New York

I have been making a mental list of all the things I will and won't miss about NYC for the last few days.  Since I am up late with a fussy baby (again), I thought I would share it with you.

Things I Will Miss:

snow

Christmas decorations

Macy's

the subway (when I am by myself and not carrying heavy items...oh, and not pregnant)

my old job :(

our "new" friends

Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill (ok, we only ate there once and they have one in Vegas anyway)

Tavern on the Green (again, only once, but YUM!).  I am still trying to think of a way to fit in lunch there tomorrow

Radio City Christmas Show

Fresh Direct (my online grocery store)

being surrounded by history

the friendly people (you heard me)

the political mindset (stores sold out of champagne on November 4)

Biscuits and Bath (Wahoo's daycare/overnight care/groomers...yes, it is the same place to which Rachel Ray takes her dog)

yelling at strangers and not getting my butt kicked

street vendors (food, jewelry, you name it)

my doctors and our pediatrician :(

Central Park

Things I won't miss:

People say "on line" instead of "in line" (like in line at the post office, they yell, "next on line".  what am i, a computer?)

cockroaches!

awful, muggy summers

the subway [when I have my kid(s) or something heavy...or when you barely miss stepping in human poo because you are too distracted by trying to decide whether that guy you just passed on a bench was dead or just sleeping]

the way every apartment corridor smells like a mix of everything that everyone is cooking for dinner (our old place always smelled like garlic in the halls, one day last week I think this place smelled like warm garbage)

needing a stroller for your babies and crap, but having to figure out how to deal without it since it won't fit in stores and elevators on the subway are rare and never working when you really need them to be so you either have to leave it at home or you have to just pick up the entire stroller and carry it up and down 10-20 flights of stairs for each leg of your trip.  Those are the days when I take what I call pre-Motrin.

have I mentioned the lack of mexican food here?

the long flight home

the long flight back

when a family member gets really sick you have to decide between saying goodbye and getting to go to their funeral (happened THREE times and the last time we couldn't go either way)

not having a car

why do they only sell vanilla coffee creamer here?  there are so many other awesome flavors!  it drives me nuts.

the fact that everywhere is filthy (except the upper east side) and no one seems to care.  many people actually love it that way--like it adds character or something.  blech.

It is actually really strange to think of coming home.  Part of me can't believe we are already done here (almost), but mostly I feel it has been a long, hard challenge on so many levels.  I am really upset that I am almost four years older than I was when we decided to come here.  That is yucky!  I wanted an adventure, and I certainly got it.  We cried in the car on the way to the airport after we left Jason and Winter's house in Redlands, and I know we were both wondering if we were making a mistake.  I still remember how I felt as the plane took off that night, although it is hard to describe.  I guess I felt that although I didn't know what to expect, my eyes were wide open and I was ready to be exposed to a different life.  Since then, there have been times where I wanted out of NYC with all of my heart and times where I thought I could never leave.  I think I will always have a love/hate relationship with this city.  I think nothing compares to the feeling of walking out on the streets by yourself and just soaking it all in.  For some reason, I feel so aware of myself and my surroundings when I am out walking and I think that is actually when I feel the most alive.  But, of course, the walking thing is killer when you have kids.  I am proud of my "New York mom" moments because they are a learned skill and have been a challenge for me that I never saw coming.  Anyway, it has been difficult adjusting to life here, and I know it will be a bit of a challenge to downshift into a less intense world.  I think moving is always an adjustment.  I am especially nervous about becoming a driving mom, just because it will be different and Lizzie is getting older.  How long before we are fighting over the radio?  My guess is that will happen next week.  No, probably sooner.  For the most part, though, I think it will be pretty easy to slip back into California living.  I will be taking the yummy mexican food, amazing produce, driving, cheaper cost of living, etc. for granted before you know it.  We will be there in just under 24 hours!  I can't wait.