Lupsik in the city. Part 1.

The next few days I spent reviewing my knowledge about the city. I know I haven’t spent that much time in there, but I’ve seen some cool things here, so I was excited to become a guide for my aunt who was coming to visit NYC and me for 4 days. Do I really need to tell you I was excited? I was just pumped.

First of all, I was about to see my aunt, who is not just a relative for me, but a great friend. Secondly, I got a chance to show the city of my dreams to someone I really valued and loved. 4 amazing days of sunshine, butterflies, rainbows and ponies were marked as “Lupsik (this is my aunt’s nickname I gave her as a kid) is coming to the city!”

I called Nick to ask if he’s available on the day my aunt was coming. I just realized at this point that we haven’t talked since we went to the Luna Park. That got me kind of nervous. As it’s been 5 days. Not that I’m the type of girl who can be the overly attached girlfriend, I just always need to know that my friends and family are fine. I don’t need to talk or spend time with them. As soon as I know they’re alright, I’m well too.

I called, and after long 5 beeps the girls’ voice said: “Hi!”

-          “Um, hi. Who is that?”

-          “Vicky”

-          “Whoops, I’m sorry.”

I was surprised, but not that much. I was just happy the person is safe and not dead. And this was, to be honest, the only thing I was worried about. So, apparently, this was the end of my abnormally perfect summer fling.  You have to admit, I’m definitely not a romantic kind of person.

But how happy and excited I was about my aunt visiting! In the very morning I rode to the airport. I think this is the first time for to come pick someone up from the airport. Usually, I’m the one who people drop and pick up there. After chilling there for a while, I saw the sign that finally changed from “In the air” to “Landed.”

Whenever you wait for something the minutes go by slower than hours. I was looking through the glass to see if she was coming.

Isn't she pretty?

“Lindik!” – it was so weird to hear this voice I knew my whole life that close and not on Skype where I’ve been hearing it for the past few months. We hugged, and I knew, my family, even though it was just a part of it, was here, with me. I don’t usually miss anybody that much in everyday life, but whenever I finally get to meet people I’m always so happy and it gets very hard to believe I’ve lived without them by my side for that long.

Lupsik told me that she followed the first trip suggestion for NYC properly – she listened to “New York, New York” while the plane was landing. On AirTrain we were talking non-stop, or maybe I was, because, you know, Linda loves talking.

Yep, our waitress spilled coffee.
After working in serving business,
I don't blame her :D

I felt kind of bad, because the first real NYC thing my aunt saw was the rat in subway. But I knew, it’s going to be ok as New York City has so much to show, that the rats are really not a big deal. And, it’s good, from some point, as the rats run away only from the soaking ship. NYC, though, was the strongest and the most powerful ship, I’ve ever been to.

We started our cruise right away from the very bottom of Manhattan – SoHo. I just didn’t feel like Times Square our first stop, as it’s too much of a tourist cliché. We walked down the streets, going to shops and looking at the cute little (relatively) buildings which are not very usual for the city.

After that I told my aunt that while our visit, she has to try three things, which, in my opinion, you have to try in this city: pizza, cheese cake, bagel and Central Park hot dog.

The first food-spot I showed to my aunt was “Fanelli Café.” I’ve never been there before, but I know that, if the place is Zagat rated, it’s going to be great. Yelp results were right that the service wasn’t that great, the only waitress working was trying to serve the entire place by herself which made her pretty grumpy.

However, it didn’t ruin the experience. The place was just wonderful with the atmosphere of old America. And the cheesecake? It was amazing! Absolutely, totally, completely AMAZING! The coffee went well with it, and this hour at “Fanelli Café” stayed in my head as a remarkable food experience I will never forget. 

Do the Harlem shake

            I knew approximately where I’m supposed to go. Well, I knew it by looking at maps. So I was totally relying on Google Maps. And here I am in La Guardia airport with violin, backpack and two heavy suitcases that were barely accepted with the limit of acceptable weight.

            I got to the bus station which was pretty full of people. At that moment I relied that communication skills aren't that bad in NYC. People offered me help and put my luggage inside the bus.

            On the way from the airport I was looking at the skyscrapers, bridges, the river, few private cars and the yellow ocean of taxis surrounding our bus. People around me had very serious faces on, while I was smiling as a little child. Everything looked like some part of  a movie to me.

