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The Real New York – Letter from an old friend

Posted on | April 3, 2010 | 14 Comments

Dear:

The Real New York

My friend…

It has been 10 years since we first met.

Wow, how things have changed for us both since then.

I was 21, crazy, adventurous, fearless. I was also emotionally retarded and totally invincible in my own mind. I had no idea who I was, even though I thought I knew it all.

You, too, were fearless, decadent and unstoppable.

We were a good mix. And that’s why I fell in love with you so quickly.

In 3 months, you showed me a world that was intoxicating, mind-blowing and captivating. I was smitten by your charm, edginess and coolness. I fell in love with a city in a way I never have since.

Because of you, I had the opportunity to work here – at Starbucks in Times Square and a small commercial law firm on the Upper East Side.

I’d party with you, starting at 3am or 4am on a Saturday night, and dance my heart out until the morning.

I’d survive my days with you, eating an unbalanced diet of calzone, pizza and orange juice. I made friends with the people of your city, who were crazy too. They were complex, beautiful people who helped me to know you, and myself. Somehow, our lost souls found each other in a city of 8 million.

The Real New York, you have a special place in my heart.

But, it has been 10 years. And I’ve changed a lot. I was a kid when we met. Now, I’m a young woman. I’m married, I’ve done the whole career thing. I’ve also done a lot of travelling and growing up.

I’ve had my dreams crushed and my heart broken, many times. I’ve learned about the evil things in this world that I wish my children will never experience.

I’ll never be the same again.

And you, you had f***ed up terrorists carry out horrific suicide attacks into your World Trade Center. They also attacked Washington DC, where I went to university. The official figures say that, in total, the bastards killed 2,973 innocent victims.

That was in 2001. A lot has happened since then. I know you’ve done what has been necessary, to just keep going.

But I also know, you’ll never be the same again.

Of course, we’ve both changed. With everything that’s happened, we’ve had to change.

Over the years, I’ve missed the way I used to be when I was with you. I’d leave the emotionally retarded part of me, but I crave to have my careless fun, fearlessness and a bit of my 21 year old craziness back. Even some naivety wouldn’t hurt me.

Can you help me get that back?

30 hours ago, I was at home in Sydney. Now, its 5am your time and I’m waiting in a hotel dining area. In a few hours, we’ll reunite.

I’m so excited.

I can’t wait to see how you’ve changed and how things have been. I want to see the gentrification, the growth, the beauty, the ugliness, how you’ve progressed and how you’ve regressed. I want you to challenge me, excite me, piss me off and make me smitten, all over again.

I’m ready for some new life lessons that you will, undoubtedly, teach me.

I want to know The Real New York.

The place where dreams come true, hearts get broken, bank accounts get seriously damaged, minds get expanded and a stupid thing can make your day – when The Real New York is discovered.

But I know the catch, my friend. It’s a two-way street. For me to know the Real New York, I’ve got to show you the real me.

My friend, I’m ready. Let’s go.

Your old friend,

Lina xxx

Lina Nguyen © 2010

Category: Life Lessons From a Thinker

Comments

14 Responses to “The Real New York – Letter from an old friend”

  1. Cherie Rasmussen
    April 4th, 2010 @ 1:41 PM

    Hi Lina

    I’m hiding in your suitcase and ready for the journey also. To say “Hi” to an old friend, expand and grow to have a life experience.

    Enjoy, shout and jump for joy. I’m on the journey with you. Can’t wait for your next post and for you to share your heart again.

    Cherie Rasmussen
    Cherie Rasmussen´s last blog ..Using Affiliate Resources To Your Advantage My ComLuv Profile

  2. Lizzy
    April 4th, 2010 @ 11:08 PM

    Hi Lina,

    I love the way you write.

    Enjoy your old friend.

    Let us know how it goes.

    Here’s to re-kindling 21 year old craziness!

