finally
It’s obvious that I’m in the minority when it comes to not particularly loving Los Angeles.
I base this on the fact that another gazillion people moved here last year and seem to love everything about L.A.
Weekend pictures: another great meal at True Food Kitchen, a friend’s extraordinary shoes, a whole lot of dessert, homemade waffles.
I can’t really put my finger on what it is about this city that I am not a fan of. Because really, when one overlooks the:
- Horrendous traffic at all hours of the day and night,
- Fact that everyone has perfect hair (which obviously gives me a ridiculous complex about mine),
- Earthquakes that seem to occur more and more frequently,
- Crazy drivers who think they are above all laws,
- Smog (that is at least partially responsible for my eczema),
- Lack of seasons,
- Non-walkability factor,
- Lack of public transportation,
- Scary fights over parking spaces,
- Fact that valet parking must be a budgeted line item….
Breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien: this tiny waffle packs a giant sugar punch. Maya was bouncing off the walls minutes later.
…and looks at the good things instead, like:
- the fact we have True Food Kitchen,
- and ?
…this city really isn’t so bad after all.
In any case, I’m thinking that my unpopular opinions about Los Angeles are now irrelevant. Why? Because we’re moving to NYC this summer.
Finally.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
A lot of the reasons you don’t like LA are the reasons I can no longer take Oman: crazy drivers, lack of four seasons, and lack of public transportation being the top negatives. Exciting that you’re moving to the East Coast!
So I’m thinking that I shouldn’t take a trip to Oman? 🙂
It’s good for a visit, as long as you can leave after about a month. 🙂
I know a few people who hate LA for similar reasons, but you are right, it’s a minority. I’m happy for you that you finally get to move to NYC…I’m assuming you’ll be in Manhattan? I hope it works out for you — living in NYC is definitely different than visiting!
Yes, we are moving to Manhattan. And by living there I’ll get to see if I really love it as much as I think I will!
Whoaaaaa, congratulations! I’d say I’d miss you here in LA but I so far only interrct online, so instead I’ll say: I look forward to hearing what you don’t like about life in New York;)
Actually I’m jealous a tiny bit, at some point in my life I need to live there but not until someone’s hiring me to be in a play or something…
I’m sure I’ll start complaining about what I don’t like about NY in no time….I’m a serial complainer. 🙂
Looking forward to posts on ur likes and dislikes in NYC..:)
I’m sure they will come soon enough. 🙂
Seriously?!? How exciting! I know how much you love it! I have a few memories of various trips to LA and I can understand the frustration you would live with. Although it’s hard not to love your friend’s shoes! So excited for you!
Thank you Fran…I am so excited as well! I can’t believe it’s finally happening…
First of all – LOVE your friends shoes. I want em!
And second – N Y friggin CEEEEEEE???? woo ! Do you know which part of the city you’ll be living in?
Not 100% sure yet but definitely Manhattan. We are going to find a place next week (hopefully).
Exciting news! Good luck with the move. How does Maya feel about leaving her grandparents??
Maya is not thrilled about it – she loves them so much – but luckily they can come visit us anytime!
Wowza! How awesome. Don’t worry, the traffic is terrible in the city but there is tons of public transportation. You’ll get seasons with minimal snow. Perhaps you will take up skiing and now you will have to take your daughter skating at Rockefeller Center (joking about the skiing). You and Ali can go to Times Square and watch the ball drop on New years Eve with all the crazies (and see people pee in the street haha)! (Couldn’t pay me to do that-my husband did it once, not pee in the street-well maybe he did, I wasn’t there) Broadway shows, new restaurants, Chinatown, Little Italy, Yankee Stadium, fresh bread, cheese…..what’s not to love? Head’s up-it’s the humidity. Not exactly going to help your hair-get the Argan oil I recommended ahead of time 🙂 You are going to love NY. Plus, it’s a good excuse to buy a new wardrobe. Climate change and all 🙂 When’s the big move? Very excited for you!
I’m a horrible skier but I actually have gone ice skating with Maya in Rockefeller Center. Times Square on NYE will never happen for me. Ever. I just can’t do large crowds without feeling stuck.
Argan oil…really need to look into that now!!
Congrats, Ameena!!!! Your dream came true!!!
Thanks Parita!
Congratulations Ameena! 🙂 That’s great news! You will definitely get more seasons in NYC 😉
I’m a bit scared of the winter season, if I’m being 100% honest…
Congrats!! NY is awesome! welcome maybe ill see you around…among a whole bunch of other people who live here…idk ill try to spot you guys. Thats not gonna work. but anyway welcome NYC!!! maya will love it here
You never know who you might run into, even with a zillion other people around. 🙂
Welcome! NY is lucky to have you. xo
So nice of you to say! Thank you!
