new york, part ii

Hello, readers!  So, I am officially at the halfway point of my teacher research seminar at the New York Public Library and I am exhausted; I do not think there is any other way to put it.  So many things are happening at once.  Not only are we constantly being bombarded with images, databases, lectures, resources, books (we have gotten six since the program started), but my personal life seems to be falling apart at the very same time.  I am leaving Hoboken at the end of the month to relocate closer to work and the apartment I had lined up fell through at the last minute.  If I do not figure something out quickly, I will be homeless in three weeks.  To make matters worse, Doug and I are taking our much-anticipated trip to Oregon very soon, so in reality I only have a week and a half to figure out my housing situation.  Deep breaths.  I have a wonderful support team (Douglas, loving cousins, encouraging sisters and friends) who are trying to help me but the stress is beginning to pile on.  It is extremely challenging to navigate this while sitting in lectures from nine to five every day.  Oh well, think positive, right?  The majority of this week has been spent inside the Stephen A. Schwarzman building (the main library branch) - really, such a lovely location.  The majestic lions, Patience and Fortitude, perched out front; the lovely Bryant Park next-door with a beautiful canopy of plane trees and a nice little café for people-watching.  Très européen, le sigh... It makes me wish I were in Paris again!  Here are a few shots from my week indoors:

A royal reading room, stately marble staircases, the original Winnie the Pooh collection... this library is magical!  Participating in this workshop reminds me how much I love libraries and how much I enjoy working in them and being part of their close-knit, enchanting, inspiring little communities.  Memorial Hall, Wellesley Free, Biddle Law - I miss you!

new york, part i

So, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I am participating in an NEH summer institute that focuses on immigration and American identity through the delicious agency of food.  Though stationed at the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue, we have been running around all over the city doing a bit of sight-seeing and "research" (codeword for eating).  So far we have sat in on a few scholarly lectures at the NYPL, toured the library's "Lunch Hour" exhibit, ferried out to Liberty and Ellis Islands, wandered around Castle Clinton, and walked the "food tour" with the Tenement Museum around the Lower East Side.  From fresh-barreled pickles to chocolate-covered pretzels, black sesame creme puffs to delicately steamed dim sum, we have been studying and sampling some decadent and delicious cultural fare. Here is a brief look at some of the sights and memories I have been collecting over the past three days:

Monuments and tenements, synagogues and subway stops, finger food and feasts - I have taken in so much over the past few days; my senses are on overload!  Though slightly worn out (already?!) I am so excited to be participating in this seminar.  I cannot wait to see what else they have in store for us. Yum :)