Huh?
I can understand why you might be confused. This isn’t news. I moved back to the city nearly 3 weeks ago! I’m already registered for jury duty in NY, courtesy of my previous life in the Big Apple. I’m even a registered voter, having voted for both the 2008 presidential election and the 2009 mayoral election at PS 116 on 33rd & 3rd.
What suddenly makes it so official now? I have a New York State driver’s license.
Well, technically, I spent 2.5 hours at the Herald Square DMV to get a flimsy piece of paper with the words "New York State Interim Driver's License" printed at the top. And yes, I said "interim," as in temporary. And yes, I said "Herald Square," as in the same landmark where that giant Macy's is located.
At first I thought it was a little strange that the DMV was on the 8th floor of the Manhattan Mall (turn right past Mrs. Fields). But I’m from Jersey, and no stranger to malls, so I thought that was NYC helping me feel at home. And I must say, blaring Michael Jackson’s greatest hits over the loudspeaker was a fine way to make the time fly as I waited on FOUR separate lines.
I passed my eye exam. I took a questionable picture. I gave them all kinds of proof that I am who I say I am. And they took my $65 check, so I’m guessing that’s sufficient. Of course, I never left the DMV in Wayne, NJ without a shiny new license in-hand, but they claim this paper is legit. Plus a woman with meaty hands, named Rita, confiscated my NJ one on the spot, so I HOPE it’s legit.
I guess the true test will be if I get my actual license in the mail sometime in the next 2-8 weeks (my mail situation btw has proven to be its own nightmare -- the US Postal Service has NO idea where to deliver my stuff anymore -- I sent myself a test letter last week from my own apartment building and it got re-routed to Fairfield, CT).
Anyway, all this time, my license has been the one big holdout -- no matter where I lived, it always declared Pine Brook, NJ was home. But I had no choice now. My license expired yesterday.
And Pine Brook isn't home anymore.
I suppose there was no real rush in getting a new one, seeing as though I don’t actually own a car these days (whatevs), or have any domestic air travel planned (eh), and I’m hardly ever carded at bars anymore (poo). But still, I wanted it. If for no other reason than my occasional need to rent cars. Or just incase my wallet ever gets stolen, this will help the handsome, (tall), single police officer who finds it track me down.
Or, you know... just for the car rental thing.
The truth is, I was born a New Yorker. Honestly! My homage to JLo with the “Jenny from the ‘Brook” blogger nickname is no accident -- I came into this world at Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx in August 1973. We lived there until June 1979 when the neighborhood started getting a little rough (read: another GIRL kindergartener was regularly doling out beatings over the rights to a blue tricycle -- in Catholic school no less!). So shortly before my 6th birthday, we moved to the good old Garden State.
And I’ve been a Jersey Girl ever since.
It’s only fitting, I guess, that I’m back to being a New Yorker, since the rest of my life has come full circle too.
There’s nothing I can’t do, now I’m in New York…
tags: city life, jersey
8 comments:
No, the true test will be if you're ever pulled over for speeding and they don't arrest you for having a flimsy interim license! Very funny that you sent yourself a test letter too.
Cute but who are you kidding? You'll always be a Jersey Girl at heart!!!!!
These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you, let's hear it for New York! Welcome back, Jenny.
You were born in da Bronx? All these years I thought you were born in the Jerz. Who knew?
Anon #1: If you know me at all, I'm sure it came as no surprise I sent myself a test letter!
Anon #2: It's true, my heart will always be in the Jerz.
"Jay Z": Thanks for taking time out of your busy recording career to read my blog, but don't gush so much or everything you own will be in a box to the left.
Mike: Hey buddy! Yep, it's true. Can't believe I never told you that!
Cute background on the nickname. I thought you went with it just beacuse Block rhymed with Brook. Plus your name is Jenny (or at least it was back in elementary school). Fun!
Anon #3: Ha, yes -- it works on many levels. In my non-Blogger life, I go by Jen now that I'm an old lady, except for a few family members and close friends who still call me Jenny. These days, it's more of a term of endearment than my actual name! Thanks so much for reading the blog!
I GOT MY LICENSE! Of course, it was sent to Fairfield, but whatevs.
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