Dear Readers, I can't believe I am leaving New York tomorrow. Time has flown by so quickly! My last day at work was bittersweet; I know that the end of my internship means that I will be back in Durham soon, which is great - but it also means that I am no longer going to be able to enjoy the perks of city life. I'll be missing 24 hour food establishments, cupcakes within walking distance, stores that can fix anything you have that is broken (including six-year-old iPods), men selling phone chargers for seven-year-old cell phones on the street corners (I bought one today for my old Nokia), and public transportation - just to name a few things. And the food . . . ah, the endless choices! I'll be missing that too.
My bedroom right now is warm, but it's nothing compared to those first few nights. I remember them like they happened last week. It's hard to believe that the heat wave of 2010 was a month ago. I certainly haven't let the passage of time keep me from the fun of complaining about it! ;)
I walked around the neighborhood tonight with Rob, who had come in to have my last dinner with me from Newark, and it was a perfect end to a wonderful month. The people brushing past me as I walked by them had no idea that they might be among the last people to see me out and about in New York for a while. That's the beauty of it - in New York, you are anonymous enough to be left alone when you'd like, but surrounded by enough people to be guaranteed a friend when you need one.
Of course, I am excited to get back to my Duke life - but I have made so many wonderful memories here. I hope you have enjoyed reading about them as much as I have enjoyed writing them here on my blog. Maybe I will start another blog when I get back to school, but I have a feeling my life will be much less interesting when I'm home.
But then again, interesting things sometimes seem to follow me. I guess we'll see! Goodnight all!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Day 30: Time Speeds Up
It amazes me to think that in only three days I am going to be hauling my luggage back down the tiny staircase of my walk-up building and hailing a cab to La Guardia. In many ways, I feel like I haven't had a moment to sit in New York and simply exist here. But I've never really been great at sitting still anyway, so I won't complain. I have been catching up with old friends, visiting all sorts of different Manhattan neighborhoods, and eating, eating, eating! I will have so many memories to take home with me from these five weeks in New York.
Today I am going to be meeting up with at least one, and possibly two, friends from my time in Argentina. Nicole, who I am definitely seeing, was one of my closer friends from study abroad, but we lost touch once back in the states and haven't seen one another since. It has been four years. Four. I can't even comprehend that it has been so long since I called Buenos Aires home. My memories of that place, and the people I knew there, are still so vivid and feel so recent. I'm sure I am in for an evening of reminiscing.
Well, one thing never changes about weekdays in New York: I have to go to work. More later!
Today I am going to be meeting up with at least one, and possibly two, friends from my time in Argentina. Nicole, who I am definitely seeing, was one of my closer friends from study abroad, but we lost touch once back in the states and haven't seen one another since. It has been four years. Four. I can't even comprehend that it has been so long since I called Buenos Aires home. My memories of that place, and the people I knew there, are still so vivid and feel so recent. I'm sure I am in for an evening of reminiscing.
Well, one thing never changes about weekdays in New York: I have to go to work. More later!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Day 28: The Weather Outside Is Delightful!
It was a pleasure to walk around outside this weekend - which was great, because Alex and I were out and about often enjoying the city. We traveled everywhere from the West and East Villages to the Upper East and West Sides - meeting friends, shopping, trying new coffee places, and getting fresh air and exercise.
I can't believe I have less than a week left here, and it promises to be a busy one!
I can't believe I have less than a week left here, and it promises to be a busy one!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day 24: My New York Keepsake
Today I decided to purchase a keepsake to remind me of the time I have spent in New York - similar to the seahorse necklace that I acquired in Charleston during the first half of the summer. Like the necklace, I wanted my New York keepsake to remind me immediately of this summer, while at the same time being practical enough to use somewhat regularly.
I ultimately decided to purchase a leather bag from a store three blocks from my apartment. The store is called Joseph Hanna Leather, and many of its leather goods are made right there! The store has its own leather workshop, and as I perused the many bags hanging from the walls and ceilings, one of the men working at the shop was busy sewing up a new piece of luggage. It felt so authentic - even though the bag I ended up selecting was not made in the store (not many of their women's bags were).
My new bag is yellow leather with a thick brown leather strap. I talked the owner down $100 from the original price, so I felt like I got quite a steal! He also pressed my initials into the strap, which was neat because I got to watch how this was done. He even made me a leather keychain with my initials on it for free - which was perfect, because I have been needing a new keychain for my car keys ever since I separated them from my house keys last year.
So now my New York memories will be carried around in a beautiful leather bag that smells wonderful and will be perfect for Fall. When I look at it in the future, I hope I will remember the little leather shop around the corner from my apartment and what fun it was to wander around and discover little shops in the West Village.
I ultimately decided to purchase a leather bag from a store three blocks from my apartment. The store is called Joseph Hanna Leather, and many of its leather goods are made right there! The store has its own leather workshop, and as I perused the many bags hanging from the walls and ceilings, one of the men working at the shop was busy sewing up a new piece of luggage. It felt so authentic - even though the bag I ended up selecting was not made in the store (not many of their women's bags were).
