Home Sweet Home

In New York City, I’ve often seen a guy lay out a collection of knock-off handbags on a blanket on the sidewalk. 

He sets his merchandise on a blanket so that when he sees the cops coming, he can scoop up all of his belongings and set up shop on another street corner. 

I attempted to do that with all of my belongings throughout the month of September as I hopped from apartment to apartment.

My Columbia housing move-in was delayed which meant that I had to matriculate without a set address, so I spent two weeks with a few other Columbia students in Harlem in what was a don’t-get-too-comfortable setup. 

I have yet to master the art of traveling light, a necessity in New York City. Instead I loaded up everything I owned into my two suitcases and my laundry basket in the hopes that every Uber driver I rode with would take pity on me– a fool proof plan. 

The stress of moving led to some questionable behavior from me: buying those horrendous soft sugar cookies that cause juvenile diabetes and adult acne in an attempt to take the edge off (there probably isn’t a single ingredient in these cookies that occurs naturally and isn’t therefore manufactured in a factory), sobbing since all of the dryers in my building were taken by people whose laundry had been done for over an hour, then going upstairs to take the edge off with chocolate covered peanuts and Fleabag, and finally, me writing a story for my writing workshop about a girl who has to move apartments with no help from anyone.

Stuff like that.

The place I stayed in in Harlem was great: a room with exposed brick that was right near the train station. 10/10 would stay there again. 

It’s all part of the adventure. 

I am now settled in a great situation, thanks to Columbia, where I can focus so much better on my school work: the next thing to conquer. 

Wish me luck!

The Tragic Queen,

Raquel

P.S.: Check out my previous blog post: Alyssa Sage, Live at Pink Frog Cafe