Life in the fast lane

Today marks the official two-month anniversary of moving out to the big city. I feel like certain things are becoming the norm for me, and to be honest, it kind of scares me. No longer am I studying a map when jumping on the subway line, but rather I’m simply making my way while not even having a map with me! While at first, the Macy’s store seemed overwhelming and impossible to navigate, now I have no problem making the trip downtown to the store to pick up my makeup or shop for a new pair of shoes. Things that I figured I would never get accustomed to, I am now somewhat taking for granted. The tall buildings and bright lights of Times Square have become an area in which I try to avoid simply because of the heavy traffic of tourists. What have I become?!

I am still mesmerized by the view of the city from the tall buildings, as I have been interviewing at companies directly downtown. Each time I enter the HR office that overlooks the city and sours 30 to 40 floors high, and I hope that the view I am greeted with never becomes old to me. In fact, on more than one occasion I have actually had my ears feel pressure while riding the elevator up to the offices. This is a unique feature of city life that I enjoy.

Alex and I had dinner last week at The Boathouse, a well-known restaurant on the lake in Central Park. It is mostly well-known for its cameos in “Sex and the City,” and is a place I would recommend to anyone visiting the city. The restaurant literally is opened completely and while it is covered overhead, you are practically outdoors. The view on the lake at sunset is amazing, and the food, while on the pricey side, is just as remarkable. When we left the restaurant, I finally experienced Central Park at night. Now I know why it is so dangerous. Although there are lamps lining the paths, they are dim and there are many secluded areas that could encourage dangerous activity. I would recommend not venturing to the park at night, and especially not alone.

We have been fortunate to eat out at several amazing restaurants in the city and have not yet visited the same one twice. One thing I have noticed about restaurants is their need for originality to keep them unique in a city where they are in competition with about 20,000 other eating establishments. For example, at one restaurant we visited, we were given grapes at the end of the meal that had been soaked in a homemade wine. The server brought out the large vase and speared the grapes with a long spear and fed them to everyone in our party. Although they were disgusting, the traditional aspect was amusing. At another restaurant, we were given small desserts and shots at the end of the meal. Again, not the most appetizing selection, but enough to make us remember our visit. Each restaurant we have visited was unique and delicious.

I’m still a sucker for the tourist attractions and hope to see the Statue and go to the Empire State Building soon, but for now, I am living the NYC life like a native.