Visits and Trips

The past two months have included visits from wonderful friends and family, along with some adventures in and out of the city.  It's been great!!

I have to admit that although I love running in Central Park, I don't tend to run into deer.  It was a nice welcome home to the country when I visited family for Labor Day.

And then when I made it back home to NYC, there was a 20 block street festival! Lobster rolls are my fav.

September 11 here was sobering.  I decided to talk a long walk in the park and caught this gorgeous sunset.

On the walk home from the park, I saw the tower lights from downtown.  I cannot imagine being here that day.

My parents visited, so we hit up the 9/11 Museum.  The One World Trade Center building is something to behold.

St. Patrick's Cathedral feels like a little piece of Europe in the city.

Grand Central Station!

The Chrysler building.

The skating rink is now open at Rockefeller!

My friends came to visit and we saw Hamilton.  I really enjoyed it.  It's different from every other musical I have seen and I'm hooked on the soundtrack!

We wandered around Central Park after enjoying some delicious fresh bagels in the UES.  I love that I discover new areas every time I go! Shakespeare's garden was amazing!

Columbus Day parade on Fifth!

I felt the urge to leave the city and found a group to go to Poughkeepsie with to check out some wineries.  The train ride was GORGEOUS with the changing leaf colors and scenery along the Hudson River Valley.  It was the perfect weather with sun and great temperatures.  We found a  pumpkin patch/orchard/corn maze/band festival too!  I made some new friends and was refreshed when we returned.

Until next time!

Kindness

Hi, friends.  This post will be more heartfelt than previous ones.  I have heard many negative comments about people from New York, especially New York City - they're rude, mean, angry...you get the idea.  Despite the little time I have lived here, I beg to differ.  I have had plenty of people hold open a door for me.  On Friday, the bus I needed was leaving the curb when the driver noticed me, and he actually stopped the bus to let me on.  People smile here and give compliments.  I found an amazing church that is filled with the Lord's spirit and abundant kindness.  Last night, my waitress at an Italian restaurant on Staten Island gave us free cookies when we left, just because (she had not even seen our tip).  My 80-something year-old neighbor reminds me often to drop by if I need sugar, eggs, or even a rug.  Another kind 80-something year-old gentleman in my building always inquires as to how I am.  I have had plenty of random conversations with strangers, whether at the bus stop or in an elevator.  I have repeatedly seen strangers help women with strollers get up/down the stairs for the subway.  It is not uncommon to see kids in my neighborhood selling lemonade for charity.  My colleagues are some of the warmest physicians I have ever met.  And these are just the examples I can think of right now.  Sure, the honking is incessant here (the many meanings of the honks will be a future post, I'm sure), and not everyone is friendly, but I have met plenty of unfriendly people in the other places I have lived.  It's important to look past the inflammatory personas of this vibrant city, and look at the kindness that is overlooked.

On that note, on to the photos.

Deliciously fresh oysters from my local seafood market.  Yummmmmm.....  And as a bonus, they shucked them for free!

This is the view from the hospital near the ORs.  When I'm needing some decompression, I love sitting at the window and enjoying the serenity.  Even if occasionally a barge of trash goes by.

Little boats at Central Park!

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis reservoir - I forgot how much I love sunrise runs.  It was the perfect temperature to run with hundreds of my fellow runners.  

I went to Staten Island last night for an Italian meal with a friend, and we took the ferry at sunset.  Amazing views!! Lady Liberty is my favorite, but Manhattan looked pretty good as well.

This guy (or maybe it's female - read about what female praying mantis' do to the males some time) must be trying to make it to either Staten Island or Manhattan, but he was halfway down the ferry, so he has a long way to go.  If you can zoom in, the praying mantis is looking right at me.  He's quite the poser.

Until next time, share some kindness!

Another Day, Another Museum

Hi friends!  I guess I assumed that Texas heat and humidity was the worst I had experienced, with the exception of Puerto Rico and New Orleans.  Well, New York is doing a pretty good job of competing.  It has been in the 90's and incredibly humid.  It's just not fair, considering how far north we are.  Can't we at least have cooler temperatures with this humidity??  I need to find that special deodorant again.

A few weeks ago, it was the perfect Saturday to wear a glorious hat and head to the Met.  It's such an amazing museum with incredible history.

I came across this gorgeous Monet.  It would fit perfectly in my apartment.  :)

I had to see the special exhibition.  It's all about couture clothing and technological advances.

LOVE IT!

I found my little black dress.

And on to Egypt.  Here is the Temple of Dendur.  You can go inside of it, but the line was too long for my patience at the time.

I haven't seen a Broadway show in a few weeks and was feeling that tug, so when I heard that one of my best friend's friends was in Aladdin, I booked a ticket.  SO AMAZING!! I highly recommend it.

Tiny avocado, $1.50 each.  'Nuff said.  Welcome to New York.

This adorable bronze sculpture is by my church.  :)

I finally finished another blanket!!  My hand was sore for several days after feverishly trying to finish it.  Time to start another!

I have to say that I'm loving living in New York.  Everything is at my fingertips, even if most items costs 2-3x as much.  Great, cheap public transportation helps.  Today I'll be receiving my first delivery from FreshDirect, which is a company that delivers groceries to your door.  I get free delivery for two months, and it's completely worth it for cheaper prices (along with them delivering heavy items that I don't feel like lugging home).

Thunderstorms and New Jersey

Thunderstorms are strange here.  Half of the time I don't even realize it's raining if I am in my apartment, since I can't hear the rain on the roof or the windows.  A storm hit while I was running errands a few days ago, and luckily I found an alcove against a building to share with several strangers.  I swear they must have built those alcoves specifically for that purpose.

I went to Hoboken, NJ recently with a friend to check out Carlo's Bakery (the famed Cake Boss on TV).

After about an hour of waiting for my number to be called, I ordered three delicious pastries (tiramisu, cheesecake, and lobster tail).  The woman at the counter said "That's it?"  So I added on a strawberry shortcake.  :) Here's my tiramisu.  So delicious!

We walked over to the Hudson River and saw the most beautiful view of Manhattan!

Hoboken is the complete opposite of Manhattan.  I didn't hear a single car honk and did not fear for my life when I crossed the street.  Quite peaceful.

Here are some more photos of Central Park when I was running there recently.  I found a great pond and some beautiful rock formations.  I love the gazebo!  I also came across a fair for kids.

And I forgot to add this photo last time, but it's worth putting up.  When I was in Washington Square Park, there was an amazing pianist on the sidewalk, playing incredible music.

I can also testify that I have seen the naked cowboy.  I was in a hurry, trying to get to a Broadway show, when I saw him, so no current picture, but I will do my best to make that happen again.  :)