Rachel Young

friday, august 2, 2002

You may notice a break here in the journal. Nearly a year’s worth of entries missing from this site. Well, a lot’s happened in that year, and I’ve catalogued it in various journals over the past 10 months. Hopefully, I’ll have them up before the next year comes around.

In the meantime, here’s a synopsis.

. . . . . . . .

My best friend sent me an email reminding me it was a year ago today that I packed up my things (on rather abrupt notice) and headed north for unknown territory. I left familiar faces and places for a city where I didn't know a single soul (except for one longtime friend from high school) and didn't even have a job (yes, I'm crazy and yes, I'm crazy -- and yes, I just repeated that -- it's called reiteration and emphasis).

Craziness.

The year in summary . . .

- Coming to New York without a job was stupid. Temping at various companies at various places was fun. Finding a job with a steady income two months later was even better.

- The Lord proved to me once again that He is faithful.

- Saw a city and nation in torment on 9/11. Wondered how we'd ever move on. Now I wonder if we've forgotten.

- I wrote a handful of new songs. Recorded a few of them. Allowed a few people to take a listen. I'm making baby steps (it's more like crawling but heck, it's something).

- I got plugged into my bible study group (with the encouragement from HC and Mr. Sang), and I can't express enough how grateful I am for that.

- I discovered how fun a lazy Saturday afternoon in Central Park can be.

- Turned one year older. Bleh.

- Had someone who cared deeply for me. I was spoiled by his affections. I let him go, and it was the right thing to do.

- One of my closest friends got married last August.

- Then my best friend got married in September.

- Then another good college friend got hitched in October (the seventh and last wedding of 2001).

- Dad is waiting patiently for my turn (he shouldn't hold his breath).

- I befriended Miriam at the cafe next to my office. She gives me free cookies.

- I learned how to say "I'm sorry".

- I developed a fondness for Boston (but only given nice weather conditions).

- I learned relationships take a lot of work. Hard work. It's why I'm single.

- But I also learned that I'm capable of opening up, caring for, and sharing part of my life with someone. It's important that I know that.

- I saw my parents for the first time in 2 years. I hope I'll see them again before the next two come around.

- I learned that it's okay to cry.

- To ask for help.

- To have that extra scoop of ice cream for dessert without feeling guilty.

- The previous three in moderation, of course.

- I learned how to make a white russian and an apple martini. Yum.

- I saw the following artists perform live: Edie Carey, Kevin So, Francis Kim, Susan Calloway, Jenny Choi, Annie Lin, Leisure, Brenda Weiler, Belle & Sebastian, and United We Stand Benefits Concert (featuring N'Sync, Bette Midler, James Brown, Pink, O Towne, Back Street Boys, Mariah Carey, and more).

- I never knew I could miss my brother and sister so much.

- I hated mice when I was a kid. I still hate them with a passion even now.

- For the first time, I understood what it meant to be lonely.

- Thanks to my boss, I learned that Elvis has not left the building.

- Once again, I realized some people come and some people go. But some friends are so darn stubborn, they still stick around. Thanks, guys. I'm a lucky girl.

- Getting my second root canal earlier this year hasn't curbed my craving for sweets at all (it's sickening but oh so good).

- I keep in touch better now with my best friend than I did when I lived 10 minutes away from her.

- I was introduced to Tomoe Sushi, and it has got the best damn raw fish ever known to man.

- Insomnia still sucks.

- Got a condenser mic for my birthday and the quality of my recordings have never sounded so darn good (thanks FF!).

- I made new friends.

- I saw gorgeous stars in the city for the first time (granted they were indoors at the Planetarium but it still counts -- thank you Linny!).

- I watched a broadway show for the first time.

- Saw my first major league baseball game in Yankee stadium.

- I learned that living on your own is hella expensive, but my independence is worth every dime.

- I realize the older I get, the more of a kid at heart I become.

- People told me I'd develop a hard edge living here in New York. Hell, I had it before I got here. Okay, so if you know me, you probably know I'm too nice for my own good. That still hasn't changed, but I'm working on it. ;)

- For now, this is home.

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