Introduction:
I decided to take this class to see if I can give myself a better understanding of getting around the place I call home. I thought it would be great to finally be able to know more about N.Y. as well. I am a RN who is back at school obtaining a BSN now, after staying home to raise my kids I thought this was a good time to get back in the game. Going back to school has been exciting and nerve racking all at the same time. I really am enjoying this experience my second time around.
What I expect to see about N.Y.:
I hope to have a better understanding of how to navigate through the city. I think I will see some very wealthy areas as well as many poor. I think the city will showcase areas by titles based on restaurants, entertainment, and housing. I imagine it would be very expensive to live in the city and inconvient to get around by car. I also would imagine the city to be on the dirtier side compared with the suburbs. I hope to learn the evolution of the areas in N.Y. I would not expect to see alot of nature like areas. I expect to see a lot of tourists. I can't wait to find out if I'm right or wrong.
journal 1: Entry 1
June 5th- My very first day entering N.Y. on my own. My day started, I was a bundle of nerves waiting on the tracks in Mineola waiting for my train to take me to Penn Station. Naturally a bus was stuck on the tracks in Hicksville which caused my train to be delayed indefinitely. I learned very quickly that the assumption New Yorkers are not nice people is a very poor one. A kind business man stayed with me and showed me how to get on another train until I reached my destination. I found my group, got twenty- five bucks on my metro card and off we went in Midtown Manhattan.
Starting in Penn Station it's name given by the developers Pennsylania Railroad (eny). I learned that this was not the orginal Penn Station. The orginal Penn Station seemed to be a more luxurious setting fit to welcome guests with a wow entrance. This Penn Station was an environment that was crowded, busy, smelly and dirty.
Next on the list we stopped to visit Grand Central. In contrast to Penn Station it gives you a sophistacated and traditional welcome feeling as soon as you enter. A classical ticket booth displaying brass, traditional lighting with a wide open decorative ceiling that screams welcome to New York. I was happy to hear that time and money had been spent here to recover the damage from the steam of old trians and cigar smoke. The ceiling depicts an astrological sign from the Gods perspective looking down.
Moving on we stood below the famous Chrysler Building. Architecture done by William Van Alen (eny). This building was built by the Chrysler automobile company finished by the 1930's. The decor of the building depicts hoods from automobiles and a stainless steel sunburst pattern. For a short time the Chrysler building was known as the biggest building in New York. We entered the building to find the ceilings decorated as a car manufacturing assembly line and beautiful African wood carvings. We were informed this building is said to have the prettiest elevators but wasn't allowed to view.
Moving onward we briefly saw the Daily News Building. The buildings artchiteture represents what is known as art deco design including it's flat roof. We entered the building to find the largest indoor revolving world globe.
The GE building is a beautiful art decco pattern which displays electric current throughout the exterior along with a clock. We were told this building is suppose to have the most beautiful lobby. Although it is a pretty lobby I personally was not wowed.
Now on the other hand I was very wowed at the next stop. The Waldorf Astoria a magnificant display of eloquent design. This hotel was completed in 1931 (eny). The displays spoke to me as if I could invision the dinning room set and fancy china with important guests sitting around the table eating a divine menu. I had the pleasure of using the ladies room here, every guest has their own personal bathroom.
Walking along midtown we past Barts Church. This was an opportunity to learn about and compare the architecture of various buildings. I learned how the orginal design for buildings was straight up and then restrictions were past that forced architecture to change the design pattern as a set back, in order to allow light inbetween the blocks. Some buildings presented this feature in reverse by building large courtyards and then building upwards. We also were able to locate buildings with post modern art which is reconized by its use of metal, glass and slanting roofs. I realized that on the occasions I have been in the city with family I walk past these buildings all the time and never really appreciated these features mainly because I never look up.
Reaching our next stop the Roosevelt Island Tram. I have never been on this before. The view was awesome. I also was never to Roosevelt Island. I really wasn't sure what to expect. When we arrived it appeared lush and abandoned. We recieved a quick lesson on how to remember the bridges (BMW) and enjoyed the view of the 59th street bridge. I learned a new word gentrification and learned that this was the definition of an undesirable poor area that upper middle class or wealthy people migrated into bringing the area out of an undesirable to desirable place to live. As a result the cost of living goes up causing the less fortunate to be pushed out due to cost of living. This was also home to the first pathological studies. I was very intrigued as a nurse to learn we stood where the old Small Pox hospital was. A shell of what looked like a beautiful building and home to the first school for nurses in the USA. This island homed psychiatric patients and a penetetry. Walking onward we entered the Four Freedoms Park designed to appear like a boat a walkway of trees leading to a huge sculpture of FDR. The view was on the water over looking midtown, the area we just left.
On the subway and off to Jackson Heights. This area had changed alot since I was a child. Now populated with a large Indian Population evident by the countless shops selling cultural garb and cuisine. We had the pleasure of eating in the Jackson Diner. I ate everything, even the goat and enjoyed every bite. The time here was short but the purpose made of our visit.
On the subway and off to Astoria. An area near and dear to me, arriving on steinway street I had to hold back the swells in my eyes as childhood memories of my dear nanny came rushing in my head. I once walked steinway on a regular occasion with her shopping and eating lunch together and then back to 14th street. This particular area I was not familiar with. We entered the Museum of the Moving Image. Another first for me. It was a really cool place showcasing old fashion microphones, telephones, televisions and how entertainment was broadcasted. The museum featured props from custumes, makeup, hair and showed how they transform actors into scary performers. I especially loved looking at the old paraphernalia from childhood television shows and movies.
