Trying to get it right
This time I will get it right, I thought to myself. I left early, I studied maps, and I got on all the right buses and trains. Everything seemed like it was going to work out just fine.
Posts from the ‘NYC’ Category
Aug 28
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(mis)Adventures in NY
My day started fine - head to Manhattan to meet with a colleague. I made it there just fine, found the coffee shop and had a great productive meeting. But from there.... it started to go downhill.
Now, first, let me tell you about what I know in New York City.
Precious Life
As most of you know, I have taken a job in New York City as an School Designer, working for NYC Outward Bound Schools. Which basically means that I will be supporting schools in NYC that are implementing the Expeditionary Learning Schools model. Does it sound like the dream job for me? Yep, pretty much.
What I miss….
I have been back in the states for a little over a month now. In some ways, my life has slowed down a lot. I go to the same place for work every day, I see my old friends. I just got my car back. I do 'normal' life things -- like get my car inspected. But at the same time, I am still in flux. Still very much in transition - sleeping on an air mattress with my sleeping bag as a blanket. Still unsure of where I will go beyond July 27th. Still unsure of what I want.
Aug 31
Arrival in Doha
After finally making it to NYC yesterday and delivering my uncle’s passport, I went to Brooklyn for the afternoon to spend time with another aunt and uncle. We went to the brooklyn bridge park and walked along the water front with views of the Manhattan skyline and the statue of liberty in the distance. Quite the nostalgic view for my departure from the country.
Big shout out to Ed and Hillary for feeding me and getting me to the airport – it made for a relaxing departure – seeing as my mind was far from relaxed. to-do lists, running through what was in my pack and what was not… my mind was full. Then, the full gravity of what i am doing and where i am going hit me when i got in the Qatar Airways line. I quickly could tell that i was not like the others. I definitely was the only dirt bag in line, with my chacos and my backpack. I recieved lots of stares from the predominantly indian and middle eastern crowd – men and women mostly dressed in salwar kameezes (is that the plural form?).
On the screen, it showed where we were in real time and how that corresponded to day/night. I seem to have bypassed wednesday – I will depart for Kathmandu in a few hours (and by few – i really mean about 4). The Doha airport seems to be mostly centralized around a huge duty free shopping area – it even includes a car! All the signs are written in arabic with an english translation below. Men are walking about in traditional arabic dress, long white flowing gowns and checkered head-dresses. There are some women in burkhas. I am trying not to stare, though I am intrigued.
I had dreams about school on the flight over – thinking of everyone at Ren, hoping the first day was awesome. And hoping all the alums are starting school and doing great. much love everyone — next time i will check in from kathmandu!
I don’t like you, Irene.
Besides the craziness of the flooding in NY and Vermont, Irene is messing with my life more than I would like.
I weathered the storm with my fabulous friends Matt and Jess – good food, good tv and some fun walks in the wind and rain. Plus I got to say goodbye (again and again) to Jess (other Jess) and Brant – which was super nice. Prolonged goodbyes seemed to make saying goodbye not as hard (because each time I said goodbye, it seemed I would be making plans to hang out again).
The new plan was to drive to Albany today to meet up with my father (because all train service was canceled – so he was going to take a bus). But on my way to Albany, he called to say that buses were not running either. so some guy was driving him and a few others who were trying to get to the area….
Fast forward a few hours and they were still trying to get around the floods. I was sitting at the Albany area, stressing about packing. Finally, he called to say there was no way around and they were headed home. So, I headed to my mom’s house – sad that I did not get to say goodbye to my dad.
There was fear that i would not be able to get into the city — flooding, trains and buses out — but good ol’ Metro North is up and running, so that is helpful. So, I will take a train into the city and then head to JFK.
sounds smooth, right?
Nope, not yet. My aunt called — my uncle left his passport in upstate NY, he is in the city and he flies out tomorrow. So, I am headed back to Albany, pick up the passport and then headed into the city.
good times.
oh, and everything (which seemed like not all that much) is NOT fitting in my bag…. this is making for an exciting everning…..
