summer residence

The Boogie Down (aka the Bronx) is where I'm staying, for the summer at least. I'll also be teaching out here. Where, you might ask? I'm trying to figure that out myself. Please pray for me!

My area, Parkchester, is home to a diverse crowd. Fortunately my building is right next to many eateries, a grocery store (it's no Berkeley Bowl, sadly), a laundromat, a Macy's, and a movie theater...to name a few of the surrounding sights. There are lots of folks around at all hours, which makes for a safer walk back from the 6 train.

After a couple days in Manhattan I took Monday and Tuesday off to venture out into the Boogie Down. In all honesty I didn't wander too far away from my apartment, but I did manage to get a sense of the neighborhood. At the center of Parkchester there's a fountain surrounded by benches where people congregate. It's a very sweet sight to see folks of all ages hanging out and talking.

the center of parkchester, just down the block from me

Now, for a better look at where I live...

the building

the view once I open the door

where the food goes


another view of the apartment


where I freshen up


where I get much needed rest

Yep, this is my first place in the city. My humble abode. Not bad for $415/month. My roomie is a very sweet and considerate young woman who just finished her first year at Pace University.

I feel like I'm a freshman again, and it's not because I'm living with an undergraduate. Feelings of homesickness, apprehension, and confusion are resurfacing along with questions regarding why I made the decisions I made. Don't get me wrong I'm enjoying this great adventure, but this whole move was such an abrupt transition. Shoots...only two weeks ago I was concerned with graduation and now I'm freaking out about where I'm going to teach. It all takes time...I know and I have faith.

the new love of my life

Sorry Mark, but it's true. In a mere 2 days in the city I have found a new love: Central Park.

Before I get into how this new flame entered my life, I'll begin with the first of many lessons I've learned since I stepped foot in NYC.

HopStop.com is a life saver. Why bother with a map when this site tells me exactly where to go? Well...

My only goal for today was to get to 11 am mass at the Church of the Ascension. After yelping Catholic churches in NYC this particular church had comments about the actual priest instead of the architecture. So, I wanted to give it a try. I entered the address into hopstop and voila, I knew exactly where to go...or so I thought.

Lesson learned: It's not enough to say that the Church of the Ascension is on 107th St. Ya gotta put W 107th St. Don't judge me if this sounds obvious, it was not so obvious to me :(

I guess it was a serendipitous mistake because I found myself on the east side of Central Park where my love affair began. Y'all know I really enjoy parks. Willard Park is/was my favorite spot in Berkeley, but it pales in comparison to the park that stole my heart.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir was my first stop. Much to the chagrin of the ambitious New York runners/joggers who dominate this place, I decided to take in the views surrounding the water and walk the reservoir.

upper west side

midtown?

upper east side

By the time I made it to the west side it was too far past 11 am to bother going to church, so I proceeded to get better acquainted with the park. My next desired destination was Belvedere Castle (who remembers Stepmom?). I stumbled upon the Great Lawn on my way to the castle and found lots of pale and pasty New Yorkers taking in the sun.

the great lawn & turtle lake (or maybe it's pond...)
taken from Belvedere Castle

After some quality journal and people watching time I made my way to Belvedere Castle.

belvedere castle
taken from the great lawn

belvedere castle
look closely enough and you'll see a couple mid kiss (ang sweet naman!)

Further exploration led me to Sheep's Meadow, which was quite a sight.

sheep's meadow

New Yorkers really know how to enjoy the park...maybe I'll fit in here???

My adventures in the park took up a significant part of my day. I walked from E 96th down to W 59th and Columbus Circle, the southwest entrance to the park. Hey Angie, look what I found; they're starting up a chapter at Columbia...

I took a break from the outdoors to chill at a bookstore and then made my way uptown to my original destination for 6 pm mass.

the Church of the Ascension

Yelp did not lie, this church is cool. I felt very welcomed and was pleasantly surprised that the 6 pm mass had a jazz band instead of a traditional choir. They played "Somebody Cares" by Duke Ellington and a jazzy version of my FAVORITE hymn: the Prayer of St. Francis

I couldn't ask for a more perfect first real day in the city :) I think I'm going to like it here