cornfields to concrete

Tonight was the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, and since I knew I wouldn’t be able to attend because I had an appointment for a story I’m doing, I decided to take some pictures of the little tree we have at the Seaport where I work. It’s not as exciting as the big tree, but it still makes it feel like christmas— despite the amazing weather we’ve been having lately! I had this past weekend off (never happens) so Jake and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and took Asti for long walk along the Hudson River. On Sunday we went up to Midtown to the library and browsed the little shops set up in Bryant Park. I was hunting for pearl earrings but didn’t have much luck. However, we did spot some possible Christmas presents for our families!

This post is looooong overdue, but my after-Thanksgiving resolution is to post more. Two weekends ago my mom, grandma and three cousins came to visit. I was so incredibly happy to see them. I am a momma’s girl, and being 10 hours away from home is rough, no matter how much I love it here. We did all the touristy things, of course— like take pictures at Rockefeller Center. We took my little cousins to the American Girl Doll store, which, I must admit, was pretty fun. Little doll clothes are adorable. I was really happy my grandma came because she doesn’t really travel anymore. I was so proud that she walked all the way from my apartment to the Staten Island Ferry…it was a long trek for her! We were so happy that as a reward we let her take a cab back to my apartment :-) I found out that my great-grandpa used to drive a cab here. Maybe that’s where my love for this city comes from…

I’m finally getting some use out of the new camera I bought! Today my class spent the day at Occupy Wall Street (my favorite place…not) taking pictures and learning how to create a video using still photos. Since the most recent article I wrote was about Occupy Wall Street turning into a tourist attraction, that was the theme of my project. I think I am finally getting the hang of taking a powerful picture. This one is of the pins they are selling to raise money for blankets for the protesters. Even though i don’t ever plan to take photographs, I’m glad NYU gives us the opportunity to learn a little bit about it.

Our first snow in New York City! Time to break out the boots and ear muffs. I can’t believe it’s already snowing. But Mr. Weatherman says after today it’s supposed to be sunny and 50 for a week so hopefully he is right. I realize this is my first post in quite some time. Last week was midterms and between that and work I was incredibly busy. So here is a quick update since my last post. Jake and I spent last weekend with Angela and Jaclyn. We went to McGee’s Pub—the one that How I Met Your Mother is supposedly based on—which was very exciting for them since they are obsessed with the show. I will admit, saying goodbye to them on Sunday was hard. My eyes definitely filled with tears when I had to leave them to go to work. On Tuesday my class went to Jackson Heights in Queens because my professor grew up there. WE SAW HOUSES. ACTUAL HOUSES. It has been two months since I saw a house in person. Isn’t that crazy? The rest of the week was pretty boring—I took a press ethics exam, went to work and have been slowly working on a piece for class. Lucky me, I’ll be spending the next couple days at my favorite place—Occupy Wall Street, ugh—interviewing and reporting. Hopefully this week I can try to be better at updating this thing…

So I spent the morning with Sarah Jessica Parker. SARAH JESSICA PARKER. She came to my class and spoke with us about her interactions with the media and how the media culture has changed and is changing. She was extremely intelligent and knowledgeable—and not to mention adorable! If you think she is gorgeous on screen, you should see her in person. This day has also been fabulous because two of my very best friends, Jaclyn and Angela, are here! I miss everyone at alma so incredibly much so it’s great to have a couple friends here for the weekend.