Tell us how you came to be in NYC?
After a short stint at NYU in 2006 and a wild 6 month holiday with my best friend staying in a tiny apartment in the West Village, I returned home exhausted, but in love with New York. It didn’t take me long to give in to temptation, pack my bag (or rather, many bags) and return to give NYC a proper go in 2009. I have been here ever since.
Where do you live and why did you choose that area?
I currently live in the West Village, but I lived in the Lower East Side for many years. After the hustle and bustle of the LES, I really wanted a tree lined street with local restaurants, bars and shops, which is exactly what I get in the West Village.
What have been the best ‘living in NYC tips’ you have been given/discovered?
Just to go with the flow! Everyone is late in NYC, so never be early. Try to escape in high summer and also in the dead of winter. Enjoy yourself every day in between. Try not to get sick as it’s a nightmare. Walk EVERYWHERE and eat and drink everything as you never know when your favorite restaurant or bar will shut down. Read as much as you can as the schedule of events, openings, festivals etc. is endless…and exciting!
What has been your biggest challenge since moving to New York?
It’s a bit of a cliché but being away from family and friends.
What is the NY Lap 4 Life, and what inspired you to start it?
The NY Lap 4 Life is a 32 mile walk around the perimeter of Manhattan, taking place on September 12. The walk will be raising money for the Villa Maria organization. We have 40+ Walkers signed up already, and we are looking for more!The original idea came to me one day in late winter when out of complete boredom I walked 200 blocks from my house to Harlem and back. It got me thinking how easy it was for me to do this, and how difficult it could be for someone to even walk one block with a disability. This created the idea to put ourselves through a very challenging walk, for those who are challenged every day.
Tell us a bit more about Villa Maria?
Villa Maria is an organization that provides support for the disabled in a wide variety of ways. They run early intervention programs for young children to give them the best possible start in life, they have a school for the 5 to 18 year old group, residential centers that offer respite care for individuals and their families, day centers for adults and centers for the aged. I have twin cousins who are intellectually disabled so I have firsthand experience of how difficult it is for people with severe disabilities to cope with so much of everyday life. They need a lot of support and help, and that’s expensive to provide.
How can AWNY members keep up to date with NY Lap 4 Life? Visit our fundraising page, register by emailing us at NYlap4life@gmail.com. Also please follow @NYlap4life on Instagram. We welcome Walkers, donors, or any companies who would like to be involved with sponsorship. We already have the fabulous support from Bluestone Lane. Our supporters can enjoy expect great coffee and smashed avo toast on the day!
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 