            Asking which stop it was and if I had not missed mine, I finally got to final stop and changed to subway.

-                                - Good afternoon, ma'am. How can I get to subway? Do I need some kind of card? – I asked the lady in the assistance box. 
                                   - 2.50, - she replied to me. Her face showed pretty well that she was amazed with my smartness.

Some people helped me to drop my luggage over the entrance machines. Now I had to get to 145^th. I had no clue which train or which way I’m supposed to go. Asking people, they asked me only one question: “Uptown or downtown?” I didn’t know as I was acknowledged with the name of my final station only.

Somehow, asking people on the streets and working some inner maps in my head, I figured out where the house is. How happy I was! I’m almost home.

In a few minutes I realized that my apartment was on 6^th floor with no elevator.

I experienced a great workout carrying my luggage. After about 15 minutes, sweaty and tired, I rang the bell on my new apartment's door. I didn't realize how fast everything happened and I gave away nearly all the money I saved back in Oklahoma on my move-in deposit. All I had left was money to get my transportation - bike and living expenses for the first week. 

I decided to make my first walk in my first neighborhood in NYC. 

- 'Sup, pretty!'

- 'Watcha doin' here, Snow White?'

I wasn't scared at all, as, first of all, I was mentally prepared for this, and, more than that, I consider myself pretty tough after living in Russia for 17 years. However, I still decided to keep my family back home away from knowing the whole picture of my current location in NYC.

Upper West Side sounds slight better than Upper Harlem, right? (Just saying, but apparently all the songs I sing tend to change my reality. Yep, you're thinking exactly what I've been thinking - 'DO THE HARLEM SHAKE')

My new roommates suggested me to just ignore everything by straight and confident walking. They looked very mature and experience in NY life to me, so I kept asking them about life here a lot.

18-year-old, all by myself, with 70$ in my pockets till I find job, I didn't know how I'm going to survive here, but somehow I knew I was going to be alright.

It’s time to press “Play”

My conversation with my adviser after she got the withdrawal form wasn't long at all. I really respected and loved her; she showed me the world of communication and showed me my place in it. She worked for us only; she wanted us to be great professionals in what we do.

- Linda, you’re really fast in your decisions. You need to think about this opportunity more, put all of the advantages and disadvantages on a scale…

- I know it’s only May and school starts in September. I understand I have money to pay rent only. I realize that I don’t know anybody there. But I also know that’s what I want to do, that’s where I want to be, and exactly when I want to leave.

- Do what your heart tells you to do, but please remember that you can always come back.

I loved and respected her more than most of the people I met in my life. But even she couldn't stop, because nothing could stop me.

I found some place online to stay at for the price I was able to pay. It was great to understand that I’m moving to New York, Manhattan.

Packing my staff I realized I’m a shopaholic, and I need to stop… Yeah, the United States changed me a lot by involving me pretty intensively in the pure consumer society. I mean, I never really refused to do that, but 4 pairs of jeans kind of surprised and scared me a little bit.

As my flight was at 6.15 AM my friends and I decided not to go bed. We've been talking for hours discussing our plans for the future, dreams and travelling ideas. It was great… At that moment I realized that probably it’s not that safe to live in Oklahoma where tornadoes are not that big of a deal, the landscape is pretty constant and food is all pretty much fried (dear reader, I’m giving you full rights to blame me for not liking fried food). But honestly, traveling around the world and specifically in the United States, I found out that Oklahomans are probably the greatest, the nicest, the kindest people you probably ever going to meet in the entire world.

They never refused to help me but refused to take money for gas, they listened to me if I needed to be listened. Moving up north I knew that communication between people is going to be in a very different way. However, I was ready to pay this price.

Standing in the airport customs’ lane, my friends stood next to me, and id didn't feel like I was leaving. I couldn't and I’m pretty sure my friends weren't able to understand that this is THE MOMENT.

I hugged them and smiled. “Bye guys! I love you so much. Thank you for everything!”

‘Cookies or pretzels, ma’am?’

‘Umm... cookies and orange juice please’ – I mumbled waking up.

I couldn't get back to sleep on this flight again because the only thing that was filling my mind was New York which was now just 2 hours and 45 minutes away of flying.

Finally after reading some random magazines, looking at duty-free catalog  listening to on-air radio and watching kind of a random movie about some old people in elderly house with tons of drama there, I heard the flight assistant announcing that we’re close to destination and it’s time to buckle up.

