This may not be my final New York blog (I still have one weekend left to write about) but it is going to be my 'Goodbye New York' blog.
It has always been my dream to come and live in New York, and the feeling of a dream coming true...is unbelievable. This year has superceeded all my expectations and will not be a year I forget quickly. The memories, the experiences and the changes have been wonderful and it is so very hard to say goodbye.
New York City. Everything that's ever been written, said or sung about it seems to be true. It's a world of its own - an amazing city with so much to see, do and experience that even a lifetime wouldn't be long enough. I have been to almost every neighbourhood and experienced its uniqueness.
I've been lucky enough to feel the flavour of Harlem at the theatrical heart - the 'Apollo Theatre'.
I've walked up the upperclass streets of the Upper East Side and seen the most beautiful brownstones straight out of a movie. I've slept on the Upper West Side and explored its Museum of Natural History half a dozen times.
In between these two neighbourhoods is Central Park, without a doubt one of my favourite places in the city (and no I will not spell favourite without the 'u'). It's hard to describe the feeling, but let me try. Being in such a busy, bustling, crazy, non-stop city one moment, then as soon as you step into the park it's the complete opposite. Even in the middle of summer, in the most packed part of the park, you feel all of a sudden calmer, more serene and alone. Even with all those people you still feel like the park is just yours and no-one else should really be there. The carousel, Woolman skating rink, Alice in Wonderland statue, Belvedere Castle, the great lawn, the mall, Bethesda Fountain - the list goes on and on and every inch of the park is beautiful and different and amazing. Something that was completely man designed feels completely natural. Each season is uniquely different and beautiful - bright flowers in the spring, hot beaming sun of the summer, yellow leaves engulfing you during fall and a blanket of white snow during winter. I love this park and it will be one of the things I miss most about the city.
Midtown (or tourist central) has been my destination more times then I can count. Times Square, 5th Avenue, Bryant Park, Hell's Kitchen. I have walked these places dozens of times - or when it comes to Times Square I should say I've been cattle proded through! I've felt rich and glamourous walking past Prada, Tiffany & Co and Saks 5th Avenue. I've felt epileptic viewing the lights, people and energy of Times Square.
My other favourite place in the city, after the park, is the village (Greenwich Village) where I've lunched, shopped, wandered and watched the parade from. It is a wonderful little neighbourhood and my choice of where to live if I ever moved to New York. The people and flavour of the neighbourhood is edgy, artsy, bohemian, intelligant. Its a great example of how different each neighbourhood of Manhattan is - like they are each their own seperate little cities within the big city.
Chinatown where you can't walk a step without someone asking you to buy their product or someone whispering in your ear 'Prada, Gucci, Chanel'.
Little Italy, this alive, boistrious little neighbourhood full of restaurant after restaurant of delicious smelling food.
Battery Park - the furtherest point south on the island. It's also home to ferries to both Staten and Liberty island, both of which I've ridden on. They give the most amazing views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty who looks over all the hustle and bustle. The city's skyline takes my breath away whether by daylight or under the stars.
It's not just the neighbourhoods themselves I'll miss but also the memories I've made in them on numerous trips with my dear friends. Riding around town in the big Sex & the City bus drinking Carrie's cosmos and eating Magnolia cupcakes. Seeing 'The Lion King' with Sarah and 'Chicago' with Laura; and of course my favourite 'Wicked'. Exploring the Times Square shops for the first time with Casey and eating at Planet Hollywood with AJ. Playing in the snow at Central Park with the girls after lunch at 'Serendipitys'. Watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade or picnicing in Central Park.
This city feels like a living thing, always moving, always changing, always growing, always alive - and I always feel alive when I'm in it. Definitly going to miss old New York.
New York is not the only place I am saying goodbye to. Westchester County has been my home for almost 12 months and even though its more the memories I'll miss then actual places, its definitly going to be sad to eat my last dinner at 'The Cheesecake Factory' or drink my last frappe at 'Starbucks'. I'll have to get use to saying Amcal again instead of CVS and won't be able to eat anymore crazy Westchester yoghurt. I will say goodbye to my favourite spot at the River (but never goodbye to my bench buddies) and even the aqueduct (LOL). CPK, the cinemas & target, the strip/central ave.
The last, hardest, saddest goodbyes will be to my beautiful friends. Alice, Alissa, Frannie, Lou, Sarah, Steph, Matt, Emily, Jade, Christina, Dani, Olivia, Becky. All have been apart of my year for at least a few months, and all have a place in my heart. When I first got here Alice, Alissa, Frannie and Lou welcomed me with open arms especially Alice and Alissa. Sarah and Steph soon followed and quickly became my lifesavers. Matt was with us for a few months and then summer hit and Emily, Jade, Christina and Dani added their own awesome flavours to the group. Lastly, Olivia and Becky have arrived in the last month and have become great friends so quickly.
