New York City Experience: Day 3

I got my ID! I am an official NYU student according to my new purple shiny card. The process to get that took a while. I took the subway to the NYU district, but I had a little complication on the subway. My parents were testing me to see if I would know what I had to do if I were to go on the subway by myself. I did pretty good until we started nearing the destination. I had been aware of each stop we made and was ready to go, but my dad started to talk to me and I got distracted. We almost missed getting off at the right stop. Lesson of the day: New York City isn't a place where you should get distracted.

I also learned a little something about the New York attitude, too. The guy was really rude and grouchy. At first it made me really defensive, but I started thinking . . . this is the kind of mentality I have to adapt to. This city is no joke. I went to Milos Greek restaurant that night with my parents, aunts, and grandmother. The majority of the conversation was about city safety and how I have to be aware of everything surrounding me. I would be lying if I said I'm a little nervous of living here, but I am sure I'll adapt.

That's all for now,

Camila (Nap. Snack. Read.)

New York City Experience: Day 2

I am titling this post as “Day 2” because this technically was my second day in the city even though I have been in New York for three days. The reason being is that I spent the whole morning yesterday in a car driving up to somewhere in the wonderful state of New York. I visited family up there and had a good time, but I think I can count that day and today’s day as one. An exciting part of yesterday that I can proudly inform you all is that I shot my uncle’s really big shot gun. He used this catapult to launch small flying discs into the air as targets. It is way harder than it looks, but you will be surprised to hear that I successfully hit TWO targets! I lost compared to my family, but whatever even hitting one was an accomplishment.

I had to leave bright and early from the farm because orientation was today. NYU did require it mandatory to all precollege students so it was a must. I was really nervous that I wasn’t going to make it, but lucky that wasn’t the case. We drove past all the beautiful greens of New York. Definitely beautiful, but I don’t think I could live anywhere like that. I was excited when we started to see signs of the city. We passed through New Jersey and stopped to have a snack at this small local plaza that was Korean. We went in to what I took to be a Korean based grocery story and bakery. I’m starting to think anything we do the Koreans do better . . . the fruit was absolutely gorgeous. At the entrance there was a little stand where a worker had cut up samples of the fruit and put little toothpicks so that people could try. It was all the regular fruit I loved but Korean style. The kiwi was yellow the melons were white and all of it was fresh. I was tempted to buy the fruit and take it with me for the next half an hour ride back into the city. However, I decided against that when I discovered the authentic Korean pastries. My parents and I shared the most delicious cream filled pastries. It was a nice way to fill up our stomachs before heading back to the Big Apple.

Today was a big day because I had scheduled an orientation mandated to all the incoming precollege students. I had to say I was a little nervous at first because I knew that I would not know anyone there, but I’ve never been too shy to talk to new people. So it was with mostly excitement that I went with my parents in the afternoon to the Kimmel building. I was dropped off there and began to follow the signs and people to the fourth floor waiting area. It was literally not six minutes into arriving that a fellow student began to talk to me. A friendly girl from Jersey with enough energy and excitement to kill a horse began to excitedly speak to me about stairs, classes, and herself. It eased my nerves a little bit after speaking to her. Clearly there were other people like me that wanted to get to know others.

The first half hour was a power point presentation on the program and everything we could possibly need to know. The people in charge of the program including the program director spoke to us and gave us a warm welcome. I spoke to no one at this point was starting to feel a little awkward again until we started to go off into assigned floor groups. My group appointed to me was great, and I got the chance to speak with almost every single one of its members. One girl in particular seemed nice, a Latina like me except she said she came all the way from Puerto Rico! Hopefully I get to see more of them as the program continues on. First day of class starts in two day!!

Excitedly,

Camila (Nap. Snack. Read.)

New York City Experience: Day 1

I have been given the blessed opportunity to explore one of the world’s most amazing cities . . . The Big Apple. I am currently sitting in my new home for the rest of the summer and writing not only for my readers, but also more as a documentation of my experience in New York City. I have decided that a chance like this to explore the city life on my own and become independent in the ways of the world should be remembered. With that in mind, I have decided to record my experiences and such here, on my blog, every day if possible.

The decision to come to New York this summer was planned earlier on in the year. During the school year I began too look for programs of any kind that I could participate in that would allow me to do something that I love, cultivate that, and also have an amazing cultural experience in the mean time. New York University quickly drew my eye, as well as its incredible precollege program. I have visited the city on numerous occasions, as my grandma and other family members have lived here many years, but the idea of spending more than just a few days studying in such a prestigious university would be absolutely incredible. I spent some time researching which studies it offered and have applied and been accepted into the Expository Writing Class and the Creative Writing Workshop. This past year has been really focused on my academic studies, as well as a business and marketing program competition called DECA that really wrung most of my energy this school year. I thought to really center all my energy this summer on my love of words and language before all the chaos of college applications arrive in the fall.

