Why Is Gala In NYC?
[ 26 May 2008 ]
Recently, the gorgeous Winona wrote to ask…
“Your life in New York seems absolutely fab! I was just wondering — what’s the story behind your trip/move? Did you just decide to pack up and spend a couple months in NY? Did it start as a vacation and then turn into a longer term thing? How’d you score a short term lease on an apartment? So many questions! Sorry to be a needy blogger. I’m just so curious!”
Well, while I try to keep my life off iCiNG as much as possible, people keep asking me these questions, so I figure I might as well explain it! (By the way, I am sitting on the fire escape as I type this up. How NYC, right?)
Yes, things in New York are going fabulously well! Here’s what happened.
It was Simon’s birthday at the start of May, he was going to be 37, & we decided we should do something fun for it. We weren’t sure what, exactly. I had already planned to buy him a nice watch, but we thought it would be good to indulge in some kind of event, too. Well, as you all know, we’re both into the raw food thing, so one day when I was browsing We Like It Raw, I noticed that they were holding a raw chocolate rave in New York City. I ran into the other room & showed Simon & we sat around, talking about how incredibly cool it would be to go along.
We kind of left it at that for a few days, & then a guy Simon does a bit of work for told him that he wanted him to fly over to London for a couple of weeks to put in some hours on a project. He wanted him to fly over on his birthday, which Simon wasn’t very keen on. Long story short, we negotiated that Simon would go to London if this guy flew him to New York first, & paid for my return ticket too.
So, that was organised, & we thought that after a few days in New York, Simon would go on to London & I would maybe kick it in NYC for another week before flying home. Then I thought, what’s the rush? Why would I want to go back to Melbourne if instead I could be staying in my favourite city of all time? (Valid question, right?) I have designed a lifestyle for myself where I can work from anywhere — ultimately, all I need is my computer & I’m ready to go. It makes sense to take advantage of that flexibility. So I decided I’d stay for a while, see how I liked it, & come back when it pleased me. We had flexible tickets, & all was fabulous.
We flew over, stayed at the New York Palace, & walked around a lot, sussing out the various neighbourhoods & getting a better idea of where we might like to live when we finally moved here. NYC has always been my dream, & Simon has been amiable to it but never really psyched. Anyway, the few days we spent here together were wonderful — the city was laden with delights at every turn, we met loads of fascinating people & really had a great time. Simon started to feel much more enthusiastic about the concept of living here, & when he left for London, we had basically decided that the plan was to get settled in NYC as soon as possible.
When he left, I went to stay with an acquaintance, we went to Florida, we came back & I decided that I needed my own place. It’s so hard staying with other people for any length of time, as most of you probably know — it’s awkward to be sharing their space & it’s hard to feel relaxed enough to get anything creative done (which is obviously a major thing for me, given I make my living from writing).
I started looking around on Craigslist for sub-leases that appealed to me. I looked pretty constantly for a couple of days, & didn’t find anything great, but I whipped up a form letter that I would email to all the places that didn’t look like total hell-holes & crossed my fingers that that would do the trick. I needed to be out of this person’s house by Sunday, so on Saturday I booked myself two nights (from Sunday) at the Sofitel, figuring that I would use those two days to house-hunt & if I hadn’t found anything by then… well… I’d do something else. I wasn’t sure what. Yes, I was quite nervous. In fact, for a while there, I was so stressed out that I felt like I was on the verge of a heart attack. The concept of being homeless in a city like New York really didn’t appeal to me much.
On that same morning, I’d seen a place advertised on Craigslist that I really liked the look of. It was minimalist, but looked really well-kept & clean & tasteful. It was kind of expensive but by that stage I didn’t care, I was happy to pay more for a better place than to bargain & haggle for a hamster cage. Miraculously, they called me that day, & we made arrangements for me to go over & see it the next day.
