NEXT STOP: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

June 26, 2017

I am currently in Harlem, New York at Columbia University for a writing journalism workshop focusing on redesigning magazines and newspapers for The Voice, Pembroke Hill’s magazine. Columbia University is an Ivy league, Northeastern school with several different campuses depending on one’s specific major. I had the opportunity to encounter several students involved in their school paper exploring their interests of writing and redesigning just as I am. I was in class with Jenny Creech, a sports columnist, investigative journalist, reporter, and editor. She writes for the Houston Chronicle, the fourth largest market in the country. She has won awards for her expertise and she is frequently featured on the Texas Sports Nation as well as covering material regarding the NBA, MLB, NFL, and PGA events.

Day 1: Jacqueline Kincaid and I arrived together into the big city alone and trying to find our way to the nearest restaurant before making the journey to Harlem. Thank goodness we got lost because we found the most quaint and authentic restaurant called Victor’s Cafe right on 52nd street New York. We enjoyed our classic Cuban Sandwiches while amidst the entertaining rhythms of Spanish music. The employees were very hospitable and the atmosphere was lively and a reassuring refuge from the crowded New York streets. So, if you are ever planning on getting lost in New York City, feel free to ironical stumbleupon Victor’s Cafe. Next, we took in all the scenery the eclectic city had to offer during the taxi ride to John Jay Hall dormitory of Columbia University. AHH WE WERE FINALLY HERE. We were greeted by the by third of our three musketeers, Lily Jiang, as we started our journey in the big city together. Rooms 1001, 1002, and 1003, could not have been more filled with laughter, music, and movies.

Day 2: We woke up to explore new breakfast restaurants with our new friends Derek and Palmer bright and early and staggered upon our first hangout, Nussbaum and Wu, which I have been going to for four days straight for Chai teas and bagels. We went to our second in design class after that and learned about different techniques of photoshop and graphics until we broke for lunch where the three musketeers decided to roam blocks away from campus in hopes of finding an authentic restaurant. After impatience settled in, so did we. We found the first hole in the wall sushi restaurant we could find and took a load off. You know what….it was sooo tasty. Not only did I get to eat amazing sushi but I also learned a lot about Lily and Jaqueline that I would have never known. Well this magical place of stories and sushi was called Suma Japanese Cuisine, and a place unforgettable. Next we took a detour to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine to witness firsthand detailed architecture of each column and stained glass windows. Unfortunately, it rained that night and so our plans of going to SOHO were squashed but we ended up having a better time playing “Cards of Humanity” in our dorm rooms until 1AM.

Day 3:We began our day at our typical breakfast hangout, went to class, and then broke for lunch in which we grabbed some food at a local deli, Milano’s, before eating on top of the steps of the Columbia Library. We Couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful and sunny day! Finally, that night we went to a broadway show called Come from away with all the residents from the dormitory who were also attending this writing camp. For all who are not familiar with this show…it is spectacular. It is essentially commemorating the residents of Newfoundland (Newfoundlanders), a small island off of Canada, for their hospitality and bravery of hosting 38 planes full of frantic passengers into their community during 9/11. It was a wonderful opportunity to witness the realistic acting of the generosity humans naturally posses. After, we had the opportunity to meet the actors and actresses, discuss their preparation for the show, and the impact of 9/11 on their own lives.

Day 4: By far the most hectic day! Breakfast, class, and then tired of the boundaries of Harlem, Jacqueline, Lily, and I decided to take a taxi to 5th avenue in order to expand our knowledge of the city. We briefly explored the Metropolitan Art Museum with its exquisite architecture and famously known for its presence in the Gossip Girl Series (for all the Gossip Girl fans out there). From there we traveled down the street to the Guggenheim Museum, also exquisite with its spiral architecture and high ceilings. The Guggenheim also makes a presence in the movie When in Rome, for all the romcom fans. Finally, forgetting that the purpose of our travel was for a lUNCH BREAK, we shopped for some grab and go food at Eli’s Bread, and ate in the taxi on the way back to Colombia where we traveled around Harlem with an assigned partner for an interactive project. Finally, that night we decided to take a detour to the most touristy place in this great nation, Times Square, in order to watch the sun set on the top of the Empire State Building (highly recommend), watch the masses of diverse people from the window of Shake Shack, and almost miss curfew by taking the wrong subway train, getting off at an unfamiliar and ominous location far from our dormitory,meeting an Uber driver Mohammed, who took us part of the way and sprinting to and from every location to get back safely (we got back lol).

Day 5: Finally, we reached the last day in the grand city of Harlem. Our day was filled with the same spontaneity as those previous days, but in addition we went to Soho, only the most fabulous outside shopping extravaganza evaaa; followed by a last quick trip to Times Square once again.

We say goodbye to NYC: Finally, we had our last class in the morning, packed up and checked out to head to the Laguardia airport. Furthermore, not only did I enjoy the city of dreams, but I truly got to know and enjoy the company of the other two parts of the “three musketeers” whom I vaguely knew previous to this occasion even though we were all in the same class. Sooo.. always keep an open mind, and make a new friend because you never know how they will impact you!

Be brave today and take a risk!

XOXO

Lyricallivi