NYC Tourist

New York City in the fall has been a dream of mine since my first trip to the Big Apple three years ago. Unfortunately, the end of September was a little too early for the fall colors and we had to deal with a bit of rain. All things considered,, it was a fun girl's weekend with Clara, Angie and Becky.

We got in Thursday afternoon and a quick stop at the hotel and we were off. Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and then picked up our tour tickets. We thought we'd start off with a downtown tour, however once we got on the bus and started taking a few pics the rain started. Not just any rain, a slight down pour, which resulted in us getting off the bus at the next stop. Running towards the subway with our bright, yellow ponchos, getting drenched and laughing all the way. That evening we decided to try again and got on the bus for the night tour. No rain and the lights of the city were amazing!

Friday we got up early for the Today Show. Angie got a great pic of Al Roker. Matt Lauer and Ann Curry were out of town, so we hung out for a bit then went on our way. We realized we were very close to the site of the World Trade Center. When we got there my heart just sank. It's crazy to think that was 10 years ago and how many lives were destroyed. We were fortunate to be able to go into the memorial and see the north and south pools up close. It was eerie and quite and beautiful.

Next stop was the Statue of Liberty. Love that lady! That evening we met a fellow Kingmanite in Greenwich village at a nice, little Italian restaurant. Andrea has been in NYC for 7 years. She was able to get a job after college at the same place she interned and is having a blast! Part of me wishes I would have had the courage to do something like that.

Saturday we slept in, which was nice, considering we had been up before 6am the past two days. A harbor tour and Central Park were on the agenda for the day. Harbor tour gave us some great pics before the rain. We spent most of our time in Central Park in a pedicab – cart driven by a bicycle. We didn't get to see as much as we would of liked, but had a good time anyway. Highlight was taking a photo in front of the fountain from the TV show “Friends.” That night we spent in Times Square. A couple shots at Planet Hollywood, shared a dessert with a stranger and ate some delicious pizza at John's Pizzeria.

Last day in NYC and I did not want to leave. Clara and Angie had an early morning flight, so Becky and I were on our own. The hotel concierge helped us get theatre tickets to Rock of Ages. Before the show we had to get our shopping in and H&M was first on the list. The show started at 3pm, which we thought was enough time to get back to the hotel by 5:30 for the car to take us to the airport for our 7:30 flight. At 5:15 they were still rockin' through the ages and we decided not to chance it. As we ran out of the theatre the rain started again – how appropriate. We made it to the subway right before the train took off and made it to our hotel with a little time to spare. I was sad to miss the end of the show and sad to leave one of the most fabulous cities in the US of A.

I have been to NYC the past three years and really think I need to make this an annual trip. So much to do and so much to see. I've done a lot of the touristy things, so next time I just want to enjoy the city. Things on my to do list 1) walk across the Brooklyn bridge, 2) spend some more time in Greenwich village and SoHo, 3) can't leave without seeing a show, 4) Coney Island, 5) day at the Met and 6) picnic or winter wonderland in Central Park. See why I need to make this an annual trip?

Links to share from this trip:

Hotel http://www.gershwinhotel.com/

Tours http://www.citysightsny.com/tourpage.php?item=SNY

9/11 Memorial http://www.911memorial.org/

John's Pizzeria http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com/index2.htm

Rock of Ages http://www.rockofagesmusical.com/

Forever Friends

I hope that we all have those friends that no matter how long it has been since we last talked, we can fall right back into a conversation without hesitation. I have been fortunate enough to find some of those friends through high school, college and now work. One of those friends I visited in San Diego this month and we had fun reminiscing about the old days.

Shari and I met freshman year of college in a leadership studies class. We both were pursuing degrees in the School of Journalism at K-State and had a few classes together and also lived in the same dorm. We quickly became friends and I have to say that my college years would be far less eventful if I had never met Shari. She has an infectious and adventurous personality and there is never a dull moment. We went through a lot those four years of college, the fun, the heartache, friends lost and classes skipped due to late nights out. We made it through and I learned what true friendship really is.

Even now that she has moved across the country and has her own family (she's a great mom!), I know I can give her a call anytime and she'll be there to listen. She will also be the first one to “like” a photo or post on Facebook and remind me why I love her with her witty comments.

Shari, here is to 12 great years of friendship and to the many more to come. Cheers!

California Dreamin'

I am a California girl at heart. Maybe it's because I've been stuck in the middle of the US and needed to get out, explore and see the coast. I am fortunate to have family in the San Francisco area and have traveled there many times. I believe the first time was when I was just one year. I recall a photo of me in my dad's arms wrapped in his coat on the beach. I love the quote “"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” however after some internet research there is some debate on who said it exactly.

California really does have it all with the mountains, coast and the perfect weather. I did a birthday trip to the Golden State, visiting San Diego first where one of my best friends now lives. She has been there just over a year and this is the third time I've visited. This time I wanted to check out a winery. We went to a nice, quaint winery and watched a beautiful sunset. The wine and pizza were excellent. We also spent some time by the water which is a must for me.

Then it was off to the San Francisco area where my aunt and uncle live. They have a beautiful home with a gorgeous view in Sebastapol, which is about an hour north of San Francisco by Santa Rosa. My grandparents were there as well. They visit each summer to escape the heat of Texas. I love spending time with them.

I honestly could just sit outside and enjoy the scenery all day, however we did have a nice itinerary planned. Dinner in the city Tuesday at a Peruvian restaurant, Fresca, where I tried ceviche for the fist time and really enjoyed it! Wednesday it was off to the wineries around Healdsburg with my aunt. I enjoyed driving around the area and we stopped at two beautiful wineries - Bella Caves and Ferrari-Carano vineyards. A day trip to San Francisco Thursday for some culture at the de Young museum where they were featuring a Picasso exhibit. And, I had to get some pics of the Golden Gate Bridge. Friday was my last day so we relaxed a little, had brunch at my favorite cafe Howard's in Occidental, a small town west of Sebastapol. Then grandma and grandpa beat me at bowling and archery on the Wii.

