merry xmas!

Christmas eve was pretty relaxed today, tho its actually christmas day over in New Zealand and Malaysia and Korea and places...i wonder hows everybody doing there. My family is not really big on xmas so its not a big deal for me...anyhow......5 kiwis in brooklyn + turkey and food = one messy xmas party tomorrow.

So....today me and jeremy spent the day walking the brooklyn bridge, shopping on broadway then exploring chelsea market and finished off with going to church...yep nothing exciting...just nice n relaxing...and just right for xmas eve. Pictures will speak itself.









more photos on jeremys blog at onebyone.wordpress.com

Random photos

Times square new york


Broadway new york


some high rises


and US!

Unique in New York

I remembered days before we headed for the states some mates were talking about how cool (or dorky) it would be to come back home with an american accent. Well i've sorta notice..that i now tend to say "no praablem" instead of "no worries" =P

Today was awsome cause an american girl actually asked if I was from New Zealand! I've been getting alot of "r u austrailian?"...which sux, I mean I don't say "feeesh n cheeps" do I? But thats cool...at home people say i have a somewhat "non-classifyable" accent, cause its sorta a blend of Hongkie, Kiwi and and whatnot there is.

After work I told my workmates how I "charmed" this american girl with my New Zealand accent....they laughed it off saying cause its "unique in New York"!....it was cool cause i recalled back in New Zealand how people say that immigrants aren't integrating well enough in society....but in NYC it really celebrates it in a weird sort of way!! I mean for example little Italy and chinatown is right next to each other, they couldn't be more different..the people the language......yet they live perfectly next to each other in harmony!!??!!

Im Eugene, Im a Kiwi of Malaysian Chinese ethnicity, lived in HK and now dialouging on the streets of New york. Im "unique in New York!"

PS...my job is hard! I might not even be able to keep it! But im staying positive everyday!



*Random photo: Durian stall...in chinatown...(wot! and it still smells in the middle of winter)

americans + random photos

Two entries in one post:

1. ..........
I was conversing with this guy at work today. Russian dude named Eugene...lived in NYC for about ten years... just talking bout how americans (esp NYers) are so extroverted, while the rest of the world is the opposite. It really does take awhile to adjust to.....especially doing my job...where i have to "dialouge" with Americans on the street...you really are forced to become extroverted. Its quite awsome actually..cause in a way...Im building up my confidence (which i lack).

Im trying to understand the New York attitude.....I think you really have to push hard to show them who you are...that your are the real deal and show them where your coming from.......to cross that "barrier" is so hard...but once you cross it....it all seems pretty easy going from there. I suppose thats why they say..."If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere"

2. photo dump.


Hours before arrival


First glimpse of manhattan skyline



Somwhere on broadway


a brownstone house ready of the holidays


macys..the worlds largest store?


bloomingdales

I got a job offer!

I had two job offers today! Im really stoked and relieved about it! No more running around manhattan like guinea pigs handing out resumes and going for interviews! (tho it was fun doing it with two others). I was getting a little worried about not being able to find a job..considering the others have already found jobs......but God really helped me out this time..i've prayed really hard about his...can't praise him enough!

So I'll either be working at

1) Virgin Megastore at times square! I'll probably be on sales/cashier. The place is huge the pple working there seems cool. They were pretty impressed with my music knowlege (had to fill in a four page music/movie quiz). Pay is okay...a bit low, but i definetlely see myself working there.

2) Diologue Jobs, working as a fundrasier for this organisation called "children international". It sounded like a very rewarding job and the pay is very good. Thing is I'll be out in the cold 8 hours a day going through thousands of rejections....i might freeze to death.

Hm...yea so i have to do some evaluation....and have a decicion by tomorrow morning.

Big city life, tryin to get by.....

Its been 10 days since I arrived at NYC, and after "jumping hostels" and carrying excessively heavy suitcases around the city subways (looking like foolish tourists), me and a few has finally found a place to call home for the next two months, namely brooklyn NY.

So far its been hectic.....but also enjoyable. Los Angeles was ehh..sorta disapointing (no offence!), for a city with its population it seemed.....hm...quiet and unusual..... tho I will not be quick to judge as I was only there for two days. However, New York City has "wowed" me since the moment i arrived! The first glimpse of that famous skyline, the people, the diversity, the subways, times square, chinatown...its still "wowing" me...it'll probably keep me "wowing" for a long time..

Its quite surreal, I feel like I've been sleeping all along in Auckland and suddenly receiving a wake up call half a world away. Essentially I'll be living (not visiting) New York, waking up and go to work, pay the rent and go to sleep. I'd still be a tourist of course, but who isn't!

Downsides, would be the food....pretty overpriced, and I find myself unwilling to tip heh. I must say i do miss a good speghetti on toast and cheap eat outs, oh and of course my friends! Miss ya!