    Lizzy :-)
    Lizzy´s last blog ..Wealth and Success My ComLuv Profile

  3. SherwinJTB
    April 7th, 2010 @ 5:34 AM

    That was oddly strange and poetic. Good to know that you’re eager to keep learning. I’m not much of a traveler so good luck to you.
    Suicide Prevention in Your Life
    SherwinJTB´s last blog ..Sherwin My ComLuv Profile

  4. David Moloney
    April 8th, 2010 @ 11:48 AM

    Hi Lina,

    You captured your past experiences and excitement really well. I hope New York still gives you a massive high. Reminiscing is always fun, although sometimes sad that we can’t rekindle the special times we were once experiencing. In another 10 years you’ll look back at your current times and feel the same way, hoping to feel some of that same magic again. As people, the grass is always greener on the other side. Good luck in the Apple.
    David Moloney´s last blog ..Eureka! Finding your Unique Selling Point My ComLuv Profile

  5. Lina
    April 9th, 2010 @ 3:59 AM

    Hi Cherie – I got a surprise when I saw you jump out of my back pack! LOL, thanks for your support. I always love to hear your insight.

    Hi Lizzy – It’s been amazing. I’m beginning to think I won’t ever feel 21 again… Not that that’s a bad thing. I’ll let you know as I ponder that one.

    Hi Sherwin – Thanks for dropping by. Learning is what keeps me going. And it’s why travel is so important to me. If I want to learning to speed up, I put myself in new and challenging situations. Travelling is the quickest way I know how to do that.

    Hi David – Great point you raise. There is definitely a part of me that wants to go back 10 years ago… But you can’t ever force anything to happen. Anyway, I’m slowly learning that it doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing – I first have to find happiness within myself :) A little tricky sometimes :)

  6. Cemil
    April 11th, 2010 @ 12:53 PM

    Great post Lina. I did not know that pizza and OJ was considered a unbalanced diet ;)

    You have truly captured the great connection you have with this place that has obviously left an impact on your life.
    Cemil´s last blog ..Welcome to Entrepreneurs Mindset My ComLuv Profile

  7. Lina
    April 16th, 2010 @ 8:19 AM

    LOl, Cemil. When you eat that nearly every day for 3 months, it’s pretty unbalanced :)

  8. Rob
    April 19th, 2010 @ 9:51 PM

    Lina,
    Your writing is amazing. I am not one to read blogs and long blocks of copy, but you always have me reading to the end. Very, very cool.
    Looking forward to catching up with you guys when you get home.
    Rob xxx

  9. Lina
    April 22nd, 2010 @ 2:35 AM

    Hi Rob

    Just got back to Sydney today, and WOW, what an amazing trip. I’m actually speechless right now. I’ll write more soon :)

  10. Harry Lynn
    April 23rd, 2010 @ 11:16 PM

    G’day Lina,
    Welcome home. Thankyou for that detailed look at the Vanguard and for the Bill Evans photos. It certainly has great atmosphere and I got a great vibe from your description.
    The link in your V V article is to Bill Evans, the saxophonist and not the ” REAL ” piano playing Bill. Seating of 123 is similar to the Basement at the local Arts Centre where we did Saturday nights for 5.5 years. Band website is http://www.harrylynnbasementband.com.au No Samples working on the site.

    Bill’s trio Chuck Israels bass Jack De Johnette drums
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPiZoND209U

    OR this one he wrote for his 7 y/o niece – love it ! Chuck again and Larry Bunker drums

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH3GSrCmzC8&NR=1

    Cheers
    Harry
    Harry Lynn´s last blog ..BORING LEGAL ADVICE – until you need it ! My ComLuv Profile

  11. Lina
    April 24th, 2010 @ 7:13 AM

    Whoops! I’ve told the blog author (Dean) of WorldTravelCouple.com to change the Bill Evans link! Thanks for that!

    Don’t you just love New York…

  12. Rob
    April 30th, 2010 @ 11:03 AM

    Hey Lina,
    Bring on the next post!
    Rob.

  13. Pia Kitcharoen
    July 4th, 2010 @ 12:11 PM

    Love love love this post… I am so touched.

    I have countless memories with this wonderful city from childhood. It is magical. It also holds a special place in my heart. Never consider NY as an ‘old friend’… until now.

    I feel like you have just said everything that I wanted to say! And I didn’t even know that this message was inside me.

    Thank you!
    Pia

  14. Lina
    July 6th, 2010 @ 9:31 PM

    Hi Pia

    Thanks for your comment and I’m so glad you know what I mean. New York is such an amazing place. Where your heart melts and your dreams can get shattered. I love everything about it. So special, I’m so glad you know it :)

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