Written by Katherine Bruce and Anita Davison
Living in New York really makes you appreciate the passing and beginning of each season. Especially with young children. After this relentless winter, I truly understand the meaning of cabin fever!
Sadly/happily, we are moving back to Sydney next week to start a new job and be closer to family. It’s been so exciting to see our Facebook community grow from 50 members when we launched last March, to nearly 250 today! I’m always touched by the generosity of our members with advice for other mums on all things related to living in New York with kids. (Including the very important sourcing of staples such as vegemite and hot cross buns!)
Thank you to everyone who has made me feel so welcome and supported me during my time in New York. I will miss the wonderful friends I’ve made but look forward to seeing you again in Australia one day soon.
Anita Davison has kindly offered to step in and take over managing our Mums & Bubs group and I know she will do an amazing job.
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I think everyone can attest to the fact that Katherine has done an amazing job managing the Mums & Bubs group and I have big shoes to fill! Thank you Katherine, I know you will be very much missed in NYC. I won’t hide the slight pang of jealousy I, and I’m sure many of the mums have, in knowing you will be back on Sydney’s North Shore breathing in that gorgeous fresh air. Bon voyage.
So, who is this Anita she speaks of?
My husband James and I, along with our two kids, Gisele (4) & Jasper (2.5) moved to NYC from the Northern Beaches of Sydney in July of 2013. It was an inter-company transfer with Barclays, James works in FX Sales. I have been home with the kids for the past few years and now enjoying much of what NYC city has to offer.
We started out living on the UWS on W63rd, but now reside in South Harlem and we absolutely adore it. Had you told me two years ago that I would be living in Harlem I would have laughed in your face, but the area is so vibrant and full of life, my mind has completely changed. I’ve heard all about the change the area has made in the last 10 years, but even in the last 9 months I have seen huge growth in the area and really feel it to be a safe and great place for our family to live.
I have a mixed work history, having worked in recruitment, personal training, an EA in banking & finance and lastly working in event management – my new endeavor is to follow my passion and start a baking & cake decorating business here in the city. Starting up a business in NYC, much like most things we try to do here, differs greatly from home. I am sure I will have some funny (frustrating?!) anecdotes for you all over the next year as I start the journey. I am also a lover of all things creative, so don’t hold it against me when I tell you I’ve been referred to as ‘one of those Pinterest mums’. Life doesn’t even begin to fit into two paragraphs, so thats a tiny bit about me, we can chat more over dinner and drinks.
There are a number of ideas running through my head of all the things I would like to write about on the FB page, but I am also keen to hear from all of you; this group belongs to each and every one of you, so your input is very important! So if you think you have a great idea, information to share or you just want to tell everyone about your NYC experience, please send me a message on the FB page and we can go from there.
Happy spring everyone and thanks for having me!
Anita
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 