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.

The City That Never Sleeps

                    In the evening I decided it was the right time to show Times Square. I know, I know, it doesn't seem that special after you spend in the city more than a month.

                    But admit it, the first time you were coming to NYC, unless you've lived here your whole life, you were picturing Times Square full of lights, taxis and people rushing around.                     So I didn't think my aunt was an exclusion, and I brought her to the most touristy spot in NYC on her first night. But, even though you eventually get used to this view, the first impression is always "WOW!"                     And I cant even explain how much I love when people actually get excited about the places I take them.   When we were sitting on the  red  stairs, I saw my aunt's eyes, I noticed how bright they were. I don't know if they were that bright from the surrounding light or from the happiness and excitement. Whatever the answer was, it made me happy. 

                    "We have so much to see!' I kept talking and explaining what we were going to do in a few next days. 'Not sure though, if we have enough time to do everything. I wish there were just 5 more hours in one day!'                    'Well...' - my aunt replied. 'It the city that never sleeps, so how about we follow its craziness, save this time and win't sleep?'                    My aunt actually just actually offered to spend a sleepless night in NYC, Dang, this girl catches up with the craziness of the place pretty fast! As I'm always up for the craziest ideas my friends have, this seemed even pretty normal and legit.                    However, I've never seen the city in such light. Walking down Broadway, we saw drunk old men leaving gentleman's clubs (I have no clue how these places are absolutely invisible in daylight), unreasonably laughing frat boys, girls wearing clothes, main purpose of which was to get your attention. All of this was a different city, I've never seen before. And I was glad to be just a member of audience and not a participant. 
                    4 AM. Coffee shop. The guy there is smiling and looking right into my eyes trying to find the reason of such an early/late visiting. Yeah... who will even think that there are crazy visitors like us.                    

 5.10 AM. Time to get a train to the ferry. We're on subway, laughing and hal-sleeping. I still can't find the reason, why we were that tired! I think it's the poisonous night vibes of the city.                     When we got to the ferry, I spent most of the time sleeping. I swear, I couldn't just open my eyes. People looked at us like something was wrong with us, but come on, they saw much weirder staff in this city!                     But at this point we couldn't just go to the ferry and leave. Of course, we went to see Wall Street Bull.

                     7 AM. "Hey!" - My aunt says, "it's Today Show time now, right? I actually want to see how it's made." It was her only chance to see it, as later it would be weekend. Of course, we went there.                     Looking at everything that was happening there I was just smiling as I knew, that's what I want to do. I could see everything filmed and shot, and at the same time see how it appeared on TV screens in the entire country. The excitement and inspiration I got that morning is very significant. It's just always great to know what you want to do, It;s even better to see that it's happening right by your side, and it's absolutely terrific to know that you'll be able to reach this if you work hard in a couple of years. 
                    

My aunt got sort of infected by my excitement. We were smiling and basically bouncing around seeing the working process around us, At about 9 we left, and finally made it to bed. 

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. 

'I feel infinite'

This is our power group!

                Today was the day I’ve been very excited for since I got to New York City. Today I was going to participate in my first flash mob ever! The great thing about was the fact that it was a proposal flash mob, which suits the city atmosphere perfectly.  It was organized by Flash Mob America which already sounded pretty global and rad.

                Well, whenever I got to the address that I got in the e-mail the day before the actual event, I realized  that it actually was a pretty big deal as I was standing right in front of the Alvin Ailey School .
                Whenever I entered the building, I saw that there were at least a hundred of people. All of them were different from each other in age, sex or nationality, but something bigger and more powerful than any of these labels united all of them – their positive energy. Literally, everybody was smiling, cheerful and happy.

                I checked in, and went to some mysterious and intriguing place called “The Practice Room.” I know it’s pretty easy to impress me as I’m that kind of person who thinks mostly everything around us is absolutely AWESOME. But this room could impress not only me, but a very hard-boiled person.

