I went into work on Tuesday just like any other day.
It turns out that the evening previous, my supervisor, the Student Services Manager, had been fired. Of course I don't know the whole story, I don't know anything really that went on behind the scenes, but it was definitely a shock. I never would have expected it. The rest of us were really on edge and nervous, wondering if the rest of our jobs were in jeopardy. It makes me wonder, because I moved out here for this, what the hell would I DO if I lost this job?
I guess there's really no such thing as job security.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Financial District
What a sad day to not have my camera with me! It was a magnificent day in terms of weather and colors, and just about everything else.
My eyebrows needed to be re-threaded and it was something I wanted to do over the weekend but never got around to, so I chose today to do it, since I get off work at 4p on Mondays. I just looked up some places on Yelp! (Somewhere in San Diego, Sri is oh-so-proud right now) and found one in the Financial District. Well, there were some everywhere, but I always try to venture into new neighborhoods, so I chose that particular one.
My coworkers are always shocked when they hear that I venture to SoHo for yoga, considering I live in Morningside Heights, aka the Upper- Upper West Side because relatively speaking it's far... it's like the far diagonal corners of a rectangle... but what else do I have to do? Soon I'll be spoiled enough that I won't want to ride the subway for 20-30 minutes, but it's nice to see new neighborhoods and be in new places, and I'm just getting to know the ropes and all.
The financial district is beautiful! I exited at Park Place, so maybe that's why? The gorgeous center park, all greenery and a lively fountain, exquisite architecture, relatively clean, nice, the works! Some of the little streets reminded me of Europe, only the colors were brighter here, and much more modern buildings interlaced with historic ones. I went by Ground Zero (which is under construction for the memorial, but moving to be there), and went into TriBeCa and even found a 7/11 and got an iced coffee for old times sake.
Back at my room I loaded up laundry and went downstairs to wash it right nice, but turns out the cards they operate off of can only be loaded with cash, and I spent the last of mine getting my eyebrows threaded and having an iced coffee! Back to the drawing board...
Speaking of cash, my bank is Wells Fargo which I have since learned is a Western bank... there are zip WF's out here. They have a partnership with Wachovia but even those are scarce. I should switch banks, but I've been with Wells for 6 years now and I'm finally building up my loyalty points that I'm assuming I get. I don't want to start all over....!
Me and Peng just haaaaaangin' out. Yes this stuffed penguin was carry-on on my flights to NYC, and yes I am a wee bit o'shamed. Notice my newly-threaded eyebrows though...
My eyebrows needed to be re-threaded and it was something I wanted to do over the weekend but never got around to, so I chose today to do it, since I get off work at 4p on Mondays. I just looked up some places on Yelp! (Somewhere in San Diego, Sri is oh-so-proud right now) and found one in the Financial District. Well, there were some everywhere, but I always try to venture into new neighborhoods, so I chose that particular one.
My coworkers are always shocked when they hear that I venture to SoHo for yoga, considering I live in Morningside Heights, aka the Upper- Upper West Side because relatively speaking it's far... it's like the far diagonal corners of a rectangle... but what else do I have to do? Soon I'll be spoiled enough that I won't want to ride the subway for 20-30 minutes, but it's nice to see new neighborhoods and be in new places, and I'm just getting to know the ropes and all.
The financial district is beautiful! I exited at Park Place, so maybe that's why? The gorgeous center park, all greenery and a lively fountain, exquisite architecture, relatively clean, nice, the works! Some of the little streets reminded me of Europe, only the colors were brighter here, and much more modern buildings interlaced with historic ones. I went by Ground Zero (which is under construction for the memorial, but moving to be there), and went into TriBeCa and even found a 7/11 and got an iced coffee for old times sake.
Back at my room I loaded up laundry and went downstairs to wash it right nice, but turns out the cards they operate off of can only be loaded with cash, and I spent the last of mine getting my eyebrows threaded and having an iced coffee! Back to the drawing board...
Speaking of cash, my bank is Wells Fargo which I have since learned is a Western bank... there are zip WF's out here. They have a partnership with Wachovia but even those are scarce. I should switch banks, but I've been with Wells for 6 years now and I'm finally building up my loyalty points that I'm assuming I get. I don't want to start all over....!
Me and Peng just haaaaaangin' out. Yes this stuffed penguin was carry-on on my flights to NYC, and yes I am a wee bit o'shamed. Notice my newly-threaded eyebrows though...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
My Sunday
I woke up to howling wind. So much for my non-breezy-weather theory! As is tradition, I got up and put on a pot of coffee, turned on some music, and got ready for church.