Alice and Alissa, you girls are a package and a package I could not do without! Alice, your kindness and selflessness is so beautiful! Your always there for everyone and so considerate and just a great friend. Alissa you are such a strong woman and so funny and confident. You girls have only been gone a short while and I already miss you! You were here basically my whole year, and it wouldn't have been what it was without you. Thankgod we live close back home, and will see each other soon!
Frannie how I loved it when you were here and oh how I've missed you since you've gone :( You are a crazy, fun, loyal friend who I have shared so many fun times with by the river, in the city and shared so many secrets and memories and jokes. I have definitly made a friend for life with you, and I can't wait for the next time we can travel together!
Becki and Olivia, I have barely spent a month with you girls, but I have loved every minute! Olivia you are so smily and cheerful and Becki you are so funny and such a lovely person. I wish we had more time together, but I know we can always keep in touch.
Lou, scrapbooking queen, so funny and stylish. Glad we got a chance to know each other before you moved to Boston, and am sure we will catch up back in Oz.
Jade you funny sexy pants gal! Will miss you lots but I am sure we will still skype a plenty (clothes optional)!
Matt even though you were only in Westchester a couple months, you are still a great friend, and I miss you dearly.
Dani I am going to miss having fun with you! You are so funny and crazy and just bring the party to life! You always swim through the nile, and make your way across the plains of Africa to hang out with us, and I'm so glad you do!
Emily, Emily, Emily you crazy awesome girl! I love everything about you and am so glad to call you my friend =) Words can't describe you, and I can't wait to see you back in Australia!
Christina, you sexy sexy bitch! Love that we share the same sense of humour, love that you are also so very good to talk to, a great listener with great advice. Can't wait to see you in Brisvegas and the GC, party on when you get home!
Steph my fellow hag, haha gonna miss you soooo much! The laughter, the hulk, the memories. I can't wait to see you back on both coasts, and I hope you live it up during the rest of your stay here. My year wouldn't be the same without you!
Sarah my bench buddy, cant describe how much I will miss you. Don't be surprised to come home and find me knitting with Elphie, all my bags unpacked ready to live on your coast haha. So glad you have been here almost all my year and I got to spend so much time, and so many memories, and such a beautiful friendship with you.
I love all my New York (and CT) Aussie girls and can't wait to see them again.
Saying goodbye to this era of my life, this city, and these friends is going to be impossibly hard but I will never forget this year, and have so many memories to choose from. I know I'll be back in New York one day, and I know I will see my friends again soon.
Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today New York, New York... If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
We wish you a merry mixed party...
Saturday was Boxing Day which silly Americans don't celebrate but Emma had a mixed party at her place. It was a Christmas, Boxing Day, Dani's b'day, Sarah's b'day, Emma's Farewell party. Each of the girls (Sarah, Steph, Christina, Dani, Emily, Becky, Olivia) bought something to eat and we had organised Secret Santa a few weeks earlier so we placed the presents around a mini tree. I had Emily and made her a box of oracle cards and Christina had me and bought me an absolutely gorgeous cocktail ring. We all had some drinks, danced to some songs (Steps, Spice girls, Macarena, Nutbush...) and watched some funny clips online. It was a really fun night, as all the nights with the girls are =)
Sunday, Sarah's birthday, we headed straight to Little Italy for a delicious lunch. It was such a quaint pretty little restaurant on Mulberry St, the girl's had woodfire pizza and I had lobster ravioli. It's a lovely neighbourhood with hundreds of Italian restaurants, bakeries and compliments. We ate some delicious gelato before heading downtown to Century 21 a discount department store. Things were a little wild in there, but we picked up a few bargains. Then we walked up Broadway, stopping in every shoe and clothing store that caught Sarah's eye! Over to Greenwich village for dinner at Jekyl and Hyde a horror themed restaurant. It was more family orientated with characters walking around and crazy scary talking audio animatronics on the walls. It was so much fun though, especially when one of the character's talked to us about Sarah's birthday!!
Sunday, Sarah's birthday, we headed straight to Little Italy for a delicious lunch. It was such a quaint pretty little restaurant on Mulberry St, the girl's had woodfire pizza and I had lobster ravioli. It's a lovely neighbourhood with hundreds of Italian restaurants, bakeries and compliments. We ate some delicious gelato before heading downtown to Century 21 a discount department store. Things were a little wild in there, but we picked up a few bargains. Then we walked up Broadway, stopping in every shoe and clothing store that caught Sarah's eye! Over to Greenwich village for dinner at Jekyl and Hyde a horror themed restaurant. It was more family orientated with characters walking around and crazy scary talking audio animatronics on the walls. It was so much fun though, especially when one of the character's talked to us about Sarah's birthday!!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
I'm dreaming of a White Christmas...
Wednesday night Sarah, Steph and I got together to go look at the Christmas lights. We didn't really find any but it was fun driving around listening to carols anyway. Before we did this though, we parked at the River and gave each other our Christmas gifts. Each of us recieved a shutterfly scrapbook created by the other two. They were also our going away presents to each other so it was very lovely and I love mine!
