The Final Act

Where do I even begin? I am not sure that I will be able to wrap up the Summer and do it justice in just one blog entry, but here goes nothing. The summer in New York City has been incredible. Looking back on where I was when I first stepped foot into Chelsea, I cannot believe the transformation that has occurred. Growing up just outside of Philadelphia, NYC was only a train ride away. However, going to the city entailed seeing a Broadway show, shopping, going out to eat and heading home. So, when my parents drove away at the beginning of summer, I was both terrified and excited. I distinctly remember walking into my room and seeing my roommate, Emily, standing with a large subway map. Alice and I poked fun at her, telling her she couldn’t take that around with her. She argued a good point, that she had no idea where she was going. At that moment I realized, neither did I. Yet, we made her give us the map and we hung it by the door. Today, when I took the map down as we cleaned out our room, I realized how far each of us has come. The subway is no longer a scary system of tunnels that makes no sense, the streets do not appear to run in every direction, now we know and understand NYC (at least we think we do).  I never could have imagined that I would be sitting here after nine weeks of exploring the city, dreading leaving it behind. But, here I am.

Someone asked me the other day, what is your favorite thing that you have done this summer?  I had, and still have no idea how to answer this question. I have gone to the top of the Empire State Building, seen Broadway shows, attended rooftop parties, visited museums, watched movies in the park, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, worked with incredible people, visited worldwide corporations, laid in the park, been to festivals and street fairs, eaten delicious food, and so much more.  My response though, included none of these things. While they were all amazing experiences, my favorite thing I have done this summer is simply explore New York City. No single event has defined my summer, but rather roaming the city with my roommates and friends discovering something new each day. The diversity and endless activities in New York City fascinate me. You can walk around the corner and find yourself in a completely different neighborhood with a  unique culture.

After nine weeks, I am confident in saying, I love New York City. It has been an exciting summer in which we have learned and grown together both on a professional and individual level. Many students have decided exactly what they want to do with their futures, while others still have no idea; however one thing that was solidified through this experience, is that both are okay. I am eager moving forward to see where my future takes me, and wishful that it will land me back in NYC next summer with another outstanding internship opportunity. As the curtain closes on our summer in New York City, I believe that we all deserve a standing ovation for an incredible opportunity well taken.

 

Frozen hot chocolate and a decadent sundae at Serendipity

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge

Watching Bridesmaids at Hudson River Park

At the Yankees game!

 

 

 

Summer Traditions the NYC Way

My family moved to New Jersey in 1996 when I was six years old, which allowed me to experience all of the wonderful things New York City has to offer. At a young age I was fortunate enough to have already visited many of the main tourist attractions; the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Broadway, and seemingly every museum in the City. So, for me, this summer was not about visiting all these destinations and going sight seeing. It was about doing all the things I had never done before and still managing to keep a little bit of my childhood summer traditions alive.

That goal was easier said than done. When you are a poor, unpaid intern living in an incredibly expensive city, it is nearly impossible to afford weekend trips up to Long Island or down to the Jersey shore. I saw my tan, beach filled summers slipping away, but after a brief period of denial, I pulled it together and realized that New York City has its own activities that make it a great place to be on a hot summer day.

So, the next time you find yourself wanting to beat the heat and sit inside on a gorgeous day in NYC, do these things instead!

Free Kayaking at Downtown Boathouse

The Pier 96 Boathouse is located at 56th Street

Who doesn’t like something Free? That’s right. No one. Especially when that free something offers a cool breeze, warm water, good exercise, and a stunning view of the New York City skyline in the distance. From my trips to the Downtown Boathouse I learned a few things that can come in handy. First, get there early. At around 11:30 the line starts getting long and the kayaks are available on a first come first serve basis. Second, they provide everything you need! Free sunscreen, lockers to keep your belongings in, and life vests. It really is a great deal.

