This month has felt a little different from the previous ones. After spending the first few weeks getting used to the new job, the new routine, and basically figuring out how everything works around here, I finally feel more settled. Work feels much more familiar now, I’ve made some good friends, and I’ve started having plans that don’t involve figuring out where I’m going for the first time.
One of the main things that made this month different was my birthday. It was the first time I celebrated it away from home, which was definitely strange. I’m used to celebrating with my family and the people I’ve known for years, so spending it in a new country was a bit unusual. Thankfully, a very good friend of mine is in New York City, so I was able to spend the day with her.
It turned out to be a really fun day. We had brunch at a place I had really wanted to try, and then continued exploring new neighborhoods around the city.
I’ve also been getting to know New York a little better. Since it’s so close, I’ve been taking advantage of it whenever I can and exploring different neighborhoods and places around the city. I’ve also started trying many of the restaurants and cafés that I had saved before coming here. My list is still much longer than the number of places I’ve actually managed to visit, but I’m making progress.
Outside of that, there have been plenty of smaller plans with friends, which have probably been one of my favorite parts of this month. Going out, trying new places, exploring the area, and just having people to make spontaneous plans with has made the experience feel much more natural.
Looking back, the biggest difference from my first month is probably that I’m not constantly thinking about being new anymore. I still have a lot to discover, both at work and outside of it, but I’m getting into a routine and starting to know what I like, where I want to go, and who I want to spend time with.
So, yes, this was a different kind of birthday. But maybe that’s not a bad thing.