Thursday, Christmas Eve in New York, I worked during the day until about 5pm when my family left to church. I used this time to call Kristy and Brock for some Christmas wishes (Krystle & Renee, no answer, how rude) before having a skype date with my family (where it was already Christmas morning) at 7pm my time. By this time my host family was downstairs running around and screaming as they were preparing for a Christmas Eve party.I talked to Mum, Dad, Jas and Jessica for a bit and opened my lovely presents from them - bracelets, underwear and a 2010 diary. Then I went downstairs to join the party. It was lovely with all my host mom's friends there who I have known throughout the year from summer lake houses, playdates or dinners. We drunk alot, and ate a buffet style Christmas dinner with ham, hot vegies, pasta and the works. Then we had a sea of desserts to see us into midnight, sitting by the roaring fire, with the snow on the ground outside. Very lovely, very Christmassy (but not the same without my family there).
Friday, Christmas morning, my host family and I sat around the Christmas tree and opened Santa's presents. The kids loved the gifts I got them, and Eileen especially loved the scrapbook that I made the family. I was very lucky and recieved one of my host dad's photographs of New York and from my host mom I recieved a beautiful picture book about New York, a lovely hand painted Christmas ornament, a mini travel book about Disneyworld, some 2009 mint coins and some stocking goodies. Then spent the morning playing with the kids and them with their toys before we had a lovely breakfast together at around 11. Then at 2 the family headed off to Long Island to see their family. So I stayed chilling around the house with the place to myself!! It was lovely I just watched some movies and lay in bed. Then at around 7pm Sarah and Steph came over and we chilled out till 11pm. Overall it was a good Christmas, but I definitly missed by family so much on this day! Not long till I see them though!
Thursday, Christmas Eve in New York, I worked during the day until about 5pm when my family left to church. I used this time to call Kristy and Brock for some Christmas wishes (Krystle & Renee, no answer, how rude) before having a skype date with my family (where it was already Christmas morning) at 7pm my time. By this time my host family was downstairs running around and screaming as they were preparing for a Christmas Eve party.I talked to Mum, Dad, Jas and Jessica for a bit and opened my lovely presents from them - bracelets, underwear and a 2010 diary. Then I went downstairs to join the party. It was lovely with all my host mom's friends there who I have known throughout the year from summer lake houses, playdates or dinners. We drunk alot, and ate a buffet style Christmas dinner with ham, hot vegies, pasta and the works. Then we had a sea of desserts to see us into midnight, sitting by the roaring fire, with the snow on the ground outside. Very lovely, very Christmassy (but not the same without my family there).
Friday, Christmas morning, my host family and I sat around the Christmas tree and opened Santa's presents. The kids loved the gifts I got them, and Eileen especially loved the scrapbook that I made the family. I was very lucky and recieved one of my host dad's photographs of New York and from my host mom I recieved a beautiful picture book about New York, a lovely hand painted Christmas ornament, a mini travel book about Disneyworld, some 2009 mint coins and some stocking goodies. Then spent the morning playing with the kids and them with their toys before we had a lovely breakfast together at around 11. Then at 2 the family headed off to Long Island to see their family. So I stayed chilling around the house with the place to myself!! It was lovely I just watched some movies and lay in bed. Then at around 7pm Sarah and Steph came over and we chilled out till 11pm. Overall it was a good Christmas, but I definitly missed by family so much on this day! Not long till I see them though!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Friday night was a huge aupair Christmas party with 7 LCC groups from Westchester County attending. We didn't get there until late because I had been with my host family picking out a Christmas tree (a real one!!!). When we arrived however it was a big hall with no music and a few doritoes and cookies to eat. It was pretty pathetic, and though it was good to see all the aussie girls, it was a bit of a waste of time. Apparently last year's xmasparty had been good so we were hoping this one would be but oh well. Us girls are having our own Chrissie party on Boxing day so it didn't matter so much.
Saturday afternoon a big blizzard was predicted. It snowed a little bit but the bulk of the snow came overnight. So a few of us gathered at Sarah's (her hosties were out of town) for the night. Christina, Dani, Steph, Becky, Sarah & I spent the night drinking, dancing and for a few minutes making snow angels in the now pure white blanketed front yard. We danced in the snow and it was such a fun magical evening. The snow was falling fast and there was alot of it (12 inches) and when we woke up everything was pure white. No footprints, everything covered, it was a beautiful magical winter wonderland =) After we all got ready we drove down to the train station, rode into Grand Central and then hauled up at a Mc Donald's for some hangover breakfast. We waited there for Olivia and then caught a cab up to Serendipity's on the Upper East Side. Its a famous cafe with notoriously long lines, so we decided to get there when they opened hoping for a better shot at getting in. They told us we'd have to wait 45 minutes, so we went around the corner to Dylan's Candy Bar and Bloomingdales to bide our time. Serendipity's was such a lovely cafe, beautiful decorations, and a really old New York feel, as it has been around for decades. We all ordered their famous frozen hot chocolate which was delicious abeit expensive. We had some lunch (not the best) and the waiter sung happy birthday to becky, embarrasing her in front of the whole cafe, and getting them to sing along. It wasn't her birthday but it was...a long story! As we were leaving we saw the actor Breckin Meyer (josie & pusscats, road trip, 54). We then walked to Central Park to see the Woolman Skating Rink, the nearby bridge and all the people playing in the snow. It was so truley beautiful and magical and Christmassy. Just like every New York Christmas movie you've ever seen or song you've ever heard! It was breathtaking and oh so fun. All us girls had a big snowball fight and as we were leaving some British boys started throwing snowballs at us and followed us the rest of the time we were in the park throwing snowballs at us!!