http://www.downtownboathouse.org/

Central Park

Looking to work on your tan or relax and read a book? Central Park is the place to go. It has all the wonderful qualities of a beach…just without the ocean and sand. The 843-acre park that stretches from 59^th – 110^th street provides enough space and activities for the close to 9 million people who live in New York City. And in some ways it even beats the beach! Instead of a beach umbrella that might blow away, you can find shade under a tree, rent a bike, take a carriage ride or visit the zoo. Check out the link below for more wonderful reasons to spend a day outside in Central Park!

http://www.centralparknyc.org/calendar/

Markets, Markets, Markets

Fresh squeezed lemonade, grilled corn on the cob, and fried Oreos. Hand-made jewelry, flowers, clothing, fresh produce, and souvenirs. These are just a few of the many reasons why markets are a great reason to get up off the couch and spend the day outside. On any given day there will be a pop-up market somewhere in the city. Whether it is the new designers market that frequently takes place in Soho, the Brooklyn Flea Market, or a random pop-up market like the one that happened to be on West 20^th and 8^th just last weekend. These markets are a great way to support local and small businesses, find cheap handmade jewelry, and get a delicious snack!

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“The concrete jungle” can seem much less concrete and more summer activity friendly if you know where to look!

My NYC Playlist

I’ve been racking my brain since mid-June about what I was going to discuss in this blog post. The possibilities are endless. There are so many unique facets to this city that I adore, and narrowing it down to one topic seemed impossible. However, there is one thing that has been ever-present in my life this summer: music. I am interning in the jazz studies department at The Juilliard School, and though I make a lot of spreadsheets and photocopies like I would in any internship, the idea of music performance and education is constantly present. I have also been to my fair share of Broadway musicals and jazz clubs. Lastly, I just returned from a week in Utah, where I acted as an administrator at the Juilliard Jazz summer camp at Snow College. There, I was surrounded by music everyday, as I helped run a weeklong summer camp for over 100 high school and college students learning jazz improvisation, music theory and music performance. I even listen to my iPod every day on the subway. So, utilizing my favorite songs about New York, I would like to take you on a tour of my summer in The Big Apple. Here is my “New York City Playlist”!

Song: Chelsea Morning, by Joni Mitchell

Where to Listen: Waking up at the New School dorms, 20^th Street and 8^th Avenue

Why: I dare you to wake up to this song on a Tuesday morning and not be excited to go to work. Honestly, try it. Joni Mitchell was inspired by her Chelsea, New York apartment to write this song. 9 weeks ago, I could never fathom writing a song about my apartment, but now I think I get it. After all, it’s easy to get inspired when this is the view from your apartment:

I’m really going to miss this view!

Song: There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For New York by George and Ira Gershwin

Where to Listen: Battery Park City, or anywhere else on the water.

Why: One of my favorite parts of this summer has been taking in as many Broadway shows as I can get to. My favorite from the entire summer has to be The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. The character Sportin’ Life sings this to Bess in the second act, and I loved it instantly- it’s bold, fun, and swings hard. I have always loved the Gershwins’ music, because it is prized in both the worlds of musical theatre and jazz, and is constantly revisited by new artists. There are a ton of versions of this song, but my personal favorite is by Sammy Davis Jr. Why Battery Park City specifically? I heard jazz the Michael Bublé-esque Sachal Vasandani perform this song at a free concert there earlier this month. Great jazz at sunset on the water- what a perfect evening!

Song: Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin

Where to Listen: Lincoln Center

Why: There’s a reason Woody Allen picked this masterpiece as the soundtrack to the opening sequence of his movie Manhattan. It is lively, chaotic, harmonious and awe-inspiring all at the same time, just like Lincoln Center. The first time I visited Lincoln Center was the day before I started my internship at Juilliard. The Juilliard School is connected to Alice Tully Hall, which is right across the street from the main part of the center. I walked across the street, turned the corner and was greeted by…

 

I was completely dumbstruck. It was the most beautiful man-made thing I had ever seen. Forget the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower… I’d trade them all for Lincoln Center any day of the week. If you haven’t visited, even just to look around, please go! Even those with little desire to see the symphony, ballet or opera will be wowed.

Avery Fisher Hall, home to the NY Philharmonic

The David H. Koch Theater

Inside the Koch Theater (during intermission of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”)

And I get to eat lunch here three days a week. How lucky am I?

