Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes

Before i begin my post i would just like to say....i am a rambler, that is what i do, so this post is exactly who i am....scattered and probably composed incorrectly....i guess if you love me you will have to deal with it!!! ENJOY!


Well it has been quite some time since my last post. I am truly sorry to all those who have been telling me to update, but i am 1) extremely lazy sometimes and 2) i tend to find mindless tasks to take up my time...haha. But a lot has happened since the last time i wrote. I cannot remember everything, but i will just give you an update. After awhile everything just blends together.
The roommates and I are all still doing fine over here in the Bronx. My job has become increasingly enjoyable as the year progresses. I am starting to form relationships with the children and they are actually starting to like me. Not that they did not like me before, but they were always hesitant as any person would be when a new character is thrown into the mix! The ESL class is also becoming less difficult for me. I am not the best teacher in the world, but i am trying...and that's all that really matters...correct? i just hope people are learning some English.
Some of the highlights of this year, so far, have been when my friends came to visit me. Katelyn came the weekend of October 2nd and Meghan came the weekend of October 9th. It was awesome to have a piece of home and a piece of my heart here. Not that i have forgotten why i am doing this year, because I am reminded everyday i walking into the childcare, but having them here reminded me of the energy and strength i used to have and still do to keep going every morning.
Katelyn was my first visitor and i still remember how happy i felt when i was walking through the streets of NYC going to pick here up from her bus. I saw her and i gave her the biggest hug i had given in a while. That night we had a VERY expensive dinner in time square and i think she realized very quickly how expensive it is around here, but i cant speak for her haha. While she was here we walked around New York City and we went to Serendipity. On Saturday night we went into Brooklyn to visit one of Katelyn's friends. Brooklyn was an experience. It was my first time being in Brooklyn and i had a blast, i regret not going back more often. Katelyn's time with me came and went too quickly and it was sad when she left.
The next weekend, my roommate of 3.5 years came to visit the good ole BX. Her name is Meghan and i was so excited to show her my new world. The trip sorta started off on a crazy note when we tried to meet up in a train station and we ended up in completely different locations where neither of our cell phones worked. When we finally found each other it was the happiest i had been in a LONG time! its funny because it is so effortless with Meghan. We could do anything and still have a great time because we are together. While she was here we hung out a lot, caught up on our lives, went apple and pumpkin picking with the current roommates, and went to the Titanic exhibit in Manhattan. I wish she didn't have to go, but alas she had to return to nursing school.
As far as myself...i think i am doing well. I have my moments when i miss everyone and even Bedford. I find myself thinking sometimes that i miss college and that i wish i was still there, but then i realize that EVERYONE misses college and that i was lucky to have the experiences i had. those precious moments in time have led me to this adventure now. I LOVE my job, the Bronx, and my roommates.... so most of the time i am as happy as a clam.
A couple weeks ago, the harsh reality of the streets became apparent to us when there was a shooting on Andrews Ave. Now i do not like to dwell on this because i believe that this could happen anywhere, but i had never seen it so it effected me so i think about it from time to time. We were all in the apartment when we heard pops. I had never heard gun fire before so i didn't think twice about it. It wasn't until we went to the other side of the apartment closest to the street that we realized what had happened. There were people screaming, running, and closing their stores. The scariest part was that there was a car hit by a bullet right across from where we sat on the stoops so many times before. It was scary, but i am o.k with it now. It is interesting because i still feel relatively safe here, it just reminded me that i always have to be aware of my surroundings and that i am not in Bedford anymore. The two people that were shot, the last time i heard, are o.k. They were shot in the knee and hand and one of the guys on the street said that they may have difficulty with somethings such as walking but at least they are still alive. There is one thing for sure...i will never forget the screaming down on the street and how relieved i was that i was not on that stoop.
Although my roommates and I are still the token "white" people on Andrews Ave. this has become a home for us. I can only speak for myself when i say i have become comfortable with this place. I am glad that i am living with Lauren, Natalie, and Brian because i feel like we are all so different and we all have certain opinions and views on life that are all worth sharing. I have learned a lot about myself with their help and they do not even know it. I have found both good and bad aspects about myself and i am very grateful for them. You know, i used to think that this year would be difficult and demanding and take everything out of me, well i still do think that, but i know now that through all of the trials and days when i am lagging i have 3 other people there to smile or give me a smack on the back and tell me to get back on the horse. I guess i am really starting to like these folks!

I am going home this weekend and i am excited to see everyone and my frodo, but i am going to miss my community and new york.
PS. in case you haven't heard...the Yankees won the world series...but that's for another post!