Thursday, August 31, 2006

Adventures in NEW YORK! NEW YORK!

I might have TB... well I do, but I might have more than just the TB bacteria in my body... like full blown TB... More on this later. Meanwhile please enjoy these nice after dinner mind refereshments.

So today I went on an accidental fire stairs escapade... I was trying to get to the computer lab on the 7th floor of Hunter East (we have three buildings, north, west and east, occupying the Northwest, southwest and southeast corner of 68th and Lexington, well we actually have four buildings at this campus, but the north building and the Thomas Hunter building are seamlessly adjacent, and the difference between the two is only noticable from the outside, not the inside.)

Well, I've seen the 7th floor lab from the bridgeway (we have three bridgeways, one on the 7th between east and west, and two on the third between east and west and west and north). But there doesn't seem a way to get to it from the seventh floor bridgeway... there are a few dummy computers (not full stations, just client computers) but there is a wall and elevators between them and the lab that you can see from the bridgeway. so there appears to be no way to get to it from the 7th floor, so I tried the eighth floor, but there didnt seem a way down into the lab, so I thought there might be a way up from the Library on the third floor, figuring that the lab might be part of the library and thus only accessible through it. So I tried the elevator, but when the elevator showed up it was obvious I and my luggage (more on the luggage being with me later) would not fit. So I decided to go down the stairs. So I go down the stairs... and a sign on every floor access door says "no entry, reenter on the 8th floor or go to the first and exit street level" or something of the sort. so thinking that I can't take the elevators and going down hill is easier than up, AND that the first and third floor are a heck of a lot closer than the 8th and 3rd, I procede down to the first floor, where I come to a door that looks like it goes out.

SO I check for alarms and finding none on the door, I push through.

then I see that I'm actually in a longish hall and I can see some daylight through the cracks at the door on the other end, as I approach the exit door, I notice two things. First I notice the door behind me click closed. Second I notice that the exit doors have two alarm systems wired to them.

So I debate about sitting down and reading the rest of Narnia.

That won't do, because I'd be in the same situation as this area seems seldom ventured into.

So I look around, the elevator requires a key... I don't have a key.
The other two doors in the room are locked, as is the door I left.
All that's left is an emergency call box.

So I debate briefly about looking foolish and then realise it's foolish to put off looking foolish, when you might as well at the soonest convienence (keeps ya humble and all).

At which point I push the button, hear the ringing and blush.

After a few rings the guy on the other side asks "Public safety how can I help?" or some other polite and genuinely loving and unimposed-upon words.

I blubber something about being outside elevator bank A on the first floor and unable to get out without tripping the alarm (I had noticed the sign earlier and thought it would be easiest to describe where I was to someone on the other side, but now that i think about it, they probably knew exactly where I was, considering it wouldn't be too hard to have a light saying which emergency call box was tripped.)

He said to just exit, but I questioned if that would trip the door alarms.

"One minute"
As he went off to converse with his colleagues I had to let out a little smile, chuckle and "crazy".
Then I overheard "yeah just have him exit".
"Yeah just exit to street level"
"you sure it won't trip the alarms"
"yeah just exit."
So I walk up to the doors and without pausing take a deep breath as I push the doors open.
I hear the alarm go off, in my mind, but no where else.

I later discovered that there may not be a public lab on the 7th floor, the lab I'm thinking of maybe a workspace or private... in any case no body knows about it, not even the people in purple shirts that say ask me questions(our colours are yellow and purple for the Hawks) or the campus security.

