It has been crazy the last month. I thought I'd find some time to give an update on all the great stuff I've been doing. Well, I finally managed to have some free New York minutes!
I'll give a short summary (really, I keep it short) of what I've been doing the last month.
First my sister Hannah and Tirza came to visit me (and they came to shop as well, to be honest). It was great to show them 'my city'! I was exhausted by the time they went home, but we had an awesome time (and they shopped quite a bit, so I guess they were satisfied too!).
Then I had a few days rest before Frank arrived. We've been living together in NYC for a few weeks now: and I can tell you this: it is GREAT! We had to be very flexible though, because we had just one set of keys.. Frank has been working all over the city: in Starbucks, in a coworking space, illegal in our library.. And I think he explored the American dating market pretty well. So I'm convinced that the American www.paiq.nl will 'bang' enter the market.
Of course, we also did some touristy stuff: Coney Island beach, Liberty and Ellis Island (see pictures). I liked Coney Island Beach a lot! And there was this funny Mermaid Parade, pretty entertaining day!
Miss Liberty was boring (I can see her from my bedroom window, and really, she doesn't look prettier when you come closer). However, I'm curious how they 'build' her, did the French build it, have the drawings, or would they just have given the money?
Last weekend we went to Boston (see pictures). Great city! And really clean and tidy compared to NYC (maybe NYC is just dirty and messy). Lots of small little streets.. Almost European. M.I.T. really impressed us! Nice buildings, and their museum was really cool (I think we were pretty nerdy that day).
So where can I buy time so I can stay a bit longer? Research starts being really exciting, we've completed the first mouse study last week, and today on my last 'working' day I had a quick look at the tumor! Ok, I can talk/write a lot about this, but I'll give you just one short message: exciting stuff!
Well that's about it. Tomorrow Frank and I fly to L.A. to enjoy our Californian road trip, vacation is important! We'll be back home July 20. I might write a last blog post when we're back.
It was an amazing experience, I'm going to miss NYC a lot, I wish I could buy some time, so I could stay a bit longer...
Friday, July 1, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Out of town
Escape the city, this was really what I needed after all the work in the lab, and all the fast ticking New York minutes. The plan was to take the train halfway to Princeton, and then bike the last part to Princeton and eat an ice cream there (you always have to reward yourself!). We (Jun - from my lab, Kate - Jun's girlfriend, Kleopatra - from another lab, and I) started on early Sunday morning to catch the train. We were unlucky, no bikes were allowed in the train because of Memorial Day weekend.
Plan B:
I will give you a short description of this sweaty bike tour, I think the pictures say the rest! We went all the way up along the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge. The weather was splendid, warm, bright, sunny, hot,and.. well, you get the idea. We were sweating before we could say 'sweat', and we had to refresh our layer of sun cream very often! But no complains here, we've been waiting so long for the summer to come!
We crossed the Hudson River on the GW Bridge, with beautiful views on the island of Manhattan! Now we were in New Jersey, out of NYC, out of the crowd, in another state. (Now I can tick of 2 states ;)). We followed the Hudson River up north, and we girls wanted to rest, take pictures, drink, drink, drink, and pee on top of every little hill! (Poor Jun had to wait for us all the time..).
On the way back we popped into a 'Royal Diner' to eat a not so royal salad. To return to Manhattan we decided to take the ferry, which was a terrific plan. Great views on all the (ugly) sky scrapers on the little island of Manhattan. Pretty strange actually that so many people live on such a small piece of land. NJ was real empty. And green!
We covered 42 sweaty sunny miles and this made me realize: I miss my bike(s).
Plan B:
I will give you a short description of this sweaty bike tour, I think the pictures say the rest! We went all the way up along the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge. The weather was splendid, warm, bright, sunny, hot,and.. well, you get the idea. We were sweating before we could say 'sweat', and we had to refresh our layer of sun cream very often! But no complains here, we've been waiting so long for the summer to come!
We crossed the Hudson River on the GW Bridge, with beautiful views on the island of Manhattan! Now we were in New Jersey, out of NYC, out of the crowd, in another state. (Now I can tick of 2 states ;)). We followed the Hudson River up north, and we girls wanted to rest, take pictures, drink, drink, drink, and pee on top of every little hill! (Poor Jun had to wait for us all the time..).
On the way back we popped into a 'Royal Diner' to eat a not so royal salad. To return to Manhattan we decided to take the ferry, which was a terrific plan. Great views on all the (ugly) sky scrapers on the little island of Manhattan. Pretty strange actually that so many people live on such a small piece of land. NJ was real empty. And green!
We covered 42 sweaty sunny miles and this made me realize: I miss my bike(s).
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Research
The definition of research according to the Cambridge Dictionary is 'a detailed study of a subject especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding'. If you start thinking about the word 'research' you will most probably end up dividing the word into two parts: 're' and 'search'. Are we scientists so dumb that we can't find (new) information just by searching? Do we really have to search for it again? Anyway, if I search for the origin of the word 'research' I find some useful information. Research comes from the Old French word 'recercher' which simply means 'search'. Stupid English people! But maybe I shouldn't think about this so much, and just perform good research. And indeed, I usually look more than once into the matter! Maybe they're not that stupid after all!
All this research - how many times can I use this word in only one blog? - was the reason why I really didn't have time to do anything else. At a certain stage I was working 18 hours a day and I slept the other 6 hours. I hear you thinking, why? I have two answers to that question. The first is, because I'm a big time nerd and love my work. The second answer is probably more true though: because I had a deadline to beat. (And you can imagine, if you have to research everything, that can take a while ;) ).
So it went like this: since early March I'm working on synthesizing my very own nanoparticle (I can't go into too much detail here - I'm sorry). Making the nanoparticles didn't turn out to be very difficult, however, to purify it was a different story. Last week, I had two abstract deadlines, one for the symposium of my institute, and one for a conference in September. And about 1.5 to 2 weeks before the deadline, my supervisor said: 'Let's beat the deadline'. At that point I still had to start my in vitro experiments - better, I didn't have my cells yet. I wanted to feed my cells my nanoparticle and perform fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, so for those who know about this: I was pressed for time. But I beat the deadline with a very sexy abstract (that's how my supervisor called it). For now: fingers crossed, and hopefully to San Diego in September!
Last Sunday, instead of doing research myself, I was the research object! I was guinea pigging for my Dutch friend Nicole, who is also part of our group. Loads of fun! Please enjoy the picture of me in this literally 'one size fits all' hospital gown, me in the MRI scanner, and me struggling with cookie dough ice cream!
All this research - how many times can I use this word in only one blog? - was the reason why I really didn't have time to do anything else. At a certain stage I was working 18 hours a day and I slept the other 6 hours. I hear you thinking, why? I have two answers to that question. The first is, because I'm a big time nerd and love my work. The second answer is probably more true though: because I had a deadline to beat. (And you can imagine, if you have to research everything, that can take a while ;) ).
So it went like this: since early March I'm working on synthesizing my very own nanoparticle (I can't go into too much detail here - I'm sorry). Making the nanoparticles didn't turn out to be very difficult, however, to purify it was a different story. Last week, I had two abstract deadlines, one for the symposium of my institute, and one for a conference in September. And about 1.5 to 2 weeks before the deadline, my supervisor said: 'Let's beat the deadline'. At that point I still had to start my in vitro experiments - better, I didn't have my cells yet. I wanted to feed my cells my nanoparticle and perform fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, so for those who know about this: I was pressed for time. But I beat the deadline with a very sexy abstract (that's how my supervisor called it). For now: fingers crossed, and hopefully to San Diego in September!
