I realized I have not updated my blog in almost 5 months!!! I have been soaking life in here, in NYC, one can easily lose sight of many things. NYC is a vivacious city that has a never ending heartbeat.
The last couple of months have been a journey. God has really been using this time to shape me and to strengthen my character. For two months this summer I worked at Westpoint Military Base representing LIS. LIS is the translation company I work for in the area of arabic translation. I learned so much about myself, about others, the US Army, and I learned more and more about God. It was difficult, it was not an easy journey. However, I know I am the type of learner that needs things in my face to understand it, internalize it and implement it in my life. Without going into details, I learned to be more reserved with allowing "friends" into my life. The world can be a dark place and many people have everything BUT your best interest in mind. Learning who I can trust and who I can't was a big lesson. Thus, I am stronger through it and my true friends surfaced amid the clouds of confusion. In bittersweet news, I lost both my grandmas within a span of one month. One month prior to that I lost my uncle to cancer. So in 3 months I lost 3 members of my family. Two of them I lost to cancer and the other one to dementia. It has been hard to deal with because my grandma who died of cancer was my second mother. She was everything amazing in life. I am honored to have known a woman as selfless as her. A woman that loved no matter who tried to bring her down, she loved anyways. So the last 3 months have been overwhelming and I have been trying to stay afloat. I tell you though nothing screams "live everyday like your last" until you are at a funeral looking at the cold dead body of the once lively and passionate person that you loved.
Grad School. Well I got accepted to Grad School. The New School accepted me into their MS Urban Policy and Management Program. Fantastic private school and program, however it is $60k for the MS for two years. So after the deaths in my family, I decided to take some time to heal. Take some time to wait on God and see what he opens for me. I felt a heavy burden about the New School so I am waiting of God to see what else he presents. I applied to Hunter College as well, I find out in November if I am accepted or not to start Spring 2010. It would be a MS in Urban Affairs with a concentration in Policy and Non Profits. It would cost a lot less and I would be able to obtain my Masters in an intense year program. So we shall see...
In current affairs, I am off to Turkey and Lebanon tomorrow. I am thrilled!!! I will be exploring Turkey, solo, and visiting Lebanon for the first time. I can hardly wait. It is a much needed vacation. I love to travel and explore this incredible world God has cultivated. I am looking forward to growing more in my character and becoming more and more the woman I am intended to be....
I will be updating this more often, so stay tuned....
Monday, September 14, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Update For my Loved ones!
"Dont let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach. The way you live. In your love. In spirit. In your faith and purity." (1st Tim 4:12)
This quote has become my reality here in NYC. Really living a life that is going to be revolutionary, passionate and loving towards the kingdom of God and his people. I realized I have not written in a long time, but I have been inundated with my job the last couple of weeks. The Times Square Arts Center has been taking much of my time. Typically my day would start around 9am and end around midnight. For about two weeks straight this was my reality. So naturally the time I had to myself all I indulged in was slumber! Let me explain a little of what I do at the Times Square Arts Center. Allow me to paint a picture. During the day I sit in a tiny office overlooking Times Square. I swear the window is bigger than the office space itself. During the afternoon I network with Universities, Artist, Record Labels, and any other client who is interested in performing at our theater. During the evening I work whatever show is happening. I make sure things run smoothly and provide support to servers and such. It has been remarkable. I have networked so much and met so many different people. I love the diversity I come across everyday in NY. I love to see the way God is working in this vivacious city.
Most recently I organized a fundraiser for a non-profit organization that is near and dear to me. 1well.
You can check out the organization at www.1well.org. It is an organization that stands for basic human rights which include: water, food, education, sanitation and housing for all Gods creation. They also have small projects people can take ownership of and fundraise for. I think it is phenomenal when you put the power into the hands of the people. Often times people can not fathom the type of influence and power they have to change the world. Normally people think that making a small difference will not affect the big picture, but it does in God's eyes. If we take a step back and look and the revolutionary people in history that have changed the world it's amazing. What if those individuals thought "Oh I can't make a difference" then the world would not be what it is today. God is specific is reaching out and letting us know that all we do, big or small, should be for the glory of this kingdom. "And because the end of age does not result in the destruction of the earth, but rather in it's renewal, we can be confident that our labor is not empty of significance" (Mike Erre, Death by Church).
