AmTrak Station and Bus terminal – Nothing is impossible…  (Journey to the west)

This may seem a lazy choice, but it is the most fitting I think for me and this station. For me this location is a memory of my first experience going to a distant college, Oswego University. That, was the first taste of freedom and independence that I had completely separate from home and the city. Now (aside from the car) I see this station as a means for escape and ability to do anything.

Lenox Hill Hospital – At length let up again to feel the puzzle of puzzles, And that we call being. (Song of myself)

This quote to me means to come to an understanding of life. As well as to come to a realization of our own mortality, as such Lenox Hill Hospital is a fitting location to deal with the mortality of man and the puzzle of life. For me, it’s where my father passed away, and where I had my first real experience with death.

Astoria – In the beginning god created heaven and earth. (Genisis)

Pretty simple, though not perfect, I grew up in Astoria, so for me it was my beginning. Where I learned about the world around me.

https://instagram.com/p/2J1CgCtdxv/?taken-by=supasadia

Pelham Bay Park

The monkeys said, to each other, “we didn’t know where this water comes from. Since we have nothing to do today, let us follow the stream up to its source to have some fun.” “Reaching its source, they found a great waterfall.” (Journey to the West)

This station is the ultimate source of my exploration, from whether i am going to school or simply to a distant part of NYC that I never even knew about. What better way to show adventure and “reaching” a source than to show what brings us to the destination. On my way to Baruch College, I can simply look out the window of the train and see all the passing stations, places, and faces of all the others going on their “adventures” to their destination. This quote from Journey to the West defines how to feel about the MTA, especially the stop I get on the trains, if i have nothing to do, then I simply take the train and transfer at a different stop than where I usually do, so I can end up at places that didn’t even exist to me until that moment, and no matter where I end up going, even school, every destination for me is an adventure of some sort.

https://instagram.com/p/1OZZCytdz3/?taken-by=supasadia

Underground Train Stations (Ex. 86th St on the Lexington Ave Line)

“Here, O Sariputra, form is emptiness and the very emptiness is form; emptiness does not differ from form, form does not differ from emptiness…” (The Heart Sutra)

Emptiness has a new definition with The Heart Sutra, rather than the usual negative connotation, here emptiness refers to a label-less and non judgmental perspective on daily aspects. Underground, you can see all sorts of people with the widest background variety, none of which judges the others. You will see homeless people sleeping, begging through the trains, children being escorted by their parents, kids going on class trips, couples of all sorts, entertainers such as drummers, singers, and performers, sleepy business folk, you name it you’ll find it looking out the windows of a train. I chose this quote by The Heart Sutra because it shows how New Yorkers have a empty perspective, all the people are on the train together and we are all equal.

https://instagram.com/p/1zUQT0tdxB/?taken-by=supasadia

Baruch College/ Gramercy District

“I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars” (Song of Myself)

This quote exemplifies my final destination on my journey to school, Baruch College in the Gramercy District. This quote shows that the small aspects of life is nothing less than the bigger things in life. Usually when people go to school, they mindlessly follow their muscle memory and walk to Baruch to attend their classes and then potentially leave after their day ends, however this location is much more to me. Although its such a small area in NYC, Gramercy provides a place for me to expand and learn about the small things in life, just like the small hidden theaters, the many delis that are turned into shadows by the large corporations and building surrounding them.

Photos taken by yours truly, SupaSadia.

1. “I resist any thing better than my own diversity, Breathe the air but leave plenty after me, And am not stuck up, and am in my place.” (Whitman, 16)

When I read that quote it reminds me of the first time I went to The High Line, it was magnificent on how a lot of things happen up there I can see someone who sunbath, converse, just enjoying the view of the river or even just to take pictures of the skyscraper buildings across from it. I can see from one thing to another happen in that spacious area, I can see the diversity because of so many kind of people visit it; surprisingly I do not feel suffocated because of how spacy the place is and there is so many things for me to look at and enjoy, I feel like I’m having my own space amongst the crowd.

2. “He made his companions the tiger and the lizard, the wolf and the leopard; he befriended the civet and the deer, and he called the gibbon and baboon his kin.” (Wu Cheng’en, 424)

A quote from “The Journey to the West” that I feel like I can describe about Times Square. Whenever I visit Times Square, I like how the place is. It is the heart of New York; I can say a lot of people want to visit this place. New York City is a diverse city and Times Square is the right place to see it, and the quote tells me that diversity is something important. The more kind of people, the more connection you have with one another without any limitation it will bring you to another level of success that you have never imagined before.

