What's good, blog world? I'm David Cohn, also known as D-Co to quite a few. It's been a while. The last time I took on the internet in such a way was back in the 10th grade... on good ol' LiveJournal - a predecessor to today's Facebook. What a dramatic period of time that was for 16 year old me. Regardless, here I am again, 12 years later. I'm definitely older, hopefully wiser, and most certainly hungrier than ever for new experiences. I've apparently gotten a bit funnier and wittier since then, so I'm praying to the internet gods that my blog will get a million likes and go viral within a week or less. Maybe BuzzFeed will feature me on their site as 'The Newest and Most Hilarious Blogger since [insert funny blogger's name here].'
Moving on with [a few] less jokes and more [hopefully interesting] content.
For anyone who has followed my postings on Facebook, you might have noticed that I've been preparing to move, on a whim, to New York City. Well, today's the day and the deed has been done. I flew that one way flight earlier this morning with just a couple pieces of luggage in tow and have since begun my new life.
I'm now relaxing at one of my closest childhood friend's apartment on the Upper West Side.
Meet Lindsay. She's a gem and has approved the use of this photo. I'm the one that took this picture a few weeks ago when we were in Denver, so it didn't really matter whether or not she gave permission, just to note.
She has been kind enough to lend me her couch for the first leg of what I call 'The Couch Hopping Tour.' This has nothing to do with an actual tour, but it's a fun way to say that I have no permanent residence here yet, and I'll be transient until I get a job and a place. Thanks Linz! <3
Yes, you read correctly. I just moved to New York City with no job and no spot to call my own. But that's okay. Moving to the city is like joining a fraternity or sorority in college. There are specific things you have to do in order to join the ranks of becoming an official New Yorker. Couch crashing and roughing it for a little are among those things. As is eating pizza for 2 of your 3 meals a day [kidding - but not really]. As of 12:37pm, when I touched ground via JetBlue Airlines, I only became The Newest Yorker.
In due time I'll be swanky enough to call myself a New Yorker and I look forward to sharing what I'm up to.
Until then, I bid you farewell, and will leave you with my first 'New York Moment.'
NEW YORK MOMENT #1:
As many people do in 2015 after grabbing up suitcases from baggage claim, I requested an Uber to scoop me up. I'm greeted by Rashmi (name changed for protection), in his super clean and luxurious Nissan Armada. During the ride, I learned many things about Rashmi. He is pushing 60 years old and hails from Sri Lanka. He moved to the US of A in 1992 for an opportunity to work on a ship in Miami, Florida as an engineer. After only one week on the job, he got into an argument with his supervisor and quit right on the spot. With no other leads in Miami, he had an inkling that New York might be a good place for him, so he booked it to New York on a Grey Hound, praying that this was the land of opportunity. He now had just one dollar and a single apple to his name. His first week here he slept on the ground at the 42nd Street Port Authority and drank water from the public restrooms just to survive. He found a job selling newspapers for a measly $1.50 an hour, then sold umbrellas on the street for a short period after that. His next opportunity was driving for a limousine company and worked his way up over a period of 12 years. He was eventually able to bring his wife and children over from Sri Lanka, now owns a home in Staten Island and was able to help put his children through school. His son is an officer for the NYPD and his daughter is a graphic designer for a big company. He said that he couldn't be more proud of his children and goes to sleep happy every night knowing that his kids and wife have a better life than they could have ever imagined. It was incredible hearing his journey of trials and tribulations to a better life. Very inspiring. Knowing that he came here with absolutely nothing and 'made it' is exactly what I needed to hear today. I am so thankful that he picked me up!
Well, that's all I've got for now. I have to prepare for my first interview tomorrow.
Later!
David Cohn
The Newest Yorker
