The New York trip

I decided it was time for a little adventure and I have been wanting to go back to New York City for awhile. I considered it back in June (remember this one), but due to "other circumstances" going on at the time, decided it wasn't a very good idea then.

I felt that I needed to go to New York for a specific reason, but couldn't put my finger on it in advance. My parents kept asking "why New York" and "why now", etc - to which I had no answer except to say that I felt it was important right now. I don't intend to disclose the things I discovered/decided while in New York, except to say that within the first 12 hours of being gone, I knew why I was there and it all started to make sense to me. I thank God for tender mercies in my simple and small life.

Friday morning - Times Square
Friday morning - Little fruit stand....I love these. I bought fresh fruit each day because it's so cool to walk by and have it ready and delicious and available.
Friday morning, Times Square - A NYPD Station (I took this same picture when at this same spot - almost exactly 3 years ago - and think it looks like a cool old station from the 60's or something of that era.)
Friday afternoon, Rockefeller Center
Friday afternoon, Central Park: It was raining and everything looked so beautiful.
Friday afternoon, Central Park (me looking like a wet dog in the rain, but oh well, it was too pretty to pass up)
Friday afternoon, South side of Central Park: I loved this bus....if you can't see the text, it says, "King Emmanuel Tours....Jesus Loves You, So Do We!". Excellent marketing....hahaha..Friday evening, Broadway for Promises, Promises with the amazing Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes. Kristin was the original "Glenda the Good Witch" in Wicked and I have been obsessed with her for years. Sean was "Jack" from Will and Grace. It is a musical about Manhattan in the 60's and I loved it, including "I Say a Little Prayer for You" and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", etc. I highly recommend it! I couldn't believe that only 10 small rows separated me from Kristin Cheonweth....she was incredible.
Saturday morning, on the subway to Yankee Stadium....made a furry "friend"....hahaha...my mother will kill me for this one....stranger danger...
Saturday morning, Getting off the subway station at Yankee Stadium: this is the moment went I started weeping. Look at this beautiful sight people....just looking at it again kinda brings a tear to the eye. Yankee baseball is what we call History of Baseball 101. Amazing. Flat out amazing.
Saturday morning, Babe Ruth Plaza: I went to the game two hours early so I could wander the plaza, the museum, etc and see it all.
Saturday afternoon, Yankee Stadium: Look at all of the greats...
Saturday afternoon, Yankee Stadium: Umm....can I get a big H yeah for only kissing Yankees?!
Saturday afternoon, Yankee Stadium: Just as I came out of the tunnel, into the main stadium concourse...and again got a tear in my eye. Look at this place.....it's everything I dreamed and better.
Saturday afternoon, Yankee Stadium: Derek Jeter up to bat....I think we should be boyfriend and girlfriend....now if only I can figure out a way to tell him....
Saturday afternoon, Yankee Stadium: I was able to get my ticket through my adopted big brother Casey - and then found out once I was in NY that Casey's dad was in town so we watched the game together!
Saturday evening, The Institute of Culinary Education: I decided that I wanted to take a cooking class while in NY - and what better class than homemade pizza?!
Saturday evening, The Institute of Culinary Education: My teacher (Scott) is shown here on the left. He was very knowledgeable and had almost perfect diction - which I always appreciate.
Saturday evening, The Institute of Culinary Education: The pizzas I made are here in the center. The one towards the bottom has boiled potatoes - and the one at the top has goat cheese. I learned some pretty amazing things.
Saturday night, Times Square: I decided to walk back from my cooking class, and one of the guys from my group said he would walk with me so it made for a fun night in Times Square. Just after I took this picture, someone mooned me. Seriously....only in New York!
Sunday morning, Central Park: I went on a walk through the park and read a book on Sunday morning. Had a delicious breakfast at the diner across from my hotel - it was a great way to wrap up my trip.
Sunday afternoon, Airport Shuttle on the bridge: I was in the airport shuttle going back to JFK but quickly snapped this photo as we went over the bride. Good-bye New York....until next time...
I didn't post any of the shopping photos, but rest assured, I did plenty of shopping.....


I know some people have told me they think it's weird I went alone, but it really was a wonderful experience. It's amazing to have so much silence in yourself (because you aren't really speaking to anyone else), and yet be in one of the busiest cities in the world. I truly did find exactly what I was looking for as part of this trip and am so grateful for the opportunity to go.

The real question is.....where to next.....? :)