As we left the park, we went searching for the LOVE sign, and took some group photos near there. My foot came out of my boot and I stepped in a pile of dirty, freezing cold sleet and started getting the shivers and shakes. So we split up, and Dani, Christina, Becky went home while me, Sarah, Steph, Olivia went and bought me new socks and put my boots under a dryer at Mc Donalds! Then us four went and looked at the big beautiful Rockerfella Christmas tree before cabbing down to Madison Square Garden. Steph's host mom gave her 4 free tickets to see the New York Knicks vs Charlotte Bobcats in basketball. It was really fun to watch and the Knicks won yay!
Was a very long day but a very amazing weekend one of the best this year. Nothing more exciting then being in New York City, walking in a winter wonderland.
Saturday afternoon a big blizzard was predicted. It snowed a little bit but the bulk of the snow came overnight. So a few of us gathered at Sarah's (her hosties were out of town) for the night. Christina, Dani, Steph, Becky, Sarah & I spent the night drinking, dancing and for a few minutes making snow angels in the now pure white blanketed front yard. We danced in the snow and it was such a fun magical evening. The snow was falling fast and there was alot of it (12 inches) and when we woke up everything was pure white. No footprints, everything covered, it was a beautiful magical winter wonderland =) After we all got ready we drove down to the train station, rode into Grand Central and then hauled up at a Mc Donald's for some hangover breakfast. We waited there for Olivia and then caught a cab up to Serendipity's on the Upper East Side. Its a famous cafe with notoriously long lines, so we decided to get there when they opened hoping for a better shot at getting in. They told us we'd have to wait 45 minutes, so we went around the corner to Dylan's Candy Bar and Bloomingdales to bide our time. Serendipity's was such a lovely cafe, beautiful decorations, and a really old New York feel, as it has been around for decades. We all ordered their famous frozen hot chocolate which was delicious abeit expensive. We had some lunch (not the best) and the waiter sung happy birthday to becky, embarrasing her in front of the whole cafe, and getting them to sing along. It wasn't her birthday but it was...a long story! As we were leaving we saw the actor Breckin Meyer (josie & pusscats, road trip, 54). We then walked to Central Park to see the Woolman Skating Rink, the nearby bridge and all the people playing in the snow. It was so truley beautiful and magical and Christmassy. Just like every New York Christmas movie you've ever seen or song you've ever heard! It was breathtaking and oh so fun. All us girls had a big snowball fight and as we were leaving some British boys started throwing snowballs at us and followed us the rest of the time we were in the park throwing snowballs at us!!
As we left the park, we went searching for the LOVE sign, and took some group photos near there. My foot came out of my boot and I stepped in a pile of dirty, freezing cold sleet and started getting the shivers and shakes. So we split up, and Dani, Christina, Becky went home while me, Sarah, Steph, Olivia went and bought me new socks and put my boots under a dryer at Mc Donalds! Then us four went and looked at the big beautiful Rockerfella Christmas tree before cabbing down to Madison Square Garden. Steph's host mom gave her 4 free tickets to see the New York Knicks vs Charlotte Bobcats in basketball. It was really fun to watch and the Knicks won yay!
Was a very long day but a very amazing weekend one of the best this year. Nothing more exciting then being in New York City, walking in a winter wonderland.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Birthday in New York =)
Friday night me, Sarah, Steph, Emily & Dani went over to Alice and Olivia's place just to chill out for Ali's last night in Westchester. The previous night me & Em were up to 1am with her cutting my hair (love it!) and while we were at Alice's she dyed it (chocolate brown, love it!). It was really nice to just relax and chat all night (another 1am night) with the girls. We all wrote message's in Alice's travel journal and it's crazy that she is gone. She has been here since I first arrived, along with Alissa, and our group isn't the same without them.
