What a great week it has been; even though I did NOTHING on my NYC activity list! Here is what happened instead…

• The move-in was really easy. I arrived around 2:30 and had all my “stuff” in my room by 4pm. The house is fully furnished so it was really easy to pack only clothes and toiletries. I quickly rinsed off and headed out to dinner with a friend I had not seen for a couple of years. We met at a great little Italian restaurant in the Upper West Side. It was terrific to catch up!
• Monday through Wednesday was work and sleep. Similar to the back and forth I have experienced for a several years going to and from suburbia. The most significant difference between now and the commute from the past, which I consider a great motivator, is seeing the NYC skyline and the Hudson on the way out of the city and knowing I will see it again on my way home. It is amazing!
• Wednesday night I received a visit from someone very special in my life. I picked him up at Penn Station and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Citron which is also in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
• Friday night I met up with an old childhood friend and his girlfriend. Again on the Upper West Side! This time we met at a great Indian restaurant. The food in NYC is excellent! Catching up with him and re-living some great stories was wonderful!
• Today is Saturday and I explored Harlem; the area of Manhattan I am living in. There are so many interesting shops and eateries here. The people are friendly. I have been really pleased with the surroundings. There is such a stigma around “Harlem” and I am looking forward to dispelling that stigma among my circle of friends. Tonight I will be attending a charitable dance to raise to raise money for The Hunger Project. Later on I will pick up my friend at Newark airport who is coming in from Canada on business. We will enjoy a fun and exciting Sunday in the city.

Initially I was quite disappointed that I had not completed any of my list of NYC activities for this past week. My post was going to focus on my planner vs “go with the flow” attitude. After recapping my week above, I can say it was exciting! I spent a lot of time with people who have been a part of my life. So what, I did not experience the activities! That’s OK because I experienced something else much more important, deepening the bond with those I care about.

I could not wait to get out of bed this morning. The anticipation and excitement for my move into NYC is about to explode!!

It was 6 am when I literally tossed the sheets over and jumped out of bed. Over the past week I have been carefully packing all those things that I believe I can’t live without so I don’t have too much to pull together. Just need to pack up the car. Arrival time in NYC is 1 pm so I can relax and enjoy my last morning in Suburbia.

After a light breakfast with my daughter and  a quick run on the towpath along the Lehigh River, I have settled in at the local coffee shop and am watching families roll in to enjoy breakfast and possible kick-off their Mother’s Day celebration. There is a mix of chaos and love that is both annoying and fascinating. I have forgotten how much little kids like to sneak away as a form of asking for attention. Very cute! As I sit and watch a live modern version of “Family Circus” unfold, I can’t help but wonder what I will be observing the next time I post from a small coffee shop in NYC. What will it be like? I will soon find out…

Today I accomplish another milestone in my life. To ALL my readers, take a moment and make a promise to yourself  to live your life to the fullest. Make a conscious choice to always come from a place of contribution and love and only use fear to understand what your needs are.  I am so excited! I am moving into one of the greatest cities in the world – New York City.