Last Sunday, instead of doing research myself, I was the research object! I was guinea pigging for my Dutch friend Nicole, who is also part of our group. Loads of fun! Please enjoy the picture of me in this literally 'one size fits all' hospital gown, me in the MRI scanner, and me struggling with cookie dough ice cream!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Dutch heritage
Brief history of NYC [1]:
The Lenape were living in Lenapehoking which was pretty much undisturbed until in 1524 sightseer Giovanni da Verrazano (obvious Italian) casted his upon the land. His aim for the journey was the Orient, and not Staten Island, so he left without setting foot on land. It was 85 years later in 1609 when Henry Hudson (hence the Hudson river), bumped into the island of Manhattan with the same goal, finding a shortcut to the Far East. His tales about the 'rich and pleasant land' made that 110 settlers of the Dutch West India Company were sent to establish a trading post on the island Mannahata, naming the colony New Amsterdam. The many bloody battles didn't drive the Lenapes away, and in 1626 Peter Minuit (New Amsterdam's first governor) purchased the island for 60 guilders worth in goods [2](which is estimated today to have been worth about $500, ridiculous now if you think about the sky high monthly rents in Manhattan).
New Amsterdam became the port for fur trading, but didn't attract enough people to come and work. So instead servants, slaves, thieves, and prostitutes were sent (wow, that would have been a wonderful city to live in). Then in 1647 Peter Stuyvesant comes in view, he was not popular, however he was the first effective governor, establishing the first school, post office, hospital, poorhouse, and prison (so they could put all the thieves they sent earlier back into prison). They build the city in such way that it resembled Amsterdam, with canals, windmills and farmhouses. In 1664 the English sailed into the harbor, and to avoid bloodshed and destruction Peter Stuyvesant surrendered. Soon after, New Amsterdam was renamed New York.
Dutch heritage:
Although the Dutch only reigned for only 40 years, there are still many traces to find throughout the city. I like this very much, so I decided to do some research on Dutch street names. I mean, how much fun would it be to hear an American pronounce 'Schermerhorn Street' (named after a Dutch family in the shipping business [3]).
I will start with my home borough: Brooklyn. This is the anglicized form of Breuckelen, which was founded in 1646 [4]. Really, call me whatever you want, but I just found out a few weeks after I arrived here!
Here are some obvious Dutch traces: we have Harlem (yes, indeed after Haarlem) in the north of Manhattan, Stuyvesant Park (indeed, after the lovely Peter Stuyvesant) between E15 and E17, Little Utrecht in Brooklyn, the Holland Tunnel to New Jersey, Nassau Avenue, and Amsterdam Avenue west from Central Park.
There is this very famous street in Manhattan, which once was 'Heere Straat', obviously named by the Dutch settlers, but later renamed by the English into Broadway [4]. Another famous street, Wall Street, is named after a wall (could you have guessed this?) the Dutch build to keep invaders out [5]. Close to my house is Flatbush Avenue, which is derived from 'vlacke bos' originally the colony town Mitwout in 1651. Midwood is still an area in Brooklyn [6]. The Bowery is the road that let to Peter Stuyvesant's farm, or better, bouwerij [5]. And so there are many more streets in NYC named after some Dutch family (Gansevoort for example).
But my very favorite anglicized Dutch name is Coney Island. Coney (do you recognize some animal already?) is thought to be derived from 'konijn', after the multitude of rabbits on the island [4]! Conyne Eylandt [7]! Since I read this, I always see rabbits jumping around when reading the subway destination :)
References:
I'm not making things up, so check my references if you want to read more!
[1] Time Out Guide New York
[2] http://www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=shop&second=books&third=DoAllIndiansLiveInTipis
[3] http://www.myhomebrooklyn.com/2011/02/04/brooklyn-history-schermerhorn-street/
[4] http://brooklyn.com/streets.html
[5] http://www.inetours.com/New_York/Pages/NYC_Streets.html
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatbush,_Brooklyn
[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_words_of_Dutch_origin
The Lenape were living in Lenapehoking which was pretty much undisturbed until in 1524 sightseer Giovanni da Verrazano (obvious Italian) casted his upon the land. His aim for the journey was the Orient, and not Staten Island, so he left without setting foot on land. It was 85 years later in 1609 when Henry Hudson (hence the Hudson river), bumped into the island of Manhattan with the same goal, finding a shortcut to the Far East. His tales about the 'rich and pleasant land' made that 110 settlers of the Dutch West India Company were sent to establish a trading post on the island Mannahata, naming the colony New Amsterdam. The many bloody battles didn't drive the Lenapes away, and in 1626 Peter Minuit (New Amsterdam's first governor) purchased the island for 60 guilders worth in goods [2](which is estimated today to have been worth about $500, ridiculous now if you think about the sky high monthly rents in Manhattan).
New Amsterdam became the port for fur trading, but didn't attract enough people to come and work. So instead servants, slaves, thieves, and prostitutes were sent (wow, that would have been a wonderful city to live in). Then in 1647 Peter Stuyvesant comes in view, he was not popular, however he was the first effective governor, establishing the first school, post office, hospital, poorhouse, and prison (so they could put all the thieves they sent earlier back into prison). They build the city in such way that it resembled Amsterdam, with canals, windmills and farmhouses. In 1664 the English sailed into the harbor, and to avoid bloodshed and destruction Peter Stuyvesant surrendered. Soon after, New Amsterdam was renamed New York.
Dutch heritage:
Although the Dutch only reigned for only 40 years, there are still many traces to find throughout the city. I like this very much, so I decided to do some research on Dutch street names. I mean, how much fun would it be to hear an American pronounce 'Schermerhorn Street' (named after a Dutch family in the shipping business [3]).
I will start with my home borough: Brooklyn. This is the anglicized form of Breuckelen, which was founded in 1646 [4]. Really, call me whatever you want, but I just found out a few weeks after I arrived here!
Here are some obvious Dutch traces: we have Harlem (yes, indeed after Haarlem) in the north of Manhattan, Stuyvesant Park (indeed, after the lovely Peter Stuyvesant) between E15 and E17, Little Utrecht in Brooklyn, the Holland Tunnel to New Jersey, Nassau Avenue, and Amsterdam Avenue west from Central Park.
There is this very famous street in Manhattan, which once was 'Heere Straat', obviously named by the Dutch settlers, but later renamed by the English into Broadway [4]. Another famous street, Wall Street, is named after a wall (could you have guessed this?) the Dutch build to keep invaders out [5]. Close to my house is Flatbush Avenue, which is derived from 'vlacke bos' originally the colony town Mitwout in 1651. Midwood is still an area in Brooklyn [6]. The Bowery is the road that let to Peter Stuyvesant's farm, or better, bouwerij [5]. And so there are many more streets in NYC named after some Dutch family (Gansevoort for example).
