Life in the Big Apple

The pace. The noises. The smells. The sights. The hustle. The bustle. The thunderstorms. The subway. The food. The magic of New York City.

I'm a New Yorker. 2 months today I arrived from what feels like a dreamland from decades ago. I have transformed from a Siesta-Taking, Tapas-Eating, Flamenco-Dancing, Weekend-Hiking English Teacher .............to a............. Coffee-Addicted, Fast-Walking, Sleep-Deprived, Laptop Toting, Multi-Tasking, PB&J-Eating Graduate Student.

A little perspective on my life here versus Spain: In Spain I worked 15 hours a week. Here I am working more than 15 hours a DAY. Needless to say, I am busy. And my hustle and bustle often does not have anything to do with the hustle and bustle of the big apple.

I am learning a tremendous amount everyday, about sciences such as climatology, hydrology, environmental chemistry and toxicology. All subject my parents would never have dreamed I would take a liking to. I am becoming quite the specialist in Water Resource Management too.

All my peers in my program are wonderful. It is a very kind, supportive and engaging group, with a wide range of experiences. Although my world is small during the week - immersed in school, books and studies - I have been able to take advantage of the city as well. I go out among the high-heel clad trendy bar goers in the meat packing district. Shop in SoHo. Go to concerts on the Central Park summer stage. Watch the Mets games. Eat hot dogs at Coney Island. And sip my latte and read the New York Times on Sunday mornings.

The pace of this city is truly unreal. So much diversity. So many languages. So much spanish. So many people going places all the time. The hustle. The Bustle. The smells. New York Pizza. Bagels. And of course, so much to study. I don't know how much more I can absorb. I do know, that you better always have your umbrella ready for that afternoon thunderstorm.

I haven't even seen the Statue of Liberty yet. That is for next weekend.