Subway
I don’t think I have written much on the New York transportation systems yet…
So I will start by writing about the Subway!
First, it is different than the Metro because they designed it to be able to cram as many people on as possible. This being said, there are less seats, so you’re usually standing shoulder to shoulder (during rush hour, at least) with really, more people than should be able to fit in a “car” (the train car, not the car people drive! Just clarifying…).
Second, it usually smells like pee or alcohol. Today it was the latter. Even at 10 in the morning there are a few people who smell like they’ve been drinking. It’s pretty sad.
Third, the Subway is amazing because there are so many trains that come every few minutes and Manhattan itself is not too big, so I went from the UES (Upper East Side) to Greenwich Village fairly quickly.
The Subway always has some sort of entertainment as well. People are always trying to make a buck, so there are singers, hip hop dancers (my personal favorites), and people just flat-out making speeches for money.
I don’t get to see much of that during the week, as I am typically just taking trains uptown, however during the weekend I get my fill of entertainment!
Anyway, that’s a quick rundown of the Subway system here…
Taxis are a whole other beast.
Love,
Krista
Hunter
Well, it’s kind of ridiculous outside right now, but I’m finally in for the night!
I got off of work early today, which was nice because I didn’t have to worry about getting stranded (the Subway is closed now…) but a bummer because I do have a lot of fun there and ended up just coming back to Barnes and Noble (big surprise) to do some homework.
I also realized I looked insane this morning.
So you know how in NOVA if you are using an umbrella while it’s snowing you would get made fun of? Well it’s not like that in New York, and now I know why. The snow this morning was wet snow. I almost want to call it rain. Anyway, I ended up having no hat or umbrella so my hair was soaked by the time I got to the Hearst Building. Ick!
Plus, did I mention I was wearing my Nike shoes?
Yep. Didn’t have my rainboots here and I wasn’t about to ruin any of my other shoes!
Hence, the title of this post. I got my first pair of Hunter rainboots today. I am not going to tell you how much they were, as I still feel horrible about the price, but they have already proved their worth. Did I mention they don’t seem to sell any other brand of boots here? Literally every New Yorker owns a pair it seems, so I guess it’s not necessary to keep the reasonably-priced Target-esque boots in stock.
No matter, I do love them! They’re super cute and will last a long time I’m sure.
Now I feel prepared to battle out this blizzard. Just keeping my fingers crossed that Starbucks will open in the morning! They’re closing at 9 tonight (which is unusual because they’re almost always open. Then again, who wants coffee at midnight anyway?).
Off to watch the new Parks & Rec! Hope everyone is cozy and warm in NOVA… Miss y’all!
Love,
Krista
“Bootsie”
Have I mentioned the girl with the boots yet?
Well I’m going to rant about her for a minute.
There’s this super-derpy girl who lives on my floor and is always wearing her high-heeled boots. ALWAYS. Even at 4 in the morning when she is going back and forth back and forth to the bathroom (I’m sorry she is sick or whatever is going on with that, but why not wear slippers when you’re home?!).
And this isn’t just a one night thing. It happens every single night. And during the day, but I’ll let that slide. I just don’t understand how people don’t realize they’re disturbing others! Other girls on the floor are annoyed about “Bootsie” too.
Maybe I’ll buy her a pair of ballet slippers to sneak around in…
Love,
Krista
Work, work, work
I haven’t posted in a few days, so I thought I’d make my blog a little more up-to-date.
This weekend my mom surprised me and visited. I had so much fun, it was great to have someone from home come up. We shopped and ran around the city. I realized how I am really starting to feel like a local now! I know all the hole-in-the-wall places around my apartment and can really navigate my way around the city. It was fun to just have a super-chill weekend.
My internship has been absolutely incredible! As I said before, I’m really doing things for the magazine and have done a great job getting some information that has been a bit hard to find. You’ll see some of the stuff I helped with in the next issue! 😉
I’ve been really happy doing all the work for my job. I actually have fun while I’m there! That’s the kind of job I want when I graduate.
