Ev Star

Hello again,

Still in New York & still having a great time!

I have done lots of walking and sightseeing the last couple of days as well as a bit of shopping

On Monday I went to the Museum of Modern Art.  Lots of beautiful and interesting things to see.  Very neat was a costume made by Picasso –had never seen a costume like that before or for that matter any costume made by picasso!  It was fun!  I also, as usual, enjoyed seeing the european impressionist pieces –i think they will always be some of my favourite paintings, an appreciation passed on by my mother.  Oh, one special note:  If you are going to the MoMA anytime soon, don’t bring a backpack with a laptop in it…you are not allowed to have a backpack in the museum & you are not allowed to check any electronics -essentially, you will be left with the option of carrying your laptop in your hands…kind of lame although perhaps a good strength building exercise.  Anyway, after my museum visit I wandered over to the Rockefeller Center and looked at the surrounding area until it was time to meet up with Al.  We met up at a cafe called Think Coffee where we had some dinner and then each worked on our own stuff (for Al some online engineering courses, for me some lesson planning for the last 6 weeks of my practicum).

On Tuesday I met up with Gina (from UBC/Templeton).  My plan had been to go to the United Nations first thing, but due to St. Patrick’s day it as IMPOSSIBLE to get there.  8 million marching bands and baton twirlers effectively blocked access to several roads–the outfits they wore were over-the-top!  There were so many people that it was almost impossible not to be forcibly jostled down the sidewalk while being the recipient of ‘free hugs’ from already inebriated celebraters. Neither of us were really into it, so we headed out of the area and went down to little italy and chinatown.  It was fun walking around & checking the area out.  After a couple hours we decided to go back up and try to get to the United Nations.  Luckily the roads had cleared up of parade people and we got there no problem.  After going through airport like security, we bought tickets to join the next English tour (tours run in several languages).  I was super excited to go as I hope to one day work for the UN –had to check out my future site of employment!  The tour was interesting.  We learned about the building a bit as well as the various components of the UN.  Although the tour was pretty basic, I enjoyed it. After the tour I went to meet Al near his work.  We went for dinner at a place called ” Petite Abeille” & the food was pretty nice.  Al had this belgian beer beef stew that was quite tasty…i want to try making it sometime.  I know, beef & i enjoyed it…must be good!  After that we went to a store called Century 21 & Al bought a pair of shoes.

Today Gina and her sister in law took me out to some outlet malls in Jersey.  It was crazy!  So many huge stores it was overwhelming.  I got a few bits & pieces…lots of good deals to be had.  I was exhausted by the end of our day though –I really am not a marathon shopper by nature.  Gina’s brother drove me all the way home which was very nice of him.  He has a GPS system in his car, so that was kind of fun :)  Gina had also given me some philipino food & rice.  When I got back I made some green beans & salad and Al and I and some of his roommates ate - it was pretty good.

That’s about it for now.  It is actually now Thursday morning.  I just finished registering for my last 3 months at UBC…wooo!  and am now going to get some more lesson plans out of the way before going to meet up with a girl we met at the Indian NGO thing a few days ago for coffee.

On tonight’s agenda:  juggling club.  Ok, i probably won’t be juggling –although I do do a mean ‘cascade’  haha.  I can be Al’s guest in the rec centre though, so I’ll probably use the gym.

xoEv

So as the title suggests, I am indeed in New York.  The high school where I am doing my teaching practicum is now enjoying a week long holiday, and I am using the time to visit Al and check out the city.  So far, it has been grand!  Mad was here until this morning so we’ve had some serious sibling bonding time the last couple of days.

I arrived bright and early Saturday morning after taking a red-eye flight from Vancouver.  I am good at sleeping on airplanes, but any way you do it, a 5 hour flight does not provide enough time for a decent amount of rest.  Especially not if one is exhausted to begin with.  Anyway, i slept for the entire 5 hour duration and once at JFK airport made my way to Al’s via public transit –a kind bus driver helping me on my way ….it went something like this:

“ummm excuse me…..I’m trying to get to new lots avenue…?”

“to the train station?”

“umm yes, I think so”

“giiiiirrrrlll!  Y’all don’t even KNOW where ya goin?!!”

and then she proceded to tell me not to pay my bus fare, but to instead wait until I got to the train station (the word train doubles for metro, by the way) where I should walk upstairs, turn to the right, and buy a metro card —sometimes being half asleep and unsure of what you’re doing works out.  I paid $25 for a 7-day card, and I’m pretty sure I have already used the card enough times to have made it an economical purchase.

