Connecting (Or: Secaucus Junction train station)

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Niki

Frank R. Lautenberg Station, Secaucus Junction

I have been using the Secaucus Junction train station for over 3 1/2 years now. Since before I had the job I have now – back when I lived in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It’s a connecting hub for trains going north to New York City and south to Trenton, NJ. Here is a link to the official map. Pretty much almost every line goes through Secaucus.

The first few times I was there, I was alone. I had a few job interviews at the East Orange Public Library, on the Gladstone line. Once you’re used to Secaucus, it’s not that bad – just follow the crowd to the main area. There’s a plaza there, with huge signs above each of the four possible exits saying which line is where. Of course, there was some odd things you wouldn’t expect – for example, since East Orange has a chance for more crime, there is no ticket vending machine at that stop. The first time I had no idea what to do (not knowing you could get round trip tickets). I thought I would have to pay the $5 fee for not having a ticket before I boarded, but you don’t if you come from a station like that. …Thankfully I had cash? But I don’t usually carry cash!

The next time was with Marco, going to the job interview for the job I have today (July 2, 2009). My first time on a truly rural track. How rural was it? There is only one track for both directions. That makes it fun getting out of my town, since there’s a gap between the night trains – 3:50 or so, with the next (and last) train to the city not scheduled until 9:30PM. The commuters coming home from New York City take priority.

After I moved to the town I live in now, I pretty much just go to Secaucus when I am going to Chicago or the Netherlands via Newark Airport, much like Marco did yesterday. Or when I go to New York City!

The above picture is purely for Roger’s benefit. Go Chex Mix options! Thankfully Secaucus opened up another option for eating. Previously they just had Dunkin Donuts, this snack shop depicted above, and a bar-like restaurant. The first two tended to close really early, too. But these days they added a Sbarro’s (pizza). Marco and I shared three Sbarro’s breaksticks this past weekend. Mmm.

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Butterfly effect (Or: Appetite for Destruction)

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Niki

From Roger… (!!)

Let me paint a picture. 1987, just got out of the ‘brugklas’, and school was starting again.

I had a new class-mate. We did not really hang out much that year, since loads of my brugklas mates were still in the same class, including a friend I had had since kindergarten so I did not really need new friends.

We part ways the next year since I went to a different class. Then Appetite for Destruction happens.

Significant in many ways.

For one, it is arguably the best album in the history of rock, but also since I was one of the first ones that had the album in my ‘circles’.. (yeah right like i was ever part of any circles). I did not have a cd-player yet, so I purchased the album (that was the era when people paid for music, you young folk!) on cassette tape (uhm, look it up on Wikipedia, young folk!).

The other significant thing that the album made happen was sort of like a like a butterfly effect.

That one kid that I did not really hang out with when he was in my class all week long got wind of the fact that I had the GNR tape as we now like to call it. He asked me to borrow it and the rest is history.

Marco and I quickly became best friends. Together we have been through a lot. The butterfly effect I meant was that if that album did not happen to be in my possession we would not have started to hang out, would not have bonded over wrestling, hockey, music etc.. we might not have gone to the US to go to said wrestling and hockey and who knows, Marco might not have ended up meeting the lovely Niki.

So on this, the 25th anniversary of Marco and I meeting, his life is about to change again, this time really for the better, when his fiancé moves across an ocean, to a different continent to be with him.

And perhaps all because of one cassette tape.

02-10-2012

Roger

Categories: Friends&Family | Tags: , | 2 Comments

Packing (Or: She’s about to take over)

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Niki

From Marco…

So my trip is almost coming to an end (I’m leaving on Tuesday) and obviously I’m not thrilled about it.
But unlike pretty much all of the previous visits (both mine and Niki’s) this time it feels different.
Of course there’s the fact that we both know it’s going to be about 70 days until we’re together again. I think it will be one of the shortest periods between seeing one another (I think the shortest was in 2009). But most important, we know this will be the last time I fly to the Netherlands without her.
The last time we have to say goodbye at the train station or airport.
Knowing that makes it a bit less sour and annoying.. 😉

One of the worst things at the end of each visit is packing up my stuff again, back into my luggage. It’s always a sad moment…


But this time it was a bit more amusing and maybe..dare I say…entertaining.
We spent some time this weekend packing up some of Niki’s belongings to see how much suitcases and such we’re going to need at the end of this year.
It seems that if I manage to bring as little as needed then we just might be able to squeeze everything into three pieces of luggage and two-three items of carry-on.  Cool.

