Free Stuff Always Tastes Good

Tonight I got to experience my first free concert in NYC! They happen all over the place in the summer here, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra plays every year in Central Park. A few girls I know sent a Facebook invite out and the turn-out was a good size group--about 20 people or so, I'd guesstimate. As I mentioned in the last post, it's been raining a lot here lately, and today was no exception. We brought various forms of plastic to put down on the ground to keep our blankets from getting wet. Someone brought an extra shower curtain they happened to have lying around her apartment, I brought two large garbage bags and a few park/concert pads to sit on, and my friend Karene brought this huge plastic sheet thing she bought at Home Depot for $2! That turned out to be the life saver, as we had plenty of seats for everyone. The rain stopped long enough for the concert to happen, which included fireworks at the end of the performance! Everyone kinda chatted and socialized the whole time, because, ya know, we were in picnic-like form, and it was like the orchestra was providing background music. We were too far away from the stage to actually see the performance, but hearing was the important part, anyway. I forgot my camera, but I borrowed this image from elsewhere, and it is pretty much exactly what it looked like from where we were sitting:The NY Phil. sounded sooooo good. I learned from the program handed out that it's the oldest orchestra in the United States. Not surprising. And I think it said there are 108 members. For the last part of the performance they played some of the music from Romeo and Juliet, so I actually recognized some songs! That was cool. Yes, I like classical music and such, but I only recognize the popular stuff. Don't judge me. Needless to say, it was a lovely evening spent with lovely people in a lovely park with lovely music.

Almost Went to School in My Underwear...or Like Unto It

Today was my first day of graduate school. Back in school again, and it feels good, oddly enough. Familiar. I was a student for a good chunk of time, off and on, during my undergrad work. Three years off and back at it again! Not too shabby.

My worst nightmare came true this morning, but actually it was ten times worse! First, I got up at 6:30 am instead of 6! Thank goodness my trusty new alarm clock persisted a half an hour past set-off time. Zero points for me. 100 points to the snooze button. I made it to the first train right on time, it was beautiful. And I was proud! Then, it came time to transfer to the next train that lets me off really close to school. I went up some stairs, and then down some stairs, following the signs to the "right" train. I couldn't believe my luck! The train was pulling up for pick up right at the moment I was arriving at the platform! I got cocky and thought, well, I'll be getting to school 15 minutes early at this rate!

Yes, I WOULD have, had I not stepped into the train of the same color scheme, but wrong letter!!!!! Not only was it going in the complete OPPOSITE direction that I needed to go (aka: Brooklyn, where I just came from), but it was an "express" train, which meant it wasn't going to stop til it CROSSED THE WATER at the next express stop. This may not make much sense to those who have never experienced the subway system. Well, just know that when you take it to/from Brooklyn, you cross over water on the bridge, and that takes a just a WEE BIT longer than the time it takes between each stop, plus this was an "express", meaning it had even less stops in between, prolonging the time you're stuck on the train. ANYWAY, I barely made it to class on time. I had to hop off, once we finally stopped back in Brooklyn, and find the next train going back.When I got off at my stop near NYU, I jogged/ran three or four blocks to my building, as to not be any later than I had to be. Sure enough, when I looked up at the clock, once I took my seat, it said 8:02. With no food in my system, nor liquid, and breaking a sweat, I thought I may vomit at one point. But I held it together till we had a break and planned on going across the street to grab a bagel. To my pleasant surprise, the school was providing FREE bagels with delicious cream cheeses in the lobby. So despite my terrible start to my new school year, I wasn't that late, and I didn't have to pay for breakfast.Clyde says hello! He's kinda camouflaged with my pants, but that's him perched on my butt. Ha.

So Far, So Good

Last night I saw Regina Spektor play a free show at a Barnes & Noble near Union Square. I got there an hour before it started, and already there were tons of kids staking out there spots by sitting in place, waiting patiently. I decided not to fight the crowd and just hung in out in the back. Her songs were interspersed by an author named Kurt Anderson, who I believe is also on a program on NPR. I stayed for a few songs and then went down a few floors to meet up with two friends who are also newcomers to NY. They both are about to start their masters in film at Columbia. We went out for pizza afterward and then I went over to my friend Jessica and Abby's to hang out and slept over there. I figure that will be happening often, since I live out in Brooklyn and don't want to be riding the subway alone, late at night. If it's ok with them, I should just leave a change of clothes and some toiletries at their place. Ha.

Today has been quite unproductive, but that's ok. It's super warm and humid out there. I made a visit to my campus. It surrounds Washington Square Park. There's a big fountain in the center, and people were playing it it today like it is a public pool. I walked closer to check it out, as it did look refreshing, but the smell that hit my nostrils was unpleasant, to say the least. I can't imagine putting my body in that. And I won't. Sitting in the shade is enough of a cool down for me. Below is my building and a close-up of the door I will be using frequently.

And last, but not least, are the animals who like me enough already, they hang out with me in my room. =)