One of the exhibits in the centre of the MOMA's main space, viewed from above. Looks rather like one knock to the base could maim a few people...
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
Apologies
Yeah, I know, I haven't updated in a while, had too much to do here over the last week or so. Been working both in the academic and the job sense, so as always my free time is somewhat limited. It's been relatively smooth sailing so far, I suppose.
Golden Hello at the Law Library is the grandaddy of all spill-proof cups, which they're very big on here in the libraries, presumably so they don't have to keep wiping up spilt coffee. This one is monolithic and, ultimately, hollow, which I suppose is kind of appropriate for the law library.
Socially, went to an EALAC faculty party on Thursday night, most of the people on my course were there. We also had the standard drunk Japanese guy falling over and making an arse of himself - mandated under international law at every party featuring four or more people who speak Japanese. Also went out on Saturday to a house party, stayed out til 4 a.m., lost most of Sunday morning...whoops. Still, had a good time, and it was worth it in the end...
Not a lot else to report, really. This is my 99th post, so I'm kind of tempted to save the 100th for something really special...what, though...? Answers on a postcard.
Golden Hello at the Law Library is the grandaddy of all spill-proof cups, which they're very big on here in the libraries, presumably so they don't have to keep wiping up spilt coffee. This one is monolithic and, ultimately, hollow, which I suppose is kind of appropriate for the law library.
Socially, went to an EALAC faculty party on Thursday night, most of the people on my course were there. We also had the standard drunk Japanese guy falling over and making an arse of himself - mandated under international law at every party featuring four or more people who speak Japanese. Also went out on Saturday to a house party, stayed out til 4 a.m., lost most of Sunday morning...whoops. Still, had a good time, and it was worth it in the end...
Not a lot else to report, really. This is my 99th post, so I'm kind of tempted to save the 100th for something really special...what, though...? Answers on a postcard.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Making the most of it
Before I start today I'd just like to note with great sadness the passing of my grandfather on my mother's side, Dr. Lawrence Cawley. He died around midnight GMT Sunday evening, surrounded by friends and family. He had been ill for some time, so this was not much of a surprise, but still it is never a pleasant experience. I've spoken to my parents and I won't be attending the funeral...much as I would like to, I simply can't afford it in either financial or academic terms. I feel pretty bad about not going, and while I recognise how self-serving this sounds, I don't think he would have wanted me to if it meant putting a big dent in my academic work. Living a so-called "glamorous" existence in NYC has its ups and downs, I suppose. RIP.
Anyway, apart from that it's business as usual, I'm working my butt off. I could maybe have got my stuff for the week done by now, but was invited out after our Modern Lit seminar on Thursday by some of the other guys, foolishly found a pub with $2 beers and ended up having a bit of a session. No class on Friday, a university-wide thing, but I had other things to attend to...
...like getting a social security number. I need one for my job at the library, so I was down there 9:30 Friday morning to get the paperwork. I took it to the Social Security office downtown and had to wait in line for two hours - basically til lunchtime - until I got to the window and they could process my paperwork. Got my visa in less time, believe it or not. Still, I suppose this is New York, and there's nothing much I could have done about it. Least I had my Edo Lit to read in line, which probably surprised a few people, not least the Japanese guy behind me.
The SSI will make things a fair bit easier over here for a variety of things. For example, without one nobody will take you seriously for loans or credit cards, and you have to put down a deposit of between $500-700 on a contract mobile. A moot point, as I have a pay-as-you-go one based on my brother's old phone which he sent over, but the important thing is this - "I am not a man, I am a number!"
So that wasted most of morning and early afternoon, and while I did sneak a couple of hours study in Friday afternoon I was then tempted again by Faculty Happy Hour...damn them. Free booze. How could I say no? And then...cunning bastards...some of the boys in the faculty asked me round to play poker. Bang went Friday. We have an additional rule here, which you may be amused at in Shiogama - whoever wins the most has to suppy the beers and snacks for next week. Think of it as a little egalitarianism amongst those who have to be rather more frugal with their money than JETs. Or as the antics of a bunch of cheapskate soap-dodging malingerers, I'm happy to leave it to your discretion.
And there you have it. No weekend to speak of, was in the library the whole time...自業自得.
Anyway, apart from that it's business as usual, I'm working my butt off. I could maybe have got my stuff for the week done by now, but was invited out after our Modern Lit seminar on Thursday by some of the other guys, foolishly found a pub with $2 beers and ended up having a bit of a session. No class on Friday, a university-wide thing, but I had other things to attend to...
...like getting a social security number. I need one for my job at the library, so I was down there 9:30 Friday morning to get the paperwork. I took it to the Social Security office downtown and had to wait in line for two hours - basically til lunchtime - until I got to the window and they could process my paperwork. Got my visa in less time, believe it or not. Still, I suppose this is New York, and there's nothing much I could have done about it. Least I had my Edo Lit to read in line, which probably surprised a few people, not least the Japanese guy behind me.
The SSI will make things a fair bit easier over here for a variety of things. For example, without one nobody will take you seriously for loans or credit cards, and you have to put down a deposit of between $500-700 on a contract mobile. A moot point, as I have a pay-as-you-go one based on my brother's old phone which he sent over, but the important thing is this - "I am not a man, I am a number!"
So that wasted most of morning and early afternoon, and while I did sneak a couple of hours study in Friday afternoon I was then tempted again by Faculty Happy Hour...damn them. Free booze. How could I say no? And then...cunning bastards...some of the boys in the faculty asked me round to play poker. Bang went Friday. We have an additional rule here, which you may be amused at in Shiogama - whoever wins the most has to suppy the beers and snacks for next week. Think of it as a little egalitarianism amongst those who have to be rather more frugal with their money than JETs. Or as the antics of a bunch of cheapskate soap-dodging malingerers, I'm happy to leave it to your discretion.
And there you have it. No weekend to speak of, was in the library the whole time...自業自得.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Movin' on up
Just getting on with things here, doing the reading and so forth that needs to be done. Though today started out rather ropily, on reflection I think it was probably the best day I've had since I got here. I got a call from my Dad at about 8.30 (I was already up), telling me that I'd gone overdrawn on my home account - a few phone calls established that I'd been overcharged on a magazine subscription (Men's Health, if you're interested), which was what that was about.
I then went and spilt a few drops of water on the keyboard of my laptop, which then started being very funny and not working properly. In somewhat of a panic, I took it to CUIT support, who scanned it for virii and the like, and then established that I'd left the Num Lock key on. As simple as that, but it cost me two hours. Still, rather than than a new keyboard or even worse, a new laptop, which I can't even come close to affording right now. Seems to be working fine now, luckily enough. Lesson learned. No liquids near the computer.
Had the Edo Lit seminar this afternoon...really enjoyed it. For the first time since I've gotten here, I felt like I belonged...I was able to play a part in discussions and didn't feel at all out of place.
Then got home to find I'd got a job. I've been hired by the Law library here at Columbia. They have a large Japanese collection, donated in the main by a former Supreme Court Judge of Japan, and they need someone to help with its running. That someone, even though I didn't think the interview yesterday had gone very well, is to be me. Only 6 hours a week, but at $13 (to rise) per hour, it'll keep me fed, and that's not to be underestimated. I'm particularly chuffed because the job description said they required someone of "native level reading ability in Japanese".
