Lessons I've Learned

New city, new people, new work environments.  I daresay I've learned a lesson or 10.

1.  NYC runs on Dunkin.  Starbucks is out.  Dunkin is in.

2.  The G train is slow.  And I hate it.  And it doesn't tell me where I'm going.  And I think that's rude.

3.  It IS possible to learn NYC without a smartphone.  Use your smartbrain.

4.  Birthdays in offices are a great way to get your face off a screen and into some delicious baked goodie. 

5.  Times Square is ALWAYS crowded.

6.  Foot-Friendly > Fashion

7.  It is really hard to get acclimated to homeless people on trains.  Even with headphones in. 

8.  The best way to learn is to walk.

9.  There is a struggle on the trains of chivalry vs. courtesy.  I want to believe that courtesy is winning, but when I saw a pregnant woman stand for a ridiculously long ride in front of some young men, I thought otherwise. 

10.  I still have a lot to learn. 

If a picture is worth a thousand words then this is an EPIC.

So these are some pictures I've been snapping during my first week here.  ONE WEEK!!  Can you believe it?!  Whew.  

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Sorry if these are blurry, I'm taking a shortcut way and copy and pasting them.  Whoops. 

This is the view from Michael's roof.  Amazing.

The same in the daytime.


My cozy little Crow's Nest.


Some cool building.  I think it's called Empire State.  Never heard of it before.  (Joke)


World Trade Center Memorial building site.


The Phantom of the Opera... Died here apparently.  Or a Jabbawocky.


I'm into the Empire State Building.


View from Jersey!





This billboard would be in Jersey.


Living with a juggler is fun!

BA! BA! BUH-NA-NA-NA! BA! BA! BUH-NA-NA-NA!

It's the instrumental beginning of "New York, New York."  Can you tell?  Probably not.

For those just tuning in, you really haven't missed much except a funny picture of me in The Crow's Nest, my loft home until the end of October.  (See my one and only earlier post)

Since move in, it's been pretty busy-busy and I LOVE IT.  I had Monday off so I spent the day on an epic journey walking around Manhattan.  In fact, I do a lot of that, and I've got the blisters to prove it.  I was thinking a bit too fashion-forward instead of foot-friendly when it came to shoes.  Learning curve.  I started my job as a professional intern on Tuesday with Theatreworks, then had my first day and Tanenbaum yesterday, Theatre today, Tan tomorrow.  My brain feels like mush from having to learn 2 different offices, sets of people, protocols, computer set-ups, and aaalllllllll of that, but I'm hoping it will fall into place quickly.  The funny thing is that even though I am doing completely different things at each of them and they are in two really different areas, the offices are both full of hilarious, young people.  I really like that.  A lot.

Monday night I went on an adventure to Hoboken to see the amazing Casey, and the following night I hung out with Andrea.  Not going to lie.. It's really a blessing to have 2 girls I am so close with here.  I'm not sure what I would do if I didn't have that little piece of home and Pitt.  Walking around Times Square with Andrea like it was nothing felt surreal, and hearing Casey talk about the work she's been doing made me really respect the chutzpah these girls have, and made me feel extra lucky that I can be here with them.  It felt very "Sex and the City," but I guess mostly just "City."

Living with a juggler is still very cool and entertaining.  Just last night I watched him put together a routine for a show today like it was nothing and I stood there in shock.  No lie, we would make a very interesting web reality show, but unfortunately we are rarely home at the same time to do that.  Booooo.  

I was able to give 2.5 out of 3 people directions around the city.  Very proud.  Not only that, but I'm getting turned around less and less on the subways, and I'm completely able to get around without the assistance of iPhone.  Thanks for the cartographic skills, Mom and Dad.  They're coming in handy.  

If I Can Make It Here...

... I can make it anywhere, right?  We'll see!

After a hasty interview process and a quick week at home SURPRISE I'm in NYC until February interning at two different companies.  Time for the mandatory, sugar-coated explanation of what I'll be doing, starting Tuesday!

1.  Theatreworks USA is the nation's largest touring children's theatre production company.  Disclaimer: Children's theatre does NOT mean kids performing for other kids, their too proud parents, and deaf grandparents.  These are professional actors that go on the road in high quality musicals and plays.  Most of their shows are based off of known books, while the others are education based and written around what school curriculum is asking.  End of Disclaimer.  I will be serving as the Special Events and Fundraising Intern within the Development Department at their office in NYC.  Which  means that I will be planning this kick ass gala they have in January.  You're all invited.  

2.  Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding is a non-secular organization that focuses on bringing religious equality to the workplace, healthcare systems, and education systems.  Within that organization I will be researching and writing on Peacemakers In Action, which is a group comprised of individuals all over the world who work with their government leaders to examine roots of conflicts which may seemingly be religiously based, but are, in fact, more deeply rooted in a different point of contention.  

... So that's what I'll be doing.  At this point you may be wondering to yourself, "But where is this precious child going to be living during her stay?"  To that I say.. I'm working on it.

From now until the end of October, at least, I am living with a friend and professional JUGGLER Michael, who has a loft in his Brooklyn apt, which I have aptly named The Crow's Nest.  It fits a full sized air mattress, some folded clothes, and a hamper.  And I have to climb a ladder a million times a day.  Good thing I don't sleepwalk.  

Ahh.. My first Sunday in the City.  I spent it making The Crow's Nest a bit cozier, then wandering around Manhattan before and after seeing Michael perform.  I got asked TWICE how to get somewhere.  Do I really look like I know?  Maybe all anyone has to do is put in a pair of Apple headphones, walk fast, and have a mildly pissed expression to look like they're from here.  Worked for me.  

Then I got lost.