The days of my life over this last week have been eventful, to say the least. I started my summer break only eight days ago... And it seems as though it has been much longer. For starters I think that one piece of advice that I have for new teachers (and even for myself) as I move forward in this career is that there is something powerful about quickly transitioning from being in school to then doing something else...something exciting. I already feel like I am on the road to rejuvenation; and I am surprised by this because I was so damn worn-out. But this is not to say that my week here in New York has been without any setbacks.
On Friday I got into a pretty significant accident driving in Brooklyn. I was on my way to pick up Galin and Katie at the Graham Ave stop in Greenpoint. I am not accustomed to driving in New York. I always felt pretty competent driving in cities. Driving in Boston with my fellow Massholes has always felt comfortable to me. But getting used to no rights on reds and the shear speed at which New Yorkers drive has been intimidating. Well there are all these underpasses in NY and as I was driving under the Brooklyn Queens Expressway I got completely discombobulated. I took my left-hand turn at the green signal without realizing that an immediate red light happens as soon as you've turned. Anyway, my car was undrivable and the fender is destroyed. It could have been much worst, and as Brian, the mechanic who wandered over to the scene, told me, I am lucky as hell to not have left that scene on a stretcher. I am nervous about getting behind the wheel again but I am going to have to get myself back out there so the fear doesn't manifest into paralysis. Galin and Katie walked over to the scene and were incredibly supportive and sweet. My thought process was interesting to observe - my first thought was utter fear; my second emotion was relief that the other driver and I were fine; and my third concern was that my dad was going to be so disappointed. But my folks were nothing but supportive and encouraging. Even as I approach thirty, the validation from my mom and dad means the world... Maybe this is just children and their parents or perhaps it is a by-product being the youngest child.
Anyhow, we did make it to Vanessa's bachelorette party located at Beach Haven on the Jersey shore. When Arlene suggested we go here for the weekend we were all a bit skeptical. The Jersey Shore has given love and and the beaches a bad name. But it was absolutely lovely. The beach was beautiful. The food was yummy. And the dancing was a blast. But mainly, the company was what made it a flawless weekend. I am so blessed to have a group of female friends who are flexible, caring, and without drama. And what was especially wonderful was that Vanessa combined three worlds: family, Boston folk, and college folk... And we all hit it off. It is always a wonderful surprised when that happens.
Currently I am on a flight to Little Rock, Arkansas for a Civil Rights conference. I am really getting a little taste of America this summer. And what is significant about that for me is that my travels have primarily been international. So I am enjoying a deeper taste into the U.S. Of A. And I am learning that there truly are significant cultures and flavors to the different cities here. I have been ignorant to this. My time in New York has actually shocked me a bit, as there are more pronounced differences between Boston and New York than I realized.
Some New York highlights have been sneaking on to the Holiday Inn roof deck with Sarah (that deserves its own blog post, which I will write later), hanging out under the Brooklyn Bridge with a new friend, partying it up with Sumul, and seeing the brain exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History. And checking out Sumul's kick-ass project in Harlem at the Hamilton Grange - that's a separate post too. More to come.
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