I don't have much to say about today. My first lecture lasted for 2 and a half hours and it was difficult, interesting, amusing, exciting, frightening and motivating. Professor Schaffler is responsible for the course and held todays lecture. It went fast and was quite hard to follow, I had to focus extremely well, but I think I actually perceived most of it pretty good.
Professor Schaffler started the lecture with an impressive presentation of himself, apparently bones and skeleton in a biomedical engineering perspective is his true passion in life and he has done a lot of important research and progress in the area. All of the pictures presented in the PowerPoint (except the cartoon ones) were pictures he had taken himself (Cool!). At the end of introducing himself he recapped a conversation he had with his daughter where she asked him: "Dad, are you one of those annoying professors who always pick on the quiet students in class?" on what he responded "Well, sure honey, I most definitely am". My interpretation: This is a class where I have to bring my A-game, and I am well motivated to do so.
I already feel that I appreciate Professor Schaffler and his way of teaching and getting everyone involved, mixing a lot of facts with fun anecdotes of his own personal life and previous research. For example, he showed a picture of a fracture on a finger bone and he said: "This is what a finger may look like after the hand tried to catch a wall clock falling down, resulting in being hit by approximately 7 pounds right on the knuckle". Class is quiet. "The reason I know so much about this hand is because it is my hand and I took the X-ray-picture myself in the lab the day after the incident because I suspected it was fractured, I was right". Class laughing. Me too. I like him, it will be a demanding, but fun class.
Oh, also, I forgot to mention, we have a lot of articles to read before every lecture and each student will present 2 or 3 times, alone using PowerPoint. Luckily, I do not get scary nervous about these things anymore since I have already forced myself to challenge this fear of public speaking so many times. Still a challenge though, and who loves a challenge more than me?
Bring it on Professor Schaffler!
/Yan in the Apple
(Sorry about the lack of pictures, forgot to take any today. Perhaps because every braincell needed to focus on something else. I'll get back to you on that!)
28 jan. 2011
SNOW DAY
Yesterday morning I came even closer to normal behavior when waking up at 9:30 AM. Nice. I started the day accompanied by my MacBook and skype, as usual (I guess I can call it usual by now??). I saw that Ellen was online (my dad's girlfriend who lives here), and I knew that she was supposed to be at work. Scrolling through facebook I saw that Ellen had said it was a "SNOW DAY" in New York today. Cool! I always wanted to experience this (or actually since I first learned about it last winter in Stockholm when an american exchange student commented on the fact that there was "4 feet snow and -22 degrees fahrenheit (which is about -30 degrees celsius)" and "still not a snow day, it is ridiculous"). Today in New York there was not anywhere near that amount of snow, but still... Snow day. Can't believe that it was such crap timing though, I start school tomorrow. Oh well, I am not really bummed since I want to go to school. I took photos of the worst snow outside my door, just so that you Swedes reading this blog can get a good laugh.
Being a snow day it felt completely in order to just stay in and chat on skype, watch series and eat ice-cream. I went out and bought snapple, milk and ice-cream. On my way back a "gangster-harlem"-dude with baggy jeans stopped me and was like "oooooooo, you sexy. mmmm. damn, get some suga' over here. Damn you beautiful. how you doing?". When I replied: "Just fine thank you, how about yourself? oh, and I appreciate the compliments". Then I went on home (a couple of doors away).
Oh, and I will admit, I had the entire box of ice-cream for lunch and although it made me slightly nauseous, I loved every bit of it.
In the evening yesterday, I had a dinner date with a friend of mine from Stockholm, Benjamin, (I got to know him there, but he is actually from Luleå (way up north). I brought Rebecka along and we went down to his hood at 7th avenue and 19th street. An express train took us to 14th street, and we got there in about 20 minutes (which is quite fast, luckily it was on "our" line, the red one (no 1, 2 and 3)). After taking us across 5 streets worth of obstacle course (there are piles of snow and lakes of snow they melt by manually salting the snow (stupid)), we were in Benjamin's hood and he came down from his apartment to meet us. We went to a place which, according to Benjamin, usually is full, but today they had a table for us (the place is called Cafeteria). I was starving now (it was 8 PM and I had only had the ice-cream for lunch...), I decided on a "Passion Fruit Caipirinha with eatable flower" and a "Risotto with truffle, shrimp, green asparagus , cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese". Everything was delicious! Truly awesome!
