So my Daddy and I just drove through the night to the Leakey house, so I'm going to chronicle things backwards...
We arrived here after I got off my plane in Houston, the plane that was scheduled to leave at 7:10 pm from JFK last night that was delayed until 11:00 pm. It was a FANTASTIC day at the airport. Really. It was AWESOME being at Gate 25 from 4:30 pm till 11 pm!
The plane ride was pretty uneventful. I got to watch a breathtaking electric light show as we flew over a lightning storm. The girls behind me thought we were dead for sure, but if they could have just loosened up they would have noticed that the lightning was really fascinating and not frightening at all! Seeing the Big Dipper right out my window was really special, I teared up a little as I gazed at it from my 5D window seat. I had missed it in New York, you just don't see the stars there. It's really a shame too.
Overall Saturday, Saturday night/early Sunday morning consisted of traveling.
Friday was a weird day at work. Weird saying goodbye to everyone that you have loved working with all summer. Of course, I plan to visit my new found LIME peeps sometime in the future :)
Friday evening after packing, packing, and a little more packing, I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met had been on my list of to-dos for quite a while and once I finally made it there I was bummed I hadn't made more time for it earlier. It pretty much topped my list of sights seen in NYC. Just couldn't get enough. I could have spent an entire day there. If you ever go to NYC, or live there and haven't visited, you MUST go to The Met. I know not everyone enjoys art, but even if you don't particularly care about such things, The Met is more than a gallery. It's a chronicle of history. There is just so much to see and take in. There is absolutely something there everyone can appreciate. So Go!
Following my Met extravaganza I enjoyed a lovely dinner with Ashley. Our final dinner together just the two of us. Our final Lovers Dinner, hahaha. And it was French!
Then a great deal of farewells between dreamers...
Oh what a wonderful summer it was. Can't believe I was in Manhattan just yesterday. Feels like the whole experience was over before it even started. Still so much could have been done! But that's okay, because New York hasn't seen the last of this Texas girl!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Can It Be?
Tomorrow, Aug. 1st, is my last day at LIME. Seriously, I can't believe it. It's like someone whacked me over the head with a frying pan, and now I've woken up and 2 months have passed. Totally insane how fast June and July have gone by.
I've really had the time of my life here in New York City. Packing everything up is bittersweet. I'm glad to be seeing my family soon, but I would be just as happy if they could just come North. I'm not sure I'm really all that ready to hit the road, or the air, just yet.
At our UOD closing ceremony tonight we listened to a little goodbye speech, watched a slide show of pics, received presents, and concluded with a toast to the summer past. Although some of the toasts were complete wastes of breath, some people said some very sweet and touching things, and it just got me feeling a little sad about saying goodbye.
I still agree that the name University of Dreams is kinda silly, and I get why people are skeptical, I was too originally, but ya know, I wouldn't trade this "dreamer" experience for anything. It's been so much more than I ever expected, or could have dreamt up myself. The memories I've made, some published in this blog, some held just in my heart, will always be special to me.
What an extraordinary experience this has truly been.
I've really had the time of my life here in New York City. Packing everything up is bittersweet. I'm glad to be seeing my family soon, but I would be just as happy if they could just come North. I'm not sure I'm really all that ready to hit the road, or the air, just yet.
At our UOD closing ceremony tonight we listened to a little goodbye speech, watched a slide show of pics, received presents, and concluded with a toast to the summer past. Although some of the toasts were complete wastes of breath, some people said some very sweet and touching things, and it just got me feeling a little sad about saying goodbye.
I still agree that the name University of Dreams is kinda silly, and I get why people are skeptical, I was too originally, but ya know, I wouldn't trade this "dreamer" experience for anything. It's been so much more than I ever expected, or could have dreamt up myself. The memories I've made, some published in this blog, some held just in my heart, will always be special to me.
What an extraordinary experience this has truly been.
CHOP CHOP
Last night, July 30th, I cut off my hair. That's right, y'all. It's gone...again...
My 3rd donation to Locks of Love to date, sadly it was my smallest donation ever, but I think 10 inches is still significant! Wrong? I think not.
Anyway, no pics. It's a wait and see.
My 3rd donation to Locks of Love to date, sadly it was my smallest donation ever, but I think 10 inches is still significant! Wrong? I think not.
Anyway, no pics. It's a wait and see.
Birthday in New York
Tuesday, July 29th, was Ashley's big 21st birthday!Before hitting a restaurant for a late dinner Ash opened her gifts from us girls. I gave her Madeleine, l'édition en français. Madeleine is Ashley's most favorite childhood series, she still loves Madeleine to this day, and since she is taking French at USC this fall (as am I), I thought it was pretty appropriate. Of course she loved it, and here she is, loving it...
