New York Day #1

Here a recap of our trip. I really wish we could have stayed longer but I'm counting it as an orientation visit to our future trips.
Sunday, after we got in a settled we headed to the subway so we could make our way to Brooklyn where we had dinner reservations. We had some trouble figuring out what kind of card we needed and how to get it. The attendant was less than helpful. After deciding that we had maybe made the right choice we hopped on and made it there with only a few mistakes. It got much easier by the end of the trip. Once in Brooklyn we stopped at a little bar and had a drink then walked around the neighborhood. I really liked this area. It was quite and had a very neighborly feel to it. Then we went to dinner at wd50.

This is a picture I took of the chef, paparazzi style, from the bar across the street. His name is Wylie Dufresne. He has been a judge on Top Chef and competed on Top Chef Masters.


The food was really good. He does all these techniques to "trick" the mind. At one point I was munching on these tiny (smaller than bacon bits), cruchy, brown things thinking these are really good and I know the flavor but just can't place it. They were potatos! At another point I thought there was a scallop on my plate and it turned out to be a pineapple. The meal was really differnt and fun.

New York Day #2

Monday I was on my own. I was nervous but ended up having a really good day. I never felt unsafe or really got lost. Thanks goodness for the iPhone! I used the map (the gps was a little sketchy b/c of all the buildings and poor reception) and a subway app. I know I would not have survive without these. (I also used the "knocking" app to give a quick tour of some of the places I went to with some friends at work. If you don't have this app you should look into it.) I made my way to Times Square. It looks so big on tv but in real life it doesn't look so big. Now don't get me wrong, there where a lot of things going on, bill boards, shops, buildings, people, just not a big as I expected. For instance, that little dot on top of that building is the New Year's Eve ball. Just not a big as I expected. I also saw a group of women with hog shirts on. It's a small world after all. After wandering for awhile I made my way to Bryant Park. I loved it there. There was a huge fountain in the middle. Lots of little tables and chairs around, a huge lawn, and even a carousel. This might be my favorite spot in the city. I sat at one of the tables and had a bagel and coffee. From my table I could see the empire state building. The NY Public Library was also across the street. There was lots of beautiful architecture. This might be one of my favorite buildings.

After breakfast I walked over to the library. I mainly curious because this is where Carrie and Big WERE going to get married. It was a beautiful building. I seemed to be mainly research rooms. I never did find the "book" section. Funny I know, but the place was HUGE. I did find the children's section and I must say that the children's section at our Main Library is MUCH better. But the building was impressive with most of the walls and floors being made of marble.



After the library I walked down to see the Empire State Building. I didn't go into it because I heard the line was forever, plus it's probably not the best place for an acrophobic like myself.

I also walked by Grand Central Station.

Then I braved the subway by myself and went to Central Park. I walked around a little. I wish I would have had more time to explore. There were lots of horse and carriages, and some sculptures.



I also spent a good 30 minutes stalking outside a hotel where multiple police, and window tinted sedans and SUV pulled up to the front. Another lady sat next to me, she was from Ireland and visiting her grandchildren. She was very nice, again from Ireland not NYC. Turns out the UN was meeting and it was probably an international diplomat. Never saw anyone go out or in. Here are some picture I took while I was stalking with my Hipstamatic iPhone app.


After the park we went back to the hotel and took a quick nap. Then we went to find dinner. Coby ended up eating part of a HUGE deli sandwich at the famous Carnagie Deli. I passed on the sandwich as I am not a huge fan of deli meat or sandwiches. And I was saving room for the gelato we planned on getting later that night. We walked back through Times Square just to get the feeling of it at night.

Here is a picture of us eating our gelato on the steps of Madison Square Garden.

New York Day #3

Tuesday I went to my course on Personality Disorders. I was really interesting and something different that what I normally attend. I went to a course so I could write a lot of the trip off on my taxes. The presenter was entertaining and he used movie characters to describe different personality disorders. There was a lot of audience participation and at one point he called on me. After the first word I said he stopped me an said "you're not from here are you? You're one of those people who say to your patients "you have borderline personality disorder, bless your heart"". Everyone got a kick out of that. I had a sushi lunch by my self, and it was quite enjoyable.
After the course I headed to the hotel to meet up with Coby. We had dinner at Le Bernardin. It is a very respected seafood resturant. It is NOT a Red Lobster seafood place. I hade oysters, fluke (flounder), wagyu beef, and tuna all prepared in new ways. It was very good.

