The dust is beginning to settle and I can see that I'm not in Kansas anymore, Toto. Two weeks have gone by in the space of one deep breathe.
Along with the shock of arriving, that nasty voice of doubt crept in whispering "what if's". "What if you show work to 500 stores and NONE of them accept it?" "What if I go to the trade show and sell nothing?" "What if...." Well, sweetheart, obviously, the answers is: you'll figure it out.
I found my sublet to be extremely cute: tin ceilings, two fireplaces, an exposed brick wall, old sunken wood floors, tall windows... unfortunately it was filthy and the guy renting it left ALL of his personal belongings here. Luckily, after a few days of struggle, he actually moved out. Of course, he did not clean. The layers of sticky dust on every surface and strip of molding were appalling. The packed, crusty dirt in every corner was horrific. Mama came to the rescue and flew out for a visit. Together we scrubbed. Then we payed a visit to Target and came home with cute lamps and rugs and dishes. Before long we turned the sticky mess into a comfortable, adorable home.
Mom and I went into the city to visit a metal supplier and jewelry display store. We ended up wandering the Upper West Side, and going to the New York City ballet. We saw three short performances: a modern, colorful and energetic piece, a traditional Tchaikovsky, and finally a creative 1920's ballroom dance-ballet. Over the course of the week, we ate some of the most incredible pizza either one of us had ever had. We looked at architecture in Brooklyn Heights. We worked on preparing the trade show booth, and discovered some boutiques that would be excellent venues for selling my work. We walked a lot and explored the Subway. Saturday morning, leaving a cute apartment and a fridge full of food, mom headed to he airport and I set out (again with a giant rolling suitcase) to do my first flea market in Williamsburg (a trendy-hipster neighborhood in the North of Brooklyn).
Now it is Monday morning, following a full weekend: two days working a flea market and a very late night out to a bbq at the apartment of a study abroad friend. Taking a moment to reflect over a cup of Earl Gray, I remember last March. Just a few months ago, I visited the city, "fell in love" and imagined what it would be like to move here. Now the dream has been realized, and reality is scarier, more overwhelming, but so much better than the dream.
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ReplyDeleteSo glad I had the opportunity to stay in Brooklyn or I would have missed some of the most beautiful brownstone architecture in New York and the well designed Prospect Park and BEST pizza! Pizza shops are as frequent as Starbucks in Seattle. It didn't take me long to find the best coffee shop, Connecticut Muffin for a daily espresso or an afternoon indulgence, a slice of lemon yogurt cake, yum! Oh and an amazing shoe store, Eric/Girl on Seventh. One rainy afternoon I spent quite some time trying on shoes. I took Britta back for a second opinion thinking she'd talk me out of a few pair but she liked them all too! So they shipped them home. How did you know Katie?
ReplyDeleteWalking over the Brooklyn Bridge into NYC was a nice way to enter the city. The first street corner across the bridge was the City Hall Park with a farmers market loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers and of course grand brilliant architecture everywhere I looked. I even recognized the Woolworth building I studied in art history a few decades ago. Transportation by walking and subway is efficient and speedy. I had to remind myself Britta had arrived only days before me but it seemed like she was a local as she navigated us around on her iPod in the middle of Manhattan. She and her friends Aly and Amber, night or day found the nearest subway, restaurant or whatever we needed promptly. Next time I'm in NYC I'll try this navigation on my Blackberry.
I left NY eagerly planning my return trip to explore more Manhattan neighborhoods. Next visit I'll stay in the city and visit Britta when busy schedule allows. No doubt she has many exciting options developing with her optimistic outlook and talents in jewelery designs and the arts. She's not afraid to take a risk, accept failure, work diligently and SUCCEED. So I've been convinced to be more expansive and take risks after this visit. I don't know about other mother/daughter relationships but I'm glad we are learning from and teaching each other. Really since she was a new born I've been observing and learning from her. Thanks Britta!
See You soon! Love Mom