Once upon a time, I wanted to be Carrie Bradshaw ...
Monday, August 29, 2011
Many years ago in a city far, far away, there lived a girl who longed to trade in a cushy life in the tropics for the drama of Carrie Bradshaw's in New York.
Back in Manila, it all seemed fabulously surreal: this life of Manolo Blahniks, cosmopolitans and scandal-filled brunches with the girls.
It's been five years since I uprooted myself from Manila and started a new life in New York and every now and then, I stop in amazement at how many moments I've had that make me think, "You really need to be careful what you wish for! You wanted to be Carrie? Well, that's what you got!" It has little to do with Manolos and cosmopolitans (neither of which I've purchased since coming to New York), and everything to do with the unique people this city has ushered through my life in the five years I've been here.
I used to think that the dating world Carrie and friends described so vividly had to be a wild exaggeration but I've found that it isn't. Starving artists and flush bankers, the French-cuffed and the tattoo-sleeved, creepy stalkers and dumbfounding Houdinis ... oh yes, the city's filled with them—and before I knew it, so were the chronicles of my single life.
But the upside of having the world's most frustrating men seemingly corralled into the city I call home is that it makes for infinitely intriguing conversations with your most trusted confidantes. What New York seems to, at times, lack in quality men, it more than makes up for with consistently fantastic friends. As in Carrie's life, the men may come and go but the jaw-dropping cocktail hours and facepalm-inducing salacious brunch talk remains.
And really, wasn't that what was so fascinating about Carrie's life? It wasn't so much the parade of New York men that was so captivating but the rehashing and overanalyzing of every confounding romp through the dating labyrinth over mimosas and eggs Benedict that drew me in. And of course, the fact that the stage for all of this is that city of mad tough love, New York.
Living a life that feels like an episode of Sex and the City? It's not for everyone but for better or worse, right now, it's my happily ever after.
I used to think that the dating world Carrie and friends described so vividly had to be a wild exaggeration but I've found that it isn't. Starving artists and flush bankers, the French-cuffed and the tattoo-sleeved, creepy stalkers and dumbfounding Houdinis ... oh yes, the city's filled with them—and before I knew it, so were the chronicles of my single life.
But the upside of having the world's most frustrating men seemingly corralled into the city I call home is that it makes for infinitely intriguing conversations with your most trusted confidantes. What New York seems to, at times, lack in quality men, it more than makes up for with consistently fantastic friends. As in Carrie's life, the men may come and go but the jaw-dropping cocktail hours and facepalm-inducing salacious brunch talk remains.
And really, wasn't that what was so fascinating about Carrie's life? It wasn't so much the parade of New York men that was so captivating but the rehashing and overanalyzing of every confounding romp through the dating labyrinth over mimosas and eggs Benedict that drew me in. And of course, the fact that the stage for all of this is that city of mad tough love, New York.
Living a life that feels like an episode of Sex and the City? It's not for everyone but for better or worse, right now, it's my happily ever after.
21 comments
I loved your 30 before 30 project and I think I will love this new project even more.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck and I look forward to your adventures.
Karla xx
Thank you so much Karla! I hope you'll enjoy reading the blog as much as I enjoy writing it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on this new project Celine! You continue to be a source of inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks dear! It means so much to me to hear that
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new project!!! Can't wait to read about your new adventures! :)
ReplyDeleteSorry for the belated reply. Thank you so much Jaq! I'll try to be as adventurous as possible ;-)
ReplyDeleteCannot wait for your next post :) Kudos to you, Celine :) I should nominate you for Best Personal Blog in one of our local contests here in Manila :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for always being an inspiration... your 30 before 30 kicked me out of my comfort zone... I'm psyched to see how Happily Ever After will be a part of my life as I watch you unravel bits and pieces of your NYC life :) Good luck, Celine :)
Keep them coming :-)
Thank you dear, I would be tickled pink if that happened! You don't know how much comments like this mean to me. It's not always easy to bare your soul to the world but it makes it worth it when I see I've reached women who are going through the same things I am. Thank you so much for following!
