NYC Visit

Well, I am back. The trip was great and the group I went with was amazing! I know people think I am super lucky to do so much traveling for my job (which I am) but trust me, it isn't all a vacation.

This was my favorite photo I took the trip. I had to take it because I want to get it framed nicely to hang in my bathroom.

Our hotel was right on 7th Avenue so we were literally 3-4 blocks from Time Square. We ended up down there every day of the trip and it was a really cool place to people watch. You never quite knew who you would run into or what you would see.

On Friday afternoon while the group went shopping I stood in line at TKTS which is a 1/2 price Broadway Ticket stand. It was EXTREMELY hot but I stood there for 3 hours and FINALLY was able to purchase some. We ended up seeing "Rock of Ages" starring Constantine Morales (old American Idol contestant) and it was really awesome. The show started off a little scandalous but it was full of 80's rock and great entertainment.

We happened to stumble upon a Time Square "museum" of sorts which had a replica of the ball that drops so that was really cool. Something I didn't know is that people can write their hopes and dreams for the next year on a piece of confetti and it will be displayed on a board during the celebration. Paige (the other LEEP staff) and I both decided to take part in it.

"The Hopes and Dreams Wishing Wall"

In order for us to really get around and see everything we decided to take a hop on, hop off double decker bus tour that included an Uptown Tour, Downtown Tour, Brooklyn Tour, tickets to the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building. The bus allowed us a great opportunity to see lots of great things we would have missed otherwise. 

During the tour we saw lots of highlights- Ground Zero, Central Park, Apollo Theatre, Carnegie Hall, the "Friends" building, Rockafeller Center, and so many other places I can't seem to remember right now... 

 Paige and me posing on our double decker bus around the city. We should have been busy taking in the sights with the group but instead we were making sure we got a picture together. :)

This photo really gets me..... These ribbons on the fence symbolize New Yorkers that have been lost in the war. This is only one side of the church but all 4 were covered. It was really a heart wretching sight. 

At Ground Zero we stopped by St Paul's Church where they had set up shop during the clean up for the fire fighter, police, E.M.T.'s, and volunteers to eat, sleep, and "relax" in between shifts. This uniform symbolizes all of the firemen that didn't sleep during those first hours and then days of the clean up. They left this pew the way they looked after the firemen in full uniform, INCLUDING boots, as they lay on the bench. They were going to re do them and then thought better of it as it showed the dedication the volunteers had to finding survivors. THAT was difficult to see even 9 years later....

The Empire State Building

View from atop the Empire State Building

Who would have thought pigeons would be able to fly up to the top of the Empire State Building. Those things are EVERYWHERE!

 

Dinner at Planet Hollywood on Broadway

Since we were on the East Coast my sister and Trent couldn't resist the urge to come and visit their favorite sister and sister-in-law!!! Lucky me!!!!I loved being able to see them face to face and I think they had a good time with our group. We hung out but also did our own things so it was a great balance of work and play.

It was so much fun hanging out with them and they were great with our group. Everyone was bummed when they headed back to DC and I got lots of questions about when they would be coming back!

Lady Liberty in all her glory. She looked beautiful

Solo shot with Manhattan in the background. What a beautiful city! I was right, I do love the East Coast and I really do think I could make a living out there. The fast pace is awesome. I know a lot of people hate that but I actually enjoyed it.

Final shot of the 3 of us be fore we had to bid farewell.....

I know this photo really doesn't mean much to any of you BUT we went to a "Today Show" taping on Monday morning before we headed home. If you look closely at the person in the white shirt directing, you can see Matt Lauer and Ann Curry's heads. We missed them being outside BUT we did make a crowd shot and got our 2 seconds of TV fame! I had my sister/Justin and my mom tape it so I could see it!

One thing I know I didn't mention was that we hit up a flea market Sunday afternoon and EVERYONE got great deals on EVERYTHING! I found a few handbags and trinkets that were pretty sweet. I think we all felt pretty lucky to have found such a great place to shop!
The trip really was a great time. As I said the group was great and we all really enjoyed everything that we saw. I can't wait to take JR there some day.