Alone and its Opposite

Me: "What's the opposite of "alone"?"  Matt: "Together."  Me: "I don't think so." [pause for google search of 'opposite of alone'... search results: "together" but I don't buy it]... anyway...

New York can be the loneliest place even when you're surrounded by millions of people --  literally.  It's the most populated city in the United States (8.5 million, beating LA by a long-shot which has a mere 3.8 million), and the 19th most populated in the world.  That's probably why it came as shock to me when I moved here in January 2008 and I didn't immediately have a huge group of new friends with social plans every night.  For the first year and of half I lived in the city, I lived by myself. Probably not the best move for someone who is brand new in this huge city.  After taking many a lonely walk through Madison Square Park chumming it up with the oddly unafraid squirrels, being hit on by creepy strangers at Barnes & Nobles on 86th Street on Friday nights, and eating by myself at restaurants (ranging from a sports bar where it's not as obvious, to an upscale restaurant on the UES where I stood out slightly more) I slowly made friends and established meaningful connections.

Long story short, I ended up with 2 fabulous roommate-friends in a luxury high-rise in Hell's Kitchen in August 2009.  This was the best month I had yet experienced...these were the most social girls I had known to date, and they included me in all their plans. Suddenly I wasn't lonely anymore, and began having tons of fun in the city (pictured below) :)

Then I met my boyfriend Matt, and well, here we are.  I now live in a semi-over-crowded apartment with 3 room-mates (I love them dearly), 2 of whom have their boyfriends over each weekend, add in an extra friend here or there and the population usually hangs around 8 people.  No more lonely. :) [pictured here: me and my Man Matt; me with my 2 lady roomies; and me with my 4th roommate/longest friend Matt E.... love them all :)]

In honor of that first year of living alone in the city, here's a few excerpts from my journal during those times...

4/7/2008: "Tonight when I came into my apartment after work around 9pm, I really appreciated independence and my own space, and just how I feel being on my own. I'm laying on my floor. Looking up I see the view of the building outside, with lit up squares for windows. Jack Johnson is on and I also hear buses pulling through the stop right outside my building.  I feel like I'm in a crib in a treehouse in the city. Up high but feeling really safe and cozy." (First NYC studio apartment pictured here...)

5/3/2008: "Last night I went to the movies by myself and saw "Made of Honor."  Was cute and funny and just fun to go to the movies by myself. I hadn't done that in a while." 


6/8/2008:  "I'm sitting on the stoop of my new apartment on 81st street between 1st and 2nd Ave. It's an interesting feeling being here right now. It's new and I'm mostly comfortable and I feel at home. But there's a little apprehension in me. Like I need to see and just feel it out. I feel much cozier and brighter, normal and more functional in this apartment and hood. So many people are walking by :).  There are lots of young people. And people with friends and boyfriends. I think this would be a fun place to have a boyfriend. We could cook together, and cuddle and watch movies and sit on the stoop together with coffee and talk and take walks." (pic of me on first day in new UES apartment -- my 2nd of 4 NYC apartments)

6/15/2008: "Central Park. It's my new park. I was a little sad to leave Madison Square Park but this one is unbelievable. I feel like I'm in "Pride and Prejudice" when they take strolls through the meadow. I'm looking out onto rolling fields of grass, and there's a lantern, benches and birds chirping everywhere. So romantic.  And I'm realizing romantic doesn't have to be tied to 2 people. You can have completely romantic moments like these by yourself." (me having a blast in central park during a visit from 2 of my Florida friends)

What's a time you've rejoiced in time spent alone? When have you ever felt alone even amidst a crowd of people? Thoughts welcome :) Til next time!