Great Neck

Today I’m going to talk about where I stay during my trip to New York. Before getting the scholarship, I wasn’t even thought about going abroad this summer. (All I planned was to get an intern, etc) So it explains that I didn’t have much extra money to spend for this trip. With the support of the scholarship, I can possibly get 1,100NTD per day, which is about $35. And let’s now look at the house rental rate of NYC (here I ignore Manhattan because it is way too expensive, and I also eliminate those places that are regarded less safe for people like me):

(1)Astoria, Queens: $800/month, $27/day.

(2)New Port, New Jersey: $1100/month, $37/day

Obviously, it is impossible to live on the 1,100NTD to live and eat in the city, even without any traveling. So I STRUGGLED between safety and money. I was so so lucky that, at that moment, I was told that I have a far far away relative who lives in long island, New York! It was like the first time I heard this place, and then I soon knew that it was quite far away from NYU. However, it’s like way safer and cheaper…here I am, at Great Neck, Long Island!

Where it is? Actually, it’s not as far away as people thought. It’s just right next to Queens, and it’s quite a nice area - 30mins to Manhattan on LIRR. The best of all, this family is really kind to me- Carol, Robert, Steve, Jeff, Alan, Oscar and of course auntie. It's so funny that, I guess I eat Chinese cuisines even more often when I'm staying here - thanks to auntie! Here is like a relaxing paradise with no pressure but laughter. Everyday when I come back from the tiring school, it feels like at home. I think it's very important to me, since that when I'm abroad alone, I always feel kind of alienated and wanted to belong to somewhere.

Also, it's extremely bustle and hustle in the City. So it's really nice to stay in Great Neck where you can breathe happily while enjoying the convenience of urban lifestyle. Here is the lovely house:

There are so many beautiful houses here, and it's almost like a gallery. Everyday, I can see lots of fireflies in the garden, and I was even told that, the brown bears sometimes do come out and eat our garbage!