So luggage. Last night I arranged to go to a hostel in the east part of queens (about 45mins from Hunter). I'm supposed to meet the person before 530 or after 11. (maybe after 10, but she wasn't so sure she'd be there). so I go and wait outside from 11 until 1230 waiting for her, and calling her and buzzing the apt... at which point I realise how tired I am and how much I'm going to need sleep. So I decide in a last ditch effort to call a hostel that didn't have rooms earlier, but whose number was the only other one I had, thinking if nothing else I can go stay at the Missionary of Charities Shelter in the Bronx (they invited me to stay if I ever needed a place). Well lucky tired me got a welcome answer on the otherside saying "yes, we have rooms", "all you have to do is show up" and "30 to 36 dollars". I'm excited to be almost asleep in a bed. But I give her one last try to no avail. I head down little India (thats what I'm going to call this area, as there were so many Indians, and it even had the random Indian "taxi" driver in a personal car asking "Taxi?" and not believing me when I said no.) to the train station (the subways are considered trains, and they are sometimes above ground, especially off of Manhattan Island).

Now please note at this time that its between 1230-1am that I'm walking down to the subway station in NYC... everyone has heard the horror stories of gangs and seen movies so they briefly pass through my mind, but it didn't bother me much as I know God wouldn't permit something that wouldn't be for His glory. (So what if I die in a lynching... maybe souls would turn ever more to Him because of it? Not that I'm trying to dredge the fathoms of God's wisdom, but just that I could see it happening.)

So I get on the train eventually and notice a group of what appears Europeans and one suitcase amongst them. Now during the train ride up manhattan Island I'm trying to figure out if they're sharing the suitcase or if that satchel on the guy's arm is his toilletries case thus signifying that it's his suitcase... whatever. At some point in the daze of 130am I stumble ever so gracefully off the train and into the w 103rd st station. Noticing that the suitcase is carrying a small and cute slavic looking girl. So I try not to make much eye contact, other than a cordial smile, as I walk beside her out to the exit (I didn't want a single girl to be worried that I was a threat or that she was in danger by engaging her in conversation). But she at somepoint seemed to say something, but as I couldnt understand I just chalked it up to self-talk. Then she repeated it but louder and directed at me, "Are you going to the central park hostel?" I say no "Jazz on the Park, How much is that hostel?" "I don't know, do you know where it is?" "No, do you have an address for it?" "no." "well I know there is space at the hostel I'm going to, so you're welcome to come."

The rest of the night proceeds with her saying "what would we do without boys" (I lugged her luggage up several flights of steps), us ending up in the same room (the only two occupants of a four-bed room), free clean towels, and an nice comfy bed around 2am.

Well that was what we thought was the rest. But at 4 am we were awakened by some really loud noise, our door openning (which it shouldn't since there was a key card access), some really really really loud talking and laughing (including "A girl!") for 4am in the morning, and two guys that appear in to be in some oddly outdated uniform. I thought they were drunks at first, then staff, and after a bit we discovered they were travellers who had just gotten in. They left. and we returned to sleep, to be woken up again at 7am by them stumbling back in loudly, and going to sleep on the bunks above us (we had the bottom bunks, and they had gone to see the sun rise in Brooklyn). Around 940am Anna wakes me up (I've been in and out of mostly restful sleep the whole time due to the random interuptions confusing my sleep cycle). saying that breakfast is almost over... I say I'm going down are you? she said in a bit maybe. So I go down and enjoy a nice and free bagel with 3 packets of jelly a coffee and grab an orange for after. Around 1005 Anna stumbles down to find that they had already closed up the free stuff, but also to find an orange that I saved for her.

In other news, I'll talk about Subway confusion (I've been going the wrong way alot lately) and a rental Scam later. But now back to our main course.

Yes my skin test was POSITIVE. Though the way she explained it was "it just means you were exposed to it and have an infection, not that you have TB" I think she was differentiating between a carrier and an active case, but I'm not sure. So tomorrow morning I have an Xray and Dr.s appt. to find out what the dealio is, Yo.

And I'm off... gotta find housing for tonight and beyond... checking out an appartment in a second.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Somewhat settling

So.
I've got my classes squared... Intensive French, Geography of NYC, and Geology/flora/fauna of NYC.

Hmm

And I have a place that is somewhat stable i.e., I know I can stay for a while.

And I might have TB. YAY!
Okay so that maybe a weird thing to Yay about, but I also Yay'ed about getting a two hour plane delay on our way back from Delhi, after we had already been switched planes and had to take two instead of one to get to Amsterdam (where we were to leave for the US).

