Missionaries

We invited the Mormon missionaries over for dinner! They have been passing around a calendar with silly pictures of their faces on it, practically begging for people to sign up to make them dinner.

So we did!

The missionaries told us some experiences they've had working here in Harlem. Apparently they get this a lot:

"I don't want to hear about no white Jesus. You keep your white Jesus to yourself."

Pursuing the the topic the missionaries explained that Jesus was from Jerusalem, and was therefore a Jew--neither black nor white.

"[Insert expletive here...or multiple] Jesus was Jew-ish. Jew-ISH. He ain't no Jew and he ain't white either!"

Apparently the missionaries have had this discussion multiple times.

Sigh. I love Harlem.

Want to chat with some missionaries?

You can ask them any questions you'd like here.

You can talk over the phone, in person or through IM, so it's a really safe way with no pressure to ask about the Mormons!

Deeper into Harlem

I've been in my new apartment for three weeks now, but I figured I'd give you the tour anyway.

Old view out the window.

Old cell-like room.

A few streets up from where I am now.

(Much nicer than my road.)

Girls outside playing paddy cake games.

My new room.

(Converted private--that's the fourth wall right there.)

HUGE kitchen! I only wish I could afford more than a cup so that I could cook and bake again.

Living room part 1.

Living room part 2.

There you have it!

A wonderful apartment. Fabulous roommates. And scary neighbors.

Happiness.

Witches

Trauma! So, apparently when you put your camera's memory card straight into your Mac laptop, it does all of these weird conforming things that basically keeps it from ever being able to take another picture again. Like I said, trauma! Well, maybe yours doesn't do that, but mine did.

Three Best Buy employees tried to help me figure it out, but they concluded together, "Just buy a new one."

So, $15 and a week later, I'm back.

YOU may not need a camera to post on your blog, but I needed one to be able to catch you up on all of this!

I filmed with Nat Geo at this store of witchcraft in the Bronx.

They had a potion for everything.

Today's top sellers were "Fast Money" and "Strong Love."

The owner (who doesn't believe in "magical" powers) took us into the basement.

...dun, dun, DUN!

This is where the magic happens!

They make most of the stuff in-house.

Water, coloring, perfume, and a label.

Voila!

Magical potion!

The owner, Jason, was the grandson of the original owner. His grandfather started the store after emigrating from Turkey. Jason said that although he doesn't believe in products, he believes in the self-fulling power of confidence that comes from bathing in a "Strong Love" bath.

I need to get myself some of that--or maybe as an unpaid intern in New York I should focus on "Fast Money."

Moving up from the potion factory in the basement and the store on the main floor, there was a temple on the top floor. According to the witch that owned and worked the temple, "this is where all religions come together and are married."

Basically, there was a bit of everything up there--including her black cat, caldron, and broomstick!

Thank goodness for Nat Geo access, or I never would have met a witch!

Virtually Dating

He asked me out.

It came with a gift.

And he said not to touch.

He made it very clear.

I was too excited.

He said he prepared for that.

Box 1: He took me "out" to lunch.

Box 2: We shared "deep conversation."

Box 3: We colored together.

Box 4: And we said, "Good night."

Masterpiece Theater

I've had this theme music stuck in my head for ages.

Ahh, the memories.

And the retro furniture.

Too Late to Become a Doctor?

I’m at work right now.

I’ve never blogged at work before, but that’s because I used to care.

Have you ever felt like you were made for so much more than your daily routine?

I don’t know what I’m made for, but I’m to the point where frustration is welling up inside my head, holding back a few tears causes my eyes to gloss over, and my teeth hurt from the constant grind.

I’m done.

Get Lost!

Thanks to my move (pictures of my new apartment to come shortly), I feel like I'm learning New York and the subway system all over again.

Yesterday I got lost on my way home. All I was trying to do was walk the few blocks from the station to my apartment. I didn't realize the road had split--I didn't realize for awhile--and I had absentmindedly chosen the wrong side.

This morning on my way to work, I got off the train and tried to orient myself so I could choose the correct of 14 exits from the station--each causing you to emerge in a different place all over the area. I picked one I thought would put me closest to my building and started walking. Again, all of a sudden I was no longer on my street. I tried two blocks left, doubled back and tried two blocks right. I was terribly lost, and no body around seemed to know where I needed to go either. After about 30 minutes of 1/2 mile circles all over the area (so much for getting in to work early), I finally found a doorman who pointed me in the right direction: "Turn around and walk a block and a half that way and you'll be standing right in front of it."

...Turn around? ugh.

Then on my way home a C train pulled up on the A track (now these trains go mostly in the same direction, but C makes every stop and A is an express that gets me home much faster). I stuck my head in and asked if the C was running express. No body seemed to know (again). So I got on--it was a local. dang! So I got off at the next stop. mistake! the express flies passed the next stop. So I got on the next train that happened to pull into the station. Why do I do this to myself? Eventually I got home, but it took me nearly twice as long.

Maybe I'll have everything figured out by the time I move again.

A Tribute to Fatherhood

I love my dad.

Happy Fathers' Day.

Here are some more caring fathers:

Suicide Jumper!!

While hanging out in Times Square this week, we noticed everyone looking up toward this building.

When I zoomed in with my camera, I saw this at the top!

A man kept dangling his leg off and then would pull it back!

Ahh!!! We were sitting right below him.

First the helicopter came.

Then the police pushed us all back.

Luckily, the man wasn't too aggressive in his desire to jump, and he gave the cops enough time to run up and grab him!!

Family Fun!

Caleb, Camilla, Gpa and Gma Pritt came out to visit me!

On the ferry.

Caleb's head blocked the Statue of Liberty...

At Staten Island.

Camilla: "This is the biggest hamburger ever!"

Caleb stuck his company's stickers up all over the city--including Times Square!

In the Toys R Us on Times Square.

We had a blast messing around... but we also spent way too much money.

We just couldn't say "no" when an employee had a really good demo of one of the items!

After several times of trying to get a shot of all three of us, Grandma just gave up.

So, this is what we've got...

The one thing Caleb "had to see" was the Modern Art gallery in the MET.

This is who he fell in love with there.

Camilla and I already knew what we liked.

Look at the size of those New York slices!

...just don't look at Caleb...

A blurry shot before Westside Story started.

(We had to grab a quick photo since you weren't supposed to take any in the theater. :) )

Our three-day sleepover was so wonderful!