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The Simple Joys


Central Park
My answer to people when they ask me how I like New York is to say something diplomatic like “I’m glad it’s only for five years” or “I’ll get used to it” or “It’s the complete opposite of Turku.”

This last answer is my favorite to think about. Turku was quiet, peaceful, homogeneous, clean, easy-going. New York is loud, aggressive, diverse, dirty and rushed. I felt at home in Turku, I do not feel at home here. (Though diversity is one thing that New York has going for it over Turku)



But there are small pleasures I have discovered and so I will devote this post to those small moments of joy in my new, temporary home.



My version of coffee


1.     Coffee. This is not unique to New York— in fact, I actually make it at home so I could make it anywhere—but I have found that nothing compares to making a cup of Indian style cappuccino (hand whipped instant coffee with lots of sugar and only milk) while I read articles for class.

    2. The Teacher’s College Campus. Teacher’s College is the graduate school for education at Columbia. It is old and therefore, the architecture is beautiful and majestic. It feels like important things must happen within these walls. Also, the TC library is wonderfully cozy and my favorite place to study even late into the evenings.

3.     Architecture. While walking down a commercial street, you will suddenly notice a building that looks like it came out of the early 1900’s. It might now be a CVS but you can tell there is history in the walls. Sometimes there are plaques that give you a snippet of this history.

4. The parks. Central Park is a mile away and a very accessible place to go on a stroll. I now understand why New Yorkers are so proud of it. There are so many nooks in the park that you could spend a week exploring it and still not find all the secret spots. I love going on runs through the park or taking some readings I need to do and sitting in the grass with my aforementioned mug of coffee. There are also other parks which are also wonderful running spots.

Teacher's College
  5. The diversity. I do enjoy the many different kinds of people here.  My cohort has people from all walks of life, from teachers who have taught in New York for almost two decades to some who have been studying for longer than we have taught (like me). There is racial diversity, diversity in ages and diversity in experiences. It makes for interesting conversation and interesting class discussions.



So, in the times that I feel lonely or poor because of the exorbitant New York prices, I try to remember these small moments that make New York worth coming to. I know there are many more things the city has to offer but I have found that it is better to take my time. New York is not going anywhere and neither am I. At least for a while.

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