Everything is New

Well I started my job on Tuesday!! It is awesome. I am working for an IT solutions company that handles anything from printer systems to software bugs. I am the right hand assistant to the Vice President of Sales. His name is Joe. Joe is probably one of the nicest people I have ever met. He made me save his cell phone number in case I needed anything. And coincidence of coincidences: He lives on Staten Island, very close to where I do!! He is so helpful and explains everything. He wants to make sure I understand and feel comfortable and that I don't get overwhelmed. The other person I will be helping is Denise. She is so sweet!! She is very smart and very good at her job. She is very funny and we get along great! Victoria and Christine are in the cubicles closest to me and they are the chattiest Cathies I have ever met!! They chat and chat and they ask me questions. They work under Steve, who I believe is the president of the whole operation. Vinny is the third owner, and I haven't had much contact with him but both he and Steve welcomed me, offered me help if ever I couldn't get ahold of Joe for some reason.

The cool thing about the Three Bosses is that they began as the maintenance guys. They worked for a company back in the eighties that was going under, so rather than waiting to get fired, they decided to start their own business that was fair and efficient, cost-effective and reliable. These guys understand what it's like to be at the bottom and have figured it out together. They have been in business since 1987 and they are a rock-solid team. I am just so happy to be working in an environment that is so positive and believes in good business (not screwing people). They even have the same radio in the kitchen that they did when they first started the business. It is AWESOME!! It still has the cassette deck and everything. It's so funny, this little radio. So out of date and somehow, it's a neat little reminder of the three guys that decided to be their own bosses.

Since that job is only part-time, I am still looking for something else to pay the bills. I have spoken with a lady in Long Island who needs a nanny for three kids. We spoke on the phone just last night and I really like her. She seems really nice and very fair. The only catch is that it is a pretty long commute with a full day so we will see how that turns out.

I met a man last week who was here on business from Milan. He is the kindest, most thoughtful man I've ever met. He is funny with his friends, gentle with me, and already loves my dog. He even has two labradors of his own back in Italy!! It was this crazy whirlwind week of a new job, a new love interest, and new experiences. We went to Times Square and we went to dinner every night together with his Italian friends and colleagues. He even came to my place one evening, cooked pasta for me and made a chocolate fondue!! Most romantic week of my life. He is back in Italy now but we Skype every day and there is an app that lets us text for free from halfway across the world!! Technology is very very cool. We will see what happens but I am the most excited about this man than I've been about any man in a very long time!!

As most of you know, there was a blizzard here over the weekend. It wasn't nearly as bad as they said. We only got about eight inches of snow and the wind blew pretty hard around two in the morning. But what I found amazing, was the newness that emerged on the next morning. Not a cloud in the sky. The air was so clear, you could breathe in the freshness. The sun was so bright and everything was covered in a blanket of white. It was beautiful. The ferry was just gorgeous: to ride on the water and see the boats with snow, the houses with snow, the docks with snow.

I feel like my life has been like this storm. The week I moved here was so crazy. So many things happened and I didn't know what was going to happen. The blizzard of things that went wrong was the strongest I'd seen in my whole life. Yet somehow, everything worked out. I am finally in this calm stage where everything is as it should be: new, shiny, exciting, clear. I've got the hang of the trains and know how to time my travel. I know where to go to get decent but cheap food. And still, I discover new things every day. I am still fascinated by the people and the culture here. I am astounded by the sheer volume of people in this city and that most of them have homes, jobs, and friends. I have a new job I'm very excited about. I have a new beau who makes me extremely happy even from across an ocean. I have a new territory that is mine. This new life is amazing and I wouldn't change it for the world! I thank God for this every day. I am so blessed.