In the meantime

The highlight of my week were the great meetings I had between Wednesday at noon and Thursday at noon.

My first appointment on Wednesday at noon was successful. Before arriving, however, I had another run-in with NY MTA. I went to Google maps and typed in the address for directions to my two interviews. To ensure I went the most precise route, I went to the NY MTA website. Using those directions I went to wait for the public transit. I was waiting for the "NY commuter train." Surprisingly, it was a real train.... I was nervous because I had a ticket for the subway but I thought, be bold and just get on. I get on the train and the security guard asks for my ticket. Of course, not the right ticket. He said he would give me a ticket and I could pay the city later. Praise God - the train came to my stop. The man had not come. So I blended into the crowd and made my way to the interview. Karma hit me. I got lost and end up being 15 minutes late to the interview.

Fortunately, the office of City Councilmember Gale Brewer was warm and welcoming

She represents the Upper West Side. When I start working there, I will be part of the legislative/budgeting sector and the housing development department!

After that interview, I safely and quickly made my way to the Gap on 5th Avenue for my next interview. It also went extremely well! I'll be working in the Men's store of the Gap on 5th Avenue. So come and visit!

On Thursday morning, I met with the African American Studies department chair at Fordham University. After talking about the unique and untold history of the Bronx, I decided to focus this semester's research on the neighborhood. I will be investigating the different housing developments that have (or have not emerged) for low-income families after the 1970's city fires.

Since I'll be studying my surrounding community, I plan to intern at an agency that aims to solves the Bronx housing development issues. The Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation works directly with the people and provides usable and tangible resources. I'm interviewing there this week... Wish me luck!

The Rough Life of Courtney Ball

Hey everyone!
I missed the second week of blogging... Why do you ask?! Let me take a second and vent one last time about last weekend.

I went to visit my sorority sisters at University of Amherst and at Boston University. As I made my way back from a long weekend of fun and laughter, I was excited yet anxious about taking the bus to Manhattan Chinatown because I did not have subway directions to get me home. When I arrived, I said "Courtney, you're a New Yorker now. Just get on the subway and figure it out." I walked down the steps to the gloomy subway, which smells of the now familiar stench of dirt, filth, and mystery, but felt confident that I could find my way home. I got on the subway, made it to Fordham Rd station. Unfortunately, there are two Fordham Rd stations, but a-ha! I was still in a familiar part of the Bronx so I walked to the bus stop.


Let me rewind, as I'm making my way home, it is pouring profusely. I am wearing one my signature pink and green dresses with cute gold sandals. I power-walked to the bus stop but noticed all the streets were blocked. So, I waited for 15 minutes and became highly irritated. I walked the mile home, in the rain, with a dress and my glasses on. I could see though! I just kept doing the windshield-wiper move on my glasses so they would clear.

I wasn't happy at all. Used the picture for the pink and green

Long story short, I was sick most of last week and had to presentations in my classes. I think I won the class over with my charm and story of walking in the rain though. In my classes, we're discussing the correlation between mega-cities (cities of 8 million people or more) and the slums that most people live in in those cities. Very sad stuff but a trend we will continuously see in a capitalist/globalized world.

I've narrowed my masters thesis too. I'm leaning towards the effects of natural disasters on land use development in urban areas. I hope to either study Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans or the earthquake in Haiti. I would spend most of next summer in New Orleans or Haiti. What do you think?!

New Orleans?!?!?!

or Haiti?!?!?!!?

Hello family and friends!
I have been in New York for a little over a week now. I miss you all and San Francisco very much! Even though I graduated from USF and spent four years living away from home, I feel like a freshman all over again. It's exciting and scary all at the same time. I live in a really nice/empty apartment, in a vibrant and cultural neighborhood - across the street from Fordham University.

Over the past week, there have been a few frustrating and lost times. I took, well, attempted to take the bus to Target. Got off at the wrong stop and walked the mile to Target in 95 degree heat. Thanked the Lord when I arrived at Target and felt the air conditioning! Thanked Him again when I found some cheap queen-size sheets. Got back to my apartment after arguing with the bus driver (buses cost an inconvenient $2.25 and the crap doesn't take dollars) only to realize that I bought a bedskirt - not sheets. Just lovely!

This was just one day of the seven of my new life out here in NY. I started the blog to keep in touch with everyone and chronicle the amazing things I do here. I plan on blogging every Sunday. I'll keep funny and optimistic. At the same time, I want you all to learn, as I learn, about my field of Urban Studies.

(That could be me up there in Spain!)
BTW, I plan on studying abroad next summer. GASP! I know, but feel free to leave suggestions!