Today was the most perfect day. It was sunny and warm, and I can not remember the last time life has felt this good. Winter seemed to last forever and I forgot how great seventy degree weather feels. Winter isn't all bad. I actually enjoy a few months of hibernation and Netflix binges, but nothing beats the first few weeks of spring. Finally flowers are blooming, Central Park is full of life again and I don't have to wear layers of clothing.
My coworker/one of my best friends here in the city is a native New Yorker. Amy was born and raised in Brooklyn, which means she knows all the cool hang out spots. Since Brooklyn is far away from where I live on the upper west side, we have sleepovers all of the time. Friday night after work we went to dinner at the The Farm on Adderley. Her boyfriend greeted the both of us with a fresh bouquet of flowers. It was the sweetest surprise.
Friday Night at the Market
I know I look ridiculous in my puffy coat and hood, but grocery stores are always freezing. Is there a reason for that? You would think grocery stores would actually want their customers to stay a while and spend money! Everyone always makes fun of me because I get cold so easily, but until summer is here the puffy coat is stayin on!
Amy's brother has a car and he was nice to drive us upstate this afternoon so we could go on a hike. I am not the most avid hiker but today I was really in the mood. I need a brake from the city every once in a while. Riding in a car and going on a hike felt so familiar to me. It made me a little home sick for Utah!
Today was great, We got lost a few times and the hike ended up being much longer than any of us had anticipated, but it felt so good to be with friends. It felt so good to be enjoying one of the first days of spring together. Life is full of moments and learning to focus in on those moments is important. I think being happy is imperative and we all deserve to be happy, but I am learning being happy isn't what life is all about. Life is about the experience and within the growth of experience comes genuine and deserved happiness. Life is uncomfortable at times, but those awkward moments are where significant growth occurs. We really should embrace every facet of life, because there are valuable lessons that come from every experience!
My friends from Utah are always telling me to move home because I have more friends there. It is true, I don't have many close friends in New York and it can get lonely sometimes. However, there is a time and a place for everything. Sometimes having a million friends and hanging out all of the time isn't the most important thing. Some stages in our life are merely preparation stages so we can reap the benefits down the road, or so we that can progress and become a better and more interesting person.