3. “I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.” (Whitman,1)

Central Park is the center of peace in the hectic and a crowded city; it is located in the middle of Manhattan, which makes it convenient to be visited by people. I can find my peacefulness in there, I usually read, listening to music or just enjoying the view and the greenness of it. It is so refreshing for me to be able to release all the stress that might occur in my brain and I would not even feel it until I have the time to do so.

I was not able to post my image so here’s a link for the image:

Image

Image

I couldn’t upload a picture since the storage is full so I hosted the image on another site.

1. “In vain the plutonic rocks send their old heat against my approach, In vain the mastodon retreats beneath its own powder’d bones, In vain objects stand leagues off and assume manifold shapes, In vain the ocean settling in hollows and the great monsters lying low, In vain the buzzard houses herself with the sky, In vain the snake slides through the creepers and logs, In vain the elk takes to the inner passes of the woods” – Whitman, 31

This quote talks about different natures and different animals interacting with their environment. I can feel exactly that by going to the Museum of Natural History. This place attracts many people of different cultures, interacting and admiring the history of mankind. Whether they are a citizen or a tourist, people love to visit this place.

2. “I hear the sound I love, the sound of the human voice, I hear all sounds running together, combined, fused or following, Sounds of the city and sounds out of the city, sounds of the day and night” – Whitman, 26

I chose Time Square for this quote since Time Square is one of the liveliest part of the city. When I go to Time Square, I can feel the city come alive. The combination of the smell, sights, and sounds lets me feel the whole of what New York City has to offer.

3. “I find my familiar woods, I climb the plateaus and scale the peaks, to cut deep dry creepers with my ax. I gather enough to make a load, I stroll singing through the marketplace” – Journey to West, 432

This is how I feel every time I go to Soho. The first part describe how I located my favorite stores then I would have to get through the crowd of people. After doing all this work, I can finally shop in the stores.

Times Square

Quote #1:“My tongue, every atom of my blood, form’d from this soil, this air,

Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same.” (Song of Myself, 6-7)

I would use this quote from Whitman’s “Song of Myself” poem to describe my experience of Times Square because it is a place, in New York City, where we can actually meet different individuals from all over the world. Thus, It is a place to have a true experience of diversity and interconnectivity just by simply observing and interacting with individuals from different countries. Furthermore, it also reminds me of the theory “replacement hypothesis,” coined by paleoanthropology in 1980s, which explains the human evolution and claims that we all came from the same origin.

Baruch College

Quote #2: “The monkeys said, to each other, ‘we didn’t know where this water comes from. Since we have nothing to do today, let us follow the stream up to its source to have some fun.’ ‘Reaching its source, they found a great waterfall.’ (Journey to the West)

The quote from “Journey to the West” describes how a group of monkey discovered a great place where they can reside without having to worry about the immediate danger and attack from other animals. It can be used to describe my journey that ultimately brought me to New York and prompted my decision to pursue Finance major at Baruch College. My decision to follow my inquisitiveness not only led me to discover my true passion but also opened more doors for opportunities.

Empire State Building

Quote #3: “‘You will hence be given the religious name ‘Wake-to-Vacuity’, all right?’, ‘Splendid! Splendid!’, said the monkey. (Journey to the West, 436)

This quote is a perfect description of my “eureka” moment that I had when I was on the top floor of Empire State Building. That panoramic view from the top of the building gave me a sense that how large the entire city was and encouraged me to get outside of my head more often to enjoy the presence.

Click on the link below to view picture

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1dmhx9schxhdr8c/Screenshot%202015-09-10%2016.13.04.png?dl=0

Suzanne Brown

A Journey Through

New York City,

And other places.

Me-  September 9, 2015

Introduction

These pinned locations represent just some of the great distances I have covered since I left my birthplace, Jamaica. As you are well aware, time came alongside me as I journeyed toward new beginnings. I find this quote from Whitman’s “Song of Myself” to be apt. “What do you think has become of the young and old men? And what do you think has become of the women and children?” In my early days time was my friend, now he’s an unrelenting taskmaster who punishes my folly. UNABLE TO POST PICTURES.

The  pins from left to right are NJ, where I work per diem and part time, so I have an opportunity to complete my degree. From “Heart Sutra” I like these lines “[t]here is no ignorance, and no end to ignorance.”

Brooklyn,where I lived worked and gave birth.  According to “Heart Sutra”,  “The body is exactly empty”. I am still struggling with this concept.

The last pin is a doozie. Manhattan specifically Baruch college, where I attended college,met my love, got pregnant and dropped out of school…Whitman’s poem  provides a peephole of knowledge.  “The smallest sprout  shows there is really no death”.

