In A New York Minute...

So I had all of these great intentions to write every day I was in New York. Since my last, posted I landed, lived it, and returned with out any commentary to document the trip. I have to say I am very disappointed in myself; however, the time that I did not spend writing was, if I do say so myself, very well spent. I have stories of rainstorms, Russian mafia, and Chinatown black-markets to tell in detail at a later date, but tonight is about the moments and memories I will never forget.
* The heat - We arrived into New York on the hottest day of the heatwave that they had this year. It's funny because even though I grew up in south Louisiana I forgot that it could still be 98 degrees at 9:30 at night. Southern California rarely has a night that you don't need to throw on a sweatshirt if you sit outside in the evening.
* The subway - (I constantly tried to call it the Tube.) The subway was just one of the many aspects of New York that reminded me of London. The best moment was the first time we rode the train. When it took off, McKenna was nearly knocked of her feet by the unexpected departure. She busted out laughing as if she was riding a roller coster.
* Definition of a walk up -  There is really no elevator in a walk up. Regardless if you are on the 4th story, and there are 10 flights of stairs to make it to your door. Nor does it matter if you have 3 large suitcases, purses, bag, and 2 cases of water to tow .
* New York city block- There are two types. There is a big difference between the 3 blocks from 42nd street to 39th street and 9th ave to Broadway. North to south blocks are short and manageable. East to west are a completely different story, especially in a sudden rain storm.
* Big Nick's ROCKS - Anyone who knows me knows, I can take or leave pizza, but New York's Big Nick's Pizza is in a world of of it's own. I actually went back for pizza 4 times! I think it has something to do with the thin crust and not an overemphasis on cheese. 
* Empire State Building - Enough said. We see it on movies. It is an icon and just is fulfilling to see it in person.
* Lady Liberty -  It was so impressive just to be seeing her in person, but I must admit my first thought was .... I thought she would be bigger. 
* Times Square and Broadway - It was crazy, chaotic, and marvelous all at once. I loved the lights, the crowds, and the energy! 
* World Trade Center Site - September 11th is my generation's Pearl Harbor. Everyone knows where they were and what they were doing when the planes hit and the buildings fell. To be at the site of such devastation and loss was heart-wrenching. 
* People - The New Yorkers were so nice. People  would stop to ask if we needed directions. One gentleman with an umbrella hailed a cab for McKenna and me in a rainstorm, so that we could stay under the awning. People were very polite. 
* Cupcake tasting - Karen and I made it our goal to compare as many red velvet cupcakes as possible. For each tasting, we would critique the cake and frosting as if we were tasting a fine wine. 
* Karen and Sami - I could not have asked for better partners to share this trip with. The girls had a great time together  They loved watching Toddlers and Tiaras at night. (Don't ask, I have not idea why). Karen and I spent our days exploring New York and chatting about everything under the sun. I miss them both. 
* The shows -Somehow I managed to see five absolutely amazing shows. Catch Me if You Can, How to Succeed, Sister Act, Billy Elliot and Book of Mormon. Each one was fantastic. My favorite part was seeing the musical numbers I had ooh'ed and ahh'ed over during the Tony's "Live and in Living Color"!


I know that this was a once in a lifetime experience. To me, what made this trip magical is that it even with all of the touristy adventures we took, I was, for those three weeks, living in New York. Not on a vacation, but actually living this alternate New York life style. When I return, and I know I will, I am sure it will be a quick trip. I will staying in a hotel that could just as easily be in Anycity, USA. Next time I will be a tourist...but I can always remember the three short weeks from this summer when I was a "New Yorker."

Childhood dreams

Have you ever had a dream - a dream that you have had for so long you can't remember not wanting it. That is my dream of visiting New York. I have loved to read since I learned to read which for me was right before I entered kindergarten. Books transported me to magical worlds and introduced me to characters that I came to love so much that I considered them my friends. My Aunt Diana always had suggestions for new books to read and it is to her I credit my introduction to the teenagers known in the Trixie Belden books as the Bobwhites. This group of friends sovled mysteries, mysteries were a special favorie of mine as a child - even a favorite now as I am an adult. I loved to read this series and often wished that I had close knit group of friends to support me as I struggled to find my own place and identity growing up. I read many of these books multiple times, but none captivated me as did "Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Blinking Eye". In this book, the friends travel to New York City. The book describes so many of the sights of New York such as the Empire State Building, Central Park , the United Nations, and the Theatre District - all seen through the eyes of the Bobwhites. Since my very first time reading this book, I have wanted to see these sites for myself. So tomorrow, I fulfill an almost life long dream. Tomorrow I begin my own exploration of New York City. I am full of anticipation like a child on Christmas Eve. This time I see get to see New York through my own eyes.

"If you want to write a book, WRITE A BOOK!"

So when I was teaching language arts, each year my students would read about John Goddard and create their own life lists. I always share my list with the students and always at the top of my list was "write a book". I really do want to write a book I just don't know what I want to write about. I have a tons of ideas, but the idea of writing a WHOLE book is overwhelming. As blogging became more popular, I thought this is great, I could write a blog! But do I write about cooking, teaching, coaching? So many choices...still overwhelming. Ughhhh! So still I wrote nothing.

During a long and animated conversation with Daddy at Christmastime this past year (made longer and more animated by the bottle of wine and scotch), Daddy said, "If you want to write a book, write a book! There's nothing stopping you, but you."

He's right, but I'm still not ready to write a book. However, I am ready to write. I am ready to find my voice. I am ready to share my stories. So I begin....