But my very favorite anglicized Dutch name is Coney Island. Coney (do you recognize some animal already?) is thought to be derived from 'konijn', after the multitude of rabbits on the island [4]! Conyne Eylandt [7]! Since I read this, I always see rabbits jumping around when reading the subway destination :)
References:
I'm not making things up, so check my references if you want to read more!
[1] Time Out Guide New York
[2] http://www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=shop&second=books&third=DoAllIndiansLiveInTipis
[3] http://www.myhomebrooklyn.com/2011/02/04/brooklyn-history-schermerhorn-street/
[4] http://brooklyn.com/streets.html
[5] http://www.inetours.com/New_York/Pages/NYC_Streets.html
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatbush,_Brooklyn
[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_words_of_Dutch_origin
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter Parade
This year is going to one of the very few years I managed to eat only one chocolate Easter egg! I actually searched for the chocolate eggs, but I couldn't find them! So what do they do in NYC for Easter as far as I could find out?
Well, I don't know much about it, but every year, there is this Easter Parade at Fifth Avenue, starting around 47th Street, to 56th Street. So together with hundreds of (other) tourists, I went to see the parade this morning! So for this event, people dress up, wear amazing hats, and try to get attention. All tourists are eager to get images of these crazy New Yorkers. And that is exactly what I did today: take pictures of crazy, cute, hilarious, and strange New Yorkers. Pretty cool!
So in the parade, there was this girl in here buggy, with on her lap all these colorful Easter eggs. Very cute, so I made a picture of her. Then she gave me one of these eggs as a present, I thanked her, wished here 'Happy Easter' and wanted to take off. But this girl was so excited of what could be inside the egg. So I opened the egg, and she exclaimed "It's chocolate!" Beautiful girl. I enjoyed every bit of my one and only chocolate Easter egg.
The parade ended very close to Central Park, so I decided to go and have a look at green and colorful Central Park this time! Suddenly, all the clouds disappeared, and it was summer! I wasn't dressed for that (hey, don't blame me, yesterday it was 9 degrees and raining), so I hurried back home to change into a proper summer outfit. Then I went to sit and read in my 'own' park to enjoy the sun! Happy Easter!
No free Monday for me though.
Well, I don't know much about it, but every year, there is this Easter Parade at Fifth Avenue, starting around 47th Street, to 56th Street. So together with hundreds of (other) tourists, I went to see the parade this morning! So for this event, people dress up, wear amazing hats, and try to get attention. All tourists are eager to get images of these crazy New Yorkers. And that is exactly what I did today: take pictures of crazy, cute, hilarious, and strange New Yorkers. Pretty cool!
So in the parade, there was this girl in here buggy, with on her lap all these colorful Easter eggs. Very cute, so I made a picture of her. Then she gave me one of these eggs as a present, I thanked her, wished here 'Happy Easter' and wanted to take off. But this girl was so excited of what could be inside the egg. So I opened the egg, and she exclaimed "It's chocolate!" Beautiful girl. I enjoyed every bit of my one and only chocolate Easter egg.
The parade ended very close to Central Park, so I decided to go and have a look at green and colorful Central Park this time! Suddenly, all the clouds disappeared, and it was summer! I wasn't dressed for that (hey, don't blame me, yesterday it was 9 degrees and raining), so I hurried back home to change into a proper summer outfit. Then I went to sit and read in my 'own' park to enjoy the sun! Happy Easter!
No free Monday for me though.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
April showers, May flowers
Hi all,
I'm sorry it takes me longer and longer to write you guys an awesome blog! It's just, I don't really do that interesting touristy stuff anymore. Actually, I don't feel like a tourist anymore, and I'm happy if I can have my lazy days in the weekends, without having to use the subway!
So this weekend was strange, at least weather-wise, almost Dutch, I'd say. Yesterday was great, we had a great tour in the Jewish museum (not that I really care, but the tour was still great), and afterwards we had a very good Peruvian dinner! mmm. But the weather was in one word: HORRIBLE. By the time I got home, I was totally soaked. And it was not only raining, it was thundering, lightning, very very windy, it was one big storm (which I actually enjoyed very much by the time I was inside :D). My lab friends taught me the following: 'April showers, May flowers...' Well, indeed, April showers, yesterday was definitely not the first time I got very very wet. However, I managed to get some of my flowers already this weekend :). Lucky lucky me :D
Today finally was very very nice! I've been so jealous about all the good weather drinks-in-the-park stories from you.. So today, I went to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, to have - finally - my part of flowers, spring, and sunshine! It was just great. And I was surprised how many people were there, I mean, it's 'just' a garden.. I loved it, really, if I would really live here for, say, a long long time, I would become a member, so I could expand my backyard! That'd be great, that'd be awesome :) But sadly, I don't live here for a long time, so no nice backyard for me..
So definitely April showers, and I can just hope that May really flowers!
I'm sorry it takes me longer and longer to write you guys an awesome blog! It's just, I don't really do that interesting touristy stuff anymore. Actually, I don't feel like a tourist anymore, and I'm happy if I can have my lazy days in the weekends, without having to use the subway!
So this weekend was strange, at least weather-wise, almost Dutch, I'd say. Yesterday was great, we had a great tour in the Jewish museum (not that I really care, but the tour was still great), and afterwards we had a very good Peruvian dinner! mmm. But the weather was in one word: HORRIBLE. By the time I got home, I was totally soaked. And it was not only raining, it was thundering, lightning, very very windy, it was one big storm (which I actually enjoyed very much by the time I was inside :D). My lab friends taught me the following: 'April showers, May flowers...' Well, indeed, April showers, yesterday was definitely not the first time I got very very wet. However, I managed to get some of my flowers already this weekend :). Lucky lucky me :D
Today finally was very very nice! I've been so jealous about all the good weather drinks-in-the-park stories from you.. So today, I went to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, to have - finally - my part of flowers, spring, and sunshine! It was just great. And I was surprised how many people were there, I mean, it's 'just' a garden.. I loved it, really, if I would really live here for, say, a long long time, I would become a member, so I could expand my backyard! That'd be great, that'd be awesome :) But sadly, I don't live here for a long time, so no nice backyard for me..
So definitely April showers, and I can just hope that May really flowers!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Just an ordinary weekday
Some of you were actually interested in my daily routines. Well, prepare yourself, it's not awesome and cool, but actually pretty normal (and boring). Working in NYC doesn't differ that much from working in Utrecht, I just make some more hours here. I actually tried to capture my routine in some pretty boring pictures for you!
So, every morning I wake up around 6.30 am. I know, I am an early bird, and I like that! I leave home between 7 and 7.20pm, and usually I'm the first to arrive in the lab around 8.15am. I know, I am an early bird. In the beginning I didn't have the key to the lab, that was really annoying, but now I have one, so nobody can prevent me anymore getting in early! But well, give me credit: I don't use the key in the weekends (yet)!
In total I have to commute 2 hours a day: that is walking to the subway, get into the 2/3 train, change to the 4/5 train, change to the 6 train, and walk again. Often however, I don't take the last train, and just walk the last 15 blocks. It's nice to get a walk in the morning, especially when the sun is out! Writing this down it sounds pretty tough, but so far I like this little bit of my-time. I read lots of books! Watching people is fun as well!
Then, of course, I work work work. I will write another blog on this in more detail, because I also got some requests here! And on my way home, sometimes I have to pop into the supermarket and buy food. I'm eating a lot nowadays, two lunches is no exception anymore! Haha, don't worry here: I'm not gaining weight, I'm simply hungry very often.