My new bag is yellow leather with a thick brown leather strap. I talked the owner down $100 from the original price, so I felt like I got quite a steal! He also pressed my initials into the strap, which was neat because I got to watch how this was done. He even made me a leather keychain with my initials on it for free - which was perfect, because I have been needing a new keychain for my car keys ever since I separated them from my house keys last year.
So now my New York memories will be carried around in a beautiful leather bag that smells wonderful and will be perfect for Fall. When I look at it in the future, I hope I will remember the little leather shop around the corner from my apartment and what fun it was to wander around and discover little shops in the West Village.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day 23: Magnolia Cupcake
Tonight after meeting a friend for dinner I went for a walk in the neighborhood. The weather was perfect for a stroll. People were eating at outdoor tables at the little cafe on the corner of Perry Street, and all along my walk, my neighbors were sitting on their stoops and talking to each other or looking out at the street.
On this walk, I allowed myself to have a cupcake at Magnolia Bakery (of Sex and the City fame). I say "allowed myself" because I have been consciously avoiding it so as not to get addicted to these cupcakes that are only two blocks from my apartment. Tonight was so perfect that I couldn't resist.
I took my chocolate cupcake with blue buttercream frosting back to my own stoop on Perry Street. Sitting there, I opened my new book of short stories and began to read, unwrapping my cupcake slowly as the story progressed. It was a deliciously wonderful end to the day!
On this walk, I allowed myself to have a cupcake at Magnolia Bakery (of Sex and the City fame). I say "allowed myself" because I have been consciously avoiding it so as not to get addicted to these cupcakes that are only two blocks from my apartment. Tonight was so perfect that I couldn't resist.
I took my chocolate cupcake with blue buttercream frosting back to my own stoop on Perry Street. Sitting there, I opened my new book of short stories and began to read, unwrapping my cupcake slowly as the story progressed. It was a deliciously wonderful end to the day!
Day 23 (early): Rodents!
A little while ago, I heard a noise in the kitchen. It was a loud rustling. I knew that something other than the air conditioner was making that noise - and that something was alive.
After Alex told me in a phone pep talk that I should go out to the kitchen, I finally worked up the nerve to turn on the hall light and investigate the situation. The cookie from Subway that I had left for a future snack yesterday was eaten, its packaging torn into little shreds by tiny rodent teeth. My trashbag had bite marks in it. I was terrified: there are either mice or rats in my apartment, and neither one is a good thing!
I don't know how I am going to sleep tonight knowing that these little creatures could be running around my house. Needless to say, I immediately took the Subway cookie and the trashbag down to the basement to be thrown out - so hopefully they won't come back! Believe me, I won't be throwing any food away in this house again. Now I just want some sleep . . . hopefully uninterrupted by the pitter patter of little mouse or rat feet!
After Alex told me in a phone pep talk that I should go out to the kitchen, I finally worked up the nerve to turn on the hall light and investigate the situation. The cookie from Subway that I had left for a future snack yesterday was eaten, its packaging torn into little shreds by tiny rodent teeth. My trashbag had bite marks in it. I was terrified: there are either mice or rats in my apartment, and neither one is a good thing!
I don't know how I am going to sleep tonight knowing that these little creatures could be running around my house. Needless to say, I immediately took the Subway cookie and the trashbag down to the basement to be thrown out - so hopefully they won't come back! Believe me, I won't be throwing any food away in this house again. Now I just want some sleep . . . hopefully uninterrupted by the pitter patter of little mouse or rat feet!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Day 20: In The Adirondacks
I am writing to you from the lovely village of Cooperstown, New York - home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and also (temporarily) to Emily Leonardy, a friend from school. Emily is becoming an Episcopal priest, and I will have the pleasure of hearing her deliver a sermon tomorrow!
It was wonderful to have a relaxing day outside of the city. Emily and I sat by a mountain lake and caught up before heading home to make shrimp scampi, have a glass of white wine, and enjoy a peach crumble dessert. I doubt I will be ready to return to New York City tomorrow afternoon!
My computer is about to run out of battery, so I will have to give a full summary of my travels later. Goodnight!
It was wonderful to have a relaxing day outside of the city. Emily and I sat by a mountain lake and caught up before heading home to make shrimp scampi, have a glass of white wine, and enjoy a peach crumble dessert. I doubt I will be ready to return to New York City tomorrow afternoon!
My computer is about to run out of battery, so I will have to give a full summary of my travels later. Goodnight!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Day 19: Severe Weather in the Big Apple
Am heading out to my college roommate's party, but wanted to show you some interesting pictures I just took of the current severe weather. We were actually under a Tornado Warning when I took these photos.
The Edge of the Storm, from my corner:
Funnel Cloud?
This one reminded me of Captain Hook.
**EDIT** It turns out that Tornado Warnings are extremely rare in New York City. I guess this heat couldn't last forever without causing some sort of atmospheric trouble!
The Edge of the Storm, from my corner:
Funnel Cloud?
