When I was about 8, people ask me what I want to be when I grow up... A typical child would say- "I want to be a doctor!" or "I want to be an astronaut"... well I suppose I was not a typical child coz my response was not to answer what I want to be but instead WHERE I want to be when I grow up. Three words- NEW YORK CITY.
Growing up in the Philippines I thought that going to NYC was an impossible feat but, when my family migrated to Australia in 2000 that dream was closer to reality than ever before.
My fate suddenly changed.. there I was- a working uni student majoring in PR and Fashion... I surrounded myself with everything that reminded me of NYC- Sex and the City TV show, Sex and the City movies, Gossip Girls, a picture of Empire State building and even Lady Liberty posted on my wall.... the lists goes on.
My style and tastes also evolved.
I am a self-proclaimed shopaholic whose addiction in bags and shoes was seen as a slight problem by others but never myself. What can I say? I enjoy shopping but who doesn't right? How can you say NO to a half price tan leather Lady Dior or to a 40% Chloe Milton Hobo bag? The fact that big department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales now ship to Australia doesn't help my case, and even worse, feeds my addiction even more!
Regardless, I still had my eyes on the prize- my first trip to NYC and 2008 was finally the year.
The dream was finally a reality! my boyfriend at the time almost had to restrain me when I walked out of the airport as I squeal like an 8-year old girl and had to stop me channeling my inner Beyonce and singing along to Jay Z's "Empire State of Mind" (can't a girl have a break?)
It was all I ever dreamed plus a whole lot more. Ever since then, I've been back every year and I don't think I can ever stop. I have so much love for NYC and it seems that I fall in love with the place every time I go back. It's not just the place- it's the people, the identity, the pretentious night clubs in meat packing district, the bagel you just have to have!, the culture, the fashion.. it's EVERYTHING!
I know one day I will live in one of those penthouse apartments on the Upper East Side over looking Central Park just like Blair Waldorf and if I'm lucky, even land my dream job as as Fashion PR for Kelly Cutrone. Seriously, a girl can dream.