SLC Visits NYC

Naomi and Dianne were here last week, and I had a blast hanging out with them. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:
I became a little obsessed with a new iPhone app I had downloaded while they were here that gives photos an interesting effect, hence, the unusual colors and such. It was a great time. I love when friends come to town.

Crazies in Crazytown

Sometimes I forget that I live in a city of 8 million people....and then I find myself waiting for the train home, near a couple of random "crazies".

Now, I know that is not a very politically correct term, and you'd think I'd be more sensitive to labels since I am in a field that wants to break down labels. But I'm sorry, these two particular people I saw tonight were just crazy. First, I'm minding my own business, playing Solitaire on my phone (it's the one game I'm good at cause I play against myself). All of a sudden I start hearing a slew of curse words coming out of someone's mouth, someone very near by. I actually passed this man when I first got to the platform and heard him talking, and thought maybe he had phone reception and was talking on his Bluetooth or something. I obviously didn't hear him then. He just kept repeating the same three cuss words, and it sounded as if he was threatening someone. Naturally, I tried to look at my surroundings to make sure I was far enough away from him. I pulled out my headphones and turned on some music to drowned him out. I also moved just a little bit further away.

Then, there was another guy, similar distance to me. He had a briefcase and was reading a newspaper. Nothing unusual. But then I started to see pages of the newspaper slowly fall onto the subway tracks, like, intentionally. I slyly glance over, using my peripheral vision, and sure enough, he's doing it on purpose. It was as if the train tracks had ticked him off and he was getting back at them. But wait! This angst against the train tracks spread to the actual train, as it arrived. He got closer to the platform edge as it approached and stuck his head out, like he was playing a game of "chicken" with the train. I couldn't believe my eyes! And then, before the doors opened, he started pounding on the windows with his fist! It was crazy. I wonder what the people inside must've thought. Probably something like, "Who is this crazy guy pounding on the window of the train? Am I safe?!" That's what I would've thought. It was so strange.

At that point, I had moved away from both of the crazy men and stepped inside the next subway car over. To be honest, I looked around once or twice, to make sure they didn't somehow change cars mid-run (people do that all the time, walk in between cars while the train is moving). But alas, they had not moved trains. I don't know where they got off, but I looked around when I did. Not that I was in imminent danger, but seriously, these days, you can't be too careful, right?

p.s. Mom, I know you're reading this. Don't worry, I'm safe. :)

SNOW DAY!

Growing up in Las Vegas meant I never got to experience a "snow day"--where school gets canceled due to weather. But here in New York City, it's happened to me twice within a couple of weeks!
Well, I now know the joy children feel when they hear school is canceled due to the weather. This picture doesn't do it justice. I plan to visit Central Park some time tomorrow. Pictures to follow.

Commuting My Life Away

Like everyone else, I'm sure, I am shocked it's already February. Where does the time go?! I'll tell you where it goes...the New York City Transit. If I added up the time I spend commuting in this illustrious city (but I won't) I would probably find that half my waking hours are spent walking to and from and riding to and from various locations. From where I live now, it takes about one hour to get to my internship one way, and I do that commute three days a week. Two days a week I commute to school, about 35 minutes or so each way. And don't forget even the Sabbath. I take either the train or the bus at about 15-20 minutes one way. Now, that's not bad, and I realize that people commute in their cars back in Vegas easily for 30 minutes to an hour. Honestly, as much as this sounds like I'm complaining, it is nice to just sit and not have to worry about bad traffic or, even worse, bad drivers!

Blast from the Past

Disneyland has it right..."It's a small world after all."

Thanks to facebook, I recently reconnected with one of my brother's friends from high school. He actually was a friend to the whole family, rather than just my brother. That's why I remember him most, well, that and he drove a convertible. That fact was clear in my mind...the convertible part. I must've thought he was the coolest! Ha.

Anyway, I saw he was friends with one of my sisters on facebook and clicked on his name. Lo and behold, I saw that he is not only living in New York City, but he is also a social worker! Has been for years! I emailed him right away to let him know I am here in the city, earning my MSW. Needless to say, he couldn't believe it! We spoke on the phone just before Christmas and last Saturday met up to say hello.

