Hasta La Vista, New York!

My favorite view of NYC (Gantry Plaza Long Island City). And as the song goes, "if you can make it here you can make it anywhere."

It's been a month since I left the city of dreams. At first, I would never have imagined that I will be given a chance to live there. I've only heard about New York City from songs, I've only seen it through movies, read it from novels and fast forward 8 years I considered it my second home.

Summer time at Jacob Riis

I have a love/hate relationship with New York. You need to keep up with it-- the hustling and the bustling. It is as lively as it can be and there's tons of things to explore from Coney Island to the tip of Montauk and to the beautiful Niagara falls. There's always something to be excited about. My youthful years were full of first time experiences and I will not trade it for the world. But even with the hyped, there were moments where I just want to disappear from it because it was not always easy. 

TOUGHEN UP, You're up for a ride! Yes, you heard it right. In order for you to survive, you need to learn how to stand up for yourself. This is one of the things New York has taught me: "speak up lady because if not, they'll eat you alive" and I'm not kidding when I say that. From my past work experience, I was always the 'Yes' person, everything is okay, I can do it, etc... but they got me so good that for the last 3 years I gave them my all and accommodated to my boss' needs and what's left for me, exhaustion. So here's to saying, enough is enough, I did love my job but I also love myself.

Flowers bloom at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The day to day hustle in New York is a struggle. You get to meet angry people on the street and they screamed for no reasons at all. You're stuck on the F train for as long as you can remember and what's worse, you're stuck and it's stinky. Instead of counting sheep you start counting rats until your train comes. You need to be physically prepared especially on a rush hour because everyone is pushing. There's always something happening and I must admit it, I'm missing the action. I missed the sound of the sirens, the honks, the chit-chatters, the lame and great performances in the subway, the food stands in every corner, the bodegas, the city itself and it's nooks. In contrary, what I don't miss is how expensive the cost of living there. You really need to work your butt off to be at least comfortable.

Family Portrait at Dumbo, Brooklyn

 But being in New York with millions of people and with a list of things to do, it can also be quite lonely and isolating. It was difficult to get access to friendships because there was always a need of advance planning to get together. That's why, you would have to find your own person in this big city. A very important tip my friend, start making connections with others. Make use of the free activities around the city. Go out and meet like minded individuals where you can share your interests with. Find a solid community where you can practice your faith. Discover new places and you'll learn to enjoy the beauty of solitude. 

You are missed! xoxo, Cham

Personally, I'm beyond blessed to have my family and few close friends with me on my New York journey. It somehow made this entire ordeal easy. But I also commend those who were brave enough to hustle on their own-- you guys are the real troopers!

I can honestly say that living in New York is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It allowed me to come out from my conservative shell and see life evolved with my own two eyes. Things were not always easy, but I managed to juggle. I valued relationships more than ever, the blood and sweat of hard-earned income and a stronger belief of God's purpose for me. And with a happy and contented heart, I'm officially taking a break from my New York chapter.  Off to a new adventure!