I have always enjoyed New York. I love hustle and I love bustle. I love taking life by storm and I am usually on a go-go-go pace. I rush through life most days, task to task, moment to moment. As a result New York City is my kind of city. Full of life and moving at my pace.
I have also always seen New York City as a tourist destination. A place to visit, but not to stay. Similar to Las Vegas, I never viewed NYC as a long term affair. To me it has always been a weekend adventure rather than a lifestyle.

That all changed the moment I stepped into Central Park. It was an immediate calm amongst the chaos. The noise of the city muted instantly by the vast serene landscape. I cannot quite explain it properly, but in an instant I realized why folks love this city.

Hustle, bustle, energy, insane energy and then there is calm and quiet and opportunity to breathe deep and soak in silence. For hours I walked the park, turning and twisting, climbing hills and navigating icy paths. The squirrels and I wandered together. I watched as many folks ran through the park on the jog/walk path, strolled with their dogs and biked the perimeter. And for a moment the chaos of NYC was at bay.

[photo credit: melanie moore]

[photo credit: melanie moore]

My heart wandered to the many famous people of New York City. I thought about Frank Sinatra, Jackie Kennedy, Sarah Jessica Parker… And I realized in that moment just how incredible this city was/is. And in that moment I decided I want to live here. In an apartment on the upper east side (whatever, I just said that to sound like I know what I am talking about) and jog Central Park everyday. Yep… That’s what I want.

[photo credit: melanie moore]

[photo credit: melanie moore]

[photo credit: melanie moore]

I told the Mr of my plans to uproot our family and move to NYC… He wasn’t on board.

So… back to reality…

I long to adventure back to NYC in what is actually Spring. I long to jog the park, play in the grass, boat on the lake. I long to adventure to the Hamptons just to see what it is all about. I long to eat at Tom Colicchio, Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay & Masayoshi Takayama restaurants. I long to escape into a New York state of mind at least once a year for the rest of my life.

[photo credit: melanie moore]

[photo credit: melanie moore]

[photo credit: melanie moore]

[photo credit: melanie moore]

[photo credit: melanie moore]

Central Park, thank you for showing me the softer side of New York City. I now understand just what is so special about this town. Everything at my fingertips and yet serenity exists. Until next time New York…

[photo credit: melanie moore]

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