Today marks my second month of living in New York City. Although Grad School has made me its whore, I’ve been enjoying every minute of “my experience”. Had to add quotations because my experience here has been a discussion topic between E and I for a while. Back in Atlanta, and even for a while when I moved to New York, I hated doing anything by myself. There was this notion that I carried with me  which required me to think that I HAD to have somebody to go with me to the events I wanted to take part in. E constantly reminds me that I need to get over myself and let go of petty things that hold me back so I can enjoy my experience in the city. Taking her advice into consideration, I decided it was time to get over my silly notion. 

Exploring the city by myself has been the most rewarding experience…ever. In the beginning of this month I met Issa Rae, creator of the Awkward Black Girl Series. (If you haven’t watched her show yet…do so.) Issa Rae spoke at InfluencerCon which is an awesome convention that gathers visionaries and allows them to mingle while listening to individuals who made it give advice. Loved it.

I’ve seen the majority of the sites that I’ve been dreaming about since I watched James and the Giant Peach as a kid. (You’re judging me…and that’s fine.) I’ve been to NBC’s headquarters and although I haven’t been able to do the actual tour, I did go in the gift shop…and that was good enough for my soul. As recently as last Thursday, I had the opportunity of meeting Saturday Night Live’s Bill Hader. (I love how I’m sounding all calm, but last Thursday night was the best night of my life.) 

I’m embracing the fact that I’m living my dream now. I try to get out as much as possible. (While maintaining my school work.) I’m meeting so many new people. As cliché as this sounds, as I discover this city, I’m discovering myself. I’m stepping out of my box. I refuse to go back in. 

-L

Let me give you all an update that is long overdue. New York is everything I dreamed it would be. Tuesday marks two weeks since I’ve been here and it already feels like I’ve been here for months. I’ve met so many awesome people in this short length of time…it’s just amazing. New York University is…well c’mon, I’m going to say it’s awesome because it’s a dream come true. This walking though…oh man, I seriously have to get adjusted to it. I thought walking around Georgia State’s campus was intense…ha. I’ve considered getting a bike but I just don’t want to die. The drivers are beyond C R A Z Y here. (Any cyclists in an urban area want to give me any tips?) 

So far, I’ve been to Times Square. Haven’t really had a chance to do any sight seeing but I’ve learned my neighborhood. The East Village is lovely. So many awesome shops and bars. (One time for The Village Pour House!) I already have a list of bars I want to hit…don’t judge my life. 

Now, I’m going to end the dreamy part of this post. Time to get real. Let me tell you guys something… 

GRAD SCHOOL IS NOT A JOKE. 

Obviously.

I won’t lie…I’m a tad bit overwhelmed with the workload. I have never had to do so much reading in my life. I’ve questioned myself several times wondering if I made the right decision to jump back in school. 4 years of hustling to get a degree, I’m free for 3 months and I get right back in the rat race. (I’m saying this now but if I wasn’t in school I’d probably be going crazy.) Just a lot of emotions surrounding me right now. I actually feel bad for being on Tumblr right now because I have so much to do. I realize I have to find a balance though. I spent all day in the library…it’s going to happen again tomorrow because I’m just trying to keep my head above the water. After tomorrow though, I can’t do that…I’ll go crazy. 

This post is everywhere but just know despite my first world problems, I’m already having the time of my life. 

-L

End of Summer Hiatus

The Alphabet Detectives are on a brief “End of Summer” hiatus while L settles down in NYC and E gets ready for baby’s first birthday.

It’s still not too late to read our August Book Club selections and submit your feedback or any questions you have concerning any of the three books.

Also keep in mind that we will be releasing our September selections shortly so feel free to make suggestions.

4 more days until I move to New York and this is my room. I’m basically just sitting in the middle of this mess overwhelmed and I probably won’t end up getting everything done until Monday night. I have the majority of my things packed, I just need to CLEAN. 

Things are weird now. I realize I’m leaving and it’s hitting me. I’m excited of course…but it seriously just got real. Move in day is this Sunday but I won’t get there until Tuesday to move in. Honestly, I think it will be better because I’ll avoid the crowd…hopefully. 

I should probably get off and get my final things together. Wish me luck. 

Question of the Day

Back to School Time is among us. Do you have any funny stories from your days in school? Are you still in school and dreading or looking forward to anything?