Oh, I really understand that American people don't cook. I don't feel like cooking when I arrive home at 8pm after a long day at work! A good solution: go to a restaurant! Often we go eat somewhere with the lab, that is really nice, and good for the bonding, haha.
Ok, just one last note, because I feel I have to defend myself a little bit here. Don't get me wrong: I do work hard and a lot. But I have fun as well, I enjoy every bit of my big NYC adventure! In the weekends I don't work (yet), and all people in the lab are just great! And I would like to get an article out of it!
I hope you guys enjoy my boring pictures! :)
So, every morning I wake up around 6.30 am. I know, I am an early bird, and I like that! I leave home between 7 and 7.20pm, and usually I'm the first to arrive in the lab around 8.15am. I know, I am an early bird. In the beginning I didn't have the key to the lab, that was really annoying, but now I have one, so nobody can prevent me anymore getting in early! But well, give me credit: I don't use the key in the weekends (yet)!
In total I have to commute 2 hours a day: that is walking to the subway, get into the 2/3 train, change to the 4/5 train, change to the 6 train, and walk again. Often however, I don't take the last train, and just walk the last 15 blocks. It's nice to get a walk in the morning, especially when the sun is out! Writing this down it sounds pretty tough, but so far I like this little bit of my-time. I read lots of books! Watching people is fun as well!
Then, of course, I work work work. I will write another blog on this in more detail, because I also got some requests here! And on my way home, sometimes I have to pop into the supermarket and buy food. I'm eating a lot nowadays, two lunches is no exception anymore! Haha, don't worry here: I'm not gaining weight, I'm simply hungry very often.
Oh, I really understand that American people don't cook. I don't feel like cooking when I arrive home at 8pm after a long day at work! A good solution: go to a restaurant! Often we go eat somewhere with the lab, that is really nice, and good for the bonding, haha.
Ok, just one last note, because I feel I have to defend myself a little bit here. Don't get me wrong: I do work hard and a lot. But I have fun as well, I enjoy every bit of my big NYC adventure! In the weekends I don't work (yet), and all people in the lab are just great! And I would like to get an article out of it!
I hope you guys enjoy my boring pictures! :)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
NYC in 5 days
Frank came to visit me! Isn't that great! I was so HAPPY!
As you probably all figured, NYC is huge, monstrous, gigantic. But all friendly. So, where to start if you have only 5 days and want to see/show it all? Well, actually, my trip to the Airport was great already. I never took the 3 train in that direction, and I was happily surprised when I discovered the train is actually like the High Line, and gave me great views over several neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
It was perfect to see Frank again!
The first day, we walked from my place (which isn't too far, I can see the Empire State Building from my living room), over the Brooklyn Bridge (which is wrapped because of constructions which hinders the great views), to the financial district. Although it was freezing cold, there was a long line in Battery Park, waiting to go to The Statue of Liberty. OK, we skipped that touristic entertainment. We went to the High Line, Chelsea, and had a 'real Italian' pizza in Brooklyn.
The second day we visited the Brooklyn Brewery, walked the Williamsburg Bridge (why on earth did they paint it pink?), and climbed the Empire State Building. Very strange, we could feel the building moving (OK, maybe not so strange, the wind was very strong and the building very tall)! The views were terrific, and great that we could recognize all places we already visited! But I have to admit, these 86 flights were a little too high for me, and I was happy when we were save and sound on the ground again.
Time was flying (something with these minutes here), but we managed to shop on Broadway and in SOHO, have a 3 course menu in Park Slope, eat donuts, drink coffee on the way, watch the hawks in Central Park, visit my work, eat a hamburger in the same place as Brad Pitt did in 'Meet Joe Black', and watch a comedy show on Broadway. We also went ice skating on Rockefeller plaza (well not really, but we watched the skaters), went to a party in Harlem, saw almost the whole subway system, watched all the crazy lights (and people) on Times Square, visited Williamsburg, went to DUMBO, and walked in Prospect Park.
I had a great time, with a great guy in a great city!
As you probably all figured, NYC is huge, monstrous, gigantic. But all friendly. So, where to start if you have only 5 days and want to see/show it all? Well, actually, my trip to the Airport was great already. I never took the 3 train in that direction, and I was happily surprised when I discovered the train is actually like the High Line, and gave me great views over several neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
It was perfect to see Frank again!
The first day, we walked from my place (which isn't too far, I can see the Empire State Building from my living room), over the Brooklyn Bridge (which is wrapped because of constructions which hinders the great views), to the financial district. Although it was freezing cold, there was a long line in Battery Park, waiting to go to The Statue of Liberty. OK, we skipped that touristic entertainment. We went to the High Line, Chelsea, and had a 'real Italian' pizza in Brooklyn.
The second day we visited the Brooklyn Brewery, walked the Williamsburg Bridge (why on earth did they paint it pink?), and climbed the Empire State Building. Very strange, we could feel the building moving (OK, maybe not so strange, the wind was very strong and the building very tall)! The views were terrific, and great that we could recognize all places we already visited! But I have to admit, these 86 flights were a little too high for me, and I was happy when we were save and sound on the ground again.
Time was flying (something with these minutes here), but we managed to shop on Broadway and in SOHO, have a 3 course menu in Park Slope, eat donuts, drink coffee on the way, watch the hawks in Central Park, visit my work, eat a hamburger in the same place as Brad Pitt did in 'Meet Joe Black', and watch a comedy show on Broadway. We also went ice skating on Rockefeller plaza (well not really, but we watched the skaters), went to a party in Harlem, saw almost the whole subway system, watched all the crazy lights (and people) on Times Square, visited Williamsburg, went to DUMBO, and walked in Prospect Park.
I had a great time, with a great guy in a great city!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Spiders, Park Slope, and birds
Note: This is particularly interesting for those who love spiders and birds.
Yet another story, dear follower.
Yesterday we reached the magical temperature of approximately 70F! (Yes, once you're here, you have to get used to Fahrenheit, pounds, miles, feet...). It was so nice! And I was so happy I had to go to the NYU during lunch, so I actually got to enjoy this summer weather! This day definitely was 'skirts day'!
LOL, this morning was fun! I went to the bathroom, and there was this huge ugly scary creature in my bathtub! The first thing I did (of course), was getting my camera to make some pictures, the second thing I did (of course), was getting ready to kill the beast with a stone. However, I covered it with a glass so I could deal with it at a more descend time (it was 6am). Later, my new roomy and I removed it from the bathroom. Some research from my little sister learned us, it's a whip spider. Sadly, our little (about 2 inch) fellow (see picture) is dead now.. I hope there are no siblings coming to get their revenge!
Today was splendid again, however 'only' 60F, and the wind was pretty strong. I decided to enjoy my 'own' neighborhood (see pictures)! It was so good to see all the spring flowers, and hear the sparrows sing. Park Slope is nice, there are lots of bars, restaurants and nice little stores!