Anyway,  I made it to Al’s place–large rolling suitcase in tow.  Unfortunately upon my arrival I woke up his roommate…oops but we have since bonded over the watching of Iron Chef America, so I think we’re ok

Al and I made our way to meet Mad at a fair for various Indian NGOs where Shanti Bhavan was being represented by Ajit George, the son of Dr. George (for those who don’t know, Shanti Bhavan is the school Mad and I volunteered at in India last year and for which we put on a fundraising event a few months ago).  Although Al and I missed all the speeches - apparently some of them were hiddeously long so i’m not too upset about missing them- it was very interesting.  I especially enjoyed meeting Ajit.  We talked a lot about Shanti Bhavan and how the fundraising efforts are going.  They are still working on getting some larger corporate funds and grants.  Essentially we learned that they need $20, 000/month for the whole school to run as it should and that they are still really pressed meeting that every month.  We’ve been re-inspired to try to do a bit more for the school.   We hung out at the fair for a while & then went for a coffee with Ajit.

After that the three of us wandered through central park- it was lovely-nice weather, people wandering, the ice skating rink –we briefly debated skating but then all admitted we would only want to do 1 round because it hurts our feet & the novelty wears pretty fast —oh the joys of traveling with family–sometimes you all feel the same way about certain things!  Instead, we walked on and made our way to the carlyle hotel on madison ave.  We went in for a drink- the hotel is very famous as the walls of the bar are decorated with murals by Ludwig Bemelmans (the guy who illustrated the Madeline stories).  We had cocktails, served with an assortment of snacks–macadamia nuts anyone? and took in the artwork (a depiction of central park in various seasons & instead of humans, several animals –rabbits & kangaroos mostly) and the musician.  After that we carried on to a bar called Groove, where we ate a bit of dinner and had more drinks and listened to Raj & band –it was actually lots of fun!  It’s sort of funk music but with lots of covers -Mad saw them last time she was in NY.  We left after the first set and still only got back to Al’s place around 3am —very, very long day, but fun!

Yesterday, we all slept in and then went to Times Square to try to get tickets to the musical Avenue Q for the evening.  We got there about an hour before they went on sale–people line up so early!  Al offered to stay in line while Mad and I went to check things out a bit –what a good host

We went to Sephora (a make-up shop) which was kind of fun.  We looked at the various products & Mado bought a couple things.  We went back to Al and a few minutes later they opened the ticket sales.  We were able to get tickets at 50% off so that was cool.  The rest of the afternoon was spent taking the ferry to Staten Island (you’re able to see the city and also the statue of liberty which is kind of cool) and eating cupcakes at Magnolia bakery.  I ate a red velvet cupcake as that is something we don’t really get in Canada –at least not that I’ve ever seen, but I have seen it on the Food Network, so obviously I had to try it.  It was not particularly good.  In fact it was kind of dry…as were Mad’s and Al’s.  It inspired us to sell our own cupcakes as apparently the ones we ate were significantly better than the ones at “cupcakes” in Vancouver –sort of shocking really.

Anyway, the musical was sort of entertaining.  Mostly as it was done with puppets - we realised that somehow a cheesy puppet is easier to take than a cheesy human.  I’m glad I went to see it, but can’t say that I love musicals enough to go see more and I certainly would not go if it meant paying full price (we already spent $65/ticket!)  But now I can say i’ve seen a broadway musical –check that off the list.  Ok, it never was on my list, but I guess it’s one of those things to do.  After the musical we went to Trader Joe’s –Maddy needed to buy these crazy pretzels for her boss.  I was super excited to finally go to a Trader Joe’s —everyone always talks about how amazing they are and I must say it was sort of fun to go.  Then again, I have an affinity for all grocery stores, so I guess that is to be expected.

Al is at work, Mad has left for toronto and I’m drinking my morning coffee in the apartment.  Al is a coffee nut so I used his fancy coffee making stuff -lovely :)  I am debating what to do today…I am thinking the museum of modern art and then maybe a little walking in the city.  I am meeting Al at 8pm at his favourite coffee shop –I have to do some prep work for the rest of my practicum while I’m here and Al has to take an on-line course while on his work-term so we will get through some of that tonight .

Bis bald,

xo Ev