Arrival, Adjustment, & Awesomeness

Welcome to my new blog! This one will only be used for the summer, my other blog is still updated...sometimes...over at bkes216.blogspot.com.

If you're reading this, you probably know I am doing an internship at New York University in New York City, New York this summer. I'm working with their conferences and orientation programs within housing in a specific residence hall. Beyond that I don't really know the specifics yet, but we'll see as the summer progresses!

I arrived in NYC on Saturday, May 14, 2011. The day before and that morning I had moved all of my stuff (and there is a ridiculous amount of it) into my new apartment in my residence hall for next year, so essentially I didn't stop moving for about 2 days. I hate packing and moving. Literally, those two tasks are 2 of the worst things in the world for me. Anyway, my lovely friend Claudia (yup, that's a shout out) graciously drove me to the airport Saturday afternoon helped me check in my bags curb-side. That whole day I was freaking out inside. I showed it a little on the outside, but I was freaked-the-hell-out more than anyone knew. What was I thinking, me the shy, polite, non-confrontational guy flying out to New York City for ten weeks to live literally in the heart of New York City? I was sure I was going to wake up from some horrible nightmare, but no, this was me, I was actually doing it, and oh boy...it was happening.

After I checked my bags (I had checked in online) I went through security right quick (what's up full body scanner!) which is the one and only thing I like about KCI/MCI. I sat at the airport gate for about 45 minutes before we boarded trying to just breathe calmly and telling myself I was going to be ok. We loaded the plane and thankfully I didn't have anyone sitting next to me. I don't talk to strangers on airplanes. I've gone an entire semester without saying a word to the person sitting next to me in class, what makes you think I'm going to talk to a stranger I'll know for mere minutes? Have you met me? Anyway, I was rather pleased to not have to do the whole fake interested-polite-heresmylifestory thing with some random on the plane, especially one that was to be 2.5 hours (thank you Delta and your non-stop awesomeness). So we took off, the ride was uneventful, I watched Star Trek on my iPod, life was good. We got the tone-dinger-thinger to turn off electronic equipment, and suddenly I wasn't scared anymore. I was ridiculously excited to see New York City and I probably looked like a five year old trying to get a good glimpse out the windows on both sides of the plane.

When we landed at LaGuardia, for some reason I don't understand and wasn't explained to us, we didn't park at a gate with a skybridge. Instead they parked at some side-lot thing and we got off the plane there and rode shuttles to the terminal. I didn't really mind at all, it was just weird and I overheard some guy say he flies all the time and had never done that. I'd like to think the gate just couldn't handle all my awesomeness and they needed somewhere that plan door could just explode open. Just roll with it. I got my bags (even with a luggage strap, 3 bags is too much for one person) and went out to find a taxi (I had been thankfully forewarned on what kind to take). Much to my pleasant surprise, the taxis weren't run down-gross mega-cars, but instead rather fresh Ford Escape SUVs. The driver tried to initiate a bit of conversation with me, but as he didn't really understand my directions and I was severely stuffed up, not talking worked great.

When we got to the building and got out of the taxi I had one of those TV-moments where I look up and am shocked at how many buildings are towering over me. Yep, that happened. Then I smiled. I grabbed my bags (I paid the driver at some point, no worries), and headed across the street into University Hall, my home until the 23rd. I walked in and checked in at the "resource center" (what they call the front desk) where I was directed from the nice public safety woman (I like this one, she remembers who I am every day, I would like to become friends) and I was polietly told by a ruffled student assistant I'm the only check-in this week while they have 600 check outs. At this point I would have loved to have said something along the lines of "ah yeah duh, hi, I'm a big friggin deal, obviously", but my snarkiness was not working at the moment, which was probably for the best. So anywho, I get my keys, sign some things, and get up to my room on the 14th floor (elevators are my God), and immediately am forced to wear a giant grin thanks to the magnificent view of my living room window looking up Irving Place (Plaza? Pl. doesn't help when I'm used to St. Ln. Dr. & Ave.) which leads to a glorious view of the Chrysler Building (I think, I'm a little rusty on my New York Architecture). I could stay here the whole time, not a problem!

The apartment is pretty decent, I walk in to the living/dining room with the bathroom on the left and kitchen on the right, with 2 full size regular res hall rooms for 2 people each on the sides, with walk-in closets (no, they are not gigantic, but good enough for 2 college people). My supervisor set up a nice sign for me that says "Welcome to NYU Brandon" (aww) and she gave me some basic cookware in the kitchen, a book on new york's neighborhood restaurants, and movie tickets (score!). So I throw my bags in my room, and decide it is time for food. Also at this same time the stress of the last two days combined with my sickness (yup, mono, gotta love it) hits me like a freight train and suddently I am exhausted. I head down to Trader Joes to grab some essentials consisting of Orange Juice, Bananas, Bread, and Lunch Meat, hit up Chipotle across the street for some comfort food, and head back to my room. As I sit enjoying my scrumptious Carnitas Bowl, I realize how much I've done in the last 2 days, and decide I need sleep, and sleep I had.

Sunday waking up was not a fun time. I kind of hurt everywhere from the move, and the first night back on the Twin XL bed didn't go so hot, but I attribute that to my mono more than anything else. I felt better after a bit, and eventually went exploring 14th Street/Union Square looking for things I needed for my apartment that I didn't pack. At some point I'll write a whole entry on this topic, but for now I'll just say this neighborhood is awesome, and has pretty much everything, and I think I may fall in love with it over the next ten weeks.

I think that's enough for this blog post. Hope any who read it enjoy the experience and come back for more. Thanks for reading, and have a great day!