This month, Natural Selections features Cristian Rosario, Dean’s Office Assistant
Country of Origin: USA

1. How long have you been living in New York?

One word: Conception.

2. Where do you live?

Currently in Spanish Harlem (but have lived most of my life in the Lower East Side).

3. Which is your favorite neighborhood?

The Lower East Side. I have fond childhood memories growing up there and know the neighborhood and community well. It also doesn’t hurt that the Lower East Side is teeming with bars.

4. What do you think is the most overrated thing in the city? And underrated?

Overrated: Driving. But it may be time to renew my driver’s permit and apply for a license. Underrated: New York Public Libraries. There’s no point to renting movies when you can see them for free.

5. What do you miss most when you are out of town?

Bodegas. Where else can you find six “corner stores” on the same block?

6. If you could change one thing about NYC, what would that be?

The cost of living (need I say more?).

7. Describe a perfect weekend in NYC.

Catching an unpacked and on-time (yeah, right) train to the Lower East Side, drinking a few brews on the roof of my building, barbecues in the East River Park, playing dominoes with the old-timers on my block.

8. What is the most memorable experience you have had in NYC?

Too many to list, but will go with one of the most recent. I attended David Paterson’s swearing-in ceremony as Lieutenant Governor (who knew the man would succeed Eliot Spitzer as Governor shortly thereafter). I also got to mingle with some prominent political figures.

9. If you could live anywhere else, where would that be?

Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Wouldn’t want to live too far from Manhattan (especially, the Lower East Side).

10. Do you think of yourself as a New Yorker? Why?

Yes. You can’t fake the accent.