                As almost every good dancing room, it had mirrors all over the walls the place, but the coolest thing was that the walls that were supposed to have windows, were windows themselves. How neat is that?! But wait, that’s not everything yet, as the room was pretty high it had an awesome view was on the street. And what can be greater than dancing and looking at the city at the same time.

                “Hi, guys! Thank you so much for spending your time today with us! We really appreciate it! But we’ve got a lot of work to do, so let’s get started right away!” – pretty smiling blond girl standing in front of the crowd said. She was so animated and cute that she almost looked like a cartoon character to me.

                The crowd organized itself pretty fast, and we started. Step after step, we were learning the dance. It wasn’t hard, but it was a lot to remember for sure, especially for the person like me who never ever dealt with dancing.

                In a few hours that flew like a couple of minutes, we all knew the dance. And we realized that at the point when we all looked at the mirror and saw that we’re all moving at the same time, doing the same thing, and our Minnie Mouse (I called our teacher with this Disney name in my head) was just watching us and smiling, she didn’t move at all.

                After that she said that, even though, this organization does projects all over the US, dealing with NYC crowd is absolutely unique. She said, this city was her personal favorite. I have to admit that I’m always so glad and happy when people say nice things about this city.

After that, the organizer came, and picked who goes first, second, third, and etc. I was in the fourth group! So exciting! Also she gave us the code word and revealed the place/time of the actual flash mob. It was (TADA!) in Central Park right in front of the fountain! I think this event couldn’t get any cooler by this point. But, no, it could. “Oh, totally forgot to mention, ABC is filming us for the news.”

                With some people I met, I headed to the place X. We ate some froyo and just talked about random staff. I texted Nick and told him about everything that was happening.

10 minutes before everything we got to the fountain. How nervous we were! One of the girls started repeating the moves, but stopped right away: ‘Oh, what if they saw me?’ So, were just waiting for music to start.

                Perfectly on time, the song was turned on, and the first group jumped in. I got closer, and saw some random people standing and watching. ‘You know, what’s happening?’ – I asked them.

                ‘We have no clue, but that looks pretty cool,’ – the lady in the hat replied.

                ‘It actually does!’ – I said and jumped in as it was my turn. I didn’t see peoples’ faces or the girl who was proposed face. No, it was just that moment of pure happiness and joy. Everybody was doing great, and the level of positive energy was just overflowing.

                 Somehow I thought of Monsters Inc. where they filled those capsules with little kids screaming. Well, if they needed some positive flow, they would get a yearlong amount of it if they were with us. We shouted and laughed and screamed and smiled, and I didn’t even have a single thought of ABC or the couple or anything else in the world. It all seemed unimportant at that point, as I felt so happy. "I felt infinite (“The Perks of Being a Wallflower")"

I'm sold

               In the very morning I started thinking about the job opportunity that was getting more and more real really seriously. I wasn't really sure if I'll be able to do it and if I should do it. I called my mom, and she didn't sound that positive about it at all.
               "You don't know these people, how can you live with them and be the part of the family?"

               "How are you going to deal with school?"
               "What if they're not nice to you?"
               These were just few of hundreds my mom kept asking me. Our conversation ended up with her saying that I can "do whatever you think is right". My mom used this trick a lot when I was little. She gave me this illusion of choice, but I ended up doing what she wanted me to do. But this time was different. She wasn't here, she didn't know anything about the life in the city or even in the United States. So I decided to actually do what I thought was right.

               I got ready for the dinner. It was an unlikely cold and rainy summer day so I got a chance to put on my favorite yellow raincoat and bright-blue rain shoes. I braided mt hair and put on my glasses. I looked in the mirror. I looked like nanny. I couldn't help singing Mary Poppins songs in my head.
               I left the house an hour before, even though Google Maps told me it won't take longer than 40 minutes. But who knows. This is very important to be sharp on time for this dinner.
               I never even rode on 7 train. Well, first of all, I've never been to Queens actually. So, the view I saw coming up to Court Square Station totally amazed me. I ran to the door, so I could see better, and enjoyed one of the gorgeous views that New York City could offer. The sunset colored the dark-blue clouds in orange. And the skyline was all lightened up with this bright yellow light that created the great feeling of bright future.