I have another story concerning animals for you! In 1993 the first red tailed hawk (Pale Male) was spotted in Central Park. Soon after, a love nest was build in a 12-story chic apartment on Fifth Avenue facing Central Park (I think this is one of the most expensive places to live in NYC). Of course (?) these rich people didn't like to have such great birds building nests on their houses, so they removed the twigs and branches. The bird couple made a new nest, and again the nest was removed. Finally (and luckily) the birds won their nest, and since then Pale Male has sired 23 offsprings, and they have entertained New Yorkers with aerial acrobatics! I haven't seen them yet, should try to get a glimpse of them soon! Nice to have some wild life in Manhattan!
PS: Don't forget to check the links I provide at the top right!
Yet another story, dear follower.
Yesterday we reached the magical temperature of approximately 70F! (Yes, once you're here, you have to get used to Fahrenheit, pounds, miles, feet...). It was so nice! And I was so happy I had to go to the NYU during lunch, so I actually got to enjoy this summer weather! This day definitely was 'skirts day'!
LOL, this morning was fun! I went to the bathroom, and there was this huge ugly scary creature in my bathtub! The first thing I did (of course), was getting my camera to make some pictures, the second thing I did (of course), was getting ready to kill the beast with a stone. However, I covered it with a glass so I could deal with it at a more descend time (it was 6am). Later, my new roomy and I removed it from the bathroom. Some research from my little sister learned us, it's a whip spider. Sadly, our little (about 2 inch) fellow (see picture) is dead now.. I hope there are no siblings coming to get their revenge!
Today was splendid again, however 'only' 60F, and the wind was pretty strong. I decided to enjoy my 'own' neighborhood (see pictures)! It was so good to see all the spring flowers, and hear the sparrows sing. Park Slope is nice, there are lots of bars, restaurants and nice little stores!
I have another story concerning animals for you! In 1993 the first red tailed hawk (Pale Male) was spotted in Central Park. Soon after, a love nest was build in a 12-story chic apartment on Fifth Avenue facing Central Park (I think this is one of the most expensive places to live in NYC). Of course (?) these rich people didn't like to have such great birds building nests on their houses, so they removed the twigs and branches. The bird couple made a new nest, and again the nest was removed. Finally (and luckily) the birds won their nest, and since then Pale Male has sired 23 offsprings, and they have entertained New Yorkers with aerial acrobatics! I haven't seen them yet, should try to get a glimpse of them soon! Nice to have some wild life in Manhattan!
PS: Don't forget to check the links I provide at the top right!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Ticking minutes
Wow, time is flying here, it seems like I'm living here in a city where time is in a hurry. Probably because we have New York Minutes here! The New York Minute according to the Urban Dictionary is 'the interval between a Manhattan traffic light turning green, and the guy behind you honking his horn', but also 'the smallest measurable amount of time in the universe'. The New York Minute originated in Texas in 1967, referring to the hectic pace of New Yorker's lives (a New Yorker does in an instant what a Texan would take a minute to do). Mm, thinking about this, my simple calculation tells me that I would have more time, because what would take me normally a minute, I can now achieve within an instant. There is a leakage in my theory here, because I don't have the feeling I have time left over! Anyway, I think you got my point, I'm mighty busy here.
Tonight is daylight saving time, which means within an instant I 'loose' another 60 minutes of my precious time here! But for sure it will bring a lot of good things. For example, for 15 days, I will only be 5 hours behind you guys. But also, the evenings will be longer light, which means we can do even more in the New York Minutes we've got every day!
Tonight is daylight saving time, which means within an instant I 'loose' another 60 minutes of my precious time here! But for sure it will bring a lot of good things. For example, for 15 days, I will only be 5 hours behind you guys. But also, the evenings will be longer light, which means we can do even more in the New York Minutes we've got every day!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Ready for Spring!
Whole New York City is ready for spring. The winter was exceptionally cold with a lot of snow, really tough. The beautiful snow I was so excited about last month, was just a little bit of all the snow that covered the streets this winter.
Now, I can't wait for all the snow to vanish (there are still some dirty icy piles on the streets in Brooklyn), and temperatures to be above zero again. And I can feel it's not only me, the whole city is fed up with the snow and the cold, and ready for spring!
This weekend was supposed to be snowy, rainy, and cold. Instead, the sun was shining, sparrows singing, dogs playing in the parks.. There was a whole different vibe in the city.
On Saturday I had a great walk on Manhattan Bridge and Bowery, and there I found this man playing urban golf, I loved it! Then yesterday at Union Square there were some art stands, the park was filled with happy people, and two guys were giving free hugs away. A hug and the warmth of the sun, I was a happy girl ready for spring :D. There was also this guy making great artwork of sand (see picture), sadly, today the rain they promised, arrived, so the colors are flushed away..
This city is buzzing with life, happiness, great and strange people, and a lot of fun! Yes, NYC is ready for spring and so am I.
Now, I can't wait for all the snow to vanish (there are still some dirty icy piles on the streets in Brooklyn), and temperatures to be above zero again. And I can feel it's not only me, the whole city is fed up with the snow and the cold, and ready for spring!
This weekend was supposed to be snowy, rainy, and cold. Instead, the sun was shining, sparrows singing, dogs playing in the parks.. There was a whole different vibe in the city.
On Saturday I had a great walk on Manhattan Bridge and Bowery, and there I found this man playing urban golf, I loved it! Then yesterday at Union Square there were some art stands, the park was filled with happy people, and two guys were giving free hugs away. A hug and the warmth of the sun, I was a happy girl ready for spring :D. There was also this guy making great artwork of sand (see picture), sadly, today the rain they promised, arrived, so the colors are flushed away..
This city is buzzing with life, happiness, great and strange people, and a lot of fun! Yes, NYC is ready for spring and so am I.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
"Waste not what not"
This is what my supervisor David told us (Yan and me) on our first day when we were synthesizing our nanoparticles and a tiny bit was left in the vial. We definitely had to get that out, even when it was difficult or impossible (impossible does not exist in his vocabulary, I like that). "Waste not what not". Samples are precious, you have to use everything. Great, this really fits my way of thinking!
On the contrary and really doesn't fit my way of thinking, we do waste all our consumables - hence the name (pipet tips, vials, small vials, bigger vials, more vials, tubes, tiny tubes, big tubes, gloves, ..). Where we washed that particular vial in Utrecht, here they don't even think about reusing it (waste of time - okay, maybe this is still in the 'waste not what not' range). I still have to get used to it. Like when a certain protocol doesn't work, don't try around too much, just get new fresh chemicals (even when the old ones are inorganic and not perishable). Or when we made a few cute pictures of our nanoparticles with the transmission electron microscope, just burn them to a CD, don't wait until you have enough to fill the whole CD.
In the cafeteria in the hospital you have these cardboard take away boxes, they're just used once (I always try to use it until it falls apart). There are also these kind of plastic plates for salads and stuff - only used once.
However, (and I really like this) in restaurants - no matter how luxurious - you can always get a doggy bag when you cannot finish your meal. Waste not what not, don't throw away your food. And now I have a nice lunch tomorrow!
NYC does have a recycling program, but it is quite different from what I am used to: all glassware and other packaging materials go in one trash bin. Most people don't make their stuff flat, so every week there are huge piles on the streets for the garbage men to pick up. Paper and cardboard is collected separately, I do understand that part!
