A Monday Trip

Let me recount what this city generously offered me today.

I woke up this morning to Katie Couric and Matt Lauer and Today's Fall Fashion recommendations. According to them, brown is so hot and full skirts are in. After doing my morning routine and drinking my coffee, I found myself staring at my closet, finding something to wear. After scanning my highly-disorganized clothing pieces, I found this brown and blue skirt with boho-themed prints and a black top. Perfect.

I paired the outfit with my uber-comfy gold flipflops, picked up my school books and out the door I go! I left my building, looked up to say hello to the Chrysler building, walked 3 blocks to Grand Central, salivated at the same chocolate-covered strawberries at Godiva, took the express train to Union Square, picked up my daily dose of AM New York (for free), saw the same guide dog (she had a little sign saying "Don't pet me, I'm working") helping a blind person, briskly crossed the street on a blinking "Don't Walk" sign and walked towards my office. I was already looking forward to a good day, but also wondering if that was how routinary my life will be in the next months. And then, the unexpected happened...

I tripped. (tadaaaa!!!)

Because living in New York would subject you to uneven pavements, dirty streets and wet floors (and train tracks!), it's inevitable that even wearing your flattest and most comfy shoes would bar you from getting into this embarrassing thing called tripping.

So, all my books flew in the air, my favorite bag scattered its contents on the floor, my shades slid off my head and me flat on the floor. Ouch.

I was not expecting anybody to help me get up or pick up my stuff, but when I looked up, two Italian passers-by walked up to me, helped me up, picked my stuff up and exclaimed "Aphrodisia! Aphrodisia!" I wonder if it's some Italian word for Are You Okay? or if it meant something about Intimacy, or chocolates (with strawberries?). It was weird.

I stood up, thanked them profusely with my palm, knees and toe flowing with blood like the Niagra falls. Gross. (Goodbye boho chick) I rushed to my office (which was a couple of buildings away from my morning accident), buzzed myself in, climbed up the stairs and ran to the bathroom to clean up. My Yugoslavian boss was there, glad as ever to see me - but equally shocked - that she offered to get me bandages and Hydrogen Peroxide. So she went next door to her apartment just to pick it up. Things are picking up, eh? She arrived with boxes of bandages and band-aid and what may seem to be a liter of HP.

Then, bandage-clad, I proceeded with work, finishing my project proposal that was due this afternoon. When doing a last-minute proofreading and checking, my boss sat beside me at my workstation and asked what my plans are after I graduated. She asked if I see myself in the US or elsewhere. You could guess what I said. But I couldn't guess what she said afterwards. And guess what? She said she wants to train me, then hire me! She said she's been wanting to take in people like me in her company. (Hold on to your horses Sweetie, I've only interned here for a week?) It was a good thing to hear, and it brought a big smile on my face that I forgot how painful my bruises were.

On my lunchbreak, I went to the NYU bookstore to buy required readings from one of my more difficult classes. There was one last copy waiting for me specifically, that I didn't take any chances and immediately grabbed it! (God is so good to me).

Then, I dropped by this nice crepe take-out place at Greenwich Village and ordered the usual French Brie, Mozzarella and Tomato - and the guy totally put a mountain-worth of ingredients on my crepe! It was like getting 2 crepes for the price of 1. Yipee! :) I had a filling lunch and was ready to head back to work.

I went to my Creative class this evening, and mind you, this professor (CD) is known to be bad at remembering names. He's too creative for comfort - did I say that correctly? Anyway, I wasn't sure if it was class participation, or being the only Filipino in class or being 10 minutes late after the class break, but he remembered my name! Yes, Pam. Good point, Pam. Of course, he knew a couple other classmates of mine's names by heart, but it just feels nice to be called by your simple name - without being too creative.

After class and after dinner, I had a drink with my friend Mark at this bar called Fubar (F*cked up Beyond All Recognition) a few blocks up my apartment. It was laid-back, typical American sports-y bar, old worn-out couches and all. The bartender was this big bald guy, who looked like he could kill without batting an eyelash. I saw that there were several bills from countries all over the world displayed behind the counter! It was their way to stylishly decorate their less-than-original set-up. I was looking for the Philippine Peso bill, and found none. (Either Pinoys don't go there, or they don't have Php's in their wallets handy!) I opened my wallet and found a crisp Php 20 bill, and handed it to the bartender!

"Would you put this up for me please? From my country, The Philippines."

And he did, it was up there in a matter of seconds.

Then, I ordered my usual (Bailey's on the rocks), but this time I said "with Cherries" (not "with a cherry", as I would normally say). And, voila, 4 wonderful cherries arrived on my lap unexpectedly! Yahoo! That must've been worth my Php20! - Which isn't a large amount, but would have much more value. Pinoy po ito!

So, that pretty much explains today's adventures and misadventures. And it's just beginning. It's just Monday anyway.

Aphrodisia! Aphrodisia! It resounds in my head...