Farewell and Hello

Pic from Boston / Cape Cod trip here. Thoroughly recommended.

As I count out my last days here in NYC, a friend asked me what I will miss most about the city.
I remember telling another friend ages ago that the one thing New York has above all other cities is the opportunity to do what I want at whenever I wanted. Through sheer numbers of people in this city (and especially Manhattan) there is always something going on.

So I will miss that feeling of opportunity. The feeling that "hey, something random and special will happen tonight!". Most likely it involves alcohol.

Of course, I will miss the friends, both new and old. From Aussie mates, to friends from work, volleyball, Company of Heroes and clubbing, everyone has been so welcoming. I would like to think that it's more than just the fact that my American friends like to hear my accent that they hang out with me, but who knows? My Aussie friends are like family now. I will miss them the most.

I have a few New Yorkers that have lived in this city and cannot think of moving anywhere else. Whilst I feel that I have made New York home, I was fairly sure that I would not settle down here. With the significant distance to family, if was always going to be a "time-constrained" experience. Experiences like acting, MOMA, Broadway shows, and Circle all add up to a lifetime of memories,

It's special to live in NYC, it's even more special to live in the city both as part of a couple and as a single guy. There is definitely enough things to do to satisfy either lifestyle, but if I was to pick one, I would say that New York is THE place to be a single guy :)

I have learned a lot about myself in the last 3 years and for that I am thankful. New York has forced me to try new things, see different perspectives and perhaps reinvent myself. New York has made me believe in me. Really, that is all anyone can ask for.

I believe that the transition to Singapore life will be smooth. Having good friends that already makes it much easier to fit in. Of course there will be challenges (one of which is the new role) but I am looking forward to it.

So farewell New York, hello Singapore!

Self Reverence

As I celebrate another birthday (Boston and Cape Cod!), I read an article on the three pillars of a successful person: self reverence, self knowledge and self control.

The first one has always been a struggle. I did not notice it as much in my younger days, but similarly to when someone points out that you say "um" a lot, I see it in my writing and my actions. I use a lot of self deprecating humour, and whilst it is effective, sometimes I wonder if it means I don't value myself enough.

I wrote about this lack of self reverence a while back.

To take one light-hearted example, at clubs, I will quickly remove myself from pursuing a girl if other guys come in and have a shot at that girl that I like. Why?? Why do I rate myself so lowly against other (mostly Asian) guys that if I objectively assessed the situation I would consider myself an equal or possibly better?
I know that my personality is such that I do not like to make such judgments against people, plus I'm not too big on confrontations.

New York has taught me that there are some arrogant people here, super confident in themselves, perhaps to the extent that it isn't even true.
However, being an Asian Australian living in America bumps my "perceived quality" quotient up a few levels, due to a) the accent, b) the attitude and c) yes the accent. As my friend says, "get it whilst the getting is good!". I'm following her advice :)

I need to understand that the combination of my personality, career, outlook and looks all add up to a decent package. I don't think that enough, and given my new life in Singapore, it's worth a shot. Believe, and Aim High!