(This is a continuing story from “My Love Affair with New York (Part I).”)

Central Park during a winter visit.

I left New York that first time because I needed to come home. Plain and simple. The city, my personal life, the job search, the market crash… all had burned me out. A job offer back home in California turned out to be the right path for me at the time. I new I wasn’t leaving New York forever. Once you fall in love, there is no way of falling out of love. It stays in your blood and in your heart. It was a matter of when NOT if I would go back to New York.

I spent a year working a retail level job that I thought would turn out to be more than it was.  By the end of that year, I knew retail wasn’t for me and I missed the creativity and passion I had for design. I bit the bullet and left my safe job, making okay money, but which had left me craving for more.  I had come up with a one year plan: go back to grad school for Fashion Design, revamp my designing skills, and build a new portfolio. After that year, I wanted to find a way to go back to New York, intern, and eventually get a paying design job.

This is not an option for everyone. I was lucky that I had the savings and familial support to make the decision to leave my full time job, go back to school, and move to New York.  Don’t get me wrong, I know that I was very lucky and privileged to have this opportunity.

In my “Fashion Illustration” class at the Academy of Art.

That next year I commuted to San Francisco and worked harder that I ever imagined at design grad school at The Academy of Art University. By spring semester I knew it was time to make plans to head back to New York. I had everything planned–I was doing a summer internship program through my Alma Mater (FIT) and was going to stay in the dorms temporarily. In the fall I would look for more permanent housing.

A week before finals at the Academy of Art, during an art store run in the middle of class, I fell and broke my right ankle and severely sprained my left ankle (more to that story HERE). When I was riding in the ambulance to the hospital that day, I had a sinking feeling that I wouldn’t be making that trip to New York.

The accident ended up being more severe than I had thought. I had surgery to put a metal plate and screws on my ankle. The surgery healing was added to the regular healing process.  This would be a summer long (if not longer) ordeal. I knew I couldn’t do an internship and walk all over New York in crutches–that  was IMPOSSIBLE.

What would I do? I couldn’t give up on my dream! After a disheartening initial response. I took my future in hand, making a decision for myself–I would still go to New York, plans just needed a little tweaking!

With the help of my proverbial cheer leading team (aka, my mom), I was able to figure out a new way. I found temporary housing through the Salvation Army. I would have a private room and bath with 2 meals a day in their Women’s Residence in the West Village. The only commitment needed was 3 months and I had to be going to school.

So, I registered for a non-degree student course at FIT and was on my way!

On August 31, 2011, I headed back to New York to follow my dreams. I had a few internship prospects lined up, but nothing certain. I knew I would make it this time, this was my city and I was going to conquer it! Not even a broken leg and surgery could deter me from what I wanted. I was doing this!

On September 1, I had my first interview. I rocked it and got it! But, that is a continuing story for another time…

On my way to my first internship interview.

“My Love Affair with New York (Part III)” to come soon!