Ten on Thursday!

So, it's been way too long since I've updated... I know, I know... shame on me! The first few weeks after I move, I was too overwhelmed to write anything. Then, the last few weeks have just been a mix of trying to stay busy and not really feeling motivated to write. But, I'm ready to get back into the habit and plan to update everyone on what's been going on with me!

I'll start off with a new list called Ten on Thursday. It's supposed to be Ten on Tuesday, but all my days are the same right now, so I'm going to cheat.

1. I really do love NY. Even though I miss my family A LOT, I am so in love with this city. There is so much to do and see, so many amazing restaurants and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to actually live (and hopefully work soon!) here. I'm starting to really feel comfortable with my surroundings and finding my way around and I can't wait until we finally get our apartment.

2. I forgot how much I love to read. To pass the time, I've been going to the library once a week to get magazines and books. I love the library here. My location is small, but close enough to walk to and has a good selection of books. I'm never buying another book again! The library is the place to get books!

3. I've started to apply for jobs and so far things are going well. I don't want to jinx myself so I'm not going to say anything just yet. But I'm very positive that things will go well for me here.

4. Next weekend my Mom is coming to visit and I'm very excited to see her! We are going to spend lots of time sightseeing in the city and going out to eat. This will also be the first time my Mom meets my in-laws. How crazy is that?

5. Luckily for me, the weather in NYC has been awesome. There has been lots of rain, but it's a nice warm summer rain and thunderstorms. I heard that Toronto has been pretty cold... sorry to hear it!

6. I joined a gym nearby with Robin and we have been going to the gym about 5-6 times a week. I'm not losing a ton of weight, but I'm definitely more fit and I feel great!

7. There are a few Canadian items that I really really miss. Wine gums, Catalina salad dressing (doesn't taste the same here), all dressed chips, CTV news, the bright colourful Canadian money, Square One shopping centre, fat free yogurt with no aspartame, Salami (not the same here), bread from Cordi bakery or any bakery (the bread here is also just not the same), my hair stylist Zofia, Loblaws and PC brand products!

8. I haven't really had the motivation to make any jewellery since I've moved. Not sure why, but I hope it's just a phase!

9. Immigration-wise - things are moving along very well. I have a Social Security Number, New York Driver's license, US Bank cards and just got a notice that my Greencard application is moving right along. Next week I go for a Biometrics appointment - where I get my picture taken and my fingerprints completed for my Greencard - and then soon after that I should be hearing about my work permit.

10. And last but not least, things with Robin and I are going AMAZING! Finally being together has been the easier part of this whole move. We thoroughly enjoy eachother's company and despite our differences and annoying habits, we as as happy as can be!

Stay tuned for my next update with some photos!!

Saying goodbye

I never really realized how hard saying good-bye would really be. I know this probably sounds strange. Obviously, saying good-bye is difficult. But until it comes time to say good-bye, knowing that you will not see a person again for an undefined amount of time, it's hard to really understand the feeling.

Up until this point of my life, I've never really had to say good-bye for such a long period of time. When I went away to University, it was only an hour away. Even saying good-bye to my best friend, who would be 5 hours away, was a bit easier, because even then we could still visit easily when we were both home.

Anyways, yesterday I went out for lunch and dinner. I'm actually getting really tired of eating out, haha. I never thought I would feel that way! Tonight I'm going out for Indian food. I've never actually eaten at an Indian restaurant before, so I'm interested to see how I like it. I've tried take out and it's grown on me.. but it's still definitely not one of my faves... but since I've been going out so much I was very open to the invitation to try something new.

Last night while eating McDonald's ice cream, two of my close friends, Kayla and Liz, decided to hang out on Kayla's condo rooftop. I was freezing, but I'm very glad we did. It was a nice night and I got some nice pictures of the Toronto skyline. I will definitely miss the CN tower, Skydome and the rest of the city. The building that I worked in the past couple of years is also in the picture if you look closely! I had such a good time and can't wait to spend some time with these girls in NYC.

Toronto at night:


View on the other side... goodbye Spadina streetcar!


Enjoying the roof:


Here we are!

Ten on Tuesday

I'm stealing this idea from another blog I read. I think it's just ten random things... but if I'm wrong, please let me know!

1. Today I realized that in 4 sleeps I'll be a resident of the United States. That's not a lot of sleeps.

2. I'm half done my packing. But I only have space for 10 more pounds of stuff in my luggage. I've already packed 1 bag at 70 pounds, 1 bag at 50 pounds and 1 bag at like 40 pounds... yeah that doesn't add up...haha.. I think i do some more purging.

3. So this is probably like 90% of my clothes.


4. Tonight I went out for dinner with my Mom, Dad, brother, sister, nephew, Uncle Gene, Aunt Silvia, Auntie Lina and Steve. It was a lot of fun and very delicious. I'm going to miss my family, if I haven't mentioned that already!