OMG living in NYC would be a dream- CONGRATS :)!
Thanks Khushboo! Really looking forward to it.
Wow!!! Yay for NYC. We have True Food kitchen here in Denver and it sounds like I should get myself over there and try it out.
Please go try it…I think you will LOVE it. Everyone we’ve taken there does!
You are moving to NYC? Wow finally & welcome! Not that I live in NYC (I live 3 hours away) but still. Congrats! very excited for you. I hope you, Ali & Maya will like it here more than there. Maybe one day I could come & meet up with you. That would be awesome!
Thank you Lydia! We should definitely meet up…I love meeting other bloggers.
Super excited that you’ll be moving here! However I must warn you that smog is ever-present in this city also. And scary fights over parking spaces will be replaced by scary fights over someone trying to steal your cab. Public transport is great but with it comes the coalescence of BOs during the summer along with the usual people who floss, cut their nails and eat McDs on the train. But we have Central Park so not all is lost! Welcome to NYC!
Thanks Sam…I had to laugh at this one. Why didn’t you mention these things when I told you we were moving? LOL
Central Park is really worth all of the negatives above. 🙂 Can’t wait to see you!
NewYork sounds exciting, wishing you good luck :).
Thank you Z!
Wha?!? We need more details, friend! I am really glad we’ll have a place to crash when we visit NYC (not so subtle hint) but am bummed you’ll be even further away now!
I’m sad too but maybe you’ll come visit? We haven’t seen each other in SO long…hard to believe.
– OMG at your friend’s shoes.
– We liked LA when we were there last month! But yes, a short visit is totally different than actually staying at a place 🙂
– Congrats on the move!
LA is definitely a great place to visit…glad that you had a nice time here Nisha!
Oh! Oh! Oh! Really scary, embarrassing, never-in-public happy dance going on here! Congratulations on moving. Other than the fact that now you need to pack up your lives for a trip across the country, I’m bet you’re all ear-to-ear smiles.
I’m a bit fearful of the move (especially the movers!) but yes, I am ear-to-ear smiles. 🙂
oh my god – I am so happppppy for you because i know you have always wanted that and now its here..and before you move to NY – enjoy all that LA has to offer. I will be living off your blog posts from NY and imagine myself moving there someday.
Thank you Dixya! Such a nice comment…really appreciate it.
I hope that you get to move to NYC one day too. 🙂
Congrats, Ameena!! Very exciting!!!
Thank you Anna!
What?!?! Oh my gosh you must be ecstatic!!!! I know I am being nosy but please give more info about why you’re moving. A job, your love for NYC, do tell. And you are not in the minority because I only live about 90 miles from L.A. and I only make it there about once every 3 years, the traffic is just too much.
And that waffle is crazy small. I would have needed about 5 more.
Ali’s job is taking us there but I’ve LOVED NYC for as long as I can remember.
Yes…the traffic here? Is just too much. Sad that I’m leaving and we didn’t get to meet! We can blame it on the traffic. 🙂
Ha ha yes. But really it seems like you belong in NY. You are much too cultured for L.A. 🙂
Best compliment ever Marie…thank you. 🙂
Wishing you a very happy and pleasant stay in New york. I cannot wait to explore New York Once again with my favorite blogger in the whole wide world:)
Thank you Maha for your nice comment!
Yay! East Coast!
The humidity factor over here gives us all permission to have slightly crazy hair.
My hair is already crazy…I hear I need to purchase Argan oil to combat the humidity??
woooooo! ny just for the summer or perm resident? oh thoseeeee loubis! friend has some fierce shoe taste! i wish we had a true food kitchen!
We are staying on! It’s not just the summer so I am thrilled.
And yes, my friend has some amazing taste. 🙂
For real?? You’re moving here?!?! This is amazing news.
Yes! I am thrilled Hitha. 🙂
Are you kidding me? When? I might be able to see you there. We’re coming at the beginning of August.
I will likely be there in August! Would love to meet since Paris didn’t work out last time!
Yaaay.. Knowing how you have been wanting it forever..So happy for ya 🙂
Thank you Shefali!
NYC! So exciting 🙂
Thanks KLH!
