The rigmarole of a normal crazy person. : One Way

So, last week I took a bus up to NY for a job interview. I also visited some amazing friends from Ukraine on the side because I have a habit of not doing anything unless I can make it 10x more complicated and fun! (also should include popcorn or chocolate)

Anyways. The interview was great and I would be amiss if I didn't say it was a great opportunity. ...I'm not going to tell you anything about it…because. (yes, I have a 4 year old niece and this is usually how I answer all questions…)

After the interview I had a few hours to kill (I'm not sure if I have actually used this phrase, but a Georgian friend reminded me about it...and I'm totally down with murdering time) So, I decided to do what all crazy tourists typically do whilst in NYC for a few days: run in central park. I mean if I was contemplating a move...I should test it out.

It was a little rainy, so the park actually seemed kind of desolate. WHICH IS AMAZING. I mean, hello, I'm in downtown Manhattan in one of the most famous parks in the world and I barely even saw a pigeon.

So there were other runners...and walkers and bikers. However, they were all going the opposite direction that I was. At first I didn't notice anything…but, then I started to feel like people were uncomfortable as they ran by me…I was pretty sure I was clothed correctly, so what was their problem? And then I had this thought…no one else has been running, walking, driving, or biking this way.

And then I saw the one way signs. Aren’t those just for cars? And don’t runners usually run in the opposite direction of traffic? I was totally fine. But, then I started to wonder.

AM I REALLY GOING THE WRONG WAY.

Am I committing a major cultural faux paux in downtown NYC in front of the 7 pigeons I did see and a couple dozen complete strangers and their dogs that I will most likely never run into again?

pigeons in Ukraine - by Masha!!

Perhaps because I was contemplating a major life decision and I wanted direction, I began to feel a little uneasy.

However, I then tried to use some reason (I know, that’s usually a bad idea….) I was surprised that amidst all the chaos of this great city, there seemed to be order and unity...and I didn't know what to feel...since I was actually breaking it.

Yet, I've run in at least 15 countries and I have never been told the direction in which to run. (although, in some cases, I would have appreciated it…specifically in Thailand when I could have died like 6 times…trust me, I was safer petting the Tiger than running)

So, then I just got this feeling and thought...I'm in new York. They can't tell me what to do. I run to free myself and my thoughts. I won’t accept their rules. So what, if it draws attention. My experiences have taught me better than following the crowd and to appreciate differences whether in opinion or direction.

AND that’s how I got my answer. I was going the wrong way. I was already happy in DC. And despite the opportunity, I did not want to fall into a system of habit and convention, doing things because it’s popular with the masses. I mean, I haven’t been living that way most of my life…so why start now?

Thus, I'm ready to announce to the world - that I started a job in DC. Perhaps making my conscience cry a little...but, in the end, I have some great running and biking trails that I will never regret!