1. The hospitals are huge in New York City.

2. They also have a lot of elevators. However, not all of the elevators travel to all of the floors.

3. This elevator system is befuddling until one remembers which elevators go where.

4. Some people get pretty upset if they miss an elevator.

5. Some people seem to stand next to people as if they were in a crowded elevator, even though they are not.

6. Space is at a premium in New York City.

7. My apartment is tiny, but suits my needs well.

8. Oddly enough, for living in a walking city, this is the longest commute I’ve ever had to work/school in my life.

9. The people-watching seems more rich on the subways than on the buses.

10. I could listen to New Yorkers talk all day.

11. I have yet to distinguish the different accents of the boroughs. (But I will.)

12. The weather is really warm.

13. My skin is the darkest its been (due to a lack of sunblock) since I lived in Sacramento.

14. Thankfully, I usually tan and don’t burn.

15. There are some who believe that the way some women dress in this city will result in them burning in hell.

16. A lot of people dress fashionably here.

17. Dressing “fashionably” does not necessarily mean that one looks “good”.

18. Some people wear accoutrements that have a greater dollar value than my entire outfit for a day. Or my entire wardrobe, for that matter.

19. I confess that I feel both astonishment and revulsion upon recognizing just how much money some people have.

20. I’m still not sure how college students and other low wage earners make in this city.

21. The interns look so young.

22. I feel old. There aren’t a lot of “fellows” running around.

23. I’m wearing a white coat again. The last time I did that was about four years ago. I like the reintroduction of pockets into my life.

24. People are not meaner in New York City.

25. In fact, people are pretty nice.

26. They’re more outgoing. So outgoing that I’ve been picked up by random men more in my first week living in New York City than in the last six months I lived in Seattle. Maybe even the last year.

27. However, these pick-up lines have included things like, “Hey! Look at me!”

28. People do yell at each other more freely, though.

29. I have yet to be yelled at.

30. I have been in the middle of several yelling matches already.

31. People resort to ad hominem attacks when yelling at each other.

32. Like, “You don’t understand English! You must be stupid!”

33. But they all seem to get over it quickly.

34. Other spectators do a great job keeping straight, uninterested faces.

35. I try not to laugh. I feel like a spectator.

36. That’s because I am a spectator.

37. I walked fifty blocks home today (cf. #8).

38. The reason why people can get away with all the jaywalking here is because of all the one-way streets.

39. There are a lot of fruit stands on the streets.

40. Thus, I think I’m actually eating more fruit here than I did in Seattle.

41. Food is expensive here!

42. Loaves of bread are all well over $3.00!

43. Apples are close to $2.00 a pound!

44. Small oranges go for five for $2.00!

45. But the pita bread is cheaper.

46. There are a lot of donuts in boxes for sale.

47. The pizza is delicious.

48. The pizza is cheap.

49. I’ve already eaten pizza from at least six different establishments since I’ve moved here.

50. I can’t believe I actually live here. Really?