Of all the places I've traveled, New York is one of my all-time favorites. I don't think there is any other city that generates such a wild mix of energy, drive and pure magic. Last week, I was lucky enough to tag along with my boyfriend, who was the very proud (and very deserving) winner of a fiction contest with
Poets & Writers magazine. Part of the prize included a paid trip to NYC where he met with agents, publishers and other writers, and conducted a reading at a Soho bookstore:
He was busy most of the time I was there, but I still found lots to do on my own. Just being in the hotel room was luxurious! The magazine put us up at the
Library Hotel which was amazing. They have a beautiful rooftop terrace, breakfast every morning and a wine and cheese reception every afternoon. The rooms were lovely, appropriately decorated with books and book themes:
Once I revived myself from the very long flight it took to get here, I rallied and went out to explore the city!
I walked for miles, just taking it all in. The hotel was, again appropriately, right by the library:
I shopped and explored, hitting up some of my favorite NYC spots
Central Park is always an oasis, beautifully maintained and full of running paths and even a zoo! I also made my way by the Trump Towers and lit a candle at St. Patrick's Cathedral (because I'm still a Catholic girl at heart)
I also got to check out
Zara, a store I'd heard about but never been to. They have some beautiful things, all very affordable!
After shopping and exploring, I made my way back to the hotel to wait for my boyfriend, B, as we were going to the reading and then out to dinner. I had a snack to sustain myself:
And then we were off! I was trying to get a pic of my outfit, which was a camo-style dress from H&M, faux leather jacket, tights, booties and a wide black belt. This was the best I could do:
The reading went very well. We had a great time and it was a full house. I am so proud of this man, he is an amazing writer (not a hack like me) and I know he is going to go places with his talent!
Afterwards we went to dinner at this cool little Soho restaurant called
Mexican Radio. I loved the decor, and the food was absolutely delish!
Even though it was a busy trip, it was so good to spend time in one of my favorite places. When I was 18, I was accepted to college in NYC. I chickened out and didn't go. While wandering the city on my own, I wondered to myself what my life might be like if I'd been braver and more equipped to take on a life here. Where would I be now? WHO would I be now?
I firmly believe that everything works out just the way it's supposed to, and the paths we choose lead us to where we need to be, if we let them. If I'd moved to New York at 18, I wouldn't have my two beautiful kids, wouldn't have the life I've built here, and probably wouldn't have met the love of my life. Sometimes I wish I'd taken more chances in life, but it's okay. Every day is a new beginning and a new start, and it's never too late to do and see the things we dream of. I am here now, and I love my life. When I was ready to find it, NYC was still right there, right where it's always been.
It makes me think of one of my favorite movie monologues, from the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It has always struck a chord with me, and sometimes, when I feel like I am just too old, too tired and too..late to do things, I hear it in my head:
“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you, and I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”
Don't be afraid to get out, explore, take a bite out of that great big apple called life. If there's something you've always wanted to do, do it! It's not too late, it's never too late. As long as you are functioning and breathing, there is always another opportunity waiting, another moment, another chance.
Get into that New York State of Mind every day and live life to the fullest. As far as we know, this is the only one we get. Make the most of it.
