finally here!

After the long wait I am finally moved into my New York City apartment! Everything is great so far....especially having four girls in a one bedroom apartment! =)

I am exhausted from all the packing/unpacking, birthday celebrations, Kate's graduation party and traveling. Robin and I's flight was delayed an hour this morning for about an hour. You may think it was because of the monsoon in St. Louis, but no, it was because of computer issues. I passed out on the plane, so I when I woke up an hour later and discovered we were still in STL I was quite confused...Oh well, we made it!

James's cousin Amy Gay and her sister-in-law Jenny Jenne picked us up at the airport and then brought me to my apartment. It was great not having to lug all of the baggage through the subway. That would have been horrible! After I dropped off my bags Robin, Jenny and I went to eat and then to Chinatown/Canal Street to look at all the fake purses. Wow. Was the an experience. We went to some of the sketchiest places. Up three flights of stairs, secret rooms in stores, it was nuts. There were some great looking fake Coach, Gucci, etc. purses. I can't wait to go back with Alicia, Katrina, and the Timmermann Family girls.

After leaving Jenny and Robin I kind of became overwhelmed. I had to get on the Subway myself and get back to the apartment. I am quite surprised the way I am reacting to New York. I initially thought I would have no problem. The area I am in is very touristy, so I think I am overwhelmed by all the other people that do not know where they are going...like me. Luckily my roommates know where they are going. My mom gave me this book called "Not For Tourist" it gives a description of each neighborhood....for my neighborhood it said "this is where you would take your family from Iowa." I didn't quite get it when i read the statement in STL Seeing the area today I completely understand it! This is the shopping district with many of the national chains. I think it will take some major getting used to, but I'm ready for the adjustment.

My roommate Liz and I went to Trader Joe's today. We walked into what we thought was Trader Joe's but it was the wine store of Trader Joe's...we didn't know where the food was. After buying our bottles of 2 Buck Chuck, the lady explained to us that in NY it is against the law to sell wine and food in the same place. It doesn't make sense though because they can sell beer with the wine. Therefore, TJ's had to buy another store for food two doors down. Quite confusing, but I guess it works for them. The food store was so crazy. I was once again overwhelmed. In St. Louis I can lesirely walk around the store and enjoy the process. In NY I had to make my purchasing decisions in 2.4 seconds.

All and all, New York has been an interesting adventure. It was hard saying goodbye this morning to my family, but i think we all know this summer is going to shape my professional future. I am so fortunate to have supportive family and friends. I miss you all!

As I sit here at my computer with the windows open I am starting to think about going to bed I am starting to realize how my life is really going to be different here. Beginning with sleep, it will be much different hearing all of the horns, traffic, sirens, and people from the 22nd floor compared to the silence of the North Elm in Breese in my peaceful bedroom. Here's to the start of this great new adventure with many new experiences to come.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments about my trip!

xox
-Sam