We had a nice time eating, drinking and chatting (I only had that one drink though) until about 10 PM, when we got a train home. Only local trains were running at this hour so it took a bit longer (about 45 minutes). We amused ourselves with taking photos, playing a bit of Angry Birds and talking about the nuns (or sisters perhaps) that were standing next to us (there were three of them listening to an older guy speaking and me and Rebecka could both see how they laughed smooth and desired him (We found this really funny).
I fell asleep at half past 11 PM (almost right after we came home, and in the middle of writing this blog post) and woke up at 9:20 AM today. I will start my first class today at 12 Noon (no snow day today), so I should go get ready. I will of course write and tell how it went! Graduate course in Bone Physiology, I am very excited!
/Yan in the Apple
Being a snow day it felt completely in order to just stay in and chat on skype, watch series and eat ice-cream. I went out and bought snapple, milk and ice-cream. On my way back a "gangster-harlem"-dude with baggy jeans stopped me and was like "oooooooo, you sexy. mmmm. damn, get some suga' over here. Damn you beautiful. how you doing?". When I replied: "Just fine thank you, how about yourself? oh, and I appreciate the compliments". Then I went on home (a couple of doors away).
Oh, and I will admit, I had the entire box of ice-cream for lunch and although it made me slightly nauseous, I loved every bit of it.
In the evening yesterday, I had a dinner date with a friend of mine from Stockholm, Benjamin, (I got to know him there, but he is actually from Luleå (way up north). I brought Rebecka along and we went down to his hood at 7th avenue and 19th street. An express train took us to 14th street, and we got there in about 20 minutes (which is quite fast, luckily it was on "our" line, the red one (no 1, 2 and 3)). After taking us across 5 streets worth of obstacle course (there are piles of snow and lakes of snow they melt by manually salting the snow (stupid)), we were in Benjamin's hood and he came down from his apartment to meet us. We went to a place which, according to Benjamin, usually is full, but today they had a table for us (the place is called Cafeteria). I was starving now (it was 8 PM and I had only had the ice-cream for lunch...), I decided on a "Passion Fruit Caipirinha with eatable flower" and a "Risotto with truffle, shrimp, green asparagus , cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese". Everything was delicious! Truly awesome!
Caipirinha.
My room-mate Rebecka.
Benjamin.
We had a nice time eating, drinking and chatting (I only had that one drink though) until about 10 PM, when we got a train home. Only local trains were running at this hour so it took a bit longer (about 45 minutes). We amused ourselves with taking photos, playing a bit of Angry Birds and talking about the nuns (or sisters perhaps) that were standing next to us (there were three of them listening to an older guy speaking and me and Rebecka could both see how they laughed smooth and desired him (We found this really funny).
I mean, if we have to sit on the train for 45 minutes, we might as well amuse ourselves.
I fell asleep at half past 11 PM (almost right after we came home, and in the middle of writing this blog post) and woke up at 9:20 AM today. I will start my first class today at 12 Noon (no snow day today), so I should go get ready. I will of course write and tell how it went! Graduate course in Bone Physiology, I am very excited!
/Yan in the Apple
26 jan. 2011
Partially Productive, Frequently Fun
Yesterday was a long day, but in a good way though. I woke up later than the day before, but still ridiculously early for being me (approximately 8 AM). I have jet lag to thank for my new (but temporary) feature of being awake and alert in the early hours. Thanks!
