I am finally done. From Jamaica to New York it took an entire day! Thanks to AA, I was given the flight of my life - stops in MIA and Philly and I can safely add those to my list of US landmarks I have been to. lol.
So, I had travelled for a full 15 hours...for a normally 4 hour flight!
And now I am in the City of Mad...
Stepping out of the JFK International Airport Terminal 15, a delicious lick of cold air hit me! Gosh, yall could have prepared me for this surprise.
But, at least it was worth it, standing out smiling is my very good friend Odaine. Who said being cold was bad? Especially, when you see a familiar face that you haven't seen in 5 years! And he had with him a nicely fashioned cashmere sweater just for me...
Somehow I feel as if I am typing too slowly for the pace that things go in this City!
Everything happens in a heartbeat and no no no, I am not exaggerating!
I am accustomed to things happening very quickly, after all I work in a very high pressure and fast industry - but that couldn't have prepared me well for what I've experienced in the last 7 days.
So, I must say the city has many jewels in its crown - I absolutely love the fashion, I adore Times Square and I am truly marvelled by the abundance of food available.
Did I mention Halal? Ah, yes...I am beginning to drool just thinking about it.
memories...memories...if only they lived like people do!
The journey to his home - was - erm --- hmmmm....well, let's say interesting. I took a bus, thankfully nothing like a Jamaican bus and three trains, a part from the fact that I had to stand with my travelling bag it was super!
I like his style, I dive into the system head on. I wanted to take a cab, but he insisted that I save my doe and hop on the bus - he even had a metro card! Finally, I crashed at his house....literally at minutes to 11 or was 12? Not sure, I fell right asleep...
Next morning I was up at 5...hurrying, unpacking and trying to get my stuff together for my long trip up to University of Rochester. I was 175% excited, 15% nervous and 10% late --- we had to hurry to Penn Station to board the only the only train that would take my up to Roc in time for my 3:15 appointment.
We literally ran from my friend's apartment to cash the 2 train at 6:30 am...
And we missed it!
I was out of shape more than I thought...that's 10 minutes down and we have 15 minutes to board the train. Luckily another came in 5 minutes and we were at our destination in less than 20 minutes.
God bless America. lol
At least all the stops were less than a minute. 5 minutes before train leaves and we don't know where the train docks...Good thing running around in Penn Station like ants seems to be the norm, cause everybody seems to be running from something. lol
A las! we found it and the doors are closed!
Toronto, sir? A lady asked in a sharp New York accent...one that I become accustomed.
No...Roch...Rochester...my slightly out of breath friend said.
Tickets?
Oops!
I didn't print the e-copy but luckily the iPad save our lives.
Yaaay, that's why I love technology!
So, long and short we boarded probably 30 seconds before the train rolled out and spent 8 glorious hours catching up (yep, 8 hours! On a bloody train that moved like a snail :))
We finally we are in Rochester and boi, I had to pinch myself like twice...the place is beautiful. It's like sitting and staring at a quaint European painting of some mystical city.
University of Rochester is even more beautiful....it gracefully sprawls a everlasting property surrounded by a beautiful lake I believe and some lovely trees in full bloom. Gosh, photo pls?
The admissions team was ready for me and I was given the most comprehensive tour ever...thanks to second -year MBA star Jean Ryan, she had me sold all over again to do my MBA! :P
Michele Badio was even more funnnn....gotta face up to that the reality...if I am gonna do this, then I need to start loving da numbaz.
And thanks to Bill Bonin for taking me to that Brand Management workshop....those figures were brutal that Prof Nelson went through, who knew that marketing could get so quantitative in just 3 hours. But, I loved it just the same.
I know it is the right decision I have made. It will be a tough 18 months when I do start, but at least I will be surrounded by beauty and magic.
In another post I will talk about exploring Rochester.
**yawns**
But honestly, I really need to sleep.
OMG, I am 2 hours away from Canada by bus! I am so gonna see Honeisha Richards every weekend.
Peace out!
