In the Middle of the Media

I have officially lived in New York City for over a month now. Time is really flying. I can't believe that I only have a month or so left of my internship (the thought of that makes me terribly sad). I'm working with great people, and I am learning a lot. What's not to like? 

MUST DO: NBC Tour.  I love all the behind the scenes craziness, so it was really exciting to see the different sets. I got to see NBC Nightly News, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (which I'M SO EXCITED to go to in August because I got tickets), and Saturday Night Live. Really REALLY great experience. If you are ever in NYC, I highly recommend this tour. 

One night after work last week Kelsey and I ate dinner in the Hell's Kitchen area. It is crazy how many restaurants are over that way! It was interesting to be in a different part of Manhattan. It is a bit pricey, but if you go to a variety of places you will be able to find something thats delicious and not too expensive (Keep in mind I'm a college student who thinks $15 for a meal is ridiculous). 

MUST DO: Pinkberry vs. 16 Handles war. My friend Rachel introduced me to Pinkberry and my sister told me about this place called 16 Handles that also has frozen yogurt. Kelsey and I decided to keep an open mind while trying 16 Handles (because of our obsession with Pinkberry). 16 Handles was great! You make it yourself... tons of yogurt options and toppings... such as gummy bears... my favorite. Conclusion? If you want to eat a crazy explosion that you can create all by yourself (and get charged for how much it weighs rather than the toppings) head to 16 Handles. If you want a simple, easy treat where you get charged for the amount of toppings rather than weight, head to Pinkberry. Both are delicious. It is that simple. 

A few girls and I also headed to Peculiar Pub (once again). Beer bottle caps cover the walls to create really cool pictures and artwork. Over 100 beers...hofbrauhaus beer available (always a plus). After that we headed to the Meatpacking District where we had a few drinks at a place called "The Park". It was a fancy restaurant/bar with a huge outdoor patio. Drinks are pricey but I feel like you also pay for the atmosphere. Really neat to check out one night!

Over the weekend, I had Italian food in Little Italy and made my way toward SoHo with my roomie. We also went to the Fire Museum. It was neat to see the 9/11 tribute inside. Admission is only $5. I felt it was well worth the $5 after seeing the tribute. 

On Tuesday, I went to the Paley Center to see another screening. This time it was NBC's The Philanthropist. Great show. Great Photography. Watch it. Such an extreme difference after seeing the screening for NYC Prep. After that, a few girls from the program and I went to a restaurant called 11 B. The owner is extremely nice. Although they don't have a bar, they welcome you to bring in wine from outside and hang out while eating great pizza. 

Today we had our media friday for class. This is a day where we see different media outlets relating to print, broadcast, magazine, advertising journalism. We started off at Good Morning America. We actually got to stand behind the camera while Robin Roberts did an on-air segment talking about the death of Michael Jackson. We got a tour of the building and then we got to take pictures behind the desk with GMA in the background. Take a look: 

Next we saw the Associated Press. Their office is huge (length of two football fields) and they have a crazy amount of journalists who are working there in NY. We also saw Bloomberg (they had free snacks inside! Chips! cookies! Coke and Coffee... I want to go back because of the free food). It was a really amazing building on the inside, as well. We ended at Art International Radio. We got a tour of the office and then we got to step outside on the roof. The view of Manhattan was incredible. I sometimes forget how big the city really is but seeing the view was amazing. You could see the Manhattan and the Brooklyn bridge. 

After media friday, Amanda, Valeria, Jen and I went to Pinkberry by Astor Place. They are introducing two new flavors Coconut and Passion Fruit. Because they are new, we got it for free (plus two toppings of your choice!) Well worth the wait. 

I'm now completely exhausted, and I'm sure my feet hate me right now from all the walking today.  

Summer in the City

I have almost been in NYC for a month now, and I am surprised at how well I have adapted to living here. Tourists are in the way, a tall building is just another tall building, and I walk like it's my job. NYC is such an easy city to navigate and explore. I love living here, but I do miss certain things (i.e. grass, suburbia, etc.)

So much has happened since I last updated. Friday, Kelsey invited me to an office party that was on Wall Street. It was a rooftop party with dangerous appletinis. After that, I caught up with some other interns from my work, and we went to some bars down in Greenwich village. (Note to self: Banana beer is better at Gordon Biersch). The subways took so long, but I finally made it home around 2:30 a.m. (all in all... a success!)