Right, after thinking about how extraordinarily awake I was and checking the time several times, I got up and made myself a nice breakfast (now that there was food in the fridge). Yoghurt with muesli and fresh slices of kiwi. And a mug of English Breakfast Tea after that. I went to the toilet and met another one of our pets (Roy the Roach). If he leaves me alone I shall do the same (at least that was what I thought at the time, forgetting the huge can of "Cucaracha Spray" me and Rebecka had purchased the day before). Too bad for Roy!
Oh well, anyway, I spent the pre-noon and a small part of the after-noon on skype. Nice to speak to friends and family back home. Peter held a "TV-chef-show" whilst cooking dinner. He is actually very entertaining (Rebecka was laughing too, and she is unbiased).
We left the apartment together (that is me and Rebecka) at 1:30 PM and took a southbound train. We got off and walked alongside the southern short side of Central Park (which is very long). I saw the horses and carriages standing in line and couldn't help but think about Carrie and BIG and even more so myself and Peter (I hope that you can sacrifice your own will to go on a ride with me when you're here!?). We arrived at destination no 1, the Apple store at fifth avenue which looks like a big empty cube made of glass from the outside.
I didn't take this picture, because I had no camera yesterday. Until, I bought my new beautiful Iphone 4 in this store. I love it to death already (Thanks honey! (It is a gift from Peter, he spoils me, and I let him (which I very seldom do since I want to "take care of myself")). The store is located underground (of course) and the staircase can be found on ground level of the glass cube. When I walked down the stairs I started laughing (from chock I think) because there were so many employees walking around in blue shirts that it made me dizzy! I shall now make a promise that I return to this shop and take a picture of them. This is a sight I want to share!
We kept walking down 5th avenue, in and out of a few stores and grabbed a coffee at starbucks (can't describe how happy it makes me to know that there always is a starbucks waiting aroud the corner!). I also visited AT&T, where I got a phone number which is compatible with Iphone. The store clerk was weird, but funny.
Anyway, we kept walking to reach Times Square. When we got there I could no longer hear what Rebecka was saying or if she was even speaking to me, I was just completely overwhelmed when looking up at all the lights and buildings around me. I must say, I was more excited than the day before christmas at the age of 7 (and that means quite a lot). I am so bummed I couldn't take a picture, but I shall return to that as well (I will never forget this first encounter with Times Square (well, perhaps when I am old with loads of Alzheimer's)). We went in to the best store ever - Forever 21 (a four storey one - awesome) I bought a bling anchor necklace, two pairs of sunglasses an a yellow cardigan for the bargain price of 18 USD (130 SEK).
After we were satisfied shopping came hunger. Rebecka suggested we try Shake Shack, a famous american burger restaurant. Really nice food, I was well happy with it! Oh, also, when I was getting ketchup, a woman came up to me:
Excuse me. I don't mean to be rude, but who cuts your hair?
No worries. Actually, my boyfriend cut it.
Oh really, does he cut hair professionally?
No, he sets tiles in bathrooms, he did this when we were on holiday and a bit tipsy
REALLY?? That must have been a good 'tips'!
So, there you go honey, another compliment to you. And I really like the haircut (Sorry for the betrayal Anna (my devoted hairdresser and friend in Stockholm!)).
After this, we went home, well satisfied in most possible ways after an awesome day! At home I got my Iphone up and running. I love it love it love it, almost to the point where I am disgusted with my materialism, but I think Apple products are an exception to this??! This reminds me of a sketch with the swedish comedian Magnus Betnér which Peter showed me the first time in Stockholm this autumn. I'll post a link below if you feel like watching it (it is in english).
Magnus Betnér - Ishit
Yesterday evening I also got my room ready, unpacking and organizing the last bits and pieces. And since my Picture-provider (the Iphone) was ready, here are the some pictures of my room:
Today has been a less intense day so far. Woke up. "skyped" for a while. Left to go to school and get a health check-up (so that I can use the gym without being able to sue CCNY if I hurt myself working out). Unfortunately the nurse was not there, so we have to go back there next week.
