Where in the World is KP?

mSo much has happened since my last blog post. People keep asking me what I'm doing or where I am, and I figure writing about it makes the most sense.

On March 30th I said by final goodbye to #Rooterlyfe. I left a job that had harbored me for five years and I was no longer a Director of Marketing. I left my office and seat at a desk, and I haven't looked back...yet. I don't know that I will look back, but I also don't know what the future holds. When I closed that door so many more opened. One of my friends said, "you retired at 28; how does that feel?" Well, retirement, if that is what we are calling this, thus far feels like a lot more work, but it is so much more rewarding. 

I chose to take my first real vacation upon quitting my job, and I adventured out to my happy place in the Pacific North West. I brought in my 28th birthday on the beach where my soul came to life two years ago. While my trip to Seattle was a vacation it was still quite exhausting. I revisited a lot of places, people and feelings that brought up past emotions of hurt, pain and heartache, but the beautiful thing about those moments...I was able to see just how far I have come and just how much I have healed. I used to live in sadness and sorrow, but those are not the emotions that regularly visit me these days. 

After Seattle I had less than 24 hours at home before getting on another plane and heading to New York City. I didn't even sleep in my own bed while at home because I wanted to see as many of my people as possible and soak up every ounce of home that I possibly could. 

New York City...my current adventure. I am in New York to work the Tribeca Film Festival and will depart after the festival is over on April 30th. I have been in New York since April 15th. I landed, purchased a metro card and headed to The Chelsea International Hostel which would be my home for the duration of my stay in New York...or so I thought. About three days into my stay I was informed that I would need to make other housing arrangements within two days due to the fact that I do not have international status. Now, why they accepted my in the first place is neither here nor there at this point, but it was extremely frustrating to say the least. 
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Thankfully, family is created quickly here at Tribeca and I was offered a spare room and comfortable bed in Brooklyn for the duration of my stay. This location is further from where I am working, but it is teaching me how to maneuver New York Public transportation like a champ. If you follow my Instagram stories you have been able to see some of my adventures and mishaps, but if not I will share them with you now...

Upon my arrival I took a bus, a train and walked 2 miles through the rain to the wrong location and ended up sitting in for a local folk music concert because taking an Uber to the correct place.

Tribeca Training was great, and I connected with so many people that will now be life long friends. After my first day of training I sat in a part for 3 hours with a friend who started as a complete stranger. 

Training was filled with new knowledge, laughs, and plenty of red carpet pictures. 

I have adventured around the city and found some beautiful sights, delicious food and hilarious human interaction. 

I argued with a Buddhist in Central Park about the literal and figurative cost of peace. 

My soul was touched by an incredible violin player in the Subway station. 

John Legend walked past me, and Salt and Peppa acknowledged me. 

I became a regular at the coffee shop around the corner-it's called Cocoa Grinder-and they have some of the best omelets that I have ever encountered. 

I continuously admire New York fashion and have taken too many pictures of dogs as they walk by my work station. 

I finished the book I brought, so now I have resorted to a lot of writing on my train rides, but the inspiration continues to find me. 

I've eaten more Chinese take out than I care to admit. 

I had a panic attack underground due to the trains not functioning the way that I knew, and not knowing how I would get home. That experience followed in two men trying to steal my backpack off my back. I have never been more thankful for strong thighs. I kicked them, ran and got an Uber. 

I finally had New York Pizza, and I could honestly eat a whole pie if I was hungry enough. 

The sun has been shining most days, and I adventured to the Brooklyn Bridge Park where I realized I have seen two separate skylines (on opposite ends of the U.S.) within a month. Seattle still wins for me. 

My finances are on the low low, until I get paid from this contract, but I have honestly never felt richer. 

I continue to learn more and more about myself with each passing day, and I truly agree with what "they" say...If you can make it in New York City; you can make it anywhere.

Keep chasing those dreams baby.
From my heart to yours,

Queen KP