It was one fabulous week in California and I can't wait to go back!

To learn more about the places I visited check out these sites:

San Diego winery http://www.cordianowinery.com/

Best ceviche http://www.frescasf.com/

Sebastapol http://ci.sebastopol.ca.us/

Healdsburg http://www.healdsburg.com/

Occidental http://www.bohemianconnection.com/occidental.html

Perfect Space

A friend introduced me to the band The Avett Brothers and I have been listening to them daily ever since. It's not just the beautiful music but the lyrics are so well put together I just fall into the music each time I listen to them. One song in particular, just fits, for all of us I would think.

Here is a sampling:

I want to have friends that I can trust

That love me for the man I've become not the man I was

I want to have friends that let me be

All alone when being alone is all that I need

I want to fit in to the perfect space

Feel natural and safe in a volatile place

And I want to grow old without the pain

Give my body back to the earth and not complain

Just Breathe

Breathing is a very important part of yoga. I've heard an instructor say that if you do nothing else for the next hour, but breathe you have done more than most. So, before you read on take a minute to breathe. Take a big inhale and then slowly exhale. Doesn't that feel good? Do it again if you like and read on.

In yoga the poses, postures and movements are not as important as your breath. I really took that into consideration during my yoga practice. The instructor started us with our vinyassa for the class and then let us go. The challenge was moving with your own breath. It is a conscious effort for me to do this has at some points I find myself holding my breathe. Just let it out, I think. What are you holding onto?

The meditation part of yoga (savasana) is something we do at the end of each class. We take 5 minutes for ourselves with no agenda, no expectations and just breathe. Another instructors really has us think about our breath, the inhale and exhale. How we feel as we breathe, the cooler air of the inhale and warmth of the exhale. The air cycling through our body. This normal, every day act that most of us take for granted, is very powerful.

So the next time you are having a bad day, stressed and not sure what to do...breathe, just breathe.

Yoga

I joined a new gym in June and have been keeping busy with yoga classes. I also like the fact that they have an indoor and outdoor swimming pool where I can swim laps and get some sun! I'm also enjoying a yoga class on Monday nights at a different yoga studio. I feel like I am more challenged in that class and it is more than just a form of exercise. So 2-3 days during the week, I can be found at yoga class after work and on the weekends more yoga and some pool time. That's a pretty nice summer to me.

My company has a wellness program, where employees get points for eating their fruits and veggies, working out, getting check-ups and not smoking. With enough points you get a free day off work. I've started leading a yoga class at work every other Thursday over the lunch hour and really enjoy it. I just did my third class last week and have had about 4-6 co-workers attending each class. It's nice to share what I know and also practice my yoga. I've been told a couple times that I should get certified. This is something that was in the back of my mind (I put the project management certification on hold, don't think it's right for me). So, I emailed my first yoga instructor (who inspired me when I first started) and asked what she thought. She recommended a certification in Colorado Springs next February. I'm planning to get some more information and see what this would all entail. Might be a nice second income for me one of these days.

And since I put my new car and new roof on hold, I decided I am going to make my next dream vacation a reality. I'm going to Hawaii!!! Next March there is a yoga retreat I found through an adventure-vacation company. Each retreat they do has some sort of activity associated with it. Yoga and Hawaii – what a perfect match! I'm planning to sign up in the next couple weeks and I've already talked to my boss about taking the time off from work. I hope to learn a lot about myself and yoga and Hawaii!

The Big City

I have been planning a trip to Chicago with my Mom. I was telling a client at work the other day about the trip and they said I must like the big cities. Last year I went to New York City and this year Chicago. I've thought about this before coming from a small town. My friends and I would drive to the “big city,” Wichita, KS which was about a 30 minute road trip. We would go to the mall, movie theatre and Red Lobster. 

I guess from the beginning I was always looking for more. I knew I wanted to go away to college and Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS was the perfect fit. Still that home-town feel, however more people and more to do. I made some life-long friends there and two of them ended up in the next big city with me, Kansas City. One friend has since moved on to San Diego and I am wondering if I am ready for the next big city. I've really enjoyed traveling and the freedom my job gives me. I've been able to afford to travel and take the time off. I love New York City and I'm sure I'll love Chicago. For now traveling to the big cities is enough for me, however one day I may feel the need to take on the next big city in my life.

Partying in your Thirties

I'm sure all of us go through this Friday at work, everyone talking about the upcoming weekend and their plans. On the schedule this weekend was a local band playing Friday night and a friend's birthday Saturday night. When I was talking with my co-workers I kept saying, "I'm not sure how I'm going to party two nights in a row." I used to do this all the time in my 20's, however it really does take it out of me going out all night, having a few drinks, laughing with good friends and then doing it all over again the next night. I feel old.

I guess it also depends on how the night goes. Sometimes they are a hit and sometimes you are ready to leave by 8 o'clock. That's another thing, in college, I remember not leaving the house until 10 or 11 o'clock. Now, if I don't get out the door early then I would rather stay home and plan a nice, comfy evening.

This Friday night was a hit. The band was rockin', the drinks were flowing and we were all having a good time with plenty of laughs. We even went to a second bar after the band stopped playing, which is usually unheard of in my current partying days. I didn't get home until 2:30 am. How was I supposed to top this and go out again Saturday night? Well unfortunately my friend was sick, so we are going to have to celebrate her birthday another day. Lucky for me.