New York, New York

Today it was beautiful and instead of going to the gym I opted to take my bicycle out and go on a ride. My intention was to just ride over the Pulaski bridge into Queens, get a coffee on Vernon Boulevard, and ride back, but once I was over the bridge I got into a groove and, feeling good about my decision to skip the gym, kept on going. Vernon Boulevard now has a bike lane and its a great route, taking you near the water and is very well paved. I rode by a cute park called Queensbridge Park where there were lots of BBQ's happening, and a few blocks after that, I saw the entrance for the bridge to Roosevelt Island.

Please excuse shoddy camera phone photos, I was not expecting to have anything to write about today.

Now I have lived here for 10 years and have been to all five boroughs but admit I had never been to Roosevelt Island (the small island in the East River between Queens and Manhattan) before today. I am sad that I never went because it really is the cutest thing ever. There is TONS of green space, a bike path that goes around the entire island (did it all), barely any traffic or noise, and a few random restaurants and shops. I stopped into the Roosevelt Island thrift store, which I had heard good things about. It was kind of a dump, but I managed to find a cute 50's floral dress for $5 which I will probably resell. The woman literally gave me the change for my $10 bill out of her BRA that's how ghetto it was. It really felt like you were in a small town, except with million dollar condos.

I stopped at the islands one coffee shop (Starbucks, sadly) and listened to some live country music that was happening on the plaza. There were gorgeous views across the whole island. People were fishing and having picnics and generally enjoying the day.



As most of my friends know, I recently made the decision to leave New York for a while. My relationship with this city is based on love and hate. On days like today, even by myself, its hard not to fall in love. Ten years here and there are still new areas to explore, restaurants to try, stores to check out, and people to meet. But at other times, it kicks my ass and I finally reached a point this spring where I had had enough. No job, no man, no money, this city has teased me with a multitude of possibilities, dangled them in front of my face, and then taken them away. I suppose its not totally fair to blame New York, though most of my friends often do, but sometimes its hard not to. This city has its odds stacked against you and there really is some truth in the saying that if you can make it here, you'll make it anywhere. Sadly, in my case, I haven't really "made it" here so New York and I are gonna go on a little break. Not a break up... I am keeping my apartment, though others will be living in it, and the majority of my stuff is staying here. But the time has come for a change and London is calling again.

See you soon New York. Don't miss me too much.