8/23(Sat.) New York, New York (Host:Daniel & Lisa)

[danielka]

HELLO YOYO!
As we are one-time New Yorkers, it will be our pleasure to share something about the Big Apple with all of you.

New York, New York (from Wikipedia.org)

New York City is the largest city in the United States, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world. Founded as a commercial trading post by the Dutch in 1625, it served as the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790, and has been the nation's largest city since 1790. Located on one of the world's finest natural harbors, New York is one of the world's major centers of commerce and finance. New York also exerts global influence in media, education, entertainment, arts, fashion and advertising. The city is also a major center for international affairs, hosting the headquarters of the United Nations.

New York City comprises five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. With over 8.2 million residents within an area of 789.43 km², New York City is the most densely populated major city in the United States.
Many of the city's neighborhoods and landmarks are known around the world. The Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wall Street, in Lower Manhattan, has been a dominant global financial center since World War II and is home to the New York Stock Exchange.

New York is the birthplace of many cultural movements, including the Harlem Renaissance in literature and visual art, abstract expressionism in painting, and hip hop, punk, salsa, and Tin Pan Alley in music. It is also the home of Broadway theaters.

In 2005, nearly 170 languages were spoken in the city and 36% of its population was born outside the United States. With its 24-hour subway and constant bustling of traffic and people, New York is sometimes called "The City That Never Sleeps". Other nicknames include Gotham City (a fictional city appearing in DC Comics, and is best known as the home of Batman.) and the "Big Apple."


The Top 10 Tourist Attractions in NYC (from About.com)

1. The Empire State Building
Tired of staring up at New York City skyscrapers? Check out the view of New York City from atop the Empire State Building.

2. The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the United States in honor of the friendship established during the French Revolution. The Statue of Liberty has become an American symbol of freedom and welcome to the immigrants who come to the USA looking for a better life.

3. Grand Central Terminal (GCT, often popularly called Grand Central Station or simply Grand Central)
Renovations since its opening in 1913 have turned Grand Central into more than just a hub for transportation -- there are shops, dining and more available to visitors. There are group tours available, as well as free tours for individuals on Wednesdays and Fridays.

4. The Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan, is known for its Christmas tree, ice skating, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Radio City Music Hall and numerous shopping and dining opportunities.

5. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum offers visitors a fascinating look into the immigrant experience. Interactive exhibits, walking tours and movies reveal the hardships and challenges faced by immigrants passing through Ellis Island.

6. The Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is a free ferry from lower Manhattan to Staten Island, used by commuters and tourists wanting a view of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty.

7. The American Museum of Natural History
Since opening to the public in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History has evolved and grown. In addition to the Rose Center planetarium and regular exhibits, the American Museum of Natural History hosts a revolving series of new exhibits, so there is always something new to see.

8. Central Park
Central Park has offered a welcome escape from the concrete jungle of New York City for over 150 years. Take a walk, a boat ride or just enjoy a picnic in Central Park and discover for yourself why Central Park is so popular.

9. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Over two million works of art from around the world and throughout history are housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an iconic art museum that is well worth a visit.

10. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Founded in 1929 as the first museum dedicated entirely to contemporary art, the MoMA is host to an impressive collection of modern artistic efforts. From painting and sculpture to film and architecture, the Museum of Modern Art's diverse collection has something for everyone.


Session1.
Q1. What is your impression on New York City? And what is your perception of New Yorkers?

Q2. New York: “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” Do you agree with this statement? Please also make a statement or a nickname for Taipei City.

Q3. Among the Top 10 Tourist Attractions, share your impressions about them or perhaps introduce some other spots of NYC for us.

Sessions2.
Let's say you will be our tour guide for next YOYO outing in NYC. Please propose a luxury travel plan in New York City to us.

Have Fun!
Daniel & Lisa----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agenda
Session I:
2:15 ~ 2:30 Greeting / Ordering Beverage or Meal
2:30 ~ 2:40 Opening Remarks / New comers' Self-introduction / Grouping
2:40 ~ 3:10 First Group Discussion
3:10 ~ 3:25 First Summarization
3:25 ~ 3:30 Regrouping /Break
Session II:
3:30 ~ 3:35 Introduction
3:35 ~ 4:05 2nd Group Discussion
4:05 ~ 4:20 2nd Summarization
4:20 ~ 4:30 Concluding Remarks / Newcomers’ Feedback / Announcements

聚會時間：2008/8/23 (星期六) 請準時。聚會2:15 pm 到 ~ 約 4:30 pm 左右結束
聚會地點：合歡咖啡Acacia Cafe
地址: 台北市忠孝東路4段216巷33弄15號
電話: 02-8771-6230
捷運站: 板南線 忠孝敦化站
走法: 忠孝敦化站3號出口 -> 直走到ATT百貨 -> 右轉216巷 -> 直走到"東區粉圓"(對面為全家便利商店) -> 左轉33弄 ->直走約100公尺左手邊
低消: 90 元

給新朋友的話：
1. 請事先準備2~3分鐘的英語自我介紹；討論完畢後可能會請你發表1~2分鐘的感想(feedback)。
2. 請事先閱讀討論主題相關內容以及host所提的問題，並事先寫下自己所欲發表意見的英文。
3. 來之前請先讀一下討論主題，思考一下如何回答及討論。
4. 在正式加入之前（繳交可退還之保證金NT$1,000），可以先來觀摩三次。

[danielka]

We just came back from Koh Samui (蘇美島), it is really a lovely place. Perhaps we should introduce Koh Samui to everyone as well.

[sunsuni0831]

We just came back from Koh Samui (蘇美島), it is really a lovely place. Perhaps we should introduce Koh Samui to everyone as well.

wow...Both these two places are so attractive to me
Looking forward hearing your funny experiences.

Sunny Jr.

[Jacky566]

We just came back from Koh Samui (蘇美島), it is really a lovely place. Perhaps we should introduce Koh Samui to everyone as well.

The introduction for Koh Samui really attacts me.
Unfortunately, I can't join the meeting this week.

[Kooper]

When it comes to New York, here is a song that shouldn't be missed.

New York, New York

[danielka]

Attendants: (16) Daniel, Lisa, Laura, Benson, Kelly Chen, Jerry Chang, Arthur, Leon, Christine, Darren Chien, Kaniesa, Kooper, Luis, Julian, Vicky, Sunny Jr.

[Kooper]

Meeting Scenes:

To access full photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/yoyo0105/2008AugMeetings

[Kooper]

Attendants: (16) Daniel, Lisa, Laura, Benson, Kelly Chen, Jerry Chang, Arthur, Leon, Christine, Darren Chien, Kaniesa, Kooper, Luis, Julian, Vicky, Sunny Jr.

Benson Chen & Kelly Chen officially joined YOYO during the meeting. Let's welcome them!

[technobabel]

You are not likely to see the complete surrounding edge of the 5 boroughs of NYC on TV or in the movie.
These places are usually tourist-free and and not too glamorous.
The very fact that these are the "unpopular" places makes them particularly interesting.

http://digital.nypl.org/boroughedges/

The website is a bit tricky to navigate but I have faith in the web surfing skills of Yoyo's web-junkies

Plus a few photos showing how a family in Chinatown lives.

http://exhibitions.nypl.org/eminent/holton