New York is the city that everyone loves to hate. Even the natives, the lifers complain about the crowded urban streets, the slow moving tourists and the signature aroma of the E-train in August. Whether its the latest gubernatorial scandal or a looming pandemic of influenza that leaves tourists scrambling for hygienic face masks, it seems that this city is always abuzz, always on the edge of something. Some people love it, others, not so much.
In 2005, the summer before my senior year in college I had an internship at an entertainment marketing agency where my boss was twenty-five and hip, the other interns gossiped about Juicy sweatshirts and everybody seemed to know someone famous. I felt high walking through Times Square (maybe I’ll see Sarah Jessica Parker!) and I wanted to dress as trendy as everyone else. I had to live here.
My first summer in the city brought me a job in a public relations firm where we wore jeans on Fridays and drank vodka tonics at the dive bar around the corner after especially long or taxing days. I had fleeting friendships with girls who wore Theory blazers and took me to dinner at restaurants like Pastis and Sushi Samba, where I had fun, but never quite felt like I fit in with my $40 trench coat from Target (and that $40 trench coat is more telling of my personality than a $13 California roll).
I had a few relationships, none of them serious, all over before they started: with an aloof MTV video producer who liked to talk about himself, a financial adviser who said all the right things when I wanted to hear them and an investment banker who was great on paper but kind of broke my heart. I changed jobs, moved to a new apartment and learned a new skill. I traveled and made new friends, but I still didn’t feel at home.
I’m moving to Chicago, to do something new, something that’s mine, to have an experience that I can create from scratch. Based on the past three and a half years, I know that if I take one learning, one friendship or one realization from every experience, it will be hard not to look back on it with fond memories.
So in December, I will officially be leaving the Northeast and soon thereafter taking a new role in the digital group of my public relations firm, at its Windy City co-headquarters. I’ll miss a lot of things about the city: the view over the Hudson river when the sun is setting, living near my family and even the organic market across the street from my lovely albeit overpriced third floor walk-up.
I’ll also miss having a dishwasher in my apartment. I’ll miss that a lot.
Did you notice that I’ve been posting more frequently than usual this week? In celebration of National Novel Writing Month, some bloggers choose to commemorate November with NaBloPoMo, or National Blog Posting Month. I’ve challenged myself to post daily this month and hope that you’ll challenge yourselves to read them all!
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Maris, an early welcome to Chicago! I’m sure you’ll miss so much about New York, but Chicago is a great food city and you’ll never go hungry.
And you’ve inspired me to put together a calendar of my pictures, so stay tuned.
Cheers,
Janine
Congratulations!! I love NYC, but Chicago is my #2 favorite
Good luck on your move! I’m sure Chicago will treat you nice
Congrats and good luck!
Congratulations! Looking forward to following your adventures in the Windy City.
wow, congrats! That’s so exciting!!!
Congratulations, Maris! My sister used to quote the Dr Phil line (way before Dr Phil became famous). “How’s that workin’ out for ya?” So New York (now, not forever necessarily) wasn’t working out for you. On to Chicago! All the best!
and thus a fresh chapter will begin. that’s exciting news. (nyc will miss you.)
So cool! You’re doing exactly what I have been wanting to do for the last two years. Best of luck in your new adventure.
I have to say, I’m glad I lived in New York in my 20′s because it’s a candyland for adults, an adrenaline rush, and like nothing else. But moving away (4 years ago!) was the best thing we ever did. We still live in a city, and we have access to food delivered to our door, to concerts and plays and independent bookstores and boutiques, but we feel like we’re putting down roots, like the pace of life is just a bit more manageable. (Not that we don’t talk about chucking it all and going into biodynamic farming). Best of luck with your new adventure!
So exciting and congrats. I’m happy to have you join the digital fam, even if it is in a different office!
Maris, good luck on your move to (what I heard is) a fantastic foodie city.
I’m going to count this as a win. Also? I think we need pics of your new place/neighborhood STAT.
Welcome, welcome! We already have some culinary field trips in the works for December to get you up to speed. See you soon!
That’s so exciting! Congratulations! I was hoping you were going to say you’re coming to Boston. Ah well, I’m sure Chicago will be great!!
How very exciting!That is awesome, Maris, I am very excited for you. Best of luck with the move and getting settled in.
this is so exciting!! and I wish you ALL the best!
YAY!!!!! If I’m ever in Chicago we will definitely have to meet up again!
how exciting! congrats on the new adventure! I have always wanted to move to New York, but I have never actually been so I know it might not be all I dream it is once I get there. It’s definitely not for everyone, like you said.
but I’ve also thought how cool it would be to live in Chicago! again, I’ve never been, but I’d love to visit one day for sure. it always looks like a fun place to be on House Hunters. haha.
anyway, congrats again! can’t wait to hear about your new adventures in a new city (and hopefully see pics of your new place)!
oh yay for chicago, that’s awesome! congrats! woo!
Congratulations! Change is good.
Congratulations! I know good things are in store for you in Chicago! And this means more trips to The Spice House too!
Maris, I wish you the best of luck on your exciting new adventure. BUT, as a mom (and since I know your Mom), I felt my heart skip a beat when I read that you were leaving.
On a positive note, your family can visit you, Chicago is not that far away, you have the opportunity to start over, and I heard that they have some great markets and food specialty shops there
Again, good luck to you and keep on blogging. Your recipes rock!
How exciting. Good Luck with your move and your new job!
I am so excited for you Maris! This will be a terrific move for you and I’m excited to hear about your new adventures.
Maris, welcome to Illinois! I hope you will love Chicago, but just remember . . . Chicago is not the whole state of Illinois, nor is it the capital! I’m five hours south . . . in the beautiful hills and forests of southern Illinois, between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, where you are welcome anytime!
NY’s loss is definitely Chicago’s gain of a beautiful talented and amazing person. I know you will flourish there and bring out the very best in yourself and everyone around you.I will miss my best friend but remain-forever your mother!
Big adventures indeed! Good luck with the move! I’m looking forward to the blogging about your new home
I know how you feel, two years ago we moved from San Francisco to Minneapolis. While we miss the city we really appreciate all the new chances & experiences we’ve had in the midwest
Amazing adventure! I hope you enjoy your new home, and I hope the winter doesn’t make you want to change your mind.
Now, get thee to Hot Chocolate & Violet Hour, stat! (Those were my two favorite places from my very brief trip)
I used to live in Chicago and completely miss it – you’ll love it there! Good luck with everything!
Sad you’re leaving NY, but yay for Chicago!!! We’ll have to play next time I’m out there. Congrats on ths new chapter of your life.
Wow Maris– that’s so exciting!! Good Luck and can’t wait to hear all about it!
Congratulations! You’re such a sweet girl, and I hope you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Chicago.
Can’t wait until you’re here! Call me soon!
this is so exciting! and sounds like an excellent and well thought out decision for you, i think you’re going to love it.
good luck!!
Good luck to you!
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