ENG 2150 Gimme Shelter: the spaces we live in

The neighborhood I will be focusing on is Fresh Meadows, which is an area in Queens right above Flushing and below Jamaica/Hillside. I have been living in Fresh Meadows for quite a while now (7 or 8 years). I will be writing about the history/gentrification of Fresh Meadows which started in the early 1600s by the Dutch people. I will also mention how this neighborhood became (from a Dutch neighborhood) a veteran haven, and then finally a neighborhood of diverse culture and ethnic families. In addition, I will be focusing on the reconstruction and construction of new homes and its ties to young/new families moving in.

Everyone in New York City wakes up to their annoying and loud alarm clocks and run straight into the shower. They usually grab a small breakfast and runs out to catch the bus or subway. It seems everyone in New York City is rushing towards their destination. People are pushing and shoving trying to get into the subway first so they can either find seats or have a spot they can stand in the subway. Many people are also rude, maybe because it is too early in the morning or maybe it is because this is New York City.  I also wake up to an annoying and loud alarm clock and usually grab a small breakfast before I leave my home. I see that the buses and subways are always overcrowded, I hate it. NYC is always noisy and hectic.

On the other hand, New Jersey is quieter and peaceful. The people there actually say “Hello” or smile at one another even though they barely know each other. It feels as if New Jersey has less people than New York City, or maybe its because NYC is congested and fast. I’d love to live in New Jersey or any other slow and calm city, rather than NYC. I love the peace and quietness.

The phrase “Stream of Consciousness” explains the thoughts and feelings that constantly and infinitely passes through our mind. I related this idea of the Stream of Consciousness literally to a drawing of a Stream of Consciousness that I have found on Google. As I looked through the pictures of examples of stream of consciousness, this drawing “The Stream of Consciousness” by Jayzuck (I guess a nickname) looked the most fitting. The drawing is of an individual flowing along with the fish in a river/stream.

When I think, I just don’t think of one thing, I am constantly thinking of random or thought of things. It is not thought of bit by bit but rather feels as if it is a continuation of one thought to another, meaning we never ever stop thinking when we are conscious and our thoughts flow like water. That is why I believe the idea of stream of consciousness is depicted by this drawing. The fish in the stream of consciousness is our feelings and thoughts that can change with the individual since everyone thinks and feels differently. However, the fact that the state of consciousness flows like a river, changes constantly and is infinite is a fact.