Snapshot Sunday | The Glorious Subway

I find myself taking the subway much more in the winter months because it is just way too cold to walk on my normal routes some days. This week I found myself standing at a place in the station where I could see all the way down the tracks. It was a cool view, so I figured I would snap a picture. Now, when I look at the photo, I see an old, decrepit subway. The walls are dirty, the ceiling needs work, and it's just not a great sight. It may not look pretty, but I'm always thankful to have the subway, especially in the winter. 

Snapshot Sunday | Book Stack Edition

I'm back with a new Snapshot Sunday after being away for a few weeks on winter break! This week I'm showcasing my current TBR ("to be read") pile instead of a city snapshot since I'm spending my weekend in my apartment and not the frozen tundra that is Manhattan. I've already finished The Giver and have moved on to An Italian Wife. It's so great to be reading in the New Year! Tell me what you're currently reading in the comments! 

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Snapshot Sunday | NYC by Night

The laundry room in my building was out of commission for a week, and as soon as it was back in action I stayed up late to wash my clothes. What does this have to do with the photo, you ask? Well, the laundry room is on the top floor of my building, and there is a balcony with amazing views of the city. I couldn't help but snap a picture of the Empire State Building lit up. I'll always think the skyline is gorgeous, and I'll miss this view when I move out of this building. 

Snapshot Sunday | Stuyvesant Square

I happened to wander upon Stuyvesant Square today, and it was just beautiful! The sun was shining, and the flowers were in bloom. This is an untouched photograph from my iPhone. I absolutely love it! Plus, this park looked much quieter than others in the area, so I think I'll be returning there at some point. It looks like a great spot to read!

Snapshot Sunday | Spring in Bloom at City Hall

It's finally spring here in New York City! This week we had lots of rain, but also some sunshine. When I saw these gorgeous tulips outside of City Hall, I had to capture them. It's funny – you can see all of the soil surrounding the flowers as if they are out of place in the middle of a bustling city. Well, they are, but they're cheery and beautiful nonetheless. And yes, I did use an Instagram filter on this snapshot to really make those colors pop! 

Snapshot Sunday | My Street Art Obsession

I always love seeing street art throughout the city. Whether it's a mural or a smaller piece, I always feel the need to snap a picture no matter how touristy I feel doing so. Now that it's spring and finally sunny outside, I've been able to walk a lot more, and have been spotting new-to-me street art. Here are a couple that I particularly liked this week.

"Love Me" – taken on Broadway near Canal Street

Funky Alien Creatures! Not sure what to call this. Taken on E 2nd Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery.

Do you enjoy street art as much as I do? Let me know in the comments!

Confusing NYC | On Line vs In Line – Where Do You Stand?

It's time for another new series here on OpenLetter2NYC! Ever since I made the move to the city from the Greater Boston Area, I've found myself puzzled by certain NYC things. I never expected a huge cultural shift, but life here is quite different than what I was used to experiencing on the daily. Confusing NYC will discuss those things, big and small, that I just don't get about NYC. Please feel free to join in with your thoughts!

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You're at a store, ready to purchase your items. You head to the cash register, but you have to wait. Where do you stand? That is the question. 

I've always stood in line, but suddenly my fellow shoppers are asking, "Are you on line?" Well, no, I'm not online. I'm shopping here, not surfing the web. And then it hit me – the cultural divide. One simple word change and my mind is blown. In fact, all that's different is one letter, but that one little letter causes a divide. 

At the end of the Starbucks line, where you'll find me too often.

For the past two years now, I've wondered why. Why do New Yorkers use the phrase on line to signify when they are standing in a line? Perhaps there is historical significance. To me, the phrase "on line" means that one is physically standing on a line. Today, the majority of locales where one must wait his turn do not have a line on the ground on which we must stand. Every once in a while, I'll spot such a line, or arrows designating where to stand, but that is rare. And so, there is no physical line.  

The line is in fact our bodies. We form the line, standing behind one another in a sometimes personal bubble-invading manner. If I called that standing on line, I would have to be standing on a fellow human who has formed the line, and I don't think that would pan out too well. Instead, I am standing in the line we formed together. It's a magical thing. 

I know this seems petty, to argue between in and on. But to me it's fascinating. A single letter change can confuse tourists and cause a debate about who got there first, and who is to be served next. Despite my love for New York, I plan on using my personal preference of in line in perpetuity, but I want to know – where do you stand? Please tell me in the comments if you use the phrase on line or in line, and where you're from.