               I found the house pretty easily. Beautiful street full of trees and birds singing created a pretty positive impression right away. Red-brick house with some white flowers blooming made me smile as I wanted to call this place my new house right away.
               I knocked on the door. The nanny whom I could possibly be replacing opened the door. When I saw her, I knew two things for sure:
               1. we're going to get along
               2. she's going to become one of my first friends in the city.
               She showed me around the house. It was very simple and perfect at the same time. Paintings on the walls, big glass-made table, white sofa made me want to stay here. The Kate, that was the girl's name, asked me if I wanted to see the roof. THE ROOF? I would run there if I could. Even though, the house wasn't that tall, the view was amazing. The clouds seem even lower and closer. It felt like I could touch them if I jump.
               - I'm sold. This is the dream place to be!
               Ding dong. Ding dong! DING DONG!

               "They're here," - Kate said. "Let's go downstairs."
               The kid and Mr. Boss entered the living room. I liked them and I knew that I was going to stay in this house for a while. We had a great dinner where everybody told how s/he spent the day. Ted kept talking about the school cookout they were going to have tomorrow. To be honest, I've never talked to a little kid in English, so I never even realized how adorable it is, when little kids speak English! "Oh, this steak is so much gooder than last time!" - Ted exclaimed.
               When I was helping Kate clean up after the dinner. "I think they liked you. I'm pretty sure you'll be back very soon."
When I left the house, I was smiling. This seemed too perfect. But I believe that this kind of things happen, so I was happy to live this movie-like reality.
             

Too Good to Be True

   Later I went to work to the gallery.

Phone call from the New York number. I have to admit I was pretty surprised as I know all people from here who can potentially give me a call. 

     "Good afternoon! Am I talking to Linda?"  - the man's voice sounded very confident and smart if you can describe voice with such a word. "Are you still looking for a job? I saw your post on Craigslist for nanny position."

     My eyes almost popped up when I heard that. Live-in nanny in NYC? The person, let me call him Mr. Boss, asked me to make decision if I'm interested at all in this opportunity in an hour. 

     The problem was that I didnt know a i was shocked-surprised-happy-scared-concerned at the same time. So, as my Russian side of advisory board (my family and best friend Alice) was asleep I called my closest people here in the US - Emily and Alex. 

     Both of them were positevely for this idea. I loved Alex's enthusiastic "of course! You can be a nanny in NYC! What can be better?" And I was happy to get questioned by Emily about every single detail of the deal. 

     I made my decision in an hour: I'll give it a shot! (Wow, aparently I have a tendency to make the most significant decisions for my life in very short time)

Great morning = great day = great life

             Probably it's some mysterious power of the city that makes me wake up every morning pretty early. Who knows what the reason is, but the fact is that I woke up at 4 AM. I decided not to lose my time and do something cool. Instantly I remembered the studio the night before.
             "Morning show! I should go to some morning show!" - the decision I made was more than certain even though I didn't know if I actually can just go an watch how the show is made. But it's New York City, so anything is possible.
           

 Funny fact, but even though I want to work with television, I don't watch TV really. I didn't want to go to NBC morning show because I saw their studio yesterday already, so I wanted to see something new.
As always, I used my one and only Google in my research of where and when to go. After a few pages I picked the CBS morning show.
             I was proud of myself as I was great on time (it was suggested to get to the place at least half an hour earlier and I was planning t