I am bringing some stuff over already though. Just some books, some spare shoes and such.
That means the moment is here. She’s about to take over my closets, impose her will on the layout of my apartment.. oh boy. I’m looking forward to it 🙂

Categories: Marco&Niki, Moving | Tags: | 2 Comments

High Line (Or: Overlooking New York City)

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Niki

Marco and I went to the High Line yesterday in New York City (which currently runs from 30th street to Gansevoort street on the west side. Yes, Gansevoort. Dutch influence everywhere!)

I am pleased to say that it was a lot of fun and better than we expected. It wasn’t that crowded, although it kind of was at times. But most places weren’t too bad. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is visiting New York City, especially during the warmer period. I am not sure how good it looks during the winter, as so much of it is plant based.

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NYC (Or: The High Line)

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Niki

On today’s agenda Marco and I have the High Line. It’s this mythical area of New York City where we have never been, despite Roger, Marco and I attempting to go in April. For whatever reason we never made it there.

The High Line is an old elevated railroad track that has since been converted into park space, bringing a new perspective to New York City. Currently it is about 1 mile long, although there are plans to extend it further in the next few years. In fact, they broke ground on Thursday for the final section, which is slated to open in 2014 at the cost of $90 million.

image from Wikipedia

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Heineken (Or: New York City advertisements)

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Niki

While Marco and I were in New York City we came across this advertisement for Heineken and the US Open.

“Once again, the Dutch is the favorite at the US Open.”

Grammatical issues aside, I hope they are talking about being the favorite beer, and not the favorite team!

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Fun (Or: Palisades Center, New York)

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Niki

Today Marco and I went back to the Palisades Center, a four story mall in West Nyack, complete with an ice skating rink, movie theater, IMAX theater, bowling alley, and more.

We decided to get a later start in the day, taking the 1:34 bus. (Poor Roger usually has to deal with me wanting to take the 11:34 bus. Sorry Roger!) We went to a lot of places, including the candy store. Alas, they do not sell the icee spray candy anymore. We also went to the jewelry store to pick up my engagement ring, which had a minor repair done to it. Thankfully it was ready – last week it wasn’t.

Other stores we went to included Hot Topic, Yellow Rat Bastard (a ‘trendy’ clothing store mostly), and Dick Sporting Goods (a new branch just opened in the mall). For lunch we went to TGIFridays, where I had the California Club. Yum!

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Changes (Or: Seeing your job on employment sites)

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Niki

When I went into work today, the library director offhandedly mentioned that he saw an advertisement for my job posted on chronicle.com, posted by our Human Resources department. It’s sort of a strange feeling, though it went past “this is really it” stage when Marco and I submitted the application to the Dutch Immigration Services at the beginning of this month.

I can only hope the person they get is even better than I was. The biggest things are working with the students and having familiarity with technology and being willing to learn what technology they do not know already. There were some things that I did not do well at. For example, I taught many one-shot sessions regarding how to use library resources. But you can’t really call that official information literacy since I did not have a dedicated plan for it but rather made it up on the fly sometimes.

As my time draws to a close at this position, I have tried to leave more detailed notes for the classes that I do teach, rather than just using the shorthand that I would normally use when I thought I would be the only person viewing the document.

It’s going to be an interesting last 10 weeks or so. But now I must depart, as dinner is ready! Marco promised to cook and he just put steak sandwiches and mashed potatoes down in front of me. What a nice surprise.

Tot ziens!

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Chessboards (Or: New York Ren Faire 2012)

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Niki

Two weekends ago a friend (Amy) and I went to the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo, NY.

First up, we have the “Cast in Bronze” show, with the bells which were made in Asten (in the Netherlands).

The message I wrote on the large chalkboard near the entrance.

Then we came across a booth selling dolls and assorted accessories.

A random group of performers in the street.

One new thing we did this year was catch a “chess” match. This one was the Sheriff’s chess match, and included characters from Norse and Greek mythology, I believe. While it started like a typical chess match (you can see the white squares and green grass squares where they could stand), it quickly dissolved into duels. The gentleman above represented Hercules.

Finally, near the end we had The Dead Bob show. More funny than I expected it to be, and full of adult jokes. I would recommend it if you get the chance to go see it.

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Bugs (Or: Is your butt on fire?)

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Niki

A few days ago I wrote a blog post for Niki that I sent to her even before I came over. Today I’m writing this life, while tied to her fridge. No, just kidding..I’m lying down on the floor as I often do at her place.

For a week or so I wanted to write about the crazy subject of bugs. I have several fun memories of Niki attached to some of those sometimes bothersome little creatures.

There’s the one about her first day in the Netherlands ever. We went out for a walk, and ending up on ‘ het plein’ which is a famous place in The Hague, right next to the Binnenhof. The statue of ‘Willem de zwijger’ is in the center of the square.  As you might recall there is a copy of that statue in New Brunswick where Niki studied.

Continue reading →

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