My Bite Out of The Big Apple

Grab Your Scalpel!

March 2, 2008

It's been awhile since my last post... maybe I myself just can't keep up with this digital generation that us creative twenty-something's find ourselves immersed in everyday... that and the fact that turning 25 just one month ago may have had more of a brain-draining effect on me than I had once anticipated it would! You know the feeling... where you start to question every single aspect of your life to the point that you wake up every day with a headache because your mind just won't stop racing... ok, maybe not. Well it's a new month, the winter- and getting-older blues are seemingly starting to fade, and my mind is gradually starting to clear of the constant 'what am I doing with my life?' concern, to finally allow me a surge of mental energy to do other things... like blog.

Today I ventured all the way down to Lower Manhattan to attend an unique exhibition that took me way back to my early days of university. Ahhh.... the glory days of being a Phys Ed student. Surely we had more fun than any other faculty on campus, but it wasn't all just fun and games (those volleyball and golf courses only filled up half of our schedules). In all the years that I was a professional student, my favorite class was without a doubt was 'Structural Anatomy.'

South Street Seaport is currently playing host to Bodies - The Exhibition, an innovative exhibition showcasing real, dissected human bodies (preserved that is), that unveil the intricate and complex systems of tissues and organs that make our body work. From bones to muscles, a healthy heart to cancerous lungs (stop smoking people!), and everything imaginable in between, the event was a fascinating display of the reality of our entire physical makeup.

Having regretfully not taken Gross Anatomy as an elective for my BPE degree, and therefore not having that course under my belt to serve as a buffer for what I would eventually see this morning, I was a tad worried I wouldn't be able to stomach the event. But it's all good, my porridge stayed down! Looking back, I definitely don't miss the days of cue card studying and bell-ringer lab exams associated with one of the more difficult first-year courses I was required to take, but it sure was nice to have a visual refresher course now, to allow me to re-identify all those muscles that sure do ache on a daily basis in my old age.

South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan

Got Monuments?

February 11, 2008

American history. I can't say I remember much of anything from my Social Studies classes back in junior high and high school, but everything that was easily forgetten was quickly refreshed in my mind in my recent mini-vacation to Washinton, DC. Monuments here, memorials there, and more museums, federal buildings, state department buildings, marble and Grecian columns than you care to imagine, most people can probably think of much more thrilling places to visit. My reasoning however, for hopping aboard a train to experience the land of America's forefathers went beyond any interest I may have had in government, politics and orators of the American republic.

USArts, the sponsoring organization behind my internship in New York City, recently invited all interns currently living and working in the U.S., to Washington, DC for a couple of days of sightseeing and tours, and to have the opportunity to exchange stories about our life-changing experiences thus far. Even though I was able to take in some quite stunning sights of the nation's capital, drop in to a handful of beautiful Smithsonian museums, and absorb all that forms the basis of America's power in today's society, that was all just a bonus of my trip.

The real perk was being able to meet and spend time with some intelligent individuals who are all literally walking in the same pair of shoes. It was reassuring for me to learn of my fellow interns' similar experiences in moving to new and challenging territory, facing both forseen and unforseen obstacles and sharing the same sense in hoping that once our internships come to an end, we leave here with a confirmed feeling of what it was that we came here looking for. And if not... well... at least we'll all have our own little piece of American history.

The US Capitol Building

The Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial

I spy snipers...

Canada (x2), England, Venezuela, Poland, Argentina and USA all share a little taste of Italy!

A Turtlehog Party!

February 3, 2008

Though I never did hear whether Punxsutawney Phil, Wiarton Willie or New York City's own Pothole Pete (though also a very suiting name for Edmonton's own groundhog) ended up seeing their shadow yesterday, I'm crossing my fingers they didn't... particularly for all you Albertans out there who are bravely toughing out the deep freeze these days. While the odds are not likely in our favor for an early spring, the odds that Groundhog Day would be a day to celebrate not one, but two birthdays for a couple of cute turtles is slim to none... or so I thought!