This one reminded me of Captain Hook.
**EDIT** It turns out that Tornado Warnings are extremely rare in New York City. I guess this heat couldn't last forever without causing some sort of atmospheric trouble!
Day 19: An Unusual Day at Work
For this story to make sense, it is important that you know that I work for a website. This website's name is Track.com. The purpose of the site is to provide sophisticated investors with independent research on different aspects of the financial markets - like foreign exchange, commodities, equities, etc. But remember: a website. Which explains why it was a bit difficult for everyone to work today when we arrived at the office and discovered that the internet was out.
Within a few minutes of discovering the problem, one of my bosses suggested that the business who owns the floor below us, the sixteenth floor, had said that we could use a part of their office and access their internet. I found this rather amusing, because the business on the sixteenth floor is another website that publishes finance and market information. Its name? Tracked.com, naturally. Isn't this starting to sound like a scene out of an office comedy movie?
These two businesses are, of course, not in the same building by coincidence. They are funded by the same investor, who believes that both will be a success. It is still funny to me though that part of my office at Track.com was working at Tracked.com today. I felt like there might have been a secret competition, but it was probably only in my imagination!
Today there was a relief from the heat that had settled in for most of the week. Unfortunately, I couldn't walk home from work as I usually do because it was raining. Lately I have taken to strolling down Seventh Avenue in the evenings, a walk of about 25 blocks. The street is lined with every kind of restaurant you could possibly imagine. There are always lots of people, which would be more interesting if half of them weren't puffing away on cigarettes and blowing the smoke in my path. I can't understand these New Yorkers who smoke, because they are so unlike the smokers I saw in Beaufort growing up. In Beaufort, people who are smoking stand in one place and sort of pace about, smoking and thinking or talking to someone else. Here, the smokers are power-walking down the street, sucking in on their cigarettes and elbowing through the crowds as they rush to their destinations. They must have fantastic lung endurance; for me, it is already so hot outside that I would die if I had hot smoke swirling around inside of me too!
Tonight is the going-away party for my college roommate who will be leaving shortly for Hong Kong on the Fulbright Scholarship. I'm about to head out to find some dinner before the party!
Within a few minutes of discovering the problem, one of my bosses suggested that the business who owns the floor below us, the sixteenth floor, had said that we could use a part of their office and access their internet. I found this rather amusing, because the business on the sixteenth floor is another website that publishes finance and market information. Its name? Tracked.com, naturally. Isn't this starting to sound like a scene out of an office comedy movie?
These two businesses are, of course, not in the same building by coincidence. They are funded by the same investor, who believes that both will be a success. It is still funny to me though that part of my office at Track.com was working at Tracked.com today. I felt like there might have been a secret competition, but it was probably only in my imagination!
Today there was a relief from the heat that had settled in for most of the week. Unfortunately, I couldn't walk home from work as I usually do because it was raining. Lately I have taken to strolling down Seventh Avenue in the evenings, a walk of about 25 blocks. The street is lined with every kind of restaurant you could possibly imagine. There are always lots of people, which would be more interesting if half of them weren't puffing away on cigarettes and blowing the smoke in my path. I can't understand these New Yorkers who smoke, because they are so unlike the smokers I saw in Beaufort growing up. In Beaufort, people who are smoking stand in one place and sort of pace about, smoking and thinking or talking to someone else. Here, the smokers are power-walking down the street, sucking in on their cigarettes and elbowing through the crowds as they rush to their destinations. They must have fantastic lung endurance; for me, it is already so hot outside that I would die if I had hot smoke swirling around inside of me too!
Tonight is the going-away party for my college roommate who will be leaving shortly for Hong Kong on the Fulbright Scholarship. I'm about to head out to find some dinner before the party!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Day 16: Alone in the City
If an alien ship were to hover above my New York City block, and with its super scientific x-ray powers could see into every apartment on Perry Street, I wonder how many people the aliens would find sitting alone and thinking?
That is what I often do at night here in the city when it is too dark and hot to walk outside, and when I don't have plans with my friends. I have a television, but most evenings I prefer to put on some music, sit in bed with my laptop, and discover things. I look at pictures on facebook, read the news, and Wikipedia diseases, languages, events in history, schools . . . the time seems to fly by.
Tonight I am reading a book of short stories by an author called Miranda July that Caitlin gave to me when she visited this weekend. So far I have only read one. It was very interesting, and ultimately rather refreshing to be able to read a story with a beginning, middle, and end in half an hour. Books are difficult because you have to stop and start and stop and start; short stories are compact, but still powerful. I'm looking forward to reading more of this collection.
Today I walked home from work for the second day in a row. Why take the subway when the weather is nice? I enjoy being part of the rush hour bustle on the sidewalks. It makes me wish that I could walk more easily around Durham. How I miss the days of living on campus!
That is what I often do at night here in the city when it is too dark and hot to walk outside, and when I don't have plans with my friends. I have a television, but most evenings I prefer to put on some music, sit in bed with my laptop, and discover things. I look at pictures on facebook, read the news, and Wikipedia diseases, languages, events in history, schools . . . the time seems to fly by.
