Union Square, Dec 2013
Exactly a year ago this week, we moved into our current home.
On one hand, it seems like just yesterday that we checked the tally sheet as three young fellas efficiently brought up our 200-plus boxes, setting the large furniture pieces in place before anything else. They took a little over six hours to accomplish what would have taken a team of eight men in Malaysia to complete in two days. One could argue that in Malaysia, labour work is far more tedious due to the hot, humid weather. Then again, moving day for us in New York was on a cold December morning, so cold that one is often unaware of cuts caused by tough corrugated hardboard boxes during all that unpacking, flattening and discarding.
On one hand, it seems like just yesterday that we checked the tally sheet as three young fellas efficiently brought up our 200-plus boxes, setting the large furniture pieces in place before anything else. They took a little over six hours to accomplish what would have taken a team of eight men in Malaysia to complete in two days. One could argue that in Malaysia, labour work is far more tedious due to the hot, humid weather. Then again, moving day for us in New York was on a cold December morning, so cold that one is often unaware of cuts caused by tough corrugated hardboard boxes during all that unpacking, flattening and discarding.
Brooklyn, Halloween 2014
On the other hand, it seems like we have lived here far too long. The sirens along Sixth Avenue courtesy of the FDNY plus its ambulance and NYPD (24/7, yup), the regular people doing their daily routine at the corner of our block, the different color themes lighting up the Empire State Building commemorating special occasions, commuters, tourists, subway train delays. One can certainly say that life here is very different compared to our previous homes. Especially the immediate previous home.
1. Never had Yahoo's weather app been so significant in our daily routine. Back in tropical cities like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, we wear the same clothes all year round. Here in New York, we consult the app every night before committing ourselves to tomorrow's plans. Even during winter, we have different footwear depending on the street conditions - cold and dry, cold and wet, rain, sleet, snow, and so on. Some things are not worth the effort when the streets are covered in snow, accumulated over the past days and hence look nothing like anyone's idea of "White Christmas".
1. Never had Yahoo's weather app been so significant in our daily routine. Back in tropical cities like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, we wear the same clothes all year round. Here in New York, we consult the app every night before committing ourselves to tomorrow's plans. Even during winter, we have different footwear depending on the street conditions - cold and dry, cold and wet, rain, sleet, snow, and so on. Some things are not worth the effort when the streets are covered in snow, accumulated over the past days and hence look nothing like anyone's idea of "White Christmas".
Prospect Park, Oct 2014
2. Greeting the New Yorker way. When two people meet and start a conversation, here's the standard dialogue: "Hi how are you?" "I'm good. How are you?" "Good." And then, one continues with the objective of speaking to that person, such as, "Can I have two cappuccinos please?", or "I have an appointment with Natalia.", or "I'd like to exchange/refund this and here's the receipt". Sad but true - no one really wants to hear how you've been constipated for three days now, or that your dog-walker cancelled on you again. Much like the English when they say "how do you do", people here say "how are you" with a full-stop, not question mark.
3. Thanking the New Yorker way. I was caught off-guard with this. The first time it happened, I thought maybe it was due to the person's background. And then I started paying attention to people everywhere from the stores to the streets, even the NYPD officers. Here's how it goes: "Thank you." "Mm-hmm." Hang on, is that just New Yorkers or Americans in general? I should watch more TV series for that. The only one I follow religiously these days is Homeland but it won't help much.
3. Thanking the New Yorker way. I was caught off-guard with this. The first time it happened, I thought maybe it was due to the person's background. And then I started paying attention to people everywhere from the stores to the streets, even the NYPD officers. Here's how it goes: "Thank you." "Mm-hmm." Hang on, is that just New Yorkers or Americans in general? I should watch more TV series for that. The only one I follow religiously these days is Homeland but it won't help much.
From Liberty Island to Ellis Island, Oct 2014
4. Adapt to move on quickly. As opposed to complaining, I mean. New York City. Cultural and financial capital of the world with nearly 400 years of history. 8.4 million population in a land area only 10% greater than that of Singapore. With 800 different languages spoken here, one can certainly expect hiccups as part of la vie quotidienne. Take the daily commute for example. The NYC subway system dates back to 1904. That's 110 years of continual construction to this day. I find people here truly admirable in that they are quick to adapt to disruptions without complaining. Instead of whining, their priority is to figure out the next best alternative and move on. Sadly this trait cuts both ways as it is probably why people here are too transient or oblivious that they don't stick around much.
5. Online almost-everything. I think JL is rather lucky that I am not that much of a shopaholic. Otherwise... *shudder*! In addition to Amazon (books at a fraction off Barnes & Noble price-tags), I love Fresh Direct for delivering heavy or bulky groceries right to our door and they are always on time. We save the "specialty" items - bread, cheese, olives, cold cuts, fresh produce - for our weekend trips to the supermarket. Not forgetting the mobile apps: OpenTable (restaurant reservations), Seamless (food delivery), CityMapper (street navigation for NYC).
5. Online almost-everything. I think JL is rather lucky that I am not that much of a shopaholic. Otherwise... *shudder*! In addition to Amazon (books at a fraction off Barnes & Noble price-tags), I love Fresh Direct for delivering heavy or bulky groceries right to our door and they are always on time. We save the "specialty" items - bread, cheese, olives, cold cuts, fresh produce - for our weekend trips to the supermarket. Not forgetting the mobile apps: OpenTable (restaurant reservations), Seamless (food delivery), CityMapper (street navigation for NYC).
9/11 Memorial, Thanksgiving weekend 2014
Life here is not for the faint-hearted. New York City is a complicated child that has gone through too much. In fact, these five points are merely scratching the surface and considered superficial. But it is not that bad either as it never fails to amaze us how beautiful and unique people here can be.
JL and I spent our first few months identifying comfort spots - makan and kopi places that we like, the church, convenient locations for daily necessities like the bank and grocery stores, the main subway stations - and then venturing around the respective neighborhoods, and finally stepping out of Manhattan into Brooklyn. I have fond memories of us taking the buses blindly just to see where we end up, which is a very good way of seeing Manhattan on street-level (my favorite is the M5).
It was only recently that we started going for more museums, musicals and sports events, largely thanks to JL's brother who brought his family here on vacation. Isn't that always the case? -- Living in a place and never doing the touristy stuff? I remember we only took the Duck & Hippo tours during our final weeks in Singapore many years ago.
But I doubt we're going up the Empire State Building nor the Rock anytime soon.
JL and I spent our first few months identifying comfort spots - makan and kopi places that we like, the church, convenient locations for daily necessities like the bank and grocery stores, the main subway stations - and then venturing around the respective neighborhoods, and finally stepping out of Manhattan into Brooklyn. I have fond memories of us taking the buses blindly just to see where we end up, which is a very good way of seeing Manhattan on street-level (my favorite is the M5).
It was only recently that we started going for more museums, musicals and sports events, largely thanks to JL's brother who brought his family here on vacation. Isn't that always the case? -- Living in a place and never doing the touristy stuff? I remember we only took the Duck & Hippo tours during our final weeks in Singapore many years ago.
But I doubt we're going up the Empire State Building nor the Rock anytime soon.
