God has a Purpose

So last time I posted an entry, I explained the drama that was unfolding in my family in California. My great-grandmother passed away July 19 at 4:45 am. I flew back to California on Friday (the 21st). Her funeral was yesterday (the 24th), and I fly back to California tomorrow morning (the 26th). What a week! Not one of the better times in my life but I keep reminding myself that God has a purpose for everything and His timing is perfect. I don't understand why He allowed my grandmother to live in pain and confusion for almost 4 years, and ended up calling her Home last Wednesday. Inside I feel like pointing out how inconvenient it was for me to miss a week of classes, and fly back to California just as I was feeling settled in NY. That's obvious but I don't feel bitter about that, I just don't understand God's timing. Why did He wait until my Mom was out of the country to cause her to enter a state of unresponsiveness? That was inconvenient and painful for my mom, too. I don't understand His timing. Now it's even harder for me to leave California than it was 2 weeks ago. I have to believe God has a purpose for His exact timing to everything. I don't see it now...will I ever?

I Needed a Break!

So after I wrote my last blog, some things started to go wrong...but they were big things! First, I went to Sylvan to finalize the details of being transfered. I was told on this end of things that there should be no problem getting me teaching hours here. I just needed to meet with the director to talk about salary and availability. When I met with Eddie, the first thing he told me was that the center was just sold the night before to a new owner. (The Sylvan's in NY are franchises) As a result of the center being under new ownership, he was out of a job. He had planned to hire me on the spot and give me what ever hours I wanted but now he didnt want to hire me without being sure the new owners would keep me on staff. I completely understand! But it's still disappointing. He's going to talk me up to the new owners and hopefully they'll call me to come in. But only time will tell. I'm also going to look into working at Kaplan Learning, which is only a block away from where I'm staying and the same idea as Sylvan. That was Thursday.
Friday...my uncle called me frantically trying to get ahold of my mom who is in Mexico. My great-grandmother has slipped into a state of unresponsiveness (kind of like a coma but not as severe). She hadn't eaten or drank anything for 2 or 3 days and she was turning blue. I can't believe she's been in the hospital for 4 years and has been in pain and sometimes very confused. I've prayed for 4 years that Christ would take her home to glory and that she would be able to walk again...with him. And now that I'm on the other side of the country and my mom is out of the country, she's doing really bad and I can't even tell her I love her. I feel so helpless and very alone. I still haven't met anyone in White Plains. All my classmates live in Connecticut or New Jersey. So after 2 days of sitting in my apartment and waiting to hear from my family, everytime my phone rings, I cringe. I went into Manhattan. I walked and walked...for 6 1/2 hours. You know how Forrest Gump ran and ran? Well, I walked and walked. It was a great day in Manhattan...a bit too hot (about 95 degrees) but very clear. The people in Manhattan are very encouraging. One guy told me I was pretty (granted, he wanted me to buy a t-shirt) but it made me feel wonderful. The stories you hear about New Yorkers being rude, I've never really encountered that. I think they are very friendly. Customer service, now that's another story!! As of now, my Grandma Esther is hanging in there. Her color is back to normal but she's still not eating or drinking and basically unresponsive. Since I'm not there, it's hard to understand what's really happening but I guess she's just sleeping. I wonder what she's dreaming about. So here are (finally) some pictures of things I saw today.




<-- Weekly street festival. Madison Ave. was closed off and there were people as far as you could see.






<--The Apple store on 5th Ave. Open 24/7









<--Inside the NYC World of Disney store. You can create any Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head you can think of!








<--Inside the Trump Tower where I had to stop for Starbucks. I didn't see Donald though.











<-- Such a beautiful day. The Empire State Building looked great!








<-- The Flatiron Building






I went to Rice to Rickes and Magnolia Bakery in SoHo. Oh my goodness...the cupcakes at Magnolia are so delicious. No wonder they have been around like forever!
Tomorrow it's back to school. I have my first Studio session which means I get to spend some time in the studio producing things. Spending time in the studio has led to jobs for quite a bit of people.

My 1st Tornado!

New York doesn't get many tornado warnings, and there are even fewer tornadoes that actually touch down. Well, yesterday there was a tornado warning. The news kept telling people to take cover in their basement or inner rooms. I kind of laughed about it and didn't take it seriously. I wanted to watch out the window everything that was going on. I'd be one of those people that gets sucked out the window and everyone calls stupid. Well, the tornado actually touched down...right in the next town over! No damage occurred here but buildings were damaged or destroyed, and cars flipped over. Pretty serious stuff.
Check it out here: http://www.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/07/12/ny.tornado/

Besides weather anomalies, everything is going well. School started Monday. I'm in a class of 10 people...8 guys, 2 of us females. I'm learning a lot! We have production assignments due in almost every class. On Monday we'll start doing sports broadcasting. I've really got to get some pictures to post! I'll get right on it.

NY NY

Well, I made it. I am in New York!! I arrived last night at 7:30. Usually when I fly into NYC, the plane flies over New Jersey, south of Manhattan. This time, though, the plane flew right over Manhattan. I looked out my window and we were directly over Central Park. It was awesome! I could see the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and everything! I wish I could have gotten a good picture of it but plane window pictures don't turn out very good. So, I got a car and got to White Plains about 10pm. I am super tired! I'm not used to sleeping in a city, so any noise and light disturbs me...and there's a lot of noise and light where I'm staying. It's downtown White Plains and there's a club right across the street so I could hear the dj and music until about 2am. I think I'll adjust though. Today I took a trip up to the school in Connecticut. It's a nice drive but I'm not liking how New Yorkers drive. They don't know how to merge and they don't know that the right lane is the slow lane! Now, I'm going to find a grocery store and get some food.
Here is a picture of my room, it's nothing special and it looks like a hotel room. There's a little kitchenette to the right.
OK, I'm super hungry so I'm going to find some food. I will post more when exciting things start happening. :)