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Late Night Coney Island

Friday, March 31st, 2006

Yesterday I said goodbye to Claire, my grandmother’s minister’s daughter who I was playing host to for two days while she visited the city. She has quite a few travel stories of her own, which are far more exciting than any I can remember having, such as missing a flight from San Fran to Albequerque, hopping on a plane to Denver, renting a car with another stranded passenger, and driving to Santa Fe overnight, arriving just in time for her friend’s graduation.

I rode up to Penn Station with her and saw her off. At about 5:30, I hopped back on the A train and headed toward W4th Street, but when the train pulled into the station, I was too comfortable sitting there, sideways, my feet stretched out in front of me, the rocking train lulling me into meditation. I started to wonder what would happen if this particular train went on forever. What would happen if the track was endless, if I could just sit there comfortably, half-conscious for the rest of my life.

We passed Canal St station, and I decided, it had been too long since the last and only time I’ve been to Coney Island. I decided it would be just as nice to squish along the beach, sand leaking into my shoes, as it would be to ride the train forever. And since trains don’t go on forever, I got off at Jay Street to catch the F Coney Island Bound. That train seemed to go on forever. The sun began to set over the brownstones and cemeteries, and the clouds became feathers.

The air that blew in the car when the doors opened at each stop chilled me through my sweater. Darkness fell just before I arrived at the end of the line. I got off, my arms hugging my chest. I strode towards the beach. Every storefront was closed behind a metal gate. Streets were empty except a few tired people waiting for a bus.

I could smell the ocean. How much I missed the surge of salty energy that pulses through me when I stand on a beach in the moonlight. But something in me told me to stop walking, to turn around, to go back to the main street where the crowd of strangers shifted their weight on the opposite corner.

I walked quickly back, but I resisted the voice. The street stretched onward toward the Aquarium, I knew. I paced a block, passing under an overhang where a clownish voice told me to come on in and ride my ass off on the bumper cars. The lights were all out. The voice went on, laughing.

The next street was dark. A lone figure wavered back and forth along the sidewalk in the distance. For a quick second I resented being female. The beach would have to wait for another day.

A Review of America’s “Dream School”

Monday, March 27th, 2006

So the university I attend, New York University, has been ranked America’s number one dream college for the second year in a row by Princeton Review.  I suppose I would have to say I can see why.  For anyone considering it or considering study abroad here at NYU, some things to be aware of…

It’s dormitory housing (which was at one time guaranteed) is the nicest of just about any American college.  The simple fact that we get our own bathroom rather than having to share one down the hall is enough to make you forget about the roaches and rodents that occasionally move in next door. As often as the bureaucracy makes me want to scream, if you know how, you can always manipulate the system to your advantage.  Know the loopholes, know the weak points, don’t give up, and you’re set. 

The food the university serves is plain and simple, shit on a plate, but then again, what American college dining hall doesn’t serve shit for dinner?  I managed to gain the freshman fifteen (pounds) when I first came to NYU not because I was some lazy pig who drank too much, but because I felt guilty if I didn’t fill up when I was spending approximately $8/meal.  Get to know the city, and you can live on less than $5/day for food, good food.   

 

So yes, the best part about NYU, and the part that makes it so appealing (and rightfully so) is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.  The main “campus,” which isn’t really a campus, but a cluster of buildings around Washington Square Park, happens to be the part of the city with the most life–The Village.  You got the West Village, the East Village, SoHo, NoHo, Chinatown, Little Italy, all within walking distance, nightlife, good eats, culture, job and internship opportunities galore.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, it’s a good school with a good reputation, and is rapidly becoming highly selective, already letting in fewer than 30% of applicants.

So now some things that aren’t so great: 

NYU is one of, if not the, most expensive university in the United States, and it happens to be in one of the most expensive areas of the world.  With tuition approximately US$15,000 per semester, plus expenses, plus room and board, plus transportation, plus books, I’m amazed I can afford it at all.  My bill for this semester, just tuition and my dorm room was over $22,000.  Furthermore, NYU is notorious for being stingy on financial aid.  This is largely because the university’s trillion dollar assets are almost all invested in its properties, and very little of it is really fluid.  And this is also, because our government under the Bush administration is slashing funding for education (I received about a $4,000 cut in my financial aid package between last year and this year in federally subsidized loans and work study.  It may shrink another $3,000 next year while tuition and housing costs continue to rise).   

Another downside about the university, which has largely been criticized following the string of suicides last year by jumping (we got lots of tall buildings), is a lack of community.  It can be surprisingly difficult to meet people.  With little in terms of community building, such as clubs or athletics, you can easily find yourself feeling lost.  One reason I came to NYU was the anonymity aspect, and yet I occasionally find myself feeling lonely.

But overall, if you asked me whether or not I’m satisfied with NYU and glad I gave up a $20,000 scholarship to another school to come here, I would have to say yes.

Coyote in Manhattan

Thursday, March 23rd, 2006
I don't know if you've heard, but the wilds that are Manhattan have just been relieved of one more of its wild creatures.  A coyote was captured in Central Park yesterday after a two day chase that involved a heroic leap ... [Continue reading this entry]

St. Patty’s Day Weekend in Review

Sunday, March 19th, 2006
Mum rode the Chinatown bus up to NYC on Friday.  We headed up to MoMA to see the Edvard Munch exhibit since the museum is free to visitors on Fridays.  After that we headed over to 2nd Ave between 51st ... [Continue reading this entry]

HAPPY ST. PATTY’S DAY!

Friday, March 17th, 2006
I feel like a little kid today, and I would just like to say, HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY, everybody! It's wonderful to be descended from so many groups, I get to celebrate all the holidays! Corned beef and cabbage for me tonight! ... [Continue reading this entry]

Why God Made Europe…

Wednesday, March 15th, 2006
"...and this is why God made Europe... so Americans could escape the reality of their own people." -Kara L. (American friend of mine currently studying in Paris and my future travel companion and roommate)

Uninteresting Update

Wednesday, March 15th, 2006
My mum's coworker, who it would seem is a fan of my travelblog, was apparently unhappy with the fact that I didn't mention I was heading home to Virginia this past weekend. Well, here's the story... I went home to ... [Continue reading this entry]

An Odoriferous City

Friday, March 10th, 2006

Spring has finally come, and with it warmer weather. I have finally been able to shed that extra blanket, that jacket sprinkled with road salt, and walk down the street in just a sweater, and pants of course. Not ... [Continue reading this entry]

Students Perform The Full Monty In Support Of New Orleans

Sunday, March 5th, 2006
Here is my first attempt at writing a newspaper article since the fifth grade. I submitted it to several editors and haven't heard back from any, so I will publish it here unless an editor decides to publish it, in ... [Continue reading this entry]