Just a brief update: 24 more days until I make my move to New York and I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to fit my life into three suitcases. Originally, I thought my family and I would be driving but because of my mom’s arthritis, we decided to fly. The drive from Atlanta to New York would be crazy and I just want her to be comfortable. My room is a mess. I’ve already started pulling out things that I want to take and I realize it’s going to be too much. Shit just got real and I’m nervous as the fuck. Both of my guitars will have to stay behind for a while and I think that’s what’s killing me the most. It’s a First World Problem…I know. Optimus and Ethan will be lonely. (Yes, those are the names of my guitars.) Anyway, this will be a huge change coming from someone who lived 20 minutes from home. I could just grab whatever I needed whenever I wanted. But, I’ll get over myself…this is all apart of the journey. 

 I’m an only child and this will be my first time being this far from home. My dad never fails to remind me that I’m making a mistake but he’s slowly coming around.  My mom, well, she’s with my dad but she realizes I’m not changing my mind. I think she’s just waiting for me to call her crying as soon as they drop me off. However, I think the thing that’s scaring them the most is the fact that I’m not changing my mind. I guess they were thinking I would give it up? Nope. I scored an interview at a beautiful performing arts school. My class schedule is set. I’m ready. 

I found out my housing status and I’ll be staying in Alumni Hall. I have two other roommates and they seem pretty awesome. 

Like I said earlier, I’m nervous. I’m freaking out. But I’m also excited. This will be the biggest adventure of my life. 

-L

Education: From GPC to NYU

On August 27^th, I’ll be making the biggest move of my life. I will be moving from Stockbridge, Georgia to New York City to pursue my graduate studies at New York University. Am I scared? Yes. Is this necessary? Hell yes. Coming from a kid who did not give two shits and a fuck about school, I think I’ve come a long way with my educational career.

I graduated from high school not knowing or caring about my GPA. I knew it had a 2 in front of it and I realized I would not be able to do anything with that…so I didn’t care. I felt some type of way when I saw that the majority of my friends were heading off to these big name colleges and I didn’t even put in the energy to apply for college.  Once I started to care, I applied and got rejected by several schools until my mom made the executive decision to have me apply to Georgia Perimeter College. Realizing that my only hope for a college career would involved starting at a junior college, I applied.

New students had to take an entrance exam and I did well on every subject but Math. Because of my low score, I was placed in a remedial Algebra class and I hated life.  I did not start caring about my education until my second semester at GPC.  I made a D in my Political Science class and for some reason it hurt. I was accustomed to doing the bare minimum to pass a class and this time, I didn’t cut it. After this incident, I realize I had to be serious about my studies. I realized I did not want to be stuck in this place. [Pause: I am in no way bashing Georgia Perimeter College, this school gave me the foundation I needed to movie on with my collegiate career.]

After I got myself, together. I applied to Georgia State University, and I got in. I also had a 3.0 and I was eligible for the HOPE scholarship. This was probably the biggest moment in my life. Ironically, I decided to major in Early Childhood Education. Yes, a kid who hated school decided to become a teacher. Why? Because I want to catch that one quiet kid in the back of the class that would rather be in his/her own world than engage in class conversation before they fall into the cracks of our dilapidated school systems. This is my mission.

Before graduation, I started my application for New York University for the Literacy Education program. It took me forever. I had doubts. Of course I had doubts.  It took me SEVERAL months to write my statement of purpose. What could I possibly say to these people in their high chairs about why they should let me into their school? I missed the application deadline due to my doubts and I settled on the fact that I could put Grad school on hold and just work for a while. Of course this made my parents happy, they did not want me to move because of “financial” reasons. In all honestly, they just did not want to see their only child move to New York.

A few weeks later after missing the deadline, I got an e-mail saying that my program was still accepting applications. I took it as a sign and I finished my statement of purpose and my application and I sent it in. I waited…and I waited. The day of my College of Education Convocation, I received an e-mail from NYU saying that I was accepted. Nothing could compare to the natural high that I got from that e-mail. I ran around the house screaming expecting the same enthusiasm from my Mom but I got a dry congratulations and a lecture about reconsidering my decision.

The lectures continue and my ambition grows. I realize that this is a big move but I am ready. I realize everything will not be perfect at my dream school…but I am ready.  I plan on submerging myself in the city and learning everything I can about Literacy Education and myself as I embark on this journey.

I will continue to give updates about my NYU experience.

Feel free to ask me any questions about the graduate application process and housing. I’ll give you all of the information that I have.