o be there an hour earlier). I got to the address posted online where I got a pretty interesting comment at reception table: "Sorry ma'am, but CBS moved to the other building about half a year ago."
             By the way, I didn't have Internet access on me. So now I had to figure out where to go being led by such a mystical thing as random people's directions.
             Even though Trump International Hotel sounded to me like the weirdest place for the show to be shot, I still got there as somehow all pedestrians were sure that this was the right place for the CBS show to be filmed.
             I ran up the stairs, and was about to open the door, when two gentlemen opened them widely for me smiling at me. The gorgeous hall was full if flowers, expensive furniture and smiling staff people.
             - Good morning, ma'am! How can I help you today?
             Honestly, at this point I was assured that it definitely wasn't the place I was looking for. However, I still told the lady at the reception table that I really wanted to see the CBS morning show. And you will never

believe but she asked me to take a sit and wait until she finds the address online. After about 5 minutes the only place she found was the one I was sent from.
             - Ma'am, I think you should just got to the Today Show by NBC.
             I decided that this decision probably would be the smartest thing to do, so I went back to the place I left just 6 hours ago - Rockefeller plaza.
           

           

             A huge crowd was surrounding the place the show was shot at. Lucky me, somehow I still found a good spot. The main reason for this probably is that I wasn't looking forward to get on TV. All I wanted to see was the working process, the way the show gets created.
             From the very corner I had a great view on everything I wanted to see: cameras, lights, screens. 

             It was pretty funny as all of the people around me didn't see this at all, they were excited to see broadcasters they knew. I saw this people for the first time in my life. However, I guess I was supposed to be excited about this too. But all I saw was the beauty of the working process. Each person was doing some certain part, and all together it created a full picture, just like a puzzle.
             A girl standing next to me asked: "Are you from here?" When I told her that I just moved to the city she got very excited. "Oh my gosh! You got to live in NYC! You're so lucky!" She was here with their choir band from Tennessee. She would almost jump every time she saw the celebrities coming out.
             Apparently her friends and her were even more excited than most of the people out there as some apparently famous people kept coming to talk to us.
             One of the broadcasting girls with NBC tag on her jacket came up to us, and told us that she was an intern from Tennessee. All I heard was "intern." Yes, that's who I need to talk as she definitely knows how to get here! And I just started asking her questions if how she got here. It wasn't something I wanted

here though as she got the internship after college graduation. Well, I needed to talk to somebody who knew a faster way.
             Two more broadcaster came up to us. After they asked us where we from, I was the only one from the group who wasn't from Tennessee.
             - I'm from Russia, - I said.
             - Cool, are you here to visit?
             - No, I'm for school actually. And in a few years we're going to be colleagues, - I still can't believe I actually said this exact thing, but I did.
             - Oh, nice. I'll see you soon then.
             Really, sometimes I don't even expect myself to say certain things. It's just like some mechanism turns in my head and "boom."
             Apparently this morning this "mechanism" decided to do what it wants to do because in a minute I

saw a young guy working with lights who seemed to be the right age to be an intern.
             - Pst! Excuse me.. Are you an intern?
             - Huh? Oh no, I work here. Are you looking for right connections? - he asked back.
             After he explained me that I probably should talk to a stage manager about things like internships and that actually there college sophomores working in studio, I gave him my e-mail. I learnt the lesson that the success in New York City is proportional to the connections you make. Oh, just saying, but this guy was cute.
             The show still was in the process of making and looking at all of this I just got to the conclusion that this is going to be my next goal - get the internship at NBC. Looking at how the shooting worked, how everything was well-organized I just knew that this is the place where I want and I will work.

It's always an amazing feeling when you set the goal, when you know exactly what you want to do, and especially if you know it's possible to reach what you want. I was ready to work hard and do everything I could to get it.
Probably there is something special about the city because it leads you where you're supposed to be. I don't know how it would turn out if I went to CBS show. But I was totally happy to be this morning at Today Show as I just set my new goal that I was ready to achieve.
             As soon as I saw everything I needed and talked to everybody I wanted to, I left the show.

             It was only 8 AM and I had the entire day free, which, I knew, was going to be amazing. 

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.

