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.