I have had to stay super-late the past few weeks. For example, I didn’t get back to my apartment until 8:45 today! That really doesn’t bother me though, because as I said, I love what I’ve been doing at work. Praying I get some sort of job offer, but I know God has a good plan for me! I’ve been doing a better job trusting Him recently. I feel like since moving here my relationship with the Lord has grown and changed in some ways. I have found myself trusting Him more and being able to focus more on the present, rather than worrying about the future.
I also found an amazing church here, Redeemer Presbyterian Church! I went for the first time this past Sunday, and it was a really good sermon. I’m so excited to start a community group with the church and get to know more people!
Anyway, I feel like I’m rambling.
In my free time I’ve been able to hang out with some of my new friends, as well as read a lot at B&N (obviously, ha!) and even catch up with friends from home. February and March are about to get busy, as I have a long list of people who want to visit then. I am beyond excited!
New York is my home and I feel at home here.
Sometimes I get a little homesick, but only at night when I’m alone in my room (it’s weird not having someone to come home to– I’m such a people-person it kind of creeps me out a bit).
I am excited about tomorrow, though! I’m going to work out and try to get myself into some sort of workout routine again. Wish me luck!
Love always,
Krista
Early But Perfect Morning
The church bells keep waking me up early in the morning. Well, that and the bustling city beneath me.
Somehow it’s been really nice getting up earlier than I’m used to, though. I have more time to read and sit and enjoy the city before going off to my internship (or in today’s case, studying for my online classes).
I finished moving all my stuff to my new room.
Here are a few pics of my old room– it was giant (for New York standards especially!) and I had double the drawer space and 2 closets! It was super nice… Needless to say I’m having a bit of trouble cramming all my stuff into just one closet!
My double room 🙂
Anyway, after the big move, it was only 10, so I went out to get a New York bagel, mail some letters, and grab a Jamba Juice before going to Barnes and Noble.
I walked by this adorable flower shop on my way back from 3rd Ave… This totally made my day, I want to get some from there eventually; they’re so bright and cheery!
Right now I’m reading two really good books! I already mentioned The Happiness Project, but the second one is called No Easy Day and is “the firsthand account of the mission that killed Osama Bin Laden.” They’re both great books, but so different! I’m a little ADD with books, so I like to read a few at a time.
I’m going to get back to reading now. Today’s gonna be a good day 🙂
Love,
Krista
January 29
Today was a super long and busy day at work. I didn’t even take a break for lunch! I did, however, do a lot of fun researching and even got to interview one of my best friends for the magazine! It’s exciting being able to let friends become published, especially when they get really excited about it 🙂
Anyway, I didn’t get home until about 7:30 tonight, then I had to move my stuff to my new room. It’s a bit of a bummer because it’s less than half the size, but it still has a view and is very cozy! It’s nice because it’s just one floor down, so I can still hang out with the people I met on my other floor and it was a fairly simple move.
Riding the Subway to and from work has proved to be a kind of hilarious daily activity.
I already have so many stories about it! Spilling coffee on myself before work (well, that sucked but now it’s kind of funny), watching people sing and dance for money… Today was funny because this one girl about my age jumped on the Subway at the last second then panicked (and I mean PANICKED) because she didn’t have anything to hold on to… Take a chill pill! It was so crowded on there if you had “fallen” all the people around you would keep you up! It was funny to watch the freak-out, though, and see her realize that everything was OK and life would go on.
There was another man who had a similar issue, but for some reason decided to try to hold on to the light on the roof. Um. I didn’t even notice those lights until he did that. Needless to say, that didn’t work very well and I think he hurt his hand in the process.
I am starting to feel more and more like a New Yorker. I know how to jaywalk safely, hail a cab no problem, navigate through the Subway, and figure out the streets and how to get places. Life here is a bit rushed, but I’ve been pretty good at stopping and smelling the roses.
I will never get over the incredible view from my office window. Or my apartment even! It’s so neat hearing New York traffic bustle by at night; somehow it’s quite soothing.
