Good Bye New York!

Goodbyes still suck. Today, I am saying goodbye to NYC. The place I have called home for a year and a half. NYC was a lot of things to me. I came here partly broken and pretty lost. This city ignited in me the creativity, passion and life that I had been missing for quite some time. I learned so much here, about fashion, what I want to do with my life but most importantly I learned about myself. I found myself again in NYC. In a word, this city saved me.
 
In my last goodbye post, I explained that Calgary has my heart because my family is there. I also said that Victoria has my soul. Victoria will always be a special place to me because I had so many great experiences there. I have very fond memories of my time there, but I also have painful ones. NYC has taught me that nowhere gets to keep your soul. That stays with you, wherever you go. I think that was an important distinction for me to make. The place doesn't make you, it certainly can shape you but it's not your identity.
 
I have made so many rewarding connections here. I have made friends for life. I have met mentors and people I could ask advice at any time. As amazing as NYC has been, I've gotten what I need out of it. I came here at the right time but it's now time to move on. This city can wear on you, chip away at your spirit. Before I had made the decision to leave, I felt it trying to do that to me but I wouldn't let it. I wanted to leave this place on my terms, with a positive memory sitting in my mind. I am excited for this next chapter in Calgary. I never in a million years thought I'd say that. But it feels right. As corny as it may be, I have realized that home truly is where your heart is. I don't expect it to be easy, at times I may question my decision but in my heart it's where I want to be. I've lived elsewhere for almost ten years. A whole decade. It's taken me that long to come back and that's okay. 

Although I leave today feeling completely at peace with my decision, I am going to miss this crazy beast of a city and all of my amazing, wonderful friends who came with it. I have a New York family and I know this is not goodbye but rather see you later. 

Good bye New York, it's been a slice!

j.

Saying Goodbye.

I said this many times this past weekend. To my best friends.  My condo. All of my furniture. And most of my belongings (except my clothes – who do you think I am?).  I had to say goodbye to Victoria. Where I have lived for the past 8 years. Where I went to school. Met my best friends. Fell in love for the first time. And even though I moved there after high school, it’s where I grew up.  It was my choice to go to school there. And to stay there once I graduated. It was something that was completely my own. It was, in the truest sense of the word, my home. While Calgary will always have my heart because my family still lives there. Victoria has my soul. So the biggest goodbye of all goes to my home. Goodbyes suck.

I knew it was coming for quite some time. I was ready for it. That is, until it came. My eyeballs would not stop leaking the day before I left. And the day I left. At home. At Sasha’s. At a restaurant (classy, I know). In the taxi. You get the idea. I know that I am going to be back to visit (and who knows what the future holds). And I know that distance does not stand a chance against the friendships I have in Victoria. But even so. All I can think of is two words. Goodbyes Suck.

Sash and I at Ferris' Oyster Bar on my last night in Vic. I actually managed to find a photo that did not show

 the alarmingly obvious bags under my eyes. Success!

I promise a palm tree filled post tomorrow. Live from Palm Springs.

j.