Julie's First New York Adventures

Patrick has been really good about posting his New York adventures I have not been so good. I thought I would share some of my first experiences. I came out a week before Patrick moved our stuff out to find a teaching position. My friend Crystal who lives in New Jersey was kind enough to let me stay with her for a week even though she had two other guests staying with her. It was a party with Crystal, her husband Joel,their baby Robert, Joel's cousin Edward, Crystal's friend Nicole and me in their one bedroom apartment. Luckily we are all good friends and enjoyed catching up and making new memories.

The next day I had a teachers fair to go to in the Bronx so Crystal, Robert, Nicole, another women with her kids and myself caught the train in New Jersey to New York City. Once at Penn station I got in line for a taxi and everyone else went to explore the city. I got in the cab and told the taxi driver where I wanted to go, which was in Throggs Neck area in the Bronx. He told me that he didn't know where that was so he pulled over to "look at the map"and then told me he could not guarantee that he could get me there. I asked if he could call someone for directions. He said "no." So I asked if I could see his map and he said that I would not be able to read it. He finally let me out and I had to call down another taxi who also told me he could not take me there. By the third taxi I was quite frustrated. So I got in, told him where I wanted to go and that if he could get me close I would figure the rest out. He did let me see the map and I was able to find where it was I wanted to go. I told him that I had already been through two other taxi's who were not willing to take me. He said that most drivers do not want to drive all the way to the Bronx. Anyway I called Patrick who looked the directions up on Mapquest. I then read them to the driver. After all that, the taxi driveer explained that he had been a taxi driver for years and didn't know all of New York. He was trying to explain to me why no one wanted to take me. Then he said that he liked my style. We had a good conversation the rest of the way.

Once at the teachers fair I signed in and sat in a room where they explained what was going to happen and how to make the most of it. They said it would be a lot like speed dating.....which it was!! We were then led to another room lined with tables with representatives of all the schools hiring in the Bronx. It was hot and crazy. I set a goal to at least mark five follow up interviews or demo lessons. I wandered the room looking for schools with science positions posted. I finally sat down at one and started the "speed dating process". We marked to meet another day. I then pushed through the crowds to another school's table and then another. I ended up with two follow up interviews and two demo lessons marked. But it was so hot and I had good feeling about the two demo lessons marked that I decided that four was good enough.

I asked were the nearest bus stop was and headed in that direction. I did get turned around once but asked another woman on the street were Tremont St was. I got to a bus stop. I did go into a tile store to make sure I was on the correct side of the street to catch the bus to the subway. I got on the bus and tried to hand the bus driver two one dollar bills and asked if this bus would take me to the subway. I received a dirty look as he asked if I had a metro card. I didn't so he told me to just buy one at the subway station. I sat down not quite sure where my stop was. I asked a woman with two children who sat next to me. She was nice and told me that it was big and that I wouldn't miss it. We got to talking and I told her that I was looking for a teaching position. She told me how terrible the schools were and that she was moving to Florida soon. She also told me that I looked like a nice person and gave me a few pointers like not to smile or talk to people on the bus or subway, to keep my eyes down. Although she had a less optimistic view about the area then I wanted to hear I did appreciate her help and conversation. I caught the subway back to Penn station.

Once at Penn station I found where to buy the train tickets and asked for a ticket to Murray Hill, New Jersey. The lady took my money and gave me the ticket. When I asked where to go she sent me to the information booth. I asked where to catch the train to Murray Hill, New Jersey. The guy said "New Jersey? Murray Hill is in Queens." I said no I wanted to go to Murray Hill, New Jersey near the Summit station. Then he said almost yelling...."Why in the hell did you buy a ticket to Murray Hill, Queens." Anyway I found out that I was not on the New Jersey side of the station so I got to the correct place and bought a ticket to Murray Hill, New Jersey. I only had about 15 minutes before the train left so I ran back over to the Long Island side and did the runaround to get my money back for the ticket to Murray Hill, Queens. Which took me right back to the Lady who sold me the ticket, who was nice and apologized for the mistake. Then I ran back and heard that the 7:20 train was about to leave I quickly looked at the screen and did not see another 7:20 train (the name on my ticket and the name on the schedule were different) so I ran and jumped through the doors not even knowing if I was on the right train.

When the conductor came by I asked him...I was on the right train! I just needed to get off at the next station for a transfer. On my ticket there was a list of initials of all the stations I needed to get off and make a transfer at. Only two of which I could figure out what they stood for. I spent the next couple of hours hopping on and off trains and talking to conductors and other people hoping I was on the right path. I finally ended up at the Summit station, but the next train to Murray Hill was still an hour and a half wait. I called Crystal who was at a young women's activity and would not be able to pick me up, but then a mother at the activity offered to pick me up and take me to Crystal's. I was exhausted but at the same time I felt a sense of accomplishment. I had successfully got to Throgg's Neck, Bronx and back to New Jersey on my own. I also felt like I understood the New York transportation system a little better. This is what I learned:

1. Once you are in a cab and shut the door the cab driver must take you where ever you ask to go in New York, but it helps if you already have directions to where you want to go if it is out of Manhattan.

2. Don't be afraid to ask for directions, most people were nice enough to give me their help and advice even if it is in a manner a bit harsher then I was used to.

3. Make sure that you are carrying exact change for the buses; they only accept metro cards and two dollars in change. The DO NOT accept dollar bills.

4. Make sure you are on the correct side of the train station before you buy your ticket.

5. Once you buy the correct ticket, if there are transfers, do not leave until you have written down or understand which stations to transfer at and which trains to catch.

Crystal was kind enough to take me around the next two days so at least I wasn't alone in the city. I was offered two positions and decided to take the position at Albert Einstein Jr. High. I ran into some problems with my certificate not being accepted because I only taught one year in Utah, but I have found many helpful people to guide me through the process of getting my New York certificate as quickly as possible. I only have to take three four hour tests, and a 6 credit literacy in the classroom class online. Not much, but it will take me until the end of the year to complete it all. Howver, I will get to teach in the position I was hired for. I will start some time after Labor day.

If you made it to the end of this blog, I congratulate you! While this blog was quite long, it was an eventful trip. The next entry will be shorter and will have some pictures of Patrick and me enjoying New York.