Tonight I am reading a book of short stories by an author called Miranda July that Caitlin gave to me when she visited this weekend. So far I have only read one. It was very interesting, and ultimately rather refreshing to be able to read a story with a beginning, middle, and end in half an hour. Books are difficult because you have to stop and start and stop and start; short stories are compact, but still powerful. I'm looking forward to reading more of this collection.
Today I walked home from work for the second day in a row. Why take the subway when the weather is nice? I enjoy being part of the rush hour bustle on the sidewalks. It makes me wish that I could walk more easily around Durham. How I miss the days of living on campus!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Day 15: A Wonderful Weekend
I had a great New York City weekend, and it really made me enjoy being up here. Several friends came into town and we ate out, went to the Metropolitan Museum, had Sunday tea, and - most importantly - played some serious bocce in Central Park.
Team England (members: Alex Stapleton & Caroline Mix) was part of the epic showdown in the championship game, but was ultimately defeated by Team California, comprised of two NYC residents who clearly know their lawn sports. The loss was heartbreaking, but everyone had a great time!
It's hot again in the apartment, but at least the air conditioner works in the living room. Too bad the internet connection is in my sweltering bedroom! More tomorrow, hopefully when things have cooled down.
Team England (members: Alex Stapleton & Caroline Mix) was part of the epic showdown in the championship game, but was ultimately defeated by Team California, comprised of two NYC residents who clearly know their lawn sports. The loss was heartbreaking, but everyone had a great time!
It's hot again in the apartment, but at least the air conditioner works in the living room. Too bad the internet connection is in my sweltering bedroom! More tomorrow, hopefully when things have cooled down.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Day 11: A Frustration, Followed By A Fix
This morning I awoke at 5:30AM to the sound of ruffling feathers outside of my window. I sat up in bed and looked outside through the spinning blades of my box fan. I could barely make out the shapes of two pigeons perched on my window sill in the early morning light. At that moment, the ruffling stopped and they were silent. Images of disease-ridden feathers, pigeon poop, and bird mites began to fill my mind, but I was too tired to really let them bother me. I snuggled back into the covers.
Mr. Pigeon began to coo. At first, it was just a short burst of cooing. Then, it became more rhythmic. I sat up again. Mr. Pigeon had a look in his eye that I've seen in many other pigeons' eyes this week. The look said, "Mrs. Pigeon, you are looking very attractive this morning." The coo was for emphasis.
Not wanting to hear what I had a feeling was about to go down on my window sill, I stood up and began banging my flip flop against the window pane above my fan. The pigeon couple was startled, and after the third slap, they finally flew away. It was then, standing close to the window, that I noticed that the spikes I had seen through my window were actually on the inside of the screen. They were useless at preventing birds from sitting outside of my window!
In my delerium, I sent an email explaining the situation to the woman who is subleasing the apartment. She was very kind and got someone from the building to fix the spikes by moving them to their proper position outside of the screen. Needless to say, I am looking forward to an uninterrupted night's sleep tonight!
Other events of the day: I bought Newsweek because it had Nikki Haley on the cover, and it's always exciting to see South Carolina on the front page of a national publication, especially when it's in a positive light. I also cleaned my apartment thoroughly because it was cool enough to move around without breaking a serious sweat. It feels good to accomplish something!
Good night all!
Mr. Pigeon began to coo. At first, it was just a short burst of cooing. Then, it became more rhythmic. I sat up again. Mr. Pigeon had a look in his eye that I've seen in many other pigeons' eyes this week. The look said, "Mrs. Pigeon, you are looking very attractive this morning." The coo was for emphasis.
Not wanting to hear what I had a feeling was about to go down on my window sill, I stood up and began banging my flip flop against the window pane above my fan. The pigeon couple was startled, and after the third slap, they finally flew away. It was then, standing close to the window, that I noticed that the spikes I had seen through my window were actually on the inside of the screen. They were useless at preventing birds from sitting outside of my window!
In my delerium, I sent an email explaining the situation to the woman who is subleasing the apartment. She was very kind and got someone from the building to fix the spikes by moving them to their proper position outside of the screen. Needless to say, I am looking forward to an uninterrupted night's sleep tonight!
Other events of the day: I bought Newsweek because it had Nikki Haley on the cover, and it's always exciting to see South Carolina on the front page of a national publication, especially when it's in a positive light. I also cleaned my apartment thoroughly because it was cool enough to move around without breaking a serious sweat. It feels good to accomplish something!
Good night all!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Day 10: Wines and Carolines
I got home a little while ago from a great little wine bar near 52nd Street and 9th Avenue. Caroline Spencer, one of Alex's close friends from Rhode Island, had invited me to have dinner and a drink with her after work. We had a great time catching up! It was fun to hang out with someone that has known Alex for longer than I have. We certainly had a lot to talk about. At the end of the meal, we both reached into our wallets and pulled out the same Bank of America check card! I thought about how confusing it could have been to the staff, since we were both named Caroline.