I'm not sure when exactly we last saw each other, but this might have been what I looked like last time me and Peter saw each other...
And this is what he might have looked like then...
And look at us now! Boy, how time flies!It was really incredible to see a familiar face, being that I hadn't seen that face in a very long time...since I was a kid, really. But it brought my Vegas home to the forefront of my mind. I don't know what it is, but I really feel homesick these days. I don't know if I will fall in love with New York City or not, but I am trying to be grateful for and cherish this amazing opportunity and experience.

Disneyland wasn't the only one who got something right...home IS where the heart is, whoever said that.

The iPhone Changed My Life

Yes, it's true. I succumbed to the world of iPhone users. My mom got one, so I HAD to get one. Just kidding. It's way more than because of that. Plus, it just made sense; I had and iPod AND a phone, so I combined them into one piece and it's compatible with my computer. But most importantly, I no longer have to go to the computer every time I need directions somewhere. No one can understand what this means to me. I have always been pretty bad at directions, even remembering them, once looked up. Having Google Maps at my fingertips at all times is like being a native New Yorker. I never get lost anymore!! It's FANTASTIC! And everything else is also instantly accessible. Need to know where to find a cheap, but decent place to eat? I can tell you with a few clicks of a button! Or rather, I can tell myself. Seriously, I could not have received a more useful, instantly life-changing gift for Christmas (well, except for Jesus being born).

p.s. This post was done on the genius machine mentioned above.

They Call Me a Straight 'A' Student :)

Boy, the pressure is on! Yes, the results are in...I GOT STRAIGHT As!!!! Ok, so one of them was an A-. Nobody's perfect. Ok, I'm being annoying. It's just that the last time I got straight As I was probably in 6th grade. B-average, baby. That was me all the way through high school and college. And now I've gone and shared too much.

I can't express enough, though, how happy this good news made me. And more importantly, it reassures that what I am doing here is right and good. But like I said, the pressure is on for next semester and the year after that. I really can't believe that in just a few months I will be done with my first year of grad school. Really, it's more like five months, but still...if they are anything like August through December, I have nothing to worry about.

Well, the time has arrived to post photos of my new dwellings!!! I'm all settled in and it feels good. I even got a desk and a chair, so I'm prepared for school when it starts in a week.

This is the view from my bedroom doorway.This is the view from the front door.The kitchen, as you can tell.And my and Jessica's room. That's my bed and the stuff underneath. The ladder to the right goes up to Jessica's bed.I heard someone say it's like we live in a playhouse. Lofts and fun ladders to climb. Its cozy and adorable and I love it.

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. =)

Here I Am

So, I have arrived and it feels good. This move to New York had been a long time coming, so to finally be here now just makes sense. I almost made this move a year ago, but it didn't happen. I guess it was meant to happen, but with greater purpose behind the move. Grad school at NYU is that purpose, and I am very excited to get going in the Social Work program. I still have three weeks until school begins, which is nice, because I can focus on getting settled and accustomed to my new surroundings, first.

I live in Brooklyn with an old friend I've known since high school. She's the kind of friend who, even if you don't communicate for years, acts like no time has passed. We just kind of pick up where we left off and are just as comfortable being friends as we were before. It's awesome. And her boyfriend is awesome, too. Such a nice guy, gentleman-like and kind. He carried both my duffel bags from the airport home.

When we approached our building last night, there were people out on the sidewalk, playing music and dancing. The fire hydrant was spraying water into the street, and people were playing in it. It was an awesome first sight to behold. This place is alive with culture and diversity and I know I'm going to love it. I've got my own room in the back of the apartment, tucked away. I love it. It's nice and quiet. And I didn't have to worry about furniture at all. It came with a queen-size bed, nightstand, lamp, desk and comfy lounge chair with a footrest. I couldn't have asked for anything better. I've got two windows that look out to behind the building. There's a patio/backyard area that is for the residents and trees keep it shaded. We're on the second level, so when I look out my window, it looks like I'm in a treehouse!