Post New York Life

Our last day in New York was a little depressing. I should have known when I awoke to a gloomy sky and a wrecked room- a clear indication of how much time I spent in my room or lack thereof.
As we toured the new Intercontinental Times Square property, I couldn't help but feel so small and insignificant. There was so much I didn't know. Some many details I didn't catch. So many amenities that are a necessity there and unheard of here - there was a computer in EVERY room.
I guess this is how it felt when we started putting televisions in hotel rooms. Expected now, a right back then.
We quickly moved from there to Chinatown and I hit up my newly favorite Chinatown "stolen accessory" lord at Canal and Church. Maybe I shouldn't be putting that on here.
Oh well.
After acquiring a new Luis Vuitton clutch to accompany the Chanel glasses, we moved to Manhattan and roamed by Central park, telling Chris to "go home" when necessary. I picked up an overpriced Harley Davidson t-shirt for the pops and we headed for some cart food before the subway. I got a hot dog, but, for some reason, Craig was awarded a jumbo hot dog.
Unfair!
We moved quickly to the subway station fearing we wouldn't make it on time. I can't believe I did it, but I actually stepped in between closing doors and pushed them open so we caught that train! I can't believe I'm not dead yet.
Stupid girl.
We got back to the hotel only to wait on Dr. Umbreit, ha! He arranged for a Yukon to take us to the airport instead of a taxi this time, apparently it is cheaper than two taxis. Upon arrival we apparently signed ourselves up for curbside check-in when we let go of our bags for a millisecond.
Dr. Umbreit left us, saying that it was extra.
Good to know.
As we waited, bags in hand this time, in the lobby waiting for him to get us checked-in I tried my best to shove what I could out of my book bag and into my luggage. I had remembered that I would have to take my laptop out, which would have resulted in an accessory explosion at security. Desperately trying to avoid the humiliation, I finally got enough pressure on the bag to zip it closed.
Sigh.
Seeing everyone else at our gate made me a little sad. Most looked like Memphians. It is amazing how quickly you can tell. Just look for the overweight, unoriginal people, to remind you of where you are going.
Back to where you live.
Your "real" life.
My feelings were only enhanced when I approached my row to see an overweight couple reading what had to have been explicit romance novels. (Both of them, really?)
They certainly weren't pleased to see that I would be climbing over them.
Awesome.
I dozed off against the wall and awoke on the tarmac, a little embarrassed that I fell asleep. I guess I should have been over by that point. I had to have fallen asleep against a subway car wall like a homeless person at least twice with a probably very humiliated Craig sitting next to me.
After an hour of this woman looking over and staring at me, I finally tried to make conversation. Okay, I was beginning to warm her up so she wouldn't be angry when I told her in about ten minutes that my bladder was about to burst and to please let me up without the evil eye.
She had a mickey watch on.
I can work with that.
"I like your watch."
And we're off! Of course she is a Disney nut, thank God!
I actually felt a little guilty when I broke the news that I really had to urinate that would have been a great conversation if I could have convinced that stewardess to chauffeur my bladder to the back and bring it back empty.
Now that I view my life through a looking glass tinted with NYC, I feel very small town. As we flew over Memphis, it just looked like a child's playland in comparison.
We had a meeting last night that was originally for the whole school and then changed to just the leaders. When I got there, only one other scholar was there.
Honestly, my least favorite one.
Apparently it was relayed to the others that this meeting was not that important and simply don't come. A scholar told them this.
One that was there.
And it wasn't me.
I was a little offended to say the least that he felt that his opinion mattered the most, like usual.
This particular boy (they are all boys except myself) does not work. And apparently feels the need to force those of us who already do to spend even more classes sitting in little internships during the classes meeting time. He also feels that intnerships should not be paid.
Let it be known that the sorority girl, who also does not work, agrees.
Yet they both feel we must also commit more social events to students, too.
I wish I would not have been the only person who worked there. They made me feel like there is no way you can go to school and work, especially with ALL those classes they are taking and social clubs they are leading, yet, at the end of the day, they admit to being unprepared for the workforce.
Dear anyone who says that jobs won't accommodate school. You are completely incompetent and clearly have no experience with not only interviewing by negotiation schedules. Not that it takes serious negotiate to tell your boss your school schedule. No boss, especially in Hospitality, is going to tell you work comes before school. They just need to know your schedule up front.
All of this to say, I am tired of being told how we should be educated by students who have no work experience. They live life in a college bubble.
We have the benefit of a city full of job opportunity behind us instead of some small college town. Get of your ass and stop sucking your parent's money tit.
When you move outside your bubble with a more well grounded experience, then we will talk. Until then, I place no value on your input unless it is social gathering ideas.
That's what you do.
It's what you are good at.
Stick to it until you decide to get out there and doing something with yourselves.
All of that to say, I am exhausted of the Memphis bubble. These are the people who will live here and teach and work in this city.
These small minded people with no interests outside themselves.
I miss you New York.