Saturday morning I met Em, Dani, Alice, Olivia, Christina, Becki & Alissa for breakfast as the absolute final farewell to the girls. We all shared pancakes and hugs - I definitly had some tears rolling! Afterwards I went back to Em's and Christina waxed her, mine & Dani's eyebrows - turning her bedroom into a beauty salon again lol! Emily & I just chilled for the afternoon, doing some arts & crafts projects of hers and barely keeping our eyes open. I was then suppose to work from about 7 till late, but I ended up only really feeding my youngest then my host dad came home early and took over. Which was nice as Saturday night was kind of like a 2nd birthday (but 1st haha). Uncle John called, and because he doesn't have internet, this was the first I'd talked to him all year. I also had a skype date with Mum which I was so happy about, and even though skype kept messing up (grrrrr) we had a good long chat and I opened the pressies she had sent me. A really cute winter dress, a necklace & some yummy (& quickly eaten) chocolate! I chatted online with Renee, and had a phone call with Brock that night as well; and opened cards from Frannie (who had sent me an early present of german choccies & a german tshirt) and Kristy. I also got lots of messages from my aussie friends as it was my bday in Australia at that time. It was a little sad being away this month, because so much goes on in December. There is my bday and Krystle's (missed her 21st :( ) as well as our annual Christmas bus lights tour with Toni & Matt; plus all the other festivites but at the same time I have wonderful traditions to see here and good friends keeping me sane and happy!
Sunday morning I skyped with Frannie while I got ready and met up with Sarah & Steph at Grand Central. Sarah almost bowled me over when she saw me, screaming happy birthday and running across the terminal! It was a miserable day weather wise - raining all day long was not fun at all, but better then ice pellets that were originally predicted! The first thing we did was go to Macy's which is a Christmas Wonderland! It's the biggest department store in the world (for those living under a rock) and its decked all its halls in bounds of holly and more! We took their famous, old, wooden escalators up to Santaland and the line was ridiculously long but luckily very quick moving. The first part of the line is just in the store but then you go through a giant train and it transports you into Santaland which is the most beautifully decorated Santaland I've ever seen! They had bears everywhere and some audioanimatronics and train sets and backdrops and fake snow and trees everywhere. A minitaure village and Christmas carols playing, a nutcracker and snowman! It was truely magical! Then we got to see Santa! He was a very good Santa and we all asked for Tiffany gifts lol and we took a photo with him. After we purchased the photo we went to look at all the decorations and Christmas items for sale. There were some carolers singing in the Christmas section and lovely decorated trees. It was very nice but of course very expensive and the one thing I could afford & desperatly wanted they didn't have (hopefully next time so I won't say what it is now!) but I did get a Macy's Holiday Mickey Mouse plush =)
After Macy's we got some lunch and then met up with Christina, Olivia & Becki in Times Square so we could see the Princess & the Frog. This is the first Disney hand drawn animation they have done in 5 years and the first princess movie since 1992 and it's also their first black princess. It's set in New Orleans and has a great Jazzy touch to the songs. It was a beautiful story and very well done, great songs, but I definitly don't think it;s up there anywhere close to the last 3 princess movies (Little Mermaid, Beauty&Beast, Aladdin).
After the movie the plan was suppose to be to see the Christmas window displays and the Rockerfella tree but the train was disgusting so we decided to stop by 'The Australian' bar for a drink before heading for dinner. We got a free Tim tam each because it was my birthday, and I had a cosmo before we headed to Hamachi Japanese restaurant for dinner. A couple of my other friends were suppose to join us but couldn't make it. Dani & Emily got snowed/iced into their houses and Jade slipped in all the rain & hurt herself. I was so glad I got to talk to them on the phone though! At the restaurant Steph & I tried a Japanese alcoholic drink called sake and got a bit drunk but not too bad! It was so much fun and such yummy food! Sarah and I shared katsudon & a sushi platter. The restaurant bought out their version of a cake - icecream, deep fried banana & mint leaves, mango - it was really delicious with a little candle on top!
Depsite the hideous rain ti was such a beautiful birthday and I had so much fun. It was so great to share it with some of my closest friends in such an amazing city!
Saturday morning I met Em, Dani, Alice, Olivia, Christina, Becki & Alissa for breakfast as the absolute final farewell to the girls. We all shared pancakes and hugs - I definitly had some tears rolling! Afterwards I went back to Em's and Christina waxed her, mine & Dani's eyebrows - turning her bedroom into a beauty salon again lol! Emily & I just chilled for the afternoon, doing some arts & crafts projects of hers and barely keeping our eyes open. I was then suppose to work from about 7 till late, but I ended up only really feeding my youngest then my host dad came home early and took over. Which was nice as Saturday night was kind of like a 2nd birthday (but 1st haha). Uncle John called, and because he doesn't have internet, this was the first I'd talked to him all year. I also had a skype date with Mum which I was so happy about, and even though skype kept messing up (grrrrr) we had a good long chat and I opened the pressies she had sent me. A really cute winter dress, a necklace & some yummy (& quickly eaten) chocolate! I chatted online with Renee, and had a phone call with Brock that night as well; and opened cards from Frannie (who had sent me an early present of german choccies & a german tshirt) and Kristy. I also got lots of messages from my aussie friends as it was my bday in Australia at that time. It was a little sad being away this month, because so much goes on in December. There is my bday and Krystle's (missed her 21st :( ) as well as our annual Christmas bus lights tour with Toni & Matt; plus all the other festivites but at the same time I have wonderful traditions to see here and good friends keeping me sane and happy!
