Amber N. Johnson
September 17, 2023
(Unisphere in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, NYC, 2023)
I made it. Somehow, two months after traveling to Panama City, taking a conference in Chicago, and wrapping up a year living back home in Nebraska after my two-year stint abroad in Europe, I find myself settled in the Big Apple: New York, New York, USA.
It’s odd how I find myself in one place versus another. This week, while somehow surviving a sub duty that involved 19 classes over the first 8 days of school, I went rogue on a Friday–deliberately promoting several U.S. government sponsored scholarships to classes of students that would benefit greatly from it. Part of that promotion includes the underlying value of travel, mobility, accessibility, and being open to the world. I almost never anticipate where I’ll really end up in the year after the one I’m currently breathing in. Since 2016, when I first embarked on a proper international educational tourism adventure, I have always found myself open to the possibilities. Of what’s next, of what could be. From January until late May, I was quite convinced I’d be venturing to Northern California through a volunteer service year. After months of discernment, processing, interviewing, etc. I found out it had all fallen through. But what happened? I celebrated a dear friend’s birthday in NYC and the possibility that I could enjoy a year in this city began to dawn on me, as if from a void.
(Astoria Park, Queens, NYC, 2023)
As I said, I never know how I came to be exactly where I am. In fact, last year I applied for, discerned, and went through almost all of the stages that would have taken me to join the U.S. Peace Corps and relocate to the Philippines for 2.5 years. I have the Yellow Fever vaccination card to prove it! But I realized late in the game, with health tests and the slow processing, and deeper reflection about some of the realities of that program and position, that it might not align well for me. And so, I did not start or continue the process of preparation. And suddenly found myself working as a barista, and in the education field at a local elementary school. Again, a surprise.
But recently, when that 1 year anniversary of my decision to say YES to PC came [I was in Vigo, Galicia, Spain when I interviewed and in Porto, Portugal 3 days later when I had to make the initial decision], I was struck by something. Yes, I said no to that particular opportunity eventually. But, the focus of it: youth development, education, new destination, commitment to service, still represents exactly what I am currently doing in NYC, just in a U.S. context with a different program. So, in many ways, I took an alternate path that shares a similar essence. A curious, stirring feeling came to me during that recognition. And it reminded me that no matter where I go or what I do, it’s those honed in on personal values that guide me. Always. The years have always been like this, open to what could be, but also presenting so many various potential paths, all interwoven with my carefully cultivated personal values. And that brings a lot of solace–genuine joy and comfort.
(Amber's first time living abroad! Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2016)
The paths I have taken: Slovenia, 2016. Taiwan and Estonia, 2017. China, 2018-19. Philly, USA, 2019-20. Denmark, 2020. Slovenia, 2021. Catalunya & Spain, 2022. Nebraska, 2022-23. NYC, 2023-24. And a myriad of destinations in between where I visited, stayed, or traveled through.
(Back again! Koper, Slovenia in 2021)
My MO has always been to commit to one destination and embrace a slow travel lifestyle. A big reason why slow travel has been a part of my life is due to my passion for really living and enjoying new cultures, countries, and destinations, both within and outside of my home country. Benefits include affordability, well-paced adventures, a greater in-depth picture of how a place, its people, and customs are, as well as access to nearby regions. I have always connected my travels to education or work (see: service), firstly for pragmatic reasons. I needed to afford to travel, I needed to complete my studies. But at the heart, it was to connect me to my love of travel, learning, and seeing this big, wide world. I always remember, when I first received acceptance to my Goodrich Scholarship Program at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), my first question was not related to studies at UNO. In fact, my Mom and I went in to meet with staff and I remember how my breath caught before I asked, would it be possible to use my scholarship for studies also for studying abroad? The answer: off-handed, oh yes, you can use it in university partner schools. Then the discussion carried on, but not for me. I remember I was buoyed by an emanating joy and a hesitant hope expanding, while also convinced that this was too good to be true. But it wasn’t, and thank goodness for that. Two years later, after life-changing family circumstances and so much change had met me, I took that first leap. Six months in Ljubljana, Slovenia. And I’ve never looked back.
(Cafe Dreams in Astoria, 2023)
(Adjusting to Hustleland but with the perks of freebies like this spot's
coffee + donuts for teachers, Astoria, 2023)
In my 7th year since then, I somehow find myself living in a unique accommodation in Astoria, Queens. I have 6-7 roommates, live on top of a school, have a bizarre industrial kitchen that is not equipped to be used as one, ample shared apartment space for a city like this, and a cozy room with a treasured bathtub, the one true luxury (aside from a fridge/oven) that I have learned to cherish over the years as I have lived in the full spectrum of accommodations. I’m working at a private high school, juggling a position that serves several departments but has already stretched me immensely. My main teacher skills are growing exponentially! I am constantly met with things I like, don’t like, ideas of what to tweak in terms of lesson planning, classroom management, and the underlying important thing–learning! I feel that in my own classroom, I’m able to give my students a space for respect, shared voices, inquiry, and personal development. And that feels so special. Because I haven’t always witnessed formal education to be that. I have a chance to use my platform in the classroom to share about the world, new ideas, and self-reflection. I’m not telling my students what to believe, but I am sharing about the varieties of ways in which humans believe, how they can start to find out what they themselves believe, and providing space to share and ponder that together. While the balance of workload is still a problem, I am actively practicing boundaries and self-advocacy once again. With current health struggles added into the mix, I’m also finding myself grow in empathy, self-gentleness, and re-imagined expectations/pacing. It’s already feeling like a full year, and it’s barely even begun!
(Astoria, Queens, NYC, 2023)
(Flushing Food Festival in Queens, 2023)
(Foodie adventures in Astoria: my first NY slice, 2023)
So, New York City. What’s it like? How is it to be here? What have I seen? I’m going to be sharing more about this in posts to come. For now, I can say that I am mostly aware of my neighborhood of Astoria. That, and my daily commute across Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn (rip). With the beautiful waterfront, nature-filled Astoria Park, plentiful cafes with good vibes that are reasonably priced, plenty of Greek and Middle Eastern eats, and the cutest houses ever, I find myself falling in love with Astoria. Perhaps my next post will be ‘Amber in Astoria.’ ;) To learn more about the city will take time, but I am slowly discovering pop-ups, events, and sites around the city. [See me at the Flushing Food Festival winning a free drink but only after $10 purchase which included a first boba tea and a delectable onigiri, hence the two drinks. Where's the logic! Although, bonus, the NY Department of Health table lady immediately clocked my out-of-state number and gave me extra COVID home-tests, after asking if I had insurance (thankfully, yes), which are a godsend since there's an uptick recently and apparently the government sponsored insurance free tests offer is off the table because COVID is totally over?! Again, where's the logic...I will not be spending $20 out-of-pocket on a test that should be available in the name of public health. Especially when I'm living on a few hundred bucks a month as a volunteer.] I would like to explore the different boroughs, as well as do some more traditional NYC tourism. I have at least, officially had my first NY slice. So here’s proof of that. :P However, for now, I am settling into a busy school year, trying to balance my professional and personal life, managing ongoing health challenges, enjoying community living, and balling on a budget. Stay tuned for more updates soon!
Sending my best from Astoria,
Amber XOXO
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