The Best Week That Ever Was Part 2

Ah! I am procrastinating the rest of the story of my trip, and I definitely would not want to forget this trip. Okay so Sunday evening, we flew to NYCizzle and headed to Laura's apartment. I couldn't help but notice all of the multiple layers of paint and think about how old and historic all the buildings in NY are. I mean just think, in Laura's room, someone could have been murdered or a baby could have been born in there or...you just never know! Okay maybe I'm the only one who thinks about that stuff, but I like to think about who lived there.
We started our eating adventures promptly and hit up the notorious Shake Shack. Delish. And then promptly retired to home because I was exhausted from Orlando. Oh but I also met her roommates and one of them is hilarious. I want her to be my friend. Like, if I was half as funny as her and tried to pull off some her witty remarks, I wouldn't be able to finish the sentence because I'd be laughing at my own joke and then no one would get it and it would be an awkward silence. So all in all, I wish I could hang out with Laura and her roomie all the time.
The next two days, I was on my own. I was quite nervous about this because at the time I thought I was going to be bored. HA. Bored, in NYC? What was I thinking! I seem to entertain myself with lint for a few hours so I'm not sure what I was thinking. Monday I got up at 11am (hey, I'm on western time!) and strolled through Central Park, the MOMA (well just the gift shop really, the best part!), and down the streets between 81st and 59th just lolligagging. I eventually met up with Laura and ate at Westfield(? I think that's a mall, but I swear that's the name of the restaurant) and then went to Bryant Park for some ice skating. Okay, I suck at ice skating. Why do I keep thinking that I am a natural at these sports? I had to have Laura hold my hand for the first couple rounds (now that was a sight!) and eventually was able to skate on my own. I just hate it when you are in those public rinks and some people go there to "practice their mad skills" if you will. Like they start preparing like they are going to do a triple sow cow, and then they just keep skating like they decided *oh not quite yet, those people were in my way*. I hate those people.
Tuesday I took a cruise to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I couldn't help getting choked up in Ellis Island. Laura told me of our great grandma on my Mom's side who went through there when she was 12 years old from Denmark in 1896. 12! You know what I was doing when I was 12? Whining that I had to practice the piano for 30 minutes. I'm glad I have had such an easy life, but sometimes I wish I wasn't such a wuss and I think starting a new life in a new country with no money would make a person pretty strong.
Wednesday, we got to the Times Square to get in line for student rush tickets for Memphis. A cute little couple from Tennesse quietly asked us if we would get extra tickets for them. We were able to get 4 tickets for the front row seats at $25 a piece, normally like $150! The couple was very thankful and I really enjoyed the show. There is something very different about being in the front row. I couldn't help dancing and smiling throughout the whole thing and I think the actors noticed because I caught quite a few winks and glances towards me, and I like to think they enjoyed my viewing. But what a show, really. Great dancing, great storyline, great singing. Later that night, I made my return to Grimaldi's but only had to wait in like for 20 minutes instead of the 2 hours I had to wait last time for their heavenly pizza.
Thursday we headed to the parade and then, begrudgingly, we ran the 10K that my Dad challenged us all to do on Thanksgiving. I wanted to complete the 10K, I just didn't want to actually do it. But running in Central Park is quite enjoyable and made me feel like I earned my 3 slices of pie that night. Thanksgiving dinner was good, and I definitely appreciate all the hard work they put it, but it doesn't come close to my Mom's Thanksgiving dinner. Normally, I have to dragged myself to a couch after Thanksgiving. This year? We went home and I think I might have had some leftover pizza because I didn't eat that much. But it was delicious pizza so, win win.
Friday, I was torn whether or not we should try for the Wicked lottery or continue shopping. I decided that we may as well try for the lottery but had a slim chance of getting it. Probably a hundred people put their names in the raffle and what do you know, I won!! So exciting to win anything, let alone front row tickets to my favorite show for $25 each (normally $150). The actress who played Glenda was PHENOMENAL, and Elfaba was pretty good, but when you have seen the show before you kind of have an idea of how you want the part played and she didn't quite fit my wicked witch style.


We jetted to the airport after that, and each time I take a return flight home, I feel like a little kid. I kind of just want to cry because trips like these are just so magical. Corny word, I know, but seriously. I will think back on these memories even when I'm 80-something and think about how much fun it was to be a carefree 23 year old jumping around theme parks and big cities with my sister and best friend. I'm still just a big kid, only now I have money to do what I want and no rules! Now we need to start planning what we will be doing for the last installment of Harry Potter in July!
 
*Oh and if you didn't see pictures before, go down and click on my FB link on the other post...they really tell the story.