Celebrated at the GSAS mixer a couple of blocks from my apartment. Completely free booze, but sadly I was unable to take full advantage as I had to go home around 9:30 and finish my Classical Japanese homework. Oh well, perhaps tomorrow night...
I then went and spilt a few drops of water on the keyboard of my laptop, which then started being very funny and not working properly. In somewhat of a panic, I took it to CUIT support, who scanned it for virii and the like, and then established that I'd left the Num Lock key on. As simple as that, but it cost me two hours. Still, rather than than a new keyboard or even worse, a new laptop, which I can't even come close to affording right now. Seems to be working fine now, luckily enough. Lesson learned. No liquids near the computer.
Had the Edo Lit seminar this afternoon...really enjoyed it. For the first time since I've gotten here, I felt like I belonged...I was able to play a part in discussions and didn't feel at all out of place.
Then got home to find I'd got a job. I've been hired by the Law library here at Columbia. They have a large Japanese collection, donated in the main by a former Supreme Court Judge of Japan, and they need someone to help with its running. That someone, even though I didn't think the interview yesterday had gone very well, is to be me. Only 6 hours a week, but at $13 (to rise) per hour, it'll keep me fed, and that's not to be underestimated. I'm particularly chuffed because the job description said they required someone of "native level reading ability in Japanese".
Celebrated at the GSAS mixer a couple of blocks from my apartment. Completely free booze, but sadly I was unable to take full advantage as I had to go home around 9:30 and finish my Classical Japanese homework. Oh well, perhaps tomorrow night...
Monday, September 12, 2005
Ashes to Ashes...
England regain the Ashes, a day I wondered if I would ever see in my lifetime. No more needs to be said.
In 40 years' time I'll say to people "well, you know, actually I was in New York that famous summer..."
Anyway, I've ordered the DVD, and as I know most of you are totally uninterested in cricket, I'll leave it there.
In 40 years' time I'll say to people "well, you know, actually I was in New York that famous summer..."
Anyway, I've ordered the DVD, and as I know most of you are totally uninterested in cricket, I'll leave it there.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Random Musings
I'm tired. I've just read 140 straight pages of Jun'ichiro Tanizaki.
Quiet weekend, on the whole...Friday night I went up to International House, on Riverside Drive, for some cheap beers and a surprisingly good live band. Reminded me of nothing so much as a Wadham college bop, except there was no smoking, nobody was snogging and it wasn't nearly so sweaty.
Picked up a standard lamp for my room on Saturday, from a fellow grad student who didn't need it. Walked ten blocks back to my place carrying it...but this is New York. Nobody bats an eyelid. It made me wonder how wierd I would have to get for people to stare.
I've been reading Ihara Saikaku, 好色一代女, "A Woman who Loved Love", for the Edo lit class. It's surprisingly racy stuff for 400 years ago. Page 114, footnote 116 reads simply "Using a dildo". I'll leave you to look it up. Who says Classical Japanese is boring?
Quiet weekend, on the whole...Friday night I went up to International House, on Riverside Drive, for some cheap beers and a surprisingly good live band. Reminded me of nothing so much as a Wadham college bop, except there was no smoking, nobody was snogging and it wasn't nearly so sweaty.
Picked up a standard lamp for my room on Saturday, from a fellow grad student who didn't need it. Walked ten blocks back to my place carrying it...but this is New York. Nobody bats an eyelid. It made me wonder how wierd I would have to get for people to stare.
I've been reading Ihara Saikaku, 好色一代女, "A Woman who Loved Love", for the Edo lit class. It's surprisingly racy stuff for 400 years ago. Page 114, footnote 116 reads simply "Using a dildo". I'll leave you to look it up. Who says Classical Japanese is boring?
Thursday, September 08, 2005
First Week of Classes...
So, I went to Yankee Stadium on Tuesday to catch a ballgame. Not all of you know this, but I am actually something of a fan of the game of baseball, seeing in it a rather younger and less long-winded form of my main passion, cricket. I've been to see games in Japan and the USA before, but surely no self-proclaimed afficionado could miss a trip to Yankee Stadium. I duly went, and had a pretty good time; the fans were much more into it (and more spontaneous) than those I've seen elsewhere...and the Yankees lost, 4-3, which did bring a smile to my face.
In the days since then I've been "shopping", trying out a variety of the classes on offer to see which ones I'm going to take. I think I'm fairly sure now about my courseload, and it'll be Classical Japanese, History of Chinese Lit. to 900 A.D., Pre-Modern Japanese Lit, Modern Japanese Lit, and Japanese Bibliography, the last of which is a guide to the tools on offer in the field and which seems like it'll be very interesting. The proposition on the table at the moment is to develop a Japanese studies Wikipedia, which is intriguing to say the least...
Normally I'd have tomorrow off, but there's a visiting professor or two talking about Edo lit tomorrow morning from 10, and I'm required to be there. No rest for the wicked.
In the days since then I've been "shopping", trying out a variety of the classes on offer to see which ones I'm going to take. I think I'm fairly sure now about my courseload, and it'll be Classical Japanese, History of Chinese Lit. to 900 A.D., Pre-Modern Japanese Lit, Modern Japanese Lit, and Japanese Bibliography, the last of which is a guide to the tools on offer in the field and which seems like it'll be very interesting. The proposition on the table at the moment is to develop a Japanese studies Wikipedia, which is intriguing to say the least...
Normally I'd have tomorrow off, but there's a visiting professor or two talking about Edo lit tomorrow morning from 10, and I'm required to be there. No rest for the wicked.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Labour Day at the UN
It's Labour Day, and since classes start tomorrow I thought, naturally, I'd go and have a look at the UN. Interesting though it was, it was somewhat anticlimactic, as heavy security (once again) gave way to a rather hurried and lacklustre tour. Still, worth going, if only to say I've been, as I wasn't able to enter the building last time I was here. There are worse ways to spend a Monday, certainly. Classes start tomorrow, so I'm not sure how much time I'll have to go sightseeing, but for the moment pictures are below for your edification.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
NB
Got a load of comment spam within minutes of posting the below, so have turned on word verification - note when posting comments. Hope this doesn't inconvenience you too much. RT
On Liberty
So as you can see, I took a trip today (Saturday) to Liberty Island and to Ellis Island, to view the statue and the Immigration museum there. Photos, as ever, are displayed below. I had been on the cruise before, when I was here three years ago, but I didn't set foot on Liberty Island then, stopping only at the Immigration Museum, of which more in a moment.
Before that, I rounded off the week by paying my tuition, signing up for the college gym, and looking for a job on campus, before taking the departmental language test on Friday morning. I did pretty well - placed in 5th year Japanese class, as I aimed to do - but because of scheduling conflicts I won't be able to take any language classes. I don't think my professors are unduly bothered by this, but I will have to make an effort to keep my spoken J-go up to scratch.
Friday night, went for a drink with Juliet, a British girl in the Columbia Business school I met on Tuesday, then went downtown with a view to having a few drinks outside of Morningside Heights. Treated myself to an overpriced beer or two and came home - the 10,000 yen nights of Sendai are thing of the past now, sadly.