Apparently a positive test is " A positive skin test results in a raised bump (induration) at the point of administration" And I have a slight one, and its reddened. Tim doesn't so maybe I do, maybe I dont, I think I do.

Also about the Yay! I figure you might as well thank God for your Crosses, since you're going to get them anyway. :-) And they make you rely more and more on Him! So only good can come from it!

Cancel that... did more research: "Redness alone at the skin test site is a negative reaction meaning you have not been infected with TB bacteria. A firm red bump is a positive reaction to the skin test meaning you have been infected with TB bacteria at some time."

My bump isn't firm.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

NYC... 'nuff said

So I'm working at a men's shelter in the Bronx with the CFRs for the last two days. It's really cool, and I might get the chance to work with the youth center. Which I think I would love to do! For some reason, the Bronx feels like home... (assuming, of course if I stay here.)

Tim and I got free TB tests today at the city clinic, we find out our results on thursday. (I needed one since I just got back from India).

so the subway system in NYC is actually amazingly easy to navigate and very cheap and convienent... like 74$ for unlimited rides for a month.

Also, New Yorkers are NICE PEOPLE... maybe you don't believe me, but they aren't as mean as they're portrayed. Example. I was on the train from CT to NYC the other day and found out they don't take credit on the train. All I had with me was some change, so I asked the conductor where I should get off to purchase a ticket, he said some city, and then asked if I had any money at all. I said maybe $5 in quarters (I had just done laundry). He said smiling and quite nicely "count it up, and I'll be back". I counted it up and it was $10.25.

He took it, gave me a $1 back and said aside, "so you have some money" then said "We'll make you a senior Citizen today." So I ended up having more money than I thought and paid less than half the cost for the train ride.

NYC... Pshaw.

so I'm all a jumble lately, with random thoughts that I thought had been put out of my mind and the queerness of moving/maybe not moving to NYC or another city.

I have until tomorrow or so to make a final decision on the whole thing... thats when I register for classes, which is something I should have been able to do earlier, but due to a switch concerning my social security number and the repeated forgetfulness of the director of the exchange at Hunter, my earlier attempts failed. Yesterday I spent getting paperwork done, and changing my ssn from some random number, that didnt even match mine in any way, to my actual. I also tried registering but had the pleasant surprise of being unable to, because of the whole deal. But tomorrow I can register. Praise God.

That is assuming that I decide it best, I'm leaning more and more into staying, though several things still seem a bit out of place. I do expect I'll stay, but I'm not going to say I'm staying until later.

yes, so its crazy.

I met some of the CFRs I may soon be working with yesterday, and I'm going to two of their events saturday, one during the day, and one at night (the Catholic Underground concert). They are really amazing men (and volunteers). And they were really happy to see me.

Crazy.

We also ate at Serendipity today, yes the place from the movie, they make an amazing drink (big enough for three people) called a frozen hot chocolate.

I'd post pictures, but alas, I am unable to get to a computer that I could connect with my camera (same reason I haven't posted on faithorbust.blogspot.com much lately).

anyhow, love you all, keep my housing in prayer.

Ciao!

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

NYC... well not quite

So I still haven't seen NYC, though I've been in it... or perhaps more precisely put, under it... I took a train from Newark (NJ) to New Haven (CT) and stopped briefly in Penn Station (NYC).

Unfortunately it cost a bit more than I expected (because I had to take amtrak instead of Metro north, and because I had to take business class instead of normal class). But I did get a free NYTimes and two free drinks. When I arrived in New Haven, I was still a bit far from Clinton, where I needed to meet up with Annie, so I asked the amtrak peeps how close they could get me (a taxi was 55$)... they said about 10 miles, and I'd have to wait 4 hours... but suggested I try the Greyhound... so I went to the greyhound and the guy put me on a bus to middletown, claiming that it was closer. I asked how close, but he didn't rightly know, and he also didn't rightly know where the heck it was.