Anyhow I hosted this fundraiser by selling tickets for a comedy show at the Times Square Arts Center for $20 bucks a ticket. Here is the flyer I created and marketed.
$15 of the $20 went to the project I was taking on in Nokna Village, India. I raised $1,005 dollars that is going to build a water well in the village that will benefit 60 families who now do not have to walk 2-4 hours a day for clean water. It was successful and God provided in tremendous ways. Because I did not know too many people in NYC and the event was that successful, it was all God not me.
In other fantastic news I found an amazing church here in NYC. Its called New York Church International. www.nyci.org. It is fantastic. We meet at a popular venue on Sundays, The Director's Guild Theater.
It is crazy because they usually have screenings and such on Sundays but they cancelled all of them to let our church meet. God is so awesome!! Also, I found a lifegroup within NYCI here that I absolutely adore. To me church means community everyday, not just a building and not just on Sundays. It is everyday life. This church exemplifies that notion and I am excited to join in the work God is already doing here. We meet every other Friday in Columbus Circle area (which I love out here, its soooo awesome). I have bonded with them right away. We went to a Broadway play together last week which was a ball. We saw the play South Pacific! It was a fantastic Broadway show.
The first Broadway show since I have been living in NY. I have seen many Broadway shows, me and my sister always watch them together. Aside from the awesome broadway show, my lifegroup is amazing and the pastor of the church Deryck Barson is passionate, revolutionary and on fire for Jesus. I am relieved that I found a community I can grow with here in NYC. I knew God would provide but I was getting impatient. So now I am relived and more at peace.
A lot of decisions need to be made soon. I have peace in my heart about it, but i am anxious to see where my life will go. "I am not too concerned with what I am going to do. I am more interested in who I am becoming. I want to be a lover of God and people" (Shane Claiborne, Irresistible Revolution). So here is what is going on. I was working at the Times Square Arts Center about 11 hours a day, like I mentioned before, day and night. Now they said they dont have it in the budget to pay me during the day. So some background, when I started this job I knew it was only a stepping stone, this is not what god has intended for me, I know this. So I feel like it is going to be ending soon. Then the non profit I am working and fundraising for, 1well, they want me to move to DC and work for them this summer. It would be an internship, since the organization started in May 2008, and the details and if there is a budget for it is still up in the air.
That's one, the next thing is I got offered a couple of awesome jobs in the summer. Because I am translating in Arabic out here they offered me two seperate jobs that are 20 days long. One is may 28-june 16 and the next one is juy 20-august 4 something like that. Each of those would pay a nice sum of money with all expenses paid: food, hotel, flight and a daily wage that is substantial. I would be going to a military base and helping soliders communicate and engage with middle eastern people. And on top of that Quantum Learning offered me a 12 day job in Maryland on July 6-16 (I have been working wit Quantum since 2007). So I can make good money doing what I love in those three projects. But I am torn because I wanna do non profit work but also go to Grad School. In addition,I am waiting to hear back from Hunter College to see if I got into Grad School for the program MS in Urban Development with a concentration in Non-Profit Management. I really want to get grad school done this year. I am not committed to anything and I want to grow as much as I can. So many decisions to be made soon and I really only want to be on the path God intends for me.
Any thoughts?
I could use prayer for discernment on the decisions coming up. I miss you all and cant wait to see you soon!
This quote has become my reality here in NYC. Really living a life that is going to be revolutionary, passionate and loving towards the kingdom of God and his people. I realized I have not written in a long time, but I have been inundated with my job the last couple of weeks. The Times Square Arts Center has been taking much of my time. Typically my day would start around 9am and end around midnight. For about two weeks straight this was my reality. So naturally the time I had to myself all I indulged in was slumber! Let me explain a little of what I do at the Times Square Arts Center. Allow me to paint a picture. During the day I sit in a tiny office overlooking Times Square. I swear the window is bigger than the office space itself. During the afternoon I network with Universities, Artist, Record Labels, and any other client who is interested in performing at our theater. During the evening I work whatever show is happening. I make sure things run smoothly and provide support to servers and such. It has been remarkable. I have networked so much and met so many different people. I love the diversity I come across everyday in NY. I love to see the way God is working in this vivacious city.
Most recently I organized a fundraiser for a non-profit organization that is near and dear to me. 1well.