Anyway, today I took the abovementioned ISSO tour, and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a beautiful day, and as you can see a good one for taking pictures of 自由の女神 as the Japanese call her. Although you can't go into the statue itself as once you could, you can (amidst very, very tight security - I'm talking metal detectors and x-rays and everything) go up into the pedestal, and view the inside of the structure. It's a triumph of engineering, ahead of its time in so many ways and vastly impressive even today.
Spoiled somewhat by the wasteland of tat that surrounds it, viz. the inevitably tacky gift shop and the appallingly overpriced, nutritionally barren crud that passes for food in the alleged "refreshments" area...but then I suppose that's a captive market for you.
The boat ferrying us around the bay next stopped at Ellis Island. I'll admit that it's not high on most visitors to the Big Apple's list of must-sees, but I would strongly recommend it if you ever happen to be in town. It's a fascinating depiction of how New York essentially came to be the place it is today, still more so the United States as a whole. Formerly the staging post for inspection of all immigrants to the US, it's now a magnificently restored museum telling the story of the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free".
And the story was told by a rather remarkable man, Ranger Dan Milner of the US Parks service, which is responsible for the maintenance of both Ellis and Liberty Island. A lively, 61-year old man with a bushy moustache and a real talent for storytelling, Ranger Dan brought the history of the island, from its formation 50,000 years ago to its closure after the change in US immigration policy in the 1920s and beyond, right to life before our eyes. He knew his stuff and was clearly passionate about the museum and everything it had to relate, clearly relishing the chance to perform for his audience. A shame, then, that we caught him on his last day - the last group before retirement. I spoke to him later and learned that he plans to finish a degree in Geography at Hunter University - he needs 17 more credits to graduate. Quite a fella.
It was a fine day out. There's some remarkable things in this country, and I'm only scratching the surface.
Before that, I rounded off the week by paying my tuition, signing up for the college gym, and looking for a job on campus, before taking the departmental language test on Friday morning. I did pretty well - placed in 5th year Japanese class, as I aimed to do - but because of scheduling conflicts I won't be able to take any language classes. I don't think my professors are unduly bothered by this, but I will have to make an effort to keep my spoken J-go up to scratch.
Friday night, went for a drink with Juliet, a British girl in the Columbia Business school I met on Tuesday, then went downtown with a view to having a few drinks outside of Morningside Heights. Treated myself to an overpriced beer or two and came home - the 10,000 yen nights of Sendai are thing of the past now, sadly.
Anyway, today I took the abovementioned ISSO tour, and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a beautiful day, and as you can see a good one for taking pictures of 自由の女神 as the Japanese call her. Although you can't go into the statue itself as once you could, you can (amidst very, very tight security - I'm talking metal detectors and x-rays and everything) go up into the pedestal, and view the inside of the structure. It's a triumph of engineering, ahead of its time in so many ways and vastly impressive even today.
Spoiled somewhat by the wasteland of tat that surrounds it, viz. the inevitably tacky gift shop and the appallingly overpriced, nutritionally barren crud that passes for food in the alleged "refreshments" area...but then I suppose that's a captive market for you.
The boat ferrying us around the bay next stopped at Ellis Island. I'll admit that it's not high on most visitors to the Big Apple's list of must-sees, but I would strongly recommend it if you ever happen to be in town. It's a fascinating depiction of how New York essentially came to be the place it is today, still more so the United States as a whole. Formerly the staging post for inspection of all immigrants to the US, it's now a magnificently restored museum telling the story of the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free".
And the story was told by a rather remarkable man, Ranger Dan Milner of the US Parks service, which is responsible for the maintenance of both Ellis and Liberty Island. A lively, 61-year old man with a bushy moustache and a real talent for storytelling, Ranger Dan brought the history of the island, from its formation 50,000 years ago to its closure after the change in US immigration policy in the 1920s and beyond, right to life before our eyes. He knew his stuff and was clearly passionate about the museum and everything it had to relate, clearly relishing the chance to perform for his audience. A shame, then, that we caught him on his last day - the last group before retirement. I spoke to him later and learned that he plans to finish a degree in Geography at Hunter University - he needs 17 more credits to graduate. Quite a fella.
It was a fine day out. There's some remarkable things in this country, and I'm only scratching the surface.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Out and about
Just finished registering for my set of classes for the Fall term (in this instance, I will use the word...in all other cases, I'm saying autumn. Just for the record). I have to admit that the concept of registration is rather alien to me - at Oxford, we basically didn't have any choice in the classes we took, at least for the first two years, and even after then we still didn't have anything like the amount of freedom we seem to have here. While you could in theory take classes outside your department, hardly anyone ever did, partly because they were rarely useful and partly because nobody could usually be bothered. I do like the flexibility of the US system, to be sure.
That was after Departmental orientation and discussion with Prof. Shirane of what courses I was planning to take. He had some useful advice about various subjects, most pertinently that I should take a course in literary theory..."Derrida! Foucault! Marx! Engels! Can you hear me Friedrich Engels! Your boys took a hell of a beating!"
You have to be British and into football to get that, so most of you probably won't...
I also went out for Ethiopian last night with some other ISSO students. It was, perhaps unsurprisingly, almost identical to the Eritrean food I had about a month ago, but still tasted great, and I got to meet some more new international students. Again, they seemed like a cool bunch, but you never know how much you're going to get to see them once classes start. It could be that some of the people I've got on best with so far I'll hardly ever bump into again...
Still, I think I'm going to like it here...
That was after Departmental orientation and discussion with Prof. Shirane of what courses I was planning to take. He had some useful advice about various subjects, most pertinently that I should take a course in literary theory..."Derrida! Foucault! Marx! Engels! Can you hear me Friedrich Engels! Your boys took a hell of a beating!"
You have to be British and into football to get that, so most of you probably won't...
I also went out for Ethiopian last night with some other ISSO students. It was, perhaps unsurprisingly, almost identical to the Eritrean food I had about a month ago, but still tasted great, and I got to meet some more new international students. Again, they seemed like a cool bunch, but you never know how much you're going to get to see them once classes start. It could be that some of the people I've got on best with so far I'll hardly ever bump into again...
Still, I think I'm going to like it here...
Monday, August 29, 2005
Hot in the city
It's hot and humid and not altogether pleasant in NYC right now - I can see why New Yorkers get out of the city during the summer months. Not having much choice in the matter, I just have to grin and bear it - but there's been plenty going on here to take my mind off the heat.
Friday night, met up with some friends-of-friends at a rather cool waterfront cafe just off 79th Street, overlooking the Hudson River. Spectacular views at night of New Jersey's office blocks lit up against the evening sky. Not a bad place to drink at all.
Previously in the day we'd had the International Student Orientation on campus. This was an interesting affair, a chance for the ISSO staff to take us through all the immigration procedures and stuff we had to be aware of, safety on and around campus, that kind of thing. For the most part there was a lot of useful information, although I didn't get the impression that as a native English speaker the orientation was really geared towards me. This impression was confirmed when the lady MC'ing the event asked those present (about 1,400 people) to stand up according to their area of origin. On "Asia", fully half the room stood up...
