Time Flies

Where has May gone?
Before this month completely disapears I want to note a few things. It was in May that I first arrived in this city. The lilacs were in full bloom and the weather was glorious. I walked aimlessly around the city trying to soak up what I could and take in my new home. Fast forward one year, the lilacs once again appeared on every street corner and at every green market but this time they were a welcome signal that Spring had arrived. A lovely purple reminder that winter had passed and I had survived it. I stopped to smell as many as I could and marveled at the way they could perfume an entire city block (no small feat in an early May heat wave). I could talk about Spring in the city for hours, I am so impressed by the way the flowers keep coming. Waves of color that started with the forsynthia, moved onto to daffodils and crocus and blooming trees and now the roses. Oh, the roses. But I digress.
The anniversary of my first year in NYC coincided with my last day at my first job. I celebrated the closing of this chapter with the first hot dog of the season on Canal Street. It was heavenly.
A quick trip to California mid month made me realize that no matter how far from home I may be, it is always there-welcoming and comforting and well, home. I love knowing those familiar mountains, glorious palm trees and loving faces are only a plane ride away. And I continue to marvel the way that friendships seem to evolve and deepen, despite the distance. Perhaps due to the changes that occured this month, or maybe the extra time on my hands (loved that week between jobs!) but I suddenly realized that I have made New York my home in one short year. A home that I love (almost) as much as the ones I left on the West Coast.