You can check out the organization at www.1well.org. It is an organization that stands for basic human rights which include: water, food, education, sanitation and housing for all Gods creation. They also have small projects people can take ownership of and fundraise for. I think it is phenomenal when you put the power into the hands of the people. Often times people can not fathom the type of influence and power they have to change the world. Normally people think that making a small difference will not affect the big picture, but it does in God's eyes. If we take a step back and look and the revolutionary people in history that have changed the world it's amazing. What if those individuals thought "Oh I can't make a difference" then the world would not be what it is today. God is specific is reaching out and letting us know that all we do, big or small, should be for the glory of this kingdom. "And because the end of age does not result in the destruction of the earth, but rather in it's renewal, we can be confident that our labor is not empty of significance" (Mike Erre, Death by Church).
Anyhow I hosted this fundraiser by selling tickets for a comedy show at the Times Square Arts Center for $20 bucks a ticket. Here is the flyer I created and marketed.
$15 of the $20 went to the project I was taking on in Nokna Village, India. I raised $1,005 dollars that is going to build a water well in the village that will benefit 60 families who now do not have to walk 2-4 hours a day for clean water. It was successful and God provided in tremendous ways. Because I did not know too many people in NYC and the event was that successful, it was all God not me.
In other fantastic news I found an amazing church here in NYC. Its called New York Church International. www.nyci.org. It is fantastic. We meet at a popular venue on Sundays, The Director's Guild Theater.
It is crazy because they usually have screenings and such on Sundays but they cancelled all of them to let our church meet. God is so awesome!! Also, I found a lifegroup within NYCI here that I absolutely adore. To me church means community everyday, not just a building and not just on Sundays. It is everyday life. This church exemplifies that notion and I am excited to join in the work God is already doing here. We meet every other Friday in Columbus Circle area (which I love out here, its soooo awesome). I have bonded with them right away. We went to a Broadway play together last week which was a ball. We saw the play South Pacific! It was a fantastic Broadway show.
The first Broadway show since I have been living in NY. I have seen many Broadway shows, me and my sister always watch them together. Aside from the awesome broadway show, my lifegroup is amazing and the pastor of the church Deryck Barson is passionate, revolutionary and on fire for Jesus. I am relieved that I found a community I can grow with here in NYC. I knew God would provide but I was getting impatient. So now I am relived and more at peace.
A lot of decisions need to be made soon. I have peace in my heart about it, but i am anxious to see where my life will go. "I am not too concerned with what I am going to do. I am more interested in who I am becoming. I want to be a lover of God and people" (Shane Claiborne, Irresistible Revolution). So here is what is going on. I was working at the Times Square Arts Center about 11 hours a day, like I mentioned before, day and night. Now they said they dont have it in the budget to pay me during the day. So some background, when I started this job I knew it was only a stepping stone, this is not what god has intended for me, I know this. So I feel like it is going to be ending soon. Then the non profit I am working and fundraising for, 1well, they want me to move to DC and work for them this summer. It would be an internship, since the organization started in May 2008, and the details and if there is a budget for it is still up in the air.
That's one, the next thing is I got offered a couple of awesome jobs in the summer. Because I am translating in Arabic out here they offered me two seperate jobs that are 20 days long. One is may 28-june 16 and the next one is juy 20-august 4 something like that. Each of those would pay a nice sum of money with all expenses paid: food, hotel, flight and a daily wage that is substantial. I would be going to a military base and helping soliders communicate and engage with middle eastern people. And on top of that Quantum Learning offered me a 12 day job in Maryland on July 6-16 (I have been working wit Quantum since 2007). So I can make good money doing what I love in those three projects. But I am torn because I wanna do non profit work but also go to Grad School. In addition,I am waiting to hear back from Hunter College to see if I got into Grad School for the program MS in Urban Development with a concentration in Non-Profit Management. I really want to get grad school done this year. I am not committed to anything and I want to grow as much as I can. So many decisions to be made soon and I really only want to be on the path God intends for me.
Any thoughts?
I could use prayer for discernment on the decisions coming up. I miss you all and cant wait to see you soon!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Another Job....
