NYC. These three letters have a special meaning
for me. New York City, the place where I reconfirmed my career
decision as a designer, and continued to be inspired by my
environment.
I left Vancouver in 2003 with a small suitcase
for a destination about which I had heard many stories, but
had never visited. Just a few months earlier, perchance I
had been surfing about the net, half seeking some inspiration,
and the other half, trying to look for a new path. I had forgone
the opportunity back in 2000 after graduating from university
to leave for Toronto for more schooling. I really wanted to
have that experience of attending school away from the comforts
of home. I craved that independence. We only live once, right?
I stumbled upon the website for Parsons School
of Design. I applied, and that's where I ended up. The events
that took place afterwards were quite surreal. I was living
in Union Square, Manhattan, sharing an apartment with 3 other
girls, each from different backgrounds and hometowns. For
the first time in my life I was actually genuinely excited
about school. I took it so seriously that I made the effort
to arrive early just to wait for my classes to start. Keener?
Nah, just truly inspired to learn.
Anyhow, during the time I had attended school,
I really didn't have much time to do some sightseeing. Each
school day was pretty much the same. Wake up, shower, get
ready for school, drink a bottle of OJ, speedwalk to school,
finish classes, do homework at the lab, walk back to the apartment.
If I ran out of groceries, I'd make the stop on the way home
from school. Looking back now, I was really disciplined and
focused to make the most out of what I learned.
I think my experience in New York really shaped
the rest of my professional career. It made me realize my
true passion did in fact resided in design. Whenever I get
into a project, I live it, I breathe it. Everything else becomes
secondary, including sleep, meals, and a social life. My only
focus is to come up with unique ideas and follow through my
vision. My happiest moments are when I see the projects come
to life upon completion.
* * *
I finally returned to New York for a chance
to wander around Manhattan to, in some ways, make up for lost
time. While I was there last, the MOMA was under renovations,
so it was on the top of my list.
I took a red-eye flight and left on the evening
of July 31, 2007, my birthday, and arrived August 1. My trip
itself was quite costly, as I had only booked my tickets about
a week before I finalized my travel plans. So instead of taking
the bus shuttle, I decided to take public transit to get to
Midtown Manhattan where my hotel was situated.
What an experience! I was actually a little
worried for my safety, as the bus driver ventured through
the various neighbourhoods. I thought I was relieved when
I got off the bus to get to the subway station. Little did
I know what else would await.
The last time I was in New York, I didn't really
find people being rude or impolite. I had my dose of it in
the elevator going down to the subway platform.
I got off in Midtown, and after walking a couple
blocks dragging my suitcase behind me, I navigated to my hotel,
a bit sweaty, but safely. I think it was around thirty degrees
in the summer humid heat!
My hotel room was small, but everything I expected
and a bit more. The minimalistic modern interior furnishings
was exactly my style! I loved it. The start of my trip was
a little bumpy, but worth it.