We also went to The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, which is on 5th avenue and 89th street. The temporary exhibitions were not open because they were in the middle of installing new ones. I did see work from great artists in the 19th and early 20th century, such as Monet, Manet, Kandinsky, Cezanne, Van Gogh and Picasso. I didn't like any of the Kandinsky paintings (didn't see the point in a bunch of geometric shapes in different colors (yes, I know art doesn't always need to have a point, but these where neither beautiful, nor interesting to look at, in my eyes)). I liked all the Cezanne paintings but the one that really caught my eye was one of Picasso's, called Woman with Yellow Hair (Femme aux cheveux jaunes). I bought a poster with this motive (picture below). Unfortunately one was not allowed to take pictures above the ground level in the museum so not that many pictures, but here are a few:
/Yan in the Apple
P.S. I decided that I will add a Personal Bucket List NYC to my blog (that is a list of things I want to experience during my time in NYC). The list will grow day by day as I realize new things I want to do, but hopefully I will have ticked all of the "to-do-boxes" before comes August 23rd.
Right, after thinking about how extraordinarily awake I was and checking the time several times, I got up and made myself a nice breakfast (now that there was food in the fridge). Yoghurt with muesli and fresh slices of kiwi. And a mug of English Breakfast Tea after that. I went to the toilet and met another one of our pets (Roy the Roach). If he leaves me alone I shall do the same (at least that was what I thought at the time, forgetting the huge can of "Cucaracha Spray" me and Rebecka had purchased the day before). Too bad for Roy!
Oh well, anyway, I spent the pre-noon and a small part of the after-noon on skype. Nice to speak to friends and family back home. Peter held a "TV-chef-show" whilst cooking dinner. He is actually very entertaining (Rebecka was laughing too, and she is unbiased).
We left the apartment together (that is me and Rebecka) at 1:30 PM and took a southbound train. We got off and walked alongside the southern short side of Central Park (which is very long). I saw the horses and carriages standing in line and couldn't help but think about Carrie and BIG and even more so myself and Peter (I hope that you can sacrifice your own will to go on a ride with me when you're here!?). We arrived at destination no 1, the Apple store at fifth avenue which looks like a big empty cube made of glass from the outside.
I didn't take this picture, because I had no camera yesterday. Until, I bought my new beautiful Iphone 4 in this store. I love it to death already (Thanks honey! (It is a gift from Peter, he spoils me, and I let him (which I very seldom do since I want to "take care of myself")). The store is located underground (of course) and the staircase can be found on ground level of the glass cube. When I walked down the stairs I started laughing (from chock I think) because there were so many employees walking around in blue shirts that it made me dizzy! I shall now make a promise that I return to this shop and take a picture of them. This is a sight I want to share!
We kept walking down 5th avenue, in and out of a few stores and grabbed a coffee at starbucks (can't describe how happy it makes me to know that there always is a starbucks waiting aroud the corner!). I also visited AT&T, where I got a phone number which is compatible with Iphone. The store clerk was weird, but funny.
Anyway, we kept walking to reach Times Square. When we got there I could no longer hear what Rebecka was saying or if she was even speaking to me, I was just completely overwhelmed when looking up at all the lights and buildings around me. I must say, I was more excited than the day before christmas at the age of 7 (and that means quite a lot). I am so bummed I couldn't take a picture, but I shall return to that as well (I will never forget this first encounter with Times Square (well, perhaps when I am old with loads of Alzheimer's)). We went in to the best store ever - Forever 21 (a four storey one - awesome) I bought a bling anchor necklace, two pairs of sunglasses an a yellow cardigan for the bargain price of 18 USD (130 SEK).
After we were satisfied shopping came hunger. Rebecka suggested we try Shake Shack, a famous american burger restaurant. Really nice food, I was well happy with it! Oh, also, when I was getting ketchup, a woman came up to me:
Excuse me. I don't mean to be rude, but who cuts your hair?
No worries. Actually, my boyfriend cut it.
Oh really, does he cut hair professionally?
No, he sets tiles in bathrooms, he did this when we were on holiday and a bit tipsy
REALLY?? That must have been a good 'tips'!
