Back in New York

Ever since taking my cross-country train trip it has amazed me how short the same journey is via airplane. Last Thursday I woke up in Seattle, sat on a 6 hour flight, and arrived in New York just as the sun was setting. It seemed too easy somehow. During the first few days back I felt like I was in a daze. I knew I was physically in Brooklyn, but my thoughts were constantly drifting back to Seattle. Being on break was wonderful, but it was difficult too. It reminded me of all the wonderful bonds I share with people who aren’t with me in New York.

The nice thing about coming back was how logistically easier it was than my arrival in August. I walked off the plane, hopped on the subway, and got off at my usual stop. When I made it to my apartment all I had to do was fish out my keys and turn the lock. And behold! I have a bed, a desk, a set of clothes, and an entire life set up and ready to go. All the New York habits came back to me as if they were natural. Within the first 24 hours I was riding the subway, cooking with cheap ingredients from Trader Joe’s, and watching weird Netflix movies with my roommate.

I didn’t feel like I was doing anything with much energy though. On Sunday I went to the Frick Museum—which has been on my to-do list forever—and only stayed for a short time before going home to take a nap. With no homework and no commitments, I should have taken advantage of my free time and explored the city. But all I wanted to do was write in my journal and chat with friends online.

Luckily, today, I had my first class of the semester. I was apprehensive about the return to school mode, but the day really energized me. Seeing my classmates again made the dark, bathroomless graduate hallway seem warm and happy. I went out for coffee with one of the women in my program, and came back to gab about Cranford and Young Victoria with another. In class, we were handed what we knew would be one of the biggest assignments of the program—a semester-long exhibit design project. But, as daunting as it sounded, I felt eager to start. While the professor gave a brief lecture on the history of museums I started thinking “YEAH! MUSEUMS! GRAD SCHOOL! AWESOME!” I imagined the activities of the term set to a Rocky-esq “Eye of the Tiger” montage: me taking vigorous notes at museums, me carefully re-sewing a torn historical garment, and me insightfully analyzing a primary source.

Okay, so maybe CLARA : THE MOVIE wouldn't make a good action film, but I'm feeling pretty good. Phase II of grad school—Bring it on!