I also threw in a bag of her favorite candy: Sour Patch Kids :)
Due to my 20-ness, I didn't get to partake in all of the festivities the day had to offer, but I was able to join with her in Mexican food at El Cantinero. Food was good, but I must say, I was a bit disappointed with the staff for not tossing a ridiculously large sombrero on her head and shaking their maracas to Feliz Cumpleanos! Despite how many times we each reminded them of Ashley's reason for celebrating they just didn't acknowledge it with any sort of song and dance. Or flan for that matter. In the words of Madeleine, "Poo Poo" to them!
Monday, July 28, 2008
MadLindsCan
What an extraordinary trio: Lindsey, Candace & Madison. All together in New York City for one short weekend. The past Thursday thru Sunday rocked my socks.
The ladies landed on Thursday night and we grabbed a bite at Agave in the West Village. Really great Mexican food. Highly recommend. It was really fun just to see them again. I couldn't help myself, I totally squeeled and ran to them when I saw them outside the dorm. What a dork, but I was just so excited! At dinner we just chilled and talked, followed by an excursion to Magnolia Bakery that ended up a failure. I took a wrong turn down Bleeker and we never found it...but we did make it to Chelsea Pier (intentionally!). Yes, I always take my guests to Chelsea Pier. It's so pretty and you can see the Statue of Liberty. So there. We got a free show too. Some crazy man, maybe homeless, it was questionable, definitely crazy though, was completely going off on anyone willing to fight with him. His phrase "I got my own" apparently meant "I got my own gun" to Lindsey and Candace because they got pretty freaked out and "feared for their lives." Haha, in other words, maybe not the safest place for 3 young women long after dark... But definitely memorable! Welcome to New York!
Friday was spent shopping! It was nice being a tour guide of sorts, but not having to run around to all the tourist destinations. I mostly just pointed out anything special along the way, I felt so knowledgeable (haha...). We made our way up 5th Ave from Union Square and ended at Tiffany's. That was the major highlight I would say.
We had dinner reservations to keep so we rushed back to the dorm, dressed ourselves up and went straight back uptown because we had to visit the Museum of Modern Art before dinner (free Friday nights!). Of course we looked very glamorous amongst the hoards of people.
Aside: Apparently a foreign couple at the museum was a little obsessed with my hair. Candace and Lindsey watched as they argued over whether the color is natural or fake, while the man made numerous hand gestures around the back of my head... FYI: It's all natural, baby!
We were a little distracted by the number of people there, but we still saw some amazing works by artists: Monet, Picasso, Da Vinci, Pollock (to name a few). It was strange to see before your very eyes works of art that you've before only adored from the view of a picture or television screen. Right in front of you. Makes you kinda love this New York place.
Dinner at Frederick's Downtown was a part of our plan to experience New York Restaurant Week. I can't say it turned out quite as well as we had hoped: the restaurant was hard to find, a bit snooty (despite how gorgeous we all are), and wanted us to starve for a good 20 minutes. It got better though once we did receive some sustenance. After that point our spirits lifted and we were enjoying ourselves again.
For a little while. After dinner marked the beginning of the foot fiasco. We took a cab home because all of our feet were achin from the many hours of walking throughout the day, but it was dear Candace that was really in trouble. The Dr. is still out on the diagnosis, however, it's serious people. To the point that Saturday and Sunday weren't the easiest for her. I won't dwell on that though, I doubt she would appreciate that.
Saturday we ran down to Times Square and bought last minute discount tickets for Chicago! I was a little stressed out by this method, even though it was my own idea, but it worked flawlessly. Half price tickets and our seats weren't bad! Chicago was fun! We were in the Ambassador Theater, not the biggest theater by any means. I was a little bummed that Linds and Can missed out on the BIG broadway experience, but Chicago was still definitely a good show.
The evening was spent, just Linds and I, at Caroline's on Broadway for dinner and a comedy show. The comedians were all fantastic. I had never been to a real comedy show before and will absolutely be doing that again. I laughed. And laughed. And laughed. So much laughing that I resorted to wiping the uncontrollable tears from eyes with an extra dinner napkin. Classy, I know. It without a doubt makes the list of the best nights I've had here.
Sunday began with brunch at Tavern on the Green. I was going a little crazy beforehand as I worried over reservation issues and being late and the sky deciding to open up and rain as we were leaving. Those things compounded didn't make me very happy. Thank heavens it all worked out though. And brunch was delicious, totally worth the stress! We stuffed ourselves well and then took a little stroll around Central Park. We had a nice break on a few fence posts while we listened to an excellent jazz band perform in the park. The rain had passed and a cool breeze made the excursion delightful.
