It astounds me that I've only had 6 weeks of summer in New York City so far (I've spent 3 in the Philippines). It has been one life event after another within the span of two months.
This is truly the first time that I've been "on my own." During my entire first year I lived in the dorms and had a "meal plan." When first year was over, I decided to move out in order to alleviate housing expenses. Living on one's own is it's own thing and it is posing new challenges. It is indeed my first time budgeting my own expenses for groceries, transportation, household items, etc. as well as preparing my own meals (more inexpensive than eating out all the time).
The extra challenge for this particular week was taking care of outstanding apartment issues. Coming back and finding out the windows are still not replaced, the stove isn't working and also needs to be replaced and then discovering a leak in one of the rooms after a heavy rainfall. Some of them have been resolved over the week but there are several others that are still pending. All of that while dealing with jet lag and second-wave homesickness.
I've been trying to go easier within myself, that I don't have to get everything done all at once. That if I do something to move forward in each day that would be good enough. And I am learning that "good enough" is good enough.
What I do have now that I did not have when I first moved to New York City is a clearer sense of support. I have discovered a second family in Group 48 whose love and acceptance is secure within me. Visiting home and seeing family and old friends also gave me a clearer sense of support and love even from afar. As I am at the beginning of a new phase in my life in which I am encountering new things on my own - I know that there are people who have got my back even though they are not in physical proximity.