Seriously, what are the chances, that in a city this big, I would not only meet someone, but also work with someone, who shares the same oddly recognized day as a birthday! I couldn't help but chuckle at this random coincidence when my Turtle Bay co-worker Julie and I discovered this little known fact. So despite my longstanding dread in joining the quarter-century club, I was actually excited for the day to arrive knowing I'd be able to celebrate it with my fabulous fellow turtlehog!

Along with some fantastic company, we celebrated our special day in Little Italy, where we feasted on some of the most amazing pasta I have ever eaten(!), sipped some superb wine, nibbled on some tasty tiramisu and were even treated to a birthday song by a 'polka band' who got the entire restaurant to sing to us! What a great night. I couldn't have asked for a better way to entertain the start of my 'halfway-to-30' age in the Big Apple. ACK! Forget about that last part... turning 25 felt pretty good until that scary thought crossed my mind.

Two Turtles who share a special birthday!

A Little Ballet with that PB & J?

January 30, 2008

Today I took a lunchtime fieldtrip to the New York State Theatre, home to the New York City Ballet, one of the foremost dance companies in the world. Having only seen one other professional dance company in New York since I've moved here, that being Complexions Contemporary Ballet, which was quite outstanding, I didn't want to pass up the chance to see some of the best dancers in the world rehearse for their opening night performance of Double Feature, Tony-Award winner Susan Stroman's latest choreographic work.

Rarely have I seen, or even heard of a ballet, that delves into aspects of silent film, musical theatre and melodrama that results in such a unique and inventive piece of work. And this afternoon, in a dress rehearsal open to the public, I was witness to poised ballerina's alike effortlessly run through the first act of this intuitive double bill ballet, The Blue Necklace. A Cinderella-ish tale with a hint of Broadway theatrics, imaginative sets, lavish costumes and entertaining choreography definitely left me hungry for more.

Tomorrow afternoon the NYC ballet is offering up Act 2 to the public... entitled Makin' Whoopee... hmmm... a light-hearted slapstick parody perhaps? Your guess is as good as mine. Not every day can be a free ballet and brown bag lunch kind of day!

Surprising Saviour

January 21, 2008

I never ended up sleeping over like I once said I would, but I most definitely should have. My visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art was penciled into my next months calendar as requiring a full weekend to explore; to have ample time to enjoy the numerous exhibitions and new installations in one of the world's largest art museums, but my visit came early when all of the radiators in the apartment chose to hibernate for the winter early Sunday morning, leaving me scrambling to take cover someplace warm.

Despite mid-teen temps earlier this month that gave me false hope in anticipating an early spring (I even started to dust off my sandals), a recent swoop of bitter, icy, wintry air, comparable to that of prairie cold (but without the snow), finally found its place on the east coast. The painful wind is enough to want to stay inside all the time, only venturing out when you absolutely have to. But when your apartment is itself an igloo and no degree of layering will cooperate to retain even an ounce of heat, where do you go? Yup, you guessed it, the Museum.

This holiday Monday I wandered The Met to stay warm, albeit aimlessly because I kept getting lost. With over two million works of art in its permanent collection, 19 curatorial departments, plus a handful of new Galleries featuring Oceanic Art and 19th- and Early 20th-Century European Paintings and Sculpture, it sure doesn't take much to lose your way!

One of the short-term exhibitions at the Museum which posed to be my favorite was The Costume Institute, which showcased fashionable dress and regional costumes from the late 16th century to the present. One other collection that was indeed a favorite of mine from my last visit in 2004, was the Hall of Musical Instruments. Rare violins, harpsichords, and the oldest extant piano in the world is on display here. But it looks like it will take another broke-down radiator for me to see that particular collection again, because I'm pretty sure museum renovations that have closed a number of wings for public viewing will be complete by the time the heat decides to shut off again in my building. Space heater anyone?

The facade of The Met

Renaissance parade armors

A beautiful harp on display in one of many European period rooms

The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer, 1922 (Edgar Degas)

The Dance Class, 1874 (Edgar Degas)

Worthy of a sprained anke or two?

Surely Coming to a City Near You...

