So here I am...

in NYC at last!  Everything has gone very smoothly so far, which relieves me more than I can describe.  I managed to lug my insanely heavy suitcase in and out of the subway, with the help of several kind strangers along the way, and get everything intact to the hostel.  I met my roommate Anna soon after arriving, and she is very pleasant and friendly.  I think we'll get along quite well.

I'll post more tomorrow or Monday, after I've had a little time to regroup.  Tonight I just had enough energy to unpack a few things, grab a slice of pizza for supper, and take a walk to the park just across the street from the hostel.  Tomorrow I hope to check out the neighborhood a little more, buy some groceries, and perhaps accompany Anna to Times Square.  It'll be nice to have a travel buddy.

Currently Watching 300 (Widescreen Edition) By Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham, Vincent Regan see related

This week has managed to be simultaneously too short and agonizingly long.  I'm preparing for the month ahead but trying not to think too hard about it;  I'm looking forward to the freedom and challenge of NYC while also suffering from fear of the unknown... what a bundle of contradictions!  No wonder my usually cast-iron-lined stomach has been upset all week. 

My transition from home/work in Oley to hostel/school in New York has been eased somewhat by the fact that I've been house-sitting for the past two weeks.  I was initially reluctant to take the job, given the dates involved, but it's turned out to be a blessing.  Not only was it an easy and pleasant way to earn some extra cash, it has also helped me get accustomed to the idea of living away from home.  Not to mention the fact that I got to sleep on a Tempur-Pedic mattress for two weeks.  I am so buying one of those when I have a house of my own...

So here I am, a day and change away from my bus trip to NYC, and I think I've finally turned the corner from "oh-god-it's-almost-here" to "Okay, let's do this."  I want to get there and get over these irrational jitters so I can begin to focus on (a) doing my best work in a very intense course and (b) enjoying my time in the most cosmopolitan of American cities. 

I'm especially trying to not take everything so seriously (not an easy task for me), and remember that this is a privilege and a great opportunity to expand my world.  It's helped that my friends and family have pretty much invariably given me the same response upon hearing of my plans-- "How exciting, I know you'll do well, have a great time!"  How can I argue with that?  And why would I even want to?

This is gonna be great.  I can feel it.

Currently Watching North & South By Daniela Denby-Ashe, Tim Pigott-Smith, Richard Armitage, Emma Ferguson (II), Travis Oliver see related

Sometimes I worry that I'm going to be asking a little too much of myself all at once...

~from living in rural Berks county to living in the most populous city in the US for a month and (if I have my druthers) eventually heading to the most populous city in Europe;

~from having my family constantly around me to being "alone," at least as far as family is concerned;

~from letting my mom take care of most of the food prep to having to do my own cooking (I know, I'm lame.  But I'm afraid that my cooking skills are pretty lusterless in comparison to my mother's.  At least at the moment.)

~from a comfortable job with familiar people to a demanding one that I'm not sure I'm really cut out for after all...

But even as I read over the list I just wrote, I realize that all of these challenges are ones that I can overcome.  I can get used to living in the city;  in fact, I suspect that I may really come to enjoy many aspects of it.  I can make new friends, and will have many options to stay in contact with my family.  I WILL learn how to cook if it kills me.  And though I won't be the world's greatest teacher, I know that I am capable of being a good one.

I don't want to let fear and uncertainty keep me from fully experiencing life.  If I keep to what's familiar because I'm afraid of sticking my toe outside my comfort zone, I'll never know what I could have accomplished.  I don't want to come to the end of my life filled with regrets over missed opportunities--this one may not work out in the end, but at least I'll have given it a try.  And learned to be a little more flexible and sociable and humble and teachable along the way.  I hope.

Currently Watching DuckTales - Volume 1 By Tony Anselmo, Corey Burton, Hamilton Camp, Brian Cummings, Miriam Flynn see related

Pardon me, but your English is broken

The question of the week from customers at the bank is whether the economic stimulus check/ tax rebate from the IRS was deposited in their account.  So on Friday, a guy at the drive-up asks Jean, "Did my stimulation check come in yet?"  (It's even funnier when you imagine it in a Dutchy accent).  Thankfully, she was able to turn off the speaker to muffle her laughter...

I know I'm doomed to make many mistakes of that kind when I attempt to make myself understood in another language.  All I can hope is that most people will be patient and understanding enough to try and figure out what I'm trying to say.  Maybe, if I'm really blessed, I'll find some who are willing to correct my mistakes and tell me how to say things properly!  They might still have to laugh at me, though, especially if I make a really funny mistake.  I just hope I can be gracious enough to laugh along with them.

Currently Reading Bone: One Volume Edition By Jeff Smith see related

It's my birthday, and I'll play what I want to

I was feelin' all funky-tronic today... check out the new playlist at the bottom of the page. 

Several of the songs were free-downloads-of-the-day from eMusic, my newest music membership.  I joined because they have a great selection of international music, but they also have a gigantic catalog of independent music in general.  They're a good choice if you like to explore new, offbeat stuff and don't feel like paying a doller per track from iTunes.  No major-label artists, but you can get their music anywhere. 

Also, if you have any interest in graphic novels and/or good fantasy, check out Jeff Smith's Bone series.  I read several installments back in the 90's, but lost track of them over the years.  I just thought of them again recently, and ended up buying the one-volume edition as an early birthday present to myself.  My favorite thing about the story is its great sense of humor.