In an effort to keep Can off her feet as much as possible, we hit the theater for another musical! Only this time, not broadway. Mamma Mia! off broadway may not be as good as the original, but it was still very good in my book. I tend to love most musicals though (with the exception of Hairspray!) so it doesn't take much to please me. Especially when it's ABBA. I mean, who can resist ABBA?
After our dose of Meryl and Pierce we relaxed, eventually leading to a massive take-out order consisting of Mexican, Chinese, and Italian (i.e., pizza) food. The contents of which we all found highly satisfying...
The ladies left this morning. And I've been exhausted all day, so I'm going to bed right now! This post will have pictures added later. I was just very silly all weekend and perpetually left my camera on it's charger at NYU. Once Lindsey uploads her pics I'll steal a few for the blog!
The ladies landed on Thursday night and we grabbed a bite at Agave in the West Village. Really great Mexican food. Highly recommend. It was really fun just to see them again. I couldn't help myself, I totally squeeled and ran to them when I saw them outside the dorm. What a dork, but I was just so excited! At dinner we just chilled and talked, followed by an excursion to Magnolia Bakery that ended up a failure. I took a wrong turn down Bleeker and we never found it...but we did make it to Chelsea Pier (intentionally!). Yes, I always take my guests to Chelsea Pier. It's so pretty and you can see the Statue of Liberty. So there. We got a free show too. Some crazy man, maybe homeless, it was questionable, definitely crazy though, was completely going off on anyone willing to fight with him. His phrase "I got my own" apparently meant "I got my own gun" to Lindsey and Candace because they got pretty freaked out and "feared for their lives." Haha, in other words, maybe not the safest place for 3 young women long after dark... But definitely memorable! Welcome to New York!
Friday was spent shopping! It was nice being a tour guide of sorts, but not having to run around to all the tourist destinations. I mostly just pointed out anything special along the way, I felt so knowledgeable (haha...). We made our way up 5th Ave from Union Square and ended at Tiffany's. That was the major highlight I would say.
We had dinner reservations to keep so we rushed back to the dorm, dressed ourselves up and went straight back uptown because we had to visit the Museum of Modern Art before dinner (free Friday nights!). Of course we looked very glamorous amongst the hoards of people.
Aside: Apparently a foreign couple at the museum was a little obsessed with my hair. Candace and Lindsey watched as they argued over whether the color is natural or fake, while the man made numerous hand gestures around the back of my head... FYI: It's all natural, baby!
We were a little distracted by the number of people there, but we still saw some amazing works by artists: Monet, Picasso, Da Vinci, Pollock (to name a few). It was strange to see before your very eyes works of art that you've before only adored from the view of a picture or television screen. Right in front of you. Makes you kinda love this New York place.
Dinner at Frederick's Downtown was a part of our plan to experience New York Restaurant Week. I can't say it turned out quite as well as we had hoped: the restaurant was hard to find, a bit snooty (despite how gorgeous we all are), and wanted us to starve for a good 20 minutes. It got better though once we did receive some sustenance. After that point our spirits lifted and we were enjoying ourselves again.
For a little while. After dinner marked the beginning of the foot fiasco. We took a cab home because all of our feet were achin from the many hours of walking throughout the day, but it was dear Candace that was really in trouble. The Dr. is still out on the diagnosis, however, it's serious people. To the point that Saturday and Sunday weren't the easiest for her. I won't dwell on that though, I doubt she would appreciate that.
Saturday we ran down to Times Square and bought last minute discount tickets for Chicago! I was a little stressed out by this method, even though it was my own idea, but it worked flawlessly. Half price tickets and our seats weren't bad! Chicago was fun! We were in the Ambassador Theater, not the biggest theater by any means. I was a little bummed that Linds and Can missed out on the BIG broadway experience, but Chicago was still definitely a good show.
The evening was spent, just Linds and I, at Caroline's on Broadway for dinner and a comedy show. The comedians were all fantastic. I had never been to a real comedy show before and will absolutely be doing that again. I laughed. And laughed. And laughed. So much laughing that I resorted to wiping the uncontrollable tears from eyes with an extra dinner napkin. Classy, I know. It without a doubt makes the list of the best nights I've had here.
Sunday began with brunch at Tavern on the Green. I was going a little crazy beforehand as I worried over reservation issues and being late and the sky deciding to open up and rain as we were leaving. Those things compounded didn't make me very happy. Thank heavens it all worked out though. And brunch was delicious, totally worth the stress! We stuffed ourselves well and then took a little stroll around Central Park. We had a nice break on a few fence posts while we listened to an excellent jazz band perform in the park. The rain had passed and a cool breeze made the excursion delightful.
