http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/amanda-shalala/ Amanda is a freelance journalist from Sydney, having spent a few years working as a sports broadcaster for ABC TV. She has a BA in Journalism, Graduate Certificate in Theatre Studies, and Master’s in Cultural Studies. She’s currently studying a diploma in how to cope with not being in university anymore. After living and studying in New York last year, she’s returned to Australia and refuses to ever leave again.  Due to Amanda’s acute case of Peter Pan syndrome, when not legitimately freelancing, she’s creating children’s animations and picture books. en Copyright 2013 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/New-York-the-Rotten-Apple/ New York City is immortalised in pop culture as the place where anything can happen and dreams come true. Frank Sinatra reckons if you can make it there you’ll make it anywhere. The Sex & the City gals have made us believe there’s an endless pool of dreamy bachelors waiting to show us their skyscraper. Fame promises that any over acting, annoying teenager in a leotard can crack the big time. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York proves that NYC is just a giant playground. Even Ugly Betty and 30 Rock show us that book smarts and quick wit can get you just as far as big bucks and good looks. But after living and studying in the Big Apple last year, I discovered the city is less like Gossip Girl and more akin to Sylvania Waters with rats. And cockroaches. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Amanda Shalala) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/New-York-the-Rotten-Apple/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/New-York-the-Rotten-Apple/#item2231 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:50:13 +0000 Amanda Shalala | Author bios | The Punch