obviously I'm procrastinating...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/nyregion/27arrival.html
August 27, 2008
Newcomers Adjust, Eventually, to New York
By CARA BUCKLEY
Sometime over the course of a person’s first year in New York, there usually comes that moment. It can happen in the first days or weeks, or after 10 months. It can happen repeatedly, or without people noticing, at least not at first.
Newcomers suddenly realize either that the city is not working for them or that they are inexorably becoming part of it, or both. They find themselves walking and talking faster.
The subway begins to make sense. Patience is whittled away; sarcasm often ensues. New friends are made, routines established, and city life begins to feel like second nature...

Ok, so the article itself is concerned with NYC. Other than that, it's something that other city dwellers can relate to. I don't even know why I put it up - well, I liked it for one - but it's not like I'll be here in Auckland long enough to really apply it here.

I suppose the case could be made about Boston. No, it is not a city of 8 million - just a small town of...maybe 1 million? I don't know? Still, though I moved there for college in September of 2004, I probably didn't stop feeling like a tourist until after the summer of 2005 - so about a year later.

How does one know?
Well, for me, it wasn't probably a typical moment; when I was growing up in Vermont, I couldn't wait to leave - the state was just so damn boring! Especially after living - more or less year-round - for four years (I'm counting the time I'm here as still being "from" Boston), I have to say I've developed quite an appreciation for the opportunities to head north. It got to the point (this past summer at least) that I really didn't care to stay in town on the weekends; it was a nice escape.

What are some other points brought up...did I feel lonely despite being surrounded by people almost constantly...
I still do sometimes. Just being surrounded by people doesn't make one feel welcomed/accepted. Don't get me wrong, I have my circle of friends - but, for example, on the T, that kind of surrounding...it isn't comforting. In fact, I'd make a strong case for it being the exact opposite - especially on the rush hour trains (and more in the morning than at night) - just hundreds of people, most of whom look somewhat annoyed at the fact that they had to get out of bed in the first place. Encountering that kind of mentality just reinforces how much they don't care about the other peoples' problems - nor do I care about theirs.

Back to VT for a moment - I do now find myself thinking how 'rural' it is - even just with the laid back lifestyle, seeming resistance to "change" (weasel-word: my standard is based on how I live now...), and (a good thing), how friendly some people are.

I don't know...wow it's 1 o'clock. Time to study. I will probably ramble on later about this.