View from my window

Right now I don't really have an office space, but I do have a big window and a great view!

Carl Schurz Park and Street Fair

Today I went to Carl Schurz Park, it is just a few blocks away and accessible by the walkway along the east river. Gracie Mansion is in Carl Schurz along with dog parks, bball courts, hockey arena, bridges, statues, and lots of grass and trees. It is a great place to dog and people watch. I however spent most of my time reading. Yesterday I met up with a friend of a friend and we went to Chinatown to buy fruit and happened upon a street fair where we could of bought any handbag, dress, sheet set, sunglasses, or necklace we could imagine. We also did some window shopping.

Chelsea Piers

Today instead of work the ITS group took us to Chelsea Piers for a "Super day." The morning was composed of firm updates, a speaker on dealing with personality and cultural differences, and a panel of partners answer any questions we might have. We had lunch which was composed of fancy burgers, hotdogs, french fries, grilled veggies, and cookies... and drinks. Then in the afternoon we had sporting events. We played sand volleyball, football toss, hot shot basketball, whiffle ball, rock climbing (my first time I really enjoyed it, but about half way up I started getting a little nervous), and a relay race. My team tied for first, woohoo! But my competitive side came out during the day and when your teammates are economists and accountants that haven't really ever played sports it wasn't the best situation. So I had to remember that everyone can't be as skilled as me, haha. The Chelsea Piers themselves were pretty cool. There was the golf driving range that you see in several movies, boats, and all kinds of sporting opportunities. The only bad part was it is on the opposite side of Manhattan from where I live and with the steam pipe explosion yesterday my normal trains weren't running their normal routes. I was in Cleveland for training Monday and Tuesday. Didn't get to see anything except- airport-hotel-denny's-hotel-training center- rock bottom brewery- hotel-training center-airport, but it was nice any how. I met a lot of people from other locations around the US and the hotel was nice, had a real bed and a/c unlike my current conditions.

Coney Island

Today I rode the subway an hour into Brooklyn to Coney Island. My first time out of Manhattan since I got here about a week and a half ago. Everywhere you looked there was something you really didn't want to see, but everyone was having a good time. There was a Puerto Rican band playing with people dancing all over the boardwalk, people fishing off the pier with huge chunks of meat, people swimming in the cold water, and then the people on the amusement rides... looked fun, but I don't know if I would trust them. I was a little disturbingly drawn towards the freak show, but didn't end up going in, maybe next time. I had to try a Nathan's hot dog, and it was really good. I only had one in the 12 allowed minutes though, 65 away from this years winner.