NY, Day 1: Bright lights, big city, here I come!

I have convinced myself that a blog is a good way to let those who are interested share in my adventures and learning this summer, and that it's not just narcissistic indulgence on my part. Someone even pointed out that this will help me write my final internship report for course credit. So really, it's homework and archiving! If you buy all or any of that (and you probably have, or you wouldn't be here), welcome and happy reading!

The back story: I have an internship at a really terrific museum in New York this summer. If you don't know which one it is already, you'll figure it out, I'm sure. Good friends and kind New Yorkers all helped me narrow down my housing search, and now here I am!

I'll use the blog to document my work experiences, my adventures, and other miscellany. This week I'm getting set up and am seeing some sights, so these early posts will be a little less thematic than I expect most of them to be. I should also point out that this blog was originally created as a teaching tool to show teachers how blogs might be useful in their courses, so you can ignore the 2007 archive.

I arrived in NY at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 25. A word here about AirTran:
I was delighted with everything about my flight experience except the landing in NY, and even that wasn't so bad. The price was the best I found, everything ran as scheduled, online check in was efficient and easy (and let me add my excess bag for only $10), the AirTran employees were pleasant, and we still got FREE beverages and snacks (so my granola bar mutiny plan wasn't necessary after all). Besides all that, they use Peyton in their ads, so even better. Thank you, AirTran. I recommend and plan to return!

Nate had me a bit apprehensive (logically so) about handling my bags alone. But the SmartCart made that possible, and I got a cab and was delivered to the corner nearest my apartment with no problem. Well, except that I didn't know which building was mine. My flat mate took the doggie out for a walk to meet me, but I wasn't able to catch her attention until the second time they appeared.

Shortly after arrival, I received directions to Bed, Bath and Beyond to acquire (no surprise here) bedding. Then I was directed to the Pathmark grocery. Every time I found these places, I uttered an internal "Yes!" Those of you who know my non-existent sense of direction (and severe sleep deprivation upon arrival) will understand this. Really, the navigating was quite successful. By the end of the day I realized I am living with a cute dog and a model (/singer/dancer/actress-quadruple threat!), about a block and a half from a Dunkin' Donuts. This part of it sounds like I'm living out my husband's dream, not my own. (To be fair to N, though, he's never mentioned a model. To me. But there was an infamous mention of Claire Danes that I will take this opportunity to remind him of.)

(New friend Sammy, lying on the bed I'd like to make.)

Just in case I had any doubts about all of this, I walked past this store while looking for Bed, Bath and Beyond:


It felt like a cosmic welcome sign. This is gonna be good.