New York City

So after a few weeks here – I am slowly learning to be a New Yorker. I am trying to walk faster with no regard to other people or moving vehicles, and I have nearly disposed of the habit to look people in the eye. This latter tendency is bound to get me into trouble, as those who do meet my eye often look like they want to hurt me…although I did have an accidental breakthrough the other day when sure enough…someone smiled at me…that’s right…I s**t you not…they smiled. I am also now an avid Central Park runner - logging close to 40miles/65kilometers a week – and participating in an activity with thousands of locals who claim it is the only thing that maintains their sanity.

My work here is going brilliantly. I have been attending oncology courses, a few lectures, and working on projects underway at Sloan Kettering and Mt Sinai. I have also been fortunate enough to meet with a lot of people in the field, and attend rounds at the hospital. All in all – it is proving to be a very intense, but invaluable experience.

So last week was my culture and self-improvement week. I attended the New York Philharmonic’s annual free performance in Central Park, a few meditation sittings in the city, and even happened to walk past as Bill Haley and the Comets performed their famous hits ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ and ‘Rock Around the Clock’ at a free concert. Next week therefore is a shift to the other extreme…with a long list of bars and blues clubs to check out.

Pictured: The NY Philharmonic performs in front of thousands in Central Park, and the view from one of the offices I am working in.