Strangers Becoming Less Strange

Man, oh man.

In light of the "expect-the-unexpected" nature of this crazy city, I'm going to go down a different route with this post. You know, keep you on your toes :)
So here ya go...

MY LESSONS LEARNED IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS

1. Mizzou Alumni Don't Bite.

Last Wednesday, we were invited to attend a gathering hosted by our Missouri alumni who now live in the city. Held at MJ Armstrong's--an amazing restaurant that I will get back to in a second--we congregated in a comfy basement that proudly fashioned a black & gold Mizzou flag and chatted about life in the city and our first couple of days interning. And okay, although it may be hard to believe that I would ever be hesitant or worried about entering a room full of new people, I kind-of was. But, on the contrary to the faint worry that the alumni would be too intimidating to be natural with, all in attendance were incredibly down-to-earth and willing to help us break into the business. All in all, a worthwhile and (genuinely) fun time.

2. MJ Armstrong's Is A New Favorite.

Why? Oh, I don't know... it could be the cozy walls and dim lighting, or possibly the amazing music that the friendly bartenders DJ from their personal I-pods. If not for those reasons, it may be the eclectic crowd that ranges from firefighters in kilts, bachelorette parties and old Irish men who never seem to leave. OH, and probably one of the biggest factors of my newfound love.... I introduce you to the best macaroni and cheese I have ever had in my life. Please don't tell my grandma. But honestly, so good that Eliza & I returned for lunch a few days later...
(I hope there is no judging going on... I swear we had leftovers.)

3. Street Markets Are To Die For. Delicious fresh fruit smoothies, authentic cuisine, cheap knock-offs, sunshine and skyscrapers lining the streets... need I say more?

4. Things Are Always Bigger In Movies, But Definitely Not Better.
Ever seen Hitch? Ya know, the New York-hosted movie starring Will Smith & Eva Mendes? Well, watch closely and you'll notice this quaint dessert shop that only serves rice pudding... and oh my goodness, do they serve it well. Imagine trendy and delicious, bright lights and a place where customers don't mind sharing booths/tables with strangers.

Rice to Riches was a simple pleasure -- a yummy New York treasure :)

5. These Things Really Do Exist In The City.
The amazing, amazing Central Park... (beautiful picture taken by my beautiful roomie, Paige!)
Street basketball games at almost every corner... there are usually large crowds of people lining the fence watching!
Scary pigeons that want nothing more than to see how close they can get to my head. Blah.
Cute New-Yorker teens making hot dogs & Philly sandwhiches into all hours of the night!
Beautiful streets with full trees and cute stoops. New York is so authentic!

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Working As An Intern Is Actually A Very Cool Experience!

Although the roommates and I have only been on the job for a couple weeks (or less), we are all sure of at least this one thing: the Missouri School of Journalism does an amazing job with preparing its students for the "real world." Just from our individual experiences alone, Paige, Eliza and I feel confident in our work and already have great expectations for the weeks to come.

This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and one that I would never take for granted. Honestly, I don't think that a day has gone by that I haven't said to myself, or the stranger standing next to me, "Wow, I cannot believe I really LIVE here."

Thanks for reading, and be back soon!
XOXO,
Cas

Oh, & PS, here is a brief account of some lessons I have had to learn the hard way. Please take note:
- Taxi drivers don't always know where they are going, and you pay the price;
- It doesn't take much effort to turn a 20-minute subway ride into 2 hours if you get too confident and end up taking the wrong train;
- Low-key bars are much more desirable than clubs, which tend to be a little too sketchy for comfort;
- Do not cough while in public--people automatically assume you have the Swine Flu and will glare...

(Ok, that's all! Take care!)