Welcome To The Big Apple

All in all, the journey across the United States was smooth. After arriving at SFO, our cohort quickly checked in our luggage and passed through security. Much to our surprise, when we arrived at the gate, we found that our flight had been delayed for about 45 minutes due to thunderstorms in the New York area. After finally boarding our flight, I tried to sleep, failed to do so, and watched television on the small screen in front of my seat until we touched down at JFK.

It wasn't until we collected our luggage that it finally hit me that I was in New York City—the city that never sleeps. I got my first taste of the different culture here when we got in a van on our way to the Empire Hotel. Despite that fact that Mrs. L. said that our driver was tame compared to drivers she had in the past, I found our driver was far more aggressive than drivers in the Bay Area. He cut off cabs and totally ignored pedestrians as he raced to our destination. After the ride, Mrs. L. warned us to be careful when we cross the streets here because most drivers are like our driver and don't give pedestrians the right of the road. When I heard this, it immediately reminded me of when I traveled back to China to visit my grandparents. Like pedestrians in New York City, pedestrians in China don't have the right of the road. Those who are walking in China inch their way across the road while cars speed past and honk to get out of the way. The only difference for pedestrians in New York City compared to China is that in New York, pedestrians cross the road at crosswalks whereas in China pedestrians cross wherever they wish to...even if there are crosswalks. I guess we're lucky to live in the Bay Area where we have the right of the road.

Another part of the Big Apple that reminded me of China was the weather. As soon as I stepped out of the airport's revolving doors I was hit by the hot and humid air. While I knew that it was going to be hot and humid, I was surprised to find that it's much hotter and more humid that I thought. In China the air is also hot, humid, and smoggy. When I stepped out of my grandparent's abode, it was like walking into an extremely stuffy room. The one thing that remains to be found is if New York is as smoggy as China, but that'll have to wait until morning.

I am so excited to begin my adventure in New York City, and I plan to have a blast for every moment of it!

Closer to My Dreams

It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here: New York.

Sure, we had occasional deterrence, most notably the flight delay, but we also had occasional triumph, like being lucky enough to complete our flight without any prior landings due to chaotic weather. But, we are here now. I am here now.

It's a lot to take in.

And, it's been an exceptionally long ride. Just today, through the early wake-up, the air-time, the shuttles to and from, the hotel check-in, and the extravagant dinner, I've had an entirely overboard rousing. But it is, and has been, all worth it, and I assume that as an immutable concept. Because, New York is an entirely different experience than California. I thought I was prepared for it; I thought I knew the contrast prior to arriving.

And, it didn't hit me for a while. The fact that I was in New York, within driving distance of my dream school and upcoming summer school, didn't quite register within my mind for a while. In fact, I didn't really catch on until, en route to the Empire Hotel, I snatched a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline--beauty.

I thought.

The street names are completely altered. The thematic courses of avenues, roads, boulevards, and the like follow a more traditional European style. Foreign undertones are widely noticed. Yellow lights are actually green lights in disguise. The differences are ground-breaking coming from a California life. Sure, I'm used to the city. But, I am not accustomed to The City; the heart of the East Coast is pumping vivaciously. I feel it.

The first day, which has been a night, to be fair, in New York is beyond my bewilderment. It provides a sense of simultaneous awe, fear, and curiosity--emotions I intent to embrace whole-heartedly in the hours, days, and weeks to come. I can muster only excitement, with a touch of exhaustion, from my initial N.Y. experience. The first impressions are felt and now comes the fun part. But, New York raises one immense question.

Where will I begin?

One Step at a Time

I have to be at the high school in less than twelve hours. I am nervous.

I am not questioning that this is a phenomenal opportunity for me to develop as a young adult and explore experience of living on a college campus first hand. It is. I am questioning whether anything I have done up until now has prepared me for what I am about to go through.

The stringent Ivy League Connection selection process consisted of an essay and an interview. The essay came easily enough. I had already taken a World War II course as well as AP European, AP World, and AP United States history, so writing an essay on President Truman was a mere review exercise. After the essay was the interview. I was nervous. Ultimately, I settled down and was able to give satisfactory answers to questions designed to gauge my ability to succeed in the Ivy League Connection program. I was thrilled. I knew I was ready for this experience.

Now I don’t.

Up until now I have written one essay and answered 10 questions about history and issues that affect my community.

I have not practiced living on the opposite side of the country, away from my family and friends for three weeks. I have never balanced writing a 25-page essay with touring the endless attractions and landmarks of the commercial capital of the world.

