Feb 26, 2013

Apology and a (good) explanation

Hello? Are you all still there? Don't blame you if you aren't....

You are probably wondering where I have been for the past 5 (ouch...) months. I definitely owe you an apology, an explanation, and an update.

... I think I'll start with the explanation....

Over the summer I had a grand vision for my life in NYC. I imagined myself balancing school, domestic life, blogging, and a part-time job seamlessly, with time for fun and adventure on the side (not to mention a little sleep now and then). I reached the city, and BAM. My plans and expectations were whipped away by the frigid winter wind, and drowned in the Hudson. You know that popular meme describing High school, bemoaning everyones lack of time? It goes a little like this:

SLEEP - SOCIAL LIFE - GOOD GRADES
Pick two, welcome to high school.
Well, it's a little like that, except its "Pick one, welcome to the King's College."
When I visited Kings for the first time on one of their visit weekends (called "inviso") I stayed with some freshman girls in their apartment. One of them took the time to give me a talk that I should have taken to heart a little sooner.
"They make it look like you will have time to go to Broadway shows every weekend, and party, and see the sights, and still have enough time to get an A in every class. DON'T BUY IT. College, let alone Kings, is very hard work, and there will be some days when you don't even leave your apartment for all the work. The sooner you accept that, the easier life here will be for you."
She was so right. Half-way through last semester I came to the realization that there are only so many hours in the day, and something had to go. Unfortunately for you, my readers, I had to let go of my blog (I told myself I'd pick it back up when I learned to balance everything, and apparently, that took 5 months). I'm not going to make any more promises to blog, because I honestly can't keep them. I will post as often as I can, but I can't guarantee a quota.
My sacrifice did pay off, however.... I made the Dean's List! Last semester was a huge learning curve. I failed and succeeded in dramatic ways, I made lifelong friends, I learned that it's ok not to have it all together all the time, I learned that there is no reason not to be happy all the time, and I don't think I could have done it all in a city any less unique and incredible. So I apologize that I couldn't have taken you all on my journey, but I hope you all will understand.
So what have I done in the past 5 months? Well Let's see...
Since I didn't go home for Thanksgiving break, I was able to get a front-row view of the Macy's Parade! Here are a few pictures:



The parade was amazing, but what made it truly unforgettable, was the fact that my friend Sadie spent Thanksgiving week exploring the city with me.

More recently, I had the privilege of being part of the live audience for SNL! Jennifer Lawrence was hosting, and The Lumineers were the musical guest. I, and a group of 8 other girls from my house (sorority) camped out for a 30 hour period on the sidewalk in mid-January for a chance at these tickets... I pulled my first all-nighter (in 15 degree weather, may I add). I made friends with a couple of homeless people - you should try it sometime, they all have really interesting stories (hi Mommy! I know you are reading this...). Also, if you are going to explore Times square, I recommend you do it at 3am... It is much more pleasant without the crowd (seriously people, Times square on a Saturday night is what I imagine hell to be like...). Anyway, we got the tickets at 7am, and our group (thank the Lord!) was the last one to be admitted... (I'm really sorry for the people who were in line after us..... maybe....). So this is how I ended up taking pictures with the entire cast of SNL and breathing the same air as Jennifer Lawrence. Yeah, my life is pretty awesome.

So these are all the stories I will share for now. Can't promise you when I will post next, but I can promise that every time I do, I will include stories from the past five months.


Love you all!


-H