| | I know that the application deadline has passed for the first NYC Civic Corps class, but do you know when/if a second class will begin; and when you will begin accepting applications? I recently left New York City in search of greener grass, but just can't stay away. I'd love to return and help the city when it needs me most. I can return any time in August or this fall.
Thanks, Jeff *lastnameredacted*
Full Disclosure: Burlington’s a great place to be, and you’ll seldom hear a bad word about this town from me. Moving up here, IMO, was one of the best decisions I've made. It's friendlier, simpler and slower than the City that Never Sleeps. But it's not for me.
When I returned to NYC last weekend, it was like having my eyes re-opened. If you miss the subway, you’re gonna be mad, but there’ll be another one five minutes later. There are literally thousands of Meetup groups out there, waiting for you to join. Churches have dozens, if not hundreds, of small groups divvied up by neighborhood, sometimes by interest or age. If it’s 3 in the morning and you want a Big Gulp and a slice of pizza, there’s no good reason you can’t put some shoes on and go get it. I don’t care what kind of event you go to, whether it’s for Crackheads Anonymous, Singles with Poodles or Affluent, Poker Playing Tax Collectors, if it’s in Manhattan, you will not find the words “Ample Free Parking Available,” and you will not be expected to drive there.
The economy sucks. Sure does. The economy sucks more than a vacuum cleaner with the engine of a Mustang. Thing is, you can take the guy out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the guy. And Lord knows, I tried for six years of college and immediate post-college living. And three months (and counting) here in the Green Mountain State. The economy sucks everywhere. By the way, the Burlington Free Press sez that Vermont's probably not going to recover from this economic storm for another 2-3 years.
Screw the economy. I need a city where the "things to do" schedule is 8-10 pages long, in 8-point font. On a Monday night. Where if one church, or one small group, doesn't work out, I can easily find another one without having to wonder how I can finagle a ride. Where, recession or not, the opportunities aren't limited to a handful of industries. Where you don't have to settle for a minimum-wage job because the field you majored in is either underrepresented or not a part of the state's local economy at all. Where you get as much of a rush from being in the city as you would from sticking a fork in the wall socket. Where the sky's literally the limit.
I must be crazy. I've got a good thing here in Burlington - I'm living with one of my best friends from college, the baristas here greet me with a smile and already know what I'm going to order, and to a degree, it is somewhat easier to get involved in things and to have your voice heard. Not to mention that I have a room of my own, with posters on the walls and storage space - quite the upgrade from Mom's couch. I really like it up here, but now that I really realized what I gave up, and what I left behind, how can I not want to go back? I feel a little like Adam and Eve must have once they bit into the forbidden apple from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (don't know the story? find a Bible). All was hunky-dory before I headed home for Memorial Day weekend, but now that my eyes have been opened, how can I close them again? Plus, I feel really bad for getting my friend's hopes up about having me here in town, only to split - or to want to split - after a few months. It won't be perfect. You're probably going to read (or bypass) entries of mine, grousing about temp agencies, high unemployment, and self-centered jerks on the subway - I guarantee that if I make it back to New York, you will - but no place is. Every place has its good aspects and bad aspects; you have to find a place that matches your pace and temprament and be willing to put up with the bad along with the good. Even if you have to remind yourself 50 times a day why you chose to live where you do (especially if you're giving up a smaller, cleaner and friendlier place), that's what you have to do. Otherwise, you'll lose sight of whatever your goal is, and become angry, disillusioned and bitter.
It won't be a waste. I'd like to think that I've grown as a person, and changed for the better, for having lived here in Vermont, even these three months. I've gotten to know my BFF, her husband and family better. I've become more relaxed and less angry. I've probably been nudged closer to God, which is no easy feat in a state of rocky spiritial soil (don't know the reference? find a Bible). I've made a few friends/friendquaintances, and I've learned how to deal with people in a way that doesn't lead to anger and seeing red. Maybe I had to temporarily leave The City to realize what a good thing I really had down there. I'm here all week. And all summer -I'm taking some computer classes so that I'll have more skills under my belt, and look thatmuch better to potential employers. Plus, I have much more quality time to get in. And the absolute last thing I'd want to do is to burn any bridges on my way out of town. However, there's a huge family reunion in the Bronx over Labor Day weekend. Maybe I can get there with a MetroCard rather than an Amtrak ticket. Speaking of MetroCards...
PS: Let’s keep this between you and me, eh?
In other words, tell anyone about this and I’ll carve the internet out of your computer with a sharpened MetroCard.
PPS: I heard back from the NYC Corps people the following morning. It's a pilot program, so they only have
funding for this first year so far. Cheapskates. I'm applying with Americorps, and if that doesn't pan out, I'll probably start reaching out to temp agencies and firing up LinkedIn. |
| | Posted 5/26/2009 1:52 AM - 11 Views - 2 eProps - 0 comments
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