Firsts

"Firsts", isn't that what makes life interesting? There are, of course, many "lasts"...such as, day of college, chemo treatments, moment with someone you love...that are equally as important emotionally and influentially when it comes to life and direction, but it's firsts that I think of so much lately. Perhaps it's because of the direction my own life has taken and the firsts that have occurred because of it.

I've been known to take a dare...almost breaking my neck in the process...and I'm fairly open to trying new things, within reason. The truth is, you really don't know what you might like or truly detest unless you try it, right? We form mental and emotional blocks based on sight, smell, taste, fear, and even associating with the reaction of someone we trust. For instance, I know that I detest slimey foods. It doesn't matter to me how they're cooked or where they come from, just the thought of something of that texture induces a desire to gag. Would I try something slimey if offered? Yeah, most likely. Why? Because I don't want to be unadventurous and because I expect more from myself. Now, if I deem the food as unsafe for consumption, I'll avoid it and don't care how I appear. To be honest, I can't say for sure if I'll ever eat a live grub or any insect which crunches and then turns to goo. Never say never for you'll eat your words. So, I'll leave that one as an option I hope never presents itself to me.

I'm in New York, as far away from everything familiar to me as I've ever been for any length of time. Some things are similar, sometimes exact, and many things are different. The biggest difference is the abundant opportunity for firsts. Outside of all the first meetings with many new people, I've been trying to think back and compile a list of the most memorable firsts associated with this place. There are so many that it's impossible to list them all.

For instance, in order to travel to New York the first time, I had to leave my home state without the sanction of family...a first...get on a plane...a first...fly above the clouds...a first that repetition doesn't diminish....

You get the picture? Within that one experience there were many firsts that I can't begin to list. Preparation, ticket purchase, flight, layover, interactions, destination achieved...there's too much involved and every bit of it new. Much of it would seem mundane or even dull to many, but for me it's an adventure, a challenge, and every bit of it memorable. You tend to be so attuned to everything around you, so totally aware. Of course, when you're alone, you tend to pay more attention to even the smallest details of things because you're not relying on companions to direct your course. Like being a driver in an auto instead of the passenger, you're the one on alert, the one navigating, the one in control.

Anyway, there are many firsts I plan and many others that life will just present unexpectedly to me as the days progress and I look forward to them all. Life is just too interesting not to appreciate even the smallest of new experiences.

The List influenced by NY (shortened)

Foods

Cherries (real ones)
Olives (big green ones in oil with red pepper flakes)
Garlic cloves (in oil...never thought I'd eat garlic this way)
Ricotta cheese
Peruvian (they had the best sauce over sliced potatoes)
Chicken Parmigiana (can't beat Frank's)
Greek (Boutari Retsina wine...my new fav...doesn't go with everything though)
Veal (Parmigiana again, prefer the chicken)
Indian (eating and cooking)
Spinach (NEVER have I even wanted this veggie)
Goat (within an Indian dish)
Octopus (can't recall how it was cooked)
Coffee (vanilla laced, iced)
Hot tea (with cardamom)
Gourmet Ramen Noodles (Never ate them but delicious when combined with Indian leftovers)
Calamari
Talapia (as common as catfish down south)
NY hot dog (best right outside Grand Central)
Super Duper Weenie hotdog (I'm becoming a hotdog fan which I never was before)
Mango
Liverwurst (yes, it was good)
Arugula (may have had this at some point but didn't recognize it)

Activities

Buddhist Temple
Subway ride
Taxi ride
Visit to Ground Zero
View from the top of Empire State Building
Carriage ride in Central Park
Jazz club Underground
Literary Book Trade Show
Ferry Ride
Purchase from FAO Schwartz (for my Cay)
Madame Tussaud's Wax Musuem
Metropolitan Museum of Art (You really must go!)
Sight of Statue of Liberty (cool from the plane but awesome closer up)
Cirque du Soleil
Christmastime at Grand Central (fantastic light display)
Off Broadway Show
Real snow (NOT the couple of inches MS will see once every ten years or so)
Real snow angel
Passport
Mexico (first trip out of the US...threatened to stay there)
Swam with the dolphins!!!!!
Black dress event
New Years on the water
Real chipmunk (!!!!!!!!!!!)
Learning to eat with chopsticks
Picnic in the park
Picnic on the island
Candlelit dinner
Being in a place without life friends and family (the only drawback)
Tiffany's (and a Christmas gift surprise!!)
B&B Inn by the harbor in winter (what a surprise!!)
St. Paddy's Day parade
Sisters of Mercy concert
Christmas @ Rockerfeller and the big tree!!!!!!!
Framing job

Many wonderful first meetings and, thankfully, continued association with fantastic New York people.


Gosh! The list continues but I'll stop for now though I may revisit. There are so many small things which aren't listed for every day brings something new and nothing is trivial or inconsequential. The bad part is that while establishing this new existence, I've had little time for many of the activities and connections I enjoyed before so, hopefully, I'll get that balanced. Actually, the majority of the activities I listed above all occurred over a 2 1/2 year period of traveling back and forth and, since moving to NY, the activiites have been limited to necessities. That's when you appreciate the small firsts even more. : )