Today was the beginning of my journey, one that will hopefully take me to some unexpected places and exciting experiences. I traveled by plane with my parents. I am so grateful to them for the opportunity they have given me. They have come with me for the first leg of my journey to make sure I am settled in and help me learn the in’s and out’s of such a complex and modernly exotic landscape. They themselves have walked these streets and are familiar with everything—from the subway to the people to the hotdog stands. I feel comfortable with them here, but I know that my time with them is running low, and I have to learn as much as I can and adapt to whatever they can’t teach me. They leave in 10 days time, but will be returning every couple of weeks to check up on me. (Secretly, I know it’s because they’ll miss me too much.)

From the moment we left LaGuardia Airport, I have been soaking up details and places faster than I can process. Apparently, this entire place is one long strip of land. I’m trying to familiarize myself with the way the avenues and the streets work (i.e. the long streets and the smaller ones that cut across.) I arrived early on and had time to settle my things down at the apartment before going out to explore. Can I just say that I am one lucky girl? The apartment is beautiful. My very gracious cousin has lent me her home for the next 2 months, and I am so grateful to her. It is absolutely incredible, and I can’t believe it’s all mine for the next 6 weeks! I spent the first few hours exploring the surroundings. Everything I need is basically just a few blocks away. Coming from the suburbs, I am not use to such close distances for everything. It’s nice to think that for whatever food craving, whatever need I have, I can just walk down the street or catch a subway to the nearest accommodating store. The cutest bakeries and shops are within walking distance. I had a late brunch with my parents at the most delicious organic French café called Le Pain Quotidien. Absolutely amazing quality food can be found there. I had the most delicious mixed berry tart that I practically had to battle for with my mother. We are both suckers for fruit tarts. I guarantee that will not be my last visit there, that’s for sure. We freshened up at the apartment and continued on with mapping out my route to get to NYU.

The university consists of multiple buildings in a huge area that takes a big chunk out of downtown. I geeked out a little when we passed the NYU Bookstore. Like the typical student who goes crazy over NYU branded merchandise, I became super excited over all the purple products. That place is a sucking vortex for any overly anxious new student of any kind. I might have gone a little overboard, but there was no way I was going to leave without an NYU cap, NYU t-shirt, and NYU hoodie. No. Way. In. Hell. My parents indulged me in this and my dad even got his own cap, so it wasn’t just me!

We spent the remainder of the day to check out where all the buildings I would have to go to are located and such. It was too late in the day to go get my id, but Monday I will have mine and become an official NYU student! Everything nearby there is so urban-like. Typical college environment with brewed coffee shops on every street and brick buildings. Walked down 3^rd avenue for a long while, and based on what I have observed today I have come to the conclusion that I could spend a decade in the City and I will never be able to eat at all the amazing places that are here. I can’t even put to words the absolutely mouthwatering and amazing dinner I had. Momofuku is a noodle bar in downtown that serves the most amazing—you guessed it—noodles I have ever had so far. Personally, my favorite plate was this delicious pork bun that I had to order twice because there was just no way I could leave without second helpings. If you are ever by the city, look it up. Absolutely incredible. My tummy was satisfied, my feet are currently sore, and I count this as a successful first day.

I have written a lot, and this is only just the beginning. Most likely there will be days were I do not have much to say, and other where I wont be able to stop. I look forward to many days, all different in their experiences, and I hope you will keep up with them, too.

New York City enthusiast,

Camila (Nap. Snack. Read.)

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Summary

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

• Number of Pages: 313

Review

Augustus Waters. If there were anyone I would aspire to be like it would be Augustus Waters.

As I was reading this book, I tweeted my feedback and a few quotes on my personal Twitter account when a girl out of the blue asked me if she should read it. So many though jumped into my mind, but the 140 characters restrained me. In the end all I could do was warn her. I wrote “Prepare to fall in love with heartbreak.”

I began with the misconception that this book, though raved about to be unique and ultimately unlike anything else, would be cheesy and absolutely tragic like all books that pertain to this selection of genre. I read it and discovered how beautifully awful life could be. The true nature of Cancer.

I spent the majority of my hours over the past couple of months in an AP English Language and Composition class, in which my teacher drilled and drowned us in enough literature to be able to later dissect even the deepest meaning from a newspaper cartoon or an obituary. Though Hell at times, I now like to believe that as I read this book I understood it for its true meaning. This isn’t a light read. It isn’t even all that interesting in the beginning. It is life. It is the way that these two human beings of infinitesimal proportions loved, lived, and died that makes this book raw and real. Everything in this book is both a metaphor and not a metaphor. It is straightforward and yet hidden with deeper meanings.

I could write an essay on each moment of Hazel’s days with Augustus, the boy who represents all the good in the world and all the bad that happens to the good in the world. It all amounts to nothing in the end because the life that they and all of us live is filled with day to day moments that shouldn’t be analyzed . . . they should just be LIVED. I don’t even think any of this makes any sense, but that should be the reason that you read this. You should read this just so that the logic and the way you look at life transforms to a way where you see the joke in the tragedy and the hope in the hopelessness. Read it for the laughs you'll gain and the tears you'll lose. Read it for Gus. From 1-10? I give it a 7. 

Do Not Despair!