"Your life will have the most meaning when you give it away for something bigger than yourself." Mike Erre
It's pretty late here in NY. I am not tired at all right now for some reason. I am siting in the nook area of our apt. I'm sitting at a tan colored scrawny little table from IKEA with four chairs, by the window watching it snow outside. NY seems so peaceful when it snows. There is a beautiful fluffy white blanket of snow outside. This is officially my first snow while a NY resident. Of course I have seen snow before, but never as a resident of another state. It is awesome. I am reflecting a lot and I am learning so much. Patience is one thing I must say I am mastering out here. Everything is a waiting game. A little bit of an oxymoron because NY is so fast paced but being patient in the direction my life evolves in is important. Waiting on God. God has been diligent in providing me with opportunities but I realize it is on his time. While I wait for doors to open I am avidly putting myself out there. I must say I am filled with joy and peace. In addition, happiness is another feeling I am really embracing. I am truly happy with my decisions in my life right now. I am making them all for the RIGHT reasons. Making the decisions for myself, God and humanity as a whole. I am not trying to impress any one individual, rather in my actions I think if Jesus was here today would he make these decisions? My main objective is to make a difference and be full of love whether it be on a small or large scale. I can not express how much contentment I feel in following my heart to fulfill that objective.
In other news, on thursday I got hired for another job. It sounds like a huge load, but I am so used to being busy so I love having a jam packed schedule where I can be useful and out making a difference. This job is a translation job. I will be working for a company called LIS translations. In this position I will travel to different locations, compliments of the subway (i love not having to drive!) and basically will be acting as a liaison between the students and teachers. I will be translating from arabic to english and english to arabic for the students and teachers. I am really excited about it. I start on Tuesday March 3rd. It will be a fun journey.
Finding what fits in my life has taken time as well. This is a fantastic time in my life because life is not happening to me, I am happening to life. I am dictating the relationships, the jobs, the involvement, and really the people in my life. I love it. It has been difficult finding a church that I like however. My church back home Rockharbor was an amazing place where I was very involved and I really felt God moving. I am very weary about churches because I want to make sure the church is existing for all the right purposes. I am reading a book with a plethora of information by someone I have so much respect for, Mike Erre. The books is called "Death by Church."
It is a great book and I am enjoying it so much. So this brings me to my point, I went to Times Square Church and I brought a friend from work with me. This person hadn't been to church in awhile so I think it was a great opportunity to rekindle things for him, as it was no mistake we both ended up going to service. The message was good, but I felt that there were a few things I did not agree with that took place. Nothing bad, but I have a certain standard if I am going to be attending a church. It is important to find a church you connect with and feel God in, not all churches will suffice. So I am continuing my searching. I listen to the Rockharbor podcasts and thats what keeps me going as well as my readings.
Things are going well and I am content, happy, full of love, alive, passionate and at peace. I do not want to fake a facade however that everything is perfect. Nothing is perfect. To be completely honest it gets very lonely at times. Loneliness of being of being away from my family (especially my sister who is my other half), being away from all that has shaped me into the person I am today. But I must say we are never alone, God is always present waiting to comfort us. In this I find peace. In this I have grown stronger. In this I am constantly full of love. Nothing can take that away from me. On the bright side I am meeting amazing friends and growing and learning so much.
Carpe Diem!
It's pretty late here in NY. I am not tired at all right now for some reason. I am siting in the nook area of our apt. I'm sitting at a tan colored scrawny little table from IKEA with four chairs, by the window watching it snow outside. NY seems so peaceful when it snows. There is a beautiful fluffy white blanket of snow outside. This is officially my first snow while a NY resident. Of course I have seen snow before, but never as a resident of another state. It is awesome. I am reflecting a lot and I am learning so much. Patience is one thing I must say I am mastering out here. Everything is a waiting game. A little bit of an oxymoron because NY is so fast paced but being patient in the direction my life evolves in is important. Waiting on God. God has been diligent in providing me with opportunities but I realize it is on his time. While I wait for doors to open I am avidly putting myself out there. I must say I am filled with joy and peace. In addition, happiness is another feeling I am really embracing. I am truly happy with my decisions in my life right now. I am making them all for the RIGHT reasons. Making the decisions for myself, God and humanity as a whole. I am not trying to impress any one individual, rather in my actions I think if Jesus was here today would he make these decisions? My main objective is to make a difference and be full of love whether it be on a small or large scale. I can not express how much contentment I feel in following my heart to fulfill that objective.
In other news, on thursday I got hired for another job. It sounds like a huge load, but I am so used to being busy so I love having a jam packed schedule where I can be useful and out making a difference. This job is a translation job. I will be working for a company called LIS translations. In this position I will travel to different locations, compliments of the subway (i love not having to drive!) and basically will be acting as a liaison between the students and teachers. I will be translating from arabic to english and english to arabic for the students and teachers. I am really excited about it. I start on Tuesday March 3rd. It will be a fun journey.
