Short update

The Met, Central Park, Union Square, and a touch of Pinkberry have occupied my past two days. Apologies for not posting. But ah, being surrounded with Kandinsky in the Met was an amazing way to spend Thursday. The days have been gorgeous and the nights have been cool, and I have seen old friends and made new ones, and been on the go since I arrived in the city. It is so easy to loose track of time. Getting "lost in the city" is cliche for me to say, but it is all I have been doing for the past few days. But might I add, I have not actually gotten lost yet, except for the first night when I accidently rode the subway all the way to east Harlem. No worries, two kind police officers noticed I was confused and got me back on my way downtown. 

Everything has been terrific thus far. Another friend, who I haven't seen in a few years is visiting tonight from West Point. 

I'll fill you in on more, but I'm off to see the movie of the weekend - Sex and the City. 

-magz

Another day, another adventure

Just another day. I actually gave someone directions-- although I mentioned, "no guarantees." Everywhere I turn there are new things to see and do and new places to go. I had a great day today but it mainly entailed furnishing my bare apartment. Nothing out of the ordinary, just some essentials, you know, like a shower curtain, and a blanket that I made into the fourth wall of my bedroom. (Side note- my apartment is a 3 bedroom convertible). 

Tonight was really enjoyable but I am exhausted. A friend from home, Haynes helped me finish setting up my room, and then we went to dinner a couple blocks away. It happened to be trivia night, which happens every other Wednesday.  And yes we got fifth place!! Yes, there were only five teams, but we were only half a point from getting fourth, so we didn't do that bad. 

I think the lack of sleep at the lake and the excitement of coming to the city has finally caught up with me. I going to turn in early tonight and head out for a big day tomorrow. The plan is to start at The Met and then follow where my feet lead. But eventually I hope to end up at Teany cafe - teas galore, my of my I think I'll like that. 

I'll fill you in on more tomorrow.

-magz

I have found love

*Disclaimer - excuse any typos, or misunderstood words in this post, I am trying my hardest to keep my eyes awake. 

Day #1 - complete success, well now that my room has cooled off. (The AC unit in my bedroom/living room/dining room isn't working) But other than that I had a fantastic day! My flights were scheduled perfectly. I had a layover in Chicago for all of 5 minutes - while waiting in line to board and grabbing an iced coffee from McDonald's. Smooth sailing from then on. No crazy cab drivers as of yet, but am now I pro at hailing a cab -- no touristness about it! 

But the funds for cabs faded fast so a friend and I decided to master or attempt to master the subway. Not a feat that can be accomplished in one day. But we did find the Whole Foods and grabbed a few groceries, made a detour to east Harlem but we're quickly led my two nice police officers how to get to Times Square so we could find Casey's location of work, beginning tomorrow. 

We stumbled upon a fantastic vegetarian restaurant Gobo, which was terrific! First night in town and I know I'll go back. The spinach and soy cheese wantons were too good to pass up!

Lastly I found out that taking the A train to 14th does not mean that it is close to my apartment. I was fortunate enough to walk the 19 blocks home and lay down on my bed. --Exhaustion. It's overwhelming.

Until tomorrow - magz

Anticipation increasing, patience decreasing

Time is going by too slow! I leave for the city in less than 9 hours and I have actually fit all of my clothes and shoes into two bags... and two boxes... and a couple carry ons. But who's really counting? I'm just glad to know that I bought my ticket early enough so that I will not be charged to check my bags. New rule = monstrosity of airline gimmicks! 

I can't wait! I can't wait! I CAN'T WAIT!! I haven't stopped thinking about the city all day and now that I am actually packed, have my boarding pass in hand, and have my official summer address, I can't sleep. I'm too excited! 

I can only think of the endless possibilities I will have throughout the summer, but what to do at 2 o'clock tomorrow? What should I do right when I get there, that is after I settle into my apartment - which will not take long, because the city is available to my every whim and I am beyond ready. Check back this week for my first few days in the city. I'm sure stories will need to be told! 

-Counting down the seconds- magz

Taking a break

I have no idea how people pack to study abroad. I'm only going to New York and I've already shipped boxes, attempted to pack suitcases, and I still don't have enough room. It's exhausting. 

