Photo Courtesy of Amy Robbins

Former English teacher Amy Robbins is surrounded by history and unique modern architecture in her new home in New York City.

Change is one of the most necessary and terrifying aspects of life, but no one knows more about what it means to drop everything to chase after your dreams than former teacher Amy Robbins. Robbins moved from the quaint, small town of Orange, Texas to the bustling heart of New York City.

“I live in a cozy apartment with Mark, my partner of 13 years, and our cats,” Robbins said. “Living space and its cost definitely are sacrifices we’ve made in moving here, but we’re richly rewarded in a city full of culture, energy, and opportunity.”  

Robbins is eagerly anticipating June, when she’ll begin classes at NYU’s Summer Publishing Institute, marking the first steps towards a career in publishing. Her partner, Mark, was offered a once-in-a-lifetime position at the flagship location of the largest owner and operator of bowling centers in the world. Robbins said that it’s the opportunity for growth that brought them both to the city. 

“I wouldn’t trade my 550 square foot apartment for a mansion if it meant I couldn’t be with Mark,” Robbins said. “I’m so proud of him and all he’s achieved, and I’m grateful to be navigating this crazy, cramped city with my best friend and soulmate.” 

Whether enjoying new sights or munching on bagels or pizza, Robbins said she and her family allow themselves to be carried by the music of the city. Living in the city that inspired Metropolis and Gotham City, she is never without interesting and lively entertainment.

“There’s always something interesting going on: from street fairs and performers to concerts and comedy clubs, I never lack for things to do or see,” Robbins said. “Last week I went out for juice, and a bear-headed street performer serenaded the streets with a rendition of Bill Withers’s ‘Lovely Day,’ on keytar. A few months ago, (by one hour!) I missed a surprise subway performance by Green Day. So many things happen here that it’s impossible to plan for them all, but it’s fun to try–just keep your eyes and ears open.”  

Navigating through large crowds of people and heavy traffic in the congested city streets can be extremely challenging for Robbins, especially during the morning commute.  

“People have to get to work–a lot of people–and they don’t have time to waste when it takes one hour to travel 10 miles,” Robbins said. “I do my best to avoid rush hour and try to plan accordingly, but some days I must submit to being a sardine in a giant tin can. People move fast here, and they aren’t shy about rushing past you–the first month I was here, a man who looked to be in his seventies passed me by without breaking a sweat.” 

Robbins is currently in the process of becoming certified to teach English in New York. She said there are countless differences between living in New York City and a small Texas town, but it’s the little things that she misses the most: plastic straws, quick errands, and HEB on a Sunday. 

“The biggest change is the anonymity I feel in a city of 8 million people,” Robbins said. “As a teacher, I used to interact with around 200 people a year, including students, parents, and coworkers. Going to HEB on Sunday, I was guaranteed to run into someone I knew. These seemingly small interactions, like an obligatory conversation in the produce section, are all but non-existent to me (keep in mind, I’m not working yet). I would gladly endure the dissatisfaction of slurping boba tea through a slowly disintegrating paper straw if it meant running into a friendly face.” 

Some may say the best thing about living in New York City is celebrity sightings, but Robbins claims that while she’s tickled to share the same weather as Jerry Seinfeld, she finds the history of this nearly 400-year-old city to be its most fascinating characteristic. 

“New York City is full of historical treasures, and many of them are free to uncover,” Robbins said. “I never know what I’ll discover next, and I love living in a city where I can learn something new every day. One day, as I strolled through Central Park, I unexpectedly found myself gazing up at one of ‘Cleopatra’s Needles’–a nearly 4500-year-old, 220-ton granite obelisk from ancient Egypt! While immensely older than Cleopatra herself, the same monument stood outside a temple in Alexandria. I cannot articulate the depth of my awe when I think that she, Julius Caesar, or Mark Antony also stood in its shadow and admired its grandeur.” 

There is so much that Robbins misses about LCM, but what she misses the most is the people and the relationships she had with her co-workers, dyslexia students, ESL students, and anime club students. 

“Having been able to ensure that every student felt seen, important, and appreciated for their uniqueness is something I will always cherish deeply,” Robbins said. “I miss those moments of connection—forming bonds that helped guide, heal, or strengthen another person. These relationships helped shape me into a better person, and I hope I was able to do the same for them. I know it’s not the end of forming such bonds; I look forward to continuing to create meaningful connections no matter where life takes me.” 

If she could tell her old students anything, it would be to stay positive, do what they believe is right, and if they’re not happy, they are not yet where they need to be.  

“Patience, forgiveness, and hard work are your best advocates,” Robbins said. “I am so proud of you all. Life is hard, and while you may make mistakes that seem irrecoverable, your future actions and words matter more for your life than anyone else’s. And don’t forget my favorite Heath Ledger line: ‘Don’t let anyone, ever, make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want’.” 

To anyone considering uprooting their life and moving halfway across the United States, Robbins cautions them to know that it takes more than money and physically moving to a new home. 

“Leaving behind everything and everyone you know takes courage and tenacity, more than I ever thought I had,” Robbins said. “When opportunity calls, it’s ultimately your decision whether the risks and allure of the unknown outweigh the comfort of familiarity. My Maw Maw used to say, ‘You attract more flies with honey than vinegar,’ and that funny, little aphorism guides me more than I would have ever expected. Choosing kindness enriches our lives and the world around us, especially when we feel unseen. In this bustling city’s anonymity, I’ve had more positive experiences than negative ones, but I’ve also learned to be more mindful of others’ moods and body language. That stranger may truly need a kind word, and one day that stranger may just be you. No matter where we live, let’s strive to leave our homes a little sweeter than when we found them.”

Overall, Robbins believes that living in New York City can be challenging, but also highly rewarding.  

“This strange, new city has started to seep into my skin and become a part of who I am, though I can’t imagine Texas will ever leave my soul,” Robbins said. “So all y’all back home–why don’t y’all boot scootin’ boogie your way to my new front door? It may be a tight squeeze, but experiencing these spring temperatures is a true reprieve from SETX’s endless summer. (Grab your Whataburger while you can, and maybe a few extra straws!).”