Today was my first day of work. It is a little over a mile away so I walk there. Apparently it takes just as long to take the subway because you have to switch trains. When it rains or snows I will however be taking the subway. I got to the school a little early and had a few little orientations. I watched 3 PowerPoint presentations. College, anyone? One of them was on our Apple MacBooks that we use. That was a fun box to walk home carrying through Harlem. I was also given a cell phone, with no instructions or directions about it. Because getting a laptop and a cell phone are normal for elementary schools? I sat around for a while because no one was really “in charge” of me to show me around or tell me what I should be doing. I also had nowhere to put my purse and the laptop box so I carried those around with me. That was fun. There are like 10 guys who work at my school and they are all around my age. I’ve never worked at or been to a school where there are that many guys who work there. Treat for me! So after work I walked home-as mentioned earlier with my laptop box. It’s also really hot here so I’m a sweaty mess whenever I arrive anyplace. Attractive, I know. Then we went to a community meeting about Columbia University trying to claim “eminent domain” on a whole bunch of land around where we live. They claim it will better the human population. Columbia University is a private institute so they have no legal rights to do so. Then again when you charge students close to $50,000 a year for tuition I guess you can do almost anything you want. There were a lot of people there and we heard people from the community talking about how their expansion will help no one but themselves. You could tell who was from Columbia at the meeting because they were all wearing suits and ties. A Columbia student also spoke urging Columbia not to proceed with their plans. Ballsy, too bad they will probably kick him out. Then again, they are greedy so they’ll keep him for his tuition money.
ALSO I passed the RICA! I am officially a California teacher!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Labor Day Weekend!
We continued our orientation this weekend. On Saturday we filled out all our Americorps paper work then we went and ate at this soul food restaurant (very similar to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles). We had more Bible study. Somehow the 3-parter turned into a 4-parter. Then we went to evening prayer with the nuns of Community of the Holy Spirit. Apparently the one who knew we were coming didn’t tell the other ones so it was a little chaotic for them. After that we had dinner and then some free time. We didn’t know what to do with ourselves.
Sunday
We went to church together, and we were commissioned with the church. We all went up and were introduced. It was very nice. Then we went on a field trip to everyone’s work sites. We all got to use our new unlimited Metro Cards for the first time. 2 of my roommates work downtown so I saw Times Square for the first time. Then we ate at this Indian place on “Curry Road”. We came back had some free time, dinner and more free time.
Monday
We were suppose to take a ferry to Governor’s Island where you can rent bikes and ride around, but it was closed. Luckily we had backup plans. We rode the Stanton Island ferry (it is free!) it goes right past the Statue of Liberty. Then we rode it back and took the water taxi to Ikea! Ikea is in Brooklyn and in order to take the water taxi back you have to be able to fit everything you buy into one of those huge blue bags you buy for 59 cents. I got a few storage boxes and we all go $1.99 rugs. Our floors here are old wood and if you don’t wear shoes you very likely will get a splinter. From the water taxi to the subway is quite a walk. Then the subway ride is about 50 minutes. So you really have to need something to make the all day trip. While waiting for the water taxi to take us there, I had my first street vendor hot dog. Not bad and it was %100 beef. Then we all came back exhausted, played with our Ikea purchases and had free time after dinner. So we went to the grocery store. We only have 2 mini fridges so we have to be very wise with out purchases, and it also means we will probably go to the grocery store about twice a week. Patrick’s mom bought him this big white rolly cart thing. It’s a little embarrassing ( I pushed it last time) but it is amazing and people all over the city have them. We can pile most of our groceries in it and then only have to carry them up our stairs.
Sunday
We went to church together, and we were commissioned with the church. We all went up and were introduced. It was very nice. Then we went on a field trip to everyone’s work sites. We all got to use our new unlimited Metro Cards for the first time. 2 of my roommates work downtown so I saw Times Square for the first time. Then we ate at this Indian place on “Curry Road”. We came back had some free time, dinner and more free time.
Monday
We were suppose to take a ferry to Governor’s Island where you can rent bikes and ride around, but it was closed. Luckily we had backup plans. We rode the Stanton Island ferry (it is free!) it goes right past the Statue of Liberty. Then we rode it back and took the water taxi to Ikea! Ikea is in Brooklyn and in order to take the water taxi back you have to be able to fit everything you buy into one of those huge blue bags you buy for 59 cents. I got a few storage boxes and we all go $1.99 rugs. Our floors here are old wood and if you don’t wear shoes you very likely will get a splinter. From the water taxi to the subway is quite a walk. Then the subway ride is about 50 minutes. So you really have to need something to make the all day trip. While waiting for the water taxi to take us there, I had my first street vendor hot dog. Not bad and it was %100 beef. Then we all came back exhausted, played with our Ikea purchases and had free time after dinner. So we went to the grocery store. We only have 2 mini fridges so we have to be very wise with out purchases, and it also means we will probably go to the grocery store about twice a week. Patrick’s mom bought him this big white rolly cart thing. It’s a little embarrassing ( I pushed it last time) but it is amazing and people all over the city have them. We can pile most of our groceries in it and then only have to carry them up our stairs.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Welcome to New York!
