American In Sydney

New York, New York

I'm back in "THE" city. It's a funny feeling. Having grown up only 20 min outside the "city", Manhattan is the city that I compare all cities. There is no place like it. Even though I spent 4 years at Princeton putting in my blood, sweat and tears into those wonderful years, NY was always close by. Even though I spent 5 years in Boston I never rooted (that's right, the American English definition of rooted and not the Aussie slang) for the Red Sox, but was a true Yankees fan through and through (thanks to Diane's training). No matter where I was in the world, I never considered myself anything but a New Yorker. Each time I was away, I missed the city - the skyscrapers, the delis, the crowds, jaywalking, getting almost run over by the cabs, the guys giving out useless pamphlets, the accents, the list goes on and on - it's the city that never sleeps. To me, every day was an adventure - it's the city where I could at any time run into people I went to high school with, college with, and grad school with. Every time I came down to NYC to visit the folks it felt like a homecoming - I needed to get my fix.

However, after spending 3 months in Sydney, I don't quite feel as if NY is "home" anymore. It's still the same, nothing has changed except for the fact that the streets appear to be getting busier, the buildings taller, the taxes higher, and more people here I know, but it's just a visit.

Could it be because Jackson's not here and the family is missing 1? or have I really been emotionally training myself to see Sydney as home? Whatever it is, the trip so far has been wonderful. Everything has been so great and I have a little over a week left...but I am looking forward to going "home".

posted by Leighna @ 8:47 am