The Orientation also produced another gem from the ISSO, "Survival 101 - Your Guide to the US, New York and Columbia". I read this cover to cover, and like the guide available on the net which I printed out before I came, it's so good I think it deserves a wider audience. Allow me to produce some of my favourite parts below for you:
"Americans tend to shower daily, use deodorant, and wash clothes frequently. Strong odors of any kind, including body odor, perfumes and colognes, and ethnic food odors, are disturbing to Americans [guess I better chuck that Eau de Fish and Chips I brought - RT]. They probably won't tell you if your odor is offensive to them, so be aware of others' reactions to you. If you think they may be offended by an odor, you may want to adopt some American hygiene practices while you are here."
"If you ask for a phone number from a new friend, he/she may not give it to you. Don't feel offended, but respect the person's choice. Also, if they take your number, that does not automatically mean they will call you."
OK, OK, I know the ISSO is doing a great job, and that the orientation is mainly geared towards Asian/South American/African students, but still...The Americans I showed this to thought it was hilarious, as did the other Brits, Canadians and Indians I've met over the last few days. Although in the ISSO's defence there is quite a bit of useful info in there, like tax-free shopping periods, which my New Yorker friends didn't know about.
And the ISSO has been doing a nifty line in events celebrating New York. Sunday was a case in point - a tour of the magnificent Central Park, a first for me, followed by a trip to Brooklyn and return to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. Things finished off at the Lincoln Centre, with live outdoor Jazz. Not being a jazz afficionado, I can't really say much about it, but it was pretty cool just to be able to sit outside on a summer evening and chill out.
I've been meeting a lot of people of varying nationalities, kind of like JET all over again, only more wide-ranging. Been hanging out (and talking cricket) with a lot of Indians and a few fellow Brits (met only three so far - I don't think there are many of us). Met a lof of cool people and am feeling pretty happy about the way things are working out so far.
Anyway, this post has gone on long enough, so I'll leave you with the photos below.
Friday night, met up with some friends-of-friends at a rather cool waterfront cafe just off 79th Street, overlooking the Hudson River. Spectacular views at night of New Jersey's office blocks lit up against the evening sky. Not a bad place to drink at all.
Previously in the day we'd had the International Student Orientation on campus. This was an interesting affair, a chance for the ISSO staff to take us through all the immigration procedures and stuff we had to be aware of, safety on and around campus, that kind of thing. For the most part there was a lot of useful information, although I didn't get the impression that as a native English speaker the orientation was really geared towards me. This impression was confirmed when the lady MC'ing the event asked those present (about 1,400 people) to stand up according to their area of origin. On "Asia", fully half the room stood up...
The Orientation also produced another gem from the ISSO, "Survival 101 - Your Guide to the US, New York and Columbia". I read this cover to cover, and like the guide available on the net which I printed out before I came, it's so good I think it deserves a wider audience. Allow me to produce some of my favourite parts below for you:
"Americans tend to shower daily, use deodorant, and wash clothes frequently. Strong odors of any kind, including body odor, perfumes and colognes, and ethnic food odors, are disturbing to Americans [guess I better chuck that Eau de Fish and Chips I brought - RT]. They probably won't tell you if your odor is offensive to them, so be aware of others' reactions to you. If you think they may be offended by an odor, you may want to adopt some American hygiene practices while you are here."
"If you ask for a phone number from a new friend, he/she may not give it to you. Don't feel offended, but respect the person's choice. Also, if they take your number, that does not automatically mean they will call you."
OK, OK, I know the ISSO is doing a great job, and that the orientation is mainly geared towards Asian/South American/African students, but still...The Americans I showed this to thought it was hilarious, as did the other Brits, Canadians and Indians I've met over the last few days. Although in the ISSO's defence there is quite a bit of useful info in there, like tax-free shopping periods, which my New Yorker friends didn't know about.
And the ISSO has been doing a nifty line in events celebrating New York. Sunday was a case in point - a tour of the magnificent Central Park, a first for me, followed by a trip to Brooklyn and return to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. Things finished off at the Lincoln Centre, with live outdoor Jazz. Not being a jazz afficionado, I can't really say much about it, but it was pretty cool just to be able to sit outside on a summer evening and chill out.
I've been meeting a lot of people of varying nationalities, kind of like JET all over again, only more wide-ranging. Been hanging out (and talking cricket) with a lot of Indians and a few fellow Brits (met only three so far - I don't think there are many of us). Met a lof of cool people and am feeling pretty happy about the way things are working out so far.
Anyway, this post has gone on long enough, so I'll leave you with the photos below.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Hitting the Beaches
I'm in New York, just ending my first full day in Manhattan at my desk in my room on 110th Street. I was able to hook my laptop up to the college Ethernet right away, so the show will go on. My room is very spartan, and if I were nitpicking I might say it was rather dingy, as it doesn't get much natural light and there're no overhead light fittings. Still, I've only been here a day or so, so I'm confident I'll be able to brighten the place up a bit in due course. See for yourself below. It is, though, in an excellent location, very close to campus, with all sorts of shops in easy walking distance and a subway station on the corner.
I've spent the day basically chasing around the city doing all sorts of admin stuff to get set up here. I stayed in a hotel on West 38th last night, as I got in to JFK too late to move in to Harmony Hall, as it's known. Got up early (jet lag and having gone to bed early too) and breakfasted on a toasted bagel with cream cheese - New York par excellence. Got up to the Upper West Side, signed my lease and moved in. Realised at once I'd have to do something about the bed cos there wasn't any bedding - as you can see below, I got that sorted out in good time.
Dumping my stuff off (a welcome relief after lugging it ten blocks), I changed clothes and went to have a look at the Columbia campus as well as pay my bill and find out when and how I would get my scholarship paid. I was able to do what I came for, and the campus was worth the trip in itself. The Low Memorial Library and the Butler Library opposite just scream Ivy League at you...but they're quite something to behold. I got a Tex-Mex Hero from the deli across the road and chowed down in agreeable surroundings, bothered only by the occasional pigeon.
Lunch completed, I went to check in at the International Students and Scholars Office, to get my Visa status updated and as luck would have it to open a bank account at the same time - apparently they have a Citibank rep there on call, as it were. That done, I drifted back along Broadway, stopping to pick up stuff I needed - basic stuff like a lightbulb, coathangers, pillows and so on.
I haven't really met any of my fellow students here at Harmony yet - either they're not here yet, or they're very reclusive. The ones I have met have all been non-American and not very forthcoming, so perhaps it's the latter of the two, but only time will tell. Right now though, I'm in a huge city where I almost literally don't know anyone...and the thought is simultaneously uplifting and terrifying.
I got more done than I thought I would today, so I can take tomorrow a little bit more calmly. It's been fine weather here, pretty hot in fact, and I've been sweating a bit as I've tramped up and down the pavement. I showered before dinner and was glad of the cool breeze this evening as I looked for somewhere to eat.
The jet-lag's starting to kick in, so I'll leave it there for now, with the promise of more to come (and pictures! I'm off the 56k dial-up!) of the Columbia campus and area.