To this point, my participation in the program has been deemed, unsatisfactory. I don’t respond to emails promptly. I don’t send in the right forms when I am supposed to. I don’t draft acceptable invitations inviting clients to dinner. What if I am not responsible enough for this trip?

All I can do is take this one chance and make the most of it, one step at a time:

1. Take a deep breath.

2. Publish this blog.

3. Start Packing.

4. Get some rest because I’m definitely going to need it.

5. Get to El Cerrito High School by 7:30 A.M.

6. Say bye to my parents, who have supported me throughout this whole experience.

“Wish me luck!”

Beyond Excitement

I am beyond excited for our upcoming journey to New York City.

As of right now, all that I know about New York City comes from what I have seen on television and read on the Internet. From the most recent Glee episode, to the NYC Go! website, I have, in my head, an idea of what to expect when we reach the most populous city in the US. But I could be (and probably am) completely wrong. I will not know for sure how tall the Statue of Liberty looks from the ground, or the natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley, or the hustle and bustle of New York City in general, until I see it for myself.

I have created a preliminary list of the activities, events and performances I want to see in NYC but there will be so much to do when we get there, I’m not sure there will be enough time to do everything. Some of the highlights include watching a Broadway show (not sure which one), attending a recording of the Today show, taking a tour of the NBC studios and visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. Of course, I am also excited for the Harry Potter premiere and if possible, I would love to tour the New York Times building. The Columbia University Summer Program website lists a campus wide scavenger hunt as a campus activity – something I am definitely looking forward to. I am also excited to see what activities our Residential Advisors have planned for us.

As I pack, I will be sure to leave some empty room in my carry on to accommodate the souvenirs I plan to buy. I am ecstatic!

The Final Countdown

Guggenheim Museum

Credit to sfmorrisnyc.wordpress.com

Finally, the time has come to leave the comforts of the Bay Area and fly east to New York City!

As I prepare to leave, the reality that I will be away from home for three weeks is beginning to sink in. While I will miss home and all of it's comforts, the only thoughts that seem to pass through my mind are those which relate to touring the Big Apple, going to class at Columbia, and visiting colleges such as Bard, Vassar, and UPENN. In New York I want to visit the Guggenheim Museum, Ground Zero, have a 360 degree view of New York from the observatory atop the Empire State Building, and visit Harry Potter: The Exhibit at Times Square. Like Milani, I also want to witness the hot dog eating contest at Coney Island. I am excited to experience the different pace of the Big Apple, taking the subway, live in a dorm at Columbia.

While I'm sure that New York City will be very different from Hercules, I am looking forward to interacting with top students from the corners of the world, unique perspectives, and learning about the different backgrounds that my peers come from. In class with Irene, I cannot wait to be part of the discussions and learn about how the Constitution is interpreted.

I can't wait to land at JFK International and begin an amazing three weeks!

Almost There...

There are three more days until I leave for my trip. I can’t believe it! It feels like yesterday that I was being interviewed and was chosen to go to Columbia!

It hadn’t really hit me that I was leaving my comfort zone until last Thursday, when I said goodbye to my co-workers that were also going on vacation. It sank into my head that it was almost time to leave when they asked “when are you returning?” and I replied “in about a month…” Almost a month without my family, friends, my bed, my grandmother’s cooking, my dog, and most importantly, the comfort that I have in my own home. As I started to pack I realized that this is what it’s going to be like next year when I really go off to college, packing and saying my goodbyes to people I wouldn’t be seeing in a while. It also sparked excitement in me that everything I will be experiencing is new. New places, new people, new perspectives. It will be something new to look forward to.

As I packed, I realized that it’s not so easy to pack for a trip like this. You need a broad range of clothes, like fancy formal clothes for dinners, clothes appropriate for tours, appropriate for class, and some to go sight-seeing in. I thought I knew what I needed to pack. Yes, I was wrong. I had to email my chaperone probably at least four times to ask for her advice on what to pack. The airport isn’t helping at all with all of the restrictions on luggage weight it has made.

I’ve made a list of places I want to visit while in New York City. It has a lot to offer a young person with the willingness to adventure into the world. The museums are endless there, but I would like to visit in particular the Smithsonian and El Museo Del Barrio. I’d also like to visit Ground Zero, Central Park, and the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island. Last year’s record was 54 hot dogs! I wonder if they can break it this year. Of course, this isn’t my whole list of things to see. Things might pop up on the plane ride there!

As the day creeps closer and closer, I become more and more nervous. I’m excited to see one of the greatest cities in the world and some of the greatest universities in the country.