Finding what fits in my life has taken time as well. This is a fantastic time in my life because life is not happening to me, I am happening to life. I am dictating the relationships, the jobs, the involvement, and really the people in my life. I love it. It has been difficult finding a church that I like however. My church back home Rockharbor was an amazing place where I was very involved and I really felt God moving. I am very weary about churches because I want to make sure the church is existing for all the right purposes. I am reading a book with a plethora of information by someone I have so much respect for, Mike Erre. The books is called "Death by Church."
It is a great book and I am enjoying it so much. So this brings me to my point, I went to Times Square Church and I brought a friend from work with me. This person hadn't been to church in awhile so I think it was a great opportunity to rekindle things for him, as it was no mistake we both ended up going to service. The message was good, but I felt that there were a few things I did not agree with that took place. Nothing bad, but I have a certain standard if I am going to be attending a church. It is important to find a church you connect with and feel God in, not all churches will suffice. So I am continuing my searching. I listen to the Rockharbor podcasts and thats what keeps me going as well as my readings.
Things are going well and I am content, happy, full of love, alive, passionate and at peace. I do not want to fake a facade however that everything is perfect. Nothing is perfect. To be completely honest it gets very lonely at times. Loneliness of being of being away from my family (especially my sister who is my other half), being away from all that has shaped me into the person I am today. But I must say we are never alone, God is always present waiting to comfort us. In this I find peace. In this I have grown stronger. In this I am constantly full of love. Nothing can take that away from me. On the bright side I am meeting amazing friends and growing and learning so much.
Carpe Diem!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
I found a Job and some other Adventures...
So for the past week I have been searching aimlessly for a job. Not just any job, but a job that will allow me flexibility, money to pay my bills and a job that will allow me to still have time to volunteer during the day. I am proud to announce that I did find that job!! The stats on the job are pretty cool as well. They had 800 applicants and they hired 10 people, yay I was one of the 10. I take pride in this because I had many rejections on job offers, so this put a boost in my faith again. =D I work different shows for them. It is a venue in Times Square where comedy shows take place, poetry nights, showcases, banquets, etc. Its called the Times Square Arts Center.
I work the shows and/or events. I am also doing marketing for them, talking with different organizations letting them know about the venue and tickets and such. So its exciting. It's very flexible scheduling so it allows me space to travel back to Cali, and do what I want until I hear back from Grad School. I am giving myself until I hear back from Grad School to make my next move, until then I am enjoying the vivacious city of NY.
In addition to looking for a job I have enjoyed my roommates!! Here is a pic of my roommates, on our roomie night out!!
They have been a great support system, and we all get along soo well. They inspire me and they all have such good hearts. I am so lucky to have them as a part of my life at this point!!! Roommates make or break situations I feel. There is nothing worse than coming home after a long day and having crappy roommates. I come home to awesome roomies so thats a GEM!
Also I went to New Jersey last weekend to hang out with my cousins!!! One of my cousins Nadia live in Jersey with her husband, and her sister Nada lives in Cali and she came out for a week. Nadia was having surgery, and everything turned out well thank God, so it was nice to just spend cousin time bonding. Here are me and my awesome cousins:
Another thing I did in the City was visit the place I have been wanting to visit for soooo long, the United Nations Headquarters. My goal is to one day work there, so I am prepping myself, and it was amazing to visit. I went with my friend Sam and we took a tour of the UN building. We got to see the Assembly room where a representative from each of the 192 countries meet. Here's a picture of it (I was surprised they let us take pictures inside):
And here is a picture of NYC from the United Nations Building.... breath taking!!!
I love my life right now. It has been such a great opportunity to get to know new people, explore an amazing city, and see God providing and opening doors for me. I miss everyone back home terribly, especially my lifegroup, my family and my close friends (you know who you are). All the pictures are courtesy of my Blackberry, I dont want to look too touristy......
Miss you all.....thanks for joining me on this amazing adventure.
I work the shows and/or events. I am also doing marketing for them, talking with different organizations letting them know about the venue and tickets and such. So its exciting. It's very flexible scheduling so it allows me space to travel back to Cali, and do what I want until I hear back from Grad School. I am giving myself until I hear back from Grad School to make my next move, until then I am enjoying the vivacious city of NY.