But what is probably wasted the most here in NYC is warmth. When I arrived in the hostel six weeks ago, my room was like 28 C. We couldn't switch it off, so we opened the window (and of course the radiator is just underneath, you know how that goes). And it seems this was not a stand alone incident, I hear often people (mostly Dutch or European) complaining about their warm apartments. Thus much energy is thrown away, it almost hurts. It is a very old system which is driven by steam, and cannot easily be changed, that's what they told me.
Please, waste not what not!
On the contrary and really doesn't fit my way of thinking, we do waste all our consumables - hence the name (pipet tips, vials, small vials, bigger vials, more vials, tubes, tiny tubes, big tubes, gloves, ..). Where we washed that particular vial in Utrecht, here they don't even think about reusing it (waste of time - okay, maybe this is still in the 'waste not what not' range). I still have to get used to it. Like when a certain protocol doesn't work, don't try around too much, just get new fresh chemicals (even when the old ones are inorganic and not perishable). Or when we made a few cute pictures of our nanoparticles with the transmission electron microscope, just burn them to a CD, don't wait until you have enough to fill the whole CD.
In the cafeteria in the hospital you have these cardboard take away boxes, they're just used once (I always try to use it until it falls apart). There are also these kind of plastic plates for salads and stuff - only used once.
However, (and I really like this) in restaurants - no matter how luxurious - you can always get a doggy bag when you cannot finish your meal. Waste not what not, don't throw away your food. And now I have a nice lunch tomorrow!
NYC does have a recycling program, but it is quite different from what I am used to: all glassware and other packaging materials go in one trash bin. Most people don't make their stuff flat, so every week there are huge piles on the streets for the garbage men to pick up. Paper and cardboard is collected separately, I do understand that part!
But what is probably wasted the most here in NYC is warmth. When I arrived in the hostel six weeks ago, my room was like 28 C. We couldn't switch it off, so we opened the window (and of course the radiator is just underneath, you know how that goes). And it seems this was not a stand alone incident, I hear often people (mostly Dutch or European) complaining about their warm apartments. Thus much energy is thrown away, it almost hurts. It is a very old system which is driven by steam, and cannot easily be changed, that's what they told me.
Please, waste not what not!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The party train
I have two other stories I wanted to share with you last week, however, work became so demanding, that by the time I got home after work, I really didn't feel like using the computer again. Hopefully I find some time for these two stories this week (otherwise, I'm sorry about the dead sparrow).
As you probably all know, is New York City the city that never sleeps! This means that the city never sleeps, and really, never sleeps (although probably most people sleep some time every 24 hours).
Williamsburg is what makes Brooklyn proud (I guess?). Most youngsters, hipsters, artists, and other interesting people go there to party. There are loads of bars, and often live music. Yesterday was a strange mixture though, first hard rock (or just a lot of noise?), then some very nice Latino 'swing-that-ass' music. After that, all of a sudden, there was karaoke, eeh, well, time to go home ;)
The L train runs from Manhattan to Williamsburg (and back). So when we (that would be Fabian (I met him at the Utrecht Summer School some years ago, and now he lives in East Village - what a coincidence) and his friends entered the train last night around 3.30am, there were so many people in that train. Dancing, singing, making pictures, having fun; partying. Thus, the L train is better known as the party train! And yes, most trains are running 24/7, and you don't have to be afraid to be alone! Pretty convenient that you can't miss your last train! You can even still buy magazines and peanuts in the subway store if you feel like it at night!
The pictures I enclosed today are not from the party train, but from the bright blue sky above TriBeCa, so please, enjoy!
As you probably all know, is New York City the city that never sleeps! This means that the city never sleeps, and really, never sleeps (although probably most people sleep some time every 24 hours).
Williamsburg is what makes Brooklyn proud (I guess?). Most youngsters, hipsters, artists, and other interesting people go there to party. There are loads of bars, and often live music. Yesterday was a strange mixture though, first hard rock (or just a lot of noise?), then some very nice Latino 'swing-that-ass' music. After that, all of a sudden, there was karaoke, eeh, well, time to go home ;)
The L train runs from Manhattan to Williamsburg (and back). So when we (that would be Fabian (I met him at the Utrecht Summer School some years ago, and now he lives in East Village - what a coincidence) and his friends entered the train last night around 3.30am, there were so many people in that train. Dancing, singing, making pictures, having fun; partying. Thus, the L train is better known as the party train! And yes, most trains are running 24/7, and you don't have to be afraid to be alone! Pretty convenient that you can't miss your last train! You can even still buy magazines and peanuts in the subway store if you feel like it at night!
The pictures I enclosed today are not from the party train, but from the bright blue sky above TriBeCa, so please, enjoy!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Walking the city
I like to walk around in New York City. On every corner there are things to see. And I love to watch the buildings! It is not just sky scraper after sky scraper, often there are gothic churches and other old houses squeezed in. It is nice to spot these buildings!
Walking the city and watching buildings is what I did this weekend. Yesterday I started at the Empire State Building. And I can tell you this, it was quite disappointing for me. You can see the building from miles away, but when I stood on its foot, I started doubting, I'd expected it to be much larger and taller! I walked down Sixth Avenue and Broadway and ended at Union Square. It was my first very gray day, and it was cold and windy! So at the farmers market I enjoyed hot apple cider, and that really made my day!
Today the sky was blue again! I started my walk at Grand Central, the train terminal. I've never seen such a clean building, especially for a train terminal it was just way too clean! It really is a beautiful building, however, my small camera couldn't make bright pictures of it. But if you're planning to go to NYC, just check it out! I continued my walk to the east side of the city, and then up to the north. Beautiful buildings everywhere, and I've picked my favorite sky scraper: The Chrysler Building, which was the world's tallest building in 1930! And then I was in Central Park again. The nice thing about this park is the quietness, you are in the middle of the city, and there is nothing else but silence!
Walking the city and watching buildings is what I did this weekend. Yesterday I started at the Empire State Building. And I can tell you this, it was quite disappointing for me. You can see the building from miles away, but when I stood on its foot, I started doubting, I'd expected it to be much larger and taller! I walked down Sixth Avenue and Broadway and ended at Union Square. It was my first very gray day, and it was cold and windy! So at the farmers market I enjoyed hot apple cider, and that really made my day!
Today the sky was blue again! I started my walk at Grand Central, the train terminal. I've never seen such a clean building, especially for a train terminal it was just way too clean! It really is a beautiful building, however, my small camera couldn't make bright pictures of it. But if you're planning to go to NYC, just check it out! I continued my walk to the east side of the city, and then up to the north. Beautiful buildings everywhere, and I've picked my favorite sky scraper: The Chrysler Building, which was the world's tallest building in 1930! And then I was in Central Park again. The nice thing about this park is the quietness, you are in the middle of the city, and there is nothing else but silence!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Dumbo and Super Bowl
Hi!
It took me a while to write a new blog post, I'm sorry, but my routine (wake up, read in the train, work in the lab whole day, read in the train, eat, and sleep) is not too exciting to write or read about! Although, work is great so maybe I will write a blog post soon (for those who understand) on all the experiments I've done so far..
Last Sunday the weather was super bright and sunny again. Really, if you ignored the piles of snow, you would almost think it was spring! I went for a walk from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade to Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass - check for more info about how Dumbo got its name the link). I had a spectacular view at the Skyline of Manhattan again, but the warmth of the sun was the best gift this day! From there I walked down to the small park underneath the two bridges, and bumped into the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. The ice cream was the second best gift that day, especially when enjoyed in the sun!
