Step 1: The Decision.... Done. Now on to step 2.


Step two was the job. Once I made the commitment to move to NYC, I needed to figure out the job situation. I thought this was going to be the 'make or break' step for me. Without a job, I really coudln't move - or at least not yet. To get to NYC I would have had to save up even more money and that was just discrouaging. So I cast my resume into the job waters and, to my joyous supprise, I got a bite very quickly.

The job unfortunately was here in Atlanta, yet after telling them of my desire to move out of the south, they were willing to discuss the chance to move me to their NY office (since they also needed help up there). Could it have been this easy to find a job in NYC? Needless to say, after some interviewing rounds, I got the job! I couldn't have asked for a better situation or planned it better myself. Truly this was a blessing from God and it pretty much erased any doubts I had about moving. Now I know... I'm supposed to move to NYC.

So tomorrow starts STEP TWO. I begin my new job and will continue living in Atlanta while I train and get affiliated with this new company. Today I'm relaxing and doing some shopping. You see, my last few jobs (although corporate jobs) have been very relaxed in terms of dress code. My new job told me to dress biz cazh (its slang for 'buisness casual'), and I don't think I have enough proper attire for a a weeks worth of work.

I'm at a little coffe shop in Hapeville (near the airport) and about to head to Target & Old Navy for some cheap threads as soon as the rain stops. Actually its starting to clear up now, and my MacBook's battery is getting low so I'm off, but keep cheking back for more posts. I'll try to do this at least weekly before I move.

See ya.

Is it just me or is it allergy season already?


Normally I don't suffer from allergies till autumn, but its still summer and my eyes are red, my throat is sore, and my sinues are playing games with me. Last thursday it hit me pretty hard without warning so over the weekend I've stocked up on eye drops, claritan, and other sundries for what ails ya.

Its made me wonder, though... 'what its going to be like up north?' Will I have more allergies to be concerned with or will it be slightly less (because we all know how bad the pollen count gets here in the South)? Pollen doesn't bother me as much as ragweed it seems, but here there are barely four seasons a year. Usually its just semi-cold, then warm, then hotter than hell, and back again. Combine the heat with 75-100% humidity and more mesquitoes than sand on a beach, and its just.. well... lovely. Occassionally we'll get snow to stick on the ground for all of 2hrs before its gone.

I know when I move up there, it'll be plenty cold. I'm ready for it. I've already been told to invest in a pair of good snow boots prior to my move. Aside for that, I've got some very warm jackets and a full-legnth overcoat, some scarfs, and gloves. I'll get more gear once I move up there, because winter cloths is so heavy and bulky that I don't have much room to pack other things i'll need.

The first time I was in NYC was for Valentine's a few years back. I had a great time w/ my girlfriend and another couple with with us. The last night of my stay was just the 2 of us in Manhattan and the snow began to come down in droves. I belive the weather report said Central Park had over 19" of snow overnight. I knew my flight home was canceled, and ended up trying to get to the airport to camp out and get on the first fight that opened up. Didn't happen. I was stuck in a hotel in Astoria for 2 more days until the weather cleared and ran up my credit card. Other than that last part, it really was a great trip.

Bring on the snow and sleet. I may hate it, but I'd rather take a nice long break from the southern heat and know what snow is really like.

The 'To Do' list...

Psudo-0fficially, I move to NY in December, but what part of the month is uncertain, so I'm goint to assume the begining of the month at this point. This gives me almost 3 months of time at home to do things like save money, spend time with family & friends, and learn my new job. I consider those the most important goals right now, but there are some things I'd like to do here that I cannot do up there. The list is growing and changing, but I would like to invite anyone to join me. Here it goes:

• Camping in the GA mountains - this is already in the works. I'm thinking of late Oct or early Nov. I like camping in the chilled air.
  
• Go to the Symphony - I'd like to see them at one of their park concerts.
  
• Sell my car - '01 VW Jetta Turbo for sell starting in late November.
  
• Go to Seattle - This is also in the works. I may fly out there in mid Oct to see my sister & brother-in-law and my friend Joe & his wife.
  
• Fly up to NYC to scout out a home - not sure if time will allow this, but it would be VERY helpful.
  

I'm at work right now (one of my last few days before the new job) and can't seem to think of others that I had on my mind earlier. Don't be supprised if I edit this in the next few days.

If you can think of any other things to do while I'm in town, hit me up.

Here's how this starts off...

I am a native from Atlanta, born & raised. So all I know is Atlanta. Sure I've traveled around the states. Even been to Japan twice. "But why move to New York City?" .... good question. I'll try to answer.

Since college, I've wanted to try something new, something different other than the good 'ol South. What better place than NYC? So its been eating at me for a long time. Other cities have interesed me (Seattle, London, Tokyo, L.A....) but NYC seemed like the best place. The music, the transportation, the mesh of just about everything under the sun all on one little island, etc... The problem was that I never thought I could pull off the move or afford the transition. Truth was, I liked where I was and still do, but now is the time to take that faithful step forward.

Once I kicked my self into gear and made the choice I put my resume out and very supprisingly found a job that was based in Atlanta and would be willing to relocate me to New York. If that's not a blessing in disguise, I don't know what is. Getting the job was just another way of knowing that this is what I am supposed to do. That's a good feeling, isn't it?

From here its just a matter of starting my new job, saving money, and spending time with friends & family before the move in December. Till the move, I'll be using this blog to keep track of all that's going on in my life to get ready for NYC - where I'll live, what I want to do before I move... things like that. I'd love to get some comments and suggestions if anyone has sometime to share to help me along.

Thats all for now. More to come...
Ciao