New York. . . take 4!

I just went on my 4th trip to the wonderful N.Y.C. with a small little group of girls. And it was awesome. We shopped a bit, ate a ton, saw some shows, and sweat more than I have in a real long time. Humid. . . so humid.

The first night there, Lisa and I went to a show called Burn the Floor. It was all dance, with a little singing and I loved it. Karina Smirnoff and her husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy were in it. And they were sizzlin'!!!! We stopped on the street to get a quick dinner that was not so good, but fast. After the show, we met up with Kristin and Elizabeth at Serendipity. I had the world's largest B.L.T. and I scarfed it. Something about being in N.Y. makes me crave B.L.T.'s. Weird. And french toast. I love them both. Then on Friday, we all got up and went to Norma's for some heavenly breakfast. At least I thought so. This was my third time going and so I knew what I wanted. And was very pleased. Elizabeth ordered a dessert. Chocolate French Toast. Yum. If you ever go to NYC, got to Norma's. Get the orange juice, hot chocolate, and all sorts of other delicious things.

Then Elizabeth, Lisa, and I went to TKTS to get some tickets to shows. Kristin went to get a hair cut and Lisa headed back to the hotel for some rest. So. . . Elizabeth and I went shopping. We hit China Town first. Gross, but a must see and do for first time goers to NY. We had a great time bargaining with the sellers and I mostly loved watching Elizabeth be worried about our safety. :) I remember my first time in China Town and following some lady about a mile around some buildings and up SEVERAL flights of stairs, straight into a sweat shop. It was a little intimidating and frightening, but we got our bags. :) Judge me. Then we met up with Kristin for some shopping in Soho. I got my apple fritter form Dean and Deluca and was as content as could be. Just sweaty. Ewwkk! I could feel beads of sweat rolling down my back. Ahhh, how attractive I must seem. For dinner that night, we went to a place called Schnippers Quality Kitchen. I was watching the Food Network the week before we went to NYC and this place was on as the "best sloppy joe." And it just so happened that it was about a block and a half from our hotel. I ordered the mac and joe. Mac and cheese with sloppy joe on the bottom. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. And I met the owners as well. Picture opp!!! :)
That night we all went to a show called 9 to 5 and it was great. I loved it. Very funny. Good laughs. After the show, we (as in Elizabeth and me) rented a rickshaw and went all the way to Magnolia's Bakery on the East side. We passed the temple, which was gorgeous of course and the ride there was super fun. Minus the major B.O. form the driver. Being in the back wind was sick. But still. . . we laughed and had a ton of fun. And hello. .. yummy bakery!!!!!On Saturday, we rode the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. It was a gorgeous day, and we met a super nice family from Tyler, Texas. Not so interesting to any of you, but to me, it was great. Jason and I have been thinking about actually living there. Call us crazy. But I loved that family.
After the ferry ride, we rode the subway to the Doughnut Plant. GO THERE!!! And get the Creme Brulee and the Blackout doughnuts. They are seriously the best I have ever had. Thanks girls for making the time to go there. It was one of the few things I really wanted to do. You know me. . . food. Always at the top of my must do's.

We rushed to the show after that and Elizabeth and I saw Mary Poppins. I really really enjoyed it. Disney just does such a great job with whatever they do. I am so glad I saw it. That's one more I can check off my list of "shows to see".After the show we all met back up for dinner at Carmine's. Kristin looks a little "bored" and fed up with all the picture taking. :) Again. . . wonderful food. New York knows how to do it. We were all stuffed to the max, but so worth it. Kristen headed home for the night after dinner and the rest of us went out to Columbia University for some sight seeing. After I realized I lost my stupid metro card. . .and my sunglasses. The one nice pair I had. Buggin'. Columbia was gorgeous. And such a different feel to it than the city. Peaceful and quiet. Then we went back to the hotel. Kristin was sound asleep, and I was wide awake. :) We all got in bed, retainer in. But I was so awake. I sighed a few times to let everyone know I wanted to be up talking, and it worked. We went downstairs in the lobby and talked for a couple of hours. Ahhhh, girl talk. Easily one of my favorite nights of the trip. A likely sight of Lisa and Kristin.

Sunday we got up and went to church. It was a very good meeting, one I was in much need of and I am so glad we went. The chorister was hilarious too so that made it even better. "Look and listen!! There will be tempo changes!!!" He really loved his calling.We went to the Shake Shack after church to get some lunch and it was just what I needed. A hamburger, fries and a shake at 11am. :) Delish!Then we walked to Central Park and rented some rickshaws again. This time it was an hour ride/tour of the park and one of the funnest things we did. Our guide, Angel was the best. He couldn't believe how old we were. That's right buddy!!! He knew how to get some tip. He was an 18 year old, working hard (riding the rickshaws) to pay for college for computer tech classes. Pretty amazing guy. We got to see all sorts of fun things in Central Park and I learned all about Yoko Ono. I had no idea who she was. Stop judging now. I am sure I am not the only one. :)

And. . . we got to see the famous "Friends" fountain. Oh yeah, we did. That is the first picture on the post.

It was a super fun day in the park with some SUPER fun girls!!!! We finished the ride/tour, went to catch the subway and head back to the hotel to check out. Lisa, Elizabeth and me all took the subway and bus back to the airport and Kristin caught some quick z's and opted for the cab. So, at the airport we all met up and headed back home. I was dead asleep before we even took off.

All I can say it that New York is getting better and better for me. I love it every time I go and this trip was no exception. You girls were fantastic to go with and I had an incredibly fun and entertaining weekend.

And thanks to Jason for keeping the kids. A few days is good for husbands. And thanks Anne and Jeff for sleeping at our house with our kids while Jason worked. That saved us.

Here's to next year!!