Friday, August 29.
This morning I woke up early, Becky dropped me off at the Princeton Junction train station. My bags were so heavy! I had to use the handicapped accessible ramps so I had to walk about 2 times farther than if I could use the stairs. The train comes and I ask if it going to New York. Just to make sure. The train worker told me that if I wait for the next one, 10 minutes later it was the express one and it didn’t make any stops and arrived 12 minutes before that one. So I chose to wait. Lies! All Lies! We made 2 stops, and they were never announced. I knew we had to go under the tunnel into New York, so after the dark I got off the train. SIDE NOTE: There is a fairly large gap between the train car and the platform. So I have to use both hands and give a giant pull so my bag clears it. They never said Penn Station. I hoped off and all I saw was ‘Pennsylvania Station’. I had a brief moment of panic and then realized that Penn is short for Pennsylvania. DUH! Madison Square Garden is right on top of Penn Station. I was meeting Sarah and Alexi across the street, so I headed up there. I waited about 5 minutes and sarah appeared. She brought the church van, and thank goodness because Alexi and I both had so much luggage, I don’t think we would have fit in a taxi. We got to the church in about 20 minutes. Brian was there and Patrick came about 10 minutes later. We went to lunch at this Cuban place, and then came back to the apartment and played a get to know you game. Then we went grocery shopping to Fairway. It is right next to the Hudson River. In fact if you walk just outside the church you can see the Hudson River.
Fairway is this big grocery store. The refregirated section is this HUGE room where all the cold goods are kept. They even have big jackets you can borrow to wear around as you shop.
Before dinner we took a walk around our area and were shown some places we might need to go. We walked all around Columbia University and it started to rain a little. 3 nights a week we eat dinner at the Priest’s home with him and his wife. They have a Standard black Poodle!!!! His name is Monty, he is really shaggy and cute.
We had Bible study after dinner…it went a little longer than it was suppose, we are all exhausted. Our 5th roommate, Demie made it, and we headed upstairs to our apartment and we picked our rooms. 2 of the rooms are really small and awkwardly shaped, with a foldy portioned between the two of them. The only fair way to pick was pick numbers and then whoever picked 1 got first choice of the rooms. I picked number 5, of course and have the smallest room. Boooo! Also the internet doesn’t really work in it so I have to go into the living room to use it.
I need to go to Target and get some more storage.
I’m too tired to unpack very much!
This morning I woke up early, Becky dropped me off at the Princeton Junction train station. My bags were so heavy! I had to use the handicapped accessible ramps so I had to walk about 2 times farther than if I could use the stairs. The train comes and I ask if it going to New York. Just to make sure. The train worker told me that if I wait for the next one, 10 minutes later it was the express one and it didn’t make any stops and arrived 12 minutes before that one. So I chose to wait. Lies! All Lies! We made 2 stops, and they were never announced. I knew we had to go under the tunnel into New York, so after the dark I got off the train. SIDE NOTE: There is a fairly large gap between the train car and the platform. So I have to use both hands and give a giant pull so my bag clears it. They never said Penn Station. I hoped off and all I saw was ‘Pennsylvania Station’. I had a brief moment of panic and then realized that Penn is short for Pennsylvania. DUH! Madison Square Garden is right on top of Penn Station. I was meeting Sarah and Alexi across the street, so I headed up there. I waited about 5 minutes and sarah appeared. She brought the church van, and thank goodness because Alexi and I both had so much luggage, I don’t think we would have fit in a taxi. We got to the church in about 20 minutes. Brian was there and Patrick came about 10 minutes later. We went to lunch at this Cuban place, and then came back to the apartment and played a get to know you game. Then we went grocery shopping to Fairway. It is right next to the Hudson River. In fact if you walk just outside the church you can see the Hudson River.
Fairway is this big grocery store. The refregirated section is this HUGE room where all the cold goods are kept. They even have big jackets you can borrow to wear around as you shop.
Before dinner we took a walk around our area and were shown some places we might need to go. We walked all around Columbia University and it started to rain a little. 3 nights a week we eat dinner at the Priest’s home with him and his wife. They have a Standard black Poodle!!!! His name is Monty, he is really shaggy and cute.
We had Bible study after dinner…it went a little longer than it was suppose, we are all exhausted. Our 5th roommate, Demie made it, and we headed upstairs to our apartment and we picked our rooms. 2 of the rooms are really small and awkwardly shaped, with a foldy portioned between the two of them. The only fair way to pick was pick numbers and then whoever picked 1 got first choice of the rooms. I picked number 5, of course and have the smallest room. Boooo! Also the internet doesn’t really work in it so I have to go into the living room to use it.
