The first steps...

5 things that can make living in Memphis more like living in New York.

1. Go to the theatre. We have "The Orpheum" which is a lovely theatre downtown at which travelling formerly on Broadway plays and musicals show. There are also several other local theatres.
2. Go to book signings! There is an amazing bookstore in Memphis called "Davis-Kidd" where best-selling authors frequent.
3. Visit the local attractions. We have a lot of local attractions here. Graceland, of course, and a few famous museums, including: The National Civil Rights Museum, The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, The Pink Palace, to name a few.
4. Eat at local restaurants! In NYC, I eat at local places daily. Here, I always eat either at home or at a big chain place. But Memphis has a lot of local diners and bars. Time to start checking into them.
5. Drink more Starbucks. Self-explanatory.

An introduction for any potential readers...

I heart NY. Really, I do. For years before I knew what I wanted to do with my life, I have known where I want to do it. New York City!

Yet somehow, my life has led me to live in Memphis, TN right now. And that's okay!

There are plenty of reasons that I simply cannot make the move to NYC right away.

1) MONEY

2) I'm going to the University of Memphis in January! It just makes sense to stay here for college since I'm a resident and it will therefore cost a lot less. So, once again, MONEY.

3) Boyfriend. My boyfriend Stacey's life is here, and he needs to also save up money to move. And transfer to another store (he works at The Home Depot).

4) Family. My parents and my goddaughter all live here. I will miss them terribly, but they all know that I plan to move to NYC some day.

So those are the main reasons that I simply cannot afford to move to NYC right now. There are two possible moving dates. The first one is just two years away, the second closer to four. Either way, I will live in NYC by the time I turn 30, just four years away.

All big goals need to have plans. I have a savings plan that will have me saving $300 monthly for my move. I have a school plan that will have me at least partially educated by my move. I'm excited about moving!

...BUT!!!

In the meanwhile, I may as well learn to love living here. I am stuck here for the next few years, and I may as well make it for the greater good.

I am determined to make living in Memphis as much like living in New York City as possible.

I will go further into how I plan to do that in my next entry.