The New York Diaries: My Journey

Ann’s post, She Should Write, in part encouraged me to pursue my dream of living in New York and becoming a writer.

A little over a year ago, I made the move. I packed my car and transferred my job to New York, but things didn’t go as planned. I found myself months later without a place to live, no access to my car, no money and in a city full a strangers.

I had to rely on the kindness of friends that I had made here for food and a place to live. Things got rough, and I was super homesick for the place where everyone knew me.

Things have vastly improved now, and I am posting about my experiences on my blog, from the time I arrived, to when I resorted to dancing at bars for cash, to now: working two jobs and writing every chance I can. 

It has been a journey, but what still strikes me is the sheer number of people who made it their business to block my progress simply because I am female and brown. I had one specific individual whom I fully plan on exposing, along with his horrible emails, that tried to dehumanize me. He called me the maid. He told me I was nothing, less than nothing, a leach. And when I replied that I had finally found full-time work, he congratulated me for being off welfare for two weeks. In one of his emails he asked if I had told my mother that I was no longer pissing on trees in the park. All because I dared to pursue my dreams.

I’d like to share my blog with you, if for no other reason to encourage other women like me to pursue their dreams too. There’s always going to be someone trying to derail you, but that’s just noise. Your dreams are bigger.

Thank you for reading.

www.andreaobaez.com