Well is has been about two and a half weeks since we arrived home in NYC.  I say home because it feels like just that.  After living two years in Grenada and a few months with family, it is nice to have a place that at least has the potential of being a place we can settle for a while.  Plus we both love it here.  Last week I had a chance to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge which was a lot of fun.  I posted some photos on my Flickr photo site.  There is a link to on the right.  I’ve been trying hard to have them show up on the site but not luck yet.  We also went to see a concert pianist at Carnegie Hall with some friends this weekend.  Our friend’s friend was playing there and if you like that kind of thing I’m sure it was fantastic.  I don’t know much about it but that Marcel could really play and a really nice guy.  Christina and I both agreed we think they could jazz those things up a little bit.  Maybe tell a few jokes in between or at least some talking.  I’m sure there is protocol to follow.  Sunday I was up and not tired so since I was in NYC and it was 11:30 I went to the 24hr Apple Store.  I assumed I would be one of a handful of weirdos there at that hour, however it was pretty busy.  Finally yesterday I went to see a dumb movie (The Day the Earth Stood Still) with a friend of mine.  On my way to meet him it was snowing pretty heavily.  As I was walking by Central Park I paused to realize how thankful I was to make it NYC.  Although beautiful, Grenada had quite a toll on us, and it was a polar opposite as I walked through a beautiful snowfall in the greatest city on earth.  That was moment quickly faded when my buddy from Texas appeared from the train with an umbrella.  I explained I was from MN and there is no way he was going to embarrass me by using that thing.  There is a week in what is fast becoming too familiar to seem exciting.  However the next post will be about food in NYC.

Well since I completed my post a lot had happened especially since at the time we hadn’t even left.  After over 2 hours we finally heard that the trains were indefinately delayed but I could take the subway a ways and then get on the Metro train to take me upstate.  I met two nice ladies and we were bonded by circumstance and figured we were better of sticking together like the Fellowship of the Ring.  We headed for the subway in Grand Central Station when we heard the announcement that a train was infact leaving to our destination at another track.  We apparently not the only ones because it seemed that everyone in the station wanted to be on that train.  We rushed to the train in a sea of people and made it aboard.  We got situated and finally we would be on our way.  We got the word that the train would be leaving shortly… however the track had changed again and everyone ran again.  Finally about three hours late we finally made it our of the city and upstate.  When I arrived I realized I forgot my cpu charger among other things.  All in all it was a NY experience.

So today I’m heading upstate for my first Air National Guard drill.  I’m sure there will be more on that next week.  For now I’m typing on location at Grand Central Station on a train.  Apparently there is a fire in a tunnel somewhere so we’re almost an hour delayed.  So sitting on a train is always fun and in this instance a good opportunity to ease drop.  My favorite by far, is two young women sitting a few rows back.  I haven’t turned around to see what they look like in fear that it would be a letdown.  I just like the idea of picturing Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.  Apparently Paris got fired today.  She doesn’t seem too concerned except she did not get to say goodbye to her friends.  However the good news is she is in contact with them via facebook.  I was also shocked to find out they were in a Sorority (no offense to the sisters out there.)  So since she was fired they started talking about what they went to school for etc.  “I’m 22 and I have to figure out what I want to do.”  So that was a big confidence booster for me since I’m 27 and still don’t know what I want to do.  I also described her interests as drinking and not getting fired from jobs.  UPDATE:  Just walked by and very blonde.  She has to walk back so a more accurate description to come.  Some smart single guy just sat down to talk to the other girl.  I think he has a chance if he is over 21 and can afford a drink.  The PA announcement just came over the air for the 10th time.  Apparently the picked the worst reader they good find to read it.  I could have done better.  The kicker is that it’s a recording.  I can’t believe that is best one.  Must be Union related.  UPDATE: she is dressed like an 80’s rock star.  She declared that she is probably going to roam around the city drunk for a while instead of waiting here.  She just asked the dude if he wanted to hang out.  I think I’m in an MTV reality show.  Lots of giggling.  Roll credits the girls left and the dude stayed here.  Well my fist entry in my new segment “Blogging While It Happens.”  Until next time.

From the City of Blinding Lights,

JO-YO

Well we’re just shy of being in NYC for a week and I thought I would tell you about the Youngs vs. the Front Door.  First things first, after driving 3 days in a moving truck into the largest city in the country, I became a little flustered when our keys could not be found where they were left.  Fortunately 9 phone calls the woman we’re subletting from we were able to get them.  They were left at a VYNL restaurant.  The manager couldn’t find them but as always the bar tender made everything ok.  So we drove to our apt and the excitement rushed through me like rats through a subway tunnel.  “Turn the key and we’re in,” I told myself.  “Pull it out jut a bit then try.  Turn it left then right.  Try again turn and smile to Christina so she doesn’t worry”  After a few minutes we got it.  Hurray!  We propped the door open and we moved in.  What we didn’t know is the door’s thoughts… “You may have won this round but I’ll be here next time.”