So, there you go honey, another compliment to you. And I really like the haircut (Sorry for the betrayal Anna (my devoted hairdresser and friend in Stockholm!)).
After this, we went home, well satisfied in most possible ways after an awesome day! At home I got my Iphone up and running. I love it love it love it, almost to the point where I am disgusted with my materialism, but I think Apple products are an exception to this??! This reminds me of a sketch with the swedish comedian Magnus Betnér which Peter showed me the first time in Stockholm this autumn. I'll post a link below if you feel like watching it (it is in english).
Magnus Betnér - Ishit
Yesterday evening I also got my room ready, unpacking and organizing the last bits and pieces. And since my Picture-provider (the Iphone) was ready, here are the some pictures of my room:
Today has been a less intense day so far. Woke up. "skyped" for a while. Left to go to school and get a health check-up (so that I can use the gym without being able to sue CCNY if I hurt myself working out). Unfortunately the nurse was not there, so we have to go back there next week.
We also went to The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, which is on 5th avenue and 89th street. The temporary exhibitions were not open because they were in the middle of installing new ones. I did see work from great artists in the 19th and early 20th century, such as Monet, Manet, Kandinsky, Cezanne, Van Gogh and Picasso. I didn't like any of the Kandinsky paintings (didn't see the point in a bunch of geometric shapes in different colors (yes, I know art doesn't always need to have a point, but these where neither beautiful, nor interesting to look at, in my eyes)). I liked all the Cezanne paintings but the one that really caught my eye was one of Picasso's, called Woman with Yellow Hair (Femme aux cheveux jaunes). I bought a poster with this motive (picture below). Unfortunately one was not allowed to take pictures above the ground level in the museum so not that many pictures, but here are a few:
/Yan in the Apple
P.S. I decided that I will add a Personal Bucket List NYC to my blog (that is a list of things I want to experience during my time in NYC). The list will grow day by day as I realize new things I want to do, but hopefully I will have ticked all of the "to-do-boxes" before comes August 23rd.
24 jan. 2011
CCNY
Today I woke up at 6:00 AM (approximately) due to jet lag (thank you very much!). No breakfast since I hadn't been to a grocery shop yet... I spoke to Peter for a while. After that I went to the toilet and it flooded the whole bathroom. Great, just fantastic. And disgusting (no irony there). After cleaning that up I got ready and me and Rebecka left to see our mentor Ilona Kretzschmar at CCNY (The City College of New York), the college I will attend throughout my time here in NYC.
CCNY
We managed to get registered in the school properly (so that I won't get departed in two weeks (yes, that is what happens, I'm on a student visa and if I'm not studying I'm out!)). Also, we got ID cards with a photo so that we can pass the guards in each building entrance at campus. My title on the card is "Research Assistant" which is really cool (Even cooler that I will actually be one in not too long at all!). Speaking of research, I got to meet Professor Raymond Tu ("Ray") today. He is the professor whom I will be doing my 6 credit research for. He is a young, cool, down to earth asian guy whom I am looking forward to working for. A bit like me in that manner (I haven't met too many cool biomed-nerds in my life, but he sure is one of them). I will meet with him next week to discuss the project in much more detail. I'll get back to you on that. Conclusively, I am very much looking forward to studying at CCNY this semester (I did get a really good first impression).
Course List:
Bone Physiology and Mechanics (3 credits) NOTE: Ilona told me that this professor has a lot of character (as in weirdo). I'll find out myself on friday.
Nanomaterials (3 credits) NOTE: Ilonas course.
Cell and Tissue Biomaterials (3 credits)
Honors Research (6 credits)
After finishing at school, we went to Ikea in Brooklyn (I cannot believe how far it is and how long it takes to get there) and bought some essentials (like sheets, laundry basket and hangers). I can only agree that it is ironic that on my first day in New York I go to the most swedish place I can find - Ikea. Anyway, it was quite funny to experience this shop in another country. We had meatballs for lunch (more expensive than in Sweden though which did bother me a bit, It felt better when I realized the hotdogs were half price compared to home). I also must say, the view from he food court was fabulous, a parking lot with yellow school buses and downtown (=skyscrapers).
