Lunch on the beach

My observation today is in Queens in a beautiful area near the beach. I had some time today during lunch to walk down to the beach and take in the peacefulness and serenity. There weren't many people out at all. Figuring it might be the only time that I am at a beach in NY, I decided I had to get my feet wet. And take home a shell. I have had a happy feeling all day because even though I am now inside working, I still have a little bit of sand on my toes. Small graces :)

Jamie's coffee shop

we were graciously given a tour guide map of NYC by two of the women leading our study. It is a little black book so it is very inconspicuous when you have to pull it out to find where you are going rather than looking like a tourist with an enormous map.

One of the first things I noticed was that there was a coffee shop called Jamie's--correct spelling and all--so naturally, I was excited. I had the day off yesterday so I decided to visit it for breakfast. When I first saw the inside through the window, it looked like a diner, not too appealing, but I figured since it was given my name I had to at least try it. Then I looked up at the sign. And it was not called Jamie's, it was called Jimmy's. A typo in the map book. I didn't know if I was more disappointed that the shop did not share my name or more relieved that I didn't have to eat there.

Reasons to love NY

Okay, I have been totally surprised by my affection toward NY because in no way would I consider myself a city girl. I have pondered over my reasons for this new bent toward the big city and this is what I came up with. Reasons to love NY (in no particular order):

1. It is people watching heaven.
I love to people watch, and would even consider it a skill so that they don't know they are being watched--sunglasses is the trick-- and there is no better place then here. Previously I would have said the airport, but this tops the list. And the bonus is when you don't live in NY you get to go to the airport first.

2. The food (duh).
Everyone knows that NY is famous for it's food. And everyone who knows me knows that I am famous for loving, er, rather, adoring food. So the combination of NY and I is a very good one. And coming here on business gets you $71 a day to spend on food, which means you can try anything and everything without worrying about spending your own dinero.

3. The shopping.
While it is true that NY has any store you can imagine, the best part is that when you come here you are on vacation, so while you would never by that full priced dress from the same store at home, you can somehow justify it because you are in NY and that makes it a souveneir.

4. Walking everywhere.
It is fun to walk everywhere, and mostly because it takes care of number
1. Easy to do some serious people watching while you are walking and you even have time to contemplate why it is they are wearing those stilletos while traveling for 5 miles behind them (yes, somehow still behind them even though I have my running shoes on and they have high heels.
2. Walking=burning calories=eating more delicious food
3. You pass many fun stores while walking through the city


I know there are many more reasons, but these are a few I came up with for now.

Preposterous (spelling?)

Okay, naive and uninformed is what I am. Apparently. I have been in NY two days and am already missing my trees and rivers from Atlanta. So... while I had the day off yesterday I decided to walk to Madison Square Garden, hoping to see some flaura and fauna. Upon arrival, I was very disappointed (surprise, surprise) to realize that The Madison Square Garden is not a garden at all-- what a misnomer--preposterous!
(For those of you as unaware as me, it is an arena).

Then, I took an awesome picture from our apartment and sent it to my brother saying,
"Look at the beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower from my room."
To which he text me back saying, "That is not the Eiffel Tower. But it is beautiful. FYI, that is the Empire State Building."
Oops. For some reason I always get those mixed up. What a day.

New York Minute

So there are 5 researchers here in NY and we had our first NY experience when we arrived at the airport and the driver who was paid $15 extra just to have a sign with our name on it was nowhere to be found. When he was called, he said he must have picked up the wrong people. Who else would go to a driver whose sign said ISR researchers? Whatever, take what you can get, I guess.

Anyway, once we got it all settled and packed in the Escalade (what, what) much too close for our comfort we were on the road. I was sitting directly behind the driver's seat where he had a list of rules that he would adhere to. Within the first 5 minutes he had broken at least half of them including talking on a cell phone and texting--using 2 different phones-- while driving and honking incessently. We seriously almost got in an accident but thanks to the open lane on the left we were able to swerve because we definitely would not have been able to brake in time. But we did get there super quickly. In a NY minute!

The Big City

I am currently in Manhattan, New York City for a period of 3 1/2 weeks for my job. I get the awesome privilege of going into different Charter schools in NYC to observe classrooms and interview teachers and students. Not only that, but I am staying in this plush apartment where some celebreties from Apprentice and Top Model stay. Too bad I know nothing about those shows, only enough to brag about the place I am staying at. I am on the 28th floor, and while it is scary to look all the way down, looking out is amazing. Especially at night. I can see the Empire State Building from my apartment and the Manhattan skyline.

It is amazing how much can be crammed into one small area. I can't get over how many people are here and buildings and restaurants, etc. It has really just hit me (okay, going deep here) that all the people I walk by have a soul and a life and personality. And there are so many of us. It makes me think and wonder and be amazed at how God knows us all. And NY is just a subset of the rest of the world.

I am excited to work here and explore and rest and contemplate. Luckily my beloved husband will be able to visit for a weekend so we can do some things together. I will try to post pictures when I can, but will share my experiences more often.

Mexico

Bob and I just got back from the Mayan Riviera in Mexico where we decided to vacate to celebrate our 5th anniversary early. We had such an amazing time and are hopeful to take a big trip like that every 5 years. It is so nice to leave behind the cares of normal life and enter into a place of just being with each other, not talking about all the stupid details of what needs to be cleaned or paid, or taken care of. But just talking about who we are. I loved it, but after that it is really depressing to enter back into the normal life. Pictures to come later...

Food, Inc.

I just got finished watching the movie Food, Inc. which talks about where a lot of the foods we eat come from. It is one of those movies that you are unsure whether or not you want to watch, because once you are informed you have to make decisions. Ignorance is bliss, after all, I guess, although it can always turn around and bite you in the long run. I found the movie to be very enlightening and disturbing all at once. Sometimes I wish that we lived in the days where we had to kill and grow our own food because then we would realize the value of it. I can't say I would eat much meat if I had to slaughter it myself. While this does encourage me to eat more choice meats especially, it is often difficult to get around the price, which I think is what stops so many people. It is cheaper to drive through a fast food place and buy off the dollar menu than to create a healthy, well balanced meal at home.

We have a few local farmer's markets here that I really want to try attending. I think it is a great way to get fresh food, eat what is in season, and support small business owners and the area that you live in. I think that is a good start. The hard part sometimes is that they are only offered certain times during the week so you kind of have to plan your shopping around that. Anyway, there are sacrifices to be made but positive things to be gained as well. I suggest watching the movie if you are interested where your food comes from. A good thing to know, really.