If you'd like to contact me: TMF222@NYU.EDU
Real World, Update 3 of 3
July 8, 2004 - 2:38 pm
Previous, Real World, Update 2
It took a while to get used to the apartment. Even though I technically had two roommates, I still felt alone, because I hadn't known them for very long. Plus, they were never home. I literally never saw Ryan when he lived there (he moved out about a week and a half after I moved in). Getting an apartment by myself was the last thing I wanted to do, but my friends had other plans. Living in an apartment without my friends was the hardest part in the beginning (not anymore). The only other negative is the size. The apartment as a whole isn't that small, but my room is SO tiny. It's about the size of a jail cell (well, maybe a little bigger). I do not have a closet, which has been a challenge.
All in all, I love my apartment though. I know how lucky I am to have it, because all of my other friends either live outside of Manhattan or in Harlem or above. If I would have gotten an apartment with a friend I definitely wouldn't be in such a GREAT location. My rent is great too (for Manhattan). So, here's a description of my apartment...It is technically a 2 bedroom apartment, but it's been converted into a 3 bedroom. My room is the one that was converted. We have a full bathroom with a tub and lots of shelving space in the shower. We also have a full kitchen with everything. We have a tiny table with 2 chairs that sits by the fridge. The kitchen merges with the living room area, which is about to go under a semi-major renovation (hopefully). Right now we have a very uncomfortable chair, end table, and entertainment center in the living area. There is also some stuff that the former tenants left behind (which Roy refuses to get rid of). My roommates names are Roy and Natasha. Natasha moved in during the week I was back in Iowa (around the first of June). We want to get rid of the carpet in the living area and put down a hardwood floor. Then we want to get a futon (and get rid of the uncomfortable chair and the stuff that doesn't belong to us). Natasha is having a tough time financially right now (and I really don't have any money either), so the redesign will probably be on hold for a while. We also need to get some more shelving or cabinets in the kitchen. That's basically it. Oh, I live on the second floor, so only one flight of stairs to walk up. The apartment has a really high ceiling (which is what allowed Duane and my grandpa to build such a tall bookcase). It is also conveinent for my loft bed, because it leaves quite a bit of space between the bed and the ceiling. I have a rod above my bed that I hang my coats and sweaters on; very conveinent. Oh, there is a cat that lives in my apartment too. Her name is Koonky (pronounced coo-n-key). Oh, I just thought of something else. In terms of utilities and such, we have everything! It was already set up when I moved in. I didn't have to deal with cable guys or confusing phone calls. All I had to do was plug things in. We have very high-speed internet (no dial up bullshit and no DSL) and cable television, both from Time Warner Cable. The cable TV is awesome. I have practically every channel, including multiple Showtimes, HBOs and the other movie channels. My room came fully equipped with its own air conditioner. And I guess water is always free in New York City. I never realized that before.
Like I said, my location is excellent. I live right on the fabulous 42nd street. I hardly ever have to take the subway anymore, because I'm close to everything. I'm next door to my favorite movie theater. I get to walk to and from work everyday, which also means I get to walk through Times Square twice everyday. I absolutely love that! Times Square is my favorite part of the city. It's always busting with people and even on the sunniest of days, it is still the brightest and shiniest part of the city. So, that's my apartment. You must be so jealous! =)
In terms of adjusting to the 'real world', I don't feel that different yet, even though I'm working full time and making more money. It just feels like summer, and plus, the thought of graduation still seems very surreal to me. When fall rolls around, I'm sure things will start to feel weird, especially when some of my other friends that haven't graduated yet go back to school. I definitely have more bills now and even more to come. I'm starting to stress a little about my school loans. I haven't consolidated them yet, but whatever the payment ends up being, it'll be too much.
Since I'm working so much, I've found that I can't stay up as late as I used to. I also feel like I have no free time anymore. As soon as I get home it seems like it's already time to start the 'getting to bed' process. I guess that's part of the real world too. I find myself wishing everyday that I was back in Iowa, camping at Windmill Lake or picnic-ing at the Lake of Three Fires or Bibbins Park. I'm going to miss the Taylor County Fair for the first time ever this year (yes, that SADLY means the derby too). I would only be able to come home for the weekend, and that just isn't long enough. I'll probably go home around Labor Day. Hopefully I'll be in a position where I can stay home for a couple weeks (or longer). I should be between jobs (unless I get myself trapped, which very well may happen). I'm nervous about my upcoming job dilema. I don't really want to go into too many details about it. I really feel like I'm ready to move on though, but the whole interviewing process stresses me out like no other. I hate interviews! You think I'd be a pro at it by now after going to SO many seminars my senior year and taking that interviewing class (plus all the interviews I've done). I learned some helpful tips, but that's about it. Blah...I keep telling myself to enjoy the process and that it's exciting trying to find the next best thing and that it'll be one step closer to where I want to be and yadda yadda yadda. I'm just hoping it'll go smoothly. I'll actively start the whole process at the end of July.
Things are going better now than they were shortly after graduation. I still feel incredibly confused about life and whether what I'm doing is necessary and/or correct. I don't think I'll ever stop asking myself that question. Other things though, like not living with friends, has gotten a lot easier. It REALLY bothered me in the beginning, especially when I would go to Cherish and Courtnie's place. They have a SUPER great apartment and they get to see each other all the time. And Blake and everyone else stops by a lot. It made me jealous, even though they live in Harlem (a place I don't think I could live). However, Natasha is so awesome. Roy is never home, so I rarely speak to him (even though we've spoken quite a bit lately). Natasha moved here from the midwest, and that is very fun for me. She's never lived in New York before. We compare things all the time. She often asks me for advice on New York things (and sometimes just things in general), which is also fun. We girl talk all the time. She is very animated and expressive, and she isn't afraid to admit when she doesn't know something. She isn't very shy either. I totally love that she's my roommate, and I'm sure we are going to be real good friends. I really like the cat too, even though I would totally rather have a little dog. She's been kind of a pain lately, because she's in heat (or at least that's what we're assuming). All she does is cry and roll around on the floor.
It's been a while since I updated my site, and that's mostly because I have no time. What free time I have, I usually just relax and take it easy. I have a ton of ideas of what I want to change and/or add, but I have software difficulties. I really want photoshop and dreamweaver, but I can't afford to buy them new. I will be adding things soon though, so keep checking. I plan to add some more pictures soon. Also, I added a guest book. Hopefully you noticed that by now. It isn't the best form of commenting, but this will work for the time being. So, if you have any comments (general or specific), sign the guest book.
Tootles for now!