‘Don’t forget to turn off your electric devices,’ – the voice repeated a few times.

But no, I wasn't going to do that as I was about to fulfill one of my mini-dreams and make a check point in my buckle list. I opened my music gallery and found the folder “Favorite.”

I could both feel and see the plane getting lower every minute. It was the perfect moment and pressed “Play.”

Looking for the first time at the New York City from the bird’s point of view and hearing the first chords of Frank Sinatra’s unofficial hymn of the city, I could see us passing above Central park, Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and other iconic details of the city.

If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere.

It’s up to you, New York, New York

Living this moment I was realizing that I will always remember it as it is my official start of brand new life.

The Decision

It was going to be an exciting night. I was getting my documents ready to have my 6 PM flight to New York City, when I found my acceptance letter in the folder with other important papers. There was nothing unique or special about this transfer acceptance letter from Baruch College for anybody else but not for me, Linda, the dreamer and the achiever.

Many sleepless nights, dreams, fears, tears, and smiles were for me in this letter. Since I decided to come to the United States to study I've always wanted to go to Baruch, but, unfortunately, being 17-year-old freshie I couldn't afford on-campus living in NYC which was required.

Now, after long 2 years in Oklahoma I was ready to move on, go to the land where all dreams come true. I applied as soon as I got eligible for it. Opening the e-mail with the admission decision the internet connection got pretty nervous too.

....Loading....Loading....Loading....

These minutes were equal to hours and days of waiting for me. I see little pictures and blue lines slowly appearing on my tiny screen.

“Sorry…”

I didn't have to reads the rest.

I tried to think that my decision to transfer wasn't that good. I assured myself that things are happening the best way they can happen.

The new semester was coming. I committed myself to work 46 hours a week and took 18 hours a semester. I did everything I could to not think about this, to cut my entire free time, to reduce my communication with friends who kept asking the same question: “How is your plan with that COOL school in NYC?”

The deadline to apply for fall semester was getting closer. I unliked all pages in social networks connected to Baruch as they kept reminding me to try again. I don’t know why, but for the first time in my life I was scared. Scared to be refused AGAIN.

Two days before the deadline I met one of my friends who was one of few people who actually cared about me and understood my weird personality pretty well.

“You know, you have a chance to get out of here. Get out somewhere where you can achieve anything. And I know you can do anything, I believe that you can do anything. Apply tomorrow and don’t lose this chance.”

This application process was very different from what I did before. I did it fast, in one day. In my letter I put nothing but truth, I confessed how much I want the challenge which I didn't get in my present school in Oklahoma at all.

And then I got it, a letter, and not an e-mail, that invited me to join one of the greatest business schools in NYC.

Now, holding this letter and feeling the excitement filling my heart I was thinking about the challenge New York prepared for me.

‘Did you take your passport?’ – My best friend Emily, who became my real family in the foreign land of Oklahoma, asked. Catching my smile with a drop of embarrassment, she thankfully didn't even say a single word to our other roommates about that great time I nearly got late to my plane because I forgot my passport. ‘Ready to go?’

It surprised me how few people were at the airport. The storm was going throughout the United States, and I concluded that this was the main reason of unpopularity of flights today. Seeing that my flight is an hour late and comparing this to the fact that every other flight apparently got cancelled, I tried to see this as a good thing. Emily left, and I stayed at the dark airport alone.

After a few hours I saw the message on the board claiming “CANCELLED.”

Now my flight info line stopped being a unique green light of hope and under the pressure joined the majority.

Not worried at all, I went to the airline desk.

“Are you kidding me? In 3 hours from Tulsa?” – Emily was shouting in the phone on her way back to Will Rogers. “We’ll make it.”

Flying/driving on the wings of hope and dream we got to Tulsa right in time. I went inside being happy looking at the pretty “green” flight schedule screen.

However, in about 2 hours my flight was cancelled again.

“Coming back now,” – yawning said my friend.

I was leaving Tulsa airport after one of the worst nights in my life filled with nothing but fear, tears and anger. I looked at Oklahoma again and realized that was the exact time I was supposed to get to JFK. My brain didn't even give a choice or asked for my view on this situation. Nope, not at all, the decision was made.

The only words I told Emily on the way back: “I’m leaving Oklahoma for good next week.”