Last Sunday I mistakenly went out in search of dumplings for dinner (all the restaurants in Chinatown were closed for New Years, natch) and as I'm walking down Mulberry I hear this shopkeeper guy say, "None of the crazies are out tonight. It's so cold even the crazies aren't out!"
Except for me and my rumbly tummy, of course.
Also just wanted to say that skinny boys wearing skinny jeans but still trying to be "cool" should probably not sag their pants. I mean, it just doesn't look right.
Lastly: Worst weather ever today. Took the bus both ways to campus and really should have worn my wellies. Too bad we don't get school canceled for inches and inches of rain on top of really slippery snow.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
In a haze
I've been going through the travel motions since I got back without really paying attention but just sort of knowing where I am going thanks to traveling the same routes all summer. If that makes sense. Well, the problem is that today I was on my way back from an interview (went well! fingers crossed!) near Herald Square and whilst sitting on the B train got lost in my thoughts and missed my stop. Oops. I looked up and saw that we were at Grant street, so I figured I would get off and switch trains to go uptown (I could've walked back, I suppose, but I was wearing heels so no).
While I'm getting off I notice all these Chinese people! And across the way on the other platform: more Chinese people! So I happily stand there waiting for the train and listening to/looking at all the Chinese-ness going on around me. There was an erhu war with one played on each platform, lots of old people with groceries, and even crazily dressed children. Oh Zhongguo! I miss you!
Only bad thing was that everyone was speaking Cantonese. Wth. Also these two blonde girls came to stand in front of me (what are YOU doing here?? clearly this area is the new Chinatown, I thought) and I realized they, too, were not speaking English. Because of all the Canto-craziness around I swear it sounded like they were also speaking Cantonese, but given the circumstances a better guess would be some Scandanavian language. Or German.
Right so as if I weren't missing Zhongguo enough already, that pretty much did it for me. Now I'm going to eat "Chinese" food tonight and cry internally that I am paying $7 for my meal instead of $1.
While I'm getting off I notice all these Chinese people! And across the way on the other platform: more Chinese people! So I happily stand there waiting for the train and listening to/looking at all the Chinese-ness going on around me. There was an erhu war with one played on each platform, lots of old people with groceries, and even crazily dressed children. Oh Zhongguo! I miss you!
Only bad thing was that everyone was speaking Cantonese. Wth. Also these two blonde girls came to stand in front of me (what are YOU doing here?? clearly this area is the new Chinatown, I thought) and I realized they, too, were not speaking English. Because of all the Canto-craziness around I swear it sounded like they were also speaking Cantonese, but given the circumstances a better guess would be some Scandanavian language. Or German.
Right so as if I weren't missing Zhongguo enough already, that pretty much did it for me. Now I'm going to eat "Chinese" food tonight and cry internally that I am paying $7 for my meal instead of $1.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I would just like to say that
It is very hard living in the city (and especially having classes all afternoon) and not being able to properly eat a sandwich. How am I supposed to eat on the run??
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
An Historic Day
Well, for someone other than me, I suppose. Today was the first day of classes, which meant running lots of errands and standing in lots of lines. I still don't understand why the Brits are stereotyped as loving to queue, when clearly no one does it better than New Yorkers. Ugh.
Anyway, classes look good so far except that they will entail a LOT of reading. But I'm pretty good at that so yeah, it's just a matter of getting my hands on the books. I have a very full day tomorrow of class, checking out the job fair, meeting with the EAS dean, then class, then going to see my Chinese professor (and perhaps auditing his class, har).
What else? Oh yes, some random lady came up to me at Whole Foods and started going off on how she felt offended by Obama's speech as a white woman because she helped with the Civil Rights movement in the 60's etc etc and I felt very awkward. But then I saw her go up to two other people after me and repeat the same schpeel, so I guess it's whatever. Reverse culture shock, episode 153.65!
So yeah, I miss China and my friends from there lots. Prices here are already making me sad. I can't hardly eat! Well that's not true, because of this wonderful thing called the "Recession special" that some restaurants have now. For example, Amy and I ate at Calcutta the other night for 9.95 and we each got: a samosa, soup, a chicken entree (mine was korma), rice, and naan bread. Nice! Portions were slightly smaller, but still. And the tax and tip basically killed, but still. 9.95 for delicious Indian food.
And the last note: I bought a bunch of yogurt on sale and it's possibly the weirdest texture ever. Not feeling it.
Anyway, classes look good so far except that they will entail a LOT of reading. But I'm pretty good at that so yeah, it's just a matter of getting my hands on the books. I have a very full day tomorrow of class, checking out the job fair, meeting with the EAS dean, then class, then going to see my Chinese professor (and perhaps auditing his class, har).
What else? Oh yes, some random lady came up to me at Whole Foods and started going off on how she felt offended by Obama's speech as a white woman because she helped with the Civil Rights movement in the 60's etc etc and I felt very awkward. But then I saw her go up to two other people after me and repeat the same schpeel, so I guess it's whatever. Reverse culture shock, episode 153.65!
So yeah, I miss China and my friends from there lots. Prices here are already making me sad. I can't hardly eat! Well that's not true, because of this wonderful thing called the "Recession special" that some restaurants have now. For example, Amy and I ate at Calcutta the other night for 9.95 and we each got: a samosa, soup, a chicken entree (mine was korma), rice, and naan bread. Nice! Portions were slightly smaller, but still. And the tax and tip basically killed, but still. 9.95 for delicious Indian food.
And the last note: I bought a bunch of yogurt on sale and it's possibly the weirdest texture ever. Not feeling it.
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