Sunday morning I skyped with Frannie while I got ready and met up with Sarah & Steph at Grand Central. Sarah almost bowled me over when she saw me, screaming happy birthday and running across the terminal! It was a miserable day weather wise - raining all day long was not fun at all, but better then ice pellets that were originally predicted! The first thing we did was go to Macy's which is a Christmas Wonderland! It's the biggest department store in the world (for those living under a rock) and its decked all its halls in bounds of holly and more! We took their famous, old, wooden escalators up to Santaland and the line was ridiculously long but luckily very quick moving. The first part of the line is just in the store but then you go through a giant train and it transports you into Santaland which is the most beautifully decorated Santaland I've ever seen! They had bears everywhere and some audioanimatronics and train sets and backdrops and fake snow and trees everywhere. A minitaure village and Christmas carols playing, a nutcracker and snowman! It was truely magical! Then we got to see Santa! He was a very good Santa and we all asked for Tiffany gifts lol and we took a photo with him. After we purchased the photo we went to look at all the decorations and Christmas items for sale. There were some carolers singing in the Christmas section and lovely decorated trees. It was very nice but of course very expensive and the one thing I could afford & desperatly wanted they didn't have (hopefully next time so I won't say what it is now!) but I did get a Macy's Holiday Mickey Mouse plush =)
After Macy's we got some lunch and then met up with Christina, Olivia & Becki in Times Square so we could see the Princess & the Frog. This is the first Disney hand drawn animation they have done in 5 years and the first princess movie since 1992 and it's also their first black princess. It's set in New Orleans and has a great Jazzy touch to the songs. It was a beautiful story and very well done, great songs, but I definitly don't think it;s up there anywhere close to the last 3 princess movies (Little Mermaid, Beauty&Beast, Aladdin).
After the movie the plan was suppose to be to see the Christmas window displays and the Rockerfella tree but the train was disgusting so we decided to stop by 'The Australian' bar for a drink before heading for dinner. We got a free Tim tam each because it was my birthday, and I had a cosmo before we headed to Hamachi Japanese restaurant for dinner. A couple of my other friends were suppose to join us but couldn't make it. Dani & Emily got snowed/iced into their houses and Jade slipped in all the rain & hurt herself. I was so glad I got to talk to them on the phone though! At the restaurant Steph & I tried a Japanese alcoholic drink called sake and got a bit drunk but not too bad! It was so much fun and such yummy food! Sarah and I shared katsudon & a sushi platter. The restaurant bought out their version of a cake - icecream, deep fried banana & mint leaves, mango - it was really delicious with a little candle on top!
Depsite the hideous rain ti was such a beautiful birthday and I had so much fun. It was so great to share it with some of my closest friends in such an amazing city!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Asante sana squashed banana
Saturday evening was Alice and Alissa's farewell party. These two girls were the first ones to befriend me here in New York and we have been good friends ever since. They have been here for 2 years,and I have known them for most of my year here, so them leaving was very sad for me, them, and all of us Aussie girls.
When I woke up Saturday morning it was the first snow of this season, such a beautiful treat. We drove over to Alice's host home in the snow, everything coloured in a blanket of snow. At the party there was finger food, a beautiful fire roaring and all our friends were there (except unfortunately Jade who couldn't make it). We started the night off with lots of photo taking and chatting, then we had a celebration of Alice and Alissa. Emily and I wrote a poem for the girls, we gave them a calender as a gift, and then we watched a slideshow I had made for them. The girls were strong and didn't cry; until the night progressed and we had tears of laughter. We all got pretty drunk and played a game of 'I've never' which was a funny introduction to our two new aussies - Olivia and Becky who have replaced Alice and Alissa.
A wonderful night with a sad purpose - the girls will leave this Saturday (a week after the party).
Sunday, Sarah and I ventured into the city on a very cold day. We got takeaway brunch from a place called 'Alice's tea party' and I had the yummiest scone I've ever had (raspberry and lime) which we ate next to the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art). Then we caught a cab to Bloomingdales and had alook at their famous Christmas windows and the Christmas department inside. Afterwards we walked to 'Dylan's Candy Bar' a famous store owned by the daughter of designer Ralph Lauren. We picked out a few yummy treats before trying to get a seat at a famous cafe 'Serendipity's' but the wait was 2 and a half hours long which didn't exactly appeal to us. So instead we had lunch at boring old subways haha then walked over to 5th avenue to do some shopping at H&M. We dawdled around 5th ave and Times SQ until 6.30pm when we rocked up to see 'The Lion King' on Broadway. It was fantastic! Not as good as Wicked, but next in line after that!! The opening scene of 'Circle of Life' had a sun rising in the background, masks, costumes, people on stilts as giraffees...it was breathtaking. Another great scene was the stampede - also Mufasa's ghost which had the stage black and fairy lights lighting up Mufasa's face. It was so fantastic and omg I just loved it! It went for about 3 hours and by the we were both exhausted and headed home to bed!
