The Globetrotting Geek

Friday/Shabbat – Day 4/5

December 31, 2013

First thing today Molly and I commuted back to NYC to meet up with Paul Marret and Steph Garace for tea and lunch. We spent quite a while at David’s Tea as the two girls perused the many items on offer. Lunch almost as long. For me, a bagel and lox was first pick and I was grateful for the way it was presented with all the ingredients separate from the bagel. This allowed me to remove about two-thirds of the cream cheese before eating it.

Immediately following lunch I raced off to Penn Station to get to Ariella Levine’s in time for Shabbat. When I arrived I unpacked a little before scurrying into the kitchen to help out with the preparations. When the table was set and all was ready I had a little tinkle on their grand piano. Old and quite out of tune but a beautiful instrument nonetheless.

Dinner that night was with Sarah and Bob (Ariella’s parents), Dani (Ariella’s lovely sister), Ariella and some family friends of theirs. The food was good, especially a squash kugle that Ariella made, and the conversation was quite interesting. American Jews have a very different perspective on things to what I’m used to and seem to experience very different cultural pressures as a result of high intermarriage rates. Both families also seemed fascinated by Australia, from the animals to the societal structures. After a few hours I felt the weight of the jetlag pulling me down and so excused myself and fell fast asleep, glaring light in my face be damned.

Shabbat was a quiet affair, another few meals, some quality time with Ariella. Over lunch I discovered that someone at the table was working on a legal case that I was quite familiar with, as it was within the realm of my scientific interest and this led to quite a long discussion on the matter with a number of documents produced that I had a good familiarity with. This was entertaining to most present as the case was highly domain specific.

After Shabbat Ariella and I caught the first train back into the city to meet with Rina Krevat, a Penn friend from the Digital Media Design course. Our intention was to go see The Hobbit, however by the time we reached AMC 42nd, tickets were all sold out! Knowing Rina, I suggested that Frozen might be a good option as the screening across the road was also yet to begin. Additionally, I was disappointed that I hadn’t been able to see it with Joyce back home, whose dream it had been for months. Thus we caught the 9.40 screening and very much enjoyed ourselves. I thought the film was excellent, particularly the animation, however some of the songs I felt paralleled just a bit too closely to Wicked and Idina Menzel’s presence didn’t quite help dispel that.

After the movie I headed to Dan’s apartment where I would be house sitting and promptly sat down at his gorgeous piano, not remembering that apartment life was a little different from living at home…

College – Tuesday – Day 40

August 31, 2012

I woke up early and packed my bags, this was the big day. College. Downstairs where a taxi was already waiting for me, I waved goodbye to the doorman and headed to Penn Station. Arriving at 7:40AM for my 8:15AM Bolt Bus to Philly. The Bolt Bus ride was uneventful (though only cost me $12) and I was soon again on solid ground in my next city.

I hailed down a taxi and caught a ride with all my bags to Rodin House, my dorm for the next few months. I checked-in and received my key and temporary building pass and took the ‘elevator’ to the ninth floor where my room was. The building was largely silent and void of other individuals, as Rodin is solely for ‘upperclassmen’ (no first years) and they were yet to move in. I unpacked my small amount of stuff, picking a desk and bed next to a window for plenty of natural light. I then raced off to the Office of International Programs to see if there was room left on the bus trip to Target and Ikea to pick up needed supplies.

When it was clear to me that I wasn’t going to be able to get on the bus and that Target and Ikea were a cab drive away I decided to go shopping on campus for the real essentials. I went to the bookshop and purchased a set of sheets and a pillow and then went to the ‘Franklin Building’ and picked up my PennCard, my UPenn ID. I then walked back to my dorm via Locust Walk, the main walkway around which the entire campus is centered.

I settled back down to my room for a few more hours (watched an episode of Breaking Bad) and then headed out to meet with other exchange students for dinner. One of the UPenn students showing us round decided it might be wise to try a Philly Cheesesteak and so we caught the SEPTA (South-Eastern Philadelphia Transit Authority) subway to a well-known place. There I purchased a vegan Philly Cheesesteak and a Dr. Pepper Soda. The Cheesesteak I couldn’t bear, far too oily, however I thoroughly enjoyed my soda.

After that I retired to my room to reflect on the day and prepare for an early start the next.