What else can I say about today. Hmm... It was freezing weather today (yes mum, I should have brought proper shoes...). I bought food today (so there will be breakfast tomorrow, yey!), I gave three litte cockroaches new homes outside (tomorrow me and Rebecka are planning a mass murder of roaches using the cucaracha spray). My other room mate Justin calls the time before the existence of the TV"The Dark Ages" (funny guy). Now I haven't written everything I wanted (once again) nut I am so tired my eyelids keep shutting themselves against my will. GOODNIGHT everybody I(´xoxo).
//Yan in the Apple
Also, today I learned about NYC restaurant week which is a really cool idea. Loads of restaurants to choose from at more than reasonable prices. Me and my two room mates thought we would book a night out dining at one of them to bond with each other. Looking forward to it, but which to choose??!
I also spotted the statue of liberty today, from a distance, but still I have seen her. Will probably get a closer look when My Mum and sister comes over in march (seems reasonable to save the "touristy" stuff until guests arrive, otherwise I'll get to experience them too many times)
I also spotted the statue of liberty today, from a distance, but still I have seen her. Will probably get a closer look when My Mum and sister comes over in march (seems reasonable to save the "touristy" stuff until guests arrive, otherwise I'll get to experience them too many times)
23 jan. 2011
NYC Arrival
So, the day began after 3 hours sleep, at 5 AM (local swedish time) on the 23rd of january 2011. My mum drove the car to Kastrup (Copenhagen airport) and me and Peter were sitting in the back, talking and kissing. I had so many feelings in me, yet the most dominant one was tiredness. We queued for approximately 40 minutes to check in (I was flying with British Airways with a transfer at Heathrow, London, to the final destination JFK in the Apple). Once that as done, we had a quick airport-expensive breakfast during which tears kept filling my eyes when thinking about leaving Peter behind. They walked me to the stairs where we said our goodbyes. I cried all the way through security controls, but managed to finally get a grip before boarding the first aircraft (my eyes must have been proper red after all that crying though). Well on the plane, I tried to sleep, but with little luck. Instead I began reading the history of NYC in my guidebook (and it didn't take long before I fell asleep (not because it is not interesting, but because it requires focus and energy to be read, both which were scarce commodity...gasp!)).
The transfer at Heathrow airport went well, but was unusually humiliating. I could not help but think of my favorite Brandell back in Stockholm who asked the question why we put ourselves through this procedure voluntarily?! When answering this question in an objectively manner, the answer is a clear and simple - "because it is sooooo much quicker!". But, when looking at it at Heathrow today, I had no good answer that sprung to mind.
Anyway, at Heathrow I enjoyed a ginger muffin and a cappuccino from Starbucks whilst looking at all the British Airways-planes moving (or not (some were parked of course)) in front of me.
I left Heathrow on a Boeing 747. It is the biggest plane I have ever been in (3-4-3 with two aisles and second floor). The food and service was immaculate. I watched two films and slept a tiny bit in between. Once on ground at JFK Airport I felt my heart pounding and the butterflies in my stomach awakening. I was very excited. VERY! 4 young americans (I think it was two couples) said "American walls finally! Oh I have missed america! Welcome home everybody!" whilst we were walking in the first tunnel leaving the aircraft. I laughed a bit inside, both out of happiness for realizing I was finally here and also because all I could hear was the "God-bless-America-the-best-country-in-the-world"-cliché.
Passport and Visa check went fine and fast (they also took my fingerprints a second time, just in case). After that I walked straight through customs and out the exit. I am happy to finally be able to say: This was a Piece of Cake!