2 People Birthday Party in NYC

                 - Morning, Alex! Are you still up for meeting today?

                 - Sure I am! Columbus Circle under the globe at 2, right?

             It’s hard to explain how much I valued the fact of meeting Alex. Here I have to clarify something. I’ve never met her in person before. That’s definitely something I would never expect form myself – meeting a friend online through another online fiend.

             The thing is, a couple of years ago, there was Ringo Starr concert in Moscow which obviously became an absolute must-see for me. And, as all dreams become true, I got the tickets to the concert as my birthday present! The performance went amazing, and, as I knew, the All Starr Band’s tour was continued in St. Petersburg, I found a girl who went on that show and asked how it went.

            It turned out that we have a lot of similar interests, and we started regularly writing long letters to each other. At one point, she found out about my plans on coming to the US to study. ‘My best friend is a student in New York, you guys should so totally talk to each other!’ – she told me.

             Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? However, Alex and I started Skyping and writing letters to each other. By some chance, we also had very similar views and interests and, more than that, a bonding fact of being a Russian student in the United States. Even though, we’ve kept in touch the entire time, we never got a chance to see each other as Oklahoma and New York aren’t the closest states.

             But, time has been passing and my life has been changing a lot, so today, after 2 years of online friendship I finally met Alex.

             - This is for you! – she said giving me a little bag. I know you’re a sweet-tooth just like I am, so I’m sure you’ll like it a lot! 

             As we didn’t have a certain plan, we just started going to place that looked like fun.

             I was pretty amazed that little ice-cream shop gave me a free frozen yogurt just because it was my birthday! It’s just so cool to be a birthday girl in NYC!

     

        'Toys R US' was one of the cool stops we made. It’s probably one of the greatest stores ever! I couldn’t believe my eyes seeing the carousel inside.  And being typical internationals, we got pretty excited about the dancing video game. We had to stop when we spent all of our coins though. Being in this store I felt like I was in Neverland, where childhood lasts forever. Nevertheless, I think it is person’s choice to keep the child in his/her heart or not.

           

      Later that day we walked down Broadway and I saw IT! Times Square at night – the view the visitor usually has when he/she is coming to the city. Commercials, movie trailers, cool interactive screens – all of this lightened up the entire square making it bright as it could be during a day. The skyscrapers looked so tall (obviously they are), people were all over the place and, for the first time in my life, I felt so small! I felt like I was just a little drop in the ocean. However, I didn’t get scared by this view. It gave a challenge to be on the top of the wave in this ocean.

                   -  Linda! Wake up! Haha, you got fascinated by the view, didn’t you? The more you’ll stay here, the more ordinary it will look to you.

                  -  No way! How can you get used to this? I mean, it’s like pure MAGIC out here!

             As Alex lived pretty far away from the city, I invited her over to my place. And, as we’re adventurous and pretty brave Russians, we decided to walk at least half way to my apartment which was, as you remember, in the very top of Harlem. Walking along Central Park we were talking about everything and nothing at the same time. All of this and even more was discussed during that walk - dreams, problems of the past and present, life views, thoughts about NYC, and even some girly talks about boys

            - Oh, no! I’m not interested in all of this right now at all. I mean, my family and friends keep bothering and asking me about that, but I’m just interested in career and studying right now, they’re definitely my priorities at this moment, - I said. (Just a little note, but don’t ever say ‘never’, as I bet your views or situation is going to change right away).

             Finally we got to my apartment. We had

some hot tea with the amazing cake Alex got me and planned out our next day which we were going to spend at Columbia University Campus.

            -  Good night, Alex. I’m so glad I met you!

            - Good night, Linda. I know! Me too! Oh, and Happy Birthday again.

