They say there's magic in the air.. On Broadway!

New York and Broadway go together.
... Like  PB & J
             Marshmallow and Chocolate
             Bacon and Eggs
             Mac and Cheese
             Cookies and Cream
             Bagels and Schmear

You get the idea...

In NYC, its pretty hard to avoid Broadway. Billboards. Signs in the subway.

I commute to and from work/home on the train that stops at 42nd street, commonly known as Times Square and at 49th street. The people that get off the train at 42nd cover the whole spectrum. Business people, tourists (especially in the summer), nanny's with strollers, messengers with their satchels and bikes, people who've decided to walk the line between genders (the drag queens are pretty fabulous), little old men and women who've lived in New York so long that they look like the architecture...the list goes on. But at the 49th street station, more often than not, you see tourists wearing broadway show shirts (either coming from or going to a show), and a whole mess of actors, or stage crew.

It's the hub of Broadway.

It's unavoidable.

I'm the delusional, what you'd call "a not really true", New Yorker who actually likes to go to shows. And since moving to this lovely city a year and a half ago I've seen 6 shows.

Les Miserables
Mamma Mia
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten
Fiddler on the Roof
Kinky Boots

My favorite? Always a tough question. I'd say its close between Finding Neverland and Something Rotten. But if I had to choose, I'd say Something Rotten.

Neverland was a bit of an unknown, not based on anything super popular where you'd be able to know the music. But it was really well done. I was lucky enough to see it when its star, Matthew Morrison, was still performing. The show was really well done, and the cast of kids did a great job. Unfortunately, its run on Broadway in NYC is concluding. Last show is August 21, 2016. But it goes on National Tour after that, so if you can't make it here to see it, look for it near you!

Something Rotten was pure genius. The premise of the show centers around two brothers trying to write a hit play at the time of Shakespeare. Except they can't compete with the great Bard. So, they begin to create the worlds first musical. It's a slap-stick comedy with misunderstandings, foolish actions and a slough of well known musical numbers. Odd bits of Les Miz, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, and more make their way into the set. I was near tears or outright crying from laughter for most of the show. Again, I lucked out seeing the original stars, Christian Borle(still performing in 2016) and Brian d'Arcy James. And Brad Oscar as Nostradamus is incredible! (He's still performing in 2016).

Mamma Mia is no longer running in NYC, but it was an amazing show. I'd been in love with the music for a long time, and loved seeing it live.

Les Miz is a classic. I wasn't as familiar with the music, but I saw it after the movie was released so the music was a bit more mainstream. It was a great show. The scenes were amazing. I'll never get over how they do so much in such a tiny space.

Fiddler is a also a classic, and was up for a 2016 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical. I thought it was really well done, and the music and costumes were excellent. It's just not the kind of performance you can leave on a high note. If you know anything about Fiddler, you know its centered around Eastern European Jewish displacement in the days of Imperial Russia. So, if you're looking for a lot of laughs, and a feel good show, this is probably not it. Still a great show.

Kinky Boots. Winner of a couple Tonys in 2013; Best Musical and Best Score, to name a few. This show was pretty great. First of all, men who can walk better in heels than I ever will. Some great comedy moments, and a bunch of awesome songs. I went in not knowing much about the show or the music, but loved it just the same.

That's all of the shows I've seen so far... But the list of show I want to see is always growing.

I saw a couple shows on National Tour when I was still living in Wisconsin; Wicked, Lion King, and Mary Poppins. But a friend just told me that the quality of costuming, scenery and overall talent is so much higher in NYC that I really should see them again here. So, perhaps the next one I'll tell you about is Wicked.

Have you seen any stellar shows that I should add to my list? Let me know!

Until next time.

Wading In

Alright gang. I'm a terrible person. I said I'd keep you updated, and I've failed.

Miserably.

But we'll not dwell on my unfortunate qualities.... there's too many to ever get through anyway. :)

Let's start with the new.

It's hard to keep a blog current with you've got a full schedule of work, tutoring, evening sports, or coaching, and weekends filled with sleep. But, that being said, I'm going to try to post more often about the places I visit, or the things I hear about in this fabulous city.

Maybe you'll find something intriguing and want to come visit. (I like visitors)

Or perhaps you're stopping by just for my witty prose....

Not likely.

I'm a math minded person... so I've got the wit, but the prose is not my strong suit. Bear with me.

So this first post in over 10 months... 10 months! Sheesh... I'm horrible at this.

This first post in a while, will be just informative. Letting you know I'm back. And hopefully it is to stay.

