June 8, 2008
Well, my delicious red apple has finally reached its core. Most of the bites have been chewed; some pieces have been harder to swallow than others, some pieces needed to be shared with others in order for me to sink my teeth into the apple once again, and other pieces just left me hungry for more.
I don't think the idea that it's finally time to leave has quite yet ripened and settled in my mind. The past 9 months have been a labor of love, hate, excitement, question, laughter, doubt, enjoyment and sadness. Quite the rollercoaster of mental energy I'd say, that when combined with an enduring feeling of physical exhaustion, along with daily tests of tolerance and competition for space, makes for quite a challenging lifestyle.
That said, I wouldn't change this experience for anything. Perhaps Frank Sinatra said it best with "I want to be a part of it... New York, New York!"... and I'm so glad I was. It was an incredible learning experience... personally, professionally, physically and economically. I have indeed developed a tougher skin from it all, with the added "bonus" of scarred, still blistered and horribly callused feet.
Starting a new, be it temporary or permanent, life in a new city is no easy task, especially when you're all by yourself. And in a city this big, where it's surprisingly difficult to meet people, I can't express how extremely grateful I am to have been able to work with such a fantastic group of people... or shall I say, bale of turtles. Their support, nurture, humor and friendship is priceless.
Thanks for the memories New York... if it's not your bright lights that bring me back for another bite, it will be my last used Subway MetroCard that will be kept tucked away in my wallet once again, much like it previously was before.
Happy Birthday Dear Bridge
May 26, 2008
The Memorial Day long weekend not only marked the official kickoff to Summer, but this year, also marked the historic birthday of one of New York's most treasured landmarks. One of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States, the Brooklyn Bridge, just recently celebrated its 125th year as an engineering marvel.
After thirteen years of construction, the Bridge first opened for use on May 24, 1883, connecting the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Designed by John A. Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the world that was surprisingly born in tragedy. Not only were 27 people killed during its construction, but only one week after its public use debut, a rumor that the Bridge was going to collapse led to absolute mayhem wherein over a dozen people were crushed to death. Well, 125 years later, the Bridge is still standing thanks to Roebling's unique bridge and truss system that was 4-6 times stronger than other bridges built at the same time, which have ultimately vanished into history.
If ever visiting this city, I highly recommend taking a stroll across this (sturdy) masterpiece of a structure. Its grandeur combines both strength and grace that offers an exhilarating experience and breathtaking views of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines... there really is nothing better to do on a hot and sunny summer afternoon in this city than to be a pedestrian on what can be considered a great work of art. I suppose this holiday Monday fit the bill perfectly for such a trot... but I can't say I was feeling quite celebratory enough to tackle such an endeavour.
On one of my more ambitious days of walking the
6,000 foot-long landmark
The characteristic pointed arches through the stone tower passageways showcases the Bridge's Gothic architectural style
The Memorial Day long weekend not only marked the official kickoff to Summer, but this year, also marked the historic birthday of one of New York's most treasured landmarks. One of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States, the Brooklyn Bridge, just recently celebrated its 125th year as an engineering marvel.
After thirteen years of construction, the Bridge first opened for use on May 24, 1883, connecting the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Designed by John A. Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the world that was surprisingly born in tragedy. Not only were 27 people killed during its construction, but only one week after its public use debut, a rumor that the Bridge was going to collapse led to absolute mayhem wherein over a dozen people were crushed to death. Well, 125 years later, the Bridge is still standing thanks to Roebling's unique bridge and truss system that was 4-6 times stronger than other bridges built at the same time, which have ultimately vanished into history.
If ever visiting this city, I highly recommend taking a stroll across this (sturdy) masterpiece of a structure. Its grandeur combines both strength and grace that offers an exhilarating experience and breathtaking views of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines... there really is nothing better to do on a hot and sunny summer afternoon in this city than to be a pedestrian on what can be considered a great work of art. I suppose this holiday Monday fit the bill perfectly for such a trot... but I can't say I was feeling quite celebratory enough to tackle such an endeavour.
On one of my more ambitious days of walking the
6,000 foot-long landmark
The characteristic pointed arches through the stone tower passageways showcases the Bridge's Gothic architectural style
The Manhattan Skyline from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade
View of Manhattan from the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park
View of the largest suspension bridge in the world
The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic part of the Manhattan skyline
(photo: Josh Haner/The New York Times)
A spectacular display of fireworks over the
East River to celebrate 125 years
East River to celebrate 125 years
Three's a Tea PAHty
May 20, 2008
Spring is the absolute best time to be in New York City. Central Park is as lush and beautiful as ever, street fairs and outdoor events are kicking into high gear, and the gradual return of humidified days makes me so very grateful for air conditioned living quarters. But like I've said before, it's really nice to get away from it all... to clear your head from the constant hustle and bustle of daily life, and in turn, the ensued exhaustion.
