Last week, I flew to New York City to spend 4 days with some of the women in my life who have known me since childhood. Jen, Candie, Kim and I met in the 5th grade at Alamosa Elementary School. We were closest in high school and have remained in good contact all these years. Each of us are so different, and the paths our lives have taken are so different and I LOVE that. I LOVE that we are able to so seamlessly pick up where we last left off. I feel particularly blessed to have such intelligent women as my friends- all of the girl gabbing was fabulous and endlessly interesting.
This trip was the first time in 10 years that we had all been able to visit together at the same time. Two years had passed since seeing Jen and Kim, and almost four years since seeing Candie. It was unanimous that we should plan for this again in a few years.
I've got a ton of pictures to show, and I think I'll highlight the trip by going through the photos. But, before I do, I just have to address the "foot thing". I didn't mean to leave you all hanging. A week before leaving for NYC, on Saturday, the whole family (3 kids and Eric and I) were on our master bed having a big ol' tickling and wrestling war. It was super fun and super silly and, well, I often say that you can *feel* that rising energy when someone is about to get hurt. I always do, as a bystander, as a mom. In fact, I now know why my mom paced a bit when my dad and I would rough house during my childhood. (Truth be told, my dad also taught me how to throw a punch, so we often did a little fist slinging at shoulders with boxing gloves... I can still picture my mom's passive looking-the-other way expression... poor woman!) Anyway, because I was participating this time, I didn't feel that rising tension and I was the one to get hurt. Someone attacked me with a super good tickle in the side and I kicked my leg in response and, with all my might, slammed my instep into the iron bedpost. At the time, I wiggled my toes and even said, "It's a wonder I didn't break a bone". It hurt, and never bruised or swelled. But, later in the week- Tuesday maybe?- it started hurt like crazy when I walked. So, I did a little research and had a pretty strong guess that the 3rd or 4th metatarsal (or both?) on my Left foot was fractured. I never went to the doctor because, it would seem, there is very little that can be done aside from isolating the foot and being careful. Between that, a high deductible insurance plan, and my rush to prepare for the trip, I decided to wait it out. Upon arrival, I passed it all by Candie, who is a medical student, and she agreed with my diagnosis (see! I knew I should have been a doctor!). Considering all the walking to be done, we wrapped it every chance I had in an ACE bandage and I took some ibuprofen for the discomfort. I did really well, and it has been hurting a lot less now that I'm home.
Okay, on to the fun stuff!
This was shortly after arriving at Jen's apartment in Brooklyn. I was flying on a free ticket with Southwest, so my only option was to fly into Long Island. Oh My Goodness. What a hassle. Not recommended. I am indebted to Candie for taking 6 hours out of her day to retrieve me from the airport and help me to the City (3 hours there, 3 hours back). It was lovely to talk with her during the entire train ride/transfer time. There was so much to catch up on and hear about. Once we got to Brooklyn, Kim had already arrived and though we were all tired, we stayed up and talked until (what was it?) 2 in the morning, I think.
Here we are on the train the next morning into Manhattan. We purchased
New York passes so that we could easily be tourists, and headed to pick them up in Times Square.
While in the area, we stopped into Toys R Us to gawk. I resisted purchasing anything, but it was fun anyway. There is a FERRIS WHEEL, inside and a T Rex, and an ultra cool Lego department, and a zillion other things, I'm sure. Sensory overload. The last time I was in NYC, they were announcing this store as "Opening Soon". I have to say, I think this blows FAO Shwartz out of the water!
Jen in Times Square. What happened to the
Naked Cowboy? I forgot to ask, but I didn't see him this time. Not such a shame, really.
Sunday night, we took in a Broadway show called
Avenue Q. The theatre does a lottery of the first row, drawing 6 names right before the show. We didn't win, but lucked out on seriously reduced prices anyway- less than $35 for orchestra seating! That's a score in my book. The production has off-color humor and, though it contains puppets, is not meant for children. One of the people to win the lottery was a woman with an 11 year old boy. We saw her at the counter arguing a bit with the cashier about how she consented ("I consent!") and the employee argued back that he was too young. In the end, they were given admittance, but during the more crass parts of the show (there is some sex talk), I couldn't help but think about that child and wonder *why* his mom was so insistent that they be allowed in. I saw them at the end and she was one of the first to give a standing ovation so it certainly did not offend.
This is the Guggenheim. I was almost giddy (Okay, I was giddy!) to be able to go here- especially with girlfriends who were just as excited and did not try to rush through or appease me and sit on a bench so that I could experience it alone. I had never been and the BUILDING ALONE was worth the trip! Frank Lloyd Wright designed it. The architecture is so modern and amazing and stunning and.... wow! I like Frank Lloyd Wright's design, but, in my mind this is such a departure from his Prairie style. I need to read about what point in his career he designed this. Anyway, it's delicious and I was in awe of how perfect of a building it is.