Tonight the West Village was alive with people out on the streets as I walked back to my apartment from the subway. Straight couples, gay couples, several groups of laughing girls, two women walking dogs, an old man struggling along with his cane . . . and me, walking alone and looking at everyone. I saw for the first time what everyone means when they tell me I am living in a very "cool" area of town.
Tonight the West Village was alive with people out on the streets as I walked back to my apartment from the subway. Straight couples, gay couples, several groups of laughing girls, two women walking dogs, an old man struggling along with his cane . . . and me, walking alone and looking at everyone. I saw for the first time what everyone means when they tell me I am living in a very "cool" area of town.
Day 10: The Pigeon Outside My Window
I didn't sleep very well last night because I was pretty sure the fan sitting in my window was going to explode. Occasionally it would make the oddest noises, loud enough to wake me up and make me wonder if there might be something seriously wrong with it. The sounds were almost like a combination of a loud cat and someone rolling his "r"s in Spanish.
When my alarm went off a little while ago, I heard the noise again. It was light enough outside for me to look from my bed and see what in the world was wrong with my fan. When I looked at my window, I was surprised to see a large pigeon strutting carefully around the spikes that are strategically placed on my windowsill to keep visitors away. It was cooing proudly as it enjoyed feeling the large fan whip air through its feathers and into my room.
'How cute!' I thought for a moment. Then I remembered something I had researched this past year when I thought I was having some problems in my Durham apartment: bird mites. These nearly invisible little bugs can infest an entire house if a pigeon or other bird starts hanging out at your open window. The mites love to live inside of mattresses and to bite humans at night, especially on the legs. Their saliva is so itchy that it is supposed to be unbearable.
Needless to say, I want that pigeon to find another spot to hang out and get cool! I have already googled this problem and found some other people who have dealt with pigeons (and unfortunately have ended up with mite problems). One suggestion is to put a rubber snake outside of the window. Another is to put up a large sticker of a hawk. I may try one of these if my feathered friend shows up again tonight.
When my alarm went off a little while ago, I heard the noise again. It was light enough outside for me to look from my bed and see what in the world was wrong with my fan. When I looked at my window, I was surprised to see a large pigeon strutting carefully around the spikes that are strategically placed on my windowsill to keep visitors away. It was cooing proudly as it enjoyed feeling the large fan whip air through its feathers and into my room.
'How cute!' I thought for a moment. Then I remembered something I had researched this past year when I thought I was having some problems in my Durham apartment: bird mites. These nearly invisible little bugs can infest an entire house if a pigeon or other bird starts hanging out at your open window. The mites love to live inside of mattresses and to bite humans at night, especially on the legs. Their saliva is so itchy that it is supposed to be unbearable.
Needless to say, I want that pigeon to find another spot to hang out and get cool! I have already googled this problem and found some other people who have dealt with pigeons (and unfortunately have ended up with mite problems). One suggestion is to put a rubber snake outside of the window. Another is to put up a large sticker of a hawk. I may try one of these if my feathered friend shows up again tonight.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Day 9: Pasta and Pinkberry
I just got home from a wonderful evening with my friend Laura from Duke and her roommate. Catching up was so much fun - she has a fantastic apartment on the Upper East Side, and we had wine and ordered in some delicious pasta with pink sauce.
After dinner the three of us ventured over to 2nd Avenue to have some dessert at Pinkberry. It was my first Pinkberry experience, and I was pretty impressed - I got a "mini" cup of frozen yogurt for around $3.00, including unlimited toppings! I missed my Duke Law friends and our trips to Local Yogurt, but I didn't miss the high prices for yogurt in Durham. Maybe we should open a Pinkberry of our own near campus...
Good night!
After dinner the three of us ventured over to 2nd Avenue to have some dessert at Pinkberry. It was my first Pinkberry experience, and I was pretty impressed - I got a "mini" cup of frozen yogurt for around $3.00, including unlimited toppings! I missed my Duke Law friends and our trips to Local Yogurt, but I didn't miss the high prices for yogurt in Durham. Maybe we should open a Pinkberry of our own near campus...
Good night!
Day 9: Quote of the Day
I found this while reading an e-book on the history of investment research:
"In reality there is, perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility."
Benjamin Franklin
"In reality there is, perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility."
Benjamin Franklin
Monday, July 12, 2010
Day 8: Music (and death?) in the Park
Week Two of work has begun, this time accompanied by much more bearable temperatures! My two box fans are whirring (I have moved them into the bedroom), my overhead light is off, and I am actually content sitting on my bed and typing this update.
For lunch today I walked to a sushi bar nearby my office building and got a Diet Coke and two rolls to go: spicy tuna and California. I then strolled along Sixth Avenue to Bryant Park, where I sat at a little table next to the carousel. It was a nice break from work; kids were riding on the carousel, carnival music sung in French was playing, and I ate sushi and read The Girl Who Played With Fire - the second in the popular Steig Larsson series.