My lunchtime view

There are so many more songs that are appropriate to this post, but I’m going to stop here. If you like, take a stroll down Times Square at night listening to “New York, New York” or stroll down the Chelsea Piers to “New York State of Mind.” And I can guarantee that everyone’s listened to “Empire State of Mind” AT LEAST once this summer. I’ve already vowed that when I return to the city (hopefully around this time next year!) this  is the first song I’ll play.

-Alicia

PS: If you like this, check out my full NYC Playlist on Spotify!

On a Quiet Afternoon

Two months ago, I had never in my life been to New York City. I’ve wanted to visit the city for years, but as excited as I was for this summer, I had no idea what to expect. I’ve never lived in an environment anything like this crowded concrete maze, and was worried that I might not like it. Now approaching the end of July, I can say that on the whole, my fears have been assuaged. New York City is an exciting place, and it has so many surprises to offer. Still, I think my favorite spaces are the many parks scattered around it, oases of green in a gray and busy city.

A walk through Riverside Park

In fact, I chose to study the Upper West Side largely because it is particularly nature-heavy. It is bordered on the west by Riverside Park and on the east by Central Park. The disadvantage of Riverside is that because it is so narrow and directly overlooks the Henry Hudson Parkway, one never quite escapes the noise of cars passing by. But the view across the river is beautiful, and it is refreshing to see the many families with small children enjoying picnics on the grass.

Looking across the Hudson River

My favorite spot is a bit calmer and quieter, however. On the recommendation of a friend, I visited Alice’s Tea Cup at the beginning of the summer. It is an adorable eatery inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and it offers possibly the best scones this side of Bath. I like to get a mixed berry scone with clotted cream and raspberry preserves in a little pink to-go bag and walk the one block to Central Park. A good book and a bench by the lake make it the perfect respite from busy city life. Hopefully I’ll get to enjoy this scene at least once more before I leave.

If you ever find yourself on the corner of 73rd St and Columbus Avenue, stop in for tea and a scone

Made in Chelsea

 

It’s crazy to think we’re already wrapping up week seven here in the city. My summer here has been crazy, busy, but most importantly, exciting. There is so much the city has to offer that sometimes you just don’t know where to start. After many weeks of trying to get the most out of my New York summer, I’ve come to value the saying “less is more”. Although I have been thrilled by the Broadway musicals and rooftop dinners, at the end of a long week relaxation is always at the top of the weekend list. Well, believe it or not, the city that never sleeps snoozes their alarms early Saturday and Sunday mornings; this became my favorite part of the week.

 

In addition to the peace and quite I found on my early morning walks on the highline or around the Upper East Side, brunch played a significant role my relaxing weekends. Praised by the New Yorkers, I discovered and quickly began to share the appreciation for this meal. My first brunch in the city was at a place called Pastis, located on 9^th Avenue in the Meatpacking District. The food was exceptional, but the best part of the meal was being able to share it with my suitemates and sorority sisters who were visiting for the weekend. The one thing I always miss when I’m away during the school year or trips in the summer is my family. I grew up sitting down for dinner, almost every night, with my two sisters, mom, and dad. Over the years the importance of sharing a meal with the people close to you became more defined. We were not only sharing amazing french toast, but also stories of our summers. From rushing home to dad’s “make it every night chicken” to Redbowl sushi nights at Elon, brunch in New York has become my family meal.

Out of my brunch experiences thus far, my favorite place has been The Smith, located on 51^st and 2^nd.  The prices are reasonable and the vanilla bean french toast is by far the best I’ve ever had. It is definitely worth the trip uptown! 

 

The city life caught me off guard in the beginning, but I’ve learned that it’s best experienced when you make it your own. In time you learn that it truly is the simplest things in life that mean the most.