For whatever it's worth and to whoever is still reading . . . I'm baaaaaaaack. 

I say that with cheer and a light heart if only to deflect from the extreme remorse I feel at believing that I have abandoned you all in this cyber world I have created for you, my readers. I cannot say that it was all for nothing considering that I shirked my duties as YA book reporter in order to survive what I like to call Hell and many others refer to as “Junior Year”. (I survived, in case you were wondering—and with a few gray hairs.) As one of the most important years in high school, on of the most scrutinized and looked at, I took it very seriously and can only look back with a sad and knowing state of mind. It was in those months of sleepless nights and headaches that I temporarily neglected my first love and our offspring, i.e. Books and Nap. Snack. Read. respectively. I was so lost in a world of textbooks, lectures, and disgusting cafeteria food that I did not read as much as I would have like.

Who am I kidding? I didn’t even read one tenth of what I use to be able to do, and it was as depressing as it could have been. I admit to feeling like a starved animal only to gluttonously indulge in my favorite pass time when the chance arouse and gave no thought to stopping in order to relay any of my opinions to my blog. I was selfish, but, then again, I am fallible. In the past two days since I have started my summer vacation I have read 3 books and another one is well underway. Those along with any other that I read this year will be blowing up this website in an attempt to make up for lost time.

I mourn the loss of some of my viewers while rejoice in those of you I have not lost.

With love,

Camila (NapSnackRead)

TEMP HOLDER

The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis

Summary

A good girl.

A bad boy.

A fairy tale that’s true.

A truth that is no fairy tale.

It begins the day Anna finds the child’s doll on the floor of the student lounge. When it’s claimed by Abel, the school drug dealer, Anna becomes determined to learn more about this mysterious boy with the military haircut and deep blue eyes. She follows him after school and discovers a secret: Abel is caring for his six-year-old sister, Micha, alone. Anna listens in as he tells her a fairy tale, the story of a little orphan queen pursued by hunters across the oceans for the treasure she carries: her pure, diamond heart.

It’s a story with parallels to reality. Social services and Micha’s abusive father could take her from Abel if they discover the truth. Despite friends’ warnings, Anna is drawn to Abel and Micha, and falls under the spell of the story of the little queen and her desperate voyage.

But when people Abel has woven into his tale turns up dead, it’s Anna whose heart is in danger. Is she in love with a killer? And has she set out on a journey from which there is no return?

Number of pages: 416

Review

Never before have I read a story like that of The Storyteller. In a way, Antonia’s story went above and beyond everything that I expected considering nothing is as expected in the lives of Anna, Abel, and Micha, but there was also a bit of a let down. Call me a sucker for happy endings, I guess.

 The Storyteller’s story in the book is unlike any fairy tale I have ever encountered. I really feel like someone was telling me the story rather than me just reading the words and absorbing them on the paper. Abel tells the story to Micha and Anna part by part as the story of their lives unfolds before them, inspiring the story of the little cliff queen (Micha). As I read the story and compared it to the fairytale, Antonia guided me through it, making me assume things and think that I had it all figured out way ahead of time. It was incredible really how I felt and thought exactly what the author wanted me to feel and think. There were parts where my original reactions to things described in the story made me want to fling the book far away, but then the author would describe something about the characters and the actions and it would just make me go along with it. It was as if she made me feel empathy for things that I would never usually feel for. She also made me think that I had all the puzzle pieces together even though I knew some pieces were missing. In reality, I had had all the pieces, just in a different order and waiting for new fabricated pieces to arrive. This all probably sound confusing the way I am explaining it, but this story is one that I can not explain in just simple words. It’s all about feeling it as you go along.

The writing was simply beautiful. It was poetic . . . lyrical even. Usually I tend to stray away from flowery writing because I get distracted in the detailed descriptions and what not. In this book, that was not the case (at least, not often). There was a slight change in writing style, I thought, between the story of their lives and the fairytale story. I assume it was because Abel was the one telling the fairytale story, not Antonia as the author. Antonia also wrote about very different characters, ones whose personalities and problems are not that of the ones I usually encounter. Take Abel for instance: he is as unique a character as I have ever read, but I didn’t even get to discover that until piece by piece the author revealed Abel at the end as he was meant to be. And Anna: she was one of those main heroines that you feel for and understand but also want to beat the crude out of her for the way she handles things or the way she reacts. Some of her actions seemed so naïve to me—or just stupid—but then the author was make me feel she was justified by doing that whole empathy thing again. In the end, I didn’t know whether to love or hate those two. Micha I adored, wholeheartedly. That little queen captured my heart from the start, and I ached over the things she went through and the things she saw during that cold winter in their little city in Germany. I can’t blame the author for anything that happened in the end because looking back I realized that I always knew this story of the little queen and her friends was one of heartbreak, which is exactly how I was left feeling. From 1-10? The brilliant work of tragedy is a 7 to me.

P.S. I feel like a heads up is in order. While this book was very good, I do not recommend it for those who are young. Many things happened in this book that are not G rated, nor do I think that all of it is comfortable reading about to some of you i.e. murder, drugs, rape etc.