I checked into the Sofitel on Sunday morning, put down my luggage & jumped on the subway to go & see this place. Five flights of stairs later, & breathing unattractively, I was at the front door. The couple who owned the place were totally cool — almost intimidatingly hip — but very friendly. They showed me around, explained the idiosyncrasies (like the toilet, which is in the hallway — private, but in the hallway!), & then asked me what I thought. I loved it. I said I’d be keen to sub-lease it. They said okay. I squealed, probably, then told them I’d alter my hotel reservation so I’d only spend one night there & then move in the next day.
So, that’s basically what happened. I am here until the 28th of July, & then I go back to Melbourne for about a month, before returning to NYC for my 25th birthday (eep!) on September 13th.
I’m not sure what will happen on that trip, but ideally I would like to be living permanently in NYC by Christmas this year. It’s a bit of a nerve-wracking goal, but I like it like that!
It’s amazing to be here. To me, it’s pretty much the ultimate challenge. Being here alone is a definite test of my independence, strength & character. It’s scary at times — occasionally I have a mild flash of panic when I realise that there’s nowhere in the city that I feel familiar with — but it’s definitely worth it. I know I am going to leave here a changed person, & I’ve been having such a great time. It’s wonderful to know that it’s all my own making!
Hope this has sated your curiosity, little cuties!
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala 
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Aww honey, I’m so happy to hear you are following your dreams! I admire you so much for jumping right in and setting yourself such a scary goal, because you know it’s what you want from life. Why waste time, right? :)
I hope I can do that some day too.
Oh Gala, I’m soooo happy for you and I totally support you with your moving to NY. I’ve been fantasising living there for, well, all my life. Hope everything will turn out for the best! Thanks so much for sharing these details with us, I was curious, but didn’t dare to ask, because, uh, I thought I was too personal. So thanks for clearing us up!
Also, don’t know if you’ve seen my comment on the carousel post, but you inspired me to do a post on that reflective residence. Check it out, if you want :) Thanks for being an everyday inspiration! Kisses
Ok now I must get a US tourist visa and make my way to New York n_n.
I really admire you for following your dreams Gala.
Kisses.
living here is very hard…but so awesome!
btw, PLEASE be careful sitting on the fire escape! there have been loads of children who have climbed on the escape, only to have the whole thing collapse and fall! and if they’re children…they weight a lot less than adults (or should i say, young adults?)
I currently live on a 5 floor walk-up, it’s ok except for moving, groceries and laundry. all of which are very necessary.
I’m moving to the 3rd floor of a walk up in a week, which should be better. however, the MOVING part of it has gotten me completely stressed. it’s probably my most hated thing.
if only following dreams were that easy! it’s awesome you’re able to up and go from country to country to live an adventurous life. i have no idea (a) how you finance it/yourself and (b) how you’re able to get a residential visa to stay in the US longterm. i sure wish i was lucky and well enough to have a life as free as yours.
may you keep travelling well and safely!
If fear is the only thing keeping someone from doing something, then I almost feel it’s imperative to make yourself do it.
My husband and I did the same thing when we moved to North Carolina. We didn’t know anybody and had never even been to the city we moved to but it was amazingly worth it. We’ve never been happier and love our town and house. That said, I’m not sure that we’ll be here forever. Looking towards the future our goal is to move to Paris in about 10 – 12 years. We’re starting to learn French because we’re committed to the goal.
As you know it’s great to have a dream but dreams only become reality when you help to make them happen.
Congratulations on the forward progress. I hope we can get together while I’m there next week.
Luv
Poochie
gala! how great for you!!
it almost seems like you’re meant to be there. the way things fell into place was very cosmic.
my boyfriend and i try to go every few years for 5 days or so. i’m green that you’re thinking/will be moving there. it’s a dream of ours too, as he is a musician and i am chef, an a propos place for both of us to be, really.
congrats! i wish i could be there for your sex and the city gathering..
best wishes!
xox shannon
hi gala! Wish I was your best friend—I’d love to visit you & see your apartment!
ahh – i was wondering what you were doing there! What the situation with getting a visa?
poop — said my housemate Sarah….
I’m definitely jealous :) NYC is really where I want to live, too. And our birthdays are six days apart!
Gala, I’m so super proud of you =]
I am ridiculously jealous of your ability to put down roots anywhere like you’re planning.
