NYC -- The Kindest City

I have yet again stumbled upon some gold.  I don't know how it happened, but I know I've found it.  Somehow I am surrounded by people who inspire me to be a better person. Somehow, this week I became even more aware of the kindness that surrounds me.

I have already spoken about my incredible living arrangements, but the peace of the apartment and the hospitality of my roommate have made the late nights pleasant.  No matter the time, I know that I will walk in to a friendly face offering me food or tea to make my late nights at work a little more enjoyable.

The truth is that the late nights of work haven't been bad at all.  And that is only due to the incredible people I work with. They really are some of the kindest people I've ever met.   You know the amazing feeling when you look around and the people around you amaze you and make you think... Do I treat people like this? Would I have their patience? Would I be this considerate.  They keep in mind the fact that everyone around them is fighting a battle of their own. Therefore, they make sure that they do not cause any extra stress, grief, or problems.  It's truly amazing, and it became obvious this week.

My week started at the firm.  In the usual conference room with the 11 to 12 other people that sit in there.  I brought in the cookies and everyone was thrilled to have them.  It was a slow morning, but everyone was chatty and as friendly as ever.  From Tuesday to Thursday, I was at the client site with the 5 other guys that work there from the firm.  I had sat there 3 days last week, so they knew me and were incredibly sweet to me.  The kindness started at the entrance to the building. 

Since I do not have a pass to the client's building, I have to stop at the door, present my ID, and one of the 6 men working the front desk has to check the list to see that my name is on it.  I had done this last week, so I was very familiar with the process, and I knew which guy was assigned to my floor. I went straight to him. He recognized me and said, "you're back! I need to start remembering your name!" And then he quickly searched through the list.  Of course... my name was not on it, but he called upstairs and gave me the pass.  While we waited, he asked me about the Super Bowl and whether I thought it was getting warmer out or not. Super nice! And everyday after, he didn't even ask for my name. Such a great way to start a day... a friendly face always ready to chat.

Then I head upstairs to the conference room with 5 guys under the age of 25.  The whole team has the driest most hilarious humor.  I spend my days holding back tears while I work, because I'm laughing so hard... Now just picture that humor in a tiny room and with only 5 guys and me.  It was hilarious.  At the same time, however, they were so considerate and kind.  Everything they thought of that I could need or want to learn, they included me.  They were so encouraging and inclusive... I was shocked beyond words.  Even among themselves, they messed around, but most of all they helped each other, focused, got the work done, and encouraged the team.  No one stressed about the daunting deadlines that occurred this week and they made sure that everyone was happy while working.  If someone needed help, they immediately dropped everything and helped.  If someone needed encouraging words about something they kept messing up, they came with ease. They are not paid to do this, no one told them to do this to impress the lowly intern.  I'm pretty sure if they had been told to do it, they wouldn't know what people were talking about.  They are just 23 and 24, it's clear that they act just like they would if they weren't at work.  It's so absolutely lovely to watch.

On Thursday night, the team celebrated the press release with a group karaoke outing. All 30 + members were there.  Again, kindness shone through. There is one guy who is from India and is here on rotation until April. When some of the girls asked him if he was going, he quickly said no, because he didn't know the words to most songs.  The girls quickly assured him that the words would be on the screens, and convinced him that it would be a blast.  He ended up coming, and just like the rest of us, he had a blast.  We had a room to ourselves, like 8 screens with lyrics, and a whole lot of fun. As we walked out of the building Friday night after work, I asked him if he had fun and he said, "it was amazing, it was one of the funnest nights of my life." Ok... maybe that could have something to do with the fact that after karaoke at like midnight, the guys took him out... but still. Every hour of every day the team checks on him to make sure he's ok.  During his first snow here, they all made sure he had a coat and boots that would keep him warm.  During our lunch hour they took him to get a cell phone, they helped him with the move, and they constantly make sure he's ok.  Now, again, this is not an order from above... this is just them caring.  They ask about his home, about his family, and about his culture with honest interest.  It's inspiring.

Work makes up 90% of my week, but the kindness in people reaches outside my work environment as well.  Working until 11 or midnight cuts into any possibility of meeting people for dinner or anything, but people from home that now live in the city continually keep me posted on things that are going on.  They know that the answer is likely to be no, yet they keep inviting me and including me.  It is just sooooo nice!

Basically, with the repetitive routine that is work... I have found it amazing to be surrounded by such incredible people.  They continually challenge me to question if I would act in such formidable ways if I was in their shoes.  It's definitely not what I thought I would find in a 9-5 job and life in the big city, but I'm thrilled that I did.

So... I'm fully aware this week's post is not as interesting, but aside from work and karaoke, this week involved showering and sleeping. I didn't have time for much more until Saturday. Saturday I finally got to meet up with Marion for brunch and it was great to catch up! After that, I felt like I needed to stay outside of the apartment and enjoy being outside while I could.  Since it was... you know... FREEZING, I knew I had to keep moving. So I walked... and walked.. and walked.  Next thing I knew I was at Washington Square Park (4th)... I started on West 84th.... I definitely got a lovely walk and enjoyed the city, but my legs were worn out! I headed back up on the subway and decided to go into the Barnes and Noble on the corner of my apartment. And I was shocked!!! I found people everywhere sitting on the ground reading! It was great!!!! I picked up a book and when I realized it 2 hours had gone by!!! At around 7:30 I headed back home and enjoyed my amazing bed!

Now it's Sunday and I've been washing clothes, making chilli, and getting ready to go grocery shopping.  The excitement is astounding.... so I better go.  I have to get quarters before the banks close or I won't be able to do laundry!!!