#99: the American dream

I've been living here in the USA for almost five years. I received my Masters degree from one of the top schools in this country in 2007 and have been working here in the close to 3 years since then.

It may sound cliched but what prompted me to leave home was the concept of the American dream. A world where I was free. Free to accomplish anything I wanted. I craved big city life. A chance to make my mark on a place larger than just an island the size of a few hundred miles.

Free to be gay and walk down the street holding hands with my boyfriend the way that those characters on Queer As Folk did on TV back when I was in college.

This is my dream accomplished. A great well paying job in a great city. The world at my fingertips. There are few places in the world like New York. I made it here so hopefully this means I can make it anywhere.

But the dream is currently only temporary. I'm but just a visitor craving when I can call this place my permanent home without any qualifiers or expiry date. All in time.

#98: looking back on 2009

The end of a year is typically greeted by everyone with reflection. Numerous things happenned of note to me during 2009, some that may seem small and insignificant to many but somewhat key to me.

In January 2009 I met my boyfriend in London and then left him when I moved back to NYC at the end of February. A budding relationship cut short after only 8 short weeks.

In March I finally bought furniture of my own including a quite soft bed and even cookware! Owning furniture actually gave me a sense of permanency in terms of where I'll be as I had been moving around quite a bit. Now that I owned stuff, it gave me greater sense of home.

In April I got braces. A decision I don't regret as I look at how far they've come in the past 8 months.

In June I celebrated gay pride in both Pittsburgh and then NYC. My second year in doing so. I also gave in to temptation and finally bought an iPhone after 2 years of lusting after the devices. I also met fellow blogger and good friend Tim in person at last.

In July that boyfriend that I left in London came to visit me and we rekindled what has since then been an amazing relationship even though we still cuurently live on opposite ends of the Atlantic.

In August I celebrated a quarter century of life and was at home in the Caribbean for my birthday for the first time since 2004. I also watched my older sister get married, thereby placing my family's eyes on me being next...

In October I visited my bf and sister in London and met a member of his family for the first time. His sister. I also learned that it was very possible that he could be granted a work transfer enabling him to move to New York City. WooHoo!

In December I took the longest consecutive vacation I have since graduating from grad school in May 2007. 2.5 weeks. Right before my holiday the news I was waiting on came through. My bf would definitely be moving to NYC!! Something that seemed unlikely 6 months ago was now happening and faster than we'd thought possible. Not only that but we decided to move in together!

I spent part of my time on holiday once again in London but this time expanded by going to northern England and meeting my bf's mom and more of his family for the first time. I was actually impressed as my perception of the UK was that there wasn't much going on outside of London. You frequently hear of major US cities besides New York but rarely do you hear of other UK cities apart from London.

I ended 2009 in Paris gazing over a river at the Eiffel Tower with my boyfriend as a dazzling light show engulfed the tower.

For many, 2009 was a bad year but for me I have some incredibly fond memories. Hopefully there is more of this in store in 2010.