Anniversary

Today is the three week anniversary of moving to the city.

I honestly don't know what to say to that. I cannot believe that I have lived here for only three weeks as it feels like I've been here for years!

I have been so incredibly busy since I last posted, with homework, school events, and cooking for myself. Let me give you a couple high-lights from my last two weeks:

Thursday, September 6th: Fashion's Night Out

Yes, I went, and yes, I got all dressed up. ;) Here are some pics:

I seriously envy that mannequin....

Ok, so for those who don't know, the one on the left was taken back in November when I attended the visit weekend for my school. That is one of my roommates! I met her in November and since we had so much in common (love of fashion and barbies to name a few) we decided to request each other as roommates! So, the one on the right was taken on fashion's night out when we were both kinda bored of walking around and decided to dive into the Toys R Us in Times Square and take a "Ten months later" picture!

The Forever 21 has FOUR FLOORS of clothes!

Ok so this guy.... I think a lot of men today could learn a lot from him. I saw him on the sidewalk and almost died laughing. Every other homeless guy will have something akin to "Need to survive, anything helps, God Bless". I just thought this was creative.....

 So I can safely say that Fashion's Night Out was a success :)

Tuesday, September 11th: Now for a more somber subject

Unfortunately, Tuesdays are my busiest days. I didn't remember it was 9/11 until I was walking through the FiDi (The Financial District for you non-New Yorkers ;) ) trying to get to school and I noticed the abundance of cops everywhere. Much to my dismay, I didn't get to go to ground zero (I haven't at all yet... that is going to change soon) but, as I was walking out of my late class I stumbled upon this amazing, heart-wrenching sight:

This is the view we had walking out of school.

We (My roommate and a couple classmates) decided to go exploring and we found where the beams started. Apparently they aren't quite where the towers were exactly, rather, they are supported on a parking garage a few hundred feet away from ground zero.

Sadly, these pictures just don't do them justice. There was a tangible electric feeling in the air as we walked around the area to get better pictures. My arms were constantly covered in goosebumps. To have always seen this spot on the TV every year, and now to actually be here, seeing this in person.... I cannot describe in words. I was filled with extreme sadness, but at the same time hope and joy. I continue to pray for the families who lost loved ones on that day 11 years ago.

This was taken from very far away from the beams. Let me just say that it looks like they are big in the pictures, but one cannot comprehend their size until you actually see them in person. I believe each beam covered 25 square parking spaces. 0_0

 That's it for now.... I am enjoying my time here so much and I am not taking a second for granted! I will continue to post as much as I can about my adventures (there are many). Stay tuned for more!

XOXO

-H



New (York) Stage of Life

The hard concrete under my feet, the sound of traffic and people around me, the smell of the nearest food stand in the air.... Yes, it must be New York city. MY city.

I have been here for over a week and it feels as though I have lived here all my life. I'm not getting lost anymore, I know the trains by heart, and I know exactly where each borough is and where not to be past ten at night.

It has taken a week, but I am now properly settled in my new apartment. It is the largest apartment that was available to freshman this year, and Lord willing, we will be able to keep it for the entire year or longer! This is the view outside my window:





Although New Student Orientation (Referred to as NSO) was absolutely exhausting, I enjoyed every minute of it. First with move-in day and the welcome ceremony which was held here (second picture down on the right. The one with the vaulted ceilings!) and ending with Convocation which was held here (with a whole bunch of information fairs, meetings, curriculum assessments, and presentations in between). I promise, as the semester goes on I will probably touch back on the details and stories that made up my NSO.

So, how much exploring have I been able to do since I got here? Well, whenever I have a spare hour or two I will leaf through my "Not For Tourists Guide to New York City" pick a close-by spot on their must-see for cheap list, and take off with metro card in hand. Thus far I have seen:

Grand Central Station

The New York Public Library



The High Line

Trinity Church

Other places I have been to, of which I have failed to upload pictures would be Central Park, F.A.O. Schwartz, Macy's, and The Rockefeller Center. (I will put them up as soon as my homework allows!)

As you probably gathered from the lateness of this post, I have been drowning in classes and homework. Again, I promise that I will post here whenever I have a spare minute, but it will have to come after classes, homework, eating, cleaning, and calling my mother every once in a while!

And so, I bid adieu to you all as my mountain of homework has just tightened its grip around my neck. I will try my hardest to post here at least once a week and when I have a particularly interesting story to tell. Also, I will eventually give you the specifics of NSO week and I will attempt to upload a video tour of my apartment!

Au revoir!

xoxo

-H

P.S. I will be covering Fashion's Night Out and posting many pictures, so stay tuned!