My first week back has been a bit of a whirlwind. I came back from Israel with a cold (surprise, surprise), and some jetlag. I stayed at mom and dad's house for 2 nights longer than I had planned because I was feeling pretty miserable.
The reason I came home when I did was because of Dad's invitation to take a photo on center ice at Madison Square Garden for being a Rangers season ticketholder for so long. Certainly, taking that photo was a highlight of my first week back. (Unfortunately, the game that went down beforehand was a pathetic showing of the Rangers.) I almost fell asleep at the game (partly because it was boring and the Rangers got crushed 3-0, but also because of the jetlag). I fell asleep on the train coming home and basically slept walked up to my bedroom when we got home from the station. What a night!
I also got to go to the season closer of the game, at MSG, against the Devils. Dad had to be at the Port Washington Education Foundation's gala that evening, so he gave his tickets to Allison and me! It was an afternoon game, so I was much more awake this time, not as jetlagged, although still suffering from this damn cold. The Rangers played much better, to a victory this time that was absolutely crucial in their making the playoffs. With a little help from Tampa Bay winning against Carolina, we secured our spot in the Eastern Division as the number 8 seed, playing the Washington Capitals in round 1. No problem. Happy to watch the Caps go down (I HOPE!) and engage in some more family rivalries, as always.
I've listened to the radio a few times since being home (just putting it on in my room, setting my alarm to go off in the morning, etc.), and I'm amazed at how many songs Adam and I heard on European radio that are being played here. Living in a non-English speaking country and only having access to some music online (thank you Janglo!), I wasn't sure I'd know what's current. But, I've heard:
Forget You -- by Cee Lo Green
Forget You -- by Cee Lo Green
On The Floor -- by JLo and Pitbull
Lazy Day -- by Bruno Mars
Grenade -- by Bruno Mars
It was a little weird to hear these songs on the radio after all this time! I'm happy to get back to American radio on the actual radio, and not online somewhere. Makes me smile :)
It's always great coming to mom and dad's house - my bed is super comfortable, dad cooks great homemade food, Yvonne is great company, I can lounge around the living room and watch as much TV as I want, and get a little bit pampered. No complaints here.
The first time I went back to my apartment in Manhattan, it was a little weird. I took the subway uptown from MSG after the Rangers/Devils game, just to check it out and see what the situation looked like before I started moving things in. I discovered that it was a bit of a mess from my last subletter, so it won't be very fun cleaning up but it must be done. I rode on the subway uptown, which was weird. I walked on my block, which was weird. I got into my building and into my apartment, which was weird. After I did some cleaning, I took the bus down to 82nd street to meet Rebecca for a quick bite (early dinner?), which was weird. I sat across from her at the table, and it was weird! It was made even MORE weird by not having felt weird at home. Being at mom and dad's was fine. I didn't feel out of my element at all; I felt very comfortable. However, getting back into NYC was like a new world. I feel a little bit like a tourist - I was amazed at how beautiful the Empire State Building looked a few days ago. I was staring at the list of shops and restaurants on every block; maybe one would be a new place! It will just take some getting used to, I'm sure, and I'll be back to normal.
I'm still getting used to hearing English on a regular basis. It really was in my head for so long, that I just wouldn't hear English walking around on the street, in the grocery store line, or on the train. I'm still slightly shocked when I hear kids playing and talking in English, instead of Hebrew, or French, or Italian. It is definitely nice, because I obviously can talk to anyone and help them if they need directions, or ask a clerk at a store for some help finding an item, but still something to get used to.
All I have right now -- maybe some more will come!
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