In addition to looking for a job I have enjoyed my roommates!! Here is a pic of my roommates, on our roomie night out!!
They have been a great support system, and we all get along soo well. They inspire me and they all have such good hearts. I am so lucky to have them as a part of my life at this point!!! Roommates make or break situations I feel. There is nothing worse than coming home after a long day and having crappy roommates. I come home to awesome roomies so thats a GEM!
Also I went to New Jersey last weekend to hang out with my cousins!!! One of my cousins Nadia live in Jersey with her husband, and her sister Nada lives in Cali and she came out for a week. Nadia was having surgery, and everything turned out well thank God, so it was nice to just spend cousin time bonding. Here are me and my awesome cousins:
Another thing I did in the City was visit the place I have been wanting to visit for soooo long, the United Nations Headquarters. My goal is to one day work there, so I am prepping myself, and it was amazing to visit. I went with my friend Sam and we took a tour of the UN building. We got to see the Assembly room where a representative from each of the 192 countries meet. Here's a picture of it (I was surprised they let us take pictures inside):
And here is a picture of NYC from the United Nations Building.... breath taking!!!
I love my life right now. It has been such a great opportunity to get to know new people, explore an amazing city, and see God providing and opening doors for me. I miss everyone back home terribly, especially my lifegroup, my family and my close friends (you know who you are). All the pictures are courtesy of my Blackberry, I dont want to look too touristy......
Miss you all.....thanks for joining me on this amazing adventure.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
I ARRIVED IN NEW YORK CITY...
My day started out at 4:30am and my sister and her husband took me to the airport. It was a great flight because it usually takes 6 hrs to get to NY and it only took the pilot 4 and a half hours to make it!!! Smooth flight!!!!
Next, I went to the baggage claim to pick up my 5 bags! That's right my entire life fit into 5 bags. But let me tell you those 5 bags are impossible to carry on your own! But I did manage to carry them and set up some type of system to get to the subway to meet my roommate Kelly. It was great because the airport had elevators, so I did not have to lug all the bags up stairs by myself.
I was also very surprised because everyone was so incredibly nice when I got to NY. For example, I was walking with my mound of bags and my wallet fell on the ground. I was stopping to pick it up and a man said don't worry about it I got it for you! He handed me my wallet and proceeded to ask me if I needed help with my bags. I kindly told him thanks but I was meeting my roommate who would assist me with my luggage. He said no problem have a great day. That was the first incident. The second came when I exited the airtrain (which takes you to other terminals in the airport and to the subway) and a man directed me in the wrong way. I paid a $5 fee to get to the wrong place. As I sat on a bench and was contemplating I realized (only because I have been to NY before) that the man told me to go to the wrong place. I wasn't sure which route to go so I asked a female police officer, named Glory, next to me who was text messaging someone. I clarified with her to make sure my thoughts were accurate and she confirmed that I was in the wrong place.
Glory had a heavy NY accent and piercing light eyes. She asked me if it was my first time in NY and I told her no, that I have been here many times but this is the first time I moved to NY. I told her my story. I told her how I left my job, sold my truck, packed up my stuff and moved. She told me that inspired her. Then, she said come on I will help with with your bags. I said well I need to refill my subway card because I already paid the $5 to be in the wrong place (which depleted the funds I had on the card from my last trip to NY in December), she said don't worry about it you're with me and I will get you in free on charge. She helped with with my bags, got me through the line for free and escorted me to a subway bench were Kelly wanted me to meet her. I thanked her and she asked where I was moving exactly. I told her I was moving to Brooklyn on Lafayette and Nostrand. She got really bubbly and excited and told me she lives on Lafayette. She said she has lived there her whole life. She gave me pointers the "do's" and "don'ts" if you will. We then bid each other adieu and she said she would see me around sometime.
I waited on the bench by the subway for maybe 5 mins and then my roommate Kelly showed up! She is such a gem! She helped me with bags and we chatted the entire subway ride home. The worse part was that at the subways there are rarely elevators so we had to carry all the bags up about 7 flights of stairs total (thats in the subway and to the apt). We took many breaks because we were exhausted, then a gentleman came up to us (this is the thiid incident) and asked us if we needed help. He said he would carry our bags up all the remaining stairs for us. So he did! He said he understood because he did the same thing about 2 weeks ago and wished someone would of helped him. We were at the end of the subway so he carried our bags right to the door of the apt. He bid us adieu and said good luck. We thanked him for his help and walked into the entry door of the apt.
