The Grass is Always Greener...

The move to Long Island may have been my most difficult move yet. When I first came out here over three years ago, I was in a stage of transition – from student life to the working world, from an interesting life overseas to a daily commute on a traffic congested island, from a community of friends and family to yet another place unknown. And while I did look forward to the sense of adventure that comes with new experiences like these, I also felt a good amount of apprehension. 

Indeed, at the beginning I was quite frustrated and upset with myself. I questioned my decision to leave Germany and to take a job in the corporate world. I lamented the switch from a place where I could get anywhere I wanted by bicycle or public transit to probably one of the most car dependent, congested, and expensive places to live. I wondered why I returned to the U.S., only to immediately move to a place that was still several hundred miles away from home. For my first six months or so out here I was really quite unhappy. 

And yet, gradually, I came to appreciate and truly enjoy my life out here. As in Ulsan, Fulda & Regensburg, I plugged myself into the local ultimate frisbee (and kickball) community. I spent my summers (and some lunch breaks) going for ocean swims. On the weekends I got to know my favorite local cafes and breweries. Perhaps most surprisingly, I learned the corporate world isn’t such a monster after all (though I still try my damndest not to wear a suit & tie to work). Most importantly, however, I met some of the most fantastic and warm-hearted people too. 

Indeed, over the past 3.5 years I really have learned to love this massive island suburb and the people on (not in!) it. There’s a certain frankness & sincerity among the friends I’ve made out here. Quite simply, Long Islanders are unabashedly themselves in my experience, and there’s a real beauty in that. Coming from the Midwest, I was used to a certain “warm-up” period before people really open themselves up. But out here you just are who you are. It may be off-putting at first, but in time I learned to love this. I think we’d all do well to be a bit more straightforward with ourselves and others. 

And that brings me to my biggest takeaway from my time here – the grass is greenest wherever you water it. I didn’t quite look forward to moving out here like I did other places. I approached it more with a sense of uneasiness than excitement and wonder. I spent a lot of nights wondering if I’d made the right decision.

3.5 years later I can confidently say it was. It wasn’t always comfortable or easy – few things worth doing in life ever are. However the community, experiences & friends I’ve made out here are truly as wonderful as those from any other point in my life. There is beauty in everything and everyone. You just have to be patient enough to see it. 

Thanks for all the frisbee, kickball, bagels, ocean swims and good vibes, Long Island! 

Much love, 

Gnardaddy