It’s Christmas time in the city
This time last year, I did a very impetuous thing. I applied to Columbia University’s graduate school of journalism. Touted as the best graduate J-school on the East Coast and one of the three best in the U.S., Columbia offered an intensive 10-month program emphasizing reporting and writing. Some of the “best in the business” have gone to or teach at Columbia. (“60 Minutes” Steve Croft and Pat Buchanan are among the alum) As you may know, I love to write and would love to write for a living. So at Sean’s urging, I applied. On a lark. Never thinking that I’d get into this heavy duty Ivy League. Much to my complete shock and Sean’s unabashed delight, I received not a slim rejection letter but a big fat acceptance packet. Oh dear. What had I been thinking?!!!!!!
I have asked this question often since August 1st – my first day in the master’s program. Since then, life as Sean and I knew it has changed drastically. Monday through Friday, I live in Manhattan, attending classes at Columbia and reporting on my beat in Queens. When possible, I trudge down to the Port Authority and catch a bus back home for the weekend. One day a week, Sean telecommutes from my tiny studio apartment on the Upper West Side. The rest of the time, he spends in Pennsylvania.
While ambivalent about my time at Columbia, I am delighted to be in NYC for the year. Between my school ID and press pass, I have gained free admission into every museum and gallery in the city. Together, Sean and I have gone to the opera, seen Shakespeare-in-the-Park, attended a live taping of National Public Radio’s “This American Life,” toured many of the famed city sites (including Coney Island), attended Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and eaten at dozens of fabulous restaurants and cafes. Through CSJ, I have seen the musical and interviewed the cast of “Chicago,” covered the Yankees ticker tape parade, rubbed shoulders with such luminaries as primatologist Jane Goodall, former mayor Ed Koch, film maker Jonathan Demme and commentator Andy Rooney and gone on a day-long “ride along” with the NYPD. On my own, I have whiled away hours in SoHo, Greenwich Village and all those spectacular museums.
In my absence, Sean has spearheaded a cutting edge Internet project at Merck. From August to November, he spent long, often aggravating hours at work, trying to coordinate the project, rally his team and get the blasted thing done. Fortunately, the end is near. Roll out is tentatively scheduled for January 2001.
All work and no play would make Sean a dull boy. (Oh dear. I see a plagiarism suit from Stephen King coming my way.) Still possessing a passion for wine, Sean produced over 19 cases this year. From Pinot Noir to Reisling, we’ve drunk it all. With wine at a minimum of $6 per glass in Manhattan, I am grateful to have such a prolific and tasteful vintner in the family. When not in the wine cellar (our basement), Sean tended the bountiful backyard garden. As a result of his green thumb, the garden yielded dozens of tomatoes, which Sean turned into great homemade tomato sauce.
Lest you think that a home in the country and a home in the city have ended our favorite pursuit, fear not! In February, we partied at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. In March, we watched St. Patrick’s Day fireworks over the River Liffey in Dublin then spent the next week driving through the lush countryside of Ireland. Over Memorial Day weekend, we hit the craggy but beautiful lava fields of Iceland (pictured on this card). Three weeks before leaving for NYC, we journeyed to Guatemala and Belize. Nothing like Central America in July — hot, hot, hot! Over Christmas break, we head to France, spending New Year’s Eve in Paris. Oh, if only Arthur Frommer or Conde Nast would hire me . . ..
Lest you also think that life has become way too good for us, rest assured — it still throws us those curve balls. Overwhelming stress at work. Serious illness in my family. The strain of residing in two locations. If nothing else, these events make us evermore thankful for the good times that we do have.
As always, we wish you good health and great happiness in the upcoming year. And if you’re thinking about a trip to NYC, give me a call. I know a great little place on the Upper West Side where you can stay for next to nothing!
Happy Holidays!