YAY! That’ll be nice for you to move here, NYC is like the opposite of LA in so many ways, but both cities have a great food scene. That salmon salad looks good! I have to do breakfast/brunch at Le Pain… I’ve only had an avocado tartine there and I remember it being so good. Congrats again! I’m gonna now send this article to my husband since he is my ass about moving to LA.
I hope that you aren’t moving to LA now that I’m moving to NY??
We’ll have to talk about it over lunch at Le Pain. Can’t wait.
Congrats!!! That’s so exciting. NYC is a fabulous city. Maybe I’m a little biased because I live there ; )
I don’t thin you’re biased Jess! It is a fabulous city.
Wow Ameena, are you excited for it? Ameena, I’ve read your blog on and off for a while and like it! I recently was looking through old posts on “lil veggie patch” regarding her gut issues and noticed you said you solved stomach problems and it was associated with liver not working right…this is Exactly the boat I’m in…but I don’t know how to fix it 😦 Seriously, I need a meal plan. Underweight, but compulsively eating at night, and no energy to exercise even. Can you email me? I tried emailing you and it bounced back –weird. Anyway, thanks!! You are awesome writer!
Have you tried the Fat Flush Plan? It really helped me enormously…definitely check out the book, I think it’ll be helpful.
Hope you feel better. 😦
so happy for you, ameena. your dream come true!! now ali needs to go winter coat shopping haha.
Yes, the winter is going to be scary for a number of reasons…Ali being first and foremost! LOL
Congrats on your move. I’m sure New York life will provide plenty of fodder for the blog!
Thank you! I have a feeling it will…
well..if you dont like LA then dont… there is a whole world out there waiting for you to explore so move on 🙂 hope you would like your new place 🙂
I’m definitely ready to move on! Can’t wait. 🙂
I don’t know why. But everybody I know are moving o some place or the other. That includes me as well. All the best for the move Ameena. Hope you enjoy NYC
All the best for your move as well! And thank you Nandita. 🙂
I live in the greater nyc area so I can add my two cents on few topics:
Horrendous traffic at all hours of the day and night.
NYC has an equally bad reputation but you wont be driving in the city like most people and taking the smelly, crowded, packed with tourists subway trains. Yes, you will be able to walk everywhere which is a big plus compared to LA. But you will have to learn to save yourself from the city cabs that wont stop a hair away from you and always ready to run over.
Fact that everyone has perfect hair (which obviously gives me a ridiculous complex about mine).
No comment.
Earthquakes that seem to occur more and more frequently.
Ok now this one is definitely not common in nyc. We have had a few scares but nowhere close to california situation.
Crazy drivers who think they are above all laws.
We have plenty on nyc roads. One word of advice – be careful at nights and dont venture on dead streets where speed lovers may just go nuts. And especially careful of cabs at all times. Be ready to jump on trash and pot holes while trying to save yourself from traffic.
Smog (that is at least partially responsible for my eczema).
You have to see how it goes.
Lack of seasons.
We have two seasons – cold and hot. Spring and autumn play hide and seek.
Non-walkability factor.
Well this is one great pleasure here in nyc.
So you will love it.
Lack of public transportation.
This is another big plus in nyc but it will take to adjust to subway trains.
Public transportaion is one reason why a gazzilion people move to nyc too.
Scary fights over parking spaces.
You might see worse in nyc. Manhattan is too small compared to LA.
Fact that valet parking must be a budgeted line item….
Interesting…
I actually really love the subway. I’ve taken it in the summer and it isn’t super pleasant in the heat but it’s really a much better alternative to sitting in the blazing heat in massive traffic here in LA.
And above all? I LOVE to walk. In March I walked from our hotel in midtown to Chelsea Market. I was in heaven.
Great comment Sam…thanks for the insight!
I’m glad you are moving to a city you love 🙂
I moved here from Manhattan and have enjoyed living here for many decades, but it’s almost time for me to move to a city I love (Paris).
I think the hardest part for both of us will be fitting our new bulky Winter clothes into the tiny closet spaces in our new cities 😦
I hope to move to Paris one day! Such a gorgeous place.
I think the apartments in Paris are 1/4 the size and 4X the price of NYC. Scary!
My French friends say NYC is the only place that has smaller apartments for more $ than Paris 🙂 Just like any city, you can find good deals if you know people or have connections.
Enjoy your new city and your new adventure!
I think what makes you a New Yorker at heart is the whole walking thing. New Yorkers walk everywhere. Not the case in LA. I felt a reverse of that when I moved from the South to Chicago. Everyone in Chicago takes public transportation just about. I’m so used to driving EVERYWHERE. It was a really big change. I’ve compromised by taking cabs everywhere in Chicago. =D
Are you not a fan of public transportation? I am so excited to give up my car!! Can’t wait to make driving someone else’s headache.