So the way the apt works is there is an initial entry door, a second door and then flights of stairs up to the apt door. There are 3 keys. One for the entry door, one for the second security door, then one for the apt. Kelly had my keys ready for me. We finally hauled all the bags up two more flights of stairs to the apt and I made it to my room!!! Kelly had my bed waiting with fresh sheets on the for me. I settled in and was unpacking while Kelly and I chatted away about life. Then, I met my other two roommates Jo and Stacy. They both are in Americorps and working for the Red Cross while Kelly is in the graduate school I am applying to, Hunter College. Great dynamic between all of us. We all got ready together last night and were chatting away while getting to know each other. It's great, all 4 of us interact as if we have known each other for awhile. I am totally blessed with my living situation. We all went our separate ways last night for Valentines Day. I went to dinner with my good friend Sam, Kelly went to a show, and Jo and Stacy went to hang with some of their friends. My day ended at 2:30am.
All in all it was a fantastic and exhilarating first day in New York....I love it here.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
4 Days till New York, Toms and turning 24
"So many people live within unhappy circumstance and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of the living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have endlessly changing horizon for each day to have a new and different sun." ----Chris McCandless
I read this quote today online for an awesome website called ww.tomsshoes.com. It's a fantastic website that manufactures environmentally friendly shoes. For every pair of shoes bought they send a pair of shoes to a child in need! I think that is fantastic, my sister was showing me the website today. Anyhow, this quote really hit home for me. I believe every word in it, and I know that this will be a journey of growth, perseverance and love.
I know from each encounter I have in New York I will feel those 3 things. Growing, putting my best foot forward, and developing relationships with God's people. Currently, I am packing away. I thought I had it all figured out, yet while I was packing noticed I have wayyyyyy too much stuff that I don't need to take with me. So I keep minimizing and minimizing.
I finished up my grad school essay last night, and sent it out a few hours ago to some close friends for revisions. I will have my graduate application sent out before I head off to New York on Saturday!!! 4 days! I can't believe I will be moving to NY in 4 days.
In further news, I am accepting the reality that today is my 24th birthday! Wow, 24 already. Where did all the time go? I am looking forward to spending this day with my mom, dad and sister. The day will start out with quality time with me, my mom and sister, then the evening will consist of have dinner with my baba (baba in arabic means dad). Spending that quality time with the family is important. Again I am really just embracing the moments at hand. Life is good. I can't wait to have time to do yoga again. I miss it!! I have been so busy packing, rearranging, networking, attending board meetings and spending that quality time with those closest to me. Well I should get back to packing, and then get some sleep. My sister will be here at 9am to pick me up....then we are off!!!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Secured my apt in NY, 16 days to go...
Rom 1:17 "The Just Live by Faith"
God provides when we surrender and put our faith in him. This entire journey of surrender through my job, letting go of my truck and eliminating most of my possessions, has been a scary task. But things are coming together nicely. I am at peace about my life, and quite frankly I appreciate living simply. God is NEVER on time but is never LATE with providing for us. It is written...
My apt came through! Woo hoo! I will be living in Brooklyn, NY. It is about a 15 min train ride into New York City. My roommate Kelly seems awesome. She is going to meet me at the airport the day I land and help me bring my stuff into the apt! What a gem she is! In addition, I filed for my taxes today and it looks like uncle sam is going to be giving me back a nice chunk of change which should help in my transition to NY. I was not expecting to get anything back really, so it is nice to look forward to that.
Removing the stress of looking for an apartment has been liberating. I have some interviews set up on the 16th, a couple of days after I arrive, which should provide options. I am excited and looking forward to New York, but I am making sure I am enjoying the moments in front of me as well. Enjoying the present and what amazing friends and family I have in my life has been nice to take in. This last week has been awesome because I have had the opportunity to spend time with people who mean the most to me. Spending time with my sister, my baba, my grandma, my best friend Briana, Scott and all the phone conversations I have had, ah what a breath of fresh air. I am blessed in my life with the people around me, the opportunities in front of me and love I share and will soon share with people in my life.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
17 mile bike ride, and new apt info
So today was an eventful day! I rode my bike from Huntington Beach, CA to Irvine, CA (approx 17 miles). Ummmmmm yea, my legs are going to fall off and all that will be left is a torso! I wanted to see if I could do it, and ummm I did but I know I will be sore tomorrow. I hit 3 major hills, it started raining on me, and then the wind was blowing when I arrived in Irvine, so I was riding against the wind. Hahaha yea. But the awesome thing is that a person never feels more alive then when the heart is beating and ready to explode. It's nice to feel alive and go through the motions.