This is the entrance. The lighting was magical. The big dressing table bulbs flickered off and on in a perfect twinkly manner.
The interior of the building, looking upward from the ground floor- one big gorgeous spiral with a "starry sky" at the top!
This shot was a few floors up and was obtained illegally. I didn't realize that I couldn't take pictures past the lobby level. But, now that I've got it, let's all enjoy. :-) Here you can see how you walk continually and gradually up, up, up. My dad and I were on the phone today about the design of this building and marveled at how wonderful it is. There is such beauty, but such FUNCTION as well. It is probably the ONLY museum I've every explored each portion/wing of. Not only that, but I got to the end WANTING MORE. This is exactly because of the shape of the building urging you on to the next thing- winding you up though each part and begging you not to leave a portion unexamined. Lovely!
We broke for lunch, picking up some toasty soups and sandwiches from
Dean & Deluca, then eating them in the peaceful surroundings of Central Park.
Next cultural pit stop was
The Met. Not that I've been to a zillion museums, but I think this now ranks as my favorite. I could have spent all day there! Such variety, and such amazing collections. They have everything. I don't remember the name of this piece, but it was in the same room as
the huge shark in formaldehyde with the best title ever,
The Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living.
I liked this piece, and especially the frame. This is Florine Stettheimer's "Cathedrals of Wall Street" (I only remember the title because I snapped a pick of the plaque, too). Others that stick in my memory are a few works by Picasso that surprised me because the didn't look like Picasso's best known style. They, in fact, were more fluid and reminded me greatly of Renoir.
The sculptures were remarkable. I like this shot because of the lighting, but there were so many others that I don't know why I didn't snap pictures. Particularly, a table with a carving on it of three forms from an ancient myth (what was it?!). Anyway, you could feel the weight of the bodies lying there- but not that they looked like heavy *stone*- they truly looked like heavy, slumbering fleshy bodies draped on the table. Like when your child falls asleep in your lap and they have that rag doll slump them, with each and every muscle being at ease- *that* kind of weight. (wishing now that I'd taken a picture of that piece)
Jen and Candie at The Modern. After rushing home from the Met, we fancied ourselves up for a fantastic dining experience in The Bar Room of The Modern. Food becomes a theme on this trip, but this dinner was certainly one of the highlights. With Jen as our culinary celebrity, we were given the royal treatment. The general manager gave us extra attention, and bonus dishes were brought out for us to taste. We all swapped plates and sampled everything. I was totally brave and tried things out of my norm- including Arctic Char Tartare! I highly recommend the Tart Flambee off page 1, and the Swordfish. For dessert, my favorite was the Cremeux and the Beignets with multiple dipping sauces.
Tisra and Kim.
After our very satisfying meal, we were given the tour of both kitchens (the one for the main Dining Room and the Bar Room) and then took a group shot. We were so spoiled that when the manager realized we were without umbrellas, he sent off with two emblazoned with The Modern's logo.
The following morning, we made our way to
Doughnut Plant for The. Best. Doughnut. I've. Ever. Had. Period. It was a coconut glaze coconut creme square doughnut. Fresh ingredients and real coconut. The inside "cream" was runny real coconut cream- not some coconut flavored whipped custard thing- *real* coconut. I will be craving that for years, I'm certain.
We used our New York pass for access to the NBC Studio Tour which was quite fun. I saw where SNL, Conan O'Brian, and MSNBC/Brian Williams news are all filmed. We didn't bump into anyone, but it was fun all the same to get a look. Afterward, we walked the city. I loved the way this church cast it's shadow upon the streamlined modern skyscraper.
Rockefeller Center art deco entrance. Love it.
Squirily, squiggily designing on the facade of Armani (I think). I took quite a few "inspiration shots" here in NYC just like I did in Chicago. I find that I am growing in love with well designed buildings, architecture, and embellishments on common city objects like plant urns, lamp posts, and bridges.