Back on the train and off to Long Island City. Another first and probably last the MOMAPS1. This was a subdivision of MOMA and school of art. Unfortunately this is not the kind of art that interests me. I am a more traditional person but its always interesting to see what makes other tick.
We ended our day near the Pepsi sign in a park over looking the city. After ten miles of walking it was glorious to sit in the lush grass. We spoke about what everyone thought. Then we walked to the nearest train stations and we all went on our way. A great first day I can't believe what I learned and I have lived in New York my whole life.
June 5th- My very first day entering N.Y. on my own. My day started, I was a bundle of nerves waiting on the tracks in Mineola waiting for my train to take me to Penn Station. Naturally a bus was stuck on the tracks in Hicksville which caused my train to be delayed indefinitely. I learned very quickly that the assumption New Yorkers are not nice people is a very poor one. A kind business man stayed with me and showed me how to get on another train until I reached my destination. I found my group, got twenty- five bucks on my metro card and off we went in Midtown Manhattan.
Starting in Penn Station it's name given by the developers Pennsylania Railroad (eny). I learned that this was not the orginal Penn Station. The orginal Penn Station seemed to be a more luxurious setting fit to welcome guests with a wow entrance. This Penn Station was an environment that was crowded, busy, smelly and dirty.
Next on the list we stopped to visit Grand Central. In contrast to Penn Station it gives you a sophistacated and traditional welcome feeling as soon as you enter. A classical ticket booth displaying brass, traditional lighting with a wide open decorative ceiling that screams welcome to New York. I was happy to hear that time and money had been spent here to recover the damage from the steam of old trians and cigar smoke. The ceiling depicts an astrological sign from the Gods perspective looking down.
Moving on we stood below the famous Chrysler Building. Architecture done by William Van Alen (eny). This building was built by the Chrysler automobile company finished by the 1930's. The decor of the building depicts hoods from automobiles and a stainless steel sunburst pattern. For a short time the Chrysler building was known as the biggest building in New York. We entered the building to find the ceilings decorated as a car manufacturing assembly line and beautiful African wood carvings. We were informed this building is said to have the prettiest elevators but wasn't allowed to view.
Moving onward we briefly saw the Daily News Building. The buildings artchiteture represents what is known as art deco design including it's flat roof. We entered the building to find the largest indoor revolving world globe.
The GE building is a beautiful art decco pattern which displays electric current throughout the exterior along with a clock. We were told this building is suppose to have the most beautiful lobby. Although it is a pretty lobby I personally was not wowed.
Now on the other hand I was very wowed at the next stop. The Waldorf Astoria a magnificant display of eloquent design. This hotel was completed in 1931 (eny). The displays spoke to me as if I could invision the dinning room set and fancy china with important guests sitting around the table eating a divine menu. I had the pleasure of using the ladies room here, every guest has their own personal bathroom.
Walking along midtown we past Barts Church. This was an opportunity to learn about and compare the architecture of various buildings. I learned how the orginal design for buildings was straight up and then restrictions were past that forced architecture to change the design pattern as a set back, in order to allow light inbetween the blocks. Some buildings presented this feature in reverse by building large courtyards and then building upwards. We also were able to locate buildings with post modern art which is reconized by its use of metal, glass and slanting roofs. I realized that on the occasions I have been in the city with family I walk past these buildings all the time and never really appreciated these features mainly because I never look up.
Reaching our next stop the Roosevelt Island Tram. I have never been on this before. The view was awesome. I also was never to Roosevelt Island. I really wasn't sure what to expect. When we arrived it appeared lush and abandoned. We recieved a quick lesson on how to remember the bridges (BMW) and enjoyed the view of the 59th street bridge. I learned a new word gentrification and learned that this was the definition of an undesirable poor area that upper middle class or wealthy people migrated into bringing the area out of an undesirable to desirable place to live. As a result the cost of living goes up causing the less fortunate to be pushed out due to cost of living. This was also home to the first pathological studies. I was very intrigued as a nurse to learn we stood where the old Small Pox hospital was. A shell of what looked like a beautiful building and home to the first school for nurses in the USA. This island homed psychiatric patients and a penetetry. Walking onward we entered the Four Freedoms Park designed to appear like a boat a walkway of trees leading to a huge sculpture of FDR. The view was on the water over looking midtown, the area we just left.
On the subway and off to Jackson Heights. This area had changed alot since I was a child. Now populated with a large Indian Population evident by the countless shops selling cultural garb and cuisine. We had the pleasure of eating in the Jackson Diner. I ate everything, even the goat and enjoyed every bite. The time here was short but the purpose made of our visit.
On the subway and off to Astoria. An area near and dear to me, arriving on steinway street I had to hold back the swells in my eyes as childhood memories of my dear nanny came rushing in my head. I once walked steinway on a regular occasion with her shopping and eating lunch together and then back to 14th street. This particular area I was not familiar with. We entered the Museum of the Moving Image. Another first for me. It was a really cool place showcasing old fashion microphones, telephones, televisions and how entertainment was broadcasted. The museum featured props from custumes, makeup, hair and showed how they transform actors into scary performers. I especially loved looking at the old paraphernalia from childhood television shows and movies.
Back on the train and off to Long Island City. Another first and probably last the MOMAPS1. This was a subdivision of MOMA and school of art. Unfortunately this is not the kind of art that interests me. I am a more traditional person but its always interesting to see what makes other tick.
We ended our day near the Pepsi sign in a park over looking the city. After ten miles of walking it was glorious to sit in the lush grass. We spoke about what everyone thought. Then we walked to the nearest train stations and we all went on our way. A great first day I can't believe what I learned and I have lived in New York my whole life.
Journal Entry 2 6/10/14