People always ask me, "So are you, like, a real New Yorker now?" I'm not really sure how to answer that question. Yes, I lived in New York for two semesters and learned quite a lot about the subways and the sidewalks, but there are still many things I am still confused about, both in the city and at school. It's a work in progress. Here are just a few things that I still have left to figure out...
1. How to ride a bike in the city
People casually passing through traffic on CitiBikes or rolling through Williamsburg on their antique bicycles always look like they have their lives together. I know how to ride a bike in the suburbs just fine, but cycling between taxis is something I have yet to even attempt.
2. How to ride a scooter in the city
3. Where to take my friends when they visit
They always say they’re cool with anything, but you know that’s not true. Just tell me what you want. As long as it isn’t Times Square.
4. How refill my MetroCard without having extra balance
I had it all figured out before they changed the fares.
5. How to not get all of my things soaking wet whenever it rains.
Sometimes I question whether it's even worth it to carry an umbrella if it's just going to turn inside out at inopportune moments.
6. Also, the laws of umbrella traffic
7. Where in the library I'm allowed to make noise
It might be everywhere. It might be nowhere. I try to avoid rooms where people shoot you death glares for turning a page too loudly.
8. Whether crossing the street at the wrong time makes me cool or just stupid
9. How to not flinch every time a pigeon levitates within a 20-foot radius of me
I know they aren't going to attack me. I just can't help it.
10. When $1 pizza is a good idea and when it is not
It always seems like a good idea.
11. What to say when asked for a "fun fact" about myself
This is possibly the most terrifying question on the planet.
12. How to not raise my hand before speaking in seminars
It's just a force of habit.
13. How to address professors if they don't tell you exactly what they want
Professor? Their first name? Something else entirely? Being given multiple options only makes things more confusing.
14. How to find my way around Central Park
Once I'm off the grid I have no idea what's going on.
15. Not to wait an eternity before doing laundry
Putting it off always ended in disaster, but I never seemed to learn my lesson.
16. At what point in a conversation with a new acquaintance to ask what they're studying
Is this something you want to talk about or am I going to sound lame for asking?
17. What's the deal with cronuts?
I honestly just don't really get it.
18. How to juggle
It's just something I've always kind of wanted to learn. But it never came up.
Luckily, I've got three more years to figure some of this out, and to realize that there are even more things that I don't understand.