The Offer You Can't Deny

              Whenever I got home I called my mom. I'm just very happy that I have this kind of relationship and communication with my mom. She's more than just a parent to me, she's my friend who I trust 100%.
              - Hi, - somehow my voice wasn't that stable anymore. I'm sorry, I think I kind of suck. I thought I could do anything, and it's been just week, and I feel like I failed, I'm afraid that I'll give up... I mean, I promise, I'll find a way. We've always found one. What? Mom! I know.... Okay.... Thanks.
              Through our conversation. the person, who I'm grateful for who I am now, gave me probably the greatest advice I could get at this point. She told me to stop thinking about money, which she let me to borrow from her, and to understand that this kind of mood does not suit the city or me. 'Everything you get, everybody you meet is your own reflection, so if you're sad, concentrated on money and hopeless, you probably won't find things you should find.'
              Even though, usually I'm the person who makes most of the decisions in my life pretty independently, this time my mom, which happened in my kindergarten for the last time I think, told me what to do. 'Use this week exploring the city, finding new awesome places, meeting interesting and friendl
y people and just enjoying your time. Oh, and get a new pair of jeans!'
              Do I need to say that I was totally ok with such an order?
              The next day I got to the ATM and got some money which honestly already made me happy (that makes me sound like a total dependent on materialistic world). The first thing to get in NYC for some touristic exploring? 1-week Unlimited Metro Card!
              The night before I created the top list of places I wanted to visit in NYC.
              Central Park was #1 in this list.
              So wearing typical Central Park uniform - tank top, shorts and headphones, I went on my real New York City run. Running on the path and observing all the gorgeous views of the nature including blooming flowers, shadowy trees and singing birds, I could not believe I'm in the heart of Manhattan until I looked up and saw the tops of skyscrapers.
              The sun was warming up not only the city, but all of us - joggers, bikers, skaters. It was getting hotter and hotter every minute, so I decided that such a great morning start for my NYC experience should be continued with a cup of coffee and a book. Maybe for you, my dear reader, it doesn't mean anything special, but for me this was a moment of true happiness which later became my normal mood in the city of dreams. Sitting on the grass in the tree's shadow with a great book by my favorite author in my hands with a cup of amazing strong dark roast, I though to myself: 'what else is happiness, if not this?'

                As I was pretty close to Strawberry Fields, I definitely went there to see the place I've listened the song about hundreds of times. Just a few meters from it, I saw the peace sign with flowers covering it and a few pictures of John Lennon in the center. I couldn't believe that I actually have this opportunity , this honor to be here. Right around the corner I saw the building where John Lennon was killed. Being the Beatles fan since I was 12 these places were some kind of sacred territory where I was allowed to go which was very important and valuable to me.
              Just following random paths and enjoying the weather I saw a statue. 'I definitely saw it before,' - I thought. And in a few seconds realizing what it is, I actually said out loud, which I have to admit was very unexpected and out of nowhere to other people: "Balto!" It was one of my favorite movies when I was little, and here it is, the monument I've seen in movies so many times. It felt like I was inside the movie! I was about 4 or 5 when I was watching it. This made me to realize that tomorrow is my birthday. Would I ever believe if somebody 15 or even 5 years ago told me that my 19th birthday I'll be celebrating in the city that never sleeps, the city where your dreams become true, the city that gives or breaks hopes?

What doesn't kill me makes me stronger

             - Alright guys, how long on that avocado sandwich? - I asked the kitchen crew after looking at my watch that showed 9 minutes of customers' waiting time
             - Mommy, who are you to ask or demand anything outta here? We're doing what we can, -The kitchen manager laughed at me, getting a pita from the package.

             I've been working in the place for 4 days now. And I didn't see anything but horrible attitude both from crew and customer sides.
             The place presented itself as a superhealthy place. What was it in real? Not-ever-washed rags, greasy plates you could barely hold in your hands, decaf coffee instead of real coffee (whenever there were decaf leftovers, they were poured into regular coffee. The only comment I got on this was "they won't understand or die so who cares"). Whenever I put attempts into changing the situation all I got were laughs and smirks from colleagues.
             The worst part about it started whenever I was still considered a trainee but somehow replaced the real servers. As all crew was too busy sitting in front of all managers putting new pictures on Instagram and updating their statuses on Twitter, I literally got the pressure of the entire place all on me. People got very annoyed and kept shouting things like that: 'why I've been sitting here and waiting for somebody to come up here for 5 minutes?'

