This was a very fun weekend! Met some new friends in my dorm as I went on some admittedly very touristy RA-sponsored events. The programs and atmosphere here are pretty lax and do-what-you-want, and I can usually do things cheaper through them, so, why not?
Yesterday I went to the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island. Long subway trip there, EXTREMELY packed, but a fun experience. Had to go there once, at least. It might be better there when it's less crowded... although I hear it's not exactly the best beach location in the world. Got a corn dog and saw some interesting outfits; apparently Neil Patrick Harris was there among the crowd mobs... I wonder if I unknowingly bumped into him?...
That night I went out to karaoke downtown with Rebecca and Suzanne! I've never really done that before and I'm pretty sure I could have stayed there all night...
And today I went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island! Lady Liberty herself was of course big, yet still smaller than I imagined! Didn't really realize the American-built pedestal was, first, American-built, but also nearly half the height of the statue. I have to say I love the idea of personified Liberty - the Romans (after whose goddess Bartholdi modeled the statue) knew what they were doing. We met a character actor there who was posing as Bartholdi the creator from 100+ years ago - realized that fact soon after I told him I was interning at the mayor's company and he didn't know who Bloomberg was :). Ellis Island I discovered was originally less than half of its current size, and it's filled with the memories of desperation for a new chance in the New World... intriguing to see America now versus then, and compare how eager people were/are to come here. I really need to escape one day and see what it looks like from the outside.
There was so much history there I couldn't even learn all about it in one day (and I hate having to leave museum exhibits before I'm done!...). Seeing these places firsthand has jump-started an interest in world history that I never thought I had... That, and learning about finance at work, wanting almost to open a economics textbook... What's happening to me? Pretty soon there won't be any topic I dislike. Okay... bed!
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