One thing that happened this past week is that we started our next round of seminars. I'm taking a poetry seminar with Dean Kostos. The first one was last night and it went pretty well... it's geared mostly toward beginners, so it probably won't be Earth-shattering for me as a creative writing major, but there are always new things to learn and take away.
It seems I'm adjusting more and more to life in the city. Sure, I'm still far from being a native New Yorker, but I find myself going on auto-pilot when I take the subways, instead of constantly checking the maps and such. I don't get nervous walking around anymore, not even at night. I'm still cautious and aware, of course, but I'm never afraid. Now, maybe if I was lost in the Bronx at night, THEN I'd be nervous, but as long as I'm familiar with the area and know where I'm going, there's no need to be afraid, in my opinion. New York is a much safer place than people make it out to be. There are people around all the time, even in the dead of night, and most areas are pretty well lit. Don't bother anyone, and they generally won't bother you.
Summer is officially over it seems. I've been busting out the scarves, boots, and winter coats this week. So far I don't mind the cold, especially since it hasn't dropped too much below 50 yet, but I'm not necessarily looking forward to the REAL cold. I like being able to hold my coffee as I walk without my fingers becoming icicles. I'm going to need to invest in some decent gloves, that's for sure.
Life in general has been really good lately. There is always some uncertainty, and minor things don't go as well as they should sometimes, but lately everything seems to be falling into place. I'm liking it. I'm taking life as it comes, and it's nice. I do need to start figuring out the near future though. I'm applying for internships in Michigan for the spring semester, and I'm also applying to a program called City Year for next year. Look at me--making decisions about my future! I know you're all so proud considering how indecisive I am ;-)
Anyway, City Year is a 10-month Americorps program working with kids in at-risk areas of cities all over the US. Participants of City Year specifically work with kids on literacy (kind of my thing...yes?) and after-school programs including fine-arts groups and newspaper clubs (once again...kind of my thing!) I wouldn't get paid a salary, but I would get a stipend for living expenses and money to help pay off my college loans, so it's a pretty good deal. I really hope I'm accepted because it sounds like such an awesome program and it would give me another year to figure out the grad school vs. job decision I'll need to make. City Year is in several cities all over the U.S. but I'm applying to City Year New York, because if you haven't noticed, I'm kind of fond of this crazy, crazy town.
That's all for now because it is very late, and I need to work in the morning. Sorry about the lack of pictures...next week should be more exciting?
City Year sounds like a great opportunity for you! Definitely your cup of tea, so to speak. About grad. school--would you want to go in order to be a more qualified and knowledgeable teacher? Or simply for the pursuit of higher-education?
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