The Long and Winding Road

Well, I made it... from the cornfields of Iowa to the concrete jungle. It was a very long drive. I know this, not from my own experience, but from Dad and Amy's bitter comments the next morning after I slept all through the night and the infamous Pennsylvanian white out. I passed out, sandwiched in my army of pillows somewhere in Ohio, after thinking I lost my wallet in an Indiana casino (story of my life) and a quick stop at the Hall of Heroes comic book museum. However, before passing out I managed to get a picture with the sign to Sandusky, Ohio! Super fangirl right here!

We made one last tourist stop at Greystone, an abandoned insane asylum in Jersey. Because what else could be more family friendly? We were taking pictures near a creepy tree, which I obviously climbed because that's how I operate, and after the flash went off and I was climbing down a branch fell and knocked me down. I'm convinced it was probably a ghost of an escaped convict. Clearly I wasn't alone in that and we hightailed it out of there. Just kidding though, because the branch also knocked off my glasses and we  had to go back for them. Typical. Danielle. Move.

After arriving in NJCU, it was a pretty big rush of things. Dad, Amy, and I moved my ridiculous amount of things into my dorm room. Seriously, the car was packed, but I'm still amazed that I got everything I needed into a car full of three people. It remains to be seen whether or not I forgot something that was obviously important. If history is any indication, my money is on yes. Yes I did. Still waiting to realize what it was.

I met the NSE coordinator out here officially and his small cohort of ambassadors who showed me around campus. There were six of them, so of course I was bombarded with information. Just the way I like it.  My classes are pretty close to my dorm which houses the majority of the administrative offices, so it should be a breeze. In theory of course.

Most of the weekend I spent with my dad and his awesome girlfriend as they stayed in a hotel right along the Hudson. We made our way to Times Square on Friday, where I scoped out the caricature scene for when I make my grand debut. Look out pedestrians. We also hit up the Hard Rock Cafe, Hershey Store, and various street vendors where I got to hold a blue rat. Apparently I excited the little guy, as he ended up peeing all over my hands. Only in NYC, right? It's cool though, I got loaded up with hand sanitizer over Christmas (who knew how soon it would come in handy?) and the booth man felt so bad he ended up giving me two free tickets to a comedy show. Apology, accepted.

Saturday after waking the dead, we made our way to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. After getting on the wrong ferry (embarrassing, and typical Hernandez fashion), we ended up making it there and photographing the dickens out of everything. Similar story at the 9/11 Memorial, still in progress, with waterworks for all. After that we made our way into Greenwich for Lobardi's pizza. It was... insane. Dessert was Eileen's cheesecake, one of the Beatles' faves, and for very good reason. I'm going to need to pick up on my cardio this semester, I can already feel it in my loins.

I've already met the majority of people living in my dorm and everyone seems pretty friendly after I introduced myself with candy! Making Friends 101: Never knock on doors empty-handed. My roommate seems pretty cool and I've already met a girl in my art therapy course! Also I ran to the cafeteria by myself only to be invited to sit with some new friends. It's going to be a great semester.

Stay tuned, because tomorrow I brave public Jersey transportation solo for the first time as I make my way to my internship. Let's see if rush hour NYC can handle ME.

P.S. As much fun as Manhattans in sight of Manhattan might sound... they're a little too much for us Iowans. Would not recommend sipping!