Halloween 2010

Halloween, what can you say?  I lived four and half years in the US previously, but nothing from those years really stood out about halloween.  New Yorkers really seem to get into it, starting even the previous weekend with kids walking around in costumes in the parks.  I think there must of been halloween parties around.  Over the weekend it was not only the little kids who were into dressing up, but the big kids as well. Surprisingly though, the costumes did not really have a sort of "scarey halloween" theme to them.  Many were pretty normal...Cat women, Trekkies, Cookie Monster, plenty of Harry Potters etc and that's even the adults.  In some ways at home, Halloween seems to reflect the more a blood dripping ghoully side of it.  Any way, I still think it is a weird holiday. 

Decorations

There was a big halloween parade on at Greenwich Village, but I was all over it, so couldn't be bothered going, I am sure there would of been a lot of interesting sights down there. It is the start of the holiday season over here.  The next big celebrations will be Thanksgiving.

Picking the pumpkin!

Award winning carving.

One of the things which has stuck out this time to me is the pumpkins. I am amazed at the pumpkins  and it seemed to go to peoples head.  I heard  Dunkin Donuts advertise pumpkin flavoured coffee and donuts.  Donuts I can understand, a bit like Lady Flo's pumpkins scones (for Queenslanders), but coffee????  I should of  been on the look out for pumpkin flavoured hot chocolate! There was even some pumpkin cheesecake, but I had to control myself and not taste it.  The only sweet way I like pumpkin is a dessert my mother makes  she calls Gramma Pie.  Yummy!!!

Pumpkins!

I didn't see to many carved pumpkins around the place, but I went to a farmers market at Union Square in town on Saturday and saw some great ones.  There are pumpkins of all different sizes and shapes.  Here are some of the photo's.  I have bought some pumpkin since being here which I thought was Jap pumpkin, to mash and eat...not the same, very different.  

Trunk: trick or treating

I went to a Halloween Party last night at Church with some friends I knew from Brisbane, Kerry and Tuata Angus.  They live in Scarsdale one the suburbs of New York and it was great to get out beyond the city.  I caught a train up which was an adventure in itself.  The trains lines are not part of the subway system, so I had to transfer from a subway to a train station.  I thought the stations would be in the same place. Wrong!  I came out on to the street from the subway, a very disorientating experience if any of you have done it, particularly when the area is unfamiliar.  Surfacing from the subway, I found myself in the middle of a Harlem area.  Ok for during the day, but still a bit un-nerving.  I found the station however, then had to figure out which train I needed to catch.  Just when I thought I had mastered  getting around New York via public transport, I find I don't really know very much at all!  To make a long story short, I eventually caught the right train, but when we started speeding past all these stations I realised I was on a express train.  Lucky for me the next stop was only two stations on from where I had to be, so I caught another one back making sure it wasn't and express back to New York City!

A Mummies boy!

Halloween Princess

 The party was a Chillie cook off and then a trunk trick or treating.  Instead of walking from house to house, the kids go from car to car in the Chapel carpark.   People open the trunks of their cars (car boots to us Aussies) and the kids make their way along trick or treating.  I thought this was a pretty good and safe way of doing it.  Although, I wouldn't liked to have been in primary or nursery on Sunday with all the kids hyped on sugar! The church members got really into dressing up.  It was a fun activity and the Chillie was great. 

I'm not sure how many of you keep up my waffling, but you will have to excuse my bad english and missing words.  I have a bad habit of doing this, I try fix it up before sending however don't catch all my mistakes.  I have also yet to work out the fine art of setting up the pictures and text so they match up, but anyway not bad I think for a MS!  

Take care and hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Doggies and the Big Apple

Sign found on nearly every tree!

I know I have been a bit slack with my posts.  There is so much to let you know about and I keep getting more behind each day.  I thought I would take a thematic approach to a couple of blogs to give you a slice of New York life.

As most of you are aware I am avid dog lover and at one stage dreamed of being a Vet. It is a dream I haven't entirely let go of yet! Sorry all you cat lovers, I'd rather have a soppy dog than a feline.

From the first day I arrived in New York, I was amazed at the number of dogs that are here.  No matter what time of day or night, people are walking their dogs.  And where do people live...in apartments.  How do keep a dog in an apartment????  I feel so sorry for them (the dogs) and from my casual observation I think it has caused some serious neurological damage to these dogs.  I think if you were to do a study on these dogs, I believe you would find that they suffer with depression or at the least confined space syndrome (a newly recognised disorder).  Who heard of a dog not being able to run around a back yard; roll in the grass(and whatever else it finds);  there is no healthy butt sniffing or excited bark talk!

The pet store where you can find more
than you ever imagined for your dog!

It seems to have a dog is the "in" accessary, particularly French or Italian Bulldogs.  Talking about accessaries, I am floored at the doggie stores stocked with toys, clothing, bags and other contraptions for the well heeled dog.  I will have to try and take a picture of a dog carry bag which people use.  You can get one with handles or on wheels like a suitcase, so pooch can be carried wherever he needs to go.  If this is not up to scratch, I kid you not I have seen it, dogs get pushed around in prams.  This was in Central Park, where eccentricity is at its peak! Last Saturday night I even saw a cat being taken for a walk on top of a pram.  I tried to take a photo, but I was on a bus and couldn't get close enough.  I am not sure if there was a child or a dog in the pram!!! Only in New York!

Another doggy note, is there seems to be very few places where dogs are not permitted.  I have been in all sorts of stores and owners bring their dogs along...Barns & Nobles (books), grocery stores, cafes and even on the plane!

You might not be able to see this too clear, but a couple of well
coiffured dogs and the door man!