New York is the greatest city in the world.
I’d like to hopefully do it one day, work allowing!
i’ve lived in ny for about 3 years now. i lived in midtown, in a dorm, i go to the fashion institute of technology.
now i live in brooklyn. my boyfriend just made the move from tennesee to be with me finally and he’s struggling with the change. he’s starting to love it. we’re going to a zombie walk in an hour, but the transition for him is hard.
it looks like it’s going better for you. I’m happy you’re coming!
Oh Gala, I’m so happy for you! I think that you’re absolutely brave and fabulous for doing this!
It’s so cool to hear the full story! Like Simon, Lee has always had slight aprehensions about moving to NY (though he loved staying for three weeks when I had a fancy place set up)! But it will be great to have everyone in the city for our birthdays and to see how things go!
Yeeeaaaah for bold moves!!! I’m in the middle of planning a permanent move from Cape Town to Sydney. Stressful, but at the same time so exciting. I second the question up top about the visa, how are you going to go about that? Wishing you very the bestest of luck! :)
I hope you don’t mind me asking one more question- what on earth is a raw chocolate rave?!
I could not be more jealous. New York is my dream. I can’t explain the pull it has on me. I hope to spend part of my final year of my degree in a NY college. I’ll have my Berenice Abbott phase and photograph the city on my one day off :)
Wow, sounds great. I think its good to be ambitious and impulsive, you have fun, and you get more done! :)
Congratulations on making your own dreams come true, you’re such an inspiration.
Much love from Croatia, soon UK.
Gala, this is fantastic! You’re following your dreams, and basing your decisions on what you want, instead of what people might think of you as, or what is easiest. You’ve always been an inspiration.
Hi! I’d really like to do what you are doing – have an impulsive idea to move to NYC for a month and then actually do it. I usually have the idea and then I just make up excuses why I shouldn’t do that.
Well I have a new motto, starting from today:
I’d rather look back on my life and say “I cant believe I did that!” instead of “I wish I did that.
Hope I’ll make my dreams come true and live in NYC someday.
Gala, that’s a fabulous story and quite inspiring. I’m glad you shared it with us. I hope your plans to live there by Christmas work well!
So if it all comes back to a raw chocolate rave . . .you’re in NYC because you decided you wanted to eat more healthily!
:D
I admire your spontaneity greatly. I’ve always wanted to move away from Scotland to a lovely big city when I’m done with school etc, and you’ve assured me that anything is possible, things are only as hard as you want them to be.
:)
How inspiring, Gala! I mean, not in the sense that we nonpareils will all fly to NYC, but it’s great to see you following your dream – that’s encouraging me to continue with my academic dream. :) Hopefully Simon’s job is also flexible regarding location?
hi lovie! just wanted to say that i’m happy for you! i’m 23, and just recently went on my first ever ADULT vacation, completely by myself. guess where i went!! NYC. i stayed with friends in new jersey, but spent the whole of my week alone in new york, visiting museums, sitting in parks, shopping, and enjoying life and living. it was a huge growing experience for me, knowing that i can have fun by myself, and completely take care of myself. i wish you all the best while you are in new york. i will be back in the city the last weekend in july. enjoy your time!
Fabulous!
I’m actually in a very similar situation at the moment while I prepare to relocate to San Francisco from Canada in the next six months. I just spent two months renting an apartment down there and went through the same thing where I was close to not having a place to stay/homeless in a foreign city — so scary!
I wish you all the luck in the world! It is hard to adjust to being on your own for a while after living with somebody but I’m certain that you’ll be a better partner and a stronger person as a result of it.
xo!
I’m so overjoyed that you’re going to be in NYC long-term! Its an amazing city and I’m sure you’ll never get bored. Maybe I’ll run into you someday, I’m so amped about the idea of going to college there in a few years.
Actually, a nonpareil friend and I have been cooking up a scheme together about getting ourselves down there and tracking you down sometime (in a totally non-creepy, non-threatening way)! Nothing close to fruition, but it would be great someday. I would count running into you on a street as a celebrity sighting of my own!
it’s like a fairy tale Gala!
so happy for you :)
I so admire that you just jumped right in! That is amazingly awesome. :D I wish I were that brave. It sounds like you are having a lot of fun. I would love to do something like that.