We returned out truck and came home, a few more minutes at the front door got it.  “I think I have it now.” I exclaimed to Christina.  I don’t know if that was the understatement of the year, or if it was the email I got from the guy who was subletting before me that said, “The front door key is a little tricky.”  We went on to have problems that day.  Once we had to buzz someone fortunately it was a guy I had met.  We would be out worrying that we might night make it back in.  We would see someone going in and run down the street trying to not let the door shut.  Then I had the greatest idea ever.  I’ll train the dog to buzz me in.  Well he just barks when the buzzer goes off.  We hit a low point on Tues Christina’s first day of class.  Manny and I walked her there to return a little before 8:00am  Several minutes went by and no luck.  A few more minutes went by.  “Excuse me, do you live here?” the officer questioned. “Yes.” I replied.  “Do you have a key?” he asked in that tone that he expected me to turn around with a ski mask on and lock picking kit.  “Yep, just moved in can’t figure out the secret key turn.”  After over 30 minutes a kind woman was walking out and let me in.  I tried to call a locksmith but he thought it was the lock and couldn’t help without a good key.  I should take a second to point out that we have opened the door probably about 20 times up to this point but could never figure out what we did right.  We measured how far the key was in, wondered if it made a difference turning the door knob, and our prayers got increasingly longer the more time we were out there.  “Seriously God,” I remember repeating that morning.  Thanks to my iphone I sent a bit of an abrasive email to the girl renting the apt to us.  She called later in the day and it was not the first time we discussed the problem.  “I just don’t understand the keys worked fine for me.” she explained trying to friendly.  However I’m sure she thought we must be complete idiots if we can’t open a door.  I just wanted to shout, “Me smart me me use many key in my livestime.”  At this point I really was afraid to leave the house.  Finally I met Christina and once again we could not get in.  A maintenance man tried our key and had trouble but was able to get it.  He happened to have an extra key.  I honestly was more excited at that moment than I was when I went into the 24hr Apple Store.  It was liked we moved in to a new place again.  The freedom we had now we could come and go whenever we wanted.  Today I made copies hoping they would work ok and I’m happy to report they work Great.  So take that door!  I know the door still can keep me out so I am alway gentle and whisper, “Thank You.” every time its lets me in.

As you can imagine food is everywhere in my beloved NYC.  However groceries have been a bit of an adventure.  Much like finding the perfect laundry mat (more on that later) I can be picky about grocery stores.  Living in Grenada has made me know stranger to small stores with big prices.  Yet another similarity between the two places, plus I also took my backpack to carry food in just like IGA.  Our first day here we realized we needed groceries so thanks to the iphone we had many choices in our immediate area.  So we decided to make a short loop and hit a few to see what would be best.  Our first was quaint little spot that had stuff but we kept getting lost and they didn’t have all that we were looking for.  The next stop we were very excited since it was a Whole Foods that was close by.  Well it is in Columbus Circle which is a just what it sounds like.  A big circle on the edge of Central Park.  Well we walked around once with no sign of Whole Foods.  We got half way around and checked the phone again, but it wasn’t adding up.  Christina had the idea of asking someone, however it seemed everyone were tourists.  Finally we aksed one of New York’s finest and explained it was in the Time Warner Center which is a big mall.  There wasn’t a sing or anything until you got inside.  So we took the escalater down to what I am certain is the busiest Whole Foods in the world.  Like most other stores in NYC this too was a bit of a maze slash circle.  I was afraid to separate from Christina and I got turned around more than once.  We gathered our groceries and now it was time to check out.  So we got in the express line.  Have you every been to an amusement park where the line to the roller coaster looks good, and then you walk around a corner and it is a way bigger line?  Well we ended up in a snake line much like at an airport.  They also had a computer to say which register was available, but they also had a person to direct you.  “register 21 is now ready, register 9 is now ready, register 17 is now ready, register 42 is now ready.”  Did she (the cpu) say register 42?  It is nuts, but amazingly efficient.  I recently watched some shows about a cruise ship and a luxury train and all the work that went into preparing them.  I think they should do a special on Whole Foods because the logistics to making that place run would require precission beyond my comprehension.  We made one last stop on the corner and it was ok but overpriced and everyone is in everyone’s way.  Well that is my dumb story about grocery shoppin in NYC.

Well it has been a while since I have blogged and there has been a lot going on so hopefully there will be consistent updates for a while.  First things first.  Last month we were living in Grenada.  This month we are living in NYC.  Christina will finish up medical school here over the next two years, and we hope it will be our last move for a while.  From one island to another, we are experiencing quite a change.  Many people have asked about the difference between the two islands.  There is one major joyful difference… bridges.  There are many smaller differences such as customer service, stocked grocery stores, entertainment, and RUNNING WATER.  We traveled over 1,300 miles in our little moving truck with our beloved dog Manitou.  It was a rocky start with a snow storm with 8″ the day before leaving MN.  It was -14 when we left and we found out the cheap windshield fluid that was in the truck was frozen.  The advantage being in America over Grenada is that we could stop at Walmart and get fluid, spray bottle, and a squeegee.  However in Grenada it was 85 so it wouldn’t have mattered.  We celebrated the New Year in Chicago then it was off to Harriburg, PA.  It was nice because I got to stay with my cousin and my parents where there too.  It was nice to see my dad pretend he knew something about college football before falling asleep.

We the got on the road on last time for our drive home.  When we arrived we had a bit of trouble getting the keys.  Then we had even more trouble, and still are having trouble getting them to work.  More on that in the next post.  We’re settling in and the dog loves Central Park and all the attention he gets.  Our place is small but the location is perfect.  Below is a map.  There is a lot more details I’ll get into, but just wanted to get the ball rolling with some new information.