The Evening Before it all Begins...

Hello all,

Yes, I know it has been very long since my initial post; but guess what? It is May 6, and my program starts on May 7! I just reread my first post on this blog and I feel like I have accomplished so much already! I don't like talking about finances, so I will simply say that that is taken care of for now. I am currently sitting on my couch in my New York apartment; it's been a lot of fun living on my own.

My mom took the cross country trip with me to help me get settled. That trip took about 4 1/2 days, which really wasn't that bad. But I was very glad when we finally made it to my apartment. I had a lot of issues with U-Haul and their U-box shipping container not arriving when they said it would. My mom had to fly out before the box could arrive so I was left to deal with that on my own (but we did hire a couple of movers to haul the heavy stuff). After being in my apartment for almost two weeks, I finally was able to unpack and make my apartment feel like home. Here is a couple of pictures:

I am very happy with the space I have, and am glad that I chose to live off campus versus on. Marissa (my 16 year old cat) also loves the space and being the only cat. She has free reign of the water, food dish, and litter box which makes her pretty content.

I really enjoy being in New York. For those of you who don't know, this is the farthest east I have ever been. I didn't really research the area before moving here so expected New York to be this highly urban area with no trees or grass, graffiti everywhere, and gunfire at night. Yes, I am aware that this is a stereotypical view, but that is what I expected. When I got here, I was genuinely shocked at how green it was. Being a Northwestern native, I feel I know green, and I felt that no where else in the United States could even compare. Oh God, I was so wrong! It is so beautiful here, and not nearly as much rain! So, I get the same green as I had in the Northwest, but without the depressing and constant downpour. :)

The environment has been my first comment when I am asked how New York is. Here are a few things I have noticed since being here that I feel I should mention :)

In my observations, I have noticed that no one checks their blind spots when driving. I have had many close calls with some people (knock on wood that my luck continues) throwing themselves into my lane without stopping. Being here, I have had to learn to be extra quick on my feet and to not be afraid to honk my horn. I've never been one to honk unless it was completely necessary; it's always necessary here.

Speed limits aren't used unless there is a cop blatantly in sight. I drive on Route 9 (the main highway I use) and the speed limit on the main stretch is 55 and then 45. If you go these speed limits there will be a train of 30 cars on your behind and they will not switch lanes.

Gas pumps don't have those little plates that hold the gas pump for you and clicks shut when you're full. I know this is a weird one, but I am used to it doing it for me; now I have to hold the gas nozzle and guess how much gas I need (I am always a little under so no overflows yet) :)

Apparently, I have an accent! I went to the pharmacy and gave my street name and pronounced Albany with an A as in apple. He asked me where I just moved from and afterwards he told me that no one pronounces it that way; they say it with an A like Auto. The New York accent is definitely all over, but there are different levels. My neighbor has a pretty typical New York accent (like the ones in the movies), but a lot are very slight.

There are a TON of graveyards. I see at least two no matter where I drive! I suppose if you think about it, the East is a lot more established, therefore more dead people. The headstones are all very old and many are very large and ornate. I guess this would be cool; and it is, but it still creeps me out. There are also a LOT of Funeral Homes. Not even exaggerating, there are two funeral homes on the same street one block away from one another.

Aside from the eerie aspects, Hyde Park is beautiful. Apparently it is a historical town, which I like a lot. Franklin D Roosevelt's home is here, and the Vanderbilt Mansion. (Both have group tours). There is a drive in theater, and a small, old theater called the Roosevelt that has $5 Tuesdays for brand new movies! Both my mom and I saw The Hunger Games for $10 all together! There is a roller rink (have not been yet) and a cute breakfast cafe which I know I will be a regular of.

Being from Washington (home of Starbucks) I am used to having several Starbucks within walking distance of one another. Over here, that is Dunkin' Donughts. My closest Starbucks is about a 10 minute drive, and the next one is another 10 minutes from there. I actually enjoy coffee stands and am not tied down to Starbucks, it is just totally different than I am used to.

Being in a historic town, there is no graffiti. The place is well kept and feels like a quaint small town, which is great.


That's all I have for you for now. I have orientation tomorrow at 7:45 am until 5:30 pm so it'll be a long day. I will be taking a Math Challenge Exam of 25 questions to see if I can transfer my college math class for Culinary math, which they just started doing. I don't mind taking a math class, but I like the idea of being exempt from it if I take and pass a 25 question test. This wouldn't lessen my tuition costs but would open up my schedule. For this Semester, I know I have transfer credits for Food Safety and Nutrition, which is two classes (tests and homework) I won't have to worry about, so adding math to that list would be nice for my first semester here at the Culinary. We will also be registering vehicles, probably touring the campus, etc etc. tomorrow. Orientation lasts for four days, so I'm sure I'll be well informed by the end of this week!

I will keep you posted as much as I can. I have read blogs from other students and have noticed that they get too busy so miss a couple of weeks of posting so please be patient :)


Megan <3