my continuing rollercoaster of a relationship with Manhattan

This is a map of Manhattan, and all the different neighborhoods. Technically, I live in Yorkville, which is part of the Upper East Side. I used to live in Morningside Heights, which, technically, was on the Upper West Side. People here are very territorial about their 'hoods. It's a NY thing. 

I've been sick for the past few days, too busy coughing up my lungs to post anything. But hopefully I'm on an upswing here, in time to go to OH tomorrow for the LAF Summit. I decided to go because my friends from i2y and the LAF brought up a good point - I'm going to see THEM, and if the LAF isn't bringing awareness to AYA cancer issues, then who will? We will. So we're all going to wear our "Stupid Cancer" t-shirts and be subversive and give AYAers a voice. Good times. And, of course, I can't wait to see everyone again! Plus, the eye candy that is Lance. 

2 weeks from today is my last day at MSKCC, and I am really sad about it. I think that this has been the best job/internship I have ever had. I absolutely, truly love what I am doing, and I hate the thought of leaving. I've wanted to work at MSK for so long, and now that I am, I don't really want to give that up just yet! Maybe at some point in the future, I will have the chance again. I sure hope so, because I am inspired every day to keep doing what I do. But on another level, I am ready to leave NY.....and I never, ever, ever thought I'd say that. Really. But honestly, why would I want to pay this kind of rent when I could own something in Chapel Hill for much less per month? And have it be twice or three times the size? I think the only way I'd come back to NY would be either for a PhD program or working at MSK - and even then, I'd probably live in Brooklyn. I know, something else I thought I'd never say. 

Signs that it's time to leave NY:

- you lose touch with what's going on outside the borough and your world shrinks down to just Manhattan 

- you realize that much of the time, you're dressing like you're going to a funeral - all in black

- you consider it your lucky day if you get a seat on the subway

- you think nothing of paying $7 for a beer - NOT bottled

- pinkberry starts to take on incredible importance

- you give inordinate amount of thought to Magnolia cupackes vs Crumbs - and you actually debate this with friends

- when someone is nice to you, you're caught off guard

But of course, I know that when I get back to Carolina, I'm going to miss the aforementioned cupcakes (even though Carolina Bakery cupcakes are pretty darn excellent), i'm going to go through Pinkberry withdrawal, and I'll even miss the semi-organized, sensory overload chaos that is the city. I can't win. 

Reading: The Big House by George Howe Colt

Listening: Jem, Kerli, Katy Perry, Metric