KFNY Goes To Tokyo

So I'm back in my ORIGINAL hometown of Tokyo, yet again, and of course I'm loving it. Although I've lived here and visit annually, I find new things and new experiences every time I come for a visit. Although vastly different from New York, and much larger, I love Tokyo just as much. Today was actually my first day in Tokyo since flying in a week ago since I've been vacationing with family and celebrating the New Year, which is huge in Japan. Over New Year's Eve, we stayed at a hot springs resort in Hiroshima and did the usual sightseeing and not-so-usual sightseeing like the Atomic Bomb museum. Two words: SO DEPRESSING. But I got over it. Already, I've hung out with friends in Tokyo and have gone to the usual places. I can't wait to enjoy the rest of my week here! One thing I really miss about New York though are the 24 hour subways. Who goes home before 1am, stays out until 5am, or would spend $50 on a cab ride!? Tokyo-ians apparently.

As I prepare to leave...

I'm very contemplative about the time I've spent here. It's hard to believe that I only came here 5 short months ago and how much has changed in that time. I feel good about how I finished my first semester of college but I will try harder next semester... make it more of a challenge to myself. If this is the field I really want to excel in, I might as well get the most out of my education. Studies aside, this semester has been emotionally and psychologically challenging. Life in New York is vastly different from life back in Michigan and I'm still adapting. Here in New York, I feel that there is so far to climb to make it to the top, and I plan on making it to the top. Although I have loved being in the city and all of it's excitement, this break is a welcome one. I can't wait to be back in my own house and not care what I look like for 7 days straight. It will be a nice change from putting myself completely together every morning. I'm also excited for Tokyo and seeing my father and his family. Visiting Japan is always a pleasant experience and I learn something new every time. As I pack for my vacation of rest, relaxation, and, hopefully, shopping, I say goodbye to you New York City, for now. But I will be back fresh and better than ever.

It's that time of year...

The holidays. This being my first holiday season in New York, I was excited to experience all that winter in the city had to offer. I forgot to take into account that I would be swamped with finals. Although I have had some time to explore New York further, it is becoming less and less exciting. True, it's the most exciting place on earth but I think I'm really starting to become a New Yorker... just another 9 and a half years and it will be official. As first semester draws to a close, I feel i've learned a lot so far, not only in school but so much more than I expected. Who knew a year ago what I would've experienced by now. One thing that I've learned is telling the real from the fake and i'm not talking about handbags. Back home, it was easy to tell, for me at least, who i clearly liked and did not like. There was no second guessing. I had my best friends that I've had by my side for 10 years or more. In this new situation, it's a lot harder. Being at a design school, the vast majority of people i'm surrounded by seem cool and unique people I'd like to know. However, there are just as many fake people devoid of genuine personality, it's just harder to tell. Luckily, I have those close few that I know will always be there and until I find more friends like that, I guess i'll just have to stay true to myself, however cheesy it may sound.

Thanksgiving

I went back to Michigan for Thanksgiving and was really not looking forward to what was in store as soon as I left the airport and saw the familiar long stretches of highway with nothing but trees and farm. AND it was shitty weather. But, after coming back to the greatest city in the world, I do appreciate going back to suburbia to really appreciate where I am now. And it was GREAT to see my family and old friends, I miss them always. It did feel great, though, as soon as I left the Manhattan air back in my lungs. This is where I belong!

The time has come...

... For me to leave my beloved city behind for a few days. It will be hard, especially trading in the view from my window (above) to a view of my backyard because New York has become my backyard. I may be going 'home' for Thanksgiving, but I won't be going to my 'hometown.' New York is my home. BUT, i am inexpressibly excited to see my friends and family. The only drawback i can call to mind living here, at this moment, is the physical distance between myself and the people I wish to keep from my old life.

As the holidays draw near, I look back on the time I've spent in New York thus far and can't wait to experience more. Living here has been a great experience and there is no doubt I'm here to stay. I've registered for classes next semester and feel confident that I'm on the right path to becoming who I want to be. All i need to do now is sit back and enjoy the journey.

Is time really fleeting?

The saying goes, time is fleeting. Which is true, in a sense, because once time has passed, it's irretrievable. But does that mean we need to go out and experience everything we want to experience as soon as possible? In this great city where living in the fast lane is the norm, I can't help but feel like there are so many things I should be doing. I constantly feel the need to ask myself, what is the hurry? I'm young, I'm in school working towards something I've always wanted, and I'm living in the greatest city in the world. Time may be fleeting, but I need to enjoy what I'm doing now and not worry about things I will eventually experience. Besides, where's the fun if you've already "been there, done that?"

My Own Little World

I have been so busy lately, that it has been two weeks since my last post. School work is increasing and it's that time where I'm right in the middle of the semester where the end is in sight. My first New York Halloween was fun, but unfortunately not extremely memorable. I missed the parade which I was looking forward to, due to rain and an untimely nap. Thanksgiving is drawing near and it will be nice to see old friends and family but I dread leaving this city. In the nearly four months I've lived here, I've left the island of Manhattan twice, the New York Metropolitan area once. I guess it must happen every once in a while to remind myself that there is a world outside of this tiny island.