[Ny Minute Now]

A couple of weeks ago, in the car ride back from the airport, this thought came to mind: "Oh my gosh. What I am doing (alone) here again?" A wave of nervousness washed over me, but I didn't have time to fixate—East Hampton was waiting.

And this time around, it felt different. True, I was still concerned about establishing a career, finding an apartment, and being able to pay rent, but, Lily Pond Lane proved to be the breathtaking and inspiring welcome back to the city was once tough and brutal yet also brimming with opportunities and possibilities….. When I moved to New York the first time around, my first few days were marked with the stress of 1) Finding a decent bed without busting my budget; 2) Finding a job ASAP—that aforementioned 'budget' was definitely NOT going to last until next month's rent is due, and 3) Adjusting to being away from my then boyfriend (now husband) after seeing each other almost everyday prior to moving.

The difference between then and now is that I no longer feel so small in this big city. I have higher expectations around me and of people, which in turn, pushes me to step up and pick up the pace (I have to deliver!).

And, of course, change happened when I decided to PRIORITIZE and TAKE A BREATHER—which I've written about in my Time Out, New York post.

Image courtesy of Vanguardist.org.

Labels: career, life musings, New York, New York minutes, vacations

I'd recently posted a message on my cousin Jacque's Facebook page after seeing a beautiful photo she uploaded from a trip to Camiguin Island a week before. I said how much I would want to get to go to the beach one last time before summer was over, at least in this part of the world. (I'm actually headed for my second summer next week, when I head back to the U.S. Yay!)

She asked if I still had time to visit the family out of town and within minutes, I booked myself and my husband Cebu Pacific tickets online. I actually only had enough money for the one-way trip, and I figured, I would buy the tickets for going back later in the week. Jacque, being naturally quick and efficient, scheduled the boat that would take us to another island (secret!) about an hour from where they live. Talk about fun and relaxing!

Here are some photos from our trip.

Labels: family, quality time, vacations