Here comes the Big Apple

I must say, though, that I am a little worried about my dad, a thoroughly improper Bostonian. He is extremely worried I will go to the "dark side" and has cautioned he will disown me if I return to California wearing Yankee pinstripes. I have assured him he has nothing to fear and I will always remain loyal to the Red Sox.

Next week, I will be taking a vacation from my column to give myself plenty of time to settle in and become oriented in my new surroundings. Dorm check-in is Thursday morning and in the afternoon there is a reception with the college president for new students and their parents. My mother will be accompanying me and has promised to be quiet and well-behaved. As a devotee of Law and Order, she has vivid images of leaving her daughter in New York City. She is being very brave though, and as she says, she's not losing a daughter, she's gaining a guest room.

My first official day of school is Jan. 18. I am extremely excited, but the nerves are definitely beginning to kick in. Having been out of school for almost seven months, I hope my study skills haven't completely vanished. Before long I'll be back in the grind and hopefully it will feel like I was never gone. My five classes all sounded great in the course catalogue. I just hope I can keep up.

The Tuesday after my first week of classes I'll hit the ground running with my first-ever Graceland/New York. I will be writing a column every two weeks from my dorm at Barnard College. The topics will change slightly, however. I will be sending my thoughts and observations on both college life and the world around me.

Parking tickets will be the least of my concerns as I work to adapt to life in the city that never sleeps. I predict my gripes will extend to public transportation, roommate disagreements and class work overloads.

Although I am moving 3,000 miles away, I just can't bear to give up my spot here on page three. As I have said before, "Graceland" has been an unbelievable opportunity and privilege and I'm not ready to put the pen down, so to speak. So when my editor gave me the opportunity to continue writing while I am away, I readily agreed.

During my final year of high school, I wrote in my senior quote that it is unwise to fight with those who buy their ink by the barrel. How could I go back on my word?

***

On Sunday night, we had a big family dinner to celebrate my departure. The guest list included my Aunt Carolyne, my Uncle Michael, my two cousins, Sam and Ben, my grandmother and my parents.

We had a wonderful evening all together. It is not often we all get to see one another. My cousins are busy finishing college and all the adults have their own separate business lives. The time we spend together is precious and enjoyable.

I have to mention the interesting going-away present my Uncle Michael gave to me at the end of the evening. It is a tiny, laminated package about the size of a business card, with the letters "WWUMD" printed across the front. The abbreviation stands for "What Would Uncle Michael Do." Below is a hand-written personal note from my Uncle: "For Grace in the Big City."

On the reverse side are three lines, which read "A Good Meal," "A Hot Shower" and "A Good Night's Sleep." Puzzled, I asked my uncle what this all meant. These are the three solutions to a bad day, he said. He went on to explain that if I was ever in trouble or needed a pick-me-up, I was to cut open the small package and the contents inside will help me find my way.

When I got home, I placed the tiny gift in a safe place in my wallet. I will bring it with me to New York, just in case I need it while I am away.