Outside of Saks 5th Ave

Unfortunately, I have not yet spied a spotty dog.  I am sure I will eventually come across one.

Enjoying a $2 NY hot dog!

 So, this is a town who loves their dogs and accommodates them in every conceivable way.  There is a community service who will even assist feeding dogs or animals when people get hospitalised.

Being here has changed my mind about getting a dog at home.  I have been reluctant in considering having a dog at my place because I only have a small courtyard, however according to NY standards I have plenty of room for a couple of Great Danes or Mastiffs.

Well until I find some more doggy tales, I will let you chew over the life of man's best friend in the big apple!

Rainy days...rainy nights in NY

The rain that Brisbane has been hogging has finally made it to New York and I got stuck in it without a brollie or rain coat.  Lucky a little water won't hurt me.  This week I have been doing a bit of exploring when we have finished for the day at the hospital.  There is another Australian social worker staying at the apartment I am in and we hit the streets together often getting slightly lost, but eventually catching the right subway train to get home.

Last night we headed downtown to Macy's, the biggest department store (floor space) in the world.  In reality it is a bit all too much, but fascinating none the less.  Inspite of the variety offered by Macy's, I found an even better store....Goodwill (Op Shop) in Manhattan. On the racks were Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klien and many other designers...if only I was size 2!  I have found some other bits and pieces to make the apartment a bit more comfy...radio, clothes airer, desk lamp and a couple of tops as well.  All I need is to find a comfy lounge and I think I could live here for quite a while.

I should put you in the picture about the apartment I live in.  The building is owned by Mt Sinai Hospital and they own many properties in the local area.  Our apartment has 3 bedrooms with one person in each.  We share a bathroom and the kitchen.  We don't have a living room or a place to eat.  We often dine on my balcony (when it is not raining!) balancing our dinners on our laps.  Each room has a single bed, desk and chair, built-in wardrobe and a shelf.  That's about it.  So that's why I have been hunting down bits and pieces to make the place more liveable.  The program provided some plates, linen and other kitchenware which scholars from previous years have acquired.   I will be adding to this collection with things I have accumulated during my stay.  So very basic on one level, but all your needs are met.  I think if I did an Ikea makeover of my room it would be very comfortable.  It certainly is big enough.

We have been getting to know some of the key people at Mt Sinai hospital this week.  I have been very impressed with the level of professionalism and how open they are sharing their expertise with us.  There is so much to learn, and participate in I think the 8 weeks will go very fast.  The first one is all but gone.

One of the social workers who is a pioneer in health Social Work Helen Rehr, is 90 years old and still comes in a couple of days a week to work.  She is such a wealth of knowledge and wisdom as well as being very generous.  She is sharing with all five us in the program tickets to various events in New York.  Tomorrow night Marie (other Australian Social Worker) are off to Julliard the premier school for the arts in the US to attend a concert.  Helen is also organising a private tour of an art exhibition and to the Jewish Museum.  MS may start to be a bit cultured...anything can happen in New York!

If the rain holds off, Marie and I are hoping to do a cycle tour through central park on Saturday!  Well till next time stay happy and stay posted...

Janis

New York Here I am.....

Salt Lake City Temple early in the morning

View from my apartment balcony...the trees = Central Park

I'm sitting here in my apartment on Park Ave in New York and it is hard to believe it is really happening to me.

I had a fantastic week in Utah before coming over her to New York.  I was blessed to attend our church's semi-annual conference which was a wonderful spiritual boost.  I also got to spend some time with some good friends Denyse and Dorinda who I haven't seen for years.  Those few days with friends helped calm my anxiety about participating in the program.

I flew into New York on Saturday after spending what felt like the whole day flying.  I left Salt Lake and flew into Chicago...what an amazing airport.   It just went on and on.  I want to know is, where are all those people flying to?...there just seemed like thousands of people coming and going.

The next bit of my trek east was the worst flying I have done in many years - Chicago to New York.  I am not petite by any stretch of the imagination, but I sat next to a man who was rather large (so much so that he couldn't put his arm rest down) and took up part of my seat.  Lucky for me on the other side was a tiny asian lady.  The unfortunate part of the trip related to me being short and having a direct nose to armpit connection with the man taking up my space next to me.  I tried turning this way, then that way however, nothing seemed to enhance my situation.  By the time we were touching down at La Guardia airport, I was making a desperate search for the sick bag.  An hour and forty minute flight that close to someone's armpit was too much for this MS.  Breathing fresh air and a puke got me feeling ok again...but that was a long flight and a waste of a sandwich!

My apartment is on the 12th floor with a balcony which has million dollar views.  I can see Central Park if I look to my left and down 98th Street to my right I see one of the bridges (I haven't figured out which one yet).  The weather has been magic, beautiful clear skies and relatively warm.

When I walked to church on Sunday, I walked down Park Ave.  It is such a different way of living.  These really flash apartment buildings each with their own doormen and little gardens out front.  Very typical New York. One thing I am really amazed about is the number of dogs around.  I just can't imagine them living in apartments...all sizes, shapes and colours.   Obviously its the accessary you have to have in this area.

I had my first day at Mt Sinai.  We had a bit of an orientation.  I thought Royal Brisbane Hospital was a rabbit warren...Mt Sinai literally has tunnels under the hospital linking all the various buildings so you don't have to go on the streets.  The hospital itself covers several city blocks.  We had to do a urine test to check to see we are not using drugs...I hope I pass.  I have never had to do one of these before.  This week is mainly meeting and greeting people.

Well I think I will close this off for the night.  Hope all is well with you where ever you are and what ever you are doing.

Love

Janis