Dumbo is I think a great neighborhood when you know the places and when you are an artist. There are a lot of strange shops (arts and stuff), you can do workshops (arts and stuff), and you can even have your portfolio checked (arts and stuff). And of course there are plenty of bars! The Manhattan Bridge gives a nice industrial touch to the neighborhood, I liked that!
Last Sunday evening was the big event: the SUPER BOWL! The Packers vs the Steelers (no, I have no idea). We watched the game with the lab members in the apartment of one of our colleagues (sorry, no pictures). The apartment was in Harlem (an hour by train) and was huge. Or maybe the tv was even bigger than the apartment itself! I'll be honest with you: I didn't like the game (most of the time these guys were laying on top of each other on the ground looking for some misshaped ball). So this was the perfect moment to socialize and get to know my colleagues better! I enjoyed the evening very much, and had some nice conversations with my supervisor. Sadly, we were not the only ones who ordered pizza.. (luckily? we did have enough booze).
And have a happy new rabbit year!
It took me a while to write a new blog post, I'm sorry, but my routine (wake up, read in the train, work in the lab whole day, read in the train, eat, and sleep) is not too exciting to write or read about! Although, work is great so maybe I will write a blog post soon (for those who understand) on all the experiments I've done so far..
Last Sunday the weather was super bright and sunny again. Really, if you ignored the piles of snow, you would almost think it was spring! I went for a walk from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade to Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass - check for more info about how Dumbo got its name the link). I had a spectacular view at the Skyline of Manhattan again, but the warmth of the sun was the best gift this day! From there I walked down to the small park underneath the two bridges, and bumped into the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. The ice cream was the second best gift that day, especially when enjoyed in the sun!
Dumbo is I think a great neighborhood when you know the places and when you are an artist. There are a lot of strange shops (arts and stuff), you can do workshops (arts and stuff), and you can even have your portfolio checked (arts and stuff). And of course there are plenty of bars! The Manhattan Bridge gives a nice industrial touch to the neighborhood, I liked that!
Last Sunday evening was the big event: the SUPER BOWL! The Packers vs the Steelers (no, I have no idea). We watched the game with the lab members in the apartment of one of our colleagues (sorry, no pictures). The apartment was in Harlem (an hour by train) and was huge. Or maybe the tv was even bigger than the apartment itself! I'll be honest with you: I didn't like the game (most of the time these guys were laying on top of each other on the ground looking for some misshaped ball). So this was the perfect moment to socialize and get to know my colleagues better! I enjoyed the evening very much, and had some nice conversations with my supervisor. Sadly, we were not the only ones who ordered pizza.. (luckily? we did have enough booze).
And have a happy new rabbit year!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Chinese food & The Metropolitan Museum for Art
:D
During the week I try to be a 'real New Yorker', reading every day in the train, and work hard. I even got my library card now, so I can read even more! (And probably take the train into the wrong direction again).
In the weekends I am a tourist, there is simply too much to see! Yesterday my friend Yan (PhD student in my lab) and I went to have lunch in Chinatown. This was a big adventure - eating soup with chopsticks.. (see pictures, what a fun!). She also showed me the NYU (NY University) library, which is huge! We also went to East Village (tatoo shops) and Soho (great when you have a credit card). It was a long long day, with actually too many different things (next time I better focus on a one neighborhood! What I like about NYC are the buildings, or maybe I have to put it this way: the mixture of buildings. Often you see the tall buildings alongside the older smaller buildings and churches (you'll find them in my web albums).
Today I went to the MET (Metropolitan Museum for Art) together with Anna (we were room mates in the hostel). We spent like 5 hours wondering around in this huge huge building (we even got lost a couple of times). I think you can spend there a week without seeing everything! I made a preview for you guys (however without flash, so you still have to check it out yourself!).
I bought good boots now, so I am waiting for the next big snow!
:D
During the week I try to be a 'real New Yorker', reading every day in the train, and work hard. I even got my library card now, so I can read even more! (And probably take the train into the wrong direction again).
In the weekends I am a tourist, there is simply too much to see! Yesterday my friend Yan (PhD student in my lab) and I went to have lunch in Chinatown. This was a big adventure - eating soup with chopsticks.. (see pictures, what a fun!). She also showed me the NYU (NY University) library, which is huge! We also went to East Village (tatoo shops) and Soho (great when you have a credit card). It was a long long day, with actually too many different things (next time I better focus on a one neighborhood! What I like about NYC are the buildings, or maybe I have to put it this way: the mixture of buildings. Often you see the tall buildings alongside the older smaller buildings and churches (you'll find them in my web albums).
Today I went to the MET (Metropolitan Museum for Art) together with Anna (we were room mates in the hostel). We spent like 5 hours wondering around in this huge huge building (we even got lost a couple of times). I think you can spend there a week without seeing everything! I made a preview for you guys (however without flash, so you still have to check it out yourself!).
I bought good boots now, so I am waiting for the next big snow!
:D
Thursday, January 27, 2011
SNOW!
I was so surprised this morning. I knew it was snowing last night, but I didn't think about so much snow! When I left home around 7.20am, most snow was still untouched, although some early birds already cleaned some bits. I enjoyed my way to the subway station so much, had to say hi and smile to everybody, and making pictures of all the beautiful white snow around me. Just gorgeous.
Of course, there where some problems with the transportation, so the Q train I was planning to take was delayed for 40 minutes (you see, it's not only the NS who sometimes have problems with the snow). Luckily, I could take another train down town Manhattan.
When I left my train at E 96th street I had to go to Central Park before going to work. Beautiful! There were a lot of people in the park already and dogs were playing everywhere. I had my old boots on (I don't want to ruin my nice boots with all the salt), but all this snow was just too much for them. I have to throw them away and buy new ones (or have wet feet every day, which is not very pleasant).
Just have a look at the pictures, and you know how I felt this morning; like a young child, so excited, I wished I could play in the park all day long (although, maybe I first have to find good boots)!
More snow expected for tomorrow :)
Of course, there where some problems with the transportation, so the Q train I was planning to take was delayed for 40 minutes (you see, it's not only the NS who sometimes have problems with the snow). Luckily, I could take another train down town Manhattan.
When I left my train at E 96th street I had to go to Central Park before going to work. Beautiful! There were a lot of people in the park already and dogs were playing everywhere. I had my old boots on (I don't want to ruin my nice boots with all the salt), but all this snow was just too much for them. I have to throw them away and buy new ones (or have wet feet every day, which is not very pleasant).
Just have a look at the pictures, and you know how I felt this morning; like a young child, so excited, I wished I could play in the park all day long (although, maybe I first have to find good boots)!
More snow expected for tomorrow :)
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Brooklyn vs Manhattan
Every time I tell people at work I live in Brooklyn, they start to laugh. 'Where do you live? Why do you live there? That is too far away from basically everything!' And yes, it is true, I have to commute 2 hours every day.. So far I like it, watching all these different people in the subway commuting to their work. It gives me space to think, rethink, or not to think at all.