On Saturday, it mostly rained (when has it not rained? 4 days total maybe?). We went to the New York Mississippi Central Park Picnic. Kelsey and I got huge cups of McAlister's sweet tea for only a $1. How much I miss McAlisters. Later that day, a southern man approached me wondering where McAlister was around NYC because he saw me holding that cup. Everyone must miss it. After that, we headed to the Museum of Natural History. We thought it would be cool to see an IMAX movie on Ocean Life. Wrong. It was about Sardines. Who wants to see a movie about Sardines? No wonder they had to skew the title to get an audience. I wanted to see some whales, seals, sharks, etc. Not so. Lame. When we left the movie, the museum said it was closing, which was a bust. So we ran and saw the huge whale and some extreme mammals before we were kicked out. After that, we ate and then saw the movie The Hangover in Times Square. If you haven't seen the movie, please do so immediately. It was hilarious.

Sunday I pretty much bummed around and bought groceries from Trader Joes. I finished my book (Girls from Ames), and I wrote a paper for class. Overall, it was a nice relaxing day. It was good to have a break from all the chaos. 

This week at work is going really well! Today after work another intern (Laura) and I went to two brothers pizza. She told me about a deal where you can get a slice of pizza for $1! The only disadvantage is that while we were walking to the place a rat thought it would be nice to make an appearance a few feet ahead of us. Not a fan. Anyway... the city? good. the deal? good. the pizza? gooooodd. 

oohh I also had my first Thai experience while being here. I ate Thai food with two other girls from the program at the Holy Basil. I can now say that I am a fan of pad thai. I will have to branch out the next time I go. 

Not much else is going on. Living life and learning a lot. 

RED LIGHT CHALLLENGGEEE

p.s. I have yet to find Benjamin Bailey riding around the city in his Cash Cab... If anyone knows his whereabouts, please contact me immediately. I will hail his cab and distribute the winning moolah evenly with you if you share this vital information. That is all. 

Much Needed Update

It has been awhile since I have updated. We didn't have Internet in our apartment, and when we finally got it, there was a power problem within the building. Everything is finally fixed!

Last Monday was our first day of class. Our teacher arranged for the Mizzou students to sit in on  a screening of a show called NYC Prep that will premiere on Bravo later in the summer. The screening took place at the Paley Center, and I can't wait to go back and look through the television and radio shows of the past. We watched the first episode on NYC Prep that will air on TV, and there was a Q & A with the cast afterward. It was interesting to sit in on a premiere with the cast and see their reactions to the show.

The first week of my internship went very well.  I'm starting to get the hang of things, and I can already tell that it will be a wonderful experience! I can also tell that I will have a lot on my plate throughout the summer, which is pretty exciting! 

For lunch during the week I get the chance to eat in Bryant Park. It's a great park with a view of the New York Public Library ( I'm dying to get the chance to go inside one day!). I also found a cute little place to go and buy coffee during my breaks, which is much needed. 

I have done quite a bit throughout the week...times for HIGHLIGHTS:

- Seeing the Statue of Liberty

- Going to the Museum of Jewish Heritage. I spent two hours exploring this museum, and I got the student rate (only $7!). They even have a cafe inside where I got the chance to eat a kosher meal.

- Irish Hunger Memorial

- Finding Barnes and Noble... I picked up yet another book. This one is called Girls From Ames! I love it so far

- Margaritas with Kelsey at Mary Ann's Mexican Restaurant

- Going to this crazy bar with Kelsey and Lauren... a man stands outside and waits for people to walk buy.. he then proceeds to ask them "Hey, I have a question? do you girls know of a place that has $5 Mojitos?" You are then supposed to say "hm.. I bet your place of employment right behind you serves $5 Mojitos." Kelsey and I walked away and came back and he asked us again... he doesn't recognize if you walk by 100 times... he will ask you the same question. Finally, I told Kelsey to go up to him and ask him if he knew a place around here that served $5 Mojitos. Result? Priceless. 

- Eating lunch in chinatown with Kelsey, Cassie, and Cassie's friend... mmm lo mein and coffee WITH bubbles (proud of me Rach?) 

- Haggling a storeowner in Chinatown for a John Lennon t-shirt... nope not a prada purse or jewelry like most people...a real Fruit of the Loom John Lennon t-shirt ladies and gentlemen! 

- Going to Union Square and shopping around. Getting class books at Strand! Really neat bookstore with tons of used books

- Going to see "Away we go" with Kelsey... very good. I recommend this movie. 

- La Carbonara.. once again... and Central Park to read

Overall, it has been a crazy and hectic week of learning to live like a New Yorker, and I am enjoying every minute of it!