Protest City

So there was an anti-war protest on Saturday that I ran into after going to Cuban for breakfast and then shopping all morning with Ann & Isabel. It was cool to see Broadway completely shut down for this mob of people going by.

Dad's in Town!

Well, he's actually flying out today. But we had a great time and some great food (always). We found this little Italian place called Bianca at 5 Bleecker Street. It is amazing! Not expensive at all, a tiny little hole in the wall with fantastic food - everything from mussels to artichoke to lasagna to ricotta cheesecake. Oh, it was great!

That was last night, though. Their first night in town Ditte and I met them at their hotel and we went for dinner at Sasha Bakery, then headed back to the bar on top of the Gansevoort. It was a fun place to hang out.

Dad & I at the hotel bar

Janne & Ditte

In the bay window seat the rooms have - it's right out over the street!

Hanging out upstairs

Funeral Protests

How can people feel like it's right to protest at someone's funeral? Have you heard about this? There is a group - from Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas - that is going to the funerals of soldiers to protest. They say that the soldiers are being killed because America is a nation of sinners and we no longer believe in God and so he is killing our soldiers. What if the soldiers believe in God? Doesn't that earn them the right to live?

The good part of all of this is a group called the Patriot Guard Riders. They go to the funerals of soldiers so that if the protest groups show up they can peacefully and respectfully shield the grieving families from their horrible signs and chants. At least someone in this country understands how horrid these protesters are.

The full story is in the NY Times on April 17 - I don't know how long it will stay up for free. Read it while you can.

Making Eye Babies

That's right - eye babies. Apparently, at Pensacola Christian College if you stare too intently into the eyes of someone of the opposite sex you are "making eye babies." You can even be expelled at Pensacola for doing that. It's also referred to as "optical intercourse."

Ah, the things these unaccredited, lying to new applicants, freakish schools come up with.

If you want to read about more of the bad, bad things that will get you expelled, check out this article in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Congrats!

My cousin Isabel just got into the college she wanted to go to here in NYC!! Which means she's moving here in August and will be close by always! It's so exciting getting into the college you wanted to go to. It seems like forever ago that I was applying (to 10 schools no less) and visiting all of the schools I wanted to go to.

And now she's looking at the dorms to see which one she'd like the most. Dorms people!! Ah, the days of coming home to your roommate having sex, people pulling fire alarms every single night and drunken frat parties. Can't wait to see how she does!

UN

I've been spending a lot of time up at or near the UN. A few weeks ago I went up to the Turkish Embassy for a discussion on Careers in NGOs. Basically, I need to learn a second language. And since I've tried before (Spanish) and it didn't take (after 4 years) I'm not sure that will happen. But once I'm done with school and my thesis I may take an intensive class - just to give it one more shot.

Then, I went up to the UN for UNA-USA Members Day. It was a long, long day. But it was an interesting panel including Jan Eliasson, President of the General Assembly. When I find my camera cord, I will have pictures from around the UN to put up!