Another super fantastic thing, I got a call from a girl I have been communicating with in regards to an apt in New York. Its in Brooklyn, about 15 mins subway ride into Manhattan. It sounds perfect. 4 girls live there. One is getting her Master's at the college I am applying too, and the other two girls work for the Red Cross. So there will be the community service piece and the Master's program in common between us all. We had a half hour conversation about our expectations of each other, the place and of life. We seem to get along well. She has a couple of people looking at the place this weekend but said she is inclined to give the room to me. So we shall see. I will know by this weekend. I am not too worried because I know if this doesn't work out, there is another divine plan. But I really hope I get it! =D In addition, I networked with a VP I used to work with at Disney Films (from when I interned there back in 2006) and his friend's fiance got in touch with me today. She is a recruiter in the entertainment industry and she is going to meet with me once I get to NY and assist me in finding a job. She asked me to send her my resume, and I did. She will be keeping a heads up starting now for opportunities that will arise. Things are coming together nicely and it is exciting. Now i just need to go through all my clothes and stuff and see what is essential to take, and what isn't. Thanks everyone for your support thus far, I can't tell you what it means to me.
Another super fantastic thing, I got a call from a girl I have been communicating with in regards to an apt in New York. Its in Brooklyn, about 15 mins subway ride into Manhattan. It sounds perfect. 4 girls live there. One is getting her Master's at the college I am applying too, and the other two girls work for the Red Cross. So there will be the community service piece and the Master's program in common between us all. We had a half hour conversation about our expectations of each other, the place and of life. We seem to get along well. She has a couple of people looking at the place this weekend but said she is inclined to give the room to me. So we shall see. I will know by this weekend. I am not too worried because I know if this doesn't work out, there is another divine plan. But I really hope I get it! =D In addition, I networked with a VP I used to work with at Disney Films (from when I interned there back in 2006) and his friend's fiance got in touch with me today. She is a recruiter in the entertainment industry and she is going to meet with me once I get to NY and assist me in finding a job. She asked me to send her my resume, and I did. She will be keeping a heads up starting now for opportunities that will arise. Things are coming together nicely and it is exciting. Now i just need to go through all my clothes and stuff and see what is essential to take, and what isn't. Thanks everyone for your support thus far, I can't tell you what it means to me.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
My job is over, and my truck is sold.....
So the decision has been made!!!! My last day at my job was on January 20th and today I sold my truck. My Tacoma, my baby, of five years. I was the original owner to that bundle of joy. Everyone who knows me knows that I had some awesome adventures in that truck. Symbolically it dictated so much of my independence. It was bittersweet to see it go today, but this foreshadows my move to New York!!!
Now I am working on finding an apt and a job out there. Before I leave to New York, which is on Feb 14th (yes I will be spending my Valentine's on a plane and sharing my love with the city!), I would like to secure a job and a place to live. Is all that going to happen before I leave? Who knows...this is all God's will and I am excited to trust in him and watch as he provides for me. Also, before I leave to new York I am submitting my application to graduate school to pursue my MS in Urban Affairs with a concentration in Non-Profits and Public Policy. I will be applying to Hunter College in Manhattan. I find out in May/June if I get accepted for the Fall Semester that starts in September. I am networking a lot in New York right now, so I have options until I hear back about grad school. Nothing can devastate me at this point, because I am putting my best foot and effort forward and what is provided to me I am confident is God's will. If I don't get an opportunity I "thought" I wanted, I walk in peace and excitement knowing God has another adventure else planned for me. :)
I am so excited and I created this blog to share my struggles, happiness, emotions, and success with you guys. I am up and moving to a new place with no definite answers, and I am excited, scared, and at peace about it. I am determined to pursue my calling and to really wake up every morning happy with what I am doing in my life and the way I am serving others. So I invite you to share this journey with me, it will be an adventure and I promise to only post raw and honest updates on my pursuit!!!
Yallah, here we go!
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