NYC ---> LA <---NYC

I miss New York City at times, alot less than I thought, but  nevertheless I miss it.

New York City was the last place I thought I would end up living. That's the funny thing about life; as Forest Gump would say "it's like a box of chocolates."

I ended up living in New York City not once but twice. 11.5 years total. At the time I didn't realize the impact that powerful city would have on my life. I still wonder how I ended up in New York City when I resisted it so much.

"Why would I move to a city where the apartments are the size of shoe boxes!" ~ Me

Most would agree New York City possesses an energy like no other. People walk faster, talk faster, work faster. The energy seems to pulse through the city like a drug. New York City is addictive. At first the city is overwhelming, too much to take in, but then those very attributes keeps one wanting more and more. The city that never sleeps. New York City snatched my heart and took it, kept it and held on. It's still holding on.

But alas, I have moved on. In a way I feel like an unfaithful lover or a newly divorced woman looking for a fresh start. I moved on to a sunnier, less addictive city. A slower, dreamier, WARMER city.

I committed the cardinal New Yorker sin. I moved to Los Angeles.

{Moment of silence}

Rewind many many years ago, after my time in undergrad at The University of Michigan, I was headed to LA after my stints at summer stock and Second City - Detroit respectively. LA was the place to go to be in the movies. And that's what I wanted. To be in the movies.

After my scouting trip out west I decided to make the move. I returned to Michigan, packed my car and planned to move in 2 weeks time. Then I got a call from United Airlines to attend flight attendant training in Chicago. I decided to take them up on that offer since they have a base in LA. I would have a job right off the bat. But my plan didn't work out as expected. The base in LA wasn't open so the only choices were: Chicago, Boston, or Philadelphia.

I chose Philadelphia. Chicago is way too cold and I didn't particularly like Boston when I visited. The City of Brotherly Love seemed to be a good pick. And that city was my pipeline to the Big Apple. It was a bit more practical than that, being the queen of practical. I was spending so much time in New York City taking acting classes that I thought... heck, let me just move there. So I put in my transfer to New York City and within the month it was final. Got my transfer and moved to New York City.

The rest is history, including my short stint in South Carolina concluding in the return to New York City.

I thought the last time I moved to New York City would be the last move for me ever! Plus I got more and more sucked into the power of New York City. And as a result, vowed never to move to Los Angeles. No matter how much I wanted to be in the movies.

Never say never. LA started whispering in my ear back in the spring of 2012. I tried to ignore it, after all I was exclusive with New York City. How could I betray him?

But those whispers got louder as I endured another job loss and rent increase. Also an unfortunate bout with Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Fall of 2012 really had an impact on the LA voice in my head. Finally, after my survey trip to LA in November, which occurred on the heels of Hurricane Sandy, I made up my mind. For the first time ever I dreaded returning to New York City. Shocking! At that point I knew I needed to break it off. But how?

Step by step I made arrangements and by February 2013 I was LA bound!

Unlike New York City, LA has grown on me at a slower pace. LA is the type of city that is pretty unassuming since the weather speaks for itself. But it also allows me to breath for a moment and take in all that there is. With the exception of the traffic, LA is wooing me quite gently. At every new discovery I fall more in love.

However, every now and then my old lover whispers my name and the tug on my heart begins again.

Finally, Olivia Pope!

I love Scandal.

And I know I'm not alone.

As an actress, this show has been a huge encouragement. Quality writing, a compelling story, well developed characters; a rare thing these days. I also tend to pay close attention to shows that include women of color.  At the same time, I have been confronted with the realization of the deep void of relatable characters during my television viewing life. Until now.

I had the rare opportunity to study the pilot script during an on-camera acting class. My teacher asked me to prepare the Olivia Pope scenes. From that first reading I could tell Scandal was going to be a phenomenal show. I was a fan even before it began. When I later found Kerry Washington would be Olivia Pope, I was overjoyed! I had just seen her in Race on Broadway, and even had the opportunity to audition for the role of Susan (understudy).

I remember relating to the Molly Ringwald characters in Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink.
Ally McBeal is another character I could relate to. As well as some Meg Ryan characters (You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally)  However, none of these characters actually looked like me. I wondered would (or could) a woman of color ever be cast in a similar role?

There was a ray of light in a web series created by Issa Rae. The character in this project mirrored some of my life experiences, thoughts, and world views. And she is a woman of color! Would there be more of the same for women of color? Similarly, women like Mindy Kaling are making their unique voices heard despite the pervasive stereotypes imposed upon our hues.

Without discussing existing stereotypes (that gets old quick), I will say that in addition to the cultural stereotypes that our peers subject women of color to, the media tends to contribute to these stereotypes as well. I don't blame them, the formula is safe. It guarantees viewers and subsequently ratings. However, many of us have been alienated. I believe with the person of Olivia Pope, those of us who  have been alienated are able to finally relate to a strong, intelligent, successful woman yet vulnerable (with flaws like the rest of us!). In a way, this has made Scandal that much more lovable.

Until Season 3...

Walkin'

I recently celebrated my 3rd month anniversary in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, I realized that walking would cease to exist in the way that I was accustomed. I'm still lamenting over the loss of the extra calories burnt and mini cardio sessions.

Trading the NYC subway for the highway proved to be quite an adjustment. Especially considering traffic is horrendous here.

But all hope for walking didn't end completely. If there is a will there is a way!

Turns out my apartment is less than a quarter mile from Trader Joe's, Starbucks, Walgreen's, CVS, and the Salvation Army (which has half off all merchandise on Saturdays). As I walked to Trader Joe's I discovered a small strip mall with a pizzeria, meat market, dry cleaners, pastry shop, and kabob shop! Not to mention a 7-11. That's just in one direction. There are many other shops and stores nearby. And a quarter mile isn't a long walk at all considering my walks in New York City were much much longer.

I also discovered the center of town is only 1.5 miles away which takes a little under 20 minutes to walk. So I can walk to the gym, the mall, parks and a whole slew of places! And with the beautiful weather we have here, it's really a sin not to walk if time permits.

Walking is pleasant, great exercise and good for our planet. Imagine if more citizens decided to walk! Perhaps traffic wouldn't be as crazy.

Another awesome opportunity to walk materialized by accident. In order to meet new people I decided to check out groups on MeetUp. To my surprise; walking groups!!

Apparently, Los Angeles is filled with secret stairs from back in the days when public transportation and walking were normal (why oh why did it end?!?!). Anyway, there is a group that walks all around up and down the lost staircases. During our last MeetUp we walked 6 miles!

My new city is really awesome, and the biggest shame is all the things I miss while zipping around in the car (even though I do love her - Hi Hana!). On my various walks I have discovered so many gems that I wouldn't have had I stayed in my car.

WALKIN'!!!!

My quest for walking will not end! I will find more ways to walk in Los Angeles.

The Lost Stairs of Los Angeles. This used to be a creek...