"The place where memories happen..."
This morning I woke up at 5:59 AM to beat my phone's alarm clock to the buzzer. I hadn't decided which bus to take to school yet, "The 6:45, 6:50, or 7:15???!!!" I couldn't make up my mind so I let the clock decide for me. I chose the 7:15 so my downloads could finish on my phone so I would have something to watch on the way home.
The 7:15 got into the city around 8:30, and then I began my favorite walk along 8th Ave to get frost bitten by the impending snow storm that was supposed to be visiting today.
Class was called for 9 AM as we all stood around in the NYIT Auditorium on Broadway (NAOB) waiting for anyone to give instructions as to what we're supposed to be doing. Meanwhile everyone started out with their cellphones again. I left mine in my pocket to preserve battery power because HOLY COW smartphones do not hold a charge very well. (Stupid 4G). Around 8:40 the crowd was getting pretty excited because of the mini reunions with their studio-mates from last semester.
We all kind of grew up together in a 14 week period-- grew up? NO! More like... went through a terrible trauma together, kind of like Taglit Birthright but less jovial.
On the line for signing into class, I was standing next to one of my studio mates, looking down he noticed something shiny.
"Is that a nickel?"
I quickly picked it up, analyzed it and answered, "Yes, but it's not like I'm trying to live up to a stereotype or anything..."
Eventually around 9:20 we were all signed in and ready to enter the theater downstairs. The escalator was off so... we all chose the stairs. Ha! No we didn't. Someone stood on the escalator in confusion because it wasn't moving. Guess he forgot his coffee.
At 9:30, in the theater, we were introduced to Professor Taylor (Architecture Historian) who read the syllabus to us, nervously, and then asked if we had questions. One girl did, Gail, her hand was up... waving... jumping... whispering for attention. He didn't notice.
"There won't be any discussions this week since it's the first day and because of the weather. We want to make sure the attendance is all here next time. So see you next week."We were dismissed 15 minutes later.
Not too bad for the first day. But what on Earth were we supposed to do now? I was planning on being in class until 12:10!
O.K. I did have a plan. I was going to take the train for the first time. And it was going to be awesome. Except I brought a friend along because I have that feeling you get when you see a lost dog and you want to pet it and feed it and get it back to its owner. Is that care? Nah, man.
Well, this friend recently turned 21 and took full advantage by drinking 5% alcoholic beverages. What a deviant!
But enough about them. The next train was set to leave at 11:06 and I would have been fine getting to it, but my friend is... well... pretty A.D.D. So we had to leave at 10:30 because y'know... Butterflies.
At Penn Station there's a bit of confusion for the first time user, and especially since I had to keep chasing my friend from leaving at every exit sign in the station, and because they really needed a bathroom, it took a little extra time to find the right platform. The MTA clerk in one of the booths was no help either.
"Hi! We're trying to get to [Town]."
"Is that in Long Island?"
"No... Upstate."
"Is that in New Jersey?!"
"Umm... No? It's in New York."
"Where'd you say?"
"[Town]?"
"Oh... Ummm... Take the 2 train back up to 42nd- Port Authority and get on the bus..."
"O.K. Thanks!"
We didn't follow her directions realizing she wasn't sure where she was today. No worries, I found the right way. Got the tickets and then waited for boarding announcement. My friend still needed the bathroom, but they would wait... until we had to transfer trains... and then yell at me for going down the escalator.
Although I must say, the train ride was just as exciting as the plane ride. Except more leg room, and no bratty children crying.
Somewhere in the middle of the ride, my friend was so bored they wanted to steal one of my books, which I offered originally, but they refused to take because reading makes them nauseous in cars- but reading text messages is TOTALLY FINE???
The moral of the story is, traveling with a friend is always more fun than sitting alone. But I would have preferred the book this time.
Thanks for reading, dear reader ;)
~ArchiTalmud
No comments:
Post a Comment