Some topics that I'd like to cover in the coming weeks are partially touristy things like things to do near Herald Square, or Union Square, or Canal Street, or China town.... Or events that I've gone to and enjoyed - so you may want to keep an eye out for them. Restaurants I've found that are excellent. Or maybe not so excellent.

Are you planning to visit? Want some information on a certain area or a topic or a show? Leave me a comment and I'll share my knowledge, or if possible I'll go check it out!! And report back pronto. :)

Look for my first post of a new era later today!

Until next time.

Long days equal great sleep

I'm trying to be better about keeping you informed. 

I know that there aren't too many people who read this meager blog, but I appreciate those who do. I'm actually in the process of considering some changes to this here blog. Stay tuned for more on that later. 

.....

Today I finished a three day crash course in GRE for a group of six undergrads at Brooklyn College. We met for four hours on each of the days this week. 

Four hours is a long class. 

But I had a ton of fun doing it. Being able to help these people, who are basically my peers, was great. They were eager to learn and hopefully they'll all do well on their upcoming GRE test. 

I'll be teaching another class coming up in September over near Philadelphia and I'm excited to see what other kinds of students will roll into my life. But for now, still trucking along. I've got a couple regular students and my summer classes havent quite wrapped up yet. My last few days have been 11am to 10pm filled start to finish with students or travel between students. 

Today was no exception. So as I crash into sleep (I'm not gonna go easy. It's gonna be 'boom!' Out.) I'm hoping you all had a great day too. 

Until next time. 

Living the life.

Living the life. 

A fairly popular phrase in my opinion. But what does it mean? We all are living. And that's called life. I'm  referring to the type of life we see as standard. I am living the life in NYC but I'm not financially secure. I'm just living adventurously and happily. Which is all I need. But today my choice in life style got a pretty good reality check. And I firmly believe these things happen for a reason. Here's the story.... 

The NYC subway has an array of interesting characters. I can honestly say I see something worth mentioning almost daily. But the ones that get me are the panhandlers. There are the people you see multiple times and you're not sure how much truth there is to their story of abuse, economic troubles, and illness. But a few take you by surprise. 

Today on my way into work a middle aged man in a wheelchair rolled onto the train. He was hunched a bit and had a knee brace as well as the chair. His story was of job loss after hurricane Sandy and apartment loss due to mold (also caused by Sandy). He asked for a little money to get his wife lunch and the train fare back to Queens and the shelter he was staying in. 

Now, my immediate thought was to ignore. I see so many people asking for money and it is illegal to give money on the subway. So I ignore. But then a few questions came up....

- How far had he traveled today? His story seemed plausible. How far had he had to wheel himself? 

- What did he do before? He mentioned losing a job. So at some point in his life he had a job and presumably made an honest living. 

I wondered if he had ever said 'this is the life' and he was talking about having a two bedroom apartment and a bed which would seem luxurious now. 

I have a job. A roof. Clothes and food. And usually I can't stop for a bagel on my way to work because it's not in my budget, but I can afford a bag of bagels at the store and toast my own. 

It was a meaningful pause in my rather busy day to think about the luxuries I enjoy (like morning Starbucks) that I really take for granted. 

My hope is to never take it all for granted. Appreciate what I have and do my best to send a little good will out into the universe. 

God Bless 

Until next time. 

For the first time in forever....

I hope that title reminds you of a slightly annoying, but oh-so-catchy song from a recent Disney movie, and you'll hum it as you read....

Haha... Just kidding. I wouldn't wish that on you. =)

Sorry to all my loyal friends and family out there who have been wondering if I've fallen off the face of the earth. Truth is, I've fallen into the face of the earth. My life has been swallowed up by the busy busy busy, go go go that is NYC.

I'm super excited to be living here. Things have fallen into place nicely with a job, an apartment, an awesome roomie, and even some adventures.

I'm sure many of you are curious about the life in NYC... So I've got a a topic...

 "Lessons from New York: Things you can't learn anywhere else."

1. Peeing is acceptable in multiple locations. I lived in China. I definitely heeded natures call in a few off beat places. Mostly disgusting, but manageable. However, in NYC, there aren't any bushes to hide behind.... So people pee in broad view of those surrounding. (Not me. I have standards people) But one evening I was waiting for a train. It was pretty late. And an extremely drunk man, not homeless just drunk, was peeing off the edge of the platform onto the tracks. Yes.

2. Cat calls are not indicative of sex appeal. Don't make any sort of response to them. Because no doubt if you look over to see who said "nice hat" it will be some older man with less than all his teeth and questionable hygiene.