1) “He made his companion the tiger and the lizard, the wolf and the leopard; he befriended the civet and the deer, and he called the gibbon and baboon his kin.” (Journey to the West, 424)

This quote from Journey to the West describes an eclectic group of animals who all seem to join together within their environment. To me, this is relatable to the common environment of Penn Station. Within Penn Station, there are people of a number of different races, religions, and backgrounds who all seem to join together and pass through this common point, each being on their own journey. Penn Station can also be extremely chaotic at times, similar to a jungle atmosphere filled with animals. People often run to catch their trains and ensure that they arrive to their destination on time.

2) “I Celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every Atom belonging to me as good as belongs to you.” (Song of Myself, 1)

This beginning quote from Whitman’s Song of Myself creates the feeling of a carefree, “happy-go-lucky” environment. Passing through the park each day is very enjoyable as there is always something new to see and observe. Madison Square park is the one place within the city where I’ve witnessed people escape the hustle and bustle of the city and demonstrate this kind of behavior. More so during the warmer months, it is a place of relaxation for many, as well as a place where friends can meet up on and have an enjoyable time away from work and school.

3) “‘You will hence be given the religious name ‘Wake-to-Vacuity’, all right?’, ‘Splendid! Splendid!’, said the monkey. (Journey to the West, 436)

Similar to how the Patriarch gave the stone monkey the name ‘Wake-to-Vacuity’ to awaken him to knowledge, Dunkin’ Donuts is an essential stop in my morning commute to awaken me for knowledge as well. After a long commute early each morning, I have come to rely on Dunkin’ Donuts to energize me for the day, ultimately making me prepared, ready, and open to receiving knowledge in school.

Quote #1: Song of Myself by Walt Whitman related to the 23rd Street Station & Flatiron District

“… I hear the sound I love, the sound of the human voice, I hear all sounds running together, combined, fused or following, sounds of the city and sounds out of the city, sounds of the day and night, talkative young ones to those that like them, the loud laugh of work-people at their meals, The angry base of disjointed friendship, the faint tones of the sick…”

Explanation: New York City is highly diverse and populated. The second I get off the train and step onto the 23^rd street station, it feels as if I have entered another world. Walking through the Flatiron District, I steer through the rush of people whom I constantly feel are in a hurry. I walk past food carts and businesses all sharing the same streets. The distinct smells and sounds swirling around truly make this city one of a kind. I love every second of it.

Quote #2: Journey to the West, Chapter 1 related to Bread and Butter

The monkeys said, to each other, “we didn’t know where this water comes from. Since we have nothing to do today, let us follow the stream up to its source to have some fun.” “Reaching its source, they found a great waterfall.”

Explanation: This line from Journey to the West was great for the amount of times I have discovered hidden gems in the city because of my boredom. In the same way the stone monkey and the other monkeys decided to follow the stream up its source because they had nothing to do, my friends and I would walk and try to find new locations during our long and boring breaks. One day we had decided to follow a street in the city to see where we would end up and that is how we found Bread and Butter. Ever since then, my friends and I have been going there for breakfast and/or lunch.

Quote #3: Song of Myself by Walt Whitman related to Baruch College

“It is time to explain myself—let us stand up. What is known I strip away, I launch all men and women forward with me into the Unknown. The clock indicates the moment—but what does eternity indicate? We have thus far exhausted trillions of winters and summers, there are trillions ahead, and trillions ahead of them.”

Explanation: I chose this quote to relate to Baruch College. Everyone attending college, including me, are being launched into the Unknown. What “unknown” means in relation to Baruch College is that we all go to classes everyday and learn new things but are walking in without knowing our true futures. Today, we may want to go into a certain field like accounting or finance but we don’t know if that is where we will end up down the road and for the rest of our lives. In addition,we have gone through so many winters and summers while trying to obtain an education and will go through many more in the time to come.

53rd Street Train Station

“I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars” (Song of Myself)

The 53rd Street station is the first stop in Manhattan on the M & E lines, which is by my house.  I used this quote to describe it because even though the train station might seem like a small part of my day it opens me up  to so many opportunities in the city.  It allows me transfers to other trains and it’s my way back home.  Even though it may not be as memorable or exciting it is a very important part of my journey in NYC.

Baruch College

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” (Genesis 1 King James Version)

I used the quote to describe Baruch, because we all go into Baruch as people wanting to thrive and grow.  We are the seeds that will grow into the trees as described in Genesis 1.  Baruch gives us everything we need to become the best versions of ourselves and it is up to us to take it and grow into everything we are meant to be.

The Theater District

“..in emptiness there is no form nor feeling, nor perception, not impulse, nor consciousness…” (The Heart Sutra)

I used this quote to describe my favorite place in the city, the theater district.  The theater district is where Broadway plays are preformed.  I used the quote to describe it, because when you go to a play you need to clear your mind of everything and focus completely on the play.  Just like the quote says when you see things for what they are without labels while watching the play you are liberated.