday prior to moving.
The difference between then and now is that I no longer feel so small in this big city. I have higher expectations around me and of people, which in turn, pushes me to step up and pick up the pace (I have to deliver!).
And, of course, change happened when I decided to PRIORITIZE and TAKE A BREATHER—which I've written about in my Time Out, New York post.
Image courtesy of Vanguardist.org.
OH Mariel I am so happy to learn this from you! Hubby's wish to move over there seems a huge step, scare me to death! Honestly I don't know if ever ends will meet if it happens.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow I wish you more success as always! We miss you in Manila.
http://ems-express.blogspot.com
Cheers,
Thank you, Emily! :) Aww, don't worry, I'm sure you two will manage just fine and will enjoy the challenge!
ReplyDeleteOoh, can you email me at mariel.chua@gmail.com please? I'm looking for a beauty blogger for an assignment :)
Oh wow, I'm so glad to see you're happier this time. I have great faith that you'll do just as great as you were in Manila. :) God bless!
ReplyDeleteAlamo Mariel, I've been following your blog since Chocolate Soundboard because your (writing) voice is so honest. I felt like I was going through the journey with you during your NY Round 1 - and rooting for you! - which is why blogs where the author still really writes have always appealed to me. You really handled everything with a lot of grace and humor. I really admire how you've gone back to the city for Round 2. You really want it, and I admire pluck like that. And as with your other readers, I am, naturally, still rooting for you.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you, Anna! How heartfelt naman your comment, I'm so touched. I can't believe you've been reading my blog since Chocolate Soundboard! Thanks so much for the happy words and for always having rooted for me :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Teeyah! :) The vacation really, really helped! Of course I still have stressful days, but overall, things are lighter and happier (and they usually only get stressful by my own doing, haha). And, my Lola—who always prays for me—is malakas kay God!