I've spent the day basically chasing around the city doing all sorts of admin stuff to get set up here. I stayed in a hotel on West 38th last night, as I got in to JFK too late to move in to Harmony Hall, as it's known. Got up early (jet lag and having gone to bed early too) and breakfasted on a toasted bagel with cream cheese - New York par excellence. Got up to the Upper West Side, signed my lease and moved in. Realised at once I'd have to do something about the bed cos there wasn't any bedding - as you can see below, I got that sorted out in good time.
Dumping my stuff off (a welcome relief after lugging it ten blocks), I changed clothes and went to have a look at the Columbia campus as well as pay my bill and find out when and how I would get my scholarship paid. I was able to do what I came for, and the campus was worth the trip in itself. The Low Memorial Library and the Butler Library opposite just scream Ivy League at you...but they're quite something to behold. I got a Tex-Mex Hero from the deli across the road and chowed down in agreeable surroundings, bothered only by the occasional pigeon.
Lunch completed, I went to check in at the International Students and Scholars Office, to get my Visa status updated and as luck would have it to open a bank account at the same time - apparently they have a Citibank rep there on call, as it were. That done, I drifted back along Broadway, stopping to pick up stuff I needed - basic stuff like a lightbulb, coathangers, pillows and so on.
I haven't really met any of my fellow students here at Harmony yet - either they're not here yet, or they're very reclusive. The ones I have met have all been non-American and not very forthcoming, so perhaps it's the latter of the two, but only time will tell. Right now though, I'm in a huge city where I almost literally don't know anyone...and the thought is simultaneously uplifting and terrifying.
I got more done than I thought I would today, so I can take tomorrow a little bit more calmly. It's been fine weather here, pretty hot in fact, and I've been sweating a bit as I've tramped up and down the pavement. I showered before dinner and was glad of the cool breeze this evening as I looked for somewhere to eat.
The jet-lag's starting to kick in, so I'll leave it there for now, with the promise of more to come (and pictures! I'm off the 56k dial-up!) of the Columbia campus and area.
Monday, August 22, 2005
In a New York State of Mind
I'm off tomorrow. Fly out of LHR at ten past five and arrive at JFK at 7:40 p.m. local time. The next few days will be pretty chaotic - got orientations to attend, a flat to move in to, people to meet, and all sorts of minor things like opening a bank account to sort out. Although my room in New York has an ethernet connection, I don't know how long it'll be before I'm hooked up to it, so I may be without internet access for a while.
In the meantime, I've been to see Stomp in Covent Garden - excellent production, innovative, energetic and performed with just the right mixture of brio and cynicism. Reminded me a lot of a production I saw in South Korea when I was there in March, Nanta or Cooking as it was also called - very like Stomp, only set in a kitchen and with more of a unified plot. Enjoyed dinner and the show immensely...needless to say Sarah was most charming company as well.
Friday, went for Vietnamese in Cambridge with Sandie, chatted about all the usual JET gossip. By all accounts there is a guy in Yoneyama, Miyagi, a new JET, who is the absolute spitting image of me. Lucky fella.
Saturday, lunch at The Viceroy of India in Essex. Full Indian meal with my parents, the best Indian food I've had since Namaskar. Come to think of it the only Indian food I've had since Namaskar, but very good all the same. And talking to the owner about cricket in Bangladesh won us a tray of complimentary cognacs. Never let it be said that my passion for cricket never got me anywhere. Saturday night, dinner and drinks in Soho with Karen and some old uni buddies, Matt Cole, Matt Pound, Kirsty, and Nina. Dinner at New Diamond, in London's rather miniature Chinatown. Fine food and good company, can't go wrong.
So, this is it. As of tomorrow, this blog starts to do what it says on the tin. Where will the next year lead me? Am I destined for Sex and the City living, or a daily existence more akin to Seinfeld?
The curtain rises...
In the meantime, I've been to see Stomp in Covent Garden - excellent production, innovative, energetic and performed with just the right mixture of brio and cynicism. Reminded me a lot of a production I saw in South Korea when I was there in March, Nanta or Cooking as it was also called - very like Stomp, only set in a kitchen and with more of a unified plot. Enjoyed dinner and the show immensely...needless to say Sarah was most charming company as well.
Friday, went for Vietnamese in Cambridge with Sandie, chatted about all the usual JET gossip. By all accounts there is a guy in Yoneyama, Miyagi, a new JET, who is the absolute spitting image of me. Lucky fella.
Saturday, lunch at The Viceroy of India in Essex. Full Indian meal with my parents, the best Indian food I've had since Namaskar. Come to think of it the only Indian food I've had since Namaskar, but very good all the same. And talking to the owner about cricket in Bangladesh won us a tray of complimentary cognacs. Never let it be said that my passion for cricket never got me anywhere. Saturday night, dinner and drinks in Soho with Karen and some old uni buddies, Matt Cole, Matt Pound, Kirsty, and Nina. Dinner at New Diamond, in London's rather miniature Chinatown. Fine food and good company, can't go wrong.
So, this is it. As of tomorrow, this blog starts to do what it says on the tin. Where will the next year lead me? Am I destined for Sex and the City living, or a daily existence more akin to Seinfeld?
The curtain rises...
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
NY on my mind
Understandably, really, as I leave in less than a week. I've been busy sorting out all the things that need to be done before I go stateside - made an appointment to sign my lease agreement, ordered my traveller's cheques, got my documentation in order, and countless other things. It's at once exciting and terrifying - as the wonderfully patronising Coming to Columbia Guide for International Students reminds us, "relocating to a new country in one of the fastest-paced cities in the world is an exciting, but challenging, experience." No kidding. Worryingly, according to the guide, "Even a good command of English does not necessarily prepare you for the new accents and idioms you may encounter here." Whether that's a reflection on me or New York, I'm not sure.
There are a hundred and one things floating through my mind right now - Will I be alright for money? How will I compare to the other people on my course? Am I up to the job? What will my room be like? How will I get on with the other students, and New Yorkers generally? Will my flight take off on time? Should I call the hotel and tell them I'm arriving late on Wednesday evening? How long will it take me to find a job?
I know I should be almost salivating at the prospect of living in one of the world's greatest cities, but right now all I seem to be doing is worrying. I think things will become a lot clearer once I actually get there...right now it's all just speculative. But I've done as much preparation as I can, and I guess I have to trust in that.
In the meantime, I'm off to London again tomorrow evening, for dinner and a show (Stomp, I think) with Sarah, and am meeting Sandie, late of Miyagi and Tom Nisbet fame, for dinner in Cambridge on Friday. Added to the main event on Saturday, it looks like I am going to be quite the man about town again these coming few days.
There are a hundred and one things floating through my mind right now - Will I be alright for money? How will I compare to the other people on my course? Am I up to the job? What will my room be like? How will I get on with the other students, and New Yorkers generally? Will my flight take off on time? Should I call the hotel and tell them I'm arriving late on Wednesday evening? How long will it take me to find a job?
I know I should be almost salivating at the prospect of living in one of the world's greatest cities, but right now all I seem to be doing is worrying. I think things will become a lot clearer once I actually get there...right now it's all just speculative. But I've done as much preparation as I can, and I guess I have to trust in that.