The #1 train was really delayed this morning, so it was really packed when it came, and I ended up being a little late. Afterwards, I went to a CVS (yes! they really have them out here!) and bought laundry detergent and fabric softener. (I really only brought clothes and books, I am working from the ground up here) and thought I would do laundry today. (You'll see shortly that that never happens!) but it was such a nice day outside that I decided to stay outdoors a little longer. The difference between the wind here and wind by the ocean is that here, it's not a chilling wind. It blows around the air that's already here, doesn't make you freeze!
I walked along side Central Park West, and even got water and a pretzel from the street vendor, and soon found myself at Strawberry Fields on CPW and 72nd.
I went in to the Imagine mosaic and thought it would be a nice place to hang out and relax, but turns out it wasn't. A constant ebb and flow tide of tourists in and out taking pictures of themselves, about 4 or 5 musicians all playing guitar and vying for attention with the loudest song created a most unpleasant cacophony for me. Also, there was some guy who apparently arranged the roses on the Imagine mosaic and kept making speeches about it and trying to get money. WHY?! It really annoyed me. I mean, who does he think he is, piggybacking off of someone else's work like that? HE didn't make the mosaic. He puts a rose on it and deserves money? It would be like me going to the Statue of Liberty and stringing up some Christmas lights and saying "Isn't this a work of art?? Show your agreement by giving me money to be able to continue making this a symbol of America". Yeah right!
After that I trekked on back to my room and took a nap. Sometimes I would get frustrated at myself when, on weekends and evenings I would be in my room, not out and about. And I'm thinking "I'm in NEW YORK CITY, there's plenty to do and see, what am I doing in here??" But... there's plenty of time. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was New York. I've got time to see everything, and it will be nice to explore with friends... once I have some!
After my nap I got up and went to go to the grocery store. I found myself drawn by the golden light of the dusk that was really bright to the west through the trees, and came across a beautiful park that was just across the street, but walled in so I never saw it originally. I found myself at this building
And on the top it said "Let Us Have Peace". I was moved, I thought that was beautiful.
I then followed the trail down south for a beautiful walk along the Hudson river. Isn't this lovely? Maybe it's partly due to the small living quarters all New Yorkers suffer, but there are so many outdoor spaces so nearby, it makes living in the city so easy. In California, I would have to drive somewhere to find an outdoor space like this!
I made it to the grocery store, after a quick comfort coffee from Starbucks and some time spent reading. Another weekend passed tranquilly.
The #1 train was really delayed this morning, so it was really packed when it came, and I ended up being a little late. Afterwards, I went to a CVS (yes! they really have them out here!) and bought laundry detergent and fabric softener. (I really only brought clothes and books, I am working from the ground up here) and thought I would do laundry today. (You'll see shortly that that never happens!) but it was such a nice day outside that I decided to stay outdoors a little longer. The difference between the wind here and wind by the ocean is that here, it's not a chilling wind. It blows around the air that's already here, doesn't make you freeze!
I walked along side Central Park West, and even got water and a pretzel from the street vendor, and soon found myself at Strawberry Fields on CPW and 72nd.
I went in to the Imagine mosaic and thought it would be a nice place to hang out and relax, but turns out it wasn't. A constant ebb and flow tide of tourists in and out taking pictures of themselves, about 4 or 5 musicians all playing guitar and vying for attention with the loudest song created a most unpleasant cacophony for me. Also, there was some guy who apparently arranged the roses on the Imagine mosaic and kept making speeches about it and trying to get money. WHY?! It really annoyed me. I mean, who does he think he is, piggybacking off of someone else's work like that? HE didn't make the mosaic. He puts a rose on it and deserves money? It would be like me going to the Statue of Liberty and stringing up some Christmas lights and saying "Isn't this a work of art?? Show your agreement by giving me money to be able to continue making this a symbol of America". Yeah right!
After that I trekked on back to my room and took a nap. Sometimes I would get frustrated at myself when, on weekends and evenings I would be in my room, not out and about. And I'm thinking "I'm in NEW YORK CITY, there's plenty to do and see, what am I doing in here??" But... there's plenty of time. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was New York. I've got time to see everything, and it will be nice to explore with friends... once I have some!
