on our own

Monday was Lyle's first day of Dental School (sorry, no photo for that) and Ciara's first job interview. Lyle headed south toward our future apartment and Ciara headed to the upper west side (where the inhabitants are overprivileged to say the least).

The view of the road I traveled in Central Park.

I decided... what the hey, I'll walk through central park and enjoy the beautiful weather. I left an hour ahead of my appointment time which I figured was plenty of time. I couldn't have been more wrong. I walked into central park from the east heading west and when I walked out, I was STILL on the east side of the park! HOW does that happen? I must have been walking at least 30 minutes IN THE PARK and I ended up going south (pretty much a half circle). With only 15 minutes 'til the interview I called to tell them I was running behind (luckily he was forgiving). I knew I would screw up a last minute subway ride and transfer so I taxied to the west side. This was a story itself! It took 20 taxied flying by me before one stopped and of course he didn't speak english (to me anyway) very well. I gave him the EXACT address and soon realized he was heading north still on the upper east side. I didn't realize (yet) that there was a driving road through central park so I questioned if he was going the right way. MISTAKE #1. He insisted (with his eyes and attitude) that he knew what he was doing. This was so my bad! Then I saw a credit card machine in the back so I figured since I was running late, I could swipe my card and he could charge it when the fare was totaled. MISTAKE #2! All he did was look in the rear view mirror at me with the biggest glare and furrowed brow as in, "how dare you ask me a question like that. i do not respect you in the least to answer yes or no." He did this for an uncomfortable 20 seconds at least, and it took all that I had to not scream and laugh hysterically at the same time. I kept quiet in that cab for the rest of the ride and fortunately had a 20 on me so I gave him that when the final fare was $10.10. I expected change, but when he dropped me off all he said was 1 or 2 (while signaling with his fingers). I didn't understand what he was trying to say. Did he want 1 or 2 dollars for his tip or was he going to give me in change 1 or 2 dollars? I figured I would play it safe and ask for 5 dollars back. This was still a hefty tip for him (in my inexperienced opinion) and he seemed fine with it. I hopped out and my interview went well! TALK ABOUT A FIRST STEREOTYPICAL NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION EXPERIENCE. I cannot believe I succombed to such a stereotype. For the record, I have not in any way, shape, or form traveled incorrectly or in the wrong direction since. I can get around pretty well if I do say so myself (and Lyle is proud).

After the interview, I decided to walk to the subway and take a transfer home. I got on the right trains and was a little more thoughtful before I began my travel home. This was what I ran into on the way back to the upper east side.

Rockafellar Center

Lyle had a very successful first day of school. Turns out his first week of school was mainly made up of registration, tours, social events, and getting the feel for the city. At least our tuition was put toward good use! ;) Here he had to do a picture scavenger hunt...apparently something to do with an elevator.

Lyle's class is VERY diverse and he absolutely loves it. He enjoys meeting new people and learning about new cultures. He has learned how to pronounce the four intonations of Chinese words. He's met only one girl who speaks spanish (but he knows he can find more)! He is pretty sure he is going to be happy in this class over the next four years. I hope he still enjoys it when he is under the gun studying at 1am.