I need to go to Target and get some more storage.
I’m too tired to unpack very much!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Plane, Train, Automobile....New Jersey!
This morning I woke up around 5 A.M. I had a few more things to put into my suitcase and other odds and ends I needed to do before I left for the airport. As I was getting ready to take my bags out to the car my mom and dad's whispering alerted me to something outside. I opened the door and there was a large Good Luck banner, balloons hanging from all the trees, and a chalk message in the street that said, "We'll Miss You". Well done, ladies! I loved it! After a tearful goodbye with my dad, my mom, LuLu and I all climbed into my car to begin our drive to the airport. I'm always nervous to fly by myself, so i was nauseous the whole way to the airport. We were also running a little late and I knew I wouldn't be at the airport the recommended 2 hours before so that added to my nauseousness.
We made it to the airport, I said goodbye to LuLu who was stuck in the backseat. Then my mom snapped attractive pictures of me crying as I was taking my bags out of the car. I went into the airport, checked my bags. One weighed 47lbs and the other 23 lbs. My large 80's, purple Quicksilver carry-on bag must have weighed another 20 lb, and my laptop bag with other things another 10. By the time I made it to my terminal my neck and arms were all red from carrying those 2. I made it through the Starbucks line and then it was time to board my plane. I was in the window seat. Never a good idea considering my track record with having to go to the bathroom all the time ( I did however only go once and had to straddle the lady on the end to get out. She was asleep...awkward).
On the plane they showed Made Of Honor. It takes place in New York so it felt fitting. My ear phone jack wasn't working so I used the girl's next to me....she was asleep also. After that I watched 4 episodes of Gossip Girl Season 1. It takes place in New York also....glorious! When you land in Newark, New Jersey you fly right by NYC and you see the Statue of Liberty! Both firsts for me.
After we landed I decided to use the bathroom. So I go in with my heavy purple 80's carry-on and set it on the floor (I know, but I had no other choice) and then my laptop bag on top of it. THIS IS WHERE IT GETS GOOD! I am putting a seat cover on the toilet (safety first) and I see the lady next to me kicking my bag with her foot. At first I was angry and then I heard her saying "toilet overflowing"....my only option...picking up the purple 80's duffle bag and setting it on top of the seat cover that was on the toilet. Thank God I still had my pants on. By then there was a line and half the bathroom floor was wet, so I opted to search for another bathroom. By the time I made it to luggage claim, I was so hot and sweaty. I ended up putting some of my carry-on items into my rolly bag to make it lighter.
Up the escalator to the NJ Transit kiosk where I purchased my one-way adult ticket to New Brunswick. I had to wait in a line for the airtrain elevator because the escalator was broken and no one could carry their large bags up the massive flight of stairs. I rode the airtrain to the end, then walked to the Amtrack Track 5 where I had to wait for my train. 40ish minutes on the train until I reached New Brunswick where Becky was waiting for me on the platform.
We got Pad Thai and took it to her friend's house that was having a meeting with ladies from their church. Then to Becky's house. I am so tired. Tomorrow I am going into Princeton (the town and possibly the college) with Becky. She has work so I will entertain myself at the Princeton library and Panera Bakery. Both have free wi-fi!
I feel like I am justing visiting Becky, but then I remember that I here for a while and I get a little sad.
I hope I am not forgetting anything.
Love.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Next Chapter
In less than 1 week I will begin the next year of my life. On Wednesday I fly to New Jersey to stay with Becky for 2 nights, before I brave the train with all 100 pounds of luggage and arrive at Penn Station. There I will hopefully be escorted through the subway station to the apartment where I will meet my 4 new roommates. I am really excited, nervous, scared, and sad.
I've started to say some goodbyes, and I've been an emotional wreck. My mom and I went and saw Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and I cried on and off the whole time. Even though there is maybe 1 part that could maybe fill your eyes will tears.
I have so much more packing to do and I'm sort of dragging my feet with hopes that if it doesn't get done then it must mean that I am not leaving so soon.
"And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed." ~Donald Miller
I've started to say some goodbyes, and I've been an emotional wreck. My mom and I went and saw Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and I cried on and off the whole time. Even though there is maybe 1 part that could maybe fill your eyes will tears.
I have so much more packing to do and I'm sort of dragging my feet with hopes that if it doesn't get done then it must mean that I am not leaving so soon.
"And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed." ~Donald Miller
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A Spin On a Classic
Travels Without a Poodle? I know, a little silly. However, if you know about my great love for poodles I guess you would understand.
John Steinbeck also has a novel called Travels With Charlie. A novel about John and his standard poodle, Charley traveling around America. My mom has a standard poodle, LuLu. I call her mine, but she clearly loves my mom more.
So this blog will be all about my adventures without a poodle.
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