ReplyDeleteI'm really late on reading this, but I think it was an AMAZING post. I've been wanting to move to New York since I can remember. Growing up in the South has always been boring for me and I used to think "WOW! It would be awesome to live like Carrie Bradshaw going to parties and having breakfast every morning with friends." I've realized though it would be so cool to have that kind of life. I'm perfectly content with the idea of moving to NY for myself in order to just see what else the world can offer me.
ReplyDeleteI really liked you other project. I wish to become content with the my life soon. I just think there's so much my eyes are being opened to at the age of 19 that I'm just getting started with what truly living means.
xx
Kashara | www.UndiscoveredWorth.com
Oh Kashara, you have so much ahead of you! Don't rush and relish every bit of the journey. Try to see everything with fresh eyes, and soak up as much of the local culture of the place where you're from while you can. New York will be there when you're ready. Now that I'm almost officially a true New Yorker (they say it takes 7 years before you're allowed to say that), I find myself wishing I had explored my Motherland more. So for now, just appreciate everything around you and live each day to the fullest. You'll get here when it's time!
DeleteI absolutely love this!
ReplyDeleteI've had a horrific experience with my boyfriend cheating on me and felt that there would never ever be a "happily ever after" for me and recently started blogging about my journey which I hope will eventually end up in a happier place.
Your blog just gave me SO much hope! And I hope that I find will find my happily ever after on my own. I've read all your posts in one go (I'm skipping my university lectures for this!) and every one makes me think that there is so much more for me to do on my own! I want to live my own adventures :)
I'm happy to say though that, at 20, I'm glad I have this type of inspiration to guide me forward. And it's my dream to live in New York one day too!
Keep posting :)
Amy, thank you so much for your lovely message. I know exactly what you're going through. I've been through the exact same thing and recall the devastation of having my world fall apart in the blink of an eye. I didn't see then how I could find a happily ever after on my own, but I certainly did. You will get there too! Use this time in your life to find what makes you and only you happy. Let the freedom be your license to be selfish without feeling guilty about it. There will be very few times in your life that you can do that so relish it!
DeleteThanks again for your message. It's hearing from people like you that make blogging absolutely worth it! (errrr, now go back to class! Haha ...)
I have just discovered your blog through the Blogs of Note. I love it!! I feel like you are living the life I have been trying to attain as yet another, single, 30 (something!) girl!
ReplyDeleteI hope I find inspiration in your blog and that I too can find the means to move to my chosen city (Boston).
I've just started my blog, I hope it plays a key role in the next stages of my life. Keep up the great work on yours!
Thank you for your sweet note, Ruth! You can do anything you set your mind to. Chase those dreams! Having a blog will be helpful in keeping your thoughts and goals in order, and also in keeping you thankful for everything else that life throws your way on your journey. Good luck!!!
DeleteEvery woman loves "sex and the city" and you're living it! Wow...sounds awesome...the greatest thing about it is that no matter where we live whether it be Tokyo, New York or the Rocky mountains which is where I am from, we can all relate to the stories and if we're lucky, to all the interesting people in this world. I love your knack for writing. Nana
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comment, Nana! Isn't it funny how all our issues transcend borders and cultures? Especially when it comes to love! Thank you for reading and I hope you keep coming back. Sending lots of love to the Rocky Mountains!
Deletehey,
ReplyDeleteI just read this post. It was fantastic and similar to what I'm going through..contemplating a move to Mumbai (India's equivalent of New York-or as close as it gets). Hope it works out for me the way it did for you.
fantastic friends usually always make the adventure worth it :)
You could see my post here http://allthatsdelhi.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/is-love-really-all-you-need/
Thanks dear! There are only so many times in one's life when we are free to make these types of life-changing decisions so I hope that you'll go for it, if it's what your really want. Fantastic friends will definitely help along the way. Best of luck!
Deletei like your blog it´s fantastic !!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post.
ReplyDeleteLoved your blog and your saying:"Let the freedom be your license to be selfish without feeling guilty about it." This is what I am actually thinking about my during life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your inspiration!
http://aslistyle.blogspot.com.tr/