I love New York, I hate New York.

Wow, it’s hard to believe I just passed the six month mark of living in NYC. Where the heck did the time go? It feels like yesterday I arrived to the city; unemployed and homeless with a suitcase and guitar in hand. Yet, unlike Maria von Trapp I was not singing “The Hills are Alive”, because New York was in the middle of a snowstorm and I had to schlep all of my luggage 4 city blocks searching for my friend’s apartment. Fast forward half a year later - I don’t think I’ve ever loved and hated a city so much at the same time. It has challenged me in ways I didn’t think were possible and has taught me more about myself in the past 6 months than in the past 5 years. Since it’s been a while that I shared any of my thoughts, I’m going to take the time to elaborate on the highs and lows of living in the Big Apple.

Let's start on a high shall we?

I love, love, LOVE how unique everyone is in this city. People-watching on the subway has to be one of my favourite things to do. The diversity here is unlike anywhere else and there is something liberating about seeing so many people embrace their true identities. I always like to come up with narratives in my head of where people come from and what their story is. Not going to lie, I have seen some pretty outrageous things living here, but it doesn't take too long to become immune to it. I swear someone could have two heads and New Yorkers wouldn't even look twice. 

The best thing about living here is you never know what's going to happen next.

I arrived here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with a plan to lock down a summer internship at a music publishing house. I never had the opportunity to do a summer internship throughout college, so this was my chance to pay my dues and work gratis for a few months to gain experience in the music industry. After sending out countless resumes, I was lucky to land some interviews with a few amazing companies. During the interview process I was so nervous that I always had to wear a turtleneck to cover up hives that appeared on my arms, neck and chest, but that is a whole different blog post! Luckily, after about a week of thinking I was going to have to give up the internship dream and become a Go-go dancer, I got an email from Universal Music Group. Confused at first how they had my contact information, I quickly learned that one of the companies who had interviewed me for an internship, referred me there for a job. The next morning shocked/scared out of my mind, I threw on my famous turtleneck and strutted on over to 56th and Broadway for my interview. After leaving the most ballin' office that looked straight off the set of "The Wolf of Wall Street", I left feeling like the most inexperienced candidate ever. Later that night, while over-analyzing every minuscule thing I did wrong, I received a glorious email telling me I got the job. Talk about an emotional roller-coaster! One day I hate the city and am having nightmares about schvitzing in knee-high white latex boots and the next I'm buying an "I heart NY" t-shirt 3-pack in Times Square. I can honestly say if it wasn't for my tight-knit group of friends here, I really don't know how I would stay sane through the stressful times. 

Summer in the city is another story... when will it end? Cancel your Bikram membership's people! Who needs a hot yoga class when you can just take a walk around Manhattan in booty shorts? I don't know if it's because I am from the West Coast where the climate is way drier, but I have never sweat so much in my life. And the worst part about it is that I cannot stop talking about it. "Sweating" has become my favourite topic for small talk. Unlike normal people who talk about the weather or just ride the elevator in awkward silence while trolling Instagram, I like to converse about the "sweat-stache" I glamorously obtained on my walk to work. Not okay Madison... not okay.  (shakes head)

Fall countdown is officially on and I've never been more ready. Bring on that cool breeze, knit sweaters, knit infinity scarves, pumpkin spice lattes, boots, pumpkin spice cupcake icing candles, pretty much anything "basic"...

I'M READY!

Anyway, I'm going to wrap this up with some pretty sunset pictures I took on my roof the other day. This is my favourite place to escape the hustle bustle and have a glass of wine. First is the west (Hudson River), second is the east (Midtown Manhattan).

Until next time!

Xo Madi