After dinner we went to see Lion King. I had planned on getting tickets to a show at the discount place in times square but there was nothing I really wanted to see. I decided to go ahead and spend the extra money to see something I really wanted to. Let me tell you, it did NOT dissapoint. It was soooo amazing. The costumes, the music, and acting. So good!! I didn't take any pictures. It's illegal in NY to take pictures inside the theater.

New York Day #4

On Wednesday morning I had great plans to get up early and try to go to Macy's since I really hadn't had time to do much shopping. Well that plan fell through. Coby got up early to head to the last day of his conference and I barely woke up when he left. I didn't have my alarm set and ended up sleeping until 10!! I was so mad that I had wasted my last morning in NYC but I obviously needed the sleep and was actually grateful because that night I had energy and didn't get too tired. Coby came back to the hotel and we went out to get some NYC style pizza for lunch. I was good. I had mozzarella and basil. Yum. Then we got on the train and headed toward the World Trade Center remembrance center. If you ever get a chance to go I highly recommend it. We couldn't really see the actual spot where the Twin Towers once stood. They are doing major construction on the site and had the area fenced off. We did go into the "museum" and it was so moving! Here are some pictures. Wall of missing persons flier. Wall of deceased loved ones. These origami swans hung from the ceiling in the stair well. So beautiful. A piece of re bar and metal from the buildings. Next door was the fire department and a memorial. Across the street where construction is going on. Here is a video as well. After that we went to Battery Park. We were planing on taking a ferry from there that night for a chef gala we were attending. We were trying to find out where we needed to get to. Battery Park was great. Fountains, sculptures, grassy area, a lots of vendors. We were able to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island from the shore. We then headed back to the hotel to shower and get ready for the RisingStar Chef Gala. We rode the water taxi over. This was great fun. We were able to sit on the top, had a great setting sun, and great views. Here are some pictures. The gala was good. A little disorganized at first but we ended up having a great time. We began talking to some people and found out that he was a representative from Autism Speaks and they were the beneficiaries of the event. How neat is that!? There were about eleven chef who all made great dishes and all the dishes had wine pairings. And look who was there! Here is a picture of us (me with shorter, darker hair) on the subway going back to the hotel. We had a really great time although not enough of it. There are still so many things that I would like to do including going to some of the museums, Seridipity, more shows, and more of Central Park. Guess we'll have to go back soon;)

Ready, Set,

GO, Go, go. That's what I have felt like lately and I don't think things are going to slow down anytime soon. I've been swamped at work with demanding teachers and a new record (note) keeping program the school has moved to. Not to mention the ever changing bell schedule within our district. This is the third start time of the year for elementary schools which in turn makes it the second schedule I have had to make in order to see all my kids. On top of all this I throw in a trip to NYC!! I have spent the last few days tying up loose ends at work, trying to pack, and getting my hair (I went shorter and darker. I'll try to put up a pic soon), and nails done. Today was spent cleaning house and doing laundry. There is nothing I hate worse than coming home from vacation to a dirty house and a pile of laundry. We also watched the Hogs beat Georgia today by the skin of their teeth. I had to leave the room due to nerves and my husband yelling too loudly at the tv. Good thing the dogs were already at the grandparents house or they would have been hiding out under the bed, at least the brown one anyway. Whaa, whaa just found out that game day will NOT be in Fayettville next Saturday. Oh well, we will be home watching the Hogs take on #1 Alabama. Can't wait!!!! We also ran some errands. Mama got a new pair of walkin' shoes. I knew I needed a comfortable pair but I just really don't like tennis shoes with jeans on me. They always look so clunky. But I knew flats, although comfortable for everyday wear, would make my feet hurt after 4 days of walking around the city. I found a pair like these except mine are all gray with gray laces. They aren't too clunky.

Then we went to my friend Jenny's house. Her birthday (29 v.2) is yesterday and they had a nice get together. Now I am home finishing up laundry and last minute packing. Heading to bed soon. Our flight leaves at 6:15 tomorrow morning. Blah. I HATE early morning anything, but at least we will get there mid afternoon and have the rest of the day. I probably won't be blogging while there but will try to do some twittering and post some pictures that way. I'll also do lots of posts once we get back. Now, to bed.