300 :)
If you've been an avid reader of my reviews, you'll noticed that many of them are in Ithaca, NY. Why, you ask, do I write so much about this magical little town in Upstate NY?
1. My first very own furnished studio apartment on Thurston Ave! My full size fridge was literally next to my bed (I could touch it with my toes when I sleep). My desk and dresser drawer can be used as studying space one minute and be used as a kitchen counter marinating meat the next minute. I had a couch and bed. I had a full sink, stove, and oven. A bookshelf with my dish drying rack and toaster on top, and a bathroom with a full tub! I even have my own hallway! Seriously, though. It was tiny with no walking space but still comfy and warm during the winter.
2. When I left my lab to move here from San Diego, they gave me some camping food, hot cocoa, instant heating pads, and outdoor soap. I survived on that for like 2 days before I figured out how the public transit (TCAT) worked. Got a bike on my second day but biking against the hills requires Thighs of Steel.
3. First time hearing the National Weather Service actually being used. I thought that ICBMs were being launched against us or something dramatic. Sure, I've heard NWS tests in SoCal but not actually used for thunder and snow storms like here!
4. First time living outside of a large city. The first time I came to Ithaca, I had to transfer from Pittsburgh, fly in a small propeller airplane to Syracuse, then drive a hour into town. I could see most of the star constellations without all the light and sound pollutions. I also remember going a colleagues' lakeside house by Cayuga Lake, walking on the pier, and seeing what seems to be the entire universe.
5. First time living in snow. I remember when the first major snow fall came, I jumped outside in awe only to find that I was in sandals. Urrr, freezer burn on my toes! I had to soak it in hot water after coming in.
6. After a half year without a car, I decided to drive my car from CA cross country to Upstate NY in 4.5 days. I even drove it back after I was done with grad school. First time I bought a scrapper was in Flagstaff, AZ since my windshield froze overnight. I had to scrape using the motel key card before going to Target. On the way, I saw the Grand Canyon, Clinton Library in Little Rock, AR, and visited family in Cincy, OH.
7. Cornell was awesome. We have cows and apple orchids on campus and we make our OWN ice cream, cheese, apple, and apple cider. We have an apple vending machine with different varietals in the Plant Sciences Bldg. We even have a daily bar and store to sell all of the that. Famous guest chefs would come to cook for the award winning dining halls. We have the only Hotel School in the nation, and thus #1. The Arts and Ag Quads are prettier than Harvard Yard and we even gardens and Bebe Lake on campus. And don't forget about all the gorges! McGraw Tower (where the daily and special chimes are played...I'm always cheerful when hearing Far Above Cayuga's Waters) and Sage Chapel are perfect for those getting married (despite the ~4 year waiting list!)
8. The charm of Downtown Ithaca. I enjoy sharing drinks with colleagues at the Chapter House, eating brunch at Cafe DeWitt, strolling through the independent shops in the Common, checking out CD from the public library, buying books at the annual library sale, going to the farmers' market, and Wegmans.
Like the first time you see Buffalo St, Whoa! read more