“The time has come” the Walrus said “for shout-outs and goodbyes”

Goodbye, Central Park. You are really something special.

Ok, it’s time. It’s time to say goodbye to New York, to my friends here, to my favorite things about living here. I won’t be able to enjoy these things nor these people’s company all the time anymore, but at least I’ll be able to see them again when I go to BlogHer next year!

So this post is a shout-out to my favorite people and my favorite things about living here.

Let’s start with the friends:

First off, there’s Veronique and David, who are wonderful, wonderful friends. I was so lucky to meet them at the Holistic Moms Network meeting two and half years ago! At the time I was happy to find a local chiropractor – little did I know that I had found amazing friends too! I love you guys, and I will miss you SO much.

There’s Jax, whom I met through Yelp for the 2008 SELF Workout in The Park – at the time I had just started blogging and was just emerging from a tough year, with my self-esteem at a never-before low. I found her a little intimidating, with her bubbly personality and her humor, kind of like I used to be. I owe her so much. She helped me recover my sense of self, feel better about who I am, and has become one of my very best friends. We don’t see each other often enough, but we talk on the phone, chat, e-mail back and forth, and I can only hope that won’t change because I definitely need her in my life.

There’s Carol, whom I’ve only met a few months ago but somehow makes me feel like I found my long-lost sister. Carol is incredibly supportive, fun and just generally fantastic. I absolutely adore her and I will miss her lots.

There’s the other amazing NYC and NY Metro moms, especially: Katja, Liz, Marinka, Kelsie, Lisa. You are what makes living here and being a local blogger even more amazing, and I cannot wait to see you all again when I come back for BlogHer’10!

And then there is New York City, of course. I have travelled and moved around a bit, but never before had I felt like this about a move. Never before I felt like I would be missing out on something really special. Because New York truly is the greatest city on the planet. It may not be the most beautiful – that title I’d probably give to Rome, or Milan, or maybe Florence. It may not be the most organized – that title would definitely go to Zurich. But it is without a doubt the most amazing one. And this is why:

1. Because in New York you can be whoever you want to be. Gay or straight… Italian, American, Dominican, Chinese… a yogi or a triathlete… a vegan, a raw foodist or a gourmet omnivore… no matter your race, your tastes, your religion or spiritual beliefs – in New York you can find your tribe.
2. Because I don’t care what anyone else says (including my mom, who is clearly biased towards Italian fashion), New York is the capital of fashion and the most fashionable city on Earth. Because here there isn’t just fashion, there’s expression.
3. Because Central Park is just incredible. An oasis of green in the middle of a very large, busy city is already great, but when you make that city New York and that oasis Central Park, we are talking something unique. You can relax in Central Park, forget the noise and traffic, go jogging, take your kids to the Zoo or the many playgrounds or the carousel, you can take romantic walks which can even include a boat ride, you can have a great lunch or just buy an ice cream, you can paint, take photos, dance, see great performers, play chess, take exercise classes, ice skate in winter. Or you can just walk around, or lie in the grass, or sit on a bench and read a book in complete peace. Central Park is stunning. Even if you are one of the rare people who don’t love New York, you’ll fall in love with Central Park.
4. Because New York is the one place outside of Italy where you can get really great pizza.
5. Because there’s always something to do in New York: fitness events, restaurants and club openings, Shakespeare in the Park, fairs and festivals of many different kinds, and lots of places to see and visit including but not limited to a wide range of museums, exhibits, shows, buildings, etc.
6. Because Grand Central is so awesome you feel like going there even if you aren’t taking the train anywhere.
7. Because Brooklyn feels like a whole different place, much more chilled and family-friendly, but you only have to look out to the water to see lower Manhattan and know that Yes, you are still in the greatest city on the planet.
8. Because despite what anyone may say, New Yorkers are not generally grumpy or rude. Really. I have been surrounded by grumpy, rude people, and it was not in new York. Perspective, people
9. Because Broadway. Enough said.
10. Because Times Square is a mess, but it never fails to amaze.

For these reasons, and many more, New York is probably my favorite place ever. And while I know I will miss it a lot and I have been incredibly sad to leave, I decided to focus on the positive and be thankful to have had the chance to be here for two years. ‘cause New York helps you think big, and reminds you that it’s ok, no, it’s good to be yourself, because you’ll be much happier and sooner or later you will find your tribe. I did.

Tagged as: From Big Apple to Big Cheese