Life in Brooklyn

Well, we finally made it! Kevin and I have been living in NYC since late October 2008 (following some SERIOUS deliberation!) It took us a couple of days living in Las Vegas before we realized that NY was where we needed to be. We were sad to have to say goodbye to Tom, Carly, and Jace so soon!

We moved to Brooklyn in a predominantly Latin area and are surrounded by many young families. Our apartment is on the main floor of a brownstone building. It is a great price for a 2-bedroom apartment with a new bathroom and kitchen. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have landed housing the day we arrived, especially considering that neither of us had jobs yet (and most landlords require a credit check and employment verification, etc.).

It took us about a week to get settled (including a day at IKEA) but I finally began my quest for a job utilizing the internet at the nearest Starbucks. I applied for over a dozen personal banker positions for Chase Bank--and was delighted when I received a telephone call that same afternoon, inviting me in for an interview.

I first interviewed with one of the managers and it went really well! In fact, that interview was followed by an interview with the area president, which was followed by a meeting with the HR rep--who offered me the position on the spot. I didn't start for a few weeks pending drug test results, background checks, etc.

Finally, I started the job, but I wasn't in my branch for the first two months. (Chase requires all the personal bankers to be licensed to sell certain variable products.) So instead, I spent all of November and December in the basement of Chase in their enormous study hall dungeon (located in the financial district). I studied literally ALL DAY, and then more studying at home. Finally, two months later, I am happy to have completed my series 6, 63, and life insurance exam. It was tiring (my brain is still mush), but I definitely consider myself lucky for the opportunity to be paid to study and have all test expenses paid for.

I started in my branch just over a week ago, but I still have intermittent training courses dispersed over the next couple of months. My branch is in Hell's Kitchen, and I am relishing the chic restaurants and quaint little shops in the neighborhood. I can't wait until all my training is done!

Kevin got a job waiting tables at the ESPN Zone in Times Square. He started at the best time--busy holiday season! Kevin isn't too fond of waiting tables, but its flexibility allows him to audition in the daytime and take headshots as well. We hope waiting tables is the means to a fantastic end! The restaurant has slowed a little since the holiday season ended but it is fairly easy for Kevin to pick up extra shifts if he needs to.

It probably wasn't the best time to move to NY--15 shows have closed (to date) and the prospect of new ones opening has been grim. Still, it has been a little busier in January and Kevin is starting to get a lot more opportunities than the previous months.

Kevin has discovered a lot of good places to eat. My favorites include Max Brenner (the chocolate restaurant), Lucali's in Brooklyn (the best pizza I had ever had), and a bar in Brooklyn Heights--whose name eludes me (but has the best fish and chips). Kevin seems to crave most the hearty cookies from Lavaine Bakery and the pizza from Spumoni Gardens.

We have really missed all of our friends and family members and look forward to an upcoming trip to Utah for Sharylann's wedding!