It's hard to believe that I have made it. The various emotions that I have felt over the past ten days has been daunting to say the lease, but the good outweighs the bad. I am blessed with a strong support system of my family and friends, both in Portland and here on the East Coast and am confident that I have made the right decision. Saying goodbye to my family and friends last week was a challenge! Those who know me know that I am mommy and daddy's little girl (and my sister's sister, my brother's sister, and my friend's friend!). My family has supported me over the past twenty-five years in ways I could not be more thankful for. Knowing that they and my friends support me in my endevor means the world to me - in case I didn't say it enough before, thank you!
But saying goodbye had to be done. So I boarded my plane to Seattle at 5:30am on the 19th, tears streaming down my face (I know, what a surprise). I sat by a very uptight and large business man, who I most likely made very uncomfotable due to my overwhelming emotions, and the lady infront of my was afraid that I was crying because I was afraid of flying - ha ha!
But saying goodbye had to be done. So I boarded my plane to Seattle at 5:30am on the 19th, tears streaming down my face (I know, what a surprise). I sat by a very uptight and large business man, who I most likely made very uncomfotable due to my overwhelming emotions, and the lady infront of my was afraid that I was crying because I was afraid of flying - ha ha!
When I got to Seattle, I was still a blobbering mess. I knew that I was tired and hungry, but food just did not sound good and there seemed to be nowhere for me to lay down and relax. Go figure! I was so relieved once it became about time to catch my plane to Newark, to only find out that the flight was delayed 30 minutes...then fifty minutes...then two and a half hours. I admit, it felt like it was the hardest two and a half hours of my life! I felt so alone, sitting there in the airport by myself - all I wanted was the comfort of my family and friends back home. After two and a half hours of constant phone calls to keep me occupied, it was finally time for me to board!
Over the past eight months of flying the same Seattle to Newark flight, there has been this one flight attendant that always seems to be working my flight. I remember when I first met her, I told her how excited I was about moving. Then the second time I told her I was making a quick weekend trip to visit my best friend. The third time I told her I was moving my first load out to my family's house. As I boarded the flight last week, I couldn't hope and pray enough that she was going to be working my flight that would take me to my new city. I walked down the jet-way onto the plane (still in tears) and saw her! She saw me, instantly recognized me, walked over and said "today is the day, huh?" I shook my head signaling yes, and she gave me the biggest hug. It was exactly what I needed - a bit of familiarity and compassion followed by free drinks throughout the entire flight, in between my naps. :-)
I landed in Newark, feeling rejuvenated after finally getting some sleep and food in my system. After me and my Godmother (Amy) stuffed her minivan with my boxes and suitcases, we decided it would be most appropriate to make a quick stop at The Short Hills Mall before heading home for the night. This mall is definitely one of my favorite places to do - it is an absolutely beautiful mall (if there is such a thing). So, we did a little shopping and then enjoyed a glass of wine to cap of the night.
The following day, Friday, I decided to join my cousin and his family and drive down to the Jersey Shore (Lond Beach Island) to find their summer rental house. Despite the freezing temperature, the sun was out and it was a beautiful day. I enjoyed getting to spend time with my cousin, his wife, and their little girl Gina.
Over the past eight months of flying the same Seattle to Newark flight, there has been this one flight attendant that always seems to be working my flight. I remember when I first met her, I told her how excited I was about moving. Then the second time I told her I was making a quick weekend trip to visit my best friend. The third time I told her I was moving my first load out to my family's house. As I boarded the flight last week, I couldn't hope and pray enough that she was going to be working my flight that would take me to my new city. I walked down the jet-way onto the plane (still in tears) and saw her! She saw me, instantly recognized me, walked over and said "today is the day, huh?" I shook my head signaling yes, and she gave me the biggest hug. It was exactly what I needed - a bit of familiarity and compassion followed by free drinks throughout the entire flight, in between my naps. :-)
I landed in Newark, feeling rejuvenated after finally getting some sleep and food in my system. After me and my Godmother (Amy) stuffed her minivan with my boxes and suitcases, we decided it would be most appropriate to make a quick stop at The Short Hills Mall before heading home for the night. This mall is definitely one of my favorite places to do - it is an absolutely beautiful mall (if there is such a thing). So, we did a little shopping and then enjoyed a glass of wine to cap of the night.
The following day, Friday, I decided to join my cousin and his family and drive down to the Jersey Shore (Lond Beach Island) to find their summer rental house. Despite the freezing temperature, the sun was out and it was a beautiful day. I enjoyed getting to spend time with my cousin, his wife, and their little girl Gina.
Over the next three days, I spent a lot of time with my East Coast family: Amy & Joe (my Godparents), Alex & Nick (their two sons), Maria & Ed (my second cousins), and of course some of their friends.
Sunday afternoon, I packed up a few small suitcases and headed into the city! It was so nice to finally be in the city with by best friend. Our first evening in the city was a typical Deanne & Jessica night: we started out going grocery shopping. There are a few differences between a typical Portland grocery store and a typical Manhattan grocery store: (1) there are about ten times the amount of people in each store, (2) the size of the store is about one tenth of a Portland store, (3) the produce isn't as fresh, but (4) the bakery sections are absolutely amazing! Oh how I love New York!
After grocery shopping, we headed out for Chinese food at a place less than a block away - again, I love this city! With food in our tummies, we were ready to go to the movies. Deanne and I had been planning for quite sometime (and when I say "quite sometime," I only mean a few weeks) to go see 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' and the time was finally here! So, I with my Sour Patch Kids and Deanne with her lollipop get settled in. The movie started, and about twenty minutes later, our heads kept turning to each other with fake smiles. Then finally we both agreed: this movie was stupid! We decided to walk the heck out of the theater and get our money back! Since the movie didn't quite work out the way we wanted it to, we both agreed that it would be best to treat each other with some ice cream at one of our favorite places Emack & Bolios (http://www.emackandbolios.com/).
Well friends, that's all for now. I have another 8 days to write about, but honestly, my fingers are needing to take a break! But here's a sneak peak into the next post: interviews, walking around the city in my heels, landing the job, meeting new friends, getting an apartment, and loving it all! XoXo
Well friends, that's all for now. I have another 8 days to write about, but honestly, my fingers are needing to take a break! But here's a sneak peak into the next post: interviews, walking around the city in my heels, landing the job, meeting new friends, getting an apartment, and loving it all! XoXo