It seems that there is something going on between Brooklyn and Manhattan, a natural rivalry. Is it cooler to live in Manhattan? Or is it cooler to live in Brooklyn? The fact is, more and more people are escaping Manhattan and move to the more quite Brooklyn. And that is also the way I feel it - escaping busy, crowded Manhattan after a long day at work, and enjoy the quietness of Brooklyn!
Yesterday I explored my neighborhood, and it is just great! The library is huge, the park amazing (and very white as well at the moment), and there are so many nice little shops, restaurants, bars.. And in summertimes there are music festivals and concerts right here in the park at the end of my street. The beach is just half an hour away! Can't wait for the summer!
Today I went to Times Square - because, well, you have to see this touristy spot too! It's just - crazy. I don't have words for it, all the lights (yes should check it out at night), all the advertisements, way too busy for me. And then there was this shop of Toys R us, which really just looked like a big fair. Talking about the differences between Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Cheers
PS: Don't forget to check out the new pictures (and their headings)
It seems that there is something going on between Brooklyn and Manhattan, a natural rivalry. Is it cooler to live in Manhattan? Or is it cooler to live in Brooklyn? The fact is, more and more people are escaping Manhattan and move to the more quite Brooklyn. And that is also the way I feel it - escaping busy, crowded Manhattan after a long day at work, and enjoy the quietness of Brooklyn!
Yesterday I explored my neighborhood, and it is just great! The library is huge, the park amazing (and very white as well at the moment), and there are so many nice little shops, restaurants, bars.. And in summertimes there are music festivals and concerts right here in the park at the end of my street. The beach is just half an hour away! Can't wait for the summer!
Today I went to Times Square - because, well, you have to see this touristy spot too! It's just - crazy. I don't have words for it, all the lights (yes should check it out at night), all the advertisements, way too busy for me. And then there was this shop of Toys R us, which really just looked like a big fair. Talking about the differences between Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Cheers
PS: Don't forget to check out the new pictures (and their headings)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, HDL, and LDL
Because quite a few of you don't really know yet where I study and what I'll be working on, here a short overview:
I work in the Nanomedicine lab at the Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. (Just for your information: this year Mount Sinai ranks 18th world wide for best medical schools ;)).
In this six months I will learn how to make HDL-like nanoparticles (NPs). When I know how to work with these NPs, I will try to make LDL-like NPs, which is more complicated because the Apo-B1 isolation is tricky (whereas the Apo-A1 for HDL is easy to handle). But guess I will find out! I know, most of you have no idea what I am talking about, you could do a google search, or just trust me: HDL = good and has atherosclerosis protective properties, where LDL = bad. The NPs we make that mimic HDL or LDL will carry an iron oxide (FeO) in their core, so whe can image the NPs with, among others, MRI and TEM. Sounds interesting, don't you think? Well, I am really excited about the project :)!
Today was the second day in the lab here, and I think I got pretty used to it now. And the same with the building, I think today was the first day I didn't get lost! Because of reconstructions, our offices are now at the "Autopsy Suite". I still have to get used to it, and it seems more people have: Last Monday I was in, and one of the security guards asked me what I was doing there, and he had to check my bag. I think I have to get used to that, because these guards always tend to ask who you are and where you are going.
I have no pictures yet of Mount Sinai, I will try to make some when the guards are not paying attention!
I work in the Nanomedicine lab at the Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. (Just for your information: this year Mount Sinai ranks 18th world wide for best medical schools ;)).
In this six months I will learn how to make HDL-like nanoparticles (NPs). When I know how to work with these NPs, I will try to make LDL-like NPs, which is more complicated because the Apo-B1 isolation is tricky (whereas the Apo-A1 for HDL is easy to handle). But guess I will find out! I know, most of you have no idea what I am talking about, you could do a google search, or just trust me: HDL = good and has atherosclerosis protective properties, where LDL = bad. The NPs we make that mimic HDL or LDL will carry an iron oxide (FeO) in their core, so whe can image the NPs with, among others, MRI and TEM. Sounds interesting, don't you think? Well, I am really excited about the project :)!
Today was the second day in the lab here, and I think I got pretty used to it now. And the same with the building, I think today was the first day I didn't get lost! Because of reconstructions, our offices are now at the "Autopsy Suite". I still have to get used to it, and it seems more people have: Last Monday I was in, and one of the security guards asked me what I was doing there, and he had to check my bag. I think I have to get used to that, because these guards always tend to ask who you are and where you are going.
I have no pictures yet of Mount Sinai, I will try to make some when the guards are not paying attention!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Arrival
Hi follower,
Thursday I arrived in NYC! The flight went smooth, and there where no problems at the border, I guess they liked me :) With a yellow cab (that one famous in all movies!), I was brought to my hostel :). That was really a spectacular ride, with all the cars, lights, chaos, and the honking...
The hostel was at the Upper West Side, and I love Central Park, it is so quite and beautiful, especially with all the snow now! I am curious how it will be in spring, summer..
On Friday I had to arrange a lot of things for my internship - toxicology screening, health information protection, fire safety... Bit boring, but well, had to be done.
Saturday morning I moved to my place in Brooklyn. I have such a nice room, with a great view on Manhattan. Loads of sunshine and light as well in my room!
Today I explored the subway (constructions, so you have to be inventive sometimes), Brooklyn Bridge (which has great views, but was freezing cold with the wind), and downtown Manhattan (including my first picture of the Statue of Liberty).
Tonight I went with my 'landlord' Pascale to a local bar to have a winter wine tasting menu. That was really nice, good food, nice people, and a lot excellent wines!
So far I really like it here! People are friendly, helpful, and very enthusiastic! Yes, I like it here :) This will be a great experience!
Iris
PS1: when you click on the pictures, the web album should open!
PS2: I write this blog in English, so my English and Hungarian friends can also follow my stories. Furthermore, it is a nice way to see my English improve (maybe?).
PS3: I don't like reading long blog stories, so I won't write long stories. However, I will try to keep you updated regularly (and thus no long stories needed..).
Thursday I arrived in NYC! The flight went smooth, and there where no problems at the border, I guess they liked me :) With a yellow cab (that one famous in all movies!), I was brought to my hostel :). That was really a spectacular ride, with all the cars, lights, chaos, and the honking...
The hostel was at the Upper West Side, and I love Central Park, it is so quite and beautiful, especially with all the snow now! I am curious how it will be in spring, summer..
On Friday I had to arrange a lot of things for my internship - toxicology screening, health information protection, fire safety... Bit boring, but well, had to be done.
Saturday morning I moved to my place in Brooklyn. I have such a nice room, with a great view on Manhattan. Loads of sunshine and light as well in my room!
Today I explored the subway (constructions, so you have to be inventive sometimes), Brooklyn Bridge (which has great views, but was freezing cold with the wind), and downtown Manhattan (including my first picture of the Statue of Liberty).
Tonight I went with my 'landlord' Pascale to a local bar to have a winter wine tasting menu. That was really nice, good food, nice people, and a lot excellent wines!
So far I really like it here! People are friendly, helpful, and very enthusiastic! Yes, I like it here :) This will be a great experience!
Iris
PS1: when you click on the pictures, the web album should open!
PS2: I write this blog in English, so my English and Hungarian friends can also follow my stories. Furthermore, it is a nice way to see my English improve (maybe?).
PS3: I don't like reading long blog stories, so I won't write long stories. However, I will try to keep you updated regularly (and thus no long stories needed..).
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