BOO!!! I was going to suggest a move to SF so I can lunch with you.
But I guess NYC is a pretty good second. (I used to live in the suburbs of NYC, but am a die hard, fog in my blood SFan.)
Are you in SF? I love SF. The food is just extraordinary…The Slanted Door, Greens, Betelnut, I have SO many favorites!
Yep, SF! We are an eating city for sure, so many wonderful places eat at: large, small, expensive, cheap, and everything in the between.
Ameena!!!!! I’ve been off the blogosphere for a couple of months but NYC? That’s your dream! AND we can meet up in the city. Lmk if you want to do that. I’m a quick train ride away. snapsandbits@gmail.com
I can’t wait to meet Stacie…really looking forward to it!
Congratulations, Ameena! I am so happy for you…what an exciting new chapter in your life, in a place you love.
Walking around cities is one of my favorite things in the world, too…London is my idea of heaven–even with all the rain.
Thank you Alissa! I love London too…also in spite of the rain.:)
I wonder why most of the chick-lit is framed around manhattan streets … Probably your posts will shed some light 😉 Congrats on the move and happy shifting !
That’s great news for you! Good luck with the packing 😉
Wow, that sounds like an awesome move! I don’t know if I could do true city life. I live close to Phoenix but Scottsdale is suburbia AND we have True Foods Kitchen a mile from my house 😉 Good luck, I hope you love NYC!
congratulations! That is soo exciting! I have no idea why you would want to go to New York, but you can convince us if you love it. Looking forward to hearing your stories.
I thought LA was so exciting, thought I have never been there. i have been to NYC and, I didn’t like it at all. Perhaps it may be because I did not live there long enough. Well all the best to you and your family with the moving!! Exciting times ahead. 🙂
We’ll take the subway to a museum and have a healthy lunch, you’ll forget about LA in seconds. Can’t wait for you to arrive, when is the date?
I absolutely detest LA as well. I’m born and raised in San Francisco, so naturally I am biased toward Norcal vs Socal. However, I was down there last week to take care of some school things, and found myself in 3 1/2 hour traffic from Santa Barbara -> LA. I literally cried in the car and felt so frustrated. I never felt like that before!
Oh my gosh, I go away for a while and when I come back you’re moving to NYC!!!! I’m so jealous!! Can’t wait to read all about it!
Ameena!!!!! I don’t know what Marie is talking about! There is still time to meet!!!! You’re not leaving until end of summer right? I’m calling her as soon as she gets home from camping. We are getting together!
I am beyond thrilled for you. Anyone who keeps up on your blog can see that NY is meant for you and you for it. What a great addition you will be for each other!!!! I can’t wait for the life of Ameena to continue in NY and we get to see it!!
I have really enjoyed your blog Ameena. I’m really happy for you and for your sweet family. Congratulations. All my love,
Shauna xo
This is so exciting! I kinda had a hunch based on your Instagram feed 😉 I’m really happy for you. And, not to hate on LA, I don’t actually think you’re in the minority. Just ask any theatre student that moved to NY or Chicago after school (myself included).
I am so excited about this news! Why? Because I’d be much more willing to meet/visit you in New York than LA. I have zero interest in LA, so I’m being selfish with my excitement, but I’m obviously happy for you as well. I’m going to NYC next October (2014) for a wedding, so just be there by then. 🙂
Never been to LA but I do want to visit, NYC is my fave but my goodness what a hustle and bustle!
So you are moving to NYC finally 😀 Glad!!
It’s been almost 20 years since I was in LA, but I can assure you that Bombay traffic will always outdo any other traffic in the world. And I love having breakfast at LPQ! Waffles are one of my favourites 🙂
Are there LPQ locations in India?
I live that place!!
Im only just reading this – So NY! After all those posts about NY you’re finally moving 🙂 Good luck with all of it 🙂
So happy that your dream move to NYC is finally happening! Aghhh!! Maybe one day I’ll make the big move myself and then we can meet. I’d love that! Good luck on the move! xo
p.s. so jealous of your friends loubs. i mean…they are perfect!
Exciting news, Ameena! Let me join the rest of the New Yorkers to welcome you, Ali and Maya to our fair state!
If you ever want a break from the big city, consider visiting us in northern NY! Some pics to entice you…
http://300dayjourney.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/weekly-photo-challenge-home/
I’m obviously way behind – but congrats!! How exciting for everyone! 🙂