usdenick

I re-evaluate… I may have been too hard on LA. It is a really unique place, but I don’t think I really “got it” the first year I lived there. Coming from the east coast, it took me a while to understand the culture. I have now lived in SoCal for two years and get the culture a lot more. I think it is very unique and interesting. There’s a lot to explore, but I still think you can see all of it in a few months and then move on, unless you are really into LA culture. I’m moving to the Bay Area this fall and am excited.

I just finished my sophomore year at community college and will be transferring to UC Berkeley this fall to finish up my studies. I am very excited and have come a loooooong way since I started two years ago. Halfway done!!!

So, I finished my first year at a junior college. I got a 4.0, so I’m really happy. It has been an AMAZING experience, I have learned so much and it’s also been a great sozialisation experience. Only three yrs. to go!

Don’t move here… It’s great to experience what living somewhere else is like, but don’t do LA for more than a few months. Yes, there are exciting aspects, but overall the city is not nearly as great as New York or Chicago, for example.

...via Train (from NYC via Chicago!) into LA Union Station. I’m not sure if it is “worth it” yet but we’ll see!

I did it! Over 3,000 miles from NY to LA and I’m still alive to tell the story. An amazing experience—I feel there couldn’t possibly be a better way to see the country. There were some unpleasant parts of the experience, especially with the Amtrak stations in NY and Chicago being so over-crowded and one of the trains breaking down, but all in all a great experience.

I had a blanket, books, my iPod, camera, cell phone, a sleeping mask and plenty of snacks with me – they all came in handy and I think made my trip a lot more pleasant. Also, ask for a window seat, it’s worth it because you can lean your head against the wall when sleeping and are closer to the views. The people were all very friendly and I had some interesting chats with people from all walks of life.

I stayed in Chicago for a few days between the NY-Chi and Chi-LA legs of my trip. I recommend doing this if going from/to the East Coast to/from LA to get a few nights of real rest and see a fabulous city.

Well, it’s still quite a few years before I’ll be able to check this one off! I just started with a summer class a week ago. So far it’s fun and interesting—but a whole new workload, as well. But, mostly in a good way.

I’m moving from NYC to LA for school and since I’m in no hurry to get there I’m going to take the train (Amtrak). I love riding the train and I’m very excited. I’m going to go from NYC to Chicago (24 hrs.) and then stay over in Chi-town for a few days (get some sleep!). Then go from Chi-Town to LA (3 days!). Since I’m young and broke, I won’t be able to afford a sleeper car, but I’ve been told it’s manageable if you bring a blanket and pillow and reserve a seat not by the car doors. I’ll let you know how it goes! Any tips would be appreciated!

I’m going to start by going to my local library this weekend. They have the Rosetta Stone learning program for Spanish on one of their computers. I’m going to try to do at least an hour of it there. Wish me luck!