After my nap I got up and went to go to the grocery store. I found myself drawn by the golden light of the dusk that was really bright to the west through the trees, and came across a beautiful park that was just across the street, but walled in so I never saw it originally. I found myself at this building
And on the top it said "Let Us Have Peace". I was moved, I thought that was beautiful.
I then followed the trail down south for a beautiful walk along the Hudson river. Isn't this lovely? Maybe it's partly due to the small living quarters all New Yorkers suffer, but there are so many outdoor spaces so nearby, it makes living in the city so easy. In California, I would have to drive somewhere to find an outdoor space like this!
I made it to the grocery store, after a quick comfort coffee from Starbucks and some time spent reading. Another weekend passed tranquilly.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Let's Talk About The Weather
I've spent the last 6 years living by the beach, in Santa Barbara and San Diego. And while the weather generally would be mild and breezy, and I would prefer that to the triple digit stifling summer heat of Riverside, I am finding that I actually prefer the latter.
Now I'm not saying it was always enjoyable to be uncomfortably hot, but I really loved those days in high school when I played tennis every afternoon in the hot hot heat and go home to eat popsicles and take cold showers and then stay around the house in my bathing suit without toweling off. I've always said that I would rather burn to death than freeze to death.
What I didn't like about living by the beach, was how cold it would always get in the evenings and nights. No matter the temperature, there's always an ocean breeze which cools everything off, and that's always annoyed me.
It's definitely been heating up in New York City, and it is a heavier heat than the dry desert winds in Riverside. Usually by the time I head out for work around 8a the coolness of morning is already burning off, and when I go out for lunch it's significantly warm, even hot, and somewhat musty with everything being trapped inbetween the buildings and the subway exhausts blowing upwards. Still, it's been a nice change! Plus with occasional rain and all, I have been loving a difference in the weather. Having the exact same weather day in and day out in California really jaded me.
Last Thursday, I joined a student activity to see the New York City Ballet perform at Lincoln Center. (And shameless plug for Riverside: the prima donna ballerina was actually from Riverside, California! She made me so proud) It was really fun, and beautiful, and when we got out at about 10 o'clock, I was amazed at how beautifully warm it was! I hadn't had a still warm night like that since I lived in Riverside since there was no ocean breeze to screw it up! It felt warm and perfect and I didn't need a jacket and it was a beautiful night in NYC, one that I didn't think existed outside of California. I'm happy I've found it here!
Now I'm not saying it was always enjoyable to be uncomfortably hot, but I really loved those days in high school when I played tennis every afternoon in the hot hot heat and go home to eat popsicles and take cold showers and then stay around the house in my bathing suit without toweling off. I've always said that I would rather burn to death than freeze to death.
What I didn't like about living by the beach, was how cold it would always get in the evenings and nights. No matter the temperature, there's always an ocean breeze which cools everything off, and that's always annoyed me.
It's definitely been heating up in New York City, and it is a heavier heat than the dry desert winds in Riverside. Usually by the time I head out for work around 8a the coolness of morning is already burning off, and when I go out for lunch it's significantly warm, even hot, and somewhat musty with everything being trapped inbetween the buildings and the subway exhausts blowing upwards. Still, it's been a nice change! Plus with occasional rain and all, I have been loving a difference in the weather. Having the exact same weather day in and day out in California really jaded me.
Last Thursday, I joined a student activity to see the New York City Ballet perform at Lincoln Center. (And shameless plug for Riverside: the prima donna ballerina was actually from Riverside, California! She made me so proud) It was really fun, and beautiful, and when we got out at about 10 o'clock, I was amazed at how beautifully warm it was! I hadn't had a still warm night like that since I lived in Riverside since there was no ocean breeze to screw it up! It felt warm and perfect and I didn't need a jacket and it was a beautiful night in NYC, one that I didn't think existed outside of California. I'm happy I've found it here!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Newsweek and Sign Language
Anyone who knows me knows that I love to read, and can't stand to go anywhere without a book in tow. Riding the subway for 20 minutes on the way to work every morning seems like the perfect opportunity to get some book time in, but it's frustrating to work on settling into a book, plus there can be lots of distractions that prevent me from putting the energy into the literature (the train performers, noisy kids, crazy homeless people, the arguing couple, etc) so I usually would just listen to music.
