Something In The Water!

Shortly after arriving here in the Bronx the bottled water that Patrick had bought earlier ran out. Now because Patrick had his Coke, he saw no need to travel to the local supermarket (PathMark) to buy more bottled water. I, on the other hand, felt that water is a basic necessity so I began drinking from the faucet. After all, it was free and we're supposed to be trying to save money during medical school. Patrick looked at me like I was crazy and said that he would watch me for a week or so and see if I exhibited any ill effects before he would drink from the tap. For about the first week I was fine, but then I started to feel a little ill. After exhibiting fatigue and a general malaise for about two weeks, Patrick and I decided that I should get tested to see what exactly was afflicting me. Sure enough I have contracted a parasite. While we have yet to see a physician concerning the matter, we are both pretty sure that we will feel the effects of this parasite for the rest of our lives. Our research indicates that the pathogen will be expelled from my body in several months, however, so there is no cause for alarm. Below are the results of the test.

Since Patrick finally began drinking water from the faucet several days ago, he is now absolutely terrified that he will contract this same parasite! Personally, I think he will be just fine ;)

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.

Go East, Young Man (Day Six)!

Although it has been almost two weeks since the Scarborough Bronx Expedition arrived at our final destination, I thought that I would provide an account of the last day of our journey. We awoke at 3:00 a.m. on August 1, loaded the truck, and were on the road by 4:00. The drive into New York City was actually quite uneventful. That early in the morning, even New Yorkers are less active than usual. The drive across the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan was pretty exciting, however. It marked the final leg of the journey and our entrance into New York. We arrived at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM) at 6:00 a.m. and began the laborious process of unloading the Penske and moving everything upstairs into Julie and my new home. The security guards at the building were extremely helpful; they let us unload behind the building and bring everything in through the basement. It saved alot of time and effort. I also enlisted the help of two fellow BYU alum in the process. We were done by 10:30. This is what the apartment looked like immediately after we finished; I did manage to clean it up a bit by the time Julie arrived!





Dad and I then embarked on a series of adventures in New York over the next week. We went to City Hall and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, visited New Jersey in search of family gravesites, and observed New York City from the top of the Empire State Building. We had a great time and I look forward to many more visits from family and friends.



The final five things I learned from our trip are:

1. Despite the fact that he's known me for over thirty years, my father still calls me "Phil" at least once a day.

2. The Mormon connection is worth its weight in gold; you can always count on instant friends once you arrive at a new location.

3. Julie and I have way too much stuff!

4. Even though I've traveled quite a bit during my life, I still feel like a hick in New York City.

5. Even though he's almost sixty-two years old, my Dad is still fun to hang out with.

Well, the move is over (although we're still trying to find a place for all of our stuff). Julie and I are back together again and we're looking forward to four years in the most exciting city in the world! We expect lots of visitors, so start making plans; an exciting trip to the Bronx awaits!

Go East, Young Man (Days Four and Five)!

Day Four began with the Scarborough "Bronx" Expedition taking a badly needed rest. We went to visit Dad's cousin, Jean Keller. She prepared an amazing breakfast of biscuits and gravy for us and then we talked with her until about noon. We hopped in the Penske and commenced our journey again. The day was a light driving day; we only traveled about 250 miles. There actually isn't much to report. Dad and I split the driving evenly and we arrived at our hotel in Dubois, Pennsylvania early. We had a great dinner and went to bed, preparing for an exhausting 200 mile drive the next day ;)

The Penske Truck count dropped off rather drastically today. Apparently, people move over the weekend. We only saw 13 Penske Trucks, 9 U-Haul Trucks, and 3 Budget Trucks. Here are the top five things learned during the drive:

1. Apparently, July is turtle mating season.

2. Penske trucks have excellent brakes and Dad, believe it or not, still has a decent reaction time.

3. The scenery in the Eastern United States makes the West look like a desert . . . wait a minute! It is a desert!

4. After traveling with someone for 2,000 miles, you do eventually run out of things to talk about.

5. Nothing says I love you quite like a small, inexpensive, memorial pin from each state driven through.

Day Five began at the excruciatingly early hour of 8:00 a.m. We hurried as fast as we possibly could and managed to hit the road at the crack-of-dawn; 10:00 a.m. We then drove for an interminable 4 hours, traveling a mind boggling 210 miles. We then stopped in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and rested for the final 81 mile push into the Bronx! Dad and I are excited, although the impending unloading of the truck is a dark cloud that casts its shadow over our sunny mood. Regardless, the journey will soon be over. The Penske Truck count was even lower today. We saw 7 Penske Trucks, 4 U-haul Trucks, and 3 Budget Trucks. Here are the top five things learned today:

1. You never get used to the smell of turtle crap.

2. The Appalachian Mountains, while beautiful, aren't really that big.

3. Growing a chin beard is an itchy, scratchy experience (this one is courtesy of Dad).

4. Pennsylvania drivers are really quite nice, particularly when compared to Utah drivers.

5. After taking five days to travel across the country we have come to the realization that our nation is freaking huge!

We plan on leaving tomorrow at 4:00 a.m. in order to punch into New York. Stay tuned for the final updates.

Go East, Young Man (Days Two and Three)!