Ok, it's not the place I've worked at. But it was close to that!

             So I talked to people, trying to calm them down and encouraged my co-workers to start doing what  all of us were supposed to do.

             - Missy, I've been here for 28 years now. I've seen three generations of management in this place. Are you really trying to tell me when to get to the table?
             - But they've been there for 8 minutes already! - almost crying, I insisted. I couldn't
understand how very simple things that are supposed to be part of common sense were so had to be understood here.
             - I'm BUSY now! - she almost shouted at me sitting at empty table and eating some frozen yogurt with strawberries.
             I couldn't let this go, so I just started serving the table. Two young girls were very friendly with me. They had a few modifications and requests I've given to the kitchen, but everything was served in time perfectly.
             'Thank you so much! Everything was just amazing!' - they said leaving the table.
             Just in a few minutes, the manager called me to the front. The young ladies give me compliments in front of the manager.
             - Excuse me, ma'am but she wasn't your waitress. She's just a trainee, - the manager said.
             - We know, and she did a great job, - the young lady smiled and gave me 15$ tip right in my hands.  I smiled and thanked her.

             As soon as the girls left, the manager came up to me and publicly took the money out of my hands passing it to the other waitress.
             - But she was sitting there the entire time on her phone, - I couldn't believe how unfair the whole situation turned out especially considering the fact that the manager saw everything happening.
            The waitress started coming to every other employer and telling them how much of ungrateful trainee I am. And I was just looking at all of this and started asking myself - what am I doing in this place? At that moment I realized that I probably value more that this. Even though I don't have place to go now, I know I deserve better. I just knew that this was definitely the bottom, so I took my cap and apron off, got my handbag and went to the exi
t of the cafe.
            The manager obviously asked for some kind of explanation. Well... as we all do something for the first time in our lives, I totally told everything I though about management and working conditions right in his face. I have always been a very calm person my entire life, so I didn't expect it from myself even. The only thing the manger told me was "We know. We suck."
             Walking away I saw that waitress that got the tip who, smiling at me, said: "It's New York, sweetie, and not Oklahoma or even Russia. You definitely won't survive here with such an attitude."
             I left the cafe and started walking towards subway station.
             And then it started raining. At first I got very sad, but then I thought: 'Doesn't this how it happens in the movies?'
             Running down the street I saw Starbucks. Confession time. Sometimes I went to Starbucks to use their wi-fi. But I promise I bought their staff sometimes. I did!
            So I was sitting right next to the window and watching the view I've dreamed about for the past couple of months. Yellow taxis kept crossing the street, businessmen throwing away the packs from their sandwich-lunches, a few fashionistas walking with their little chihuahuas... And here's me - miserable, sad, poor, alone. Was moving to New York City really a right thing for me to do? Maybe my friends were right, and should have stayed there.
            Being pretty tough in my nature, I was ready to cry. But then I saw a family with two little kids.
            The younger boy made the face to the other one and did some kind of a funny dance behind his father's back. The other boy saw that and started laughing and then he saw me in the window. He realized that I've seen the whole seen and told his older brother. The other boy looked at me, but, seeing my unconscious smile, he just started cracking up.
             These two little boys were so happy and amused with this little and, from the first sight, unimportant situation! They were laughing and kept smiling at me. It was still raining, but they just kept catching the drops from the sky and dance in the rain. They were so happy! And I couldn't help smiling while looking at them.
            It made me ask myself: why do I let all of this unimportant things make unhappy? Life goes on! I'm in the city of my dreams! I'm where I'm supposed to be.
            With a wide smile on my face I left Starbucks and went home.