In the meantime, I'm off to London again tomorrow evening, for dinner and a show (Stomp, I think) with Sarah, and am meeting Sandie, late of Miyagi and Tom Nisbet fame, for dinner in Cambridge on Friday. Added to the main event on Saturday, it looks like I am going to be quite the man about town again these coming few days.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Don't fear the phlebotomist
Not the most transparent of titles, I admit. For those of you out there thinking that the longer of the four words in the title sounds like something vaguely kinky, well, sorry to disappoint you, although it does involve penetration of a certain kind.
No, a phlebotomist is someone who takes blood samples in a medical capacity. Now, the New York public health law I mentioned a while ago requires me to document immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. Given that my NHS records are in cold storage cos I've been overseas for the last two years, I had no option but to get the blood test done at our local surgery.
So, gritting my teeth, I walked in at 8:45, spoke to the doctor, had my blood pressure taken (it's apparently "perfect"), and went in to see the phlebotomist. I will readily admit that I am not very good with needles, so I gritted my teeth and tried to think of something else while the equipment was readied and then inserted. Unfortunately, the first attempt didn't really work - either she missed the vein, or my blood pressure was so low that it didn't want to come out, and I could only manage a few drops into the syringe. It took no fewer than three attempts to get enough of the red stuff out to fill the vial, during which I had something of a dizzy spell, necessitating the last two attempts to be done on the floor of the surgery lest I fall over. Not an experience I would care to repeat, but one has to see the humour in the situation. Still, all done and dusted now, and if everything goes according to plan I should have the results in before I go to NYC. Otherwise I could be in trouble - I'm not allowed to register without them.
Apart from that, quite an uneventful week. I helped out with more gardening round my Mum's place, saw my brother, who as I write has now gone to Italy for ten days, and enjoyed yet another absorbing contest in the Ashes. England have the Aussies on the ropes - tomorrow will show if they can finish the job and go 2-1 up in the series. It would be truly special if it were to work out that way.
And while we're on the subject of sport, I managed to squeeze in a game for the Wadham College Old Boys' team in Battersea on Saturday afternoon. As I my wont, I played in goal, and while I was a little erratic at times, I was nothing like the nervous wreck I had been when I made my debut for Wadham 3rds all those years ago. Not that it made much difference - we still lost 4-3, just as we had way back in 1997. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. In any case, then and in the pub afterwards, it was great to catch up with some old faces from college, most of whom are now city boys. Different lives, different goals these days, but no harm in turning back the clock for just one afternoon.
More of the same on Sunday, meeting Karen, until late of Miyagi and Shizugawa, in Cambridge for lunch, pub and shoe-shopping. The first Miyagi-ite I have seen since I got back, and it seems unlikely that I'll cross paths with many others apart from her any time soon. Got filled in on all the gossip, and it was naturally a pleasure to spend an afternoon with Ms. Scott. While it's only been three weeks since I left, it already feels like the two years I spent in Japan were a different world, somehow divorced from reality. In a sense they were - real life is about to get a lot more real when I get on that plane on the 23rd...
As luck would have it, I am due to fly with BA a week on Tuesday - I'm off to Cambridge tomorrow to get some travel insurance, just in case...
No, a phlebotomist is someone who takes blood samples in a medical capacity. Now, the New York public health law I mentioned a while ago requires me to document immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. Given that my NHS records are in cold storage cos I've been overseas for the last two years, I had no option but to get the blood test done at our local surgery.
So, gritting my teeth, I walked in at 8:45, spoke to the doctor, had my blood pressure taken (it's apparently "perfect"), and went in to see the phlebotomist. I will readily admit that I am not very good with needles, so I gritted my teeth and tried to think of something else while the equipment was readied and then inserted. Unfortunately, the first attempt didn't really work - either she missed the vein, or my blood pressure was so low that it didn't want to come out, and I could only manage a few drops into the syringe. It took no fewer than three attempts to get enough of the red stuff out to fill the vial, during which I had something of a dizzy spell, necessitating the last two attempts to be done on the floor of the surgery lest I fall over. Not an experience I would care to repeat, but one has to see the humour in the situation. Still, all done and dusted now, and if everything goes according to plan I should have the results in before I go to NYC. Otherwise I could be in trouble - I'm not allowed to register without them.
Apart from that, quite an uneventful week. I helped out with more gardening round my Mum's place, saw my brother, who as I write has now gone to Italy for ten days, and enjoyed yet another absorbing contest in the Ashes. England have the Aussies on the ropes - tomorrow will show if they can finish the job and go 2-1 up in the series. It would be truly special if it were to work out that way.
And while we're on the subject of sport, I managed to squeeze in a game for the Wadham College Old Boys' team in Battersea on Saturday afternoon. As I my wont, I played in goal, and while I was a little erratic at times, I was nothing like the nervous wreck I had been when I made my debut for Wadham 3rds all those years ago. Not that it made much difference - we still lost 4-3, just as we had way back in 1997. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. In any case, then and in the pub afterwards, it was great to catch up with some old faces from college, most of whom are now city boys. Different lives, different goals these days, but no harm in turning back the clock for just one afternoon.
More of the same on Sunday, meeting Karen, until late of Miyagi and Shizugawa, in Cambridge for lunch, pub and shoe-shopping. The first Miyagi-ite I have seen since I got back, and it seems unlikely that I'll cross paths with many others apart from her any time soon. Got filled in on all the gossip, and it was naturally a pleasure to spend an afternoon with Ms. Scott. While it's only been three weeks since I left, it already feels like the two years I spent in Japan were a different world, somehow divorced from reality. In a sense they were - real life is about to get a lot more real when I get on that plane on the 23rd...
As luck would have it, I am due to fly with BA a week on Tuesday - I'm off to Cambridge tomorrow to get some travel insurance, just in case...
Monday, August 08, 2005
My place in the sun
A wonderful weekend, the sun shining all the way through it, or at least as close to as we seem to be permitted in this country. I'm even verging on a tan.
Spent most of Saturday wondering around Cambridge and sitting down by the river with Sarah. It was a genuine pleasure to see her again - in the last couple of years I had forgotten how well we get on and how much we have in common. We reminisced, ate lunch, had coffee, dodged the hordes of Eurotrash that plague the city at this time of year, and talked about all sorts of random stuff. No finer way to spend an afternoon.
Sunday, went down to the Smoke again to have lunch round Matt and Nina's, more old friends from college. I was treated to a magnificent repast, summery weather, pints of good ale in the pub and (sp?) capirinha, the new Brazilian cocktail that's apparently all the rage within the M25. I have missed out on all this stuff, the fashions and the ebb and flow of what's hot and not. But then, on the other hand I've missed stuff like Crazy Frog as well, so it's not all bad.
The Test match finished as being one of the most astonishing games in recent history, certainly the match of the decade, England winning by a mere two runs. I'm fully aware of the indifference, not to say incomprehension of most of my readers as regards the game of cricket, and all I can say is this - you're a bunch of philistines.
Spent most of Saturday wondering around Cambridge and sitting down by the river with Sarah. It was a genuine pleasure to see her again - in the last couple of years I had forgotten how well we get on and how much we have in common. We reminisced, ate lunch, had coffee, dodged the hordes of Eurotrash that plague the city at this time of year, and talked about all sorts of random stuff. No finer way to spend an afternoon.
