Lived in apartment
We loved this apartment we stayed at in the Upper West Side back in 2017-2018. Because of that apartment, we decided to move to Jersey and it was all about hustle culture. Once emotions got the best of me, we moved back to consumer-ville Florida, we began collecting a financial and physical debt. Between the move from Jersey and after COVID, we began clearing out our junk but then we moved to Jacksonville in a 2/2 and we began our hoarding addiction again. This last move to Coral Gables, we had to downsize to a 1/1 for more than we paid for our 2/2 in Jacksonville. Now we’re having to clear out but we’re surrounded by books and movies and the feel of that New York home we long for all these years.
I wish I had more pictures of our time in this apartment. This was our first exposure as a couple “living on our own” with Day and Augusto.
This was the year we moved to Jersey. While we were staying in the apartment, we celebrated my 23rd birthday. The first year we came, the roof top was not renovated like in the picture. They were also renovating this other outdoor space by a bedroom we loved to stay in. It was one of their sons filled with books and so much personality. When you were in these outdoor spaces, it was like you were in your own personal little bubble with New York as your background.
Included Bryan’s pictures for you to enjoy of our time there.
From that New York apartment, we also had our first encounter of living with a cat, Ms Chippy. The second year there was a new occupant in the second floor called Captain Butters.
We promised we would adopt a cat as soon as we had our own apartment.
After an incredible month in New York, we moved over to Union City, New Jersey. One stop away from the Port Authority.
We moved in with Day and Augusto for a few months until in November, the apartment downstairs was available and we moved in.
All these pictures were taken by Bryan. You can also find some pictures on my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewelsintheruff/
Our apartment was in front of a homeless shelter and I would be lying if I told you it was totally normal, I would barely notice them. But there was a time the front door to our building was busted and I had left my windows and front door open to let the cold air in and the heater air out… a homeless person approached my door and asked for help. I was home alone and got so scared I immediately just closed all the doors and windows and ran to my bedroom and kept it locked until Bryan got home. Thinking back, the person was only asking for help. I wish I would’ve help them. I was clouded with interactions like this during our time there but when Emily and Jorge came to visit, they took me out to town and experienced a snow storm in March. I was sick the majority of our year in Jersey but the last days were so joyful and I wish we would’ve stayed. I just couldn’t do a healthcare career in a major city. It was so sad and spirit crushing.
Below are some pictures Bryan took of me in the cold and some fun pictures I found on my iPhone.
Once we return to Miami, we lived with Nick and Luisa for a month in Jacksonville and then decided we would move in with my parents and I would return to my healthcare job there. That was when COVID started but no one knew yet. I got furloughed in March until July which was fine since we were living with my parents, we didn’t have to worry about rent or food. We moved to an apartment in the hammocks and was gifted a two year old cat. We named her Kyoko. After a year in those apartments, we moved in with Bryan’s family. I was in the grinding mode trying to climb up the ladder until I got the job I wanted and Bryan got an opportunity with a job in Jacksonville.
Below are all pictures Bryan took during our time there. I haven’t been able to find any for this time frame. Sowwy. Instagram has a lot but the quality is hideous. View them on my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fossiljuls/
We didn’t even make a year in Jacksonville. We moved to Coral Gables right before Christmas of 2024. When we walked into the apartment, we were instantly in love. The sun was shining through and the palm tree leaves outside filled the room with a filter lighting I could only dream of. We immediately said yes and moved in a month later.
I have a lot of pictures here because in this apartment I felt like I regained my purpose and desire to create art.