Well this week my change of address for my Newsweek subscription finally kicked in and I had it in my purse and it has been the best reading material ever since! I've had a subscription for awhile, ever since my friend Daniel became a writer for it, and since this year they would mainly just pile up since I never seemed to have time to ever read them or do anything with them. But now all the little articles and anecdotes on contemporary global events are just perfect to take on the train. I don't know why it excited me so much. Maybe because even though Daniel covers the White House now, he had the cover story of my first Newsweek now. I'm so proud of my friends!
This is Daniel on the left, myself, and Stephan in Bamberg, Germany
On a side note, after my lunch today I was outside the building just standing in the sun and watching the passers-by when I noticed two Amish men with lots of luggage (lots of Amish come around here) pull out a map. I don't know what compelled me to approach them because I've seen similar scenes before, but I did. I asked if they needed help, and they looked at me and then answered and I couldn't understand them. I looked puzzled and they tried again, sounded like they said "F". I don't know why but I instinctively made the fingerspelling sign for "F" in American Sign Language when I asked "F?" and their eyes lit up and they got really excited and that's when I realized that they were deaf and that's why I couldn't understand them so well. I couldn't believe it! They asked if I knew sign language and I said a little and I was able to give them directions to get to the F train from where we were... in sign language! I used to take ASL classes both in high school, and again in college, but never pursued it as much as I would have liked. I still had that habit to sometimes clarify confusion with my hands, or answer with signs if someone asked me a question while I had my mouth full or was on the phone. I rekindled my passion for ASL today.
It's just so true that there are no two days the same when you live in New York City, there's always someone new to meet or something new to happen.
Well this week my change of address for my Newsweek subscription finally kicked in and I had it in my purse and it has been the best reading material ever since! I've had a subscription for awhile, ever since my friend Daniel became a writer for it, and since this year they would mainly just pile up since I never seemed to have time to ever read them or do anything with them. But now all the little articles and anecdotes on contemporary global events are just perfect to take on the train. I don't know why it excited me so much. Maybe because even though Daniel covers the White House now, he had the cover story of my first Newsweek now. I'm so proud of my friends!
This is Daniel on the left, myself, and Stephan in Bamberg, Germany
On a side note, after my lunch today I was outside the building just standing in the sun and watching the passers-by when I noticed two Amish men with lots of luggage (lots of Amish come around here) pull out a map. I don't know what compelled me to approach them because I've seen similar scenes before, but I did. I asked if they needed help, and they looked at me and then answered and I couldn't understand them. I looked puzzled and they tried again, sounded like they said "F". I don't know why but I instinctively made the fingerspelling sign for "F" in American Sign Language when I asked "F?" and their eyes lit up and they got really excited and that's when I realized that they were deaf and that's why I couldn't understand them so well. I couldn't believe it! They asked if I knew sign language and I said a little and I was able to give them directions to get to the F train from where we were... in sign language! I used to take ASL classes both in high school, and again in college, but never pursued it as much as I would have liked. I still had that habit to sometimes clarify confusion with my hands, or answer with signs if someone asked me a question while I had my mouth full or was on the phone. I rekindled my passion for ASL today.
It's just so true that there are no two days the same when you live in New York City, there's always someone new to meet or something new to happen.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The San Diego Center
This week I have really been homesick for the San Diego center where I used to work. Because I was a one-woman show in the Student Services department, I really got to know all the students. I joked with them in orientation (and probably scared them too), learned their names, got to say good morning to them as they ran off the elevators late to class, and was invited to birthday celebrations and goodbye parties. Recently some students who have now since left San Diego for their native countries, have posted videos and pictures of our good times, and even wrote messages to say that they miss me at the San Diego center. It's made me a little nostalgic.
Here are my sweet Rayidah and Allolo from Saudi Arabia. I had been in the process of helping Rayidah get necessary paperwork and visas for her brother to come study with us, so we would talk almost every day! I helped her write a formal letter in English, and she was always so sweet and thankful. Allolo is one of a kind! Bubbly and spirited, she just glowed every morning because she loved San Diego and was so happy to be here. She used to give me one complement every morning, it became a tradition!
My dear Seong Eun and Mami, from South Korea and Japan, respectively. I helped both of these girls with their accommodations, and they were very grateful. Quiet, respectful, and sweet girls, they were wonderful to have around San Diego, I mean really, I actually was excited and smiled everytime I saw them walk in off the elevators
My Swiss surfers! Sandra, Sonam and Marco were part of the group that came to a surfing trip that I organized with the school. Great bunch, so energetic and fun! They even let me hang out with them at the beach after surfing and taught me a Swiss card game that I've already forgotten! Ciao Sep?