More food! We had lunch on Sunday at Shake Shack. I was told by Candie and Jen that this place often has a wait of 1- 1.5 hours. At least you get to sand in a lovely park setting while you wait, but there are no online orders or cutsies of any kind. We, thankfully, made it to the front of the line in record time- less than 40 minutes! While we were waiting, I desperately needed to go to the bathroom. The other girls held the spot in line for me, and I went to the automated toilet on the sidewalk nearby. This was not my first experience with these "modern" contraptions- earlier this year, I used one in London- and I still don't like them. You pay 25 cents, press a button and the door opens to reveal a one-room bathroom. You do your business, exit, and then the door shuts to spray cleaners and disinfectants around before the next person enters. Think automatic carwash. The trouble comes when you aren't the only one wanting to use it, because this thing is SLOW. Sadly, I was the 4th person in line. Even with a fast task like peeing, it is about 3-4 minutes for each person. the doors close and open slowly, the lights change slowly... again, it's SLOW. By the time it was my turn, Jen, Candie, and Kim were calling me saying that they were at the front of the lunch line. All was good, they bought my food for me, but then the silly machine wouldn't take my coin. Now, two women were behind me and they were trying to help me with the slot and as we're fussing with it, the front of the slot pops off! Somehow, we managed to coax the machine to take the coin, I go in and before I completely get my zipper up, the door open. That is NOT supposed to happen! The water won't run to wash my hands and the doors won't close to do the clean cycle. Poor grandma in line will not wait and so her daughter and I stand guard while she goes with the door open! Soon, a car stops in front, and the daughter and I are wondering the same thing- "Is this the repair tech?"- because the man looks right at us and is approaching quickly (as though there was purpose in his step). So, she says, "Are you the toilet man?". He takes serious and instantaneous offense and I suddenly feel like I'm in a movie. When she begins to explain that her mother is inside, the guy gets irate and storms back to his car. Grandma finished, I ran to meet everyone at the table and had an amazing burger. But, boy do I hat those stupid bathrooms!
In line at the
Shake Shack, before the bathroom craziness. I ordered the 'Shroom Burger. A thick cheese blend sandwiched between two portobello mushroom rounds, battered, and fried (that's the "veggie patty").
Times Square at night.
Had to have a blurry night lights shots. Evokes the hustle and bustle of NYC doesn't it?
"Fashion poses" atop the Empire State building. Tisra and Jen.
Night skyline as viewed from the Empire State building. Side note: If you get a New York pass and decide to "get more bang for your buck" and take the Skyride motion ride of NYC that is offered inside the Empire State building- do not take it. Not only is "Desiree" a completely irritating video host while you're in line, the shots are all jumpy and all 4 of us were queasy. shame on Kevin Bacon for narrating this one!
4 SoCal girls on top New York and NONE of us live in San Diego anymore. Funny, isn't it.
With flash- more detail and sharpness, but the lighting "mood" is gone.
Me.
Inlaid granite/marble in the elevator.
Monday, we finally had the opportunity to dine at
Gramercy Tavern where Jen is a pastry chef. If we thought that we got the Royal Treatment at the Modern, we Had No Idea! Executive Chef, Michael Anthony came out and asked us what we had planned that day. We said, "nothing" so he created a tasting menu just for us. I could go on an on and on about this experience but that might bore you all. We ate for 4 hours and had so much lavished upon us it was crazy. I tried two more things I'd never had: quail, and smoke trout. It was a 4 course tasting menu, but he sent out a unique dish for each of us so by the end (when we passed around plates to try each other's), we had sampled 12 courses. THEN, we ordered 3 desserts, BUT because they were showing off, we were brought out 6 desserts. Which hiked our total up to EIGHTEEN individual dishes. Jen's birthday was Tuesday, so her dessert sported some amazing penmanship (in chocolate) wishing her Happy Birthday. Favorites in this dining experience: the soups, the cauliflower vegetarian dish with almonds and capers (from the Tavern menu), the goat cheese cheesecake, and the Peanut Butter Semifreddo.
Jen and Kim at Gramercy. After the indulgent lunch (that turned into dinner), we were given the tour of the kitchen and the downstairs prep and pastry areas. I will admit that there was even a detour to the chocolate room where I somehow found a bit more room to nibble at least two of Jen's chocolate creations that she designed. I'm proud of that gal.
Truly, I'm proud of all my friends. Women with such determination and amazing dedication to their areas of interest. It was wonderful to see all three of them talk about what they've achieved, or the directions they're headed in their careers. Kim told me a bit about her recent travels with her position to Russia and Germany (further fueling my ever-present desire to go everywhere on the entire globe! Like the
Hermitage Museum). And, I got to look over Candie's shoulder as she studied for her medical school exams. I did alright on the multiple choice questions about next course of action in hypothetical situations with hypothetical patients and their hypothetical stats, which made me happy simply because that was my chosen career. I still think, in an alternate world, that I would love being a doctor.
This was our last night together. We sat munching on goodies from GreenMarket farmer's market, watching (half-heartedly) the Titans Monday night game, and packing our suitcases (Kim and I). I thought about how blessed I was to make such a trip, and to have such an amazing time with amazing friends.
And, it sounds all rosy and sweet because it really was. We lived in the moment and enjoyed the time we had, regretting nothing. And I hope we are blessed with visits just like these through old age.