After work, I had my first subway mishap as I was on my way to meet Alix, my college roommate, and her boyfriend in Central Park for the Metropolitan Opera's free outdoor recital. I realized when we stopped in Queens that I was on the wrong train! At least now I understand that although the C and E trains run on the same track down where I live in Manhattan, they separate in midtown. Unfortunately, I was on the E - and I needed the C!
At last I made it to the park and found Alix and her boyfriend sitting on a sheet on the left side of the stage, eating cheese and crackers and listening to selections from operas by Verdi, Mozart, Bizet, and more. It was fun to actually recognize one of the songs - Verdi's "La donna e mobile"! I bet that if you look it up, you'll recognize it too.
So now you understand why my day featured music in the park. But death in the park? Unfortunately, yes - the mass slaughter of 400 helpless geese in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Apparently the geese were gassed to death to prevent them from flying into jet engines and causing plane crashes. However, I think there must be a better way! Alex sent me a New York Times article about the poor geese.
So to summarize: some events in the parks of New York are fun (and free!). Others are a little more grisly. But either way, I enjoy the parks, and will probably be back eating lunch again under the shady trees in Bryant Park sometime this week!
For lunch today I walked to a sushi bar nearby my office building and got a Diet Coke and two rolls to go: spicy tuna and California. I then strolled along Sixth Avenue to Bryant Park, where I sat at a little table next to the carousel. It was a nice break from work; kids were riding on the carousel, carnival music sung in French was playing, and I ate sushi and read The Girl Who Played With Fire - the second in the popular Steig Larsson series.
After work, I had my first subway mishap as I was on my way to meet Alix, my college roommate, and her boyfriend in Central Park for the Metropolitan Opera's free outdoor recital. I realized when we stopped in Queens that I was on the wrong train! At least now I understand that although the C and E trains run on the same track down where I live in Manhattan, they separate in midtown. Unfortunately, I was on the E - and I needed the C!
At last I made it to the park and found Alix and her boyfriend sitting on a sheet on the left side of the stage, eating cheese and crackers and listening to selections from operas by Verdi, Mozart, Bizet, and more. It was fun to actually recognize one of the songs - Verdi's "La donna e mobile"! I bet that if you look it up, you'll recognize it too.
So now you understand why my day featured music in the park. But death in the park? Unfortunately, yes - the mass slaughter of 400 helpless geese in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Apparently the geese were gassed to death to prevent them from flying into jet engines and causing plane crashes. However, I think there must be a better way! Alex sent me a New York Times article about the poor geese.
So to summarize: some events in the parks of New York are fun (and free!). Others are a little more grisly. But either way, I enjoy the parks, and will probably be back eating lunch again under the shady trees in Bryant Park sometime this week!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Day 5: On the Road
I have to admit, sometimes technology is cool.
For instance, right now I am on a DC-bound bus on my way out of Manhattan. A BUS. And I am writing a blog post. I don't understand how wireless internet can possibly work while I'm sitting in a moving vehicle, but I don't care: it's awesome.
Of course, rush hour traffic in New York City on a Friday afternoon is the opposite of awesome. Dreadful might be a good word. We are currently in line to enter the Lincoln Tunnel, and I can't even see the entrance. I hope we make it to DC before midnight!
Today I got Chipotle for lunch and headed out to sit in Bryant Park so I could enjoy the gloriously cool (can I call 85 degrees glorious?) afternoon air. Once, when a particularly large gust of wind blew through, I even shivered. It felt amazing!
Well, we've inched our way forward less than a carlength since I started this post. It will probably be a miracle if we make it out of town at all. But I'm not annoyed at all, because I am still mystified by the fact that when I press the "publish post" button in a moment, this will suddenly be available for you to read online. And all while I am riding along in a bus!
For instance, right now I am on a DC-bound bus on my way out of Manhattan. A BUS. And I am writing a blog post. I don't understand how wireless internet can possibly work while I'm sitting in a moving vehicle, but I don't care: it's awesome.
Of course, rush hour traffic in New York City on a Friday afternoon is the opposite of awesome. Dreadful might be a good word. We are currently in line to enter the Lincoln Tunnel, and I can't even see the entrance. I hope we make it to DC before midnight!
Today I got Chipotle for lunch and headed out to sit in Bryant Park so I could enjoy the gloriously cool (can I call 85 degrees glorious?) afternoon air. Once, when a particularly large gust of wind blew through, I even shivered. It felt amazing!
Well, we've inched our way forward less than a carlength since I started this post. It will probably be a miracle if we make it out of town at all. But I'm not annoyed at all, because I am still mystified by the fact that when I press the "publish post" button in a moment, this will suddenly be available for you to read online. And all while I am riding along in a bus!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Day 4: Good Morning!
I awoke this morning to a strange and wonderful feeling: I was not covered in the thin layer of sweat that has been sitting on my skin for the past three days! The fans are working, and that's excellent news.