When I woke up Saturday morning it was the first snow of this season, such a beautiful treat. We drove over to Alice's host home in the snow, everything coloured in a blanket of snow. At the party there was finger food, a beautiful fire roaring and all our friends were there (except unfortunately Jade who couldn't make it). We started the night off with lots of photo taking and chatting, then we had a celebration of Alice and Alissa. Emily and I wrote a poem for the girls, we gave them a calender as a gift, and then we watched a slideshow I had made for them. The girls were strong and didn't cry; until the night progressed and we had tears of laughter. We all got pretty drunk and played a game of 'I've never' which was a funny introduction to our two new aussies - Olivia and Becky who have replaced Alice and Alissa.
A wonderful night with a sad purpose - the girls will leave this Saturday (a week after the party).
Sunday, Sarah and I ventured into the city on a very cold day. We got takeaway brunch from a place called 'Alice's tea party' and I had the yummiest scone I've ever had (raspberry and lime) which we ate next to the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art). Then we caught a cab to Bloomingdales and had alook at their famous Christmas windows and the Christmas department inside. Afterwards we walked to 'Dylan's Candy Bar' a famous store owned by the daughter of designer Ralph Lauren. We picked out a few yummy treats before trying to get a seat at a famous cafe 'Serendipity's' but the wait was 2 and a half hours long which didn't exactly appeal to us. So instead we had lunch at boring old subways haha then walked over to 5th avenue to do some shopping at H&M. We dawdled around 5th ave and Times SQ until 6.30pm when we rocked up to see 'The Lion King' on Broadway. It was fantastic! Not as good as Wicked, but next in line after that!! The opening scene of 'Circle of Life' had a sun rising in the background, masks, costumes, people on stilts as giraffees...it was breathtaking. Another great scene was the stampede - also Mufasa's ghost which had the stage black and fairy lights lighting up Mufasa's face. It was so fantastic and omg I just loved it! It went for about 3 hours and by the we were both exhausted and headed home to bed!
My SECOND Lovely Little Holiday
So from 26th Nov to 1st Dec I was on holidays. As an aupair we get 2 paid hols a year, my first was when I went to Niagara etc and this holiday I decided to stay in New York. Monday and Tuesday I stayed in the house, Monday was my cleaning/sorting/practice packing day and Tuesday I blissfully stayed in bed allllll day!
Wednesday I spent the day in the city by myself. I decided to start at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) which normally costs $20 to get in, but my host dad knows someone who works there so I got in for free. They had a Tim Burton exhibit so I checked that out as well as some other paintings, sculptures and photos. The Tim Burtone exhibit was awesome, I loved seeing all his work together and all the characters & ideas he had created but have not yet come to the screen. After the morning at MoMA, I walked around the area and had some lunch.
Then at 2pm I had tickets to see the 'Radio City Hall Rockettes Christmas Spectacular' which is a famous New York Christmas show thats been playing for years and is a big tradition. It was a huge theatre with the biggest chandelier I've ever seen in the lobby, and 3 mezzazines (balconies) inside, with a great big stage. The Rockettes are dancers and they performed '12 days of Christmas' purely by tapping it out and not singing until the last line! It was amazing they did movements to go with each number and tapped it so beautifully. They also told different Christmas songs, did different Christmas songs and Christmas dances. Another great dance was they all dressed up as toy soldiers and fell over in a huge line - it was fantasic!
It was cold and rainy when I came out of the theatre but I headed up to the Upper West Side to watch them blow up the balloons for the Thanksgiving parade the next day. I arrived an hour and a half after they started but they were unfortunately already all blown up and it was a bit of a waste of time!
That night I didn't go to sleep at all because I had to take a 5.20am train back into the city! I met the other girls at the station at about 6am and we headed back over to the Upper West Side about 76th street just a few blocks after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade would start. By the time we had arrived (detouring to get breakfast & coffee, coffee, coffee) it was around 7am and we got a fantastic spot right on the corner, about 3 people in from the sidewalk. WHen the parade FINALLY started at 9am, it was well worth the wait =) It was amazing they had dancers, marching bands, cheerleaders, jumpropers and random walkers...plus lots of floats. Castles, M&M theatre world, central park, sesame street...with different celebs on them Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Gaynor, Boys like Girls, Miss America. Plus of course the giant balloons! Dora, Horton, Buzz, Santa, Spongebob oh they were so huge and so awesome! They finished with Santa and it was definitly one of my top 5 New York moments and everything I'd hoped =).
