The End

All things must end.  So it is with my time as a resident of New York and with this blog.

I started this blog to capture my special moments across a new and foreign city full of bizarre and wonderful experiences.  New York has delivered more than a lifetime of memorable moments in such a short period.

I found it more difficult over time to find those shocking times, partially because I don't find much shocking anymore.  I have seen hundreds of crazy people, beautiful buildings, unique business practices, and tasty (or terrifying) foods.  However, these things have simply become part of my daily life.

Hopefully my readers in other areas of the country found entertainment in seeing just how different life in NYC can be.  I enjoyed recording them, especially in the early months where I was wide-eyed and incredibly adventurous.

Now that I have graduated, it's time to return to my career and leave Columbia housing behind.  For me, this means relocating to the not-so-thrilling state of New Jersey.  Why?  A combination of factors, but overwhelming taxes and sky-high rent are two great reasons.  New York is a city for the rich and the poor.  The rich can afford to pay $10,000/month for small one bedroom apartments in TriBeCa.  The poor live in copious public housing or rent controlled units.  The rest of us get roommates or move to New Jersey.

The move, my return to work, and the routine nature of everything mean this blog has reached its conclusion.  I hope everyone enjoyed the verbal thrill ride.

I hope to create a new blog in July for a cross-country road trip I have planned.

For those who enjoyed this blog, I traveled solo around the world in 2012 before starting school.  That trip was documented at adamrtw.blogspot.com and people tell me it's a fun read.

I conclude with two pictures and a recommendation.

Blue hat, tie, shirt, pants, jacket, and shoes.  Normal attire at IBM in NYC I guess.

I had to close with a classic.  Cloudy day, but you get the idea.

Finally, I recommend everyone under the age of 35 move to New York City for a year.  You might hate it, but you'll grow as a person because you'll be exposed to anything and everything.  It's a city that can eat you alive, but it will make you appreciate surviving if you do.  Why not go on an adventure?

Oh, one last thing.  I may not get to walk the streets every day, but I did get something else from New York in exchange.  I took a few pictures from the window of my new apartment.

New Jersey has one thing New York doesn't.  Views of New York.

Yes, I fall asleep looking at the Empire State Building every night.  I can live with that.

That's all folks.  Signing off!

 - Adam

Graduation

The time has come to say goodbye to Columbia.

Graduation was an amazing sight!

Thousands and thousands!

My farewell to campus.

Jacob's Pickles

I had always wanted to go to Jacob's Pickles, mainly because of the name.  I finally got my chance after graduation!

Of course.  What did you expect?  Dill, sweet, spicy, and green beans.

Erin's french toast.

Mom and I had some sort of fried chicken biscuit.

Fun name.  Fun place.  Too bad I'm moving...

A Few Fun Places

Pomander Walk, one of the hidden gems of NYC.  Somewhat tough to get past the locked gates.

Macy's has some cool displays.  This is one of them.

Coney Island carousel.  Very loud and creepy organ music.

Some of the helicopters that are always traveling the Hudson these days.

President Grant's tomb.  I lived just blocks away all this time.  Huge mausoleum!

Who wants to go back to school?

Notice that YOU is all-caps.  So tell me, what can it do for you?

Pick any sentence and explain its meaning to an audience.  Good luck.

These two fascinating seminars would be a great way to restart that academic career!  Who doesn't love sparsity and electronic structure analysis?

All Aboard!

There are so many...

I suppose it's like the paid dog-walkers here.  Babysitters have so many children that they just load them into giant strollers.  I saw one that had six children in it and one tiny lady struggling to move down the sidewalk.

A good example of a company meeting a need.

Semi-Familiar Products

I know a few people who would want this.

Not as many who would want this.

Grandma's favorite game?

Puerto Rico

Cruising around.

Leaving our remote island.

Interesting boat name...

Apparently cockfights are legal here.

Not a bad view from my balcony.

Not bad at all.

Food Batch

Mint smoothie.

Looks exciting!

I didn't want to cut it and ruin the flower.

Green tea cake.

Bread, served with cold olive/tomato sauce/oil mix.  Different.

Not sure why I took this.  However, it's probably the first pasta I have posted since I don't normally eat pasta.

Who wants some?  What might be floating beneath the surface?

Ice creams trucks make such fun cones here!

Indian potato chips.  Basically, chips with Indian sauces instead of salsas.  Good concept.

German "nut corner" from the German Bakery.

Six different ceviches!  Paradise in Puerto Rico!

Tostones for the ceviche.

Snapper mofongo.  Better than what I get here in NYC.

Puerto Rican creme brulee.  Not sure what makes it Puerto Rican.

Vaca Frita.  One of my two favorite Caribbean dishes.

Chips

While waiting for my breakfast, I decided to take pictures of all the chips around me in the store.  What ever happened to Doritos, Fritos, and Ruffles?

What about regular tortilla chips?  Who eats cassava?

Well, I do like hummus.

What's wrong with normal oil?

Popped edamame?!  What?

Pomegranate chips?  Ridiculous.

And now the hummus chips makes an appeared with quinoa.

Creamy ranch soy?  Chips from Hell.  Falafel chips sound okay.

Rice and beans.  In chip form.

At least the shape is useful if not the flavors.