So, I believe it is time for a quick vaca before I head to the Big Apple on Tuesday. I've packed a decent amount for the summer thus far, but I'm putting a lot of it off until I return from the lake this weekend. Partly, because I don't want my clothes to get wrinkled sitting in a suitcase for five days. (Sarcasm, please). Really I'm just procrastinating. But today I'm going to the lake to relax read a new book, work on a couple projects, and spend time with friends and family. A trip I look forward to every summer - the lake kicks off the summer in the south, at least in my neck of the woods. 

-magz

T Minus 336 Hours

Do you see her? The girl in the corner of Starbucks, headphones in, eyes glazed over with exhaustion, typing away on her Mac? There are numerous coffee cups surrounding the tabletop, and her nose is ten feet deep in history books.  Can you picture her now?

Yes, it's me. I have my table. My spot to study, with headphones in to drown out the "not so perfect study music, but still great mood music" while studying for more finals. It's a great thing that the local Starbucks stays open 24/7 during finals week. Not that I am one for all nighters, but it is nice to have a Chai tea latte always available.

My thoughts keep detouring from the antebellum ages of southern history to summer plans in New York. Not that the interesting ideologies of evangelicals from he 1800's aren't attention grabbing, but my mind is doing a little wondering. The anticipation of this summer is rising, especially while studying for numerous tests. Right now, anything looks greener on the other side, but Central Park is so calling my name! 

Two weeks from today I will be on a plane to Manhattan. Not time for panic mode yet, I'm sure that will come 24 hours prior to my flight, when I haven't started packing. (This post will probably worry my mother... but I promise I will get everything done in time) 

3 finals left. Count it. 

-Update on the foot, for everyone who keeps asking... I am walking pretty well. According to the physical therapist I am able to "walk aggressively" for the next few weeks, but if it feels good enough by June 1... I get to ease into running again!! 

-magz

Club Ellis*

I reserved a study room in the library today and remained there for over eight hours. Impossible you think? No. I did it. I had to write two stories for my writing class that are due on Monday. Both stories were so fun to write. So in a way it was an enjoyable way to do work, but it is rare for those two words to be used together. 

Several of you know my writing class is incredible. My teacher is awesome, and I have had the best time in the class this semester. My final two stories were thought provoking. The problem with both was I couldn't stop writing. I needed more room. I needed to keep both under 1,500 words, but it was nearly impossible. The first story was a profile of a teacher I had in high school. In no way does it do her justice, but I'm pleased with the style technique I used. The second was a personal narrative and you guessed it, I wrote about New York. How can I write about my personal experiences and journey in New York when I haven't gone yet you ask? I wrote about my journey over the past five months of finding a job and a place to live and roommates, and how everything finally fell into place. 

The journey to make my New Year's resolution come true. Yes, I will now admit that my New Year's resolution was to get an internship for the summer. Both stories turned out really cool, motivating and intense, in different ways. If I had to be at the library on Stop Day, as I did today, I'm glad I got to think about the best part of high school and what I hope to be the best summer in New York City. 

I might be publishing one story but probably not both, but if you would like to read either of these stories let me know and I can e-mail them to you.

*For those who do not attend college with me, Club Ellis is also known as Ellis Library. 

The moving begins

I have moved 9 times in the past 3 years. No, I'm not a nomad who can't seem to stay in one place. I have moved 9 times within a one mile radius. Annoying I know. Well it's that time of year again. Moving time. But thankfully I do not have to move everything home to my parents house while I am in New York for the summer. (Side note - I am moving from an apartment to a house... literally four doors apart from each other). Thankfully I am going to be able to store all of my stuff in a friend's basement. 

The unfortunate part. Packing and deciding what is important enough to go with me to New York. Leaving a piece of my childhood behind today, I packed my Gameboy Advance into a big blue tub this morning, in exchange for another pair of shoes in my suit case to New York. The right choice I think, but I'm glad I've got Tetris on my cell phone, otherwise how would I live? 