Last night's intern dinner was a lot of fun. We met at Dave's apartment for some pre-dinner beer pong, which I hadn't played since undergrad at Duke. Despite being the worst player ever for the first two games, I managed to somehow get three cups in the final tiebreaker round. Unfortunately, my teammates and I, the grad students, lost on the last cup.
Having imbibed a sufficient amount of alcohol to keep the conversation going, my new friends and I headed out on the town in search of dinner. Three of us expressed an interest in Mexican food. Fortunately for us, Gonzalo, who I had momentarily forgotten is from Mexico City, agreed.
The burrito place we went to was obviously a former Chinese restaurant that, having fallen on hard times, decided to get on the Mexican food bandwagon. When we walked in, Gonzalo laughed when we saw that the employees weren't Mexican at all - they were Chinese! I had a steak burrito, which I downed in about three minutes when we got back to the apartment, and Gonzalo had his first chimichanga ever. The chimichanga was good, he later told us, but it certainly wasn't Mexican food. We all agreed that it sort of looked like a large eggroll.
Off to work!
Last night's intern dinner was a lot of fun. We met at Dave's apartment for some pre-dinner beer pong, which I hadn't played since undergrad at Duke. Despite being the worst player ever for the first two games, I managed to somehow get three cups in the final tiebreaker round. Unfortunately, my teammates and I, the grad students, lost on the last cup.
Having imbibed a sufficient amount of alcohol to keep the conversation going, my new friends and I headed out on the town in search of dinner. Three of us expressed an interest in Mexican food. Fortunately for us, Gonzalo, who I had momentarily forgotten is from Mexico City, agreed.
The burrito place we went to was obviously a former Chinese restaurant that, having fallen on hard times, decided to get on the Mexican food bandwagon. When we walked in, Gonzalo laughed when we saw that the employees weren't Mexican at all - they were Chinese! I had a steak burrito, which I downed in about three minutes when we got back to the apartment, and Gonzalo had his first chimichanga ever. The chimichanga was good, he later told us, but it certainly wasn't Mexican food. We all agreed that it sort of looked like a large eggroll.
Off to work!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Day 3: Relief?
My apartment is now divided into two parts: the merely sweltering part, and the so-miserably-hot-I-just-might-die part.
I am currently typing this post in the latter, which is my "bedroom," because there is no wireless internet - and this is where the cable is. Here is a picture. It even looks hot:
Now I'll tell you about how I improved the living room to make it "merely sweltering" (read: bearable). I just got home from spending what might be the best $40 of the summer on two large box fans for my new sleeping chambers in the living room. As you'll see from the photo, I sleep on the couch and I've positioned the fans to circulate the air around my heat-exhausted body. You'll also see the broken air conditioner, which can no longer cool, but at least its "fan" feature still works (so it can blow in some fresh hot air!).
I'm looking forward to a better night's sleep this evening thanks to my new purchases!
Tonight I am going to dinner with the other interns. One of them is hosting us at his apartment, which he shares with a few other people. It should be fun - and it will keep my mind off of this infernal heat wave! More later.
I am currently typing this post in the latter, which is my "bedroom," because there is no wireless internet - and this is where the cable is. Here is a picture. It even looks hot:
Now I'll tell you about how I improved the living room to make it "merely sweltering" (read: bearable). I just got home from spending what might be the best $40 of the summer on two large box fans for my new sleeping chambers in the living room. As you'll see from the photo, I sleep on the couch and I've positioned the fans to circulate the air around my heat-exhausted body. You'll also see the broken air conditioner, which can no longer cool, but at least its "fan" feature still works (so it can blow in some fresh hot air!).
I'm looking forward to a better night's sleep this evening thanks to my new purchases!
Tonight I am going to dinner with the other interns. One of them is hosting us at his apartment, which he shares with a few other people. It should be fun - and it will keep my mind off of this infernal heat wave! More later.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Day 2: Impossible to Write About Anything but the Heat
Current Temperature in New York City: 90°F
I feel like I have been in a sauna ever since the moment I left work today. The air conditioner is working off and on in the living room, so I'll probably be sleeping on the couch tonight (if I can sleep at all). A cold shower just before bed should help!
I wish I had the patience to write about my day, but unfortunately a side effect of the heat is that I am easily annoyed by having to make any effort to do even the simplest tasks. Instead I will lay here and think about how miserable life before climate control had to have been. Good night!
I feel like I have been in a sauna ever since the moment I left work today. The air conditioner is working off and on in the living room, so I'll probably be sleeping on the couch tonight (if I can sleep at all). A cold shower just before bed should help!
I wish I had the patience to write about my day, but unfortunately a side effect of the heat is that I am easily annoyed by having to make any effort to do even the simplest tasks. Instead I will lay here and think about how miserable life before climate control had to have been. Good night!
Day 2: Epic Heat Wave
100° heat on the way for East
That is a current headline at cnn.com. In Durham, I might have complained a bit if the daily high temperature was a hundred or more, but my apartment has central air, so I would've stayed relatively cool. Here, it is a completely different story.