Ahmed from Saudi Arabia. He liked to push the limits, but was a good jokester and always friendly. I was invited to his birthday celebration where he served Arabian coffee, tea, sweet dates and other traditional eats from his native country. I used him once or twice as a translator for some lower-level Arabic-English speakers. One student had to buy insurance and was confused and thought she wouldn't be able to pay it. Ahmed had to go back to class but pulled me aside to whisper that if she couldn't afford it, to let him know and he would pay it for her. I was so touched! Loyalty for fellow countrymen at its best
Quite possibly one of my favorite teachers in San Diego: Katie! I got to come to her apartment to celebrate Thanksgiving with her and her class, what fun! She's also a native from Rhode Island so I expect to see her on the East Coast sometime soon and we can finally make those shirts and get that drink!!
And the dear working staff that I left (minus Antonella!) Student worker Guinemer from Brazil (so happy you made it back! Infectious positive attitude, willingness to help in all situations, calm, and uplifting), Rose, the beautiful, capable new Student Services ironically from New York!, myself, our great morning student worker Andre from Italy (who has since went back already!) and good ol Joe, my director in from the New York office to help with the transition. Don't we make a lovely bunch and a great team??
Miss you all!
Here are my sweet Rayidah and Allolo from Saudi Arabia. I had been in the process of helping Rayidah get necessary paperwork and visas for her brother to come study with us, so we would talk almost every day! I helped her write a formal letter in English, and she was always so sweet and thankful. Allolo is one of a kind! Bubbly and spirited, she just glowed every morning because she loved San Diego and was so happy to be here. She used to give me one complement every morning, it became a tradition!
My dear Seong Eun and Mami, from South Korea and Japan, respectively. I helped both of these girls with their accommodations, and they were very grateful. Quiet, respectful, and sweet girls, they were wonderful to have around San Diego, I mean really, I actually was excited and smiled everytime I saw them walk in off the elevators
My Swiss surfers! Sandra, Sonam and Marco were part of the group that came to a surfing trip that I organized with the school. Great bunch, so energetic and fun! They even let me hang out with them at the beach after surfing and taught me a Swiss card game that I've already forgotten! Ciao Sep?
Ahmed from Saudi Arabia. He liked to push the limits, but was a good jokester and always friendly. I was invited to his birthday celebration where he served Arabian coffee, tea, sweet dates and other traditional eats from his native country. I used him once or twice as a translator for some lower-level Arabic-English speakers. One student had to buy insurance and was confused and thought she wouldn't be able to pay it. Ahmed had to go back to class but pulled me aside to whisper that if she couldn't afford it, to let him know and he would pay it for her. I was so touched! Loyalty for fellow countrymen at its best
Quite possibly one of my favorite teachers in San Diego: Katie! I got to come to her apartment to celebrate Thanksgiving with her and her class, what fun! She's also a native from Rhode Island so I expect to see her on the East Coast sometime soon and we can finally make those shirts and get that drink!!
And the dear working staff that I left (minus Antonella!) Student worker Guinemer from Brazil (so happy you made it back! Infectious positive attitude, willingness to help in all situations, calm, and uplifting), Rose, the beautiful, capable new Student Services ironically from New York!, myself, our great morning student worker Andre from Italy (who has since went back already!) and good ol Joe, my director in from the New York office to help with the transition. Don't we make a lovely bunch and a great team??
Miss you all!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Wait... I Live Here
Today around lunchtime I wasn't really very hungry, but I wanted to get out of the office, so I took a little walk and found myself sitting in front of Madison Square Garden enjoying the sun.
A man taps me on the shoulder and as I turn around he asks "Excuse me... do you live here?"
In my head I heard my automatic response "No, I live in California" but suddenly it didn't sit right and I must have had my mouth open like a fish. I finally responded, "Why yes, yes I do,"
And you know what? He wanted to know how to get to Rockefeller Square. Can you believe that was something I actually knew?? It was really bizarre and one of the first times I felt like, hmmm this is where I live now!
A man taps me on the shoulder and as I turn around he asks "Excuse me... do you live here?"
In my head I heard my automatic response "No, I live in California" but suddenly it didn't sit right and I must have had my mouth open like a fish. I finally responded, "Why yes, yes I do,"
And you know what? He wanted to know how to get to Rockefeller Square. Can you believe that was something I actually knew?? It was really bizarre and one of the first times I felt like, hmmm this is where I live now!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
