Brooklyn WE go HARD

So this morning, I woke up (all alone) in my new place...my new home away from home...Brooklyn, NY. There's something a little refreshing about figuring out your new commute to work, taking a new journey to the train station and locking new doors for the very first time. Fast move eh? And truthfully, it went off without a hitch. Special shout-out to my angels: Jamil, Jarret, Marchant, and Shameka...there for the whole day :)

Also thanks to Daryl, Emil, Erik, and Alvin...timing was a little off but more than willing to lend a hand. I am forever grateful.

Woke up early to go pick up the truck/meet JB at the train stop so we could go together, met with a surprise...he brought help! MD was such an addition to the packing day...he packed the mess outta the 10' truck. Fun times at the Uhaul place..special shout-out to my customer service rep Moe who was very helpful and nice...JB video blogged the whole day so you'll see her soon.

Three of us rode effortlessly, I lied, we got kinda stopped twice. First time cuz we weren't allowed on this overpass thingy and the second time cuz YOU CAN'T DRIVE A UHAUL TRUCK ON THE WESTSIDE HWY! That was annoying. Btw Manhattan Bridge has no toll.

Anyway so we get to my place and AC is already there and waiting and the guys get to work. I mean they cleaned out my room so super fast it was quite impressive. While they were loading, I was cleaning and doing the last minute closing boxes...the joy of being a girl! No heavy lifting for this one! Which apparently was a really nice thing to do bc my ex-roomie sent me a text saying she'd never had anyone clean up behind themselves before. Pat-on-back LC!

Then. It started to rain.

Then. When we got to BK...miraculously it stopped. Like for real, not a cloud in the sky. Thanks God for that one! So the guys immediately got to work unloading the truck (fyi...uhaul only gave my 4 hours to get this whole move done before I had to bring the truck back...kinda whack cuz they said I had it for a whole day when I talked to them on the phone...so if you do it online, don't click the box for the recommended 4 hours...they tricked me) but anyway. We got the truck back at like 2:30...and there was traffic and I had to put gas in the truck.

After that it was simply feeding the crew..they were famished and then they headed out. I was super sad...super. It was too much. But SPJ was still there to help me out with unpacking things (don't think I"m finished for a minute!) I had to go get a fan tho...no central air and I was hot! Oh and also, I'm sleeping on the floor! Well not really but yeah I kinda am. So there's a really narrow and low part to get into my apt and my box spring wouldn't fit...UGH! So yeah...basically sleeping on a mattress, on a rug, on the floor. But I've been saying for like a year that I need a new mattress and I feel like this is just the time for me to get one cuz I probably would have just kept procrastinating (which I do well) and not taking care of it. Which if I really think about it I've been saying for about a year how cool it would be to move to BK and live in a house and have a backyard, etc but just never did it. No motivation/incentive to pack up (ugh...u know I hate it) and move outta my comfort zone to a place I know nothing about. (Thanks for the push God...gave me no way out eh? That's cool)

Which is fine...do what you have to to get the job done. It could be 10 times worse...ie the mattress not fitting either...THEN I woulda been screwed! But I've not had central air before (camp 105 degrees) and I've had to sleep on a mattress/the actual ground before...so I am not complaining. It's just funny! And two...I can't have a housewarming cuz uh...my bed is on the floor!

Overall tho...cool experience for the most part.

It's funny the things you find and the things you remember when you're moving...old pictures, earrings you've lost, etc. And also gives you a chance to donate/clean out your closet of the stuff you don't wear/need/raggedy/etc (sorry parents....the suits are gone) that I have been putting off for months (again...procrastinate thing I told you about) What stood out to me most tho was that this was the first move without the fam. I mean my friends that helped me yesterday are truly one of a kind special and like family..but you know what I mean...all other times...dad has been in charge. He throws all my stuff on the back of his truck with the strength of 10 men and off we go. Or my sister and brother. Never, I mean never have I had to do this without them. And honestly, it kinda made me sad. Not sad enough to move back to Ga :) but sad to know that I may have had the last time that that was going to be in my life and they were gonna be there. And I didn't even know that it was the last time. I guess I"m kinda just sentimental now and really nostalgic for home...glad I get to see the fam jam in like a month tho...it's been too long. Not to mention mentally and physically drained. This summer has really kicked my butt. Like seriously. Completely drained me. Happy news come soon :)

So I'm pretty much starting over...on Lenore (and Jesus) and it's a whole lot different this time. I can't help but remember the first time I moved from home....that was college...whole family was there...(dad and the truck, remember) and I had the university's confidence that my housing and food would be taken care of. Next Spain...again...mom and baby sis went with...had a host family waiting on me there with shelter and food...good. Next, Romega, again...dad and his burly self and the whole fam were there, had the school I was working for providing shelter and food. Moving to NY less than a year ago...had everyone there to say goodbye and fam drove up with to help out. First time for food but I was living with someone else, so I really didn't have to think about it. This time...no dad, no burls, and basically no cushion. It seems that everyone else has been responsible for everything else since forever...furnishing apartments...I remember people just buying me stuff or giving me stuff from their homes (and raiding mom and dad's home for stuff...mom was like no! dad was like sure take it we don't use it! :)

I sound like a little girl...LOL. Guess I'm just missing being taken care of. But Sis. Marion told me the other day, "God bless the child that's got his (her) own" And now it's my turn. Altho, I still asked for stuff (ie big sis) but I haven't really, really asked for much. Gonna try and hit up craigslist and see what free stuff they have...cuz my apt is kinda bare (in my defense, all the stuff I had in GA for my apt, when I moved up here I didn't need anymore cuz I was moving into an apt that was already furnished, so I gave it all way, ie lamps, tvs, couches, shelves, kitchen stuff) so yeah....basically starting over from square one. And you don't realize all the stuff you need. For instance...that little thing that cleans the toilet...what's that called? You need it but you don't realize you need it until you don't have one! Or ice trays!!!

I guess I was just taking things for granted and not counting the cost of all the things that I did/do have. And this experience is teaching me that. Forcing me to grow up in a way I didn't think I had to/even wanted to (not gonna lie...it's great having the supportive family that I have and yeah, I'm spoiled) but I consider it a blessing. I've learned that just as much as I can count on dad and the truck and my family for support, so much more can I count on my heavenly father. Cuz I'm spoiled. He hasn't let me down. He makes sure that my needs are met...most times thru my loving family and friends. It's simply character building time I suppose...and yes pardon me, I may kick and scream, but in the end I know it'll all be worth it.

I guess if I had to say one word that describes where I am it's simply that I'm thankful. I'm thankful for my new place (which isn't as small as I thought it was) I'm thankful for my moving buddies, thankful for my family and friends that cover me in prayer, and thankful for what's to come. I wait in anticipation. There must be a reason for all of this. I wonder what it is.

Just as a disclaimer: This will NOT happen to me again! That's also what I take from this experience. If the same circumstance arises again...I will be a little more ready, willing and able to face it without so much uncertainty, fear, and stress.

Pix to come :)

...not of the new place...it's still a disaster zone.

Hugs,
Lenore