Once out in the air, the sun shone on me and yellow NYC cabs were lining up in front of me. I felt like I was in a movie, I still do fell that in a way... I got a cab, and the taxi driver was very sweet, although he was convinced that my luggage was filled with gold bars (since it was so heavy....) He told me a bit about things we saw on the way and also the name of the bridge which we drove onto Manhattan on (I can't seem to remember though, everything is a blur...)
Arriving at 125th street/Broadway avenue, I was home. I did not do much today, mostly stayed in and talked to family and boyfriend (with emphasis on the latter) on skype. Went for a little walk with Rebecka (my room-mate whom is also a student at KTH in Stockholm) to T-Mobile. We walked approximately 8 streets going north on Broadway. I bought a greek salad from a shop on my way back which was big, nice and really cheap, mmmmmm.
Here are some pictures, I have heard that a picture says more than a thousand words, which is good, because I am really tired now!
Best wishes and I will write soon again (first day visiting my temporary college tomorrow, yey!)
/Yan (actually, finally) in the Apple
After all of these feelings coming and going throughout the day, the most dominant one is still tiredness (note that this must mean I am on the edge of dying from it, because in every other case my superhero feature saves me from this feeling. When I should be tired, hungover, lazy or exhausted, I usually am not. Thank you superhero feature!)
Anyway - GOODNIGHT.
The transfer at Heathrow airport went well, but was unusually humiliating. I could not help but think of my favorite Brandell back in Stockholm who asked the question why we put ourselves through this procedure voluntarily?! When answering this question in an objectively manner, the answer is a clear and simple - "because it is sooooo much quicker!". But, when looking at it at Heathrow today, I had no good answer that sprung to mind.
Anyway, at Heathrow I enjoyed a ginger muffin and a cappuccino from Starbucks whilst looking at all the British Airways-planes moving (or not (some were parked of course)) in front of me.
@Heathrow
I left Heathrow on a Boeing 747. It is the biggest plane I have ever been in (3-4-3 with two aisles and second floor). The food and service was immaculate. I watched two films and slept a tiny bit in between. Once on ground at JFK Airport I felt my heart pounding and the butterflies in my stomach awakening. I was very excited. VERY! 4 young americans (I think it was two couples) said "American walls finally! Oh I have missed america! Welcome home everybody!" whilst we were walking in the first tunnel leaving the aircraft. I laughed a bit inside, both out of happiness for realizing I was finally here and also because all I could hear was the "God-bless-America-the-best-country-in-the-world"-cliché.
Passport and Visa check went fine and fast (they also took my fingerprints a second time, just in case). After that I walked straight through customs and out the exit. I am happy to finally be able to say: This was a Piece of Cake!
Once out in the air, the sun shone on me and yellow NYC cabs were lining up in front of me. I felt like I was in a movie, I still do fell that in a way... I got a cab, and the taxi driver was very sweet, although he was convinced that my luggage was filled with gold bars (since it was so heavy....) He told me a bit about things we saw on the way and also the name of the bridge which we drove onto Manhattan on (I can't seem to remember though, everything is a blur...)
Arriving at 125th street/Broadway avenue, I was home. I did not do much today, mostly stayed in and talked to family and boyfriend (with emphasis on the latter) on skype. Went for a little walk with Rebecka (my room-mate whom is also a student at KTH in Stockholm) to T-Mobile. We walked approximately 8 streets going north on Broadway. I bought a greek salad from a shop on my way back which was big, nice and really cheap, mmmmmm.
Here are some pictures, I have heard that a picture says more than a thousand words, which is good, because I am really tired now!
In my very first NYC cab, spotting my first scrapers of Manhattan in the distance.
Walking on Broadway and the door to my apartment.
My street corner.
My subway station.
Best wishes and I will write soon again (first day visiting my temporary college tomorrow, yey!)
/Yan (actually, finally) in the Apple
After all of these feelings coming and going throughout the day, the most dominant one is still tiredness (note that this must mean I am on the edge of dying from it, because in every other case my superhero feature saves me from this feeling. When I should be tired, hungover, lazy or exhausted, I usually am not. Thank you superhero feature!)
Anyway - GOODNIGHT.
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