The continuation of our journey saw us awake at the relatively late hour of 8:00 a.m. and ready to depart at around 9:00. We left Rawlins, Wyoming amid sunny skies and dispositions, eagerly anticipating a pleasant, if somewhat boring, drive across the plains. By Grand Island, Nebraska, however, dark clouds had gathered, both in the skies and in our souls; the weather had taken a turn for the worse and the rocking of the truck was rather severe at every bump. We still had not figured out the problem at this point. By the time we arrived in eastern Nebraska, however, the skies had cleared and both Dad, the turtles, Leo, and I were feeling better. We intended to spend the night in Council Bluffs, Iowa. There were no rooms available, though, and we were forced to drive to Des Moines, Iowa. We arrived there at about 1:00 a.m. and immediately went to sleep, hopeful that the next day would prove better. We did learn several new items of information. Here are the top five lessons learned on Day Two:

1. My damn father has to have his damn breakfast!

2. Turtles do not enjoy riding in a shaking Penske truck cab . . . at all.

3. When annoyed, turtles crap everywhere . . . a lot!

4. Ball pythons apparently have no problem with cross country moves.

5. Moving trucks must have weight distributed evenly or else they will violently rock back and forth at the slightest bump in the road.

The moving truck count has produced some rather remarkable information as well. Despite my previous claim that the ratio of Penske trucks to non-Penske trucks had to be at least 3 to 1, it is apparent that it is closer to 1 to 1. We saw 53 Penske trucks, 34 U-Haul trucks, and 18 Budget trucks, for a total of 105 moving vans.

Our third day began with Dad and I partially unloading the truck and redistributing the weight more evenly. The results were immediate and amazing. No longer did we rock back and forth violently at high speed. Needless to say, Dad and I were extremely relieved that the prospect of prematurely ending our journey with the truck on its side in the middle of the freeway was over. Other than that, the trip was rather uneventful. There's just only so much one can say about Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. We did drive by Notre Dame, with Dad fondly waving from the truck. We stopped for the night in Marion, Ohio, and will visit with some relatives tomorrow morning. The critters are still rather irate, but they seem to be doing fine otherwise.
The top five lessons from Day Three are:

1. Turtle crap stinks.

2. Marion, Ohio is in the middle of nowhere.

3. No matter how fast we try to drive, we can only average about fifty miles per hour in our Penske truck.

4. Semi-truck drivers are the self declared kings of the road. They do what they want and no one can stop them. I really want to drive a semi!

5. Trying to locate natural rocks from each state for a collection is really quite difficult when one can only look near the Interstate. Everything there is gravel.

The moving truck count produced results similar to yesterday. Penske had 69 trucks on the road, U-Haul had 50, and Budget had 16. Once again, Penske received more than half of all moving trucks observed. Stay tuned for more exciting news from the Scarborough "Bronx" Expedition.

Go East, Young Man (Day One)!

This morning at the eye-blurring hour of 5:30 a.m. Julie and my exodus to the Bronx entered its final stage. At that time, my father and I loaded a rented SUV with baggage, soda, and four reptiles and left for Provo to begin the process of moving a family across the country. Arriving in Salt Lake City at approximately 8:30 a.m., we enlisted the help of my brother Daniel. The three of us then picked up the 16-foot Penske truck that I had reserved and convoyed over to the storage unit. The fun was about to begin.

The loading of the truck went remarkably well. I organized the packing inside the truck, while Dad and Dan brought boxes to me. We were done in a mere hour-and-a-half. We then transferred the pet snake and three pet turtles to their carrying cases, Dad took Dan back to Salt Lake City, and I traveled into Utah's nether regions to drop off my SKS rifle with my cousin Scott (honestly, Scott; you live in the boonies). Apparently, the rifle I have proudly owned for the past 12 years is illegal in New York; although I would most likely never even fire the gun, in order to avoid any annoying legal entanglements, I opted to leave it behind. After delivering the rifle, I returned the rental vehicle, joined Dad, picked up a couple of loaned textbooks, and, at 2:30 p.m. the journey began. It has been educational, to say the least. Here are the top five things I have learned so far:

1. There are an inordinate number of people moving in Penske trucks. I will start an official count tomorrow, but the ratio of Penske trucks to non-Penske trucks has to be at least 3 to 1.

2. When you are driving a slow cargo truck, other drivers tend to communicate their feelings by using sign language; it generally involves fist shaking and emphatic pointing with the middle finger.

3. The kitchen staff at the Little America restaurant in Wyoming apparently have
no concept of time as modern society understands it.

4. A loaded 16-foot Penske truck tends to rock from side to side if the driver hits bumps in the road at high speed. Needless to say this is disconcerting. Additionally, large bumps at more than 70 miles-per-hour cause the truck to launch into the air for a short distance; tired drivers and snoring passengers have been known to find the associated adrenaline rush the perfect cure for drowsy driving.

5. When one is tired after being awake since 4:00 a.m., even Rawlins, Wyoming looks inviting.

We camped for the night at the Best Western in Rawlins, Wyoming. While we seem to have made little progress, I would like to point out that my plans called for an initial departure of early Saturday morning. We are, therefore, ahead of schedule and ready to tackle another day of driving. Stay tuned for important updates and more nuggets of information as the journey continues...

P.S. - I really miss Julie.

Lack of Blogging Activity

Julie and I apologize for the recent lack of blogging activity. Our move, coupled with my research and the fact that I inadvertently packed the downloading cable for our camera has hampered our ability to post any pictures and accompanying stories. Rest assured, however, that as soon as we are in New York City the blogging will resume with a vengeance. Only a few more days until the cross-country trek begins!