Do opposites attract in...FRIENDSHIP?

     We all heard people saying very often: "Opposites are attracted to each other in relationship." I've always thought it was true only for the relationships, however, I realized it might be true for friendship as well.

    We were different. I was a career-oriented, cold-heated rationalist. Jackie was a romantic, infantile fantasist. But this significant difference made our friendship perfect, as neither of us could possibly become attracted to the other.

      We constantly argued about simplest things. When I said about something it was ‘white,’ Jackie pointed out that the same thing was ‘black.’ It always was a surprise to each of us to find something that we both agreed on. Well, we found something we both loved: going out in NYC. However, let’s leave the reasons for going out for the future and pay closer attention to the night life of the city that never sleeps.

      Weekend after weekend, month after month we kept our lives busy with dim light of cafes, bars, and lounges, random friends that are willing to “hang out next week,” and the variety of foods and drinks that the city had to offer. It is very hard to question yourself of where to go in New York City. The more you live here, the more you realize that there are so many places to eat in the city, it might be impossible to check out at least a half of them as the new ones appear on weekly basis.

      This week we decided to check out the Italian place right by Columbia University Campus – Max Café. Beautiful interior, friendly personnel and absolutely delicious food made this place a “must-go” for me. Jackie started to complain a bit about portions like he always does, so I tried to start the new discussion. And this time it led to the topic that rally made me question many things about my life.

-    So why are you so excited about this job fair? – Jackie asked.

-    Well, career growth really is the reason I came to the United States, duh! – I responded. The truth is I've always cared about professional success more than I cared about anything else.

-    You, for example, care about girls and relationships only, - I made a comeback.

-    Well, don’t you think it’s a more human thing to do?

I might have over-dramatized it for myself, however, I've always knew it anyway. I lacked some simple human characteristics sometimes – I hardly ever missed anyone, got jealous or fell in love. The question my friend asked me really put me under the projector that shone with its light right in my eyes. “Am I a Muppet or am I a man?” – I wanted to ask myself referring to the Muppet Movie that came out a couple of years ago.

What if I really was just a Muppet that was hooked on career? What if I never will be that person who is capable of real human feelings? And why in the world do I even ask myself if I am a human?

At least, as I decided for myself, I can stay happy with what I do, I can reach the goals that make me feel satisfied, and go for things and moves other ‘regular’ humans would never go. I decided to take it as an advantage that will help me to stay strong in the world of weakening emotions.

City Smile

           - OK, Alex, how are you with oatmeal?

           - Love it!

           In about 15 minutes two happy Russians were enjoying a delicious oatmeal made with some honey, cranberries and nuts. I don't know how to explain this, but moments like this (eating breakfast with your new awesome friend) make me very happy. However, it might just the fact that I'm just happy about everything.

           Anyway, the great sunny morning was continued with a nice walk to Columbia University Campus. I personally always feel great when people walk as fast as I do or even faster, as I don't have to feel like I'm in slow motion. Alex definitely became a perfect walking partner for me as we never stopped or slowed down, we just kept moving while looking on the street sides with their pretty houses and shadowy trees.

           - Oh my gosh! Look at that "castle" up there! - Alex exclaimed, pointing at the very top of the Morningside Heights Park. Tha
t's what I love about New York City. It doesn't matter how long you've been here, you'll always find something new and exciting.
           The "castle" turned out to be a wall separating Columbia University from the park. After climbing all the way up we were happy to discover a very nice panoramic view on Harlem.
           - Alright, Alex, get ready to see cute smart guys from Columbia University! - I whispered to my friend.
           - You don't have to say that, it's pretty obvious out here, - she giggled.
           After passing the first block we saw the university. For both of us it was kind of seeing Hogwarts.
           - I can't believe we are here! This is really it! One of the best schools. Ivy League. Oh, dreams, dreams..., - Alex talked to herself.
           While getting to the park inside the campus we took a few pictures of entrance pointing and smiling at it.
           - Yeah, we definitely don't look like we're part of it. Linda, we should try to jump around and scream and just walk calmly, so we fit the situation.
           In about 30 seconds we gave up and just started taking pictures and exclaiming things like "Oh my gosh! It's Columbia University Library!" "Look! It's their bookstore! Now I need to read all of these books!"
         
            After a good long walk I invited Alex to get some coffee at

Hungarian Pastry Shop. I've been there before once, and it got in my "Top Favorite places in NYC" right away. Reasons? If you get coffee to stay, the refills are free, the pastry is like A
MAZING there, and the atmosphere is just so nice! It's just so inspiring for me to look at all of these students at their laptops working on something or discussing their group projects. Oh! And their restroom is pretty cool too. Don't think anything weird, but they have great writing on the walls.
           I knew Alex would love this place, and I was right. We had to leave just because the time told us to. However, we had a great day together, and as soon as Alex went to the train station to get home, I went to explore New York City even more. So, I just got on subway, and went to the Rockefeller Center.
           I heard that the view deck out there was pretty amazing, so I decided to check it out instead of traditional Empire State Building view.
           But, apparently the city wasn't ready to show me this part of it, as the tickets for that night were already sold out.
           'Oh, well,' - I thought. 'I'll just walk around.'
           While I was walking by, I saw bright screens with NBC previews on it. I wasn't surprised at all, as advertisement and commercials become parts of the city life just like neighbors do. But then I got closer, and I saw a studio. A real TV studio. Even though, the lights were off, I still could see everything.
           The thing is, I'm fond of video and producing, and I'd love to do this for living. Television, obviously, always seemed as one of the fields to go in. However, you can never know if you just read or listen about it. You have to see it, and you will feel it. And I felt it. There was some kind of magic inside. Just imagine, this little studio creates something new every day that people watch all over the country! Isn't this purely amazing? The team works super hard and creates a final product on daily basis.           In my head, the studio got alive: the lights are turned on, the broadcasters are all sitting at the desk smiling with their extremely white friendly smiles, the cameras are all at the right spots, and here it's me with a clipboard in my hands checking if everything and everybody is in the right place.
           I thought that it would be pretty cool to come and see the process of creating the show. I decided to google it later.
           Now I just kept walking near the building, looking at the flags, the fountain, flowers. It was just a great night to be here. Some kind of party was going on downstairs, and pretty people who looked like they just left magazines' cover kept going there and back.
         

           I just sat on the bench right in front of the Rockefeller Building and smiled. Smiled, because it was such a great night, because I found an awesome friend in the city, because I was happy. Then I realized that somebody was smiling at me. It was a couple walking away from that party. They were gorgeous as everybody who was leaving that place.
           I think the smile the gentleman form this couple had was the only smile Great Gatsby could have had. It was so open, so pure. This smile exchange between three of us didn't last longer than 5 seconds. But it was an amazing moment. It felt like the city itself, gorgeous, lofty, prosperous and simply great smiled at me.