Ahhh, I was wondering the same things as Winona, but I didn’t want to pry! I’m glad she asked and you answered. It sounds like such an awesome adventure, Gala, you really suit NYC. Good on you, lovely!
i’m about to move from california to virginia to live and work with a friend before we move to england in october!
at least that’s the plan! it’s so scary but too exciting to be afraid.
Hey Gala, I found something that you might be interested in taking part in (or at least going to see) while you’re in NY. www.themoth.org/
The Moth is dedicated to promoting the art of storytelling. We celebrate the ability of stories to honor the diversity and commonality of human experience, and to satisfy a vital human need for connection. We do so by helping our storytellers to shape their stories and to share them with the community at large. One goal of The Moth is to present the finest storytellers among established and emerging writers, performers and artists; another is to encourage storytelling among populations whose stories often go unheard.
Ooh, that sounds lovely!
I hope you’re still in New York in 2010 (I know, a LONG way off), because my high school band is competing in a competition then! We’re pretty good, if I do say so myself.
I’m very happy for you!
Dear Gala,
Yay! That is so exciting! I just moved here on a whim, and I can relate to your occasional feelings of panic.
Very exciting to know there’s a curious gal, just like me, exploring and taking risks – but loving every minute of it!
Ha i was curious too…..thats why i asked questions before but of course did not want to pry too much.
I had a feeling you were going to plan to live there…..kinda why i said NYC suits you….cos it seems to from your photos and your recent posts etc…...good luck Gala…..well luck has nothing to do with it really…just determination and confidence/belief in yourself :)
Ahh! I’m almost jealous. But I did visit Europe for a coupla weeks, live in Australia for a month and plan to keep traveling regularly. First I’m relocating back to Miami sometime soon. And from there I was thinking San Francisco but I still want to live in NYC at some point. So I figure I could apply to school in both SF and NYC. I’m not sure where I’d like to live in the end and where my mate could live. I kinda feel the need to live someplace coastal and warm. Frankly, I think SF is like NYC with warmth, water and fewer people. I think London is probably my favorite place of all time but it rains too much. I don’t know. I probably need to travel to these three places more often.
Do you have any thoughts or suggestions?
I’ll be moving up to NYC from Washington DC this August, and I’m as siked as you seem! I’ve always looked north and imagined what people were doing in that fantastic city at that very moment. If I see a flash of perfectly purple hair I’ll say hello!
congrats on following your dreams gala!!
i also wanted to say that i’m so jealous you met marc jacobs, i adore him :-)
hang on a sec, the toilet is in the hallway? OUTSIDE your appartment? :-) Now that would freak me out. Good on you for being so brave. Have a great time.
Gala, you’re living my dream! I would love to move to NYC, but the thought of leaving all my friends and family and being alone is a little scary. Your gusto is so inspiring. Hope all goes well in your NYC adventure!
Congratulations on getting closer to your dream. You are proof that if you can put your mind to it, you can do anything you want.
Well congrats on finding a place in NYC. An I’m glad your having so much fun in NYC. Oh an my birthday is on September 13th too.
C;
AMENABLE
hello gala! it seems that we will both be in nyc at the same time. im leaving on the 7th of sep for 2 nights in LA and landing in NYC on the 9th (i think). what a coincidence?!!? i can hardly wait for nyc without the tease from your blog! hehehe
and congrats on following your dreams. trust yourself and everything will be all right. :)
lots of love
Hello Gala,
I’m so happy things have been working out for you. I’m moving to Melbourne in July and i’m so excited but quite scared aswell! How hard is it to find a place to live in Melbourne? You know of anyone who needs a house/appartment sitter from 11th July email me :)
I’m so scared of having to make new friends, find a job, move! I’ve only ever moved within the same town before. I’m from Dunedin NZ so its not like it was hard. Anyway i guess only time will tell how it is for me! Wish me luck!
xoxo
That is so awesome. I guess sometimes you know where you belong!
