Since the year 2001, I have been keeping a regular travel schedule of four trips each year. But this year – I am not exactly financially capable enough to go flying on a jet plane. That said, it has been a very long time since I have gotten away from it all. But thanks to my friend Howard – I am currently enjoying a “vacation” at his home in Commack, New York.

More than ever, I needed to escape from my normal grind for a day, which currently includes real estate school, daily existence, an all-nighter at Secrets – and three hours to get some rest before doing it all over again. So imagine my conundrum that a vacation has become much needed rather than simply looked forward to – but not being able to travel because of financial constraints. And at the perfect time – Howard asks me to come help him with a project at his home upstate – and I got to escape just like I wanted.

After a meal at Applebee’s, we drove through the Rockaway’s on the way to Long Island and Howard’s house but not before stopping at The Tiki Bar on Beech Street in Long Beach for a round. The drive itself was fantastic, with moonlit sand dunes tracing our path, enormous mansions standing proudly beachside – two different bridges that both crossed Reynolds Channel – and the horrible car accident we literally came within inches of eluding.

Howard and I were driving on the Robert Moses Parkway when we both thankfully noticed, in the middle of talking to each other – a car at a dead stop in front of us. The road is barley illuminated if at all, so it is very easy to not see something in front of you before its too late – and that is exactly what Howard did. As soon as he saw her, he slammed on the breaks and screamed, “We’re gonna hit her!” – and we both braced for the impact. Hearing none, we realized that instead of getting into a car accident – we came within four to six inches from crashing into her. After some panicking, cursing out of the other driver – and giving ourselves a moment to calm down, we continued to proceed to Howard’s home – temporarily forgetting about the beauty that surrounded us.

When we arrived at Howard’s house – I was instantly impressed by it. I would love to have a home like his – especially when his swimming pool is bigger than my apartment. Currently, I am in school to obtain my real estate license and will be working at Howard’s office as a Real Estate Agent hopefully selling homes, getting listings – and making money. I think one of the best things about this little trip was that it showed me that you can be successful in real estate and make money in real estate. And while I am not expecting to make a King’s ransom – I know that working with Howard will at least get me enough of an income to live without struggle.

For the first time, I met Howard’s wife Lynn, who is a very sweet person – and had an embarrassing moment as my first impression. As if the aforementioned near car wreck was not enough to make my heart skip a beat – I had to literally rip my shirt off due to a bug that was crawling on it right in front of Howard’s wife – who I met just three minutes earlier.

After we did what he needed to do, which was place his wife’s American flags and real estate cards on his neighbor’s lawns in his beautiful neighborhood, we went back to his house and jumped in the pool and hot tub before heading to bed because we had to be up seven hours later. After Howard headed upstairs to crash, I crawled into my couch bed and began writing this column. I knew all day that I had to write this tonight, because I was getting the much needed vacation I had hoped for. Each and every one of my days have consisted of nothing but home, client, Applebee’s, Secrets, home. And not even a vacation, but even a simple change of scenery for twenty-four hours could clear my mind and allow me to analyze my life – and thankfully, Howard provided just that.

In about twenty minutes, we will get into Howard’s SUV and head back to Brooklyn. Truth be told, I would rather continue heading North – but life awaits – and so does my afternoon lunch with my family to celebrate my mother’s birthday. The way things are currently going – it doesn’t look like I will be taking a full-blown vacation for quite some time. If that is the case – then this night away from it all will have to last me for a while – and although it was brief – it was great, and it will.

Thanks Howard.