I read the cnn.com article, and then I looked at the comments below it. Some people are mad that northerners would dare complain about temperatures in the high nineties. "Move along people, nothing to see here. 100 is hot now?" writes one poster. Another writes: "Oh cry me a river. Deal with it. If you are that hot go inside to your a/c. It's that easy."
Well readers, I am here to tell you that it is not that easy. I admit that I was also a skeptic about northeastern heat waves - if I can go about my day in 100° heat in South Carolina, why can't those northern folks do it too? The sad truth is that New York City is extremely unprepared to deal with extended heat waves. The buildings are old and don't have central air conditioning. People don't drive to work - they walk, often for blocks on end, and so the commute could even become dangerously warm. In short: I will never take central air for granted again.
Off to get ready for work now.
That is a current headline at cnn.com. In Durham, I might have complained a bit if the daily high temperature was a hundred or more, but my apartment has central air, so I would've stayed relatively cool. Here, it is a completely different story.
I read the cnn.com article, and then I looked at the comments below it. Some people are mad that northerners would dare complain about temperatures in the high nineties. "Move along people, nothing to see here. 100 is hot now?" writes one poster. Another writes: "Oh cry me a river. Deal with it. If you are that hot go inside to your a/c. It's that easy."
Well readers, I am here to tell you that it is not that easy. I admit that I was also a skeptic about northeastern heat waves - if I can go about my day in 100° heat in South Carolina, why can't those northern folks do it too? The sad truth is that New York City is extremely unprepared to deal with extended heat waves. The buildings are old and don't have central air conditioning. People don't drive to work - they walk, often for blocks on end, and so the commute could even become dangerously warm. In short: I will never take central air for granted again.
Off to get ready for work now.
Day 1: First Night in New York City
It is hot here.
Being from South Carolina, it takes a lot for me to admit it when I'm feeling uncomfortably warm. But if you were here right now, you'd find me sitting on the double bed in my 8' x 5' bedroom, sweat running down my face, back, and stomach, covers thrown to the side. According to weather.com, it is currently 87 degrees outside, and I have no air conditioner, or even a fan. In short: it is absolutely sweltering in my one-bedroom West Villiage apartment.
About fifteen minutes ago, I convinced myself that it would be worth getting up (which was harder than usual given the heat) to try to cool things down in my bedroom. My first idea was to move the only air conditioner in the apartment, a groaning and vibrating old window-unit, from its current location in the living room to the bedroom. No luck - I found it securely bolted in place. Worse, even if I could have managed to lug it down the hall to the bedroom, it refused to turn on anyway. This meant that Idea #2, sleeping in the living room, wasn't a viable alternative to the boiling hot bedroom after all.
My final "solution" was to open my bedroom window to let in more moving air. The window was already cracked a little, so I knew it could probably be raised without much effort. A strange spiky contraption held it in its current position, approximately an inch and a half above the window frame. I lifted the window easily, but it wouldn't stay up on its own. I was busy wondering what I could put between the window and the frame to make it stay open when I saw a massive rat on the other side of the screen, staring eagerly at the bedside lamp in my room. I screamed and dropped the window. I suddenly understood the usefulness of the spikes sticking out of the inch and a half crack in the window. There would be no outside breezes wafting into my room tonight!
Basically, Operation Cool Air was a miserable failure. My first day of work is tomorrow and I only hope that I can somehow get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow's goal: purchase a large fan.
Being from South Carolina, it takes a lot for me to admit it when I'm feeling uncomfortably warm. But if you were here right now, you'd find me sitting on the double bed in my 8' x 5' bedroom, sweat running down my face, back, and stomach, covers thrown to the side. According to weather.com, it is currently 87 degrees outside, and I have no air conditioner, or even a fan. In short: it is absolutely sweltering in my one-bedroom West Villiage apartment.
About fifteen minutes ago, I convinced myself that it would be worth getting up (which was harder than usual given the heat) to try to cool things down in my bedroom. My first idea was to move the only air conditioner in the apartment, a groaning and vibrating old window-unit, from its current location in the living room to the bedroom. No luck - I found it securely bolted in place. Worse, even if I could have managed to lug it down the hall to the bedroom, it refused to turn on anyway. This meant that Idea #2, sleeping in the living room, wasn't a viable alternative to the boiling hot bedroom after all.
My final "solution" was to open my bedroom window to let in more moving air. The window was already cracked a little, so I knew it could probably be raised without much effort. A strange spiky contraption held it in its current position, approximately an inch and a half above the window frame. I lifted the window easily, but it wouldn't stay up on its own. I was busy wondering what I could put between the window and the frame to make it stay open when I saw a massive rat on the other side of the screen, staring eagerly at the bedside lamp in my room. I screamed and dropped the window. I suddenly understood the usefulness of the spikes sticking out of the inch and a half crack in the window. There would be no outside breezes wafting into my room tonight!
Basically, Operation Cool Air was a miserable failure. My first day of work is tomorrow and I only hope that I can somehow get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow's goal: purchase a large fan.
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