I’ve always wanted to move to New York and being there last year for three weeks cemented that idea for me. I just love somewhere that there is endless possibilities and I’ve always got endless thoughts on what to do next and New York seemed to be that place to make that happen. I am going back there for January. Winter is so beautiful there!
Unfortunately I have 4 years to wait because I am doing a doctorate and I know that I cannot possibly afford to go to school there and I know that it will help me get a visa and a job. Unless something magically happens with my music!
I used to be afraid of taking big risks, but ever since I went around Europe for a year alone, I think that anything is possible. I know that I can make it work even when it feels hopeless. I guess that the obstacles that you have in life prepare you for your struggles ahead and that is what I feel that time did for me.
Good luck with your move xxxxxxxxxx
Félicitations, ma jolie!
You’re so damned lucky to be able to live in such a wonderderful place. I’ve never been, but my cousin went for a couple of months last year and she’s still talking about it.
I also have to say, and I think I am the first to say this in the comments, we will miss you here in Australia! It’s not often that awesome fashion/style/life bloggers come from New Zealand & Australia.
Bon voyage to you!
x
YAY!! That is my dream. You are my idol. I am so inspired to follow my dreams now! I love you Gala! xx
Hey Gala,
I’m did almost what you did just a month ago – I spent about 2 months in Shanghai, and I’ll be moving there by the end of the year. I’m thrilled, scared [esp since I don’t speak Chinese!] and delirious all at the same time. It’s such a high, looking forward to moving to a new city!
I hope your SATC party goes well. I’ll be there in spirit from Singapore!
xxx, Faz
Please let me know if you’re going to move to New York for goods because I’d really like to bake you a cake before you leave!
Gala – you’re fabulous!
Go live your dreams.
And to echo someone else – will kinda miss seeing and hearing about things in Melbourne – but suppose it will be incentive to visit NYC and see all the new things you talk about.
Gala! Wowzaaaaaaaaa! From the girl who loved ladbugs and wrote at scribble.nu, to livejournal, to your old website, to this! You truly make me believe that anything is possible, nothing is at a limit! I need to remember this when I feel scared.
Thank you sooo much. xx
I was only thinking the other day out of curiousty what you were doing in New York, and know we know =]
I think it’s brilliant that you are having such a great time, good on you!
Enjoy the movies !
x
Wow Gala, this entry answered all my questions. I want to move to NYC like you too and it’s so inspiring to me of what you did. For you it might be quite troublesome to share your personal life, but for me, I love stories like this coz it inspires me a lot. Hope you’ll have a great time in NYC and keep sharing your life in NYC please. I love the city so much as well! xx
Thanks for sharing! Especially about the apartment stuff, I am going through that now myself. Everything sounds lovely :)
I hope your plans to permanently settle come through, because I’ve been hoping to be settled in NYC by August of 2009. Maybe – hopefully – I’ll be able to join a lovely nonpareil party someday! Eeee!
It’s so amazing that you could make this happen. You rock!
You have the same birthday as me- mind you I’m seven years younger.
This is really courageous and admirable, live the life you want !
and I’ve just noticed we have very similar birthdays, I’m 20 this september 15th :-)
You’re truly inspirational so thank you for being you
I hope everything works out for you Gala… btw in the latest copy of Mindfood Mag there’s an awesome interview with SJP on teh new SITC movie and NYC and the issue is dedicated to things NYC.. there’s interviews with NZ’s that have moved there and made a go of it! You might find it interesting :) B x
I have to admit, Gala, my favorite thing about you moving to the states is that all your posts are posted “normal time” now :D
I love this story Gala! I’m super inspired!
you are such a joy, gala. i’m so happy for you! lovelove, dakota
wow i wish i was that brave and that independent…
nyc is my wish too. and being like that.
i am quite proud & amazed at your guts, and glad that you will be sharing your wonderful aesthetic with those of us in the US. good luck with all of the settling-in, and moving arrangements. your independence and risk-taking should inspire us all.