A brief Geography interlude. New Haven and Clinton are both on the Shore of CT. And now back to the story.

While riding the bus I noticed that I hadn't seen any ocean yet, and that from the maps I've seen I should be able to at least occaisionally see ocean from the highway... then it hit me.

why would you name a place Middletown?

At that point I suspected correctly it was in the middle of the state... and instead of getting closer, I at best would be keeping my distance, but changing my direction from Clinton.

well I get to clinton and carry my pack and roll my suitcase to the police station and ask how far clinton is, hoping that they would say 10 minutes walk... His first response was promising "How are you getting there?"
"I haven't decided yet"
"By walk it's about... " (hope was in my ears at this) "4-6 hours" (correct the hope, insert disappointment) "by car about 25 minutes"

So I ended up calling Annie and begging a ride (the taxi was 57.50 from Middletown). And three-four hours later (she was in the middle of youth group) my valiant friend walks up the church steps where I'm reading and with a shocked smile (she hadn't seen me without long hair-- ever) welcomed me to the Nor-east.

So that's where I'm at. Most of my recent story is a bit boring and bland, involving sleep, dinner, scrabble, amazing weather, and prayer, so I'll not pain you with it.

God Bless!

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Confused like the Dickens...


I have NO clue where I'm supposed to be in the fall... I thought it was supposed to be NYC, but several things have gotten alot more complicated (like registration)... that should have been simple affairs.

I fear that I might have to go to Iowa... or abroad... or Louisiana... or Texas... or Colorado...

Though I actually do think I'll end up in NYC, the events of late have been hard to read. And it's not that I'm worried, it's simply that I'm confused. I know God will take care of all the details...

In fact, I'm praying for a special intention that might change everything... don't ask me what the intention is, because frankly I don't even understand it.

Another funny thing is that I have been suggested to work with the Missionaries of Charity in the Bronx. They'd provide my meals and probably a place to sleep... which would make my whole life a lot easier... but the trade off would be working night shifts at the mens shelter... hmm

Friday, August 04, 2006

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Its the end? What?

(there is supposed to be a picture here, but the comps aren't cooperating and my friend leaves tomorrow morning so I'm jetting... loves you all.)

So I have about a week left and it's really getting to me already.

Luckily, one of my friends will be escorting us to Delhi on the train and everything, Zoe has been here with us since we began, and she's leaving the same time (and yes I have been misprounouncing her name for the past 3 months... its not Soh-E it's Zo-e) ... so it's really nice... its a bit depressing to abruptly leave all your friends, so its nice to have a weaning of sorts.

Everything is now taking on the tint of "this maybe the last time"... that bittersweetness that makes one cherish moments that otherwise would be mundane.

Its funny how watching T.V. even has become a bittersweet thing... its one of the last times I'll be with these people...

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Tearful goodbyes


I've never been one for good byes. Ask my NET team about them, and I'm sure they'll tell you how cold I was about the deal. Even from the first day we met, I told them I'd probably not expect to talk to them again, save once a year or so. Which in most cases (if not all right now) is actually the fact. I've never been one for sentimentalism or the such.

But over the last few years, I've met more and more people that I've wanted to let into my life. And many of them I've had to say good bye to. I find it hard, sorrowful, tearful, sad.

Some of them I know I'll see again (I miss Louisiana SOOOOOO much!) and some I just hope to see again. The second are the ones that I've met here. Why don't I know I'll see them again?

I'm in Kolkata, and I'm leaving here too. Few of my friends are staying, and rarer yet are those that plan to be here in two years. In Louisiana, I just have to go to one place to find all my loved ones. For Kolkata, I have to hunt them down and throw a net over them, and then hope they don't spoil while I gather everyone else.

The Kolkata summer of 2006 is something that will never be played again. My friends even if we do keep in contact with, will never all be in the same place (unless I die, then I hope they all come to my funeral).

I'm not so sure I like this new warmth in my heart. It sorrta hurts, alot.
(7:40am July 31, 2006)