Sunday, went down to the Smoke again to have lunch round Matt and Nina's, more old friends from college. I was treated to a magnificent repast, summery weather, pints of good ale in the pub and (sp?) capirinha, the new Brazilian cocktail that's apparently all the rage within the M25. I have missed out on all this stuff, the fashions and the ebb and flow of what's hot and not. But then, on the other hand I've missed stuff like Crazy Frog as well, so it's not all bad.
The Test match finished as being one of the most astonishing games in recent history, certainly the match of the decade, England winning by a mere two runs. I'm fully aware of the indifference, not to say incomprehension of most of my readers as regards the game of cricket, and all I can say is this - you're a bunch of philistines.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Wheels in motion
Been doing some more stuff that needs to be done before I go, like getting all the paperwork in order for my JET pension refund - that's going to come in very handy indeed. Should have it sent in on Monday, popped into Lloyds' in Cambridge and sorted out that part of the process.
Also booked a hotel for my first night in NYC - I get in at 7:40 p.m. so obviously won't be able to move into my room the first night I'm there. Reserved a 1 1/2 star place on West 38th Street, looks pretty low budget but then it's only for one night so what the hell.
Plans for this weekend - seeing Sarah, my ex-girlfriend of 3 years ago, for lunch and what will hopefully be a leisurely afternoon down by the Cam. Pimms all round. Perhaps. Will likely feel slightly weird, I haven't seen her in two and a half years. And Sunday I'll be down in London again, for Sunday lunch and a relaxing stroll with Nina and Matt, more friends from college.
And England have been giving the Aussies something to think about in the Edgbaston Test - it's been an enthralling two days' cricket.
Also booked a hotel for my first night in NYC - I get in at 7:40 p.m. so obviously won't be able to move into my room the first night I'm there. Reserved a 1 1/2 star place on West 38th Street, looks pretty low budget but then it's only for one night so what the hell.
Plans for this weekend - seeing Sarah, my ex-girlfriend of 3 years ago, for lunch and what will hopefully be a leisurely afternoon down by the Cam. Pimms all round. Perhaps. Will likely feel slightly weird, I haven't seen her in two and a half years. And Sunday I'll be down in London again, for Sunday lunch and a relaxing stroll with Nina and Matt, more friends from college.
And England have been giving the Aussies something to think about in the Edgbaston Test - it's been an enthralling two days' cricket.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Man about garden
Met Tori as planned, had a good lunch at Dojo in Cambridge, and enjoyed - if that's the right word - a spot of shopping later in the day. Good to see her as always.
Went in to see the nurse at the local surgery for my blood test - only to find out that nobody there had told her about the setup and she couldn't perform the test without a doctor's authorisation. So I have yet another appointment, this time next Wednesday, to talk to the doctor, and then get the test done afterwards. Results will, they say, be back in 48 hours but this being the NHS I am placing little store in that statement. Annoying, but hopefully not fatal.
Went round to my Mum's today to do some odd jobs around her house, like helping her out with the Japanese version of a PowerPoint presentation (she's off on a British Council headteachers' jaunt to Tokyo in the autumn), trimming her hedge and helping her pour some concrete for a new step on her porch. Construction and yard work - this is what I am reduced to.
Went in to see the nurse at the local surgery for my blood test - only to find out that nobody there had told her about the setup and she couldn't perform the test without a doctor's authorisation. So I have yet another appointment, this time next Wednesday, to talk to the doctor, and then get the test done afterwards. Results will, they say, be back in 48 hours but this being the NHS I am placing little store in that statement. Annoying, but hopefully not fatal.
Went round to my Mum's today to do some odd jobs around her house, like helping her out with the Japanese version of a PowerPoint presentation (she's off on a British Council headteachers' jaunt to Tokyo in the autumn), trimming her hedge and helping her pour some concrete for a new step on her porch. Construction and yard work - this is what I am reduced to.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Man about town
And so to London this weekend to catch up with some old friends. First, Pimms, cider and rounders in South-East London, combining a house-warming party and birthday party for Naomi, Matt Davis' (henceforth Pocket, short for Pocket Rocket) girlfriend. A few people I know of old there, including Matt Pound, one of my best mates from uni, as indeed is Pocket. Rounders in the park between the showers, a good time had by all once we mixed the teams. Even hit a bases-loaded home run...or rounder, as everyone was keen to point out.
Thence to the Oval, for dinner with Nathalie, at an Eritrean restaurant in South London. Not seen Nat in a while, not since Xmas, and as always it's a pleasure to catch up with old friends. Novel style of cuisine, not one I'd had before - meat and vegetable curries, on the dry side if anything, served on and with an assortment of what I can only describe as a cross between a crumpet and a pancake kind of bread-style arrangement. One tore off pieces of that to make impromptu curry sandwiches...an interesting experience. They say one should try everything once, except incest and folk dancing, after all.
Stayed over at Nat's Saturday night, came home around lunchtime. Somewhat apprehensive about using the Tube, I have to admit, but you just have to carry on with life as usual. Nat and I were the only white people in the restaurant - we wondered whether this was a result of the news that one of the failed bombers of 10 days ago was perhaps of Eritrean nationality? Or, more prosaically, just that the burghers of south London simply prefer a doner with chilli sauce as their post-pub fare. Who knows, but it'd be sad to think it was the former.
Going into Cambridge tomorrow, to have a haircut, gym session and for lunch with the illustrious Tori, late a CIR of Yamaguchi, shortly to become a hotshot Tokyo banker. Time for a pint and a pie by the river, and time also to luxuriate in the sensation of not being a JET any more.
Thence to the Oval, for dinner with Nathalie, at an Eritrean restaurant in South London. Not seen Nat in a while, not since Xmas, and as always it's a pleasure to catch up with old friends. Novel style of cuisine, not one I'd had before - meat and vegetable curries, on the dry side if anything, served on and with an assortment of what I can only describe as a cross between a crumpet and a pancake kind of bread-style arrangement. One tore off pieces of that to make impromptu curry sandwiches...an interesting experience. They say one should try everything once, except incest and folk dancing, after all.
Stayed over at Nat's Saturday night, came home around lunchtime. Somewhat apprehensive about using the Tube, I have to admit, but you just have to carry on with life as usual. Nat and I were the only white people in the restaurant - we wondered whether this was a result of the news that one of the failed bombers of 10 days ago was perhaps of Eritrean nationality? Or, more prosaically, just that the burghers of south London simply prefer a doner with chilli sauce as their post-pub fare. Who knows, but it'd be sad to think it was the former.
Going into Cambridge tomorrow, to have a haircut, gym session and for lunch with the illustrious Tori, late a CIR of Yamaguchi, shortly to become a hotshot Tokyo banker. Time for a pint and a pie by the river, and time also to luxuriate in the sensation of not being a JET any more.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Same old England, always raining...
It's summer in England - you can tell by the slanting sheets of rain. In between dodging the raindrops I've been enjoying the benefits of being back in the UK, such as Marmite. And proper bacon. And English summer berries - nothing quite like them.
Parenthetically, I have to ask - Was the UK always this expensive, or did I just not notice it before?
