Remove Your Shoes At The Door

My life has done a complete 180 in the past couple of days. Adjusting to city life has been incredible, stressful, busy, tiring, but fun nevertheless. I've spent the last few days getting oriented to the city. I'm still unsure of where I stand sometimes, but I think that's the fun in this city. I end up walking more than I have too to get my bearings, but in the end I find something I enjoy (i.e. a good restaurant or store). I've also managed to spend more money than any person should for having only been here 4 days. It still feels surreal that this is home for me now, and at times I feel as though I have to still take everything in all at once. I should really slow down, or maybe I've acclamated to the speedy lifestyle New Yorkers are so reknown for.

Perhaps my biggest adjustment has been the intensity of this city. On that note there is a misconception of New Yorkers-- they are not rude. I have yet to come across a rude person, but rather I've met some interesting people often very friendly. Especially when I need a point in the right direction. The city is intense and I can see how you can easily be swallowed up by it. You have to run with the big dogs here, and I already sense a building of confidence just from walking around. No one wants to appear like a deer in headlights-- you're just asking for it if you do.

The biggest frustration so far is the dirty feeling you get when you get back home. You don't want to lay in your bed without taking a shower. Your snot (I know its gross) is black from the dirt you inhale in the subway. Your hands never feel clean and you shuold remove your shoes at the door because chances are you stepped in something you don't want to trek into your room. I feel like showering everything I come back from the city...it is an adjustment though.

My story for today begins outside my apartment: I had just left for the morning with Billy and Jackie who were leaving for Florida. I was clean, showered and in my new white converse. I stepped out onto the sidewalk talking heading toward the subway talking to Billy. The street I live on (St. Felix) is a one way street with cars lining both sides, so when a car cuts through it has to maneuver itself through parked cars. Well two cars were driving down the road one behind the other. The car in front stopped. The car behind it decided to swerve around it to get through. As I was walking on the side walk the car made its way around the other car and sped up. It also managed to hit a puddle of water nicely positioned next to me. Now here's where it gets funny because I swore this only happened in movies. The car hits the puddle with such speed that the puddle ends up all over me wetting my entire leg, drenching my shoes and soaking my shorts. I stood there in disbelief because I didn't think something like that actually happened to people, but I'm a living testament to it. It was actually pretty disgusting because the water left on the street near a gutter isnt exactly the cleanest of waters, but I had to just laugh about it. It was a taste of what the city had to offer.

To paint a better picture if you've ever seen the opening sequence of Sex and The City (you know you've seen an episode or two too). It was just like when Sarah Jessica Parkers character gets wet by the bus turning at the end. However, I refused to let it dampen my day and I knew it would make for a fantastic blog entry. Now I know why back in the day when people used the street as their toilets by throwing their crap onto the streets...the gentleman always walked on the side closest to the street. To protect their lady from the passing horse and buggies.

Lesson learned? Steer clear of puddles and passing cars. Walk further from the street because chances are you may get sh*t on you.