I'm trying to get a jump start on packing up my apartment in the midst of cramming for finals and writing papers, but I need a study break every now and then. Why not be productive, right?Although I'm not sure I like my room beginning to get so bare.  

A few little things to spark my interest

Today I was killing time and happen to stubble upon one of the best articles I've read recently. Well sort of. It wasn't the author or the style, but the subject that caught my eye. "Top 10 things to do for free in NYC." This title had my attention immediately. Was it going to be pointless "free" scams or an annoying article that really didn't get the message across? NO! It is totally legit. Now I know a few free things I can do to save a couple dollars when I head to the Big Apple. 

To break the suspense you're all in, I'll tell you what the "top 10 things to do for free in NYC" are. 

*Disclaimer, no i am not going to New York for a tour of the bar scene.

1. Free Booze 

- I know right? How is this possible? "Every day dozens of deals are posted on MyOpenBar for the discerning drinker." Apparently there are a lot of places in SoHo and the Lower East Side listed as well. I'll have to bookmark it.

 

2. Free Culture

-Friday is the day! I knew MOMA had free admission on target Friday nights, but so does The Morgan Library, and the Museum of the Moving Image. And if I can't get enough culture in on Friday, then Saturday's can be spent at Brooklyn's Botanical Garden.

3. Free Food

-A little unbelievable but a lot has changed since beer and peanuts... at least in Manhattan. Several pubs are now giving food away with each beer sold. I'm convinced. "at Lost and Found it's bagels and hot dogs; and at Levee it's cheeseballs, twizzlers, and lollipops." 

4. Free Gallery Openings

-"Clubfreetime is probably the city's best resource for freebeies and is particularly hot on gallery openings."

5. Free Music Documentaries

-I'm checking this out asap. Each Saturday at St Jerome in the Lower East Side, employees of this hide-a-way bar choose music documentaries to be shown against the back wall. And on top of that, they gladly serve $3 Bloody Mary's. (can't steer far from a good Bloody).

6. Free Salsa Classes

-Although this is the farthest thing from my personality to partake it... I'm still including it because it is part of the top 10. Each Friday night the prestigious Latin and Hip Hop dance club,  SOB offers free salsa classes. Hope anyone that goes, totally enjoys themselves.

 

7. Free gigs and club entry

-"If the other freebie sites don't come up with the goods, FreeNYC should offer something to please. Their daily directory of clubs, gigs, poetry and readings, all without cover charges, it a New York hipster staple - and, again, the choice is remarkably good."

8. Free tours and visitor attractions

-Up for debate on whether or not I should take a tour, or explore myself? At least now I 

know there are free tours offered at the Federal Reserve, Times Square, and Central Park.

9. Free Friends

-"New York has its very own hospitality service, Big Apple Greeter. Visitors can contact BAG in advance to be paired with the appropriate Greeter for your interests and desired experience." 

10. Free Comedy

-I want to check out Chelsea. The Upright Citizen's Brigade includes audience involved participation and good for a night of laughs -- free laughs at that. 

Start the count down

Welcome to Manic about Manhattan! I am starting this blog a little early, but I wanted to get a jump start before I move to the city. Start the count down... May 27 is the big day! Right now I'm trying to finish my junior year of college without thinking of New York every second. With finals soon approaching and my social calendar filling up quickly, I'm finding it hard to concentrate on school, but there are still two weeks left. 

I've finalized my internship, my housing and travel accommodations, and of course, the first week party plans, but I don't have every second planned. And if you know me... that's how I roll. 

For the past couple of weeks I have been searching for the perfect book. No, not for the plane ride, or the twenty minute subway ride to work each day, but the perfect book about the city.  I don't want the usual book consisting of the cities history, maps, dates, sightseeing, and touristy things. I'm looking for an up-to-date modern way to take the city with both hands and jump right in. I want to know where the best outdoor markets are on the weekends, where to find great shopping, besides the obvious Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Barney's, and of course I can't steer far from the beloved Banana Republic. But most of all, since my pockets aren't ocean deep, I want to know what is off the beaten path, but still safe of course. If anyone has any suggestions or interesting findings they want to share, please let me know!