It occurred to me that I am no longer "overseas," so perhaps my blog needed some updating. I spent most of my life in land-locked Ohio, so the novelty of living on islands continues for me - proximity to the sea, relying on bridges or other transport to get to the rest of the world, etc. Plus, I get lots of questions about what it is "really like" to live in NYC, so there is still some room for cultural exploration here.
So we'll start with some basics. See the quiz to the right - what makes up NYC after all? Here's a hint, while living with my mother-in-law here in Staten Island, we are officially living in New York City. Staten Island is considered the most suburban of the five boroughs - as you can see in the picture, there are freestanding houses here with yards (yes, that driveway plus few feet of grass counts as a yard). There is also the highest level of greenspace on Staten Island - Dan's house is actually just a few yards from a campground. Ok, the camp structures are TOTALLY visible through the naked trees in winter, but in summer I'm sure they can pretend not to hear the cars or high school marching band practice at all.
Penny and I are actually packing up to head back to Ohio for a bit, so it may be a little before I post again about NYC life, but that will give me time to figure out the best way to break down the key elements. Penny is having a great time walking around now, so that should be great fun in the airport tomorrow. Wish us luck as the security silliness is really starting to get too entertaining for my taste. That and the ridiculous charging for suitcases each way - I mean really!!
So we'll start with some basics. See the quiz to the right - what makes up NYC after all? Here's a hint, while living with my mother-in-law here in Staten Island, we are officially living in New York City. Staten Island is considered the most suburban of the five boroughs - as you can see in the picture, there are freestanding houses here with yards (yes, that driveway plus few feet of grass counts as a yard). There is also the highest level of greenspace on Staten Island - Dan's house is actually just a few yards from a campground. Ok, the camp structures are TOTALLY visible through the naked trees in winter, but in summer I'm sure they can pretend not to hear the cars or high school marching band practice at all.
Penny and I are actually packing up to head back to Ohio for a bit, so it may be a little before I post again about NYC life, but that will give me time to figure out the best way to break down the key elements. Penny is having a great time walking around now, so that should be great fun in the airport tomorrow. Wish us luck as the security silliness is really starting to get too entertaining for my taste. That and the ridiculous charging for suitcases each way - I mean really!!