 

xxx

Jill Soscia

 

 

 

A New Yorker at Last

I had a moment the other day when all at once I realized how far I have come since arriving in New York. I was walking through Times Square on a Saturday night right before the shows started. I was sweating profusely, glaring at the tourists stopping to take pictures, and blatantly ignoring the man shoving comedy show tickets in my face. Then, suddenly, I realized- I was a New Yorker. Well, as much of a New Yorker as one can become within the span of seven weeks. I cannot say I was proud as I rolled my eyes and elbowed through the excited Asian family, but I did feel a sense of accomplishment. It had been my goal to understand the subway, learn how to get to my apartment, and be able to successfully lead my visiting family around, but I had never dared to dream that I would become a grumpy, fast paced, city girl that I had always admired.

As excited as I am to feel like I’ve accomplished such a transformation, I’ve run into unexpected obstacles. For instance, the ability to enjoy a touristy moment and allow myself to document the moment with loads of pictures. My visiting friends will click away, with an embarrassed smile on their face, as they say, “I’m sorry… I’m such a tourist.” I want to scream at them to take a hundred more and make me copies. I stopped taking pictures the moment I had decided to become a local. It is an interesting balance of letting yourself indulge in the beauty of the tourism while attempting to be the discrete visitor that everyone strives to be.

My area of the city to study is, ironically, Times Square. I picked it because of its interesting history, but quickly learned how much I hated to be around it. However, I have decided that I love the honest quality of it. It is a place for tourists, covered in advertisements and people selling things on the street. It does not hide from the materialistic and money driven values in which it thrives. It owns what it is, and I find it oddly refreshing.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the city, and as you can see, I’ve come a long way. From my event planning internship to the amazing organized days that the program has provided, I have gotten more than expected from this experience. Unfortunately, I have not fully committed to the idea of living here after college. As accomplished as I feel having conquered the New York life, I’m not sure I’m ready to let go of the smiles on the street of a small town or the “excuse me” as you knock against your neighbor. I can pretend to be cold with my headphones in and frown on my face, but behind my sunglasses, I will always be that Midwestern girl that says “Have a great day!”

The City of Endless Opportunities

Last summer I interned in Manhattan at a fashion company and truly fell in love with all that the city has to offer. I knew once the summer was over, that I had to find a way to come back. When I heard about the Elon in New York program I immediately applied with the hopes of living and working in Manhattan for a second summer in a row. There is never a dull moment in this city and I constantly find myself wanting to explore more each day. 

One of my favorite things to do in Manhattan is to run along the pier. I start at pier 49 and run all the way down to Battery Park. The views are breathtaking and when I am running there is a sense of calmness and I don’t feel the constant hustle and bustle that I deal with daily at my Internship in Times Square. I use this time to relax and enjoy the beautiful views in front of me. Everyday I truly look forward to this run as it constantly reminds me why I love Manhattan so much.

I absolutely love the outdoors, but at the same time I love the busy city with endless restaurants and fabulous shopping. With central park, the Highline and the Pier I am able to get the best of both worlds. Recently, my roommate and I went kayaking on the Hudson for free. We decided that we would do different outdoor activities as much as we could, so the following weekend we rented bikes in Central Park and biked the entire park, twice. This was a highlight for me because in the past I haven’t been able to see the whole park by just walking. Renting the bikes allowed me to soak it all in.

 

 

 

We have also decided to make Tuesdays our theatre days and we have managed to see both Jersey Boys and Clybourne park through amazing student rush deals. Next on our list are Avenue Q and The Phantom of The Opera.

 

The inner child in me led me to the wonderful FAO Schwartz for some amazing candy options. For some reason the store ended up feeling a lot smaller the second time around. Now you can even make your own muppet, which I must admit was a bit tempting….

 

Since I had been spending so much time downtown I decided to venture uptown to the Met one weekend and check out the rooftop garden exhibit. It was one of the most beautiful views I had ever seen and the glass ball exhibit was fascinating. If you get a special ticket you can actually climb inside of the glass ball and get an even more breathtaking view of the Upper East Side.

 

I can’t believe how quickly this summer is flying by, I know for a fact that this is where I see myself living after college and I am so excited for what is ahead in the city with endless opportunities!

Just like the Patrick Stump and Lupe Fiasco song I can agree that “this city is my city and I love it, I love it.”