End of a Chapter

Well, guess what folks...

After 2 years in the nation's capital, I'm moving to New York City. The Big Apple. Gotham. The City That Never Sleeps. Cue Liza Minnelli's "New York, New York"...

I've dreamed about living in NYC since I was an undergrad at BYU. I wanted to go to Columbia University to study to become an American Studies professor, but I was too afraid. The City seemed exciting but too big, too dangerous, too expensive, too crowded, too lonely, too competitive, too far...so I "settled" for DC because it seemed more manageable. I could still live the East Coast big city life and be surrounded by culture and history and trees and water and lots of other Mormon young single adults! And it has been quite the adventure, as you can see in this blog! But I wasn't able to fulfill my dreams as I had hoped -

• I tried 2 masters programs at GW (Higher Education Administration and American Studies) and neither of them turned out to be a good fit for me. I quit both after 2 semesters each.
• I haven't started my career working with college students.
• And let's be real, I haven't found the right man to marry. 

It all changed last Thanksgiving (see previous post) when I went up with some friends for a weekend trip. I hungered to explore this vibrant, historical, diverse, complex city in more depth and realized that I could only do that to the degree I wanted while I am without children. Museums, theaters, dance studios/clubs, concert halls, jazz clubs, parks, restaurants - there was no way I would be able to explore all that in just a few weekend trips a year.

I had just decided to apply to GW's counseling program to be a college career counselor but immediately upon returning to DC, I started researching and applying to counseling programs in Manhattan. Ultimately, I applied to 4, in order of preference: 

1. Columbia
2. NYU
3. GW (backup)
4. CUNY (backup)

I feel like a pro at applying to universities by now but I was still super nervous. And just like before, I knew if I didn't get into a certain school, it was not within Heavenly Father's plan for me and He had something better. But I've tried really hard to align my will with His because I've found that's the only way I'll be successful and happy. I've been counseling closely and constantly with the Lord to receive confirmation that He approves my goals/plans and will support me in my pursuits (Alma 37:37). I see everything as a spiritual lesson. 

Miracle of miracles, I got into BOTH my top choices! Believe me when I say I was more shocked than anyone when I found out on March 7-8. I felt extremely humbled and grateful that God and the admissions committees at Columbia & NYU believed that I could succeed there and wanted me to attend. That was the answer I needed to immediately start planning my move to NYC. It happens that my boyfriend lives in NYC and didn't need to move to DC if I didn't get into any New York schools. 

I wanted to move fast - April 1 - so I could have all spring and summer to explore and get settled in a job before I start school in the fall. I prayed and received confirmation that God approved. Then the real hard work began as I asked for many things to fall into place - 

• Sell my housing contract
• Find housing in NYC
• Find a job in NYC
• Get financial aid for school
• Pack/move

Not everything has worked out yet. I'm waiting for more info from both schools to decide which one I'll attend. I am trying really hard to do my part and sustain my patience and faith for God to bless me in His timeline. The refiner's fire, baby. 

So here I go, and here I come, NYC! I'll miss my comfortable room/house and the many wonderful friends I've made in DC, but we're only a 4.5 hour bus ride apart so that makes the separation easier. 

Thanks for the adventures, DC :) I won't be writing in this blog anymore but I'll still be active on my other 2 blogs!

LindanceLife.blogspot.com
Hiddenmorals.blogspot.com