After dinner on Monday, Jordan and I walked down Central Park West to catch a little of the Philharmonic Orchestra concert going on in the park that night. It was a free event which naturally meant that half of New York City was there. We found a bench away from most of the crowds, and just people-watched while the music faintly played in the background. Fireflies lit up the trees surrounding us and a boy and his dad walked past us nearly a dozen times, discussing the finer points of the early Star Wars films. There were supposedly fireworks after the concert, but we headed back early, walking the thirty blocks home together.
Summers in New York City are wonderful for people like us who treasure all the fun things you can do without spending money. It forces you to think outside the movie + dinner box and get a little more creative. Living in NYC on a budget isn't necesarily easy (read: mostly difficult), but I sort-of-maybe enjoy the challenge of it all? I mean, some days all you really want to do is go have a fancy dinner and maybe catch a show followed by some dessert. Right? But there's beauty (and peace) found when living within your means and making sacrifices now that will hopefully pay off in our future. Some of my favorite memories of being here in the city include picnics in the park with Elliott, walking to church Sunday mornings down Lenox Avenue, exploring Roosevelt Island, finding slightly sketchy food in Chinatown, doing the Harlem Shake on camera in Harlem, and riding the 2 train to Brooklyn and back while Jordan sketches strangers. Simple things.
What I hope to remember most of my time spent in New York, were the times we were able to connect with this city and connect with each other. So if you're scared about moving to NYC and living on a budget? Don't be. All you really need is a little creativity... and maybe a good pair of walking shoes ;)
Beautiful!
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