I got home around 1pm and had a little nap before Thanksgiving dinner which we had at about 5pm. It was all my host family, one of their cousins & uncle plus a family from around the corner. We had a huge giant turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, green beans, corn and all the cliche televised Thanksgiving food! It was delicious and we barely had room for the pumpkin pie, chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. It was a beautiful meal and we had some great conversations and it was a really lovely holiday.
The next day (Friday if you lost count) I had a very early birthday present! My host mom took me and my host girl to Harlem's famous Apollo theatre where a special performance of 'Dreamgirls' was playing. We saw the matinee and it was spectacular - especially Effie's 'I'm not going' which gave me goosebumps!Then we went to a soul food restaurant 'Sylvia's' and I had the most delicious meal - catfish, yams and garlic potatoes mmmmmmm.
Saturday was a big day in the city for sarah, Steph and I we took some tour buses around the city. One downtown then one night tour, which was great to see all the lights of the city (we viewed it from Brooklyn). In between these two tours we had lunch at a quite little tavern, and had a few drinks. It was a really nice day but very long and tiring.
Sunday was my last day of holidays - rest day until dinner that night at our fav restaurant the Cheesecake Factory for Christina's birthday. It was such a fun celebration with alot of the girls there - me, Sarah, Steph, Christina, Emily, Dani, Emma, Alice and Olivia.
HOlidays over, and back to work (blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah) bright and earlyish Monday morning =)
Wednesday I spent the day in the city by myself. I decided to start at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) which normally costs $20 to get in, but my host dad knows someone who works there so I got in for free. They had a Tim Burton exhibit so I checked that out as well as some other paintings, sculptures and photos. The Tim Burtone exhibit was awesome, I loved seeing all his work together and all the characters & ideas he had created but have not yet come to the screen. After the morning at MoMA, I walked around the area and had some lunch.
Then at 2pm I had tickets to see the 'Radio City Hall Rockettes Christmas Spectacular' which is a famous New York Christmas show thats been playing for years and is a big tradition. It was a huge theatre with the biggest chandelier I've ever seen in the lobby, and 3 mezzazines (balconies) inside, with a great big stage. The Rockettes are dancers and they performed '12 days of Christmas' purely by tapping it out and not singing until the last line! It was amazing they did movements to go with each number and tapped it so beautifully. They also told different Christmas songs, did different Christmas songs and Christmas dances. Another great dance was they all dressed up as toy soldiers and fell over in a huge line - it was fantasic!
It was cold and rainy when I came out of the theatre but I headed up to the Upper West Side to watch them blow up the balloons for the Thanksgiving parade the next day. I arrived an hour and a half after they started but they were unfortunately already all blown up and it was a bit of a waste of time!
That night I didn't go to sleep at all because I had to take a 5.20am train back into the city! I met the other girls at the station at about 6am and we headed back over to the Upper West Side about 76th street just a few blocks after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade would start. By the time we had arrived (detouring to get breakfast & coffee, coffee, coffee) it was around 7am and we got a fantastic spot right on the corner, about 3 people in from the sidewalk. WHen the parade FINALLY started at 9am, it was well worth the wait =) It was amazing they had dancers, marching bands, cheerleaders, jumpropers and random walkers...plus lots of floats. Castles, M&M theatre world, central park, sesame street...with different celebs on them Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Gaynor, Boys like Girls, Miss America. Plus of course the giant balloons! Dora, Horton, Buzz, Santa, Spongebob oh they were so huge and so awesome! They finished with Santa and it was definitly one of my top 5 New York moments and everything I'd hoped =).
I got home around 1pm and had a little nap before Thanksgiving dinner which we had at about 5pm. It was all my host family, one of their cousins & uncle plus a family from around the corner. We had a huge giant turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, green beans, corn and all the cliche televised Thanksgiving food! It was delicious and we barely had room for the pumpkin pie, chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. It was a beautiful meal and we had some great conversations and it was a really lovely holiday.
The next day (Friday if you lost count) I had a very early birthday present! My host mom took me and my host girl to Harlem's famous Apollo theatre where a special performance of 'Dreamgirls' was playing. We saw the matinee and it was spectacular - especially Effie's 'I'm not going' which gave me goosebumps!Then we went to a soul food restaurant 'Sylvia's' and I had the most delicious meal - catfish, yams and garlic potatoes mmmmmmm.
Saturday was a big day in the city for sarah, Steph and I we took some tour buses around the city. One downtown then one night tour, which was great to see all the lights of the city (we viewed it from Brooklyn). In between these two tours we had lunch at a quite little tavern, and had a few drinks. It was a really nice day but very long and tiring.
Sunday was my last day of holidays - rest day until dinner that night at our fav restaurant the Cheesecake Factory for Christina's birthday. It was such a fun celebration with alot of the girls there - me, Sarah, Steph, Christina, Emily, Dani, Emma, Alice and Olivia.
HOlidays over, and back to work (blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah) bright and earlyish Monday morning =)
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