Waking up at 4am to catch a plane was not as bad as I expected, though no treat by any standard. Nevertheless, I got fly off into the sunrise and arrived 4pm Easter Time in a campus straight out of the 18th century -- though the college was founded one later, in 1841.

This weekend I got to take part in a special event over at the first university I applied (and got accepted into). With about 40-50 other students, I was wined and dined by the school and escorted all over New York City, as I mentioned previously, Friday to Sunday, 10am-12am.

The itinerary (and the city) was jammed, crowded and hot like summer; I never expected to get 3 shades darker in NYC! Apparently, the many of us from California pulled the weather over with us.

my host and her roommate had the luck of one of the most gorgeous views you can get from any dorm room!

I stayed in one of the a typical college dorm on campus, co-ed by floor and with shared bathroom. The showers were much nicer than expected and overall kept quite clean. Each room comes with the bed bases, two desks, and two closets.

A wider view of the campus green.

The Church, pictured left, apparently is one of the most desirable places to get married and is now only open for weddings of the university alumni. The waiting list is said to be 5 years long - better sign up now and just wait for the proposal, eh?

Left is what I like to call the campus version of Disney castle, I believe. Right is one of the freshmen residential colleges/dorms on campus and the one I think I would like to be in, if just for its pure prettiness and Harry Patter-esq common room lounge!

Imposing and impressive from the front, crap from the back, and - from what I've heard - cramped inside. 80% or so of the sophomore year are housed here.

Construction on 3 new dorms. They are expected to be amazing, gorgeous, and very "green," in the environmentally conscious definition of the word.

I forgot my camera in my suitcase on Friday, so I have no pictures of Grand Central Station of Gossip Girl fame or Times Square (jammed and crammed like sardines) and its perpetual lights that turn 12am to 12 noon or the Tony-winning Broadway musical we watched, In the Heights.

On Saturday, after a cafeteria brunch (the food was decent, I s’pose) we treked over to the Bronx Zoo, where we were set free to wander for two hours or so. My camera was flashing the battery sign already so I stopped my photo spree halfway. What bad luck!

Water Birds. It was sad that we could only spot one penguin, no ice.

My  brother actually visited this zoo on our last trip to New York, about 2 years ago. Instead of sticking around, I took the subway with my mom to tour NYU. Alas, stupid private university in the public service that has very private and steep tuition rates that prevent me from even considering you! Why Stern, why do you not offer any merit scholarships? $500 per semester will maybe cover my toilet paper – thanks, but no thanks.

After the zoo, we regrouped and headed off on the metro to the Manhattan waterfront where we took a very brilliantly-narrated (and perfectly snarky) Circle Line cruise/tour around the Hudson.

Amy and Sarah; sunset on the Hudson, waiting for the circle line.

Across the river there is New Jersey, with more (but newer) skyscrapers.

Josh (that's his camera and arm), Sarah, and Michael.

Sunsets are so cliche and gorgeous and also excitable!

Taken from my plane seat; this poor lonely soul was neglected for the longest time before someone noticed it. Attention: THIS IS HOW YOUR LUGGAGE GETS LOST IN TRANSITION. Which is why I didn't bother to have any check-ins.

New York from the sky. Apologies for the uneven horizon line.