Got my housing details for NYC, will be living in Harmony Hall, which is a dorm-style building between Broadway and Amsterdam. My address is #207 544 West 110th Street, New York, NY 10025 - come and visit! I have it on good authority that not only is there a subway stop very near, the coffee shop from Seinfeld is also a mere two blocks away.
Parenthetically, I have to ask - Was the UK always this expensive, or did I just not notice it before?
Got my housing details for NYC, will be living in Harmony Hall, which is a dorm-style building between Broadway and Amsterdam. My address is #207 544 West 110th Street, New York, NY 10025 - come and visit! I have it on good authority that not only is there a subway stop very near, the coffee shop from Seinfeld is also a mere two blocks away.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Back in town
Back home in Cambridge, more-or-less over the jetlag and enjoying life as a non-CIR. Flight was OK, never something to be enjoyed so much as endured, but it's over now. Second leg was delayed slightly by a spectactular electrical storm at HK airport, but Cathay managed to make up a fair bit of time on the way over Russia, apparently.
Got back in time for all sorts of crazy shit to kick off in London again...failed bombing attempt, and a guy shot dead on the Tube in what seems to have been a case of mistaken identity. And England have faded after a bright start in the Ashes, though that's hardly news...
Been job hunting unsuccessfully; think the time frame will count against me, but I'll see if I can whip something up. Otherwise I'll probably just spend the time going to the gym or studying. I'm on a crappy 56k dial-up here, a hollow mockery of the broadband I had in Japan, so posts might be rather more infrequent.
Also booked my flights to New York, going on the 23rd August. Still, I plan to enjoy a bit of home life for the next month or so. It's good to be back, for the moment at least.
Got back in time for all sorts of crazy shit to kick off in London again...failed bombing attempt, and a guy shot dead on the Tube in what seems to have been a case of mistaken identity. And England have faded after a bright start in the Ashes, though that's hardly news...
Been job hunting unsuccessfully; think the time frame will count against me, but I'll see if I can whip something up. Otherwise I'll probably just spend the time going to the gym or studying. I'm on a crappy 56k dial-up here, a hollow mockery of the broadband I had in Japan, so posts might be rather more infrequent.
Also booked my flights to New York, going on the 23rd August. Still, I plan to enjoy a bit of home life for the next month or so. It's good to be back, for the moment at least.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
The Final Act
Thus ends my two years on JET. At midday tomorrow, I will leave Shiogama, head to Sendai and then to Tokyo, where I will catch an evening flight to Hong Kong and then back to the UK. I will not have internet access as of this evening, since I'm packing up my Yahoo BB modem and sending it back to them, so I thought I should get my farewell post in quickly...
How to summarise my JET experience? It's been beneficial, no doubt about it - I've made some good friends, improved my Japanese maybe 30% and picked up 1-kyu, paid off a lot of student loan, and managed to save a fair amount too. And of course, I got into Columbia. I've been to South Korea and a lot of places I wanted to see in Japan...my only regret is that I didn't manage to travel more widely in Asia. Mission pretty much accomplished.
But it's also been frustrating at times. Don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of fun doing my job, got on really well with my colleagues and met some very cool Japanese people, but have I really made a difference? If, in the fashion of It's a Wonderful Life, an angel could show me the last two years as if I had not been here, would things be very different? I doubt it.
I guess the thing with JET is that you have to take it for what it is; a means to an end. And in that sense, the last two years have been a success. I'm glad I decided to come here, and very happy with my placement - Shiogama is a fine place to live, and the office have been wonderful, never had a single problem with them in all of two years. I will miss the 'gama, in a lot of ways. But then, I'm moving on to somewhere rather different...
This is where my life moves up a gear and things start to get serious. If I've been on Pause for the last six months or so, then I have a feeling someone's about to hit the Fast Forward button.
If I'm honest, I don't know what to expect, but that's part of the thrill of starting up somewhere new. For the meantime, though, I have more immediate things to focus on, like getting home, getting a short-term job and seeing all of my old friends in London and Cambridge again.
So, thanks to all of you both in Japan and elsewhere who have helped to make the last two years so enjoyable, for all of your support, and for all of the laughs. Next time you hear from me, I will be safely home in Cambridge.
Til then.
How to summarise my JET experience? It's been beneficial, no doubt about it - I've made some good friends, improved my Japanese maybe 30% and picked up 1-kyu, paid off a lot of student loan, and managed to save a fair amount too. And of course, I got into Columbia. I've been to South Korea and a lot of places I wanted to see in Japan...my only regret is that I didn't manage to travel more widely in Asia. Mission pretty much accomplished.
But it's also been frustrating at times. Don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of fun doing my job, got on really well with my colleagues and met some very cool Japanese people, but have I really made a difference? If, in the fashion of It's a Wonderful Life, an angel could show me the last two years as if I had not been here, would things be very different? I doubt it.
I guess the thing with JET is that you have to take it for what it is; a means to an end. And in that sense, the last two years have been a success. I'm glad I decided to come here, and very happy with my placement - Shiogama is a fine place to live, and the office have been wonderful, never had a single problem with them in all of two years. I will miss the 'gama, in a lot of ways. But then, I'm moving on to somewhere rather different...
This is where my life moves up a gear and things start to get serious. If I've been on Pause for the last six months or so, then I have a feeling someone's about to hit the Fast Forward button.
If I'm honest, I don't know what to expect, but that's part of the thrill of starting up somewhere new. For the meantime, though, I have more immediate things to focus on, like getting home, getting a short-term job and seeing all of my old friends in London and Cambridge again.
So, thanks to all of you both in Japan and elsewhere who have helped to make the last two years so enjoyable, for all of your support, and for all of the laughs. Next time you hear from me, I will be safely home in Cambridge.
Til then.
Monday, July 18, 2005
And now, the end is near
That's it, I'm not a CIR any more. My last act was to show a group of ALTs around Shiogama's Minato Matsuri, or Port Festival, and give them a VIP seat to all the cool stuff that went on in connection with it. As of 5:15 p.m. today, I am no longer an employee of Shiogama City. But the day was great fun, and a fine way to sign off for the two years I've spent here. Today's post is necessarily a little picture-heavy, for which I apologise, but there's some interesting stuff, so take a look.
Basically what happens with the matsuri is that the Omikoshi (portable shrines holding the tutelary deity of the main Shrine) are taken through the streets out onto boats and then sailed around the Shiogama-Shichigahama-Matsushima area, with a view to praying for good catches, something of a necessity in what is essentially still a fishing town. The city thought that it would be a good idea to get some foreign visitors to see this, and that's where I came in, showing 13 or so of my fellow ALTs around the place and riding the boats along with them. I think everyone had a good time and got a lot out of it - it amounted to a real ringside seat to a bit of authentic Japanese culcha...
Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking.
Basically what happens with the matsuri is that the Omikoshi (portable shrines holding the tutelary deity of the main Shrine) are taken through the streets out onto boats and then sailed around the Shiogama-Shichigahama-Matsushima area, with a view to praying for good catches, something of a necessity in what is essentially still a fishing town. The city thought that it would be a good idea to get some foreign visitors to see this, and that's where I came in, showing 13 or so of my fellow ALTs around the place and riding the boats along with them. I think everyone had a good time and got a lot out of it - it amounted to a real ringside seat to a bit of authentic Japanese culcha...
Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking.
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