Welcome to the neighborhood

I moved into my apartment today! OK, apartment isn't the right word. It's a student and intern house - so, basically a dorm. Now, this dorm living is new for me. I skipped that rite of passage and went straight to apartments when I went to college. So, sharing a room is going to take a little getting used to.      Luckily, the nice office-woman-in-charge said my room is the largest on the floor, so me and whoever the girl is living with me will get our space. Also, there's two windows, which makes it super light and we're on the eighth floor, which gives a great view and not quite so close to street noise (but come on, it's Manhattan, you'll always hear street noise).

Today was pretty full. This weekend I stayed at Joe and Joy's (which was SO AWESOME! I love my family!), so this morning was an early start followed by lots and lots of Ruby time! She is the cutest little girl in the world and I LOVE playing with her. She's hilarious and I laugh and smile the whole time I'm with her. Dad has been here lending a hand to the J's as they make the transition from parents-of-one to parents-of-two. I lucked out that Dad was still here when I flew in and let late this afternoon, which meant he helped move me in to my building and help get me set up. Having Dad help me move in really really meant so much. I've never had a parent move me to school or anywhere before, so it was nice to get help with my millions of giant bags, help me explore my neighborhood and grocery shop with me.

After our very-pointless-and-utterly-boring orientation that didn't even apply to us students staying on the East Side (the rest of the students are staying on the UWS). Two of the other girls and I went around getting things we needed, checking out where we needed to go the next day and falling more and more in love with the city, even with the drizzle and gray today. We ate at this restaurant nearby called Barking Dog. I should have taken a picture of my food for Dad - but it was kind of dark in there and my phone was about to die...  But I had this really good salmon and avocado fettuccine. It was a fun little find on the first night.

Now, I'm back in my room. Tomorrow is the first day of my internship. I've unpacked, checked Hop Stop for how to get there, made my list of what I need to get after work and am here writing to you all. And to be honest, feeling a little sad. I love New York. This really is my favorite place in the world and I cannot believe I get to live here. The room doesn't really feel homey yet, and maybe having my Dad drop me off transported me back to being 18 and away from home for the first time on that first night of Freshman year living in the dorm. I'm excited for this new adventure, though. I am SO SO SO grateful for the people that helped me transition here - Joy for being there for me WAY MORE than she'll ever know (for real, this woman brings tears to my eyes), Joe for always looking out for me and to both of them for teaching me how to be a New Yorker, Mom for talking me through crises and Dad for being my moving buddy today and sharing this experience with me. If you couldn't tell from my Academy Award-like Thank You speech - I love my family a lot and it's so comforting to know I have them by my side to love and support me, whether it's three subway stops away or a three hour plane ride away.