5. These are all the shoes I'm taking. I packed all my shoes in my carry on so they wouldn't take up all the weight of my luggage (smart, right?) If I loose all my luggage, at least I'll have all my fabulous shoes, LOL. (Yes, I own crocs)


6. The garbage bag is full of clothes I'm not keeping. Hopefully somebody out there will enjoy them.


7. In exactly one week today, I'll be married. Crazy.

8. Wow this is actually really hard to fill out.

9. When I was a baby I received a troy ounce of gold. It's now worth more than it's been worth in a very long time (or possible ever) and so I think I'm going to cash it in to buy furniture! I keep forgetting I own it, so I might as well!

10. The end.

Feeling Overwhelmed

Well, time is definitely ticking and I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. I was definitely overwhelmed by my amazing family and friends who came to my going away party on Sunday. I'm really grateful to have made such amazing friends at the various stages of my life so far and I know that even though I'm going away we will continue to be friends. I'm really looking forward to having everyone come for a visit very soon!

Here are some of my very limited photos from the party... I really need to get better at taking more photos.

Me and my PR school girls:


My highschool friends:


My cousin Chris and my new baby cousin Jessica, she was born May 3rd! Already a little party animal:


My awesome cake and fruit:


Now I must get back to packing....I really have a lot more stuff than I considered. So not only am I feeling overwhelmed with emotion... I'm feeling overwhelmed with how I' m going to be able to pack everything I want to AND do it before Saturday.

Wish me luck!

How fast time flies...

Well, I'm officially unemployed. It was a weird feeling this morning waking up and knowing that I don't have a job to go back to. My last day actually didn't really feel like my last day. I will honestly miss having a job, I know I will.

I'm definitely going to miss my office row mates. I don't care what anyone says, we had the best row. Just look how much fun we had:





Friday Office Breakfast! Amazing last breakfast.



Great job guys!!!



Yummy... ice creams sundaes for breakfast are never complete without a Babybel!



And here are some pics of my desk - before and after:

BEFORE:



AFTER:



I totally did not realize how messy my desk was!!

The end.

Do you believe in fate?

So time is a ticking and my days in Canada are becoming limited. I feel like I've been talking about this move forever (I guess because I have.. oops) and while it definitely feels more real than it did almost a month ago in my last post.... I don't think it's "officially" sunk in yet. I'll let you know when it does :)

Things in my life have been pretty much the same, even with 10 days left. I worked late tonight, haven't started packing yet, will be having a jewelry sale (my last for awhile, tear) at work on Thursday. It doesn't really feel like I only have 3 days left of work, but I do.

The one thing I've been thinking about a lot lately is the concept of 'fate'.



I've always been a big believer in fate. But, I also believe that we have control of our destiny... so I guess I believe that while fate exists, we can also chose our fate by making certain decisions.
I've always thought that fate brought Robin and I together.

When I think about it, we had so much, yet so little in common at that time. We come from very different worlds, but have been able to intertwine those worlds so well together. He's given me a taste of city life and I've introduced him to suburban living (it's not so bad afterall..). He doesn't like to spend money, I love to spend money. He hates sour foods, and I love them. He's very neat, and I'm very messy. His humour is very sarcastic, mine is dry.

But mostly, we are the same. We both love food and eating. We both love reality tv (although I'm sure he would never admit to that). We both love to go on cruises. We both love to do nothing. Most importantly, we both share the same values and have equally comitted to making this all happen.

So I don't know, I suppose fate brought us together. But, ultimately have we chosen this destiny for ourselves?

Anyways, that's just my food for thought this evening. Didn't mean to get all deep or anything. Stay tuned for more posts leading up to the move...

It's going to get hectic! I plan to post more photos too as this progresses.

T-Minus 39 days

Well, the countdown is officially on. 39 days and I will no longer be living in Canada.

I just dropped Robin off at the airport and we had our very last good bye as a long-distance couple. It was a very strange moment for us. Sadder than usual, but also very exciting. We have been looking forward to this moment of our lives for a very long time (almost 6 years!) and it's finally happening. I must say that I always knew in my heart it was going to happen, so that never worried me. And, I know it's not going to be easy. We have a long road of adjusting ahead of us. But, I'm not scared. Nervous about a new job and making new friends? Yes, definitely. But I'm not at all scared.

I've always loved change, embraced change with big open arms and this case is no different for me. Don't get me wrong, I will miss my family and friends deeply, more than they will ever know. But I am confident that this is the right thing for me to do right now and appreciate their support so much.

I don't even feel like a chapter of my life is ending. I feel like I'm nearing the end of Part. 1. And, on June 6th, Part 2 will begin. In my case, Part 1 has a very happy ending and I'm looking forward to a different set of adventures and challenges and hope that you'll follow me as I begin the next part of my life. Don't you love finishing a really good book and then realizing that the book as a sequel? I love that feeling.

I plan to use this blog to showcase my experience and adventures in NYC. Sounds silly to say it, but I'm going to be a new immigrant. How cool is that? I'm packing my bags and leaving everything I know and love behind... but I'm doing it for love and honestly who wouldn't?

I'll try to post lots of photos and capture my new life for everyone to see.

Stay tuned!