In an effort to keep Can off her feet as much as possible, we hit the theater for another musical! Only this time, not broadway. Mamma Mia! off broadway may not be as good as the original, but it was still very good in my book. I tend to love most musicals though (with the exception of Hairspray!) so it doesn't take much to please me. Especially when it's ABBA. I mean, who can resist ABBA?
After our dose of Meryl and Pierce we relaxed, eventually leading to a massive take-out order consisting of Mexican, Chinese, and Italian (i.e., pizza) food. The contents of which we all found highly satisfying...
The ladies left this morning. And I've been exhausted all day, so I'm going to bed right now! This post will have pictures added later. I was just very silly all weekend and perpetually left my camera on it's charger at NYU. Once Lindsey uploads her pics I'll steal a few for the blog!
Monday, July 21, 2008
My Own North vs. South
While I've been in NY people are constantly asking me "where are you from?, do you like NY?, do you want to move here after college?," etc. These questions have really got me thinkin about home/Texas and here/NY... And thus, I have compiled a list of things that I have come to miss the most during my month in New York. Now, this isn't meant to be an insult to NYC, I'm having a fabulous time here, and there are certainly some things that I've grown to love while being here. This is just a list of 10 things (#1 being the most important) I'm so accustomed to at home that without them I'm like an addict going through withdrawals.
1. The things my family make extra special: My Dad's hugs/My Mom's "tickly-back"/Coffee morning, noon, and night with Anna/Inside jokes accompanied by uncontrollable laughing with Tess (and so much more from each of them, I'm very blessed in this area)
2. Quiet, sitting outside and hearing nothing but birds chirping and the wind blowing
3. Driving, few things beat driving with your favorite tunes blastin
4. Stars, you would think they were a myth if you grew up in NYC
5. Grass, endless fields of green
6. Potentially hearing country music at any time of day
7. Wearing jeans to practically any occasion (and it's socially acceptable)
8. Smiling at people and people actually smiling back
9. Men openning doors, offering their seat, just being a gentleman
10. Really good Mexican Food/Salsa (the old Pace Piquante sauce commercials turned out to be so true in this case)
1. The things my family make extra special: My Dad's hugs/My Mom's "tickly-back"/Coffee morning, noon, and night with Anna/Inside jokes accompanied by uncontrollable laughing with Tess (and so much more from each of them, I'm very blessed in this area)
2. Quiet, sitting outside and hearing nothing but birds chirping and the wind blowing
3. Driving, few things beat driving with your favorite tunes blastin
4. Stars, you would think they were a myth if you grew up in NYC
5. Grass, endless fields of green
6. Potentially hearing country music at any time of day
7. Wearing jeans to practically any occasion (and it's socially acceptable)
8. Smiling at people and people actually smiling back
9. Men openning doors, offering their seat, just being a gentleman
10. Really good Mexican Food/Salsa (the old Pace Piquante sauce commercials turned out to be so true in this case)
while I'm at it
So my posting with the inclusion of Mario Lopez triggered something that I forgot to share last week. Sorry y'all, last week really was a bit of a blur.
This post only applies to anyone that watches What Not to Wear on TLC, otherwise, you won't get this. Back story: I have been contemplating getting my hair cut while I'm here, which means I need to find someone or someplace to do the job. I had noticed that on street level in the identical building across from KB (my work building) is a salon named Arrojo. Very sleek, very professional, very appealing.
I googled the salon (this was last Monday), I had been mispronouncing the name, and had therefore never realized that it was none other than NICK ARROJO'S very own salon! Right across from my own building is a razor wielding celebrity stylist. I was floored and now I love Varick Street that much more. Unfortunately Nick isn't in my budget but the very knowledge of his very near existence has made me a little silly. Every day when I walk by I look through the windows, in a very discrete manner I guarantee (haha), hoping to catch a glimpse of the one and only Nick Arrojo. I actualy saw him Wednesday of last week! Totally made my morning/maybe even my day. Certainly made it more than cup of coffee.
This post only applies to anyone that watches What Not to Wear on TLC, otherwise, you won't get this. Back story: I have been contemplating getting my hair cut while I'm here, which means I need to find someone or someplace to do the job. I had noticed that on street level in the identical building across from KB (my work building) is a salon named Arrojo. Very sleek, very professional, very appealing.
I googled the salon (this was last Monday), I had been mispronouncing the name, and had therefore never realized that it was none other than NICK ARROJO'S very own salon! Right across from my own building is a razor wielding celebrity stylist. I was floored and now I love Varick Street that much more. Unfortunately Nick isn't in my budget but the very knowledge of his very near existence has made me a little silly. Every day when I walk by I look through the windows, in a very discrete manner I guarantee (haha), hoping to catch a glimpse of the one and only Nick Arrojo. I actualy saw him Wednesday of last week! Totally made my morning/maybe even my day. Certainly made it more than cup of coffee.
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