In a New York Minute.....

Pictures of the few things we did while in New York.

Day 1:

We rode a taxi the the Manhattan Temple where we stored our suitcases while we ate and viewed the town. We attended the last temple session of the day. This is where we met up with Jamie and Derek. They work at the temple of Wednesday nights.The temple is beautiful. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to visit the temple.

We had real New York pizza. We tasted chicken and tomato pizza and artichoke and tomato pizza. Our favorite was the chicken and tomato.

We walked around the lower part of Central Park. It was very pretty and we saw squirrels. I just love animals. We saw The Dairy, the checker and chess tables and so much more.

That night we rode the subway to Jamie and Derek's apartment were we settled in for bed. Except we never slept. Who can when they have just arrived in New York and want to see everything? Thanks again Derek for carrying our luggage up all the subway stairwells.

Day 2:

We woke up at 6:30 am (really 4:30 am here wondering why we were so tired) and headed to Battery Park to get on the Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I remembered seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time when I was 10 years old. It still seems so big. Sadly the tickets to climb the Statue of Liberty were already sold out by 8:30 am, so we did not go inside the statue. My favorite part of Ellis Island was looking at the old luggage and pictures of the people.

We visited Ground Zero. Most of it was fenced off, but we were able to get a picture of part of it. When I was 10 years old, I had my picture taken laying on the floor of the World Trade Center. It was such a weird feeling realizing that I was once there before 9-11. We also visited St. Paul's Chapel across the street. This was home to the eight-month volunteer relief effort after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.

We did some shopping in Chinatown. I bought:

2 watches (one for Levi and one for me) = $23.

1 pair of pink sunglasses = $6.

We ate dinner there. It was not that good. Although the virgin piña coladas were delicious.

We were so exhausted after all that, so we headed back to Jamie's were we took an hour nap and then played a game called, The Settlers of Catan. It was so much fun.

Day 3:

We got up early again and arrived at the Empire State building by 8:00 am. We finished so fast that we decided to get hot chocolate. The only place we could find was Dunkin' Donuts. The hot chocolate was not that good, but the bagel was.

We decided to head north to the New York Library. On our way we saw a gathering for Good Friday. The people sang as they marched down the sidewalk. It was really neat to see. Bryant Park was right behind the New York Library, so we had to stop there for a photo shoot.

We rode a subway up to the Rockefeller center where we went inside the General Electric building (GE building). We did some shopping. We found the Rockefeller ice skating rink, NBC studio, a candy store and much much more.

Next, we visited St. Patrick's Cathedral where we observed part of the Good Friday service.

Jamie met us at Grand Central Station, where we headed to the Brooklyn Bridge. On the way there we saw a man painting amazing pictures with spray cans. It was awesome.

Next we headed to Washington Square Park. On the way there I was told I am too nice by a man selling fruit. He kept asking me if I wanted to purchase different fruits. I kept replying, "No thank you, no thank you."

That night Jamie made a really good chicken and rice dinner. Then Jane and I headed to Times Square. While there we rode on the Ferris Wheel inside Toys R Us, ate New York cheesecake at Roxy's and did some major shopping. Note to everyone: be careful shopping at M&M world, you will spend a lot of money.

As we were heading back to Jamie's we saw a group of boys break dancing in the subway. It was so fun to watch.

Day 4:

We slept in on Saturday and then played Pirates of the Caribbean Life with Jamie. Then we went to see Wicked on Broadway. I just loved it. We had orchestra seat, so we could see every facial expression and every costume up close. It was amazing. The show was better than I thought it would be. I did not want to leave. I was ready to watch it all over again. Now, I really want to read the book.

After Wicked we met up with Derek and Jamie to eat lunch at Tom's Restaurant were the TV show Seinfeld was filmed. It has been remodeled a bit and the food was not the best, but it was still fun. Derek took us to Columbia University to show us where the main campus of his school is located.

Jane and I took another subway to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was really cool, but I was way to tired to walk anymore. There is no way to see the whole museum in one day. It is huge.

Day 5:

Sunday morning we got up and went to Levain Bakery that was mentioned on Oprah as being the cinnamon bun winners on Friday, March 13th, 2009. I must not have good taste because I have tasted better, but they were not bad. They do not make them plain only with walnuts or raisins, I prefer plain.

Next, we headed to Central Park. We got lost and were only able to find two things on our list: Belveder's Castle and the Marionette Theatre within two hours. We were both very tired and complained about body aches. At that point I was quite ornery and walked up to some man with a map and ask him, "How do I get out of here?"

From Central Park we went to Subway and got a sandwich and ate our Subway on a Subway (get the play on words?). We were pretty good at getting around using the subway system. In fact, we found it rather fun and we figure we blended in with the New Yorkers cause we were so good (we think).

After we ate lunch on the subway we headed back to Derek and Jamie's apartment were we visited for awhile and Jane played with some kids in the hall. Then we took a town car to the airport where we headed home.

I want to thank Derek and Jamie for a wonderful time. You guys are awesome. Jamie we miss you and hope to see you again soon.

Jane thanks for a great time and for getting along so well with me. It is so amazing how much we are alike. I cannot wait to see ya at work.

It was a fun trip, but I was ready to be home. I missed Levi tons and was worried about my sick kitty that Levi I had to take to the vet. It is nice to be home again.

P.S. Brandi don't worry we are still friends.