Expats in the City

Personal Space

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:48:04 +0000

Living in a big city like New York means living with people. Outside of the home or office, personal space can be a premium. Personal space is more than just the touch perimeter between you and that stranger on the subway. Other senses are also involved.

Hearing
Noise is a big issue in the city and with the popularity of portable devices, it’s easy to have music or mom on call all the time. The neighbor’s yippy Yorkie or the delivery trucks missing a muffler may be out of your control but the ipods and cell phones are not. Limit your range and don’t over share. Not everyone will be a fan of your playlist or your mom’s, sibling’s, BFF’s latest trials and tribulations.

Smell
There is a reason that department stores no longer spritz every time you walk by the fragrance counter. Scent is a personal choice but smell is pervasive and lingers. Less is more and in a crowded subway, fresh and clean is usually the best choice.

Touch
Still the biggest issue when it comes to personal space. Different people will have different tolerances, which needs to be recognized. It’s also situation dependent: a crowded elevator or subway car will test everyone’s tolerances. So make it easier by taking that huge backpack or purse off your shoulder, tuck in and suck in. Though word to the wise, if you see an empty subway car during rush hour on the NYC subway, don’t get on.

Entertaining Holiday

admin — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:05:09 +0000

T’was the morn of New Year and all through the woods,
The creatures were awoken by the eeriest of moods.
Through the forest they came, lumbering into sight
A party of wanderers lost in the night.

“Onward, to port,” cried the largest of all,
As he lurched through the trees guiding them all.
Unknowing, they circled the glen again and again,
For too merry they made with family and friends.

The moral of the story is always have a plan
For after the party be you snow or human.
Don’t follow the drunk one as he’ll lead you astray
Get home safe to play another day.

May you make merry and be happy in 2011.

Snowmen who overindulge get lost in the woods

Hallelujah

admin — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 17:00:06 +0000

George Frederic Handel, like many composers of his time, traveled and lived in a number of European countries and cities in Germany and Italy before finally settling in London, England. As a German-born expatriate, Handel was a favorite with the British royalty and nobility, composing many pieces of music by commission. His body of work included operas, oratorios, chamber music, organ pieces but at this time of the year, his best known work is the oratorio Messiah.

The Messiah first premiered in Dublin in 1742 during Lent and was meant as a secular piece — after all it was based on the text in the King James’ Bible and all in English not Latin. If performed in its entirety, the Messiah is over four hours long with solos, choruses and a full orchestral accompaniment.

For many, Christmas isn’t Christmas without a rousing chorus of Hallelujah and there are many variants of Handel’s original — Too Hot to Handel, or Sing-a-long Messiah where the audience perform as part of the chorus. If you enjoy choral music, make it part of your holiday tradition: Hallelujah!

Deck the City

admin — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:00:27 +0000

While Christmas is one of the major religious celebrations of Christianity — the other being Easter — the holiday that commemorates the birth of Christ is promoted in many non-secular ways. Many Christmas traditions may have had their start as religious ceremonies or even pagan rites centered around the Winter Solstice.

In the United States, festive decorations may be seen immediately after Thanksgiving. Holly and evergreen are less symbols of Christ’s crown of thorns and eternal life but rather memory triggers for gift-giving. Similarly, the Christmas evergreen tree — part of pagan tree worship — now shelters gifts and presents.

In New York City, all the big department stores set up theme windows and special decorations for the holidays. Going to see the windows becomes part of the Christmas tradition for many New Yorkers. Smaller merchants may not have the same budget but imagination and creativity can dress up many displays. If the goal is to get shoppers to stop and entice them into the store then Christmas is definitely the most festive shopping season.

Enjoy some of these images of decorated New York. After all, Christmas is a season of giving and festive decorations are the merchants’ gift to shoppers.

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