DOING SOMETHING GOOD FOR YOURSELF
I am reminded of what one of my college teachers in a learning theory course would tell the class ending each weekly session. He would always say, “Do something good for yourself this weekend.” He told us after one class that he would always go by the Dairy Queen and buy an ice cream after each class to reward himself.
It was not that long ago, that my family and I had made a trip to NYC, which would become one of many while my son was in school there. Returning, I felt refreshed and less stressful than before believe it or not and felt like I had did something good for myself. A time out is needed for all of us from time to time. Thinking recently of that particular time, I shall attempt to re-create some of my thoughts of this brief excursion into that great city.
We had gone to New York in order for my son to visit colleges and hopefully select one for the next school year. He had decided while a senior in high school that he just had to go to college in New York.
On this particular trip to New York, I recall walking from Broadway to Lexington Avenue to Bloomingdales on a Saturday evening, as the rain began to softly fall. Suddenly I was in the middle of numerous multi-colored umbrellas. The spectacle was one ripe for a painting. I noticed something else. Everyone seemed to be in such a hurry.
While there, we visited Pace University and got caught in the middle of 50 to 75, 000 demonstrators marching in protest, over our government's policy of not accepting blood donations from Haitians. We were told that this was the largest demonstration since the Vietnam War. One college professor told us that because the incidence of AIDS seems to be so high in Haiti, the FDA had recommended a ban on blood donations from those citizens.
New York is so full of stimulation. There are so many things to see and do and so many stores that you have access to that you would never have the opportunity to see in smaller places. I still remember the excitement that was felt that day of just being in the middle of so many people.
On this trip, we went for a stroll in Central Park. The trees were beginning to show their leaves, and it was so beautiful to see the green and the park was so clean actually surprising me. It crossed my mind that day of the young female executive while jogging that was attacked, raped, brutally beaten and left for dead there. It’s hard to believe something so cruel could take place in such a beautiful park.
As we made our way back in to the middle of the city, the usual hawkers were selling everything from fake Rolex watches and gold necklaces to imitation Hard Rock Café tee-shirts. The smell of the pretzels and hotdogs were so tillating and we stopped for some.
We also visited NYU, a school that my son would select later and graduate from. It was there while visiting this university that we were able to view a hand written copy of Edgar Allan Poe’s, “The Raven.”
Excitement? Yes! I do believe that most of us could learn to enjoy a big city. I have envisioned what it would be like to live in a city that never sleeps. I really think I would like to live there for a couple of years anyway.
This journey left some good memories. I knew they were being made as many of us do, while it is happening. This was one of those trips that I felt I did something good for myself. Memorable? Definitely!
Susan