Anyway, I’d better go to bed now. I’m waking up tomorrow to study for an online test I have and run to the post office. Send me your address if you would like to be pen pals! I’ve been pretty good at letter-writing so far 🙂
Love,
Krista
Home and Homesick
New York is definitely feeling more and more like home.
The streets aren’t very menacing when you know exactly where you are and where you need to be. I have found some “regular” hang out spots (Barnes and Noble, a French pastry/coffee shop, Jamba Juice, and the Green Cafe) and know some of the best places to eat around here. I definitely have so much more to learn, but everything seems a lot friendlier when you have a few familiar places and faces.
As for New Yorkers, I have met some “typical” New Yorkers, but many of them are super nice once you get talking to them!
My smile game hasn’t been going nearly as well as it does at home, though.
Incase you don’t know what that is or how to play, it’s pretty simple. I like smiling at people I walk by to see if I can get them to smile back. It’s always fun when the grumpy looking people return your smile!
Anyway, it doesn’t work very well in the city. And I’ve been working on my grumpy face for walking the streets at night… When someone bothersome comes up to you it’s never a good idea to smile at them, ha! I guess they take it as an invitation to be creepy.
So that’s that!
As for being homesick, I have little moments where I miss home or my family and friends. Right now I’m kind of missing everyone, but I came back to Barnes and Noble to read for a bit and hopefully that will go away!
Hope all is well in Fairfax!
Love,
Krista
Learning to Live Alone
I can honestly say I am happy and settled in.
I have been meeting new people here, but more importantly I have been learning that it is okay to be alone sometimes. I’m actually falling in love with reading once again and it’s wonderful.
This morning I went for a run, then got ready to go have a cup of coffee at the local Barnes and Noble… As a sidenote, they not only have Starbucks coffee, but they also offer cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory! This city is amazing.
Anyway, I’m reading a book called The Happiness Project and I highly recommend it. It is one of those books that each person walks away with a different perspective about what they related to, and shows you a different person’s thoughts. The author actually also lives in the Upper East Side in New York, which I thought was awesome!
Now I’m getting ready to go out to a market in Chelsea. I’m hoping to find some (affordable) fresh fruit for the week!
I hope all is well at Mason… I’m enjoying hearing stories from all of you about classes, friends, etc., so keep them coming! <3
Love,
Krista
One Week Down
My internship has been fantastic so far.
I’ve actually been doing real work for the magazine and doing a good job investigating. It’s definitely giving me confidence for the work world when I graduate. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, it’s a long day and I’m hoping to get used to work hours. Time really does fly, though, because I love the work I’m doing.
Yesterday I decided to have lunch in the Hearst building’s cafeteria with another intern. One thing I could not get over while I was sitting there people-watching, was that every single person in that room had some sort of incredible job. Anything in that building would be absolutely amazing. I almost wanted to go around the whole room asking people what they did, but I’m not going to be labeled as a weirdo incase I do end up working there ever. 😉
On another note, ,my friends back home have been incredible. I’ve been talking to a few people on the phone every night before I go to bed, and I always have someone texting me. Thank you, you really don’t know how much that means to me! <3
I have also been trying to schedule everyone to come visit; I’m overwhelmed with so many dates! I am so so so excited to see y’all and can’t wait to have adventures with you here! I just hope I’ll have a weekend free to come home eventually 😉
Anyway, I’m going to go for a run now… I’m going to a market with some girls from my floor later! It reminds me of Portobello in London. New York and London are similar, but very different in some ways. I’ll have to compare them on here one day!
Love always,
Krista
Goooood Morning!!!
It’s weird waking up by myself, but I’m going to make the most of the day!
First by watching the newest episode of Catfish 😉 Then going to get some coffee and hanging out in Barnes and Noble!
And calling some of my best friends, of course! I cannot wait to hear about classes and the first week! Hoping for some good and funny stories 😛
Love y’all,
Krista