First Impressions

After our first two weeks in the city, the boys and I have headed back to North Dakota to spend some time with family before needing to go back and get the boys into routine for the fall.  The week and a half here have been a time of answering lots of eager questions which has led to reflection on our first city experiences.

I will admit that stepping into the apartment caused a prolonged period of nausea.  We had seen it once for about 7 minutes so I knew it was small, but the 6 weeks since that time had caused it's spaciousness to grow in my mind. Needless to say, I was quite caught off guard by how quickly the walls appearred in my line of vision as the boys and I entered our new abode.  I cannot even think of  an adequate way to descripe what it is like to move from 3800 square feet to 446 square feet. Simply put, we have moved into the living room of our house.  Fortunately we had sold off most of our earthly possessions prior to this point and everything we were bringing fit into a 5x7x9 "pod", however I am not convinced that even that amount of things will fit comfortably.  However, our things had not arrived prior to this trip, so this remains to be seen!

One of the most common questions that I am asked is what do I like most/least about living in the city.  I like the people around.  Even though I am an introvert, I like to be out and watch the people and feel their energy.  And the people there are fascinating; the languages to figure out, the clothes to question the wisdom of or to take notes from, their responses to their environment all just amaze me endlessly.  My favorite are the professional women in their suits and dresses who ride their razor scooters out and about.  The first time I saw a woman in a little black dress and heels riding a scooter I thought what a cool mom to humor her son like that, but then she hopped off and her doorman opened the door for her as if it were an everyday occurrence.  And she isn't the only one I've seen do that.  I envy the balance they must have to do that in heels.  I like the produce stands on every corner, and the street vendors with hot dogs pretzels and kebabs and gyros (I'm on a huge Middle Eastern food kick right now).  I love how excited my boys get to ride the water taxi to IKEA in Brooklyn, how even Davin cries "statue" when he sees either the real or a replica of the Statue of Liberty.  I love the new Fairway that opened up around the corner.  I could spend hours wandering around their basement level looking at all their fun foods (I love grocery shopping!)  I like having Starbucks right across the street, and watching the crowd of people sitting at it's outdoor patio at night with their faces lit up by the glow of their computers.  It's great to walk three blocks and reach a drug store, many restaurants, clothing stores, yoga studios and fitness centers, a grocery store, post office and car rental location.  I like the signs that are about, such as the 99 cent store with the numbers 49 cents, 59 cents, etc all over their store front, and than in small letters on the front of the building it says everything is over 99 cents.  Talk about false advertising!  And the clothing wash and fold place named "Surprise Cleaners".  I always wonder what the surprise might be when I walk by there.  It also makes me excited who I might see when I walk by portable movie sets on the street. I am eagerly awaiting my first celebrity sighting!

There are also things I don't like, or have yet to get used to.  The big one being the prices.  The first time I saw a 12 pack of soda for $7.49 I thought it had to be a joke.  And the carton of generic juice for $4.79 can't be right either.  I could go on and on with the prices that give me heart failure, but you get the picture!  Sleeping in a full bed pushed against the wall because our bedroom is barely bigger than the bed is another adjustment that will take some time to get used to. I don't enjoy lugging a stroller with a sleeping kiddo in it up and down subway stairs, or herding small children and a stroller into a crowded train.  Schlepping is a pain: I am the type to pack a light bag and keep the non-essentials in the car for if circumstances arise where I need them.  I don't enjoy having to carry every possible thing I might need for the day with me because I can't run out to the car or quick run home to get it if needed.  And along that same page I miss having a car.  I loved my Subaru, and I haven't found it more convenient to walk store to store getting what I need and piling it on the stroller and then face lugging it up two flights of stairs when we return.  I liked piling everything in the back of the car and pulling into the garage to leisurely unload.  Although I will admit that I am much more environmentally friendly these days. : )  There is also the frequent odor of dog urine as you walk around the city which is not very pleasant.  I don't really like to hail taxis yet, I feel kind of stupid standing on the side of the road with my arm waving in the air yelling at cars.  Hopefully that will get better with time.

Needless to say that amidst the culture shock there has been both pleasant surprises (gyros!), and some expected and unexpected frustrations.  Overall I find the city is more kid friendly than I expected, which is breaking down one of my city stereotypes.  People overall have been nicer than New Yorkers are being credited for being.  Our fellow apartment dwellers frequently will help me with the door or stroller, and the majority of the time we get on the subway, somebody will get up so the boys and I can sit down.  But I still am adjusting to the extremely small place we call home, and am learning to find the convenience part of my new ways of running errands.  But God keeps quietly reminding me that He will take care of us, and that this is where we are called to be right now.  So right now I am enjoying the wide open spaces of North Dakota, savoring this time with my family and friends, having faith that our house will sell, and preparing to return to the city with a heart and mind open to adventure!