January 12, 2008

On a daily basis, you see some of the most random things take place in a subway car. Not to mention hear some of the most... I don't know... 'interesting' conversations commuters have with each other, or simply with themselves. Every ride is unpredictable; every subway stop an opportunity for the ride to become more or less bearable.

Absolutely anything goes in this city, which is perhaps one of the first things I came to learn and accept, particularly in my adjustment to the public transporation system. Native New Yorker's I'm sure have seen it all, hence why nothing ever seems to phase them in the underground jungle. Even today of all days, when subway riders surely got some added 'eye value' to the cost of their MetroCard, it was business as usual for most passengers on the uptown 6 train, iPods plugged in, eyes straight ahead, pretending to mind one's own business.

I couldn't help but stare, and even bite my lip to hold back a chuckle or two when I exchanged glances with obvious tourists who were completely taken back. It's not every day that the person sitting across from you on a crowded train will sporadically decide to undress. I'm not talking slipping off a winter coat because the train is slightly warm due to overcrowding... I'm talking nonchalantly removing one's pants, stuffing them into whatever bag they had been carrying at the time, and disembarking the train in their boxers, with all other clothing articles on their body fully intact. Oh, and it wasn't just one person, there were hundreds, both on the train and on the boarding platform... just standing or sitting, oblivious to the stares, undaunted by the fact that they were out in public in their underwear.

Today was the 7th Annual No Pants Subway Ride Day in New York City, where nearly 900 participants decided to willingly drop their drawers in an effort to cause scenes of comedic chaos in public places, and did they ever! When asked why they weren't wearing any pants, they all had a different story to convince fellow fully clothed travellers that this was nothing out of the ordinary. This city no doubt caters to some of the bravest, craziest and fearless people, who will definitely make my future daily commutes all that more unpredictable and interesting.

Forget anything??

(http://www.improveverywhere.com/)

One Time Only

January 3, 2008

New Year's has never really been a huge deal for me. Since most years it was just too cold to even think of stepping foot outside, I came to associate ringing in a new year or two with watching Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve in the comforts of a home, lounging on couches and sipping on (spiked) hot chocolate. Unfortunately, this has led to my falling asleep before the clock even struck midnight and missing the celebration altogether, so I vowed to make this year different.

I think a lot of people my age have a list of crazy things they'd like to do before they turn 30. Welcoming in a new year in Times Square has been at the top of my list for quite sometime. Since I wasn't sure if I'd ever have the chance to be in New York over the holidays again, this year was the year that I'd be able to put a great big red checkmark beside perhaps one of my most ridiculously pondered accomplishments.

Ok, so looking back, standing outside for eight hours in the chilly, wintry air wasn't all that exciting. Despite our arrival in Times Square in the mid-afternoon, our viewing position after being herded like cattle into a holding pen, was nearly six blocks away from the giant Waterford crystal ball that would ultimately and timely descend down a flagpole as the clock struck twelve. With the lack of additional screens setup to keep the entire population of say Edmonton or Calgary entertained with the nights' ongoing events, we literally stood in a state of oblivion for the duration of a full workday.

So the purposeful act of dehydration (public restrooms closed in the early afternoon) to survive the night, bundling up in layers like I've never before, quarter-hour rotations in taking turns sitting down on the litter strewn curb, and making bets as to which predetermined city in earlier time zones would appear on the Jumbotron every hour leading up to New York's own countdown (providing us with ample practice in counting down from 10), turned out to be the excitement of my New Year's this year.

I'm not completely sure it was entirely worth it, considering how easily tempting it was watch it on TV like I occasionally have, but the atmosphere and thrill of being in The Big Apple on the 100th anniversary of the famous ball drop is without a doubt one experience I will never forget... and one experience I don't think I'll ever want to do again! It felt pretty good though to blacken out this event on my Bucket List, to say that I did it. I don't know yet what the next (crazy) event will be that I cross off of my list, but I'm almost certain of one thing... my plans for ringing in 2009 will likely involve someone's TV, someone's couch and (spiked) hot chocolate, much like it occasionally has.