3. During daytime hours, especially from 3-7, subways are fairly packed. It's rush hour. SO.... if for some reason there is a mostly empty car during these hours. Don't fist pump and rejoice because you'll get a seat. There is a 99% chance that there is a homeless person in the car. Now, I'm not opposed to homeless people. I know they have hard luck. I AM opposed to their stench. The kind of pee-body odor that clings to your nostrils. I'd rather be squished in a clean smelling car.

4. Finding an apartment in NYC is hard. I'm over it now because I have an apartment. But let me tell you, I spent the same amount of effort on job searching and apartment hunting. I found a job a month before I found an apartment. ugh..... But it's over, and I am very happily housed.

5. The subway is not your friend. And in the ever waging war on time, it's your enemy. Need to be somewhere and you leave on time... Subway is delayed. Whether it's a power outage that leaves you mostly stranded, someone sick on the train ahead of you so you're stuck between stations, or the every popular "we are delayed because of train traffic", you're probably going to be late. So leave a little earlier.

6. Lastly, my favorite story so far. Don't pick fights on the subway. My roomie and I were sitting on a train in the evening when two guys suddenly start throwing words. The first guy bangs his hand on the door and says "Get out! Don't talk to me like that, get out" to which the second guy responds, "I don't wanna fight you." Well guy #1 wasn't having it, he wanted a fight. But just as the train doors were going to open, an older gentleman across from me stands up, pulls out a walkie talkie and says "This is officer blah-blah and we have a delinquent on the 1 train, grey hoodie, blue jeans, red shoes wearing a black hat and orange backpack, coming up the whatever street stairs." WHAT!! Everyone on the train is stunned and the kid jumps out and walks away pretty quickly. We had no idea he was a cop. When the train starts moving again, a lady says "Well, you never know I guess" And then the guy on the other side of me says "Yeah, I'm NYPD too, so he wasn't going to get away with fighting" ...... Floored. I'm floored.

Speaking of late, I'm late to my tutoring session. I gotta travel way deep in Queens, which means an hour train ride.

I hope you all are well, and I'll do my best to post again with more stories.
In the mean time, leave comments or questions and I'll answer asap!

Until next time.

Stateside and the adventure continues

Well, it's been a while, and much has happened.

My last post eluded to a change in life. Looking to my departure from China. Well, that departure has happened. It's a bit ahead of the normal schedule, and I've known for a while about it. But I kept it real quiet because I wanted to surprise my Gram. (my biggest fan)

She was quite surprised. The face clutching, scream inducing, tears flowing kind of surprised. It was great. She had no clue. (everyone else knew)

Since my return I've been very busy running around doing all the things I've not had a chance to in 6 months, seeing people, eating american food, and getting over jet lag. My time to relax is still a little ways off as my life is not going to reach equilibrium for a bit yet.

My next adventure is just around the corner. And it's NYC. I'm off to a teaching job in the Big Apple.

It's a huge life change, but I figure its only half the size of Shanghai.... I'm excited to be doing something new, to be close enough to home for a visit, and also to be only an hour's time change away. :)

And to quote a favorite movie of mine...

You can't have roots and wings.

Luckily, my wings always know how to find home.

Until next time.

P.S. My blog is getting a little makeover for the change to NYC, but the web address will remain the same. I hope you'll stick around as I explore my new home.

Observations on Life 2.3

The semester is winding down. I'm working on exams...Giving them and correcting them. Finishing up things before I travel. Cleaning, organizing, making new messes out of old messes, the usual.

While sorting through some things I hadn't in a while, I was thinking about when I leave China. When I have to pack up for more than a short trip and never return to this place. I will move on and this place, these things won't be here when or if I ever come back.

What a concept. In the short moment that I spent dwelling on this idea, all I could think was "What will I take home?" ...Followed quickly by "I only have two suitcases. Oi!" And all I could see on all of my things were tiny price tags. Indicating the amount of money I would have to leave behind me. I don't have my future planned out (who does, right?) but it seems like such a waste to leave stuff here that I might need right? (the key word is 'might')

So, as I was talking to my mom (she's a smart lady), she was saying that it would be hard to leave because "You're leaving a whole life behind"

....

Let that sink in.

A

whole

life.

Wow. I hadn't thought of that before. But she's right. (I told you she's smart)

It put a few things into perspective for me. As I think ahead to what I might or might not do. As I think about where my life's highway is rolling, China will be just another town I pass through. I made roots, I settled, but the road is calling again.

I wonder where it leads.

I know many people wish they could know the outcome, but for me I enjoy the excitement of the unknown, the wonder that lies beyond the horizon, and the thrill of finding out. I've got some time yet in China to enjoy the roots I've created here, but before I know it I'll be pulling them up and moving on.

Until then... and,

Until next time.


P.S. We've reached the 6000 visitor mark. Thanks guys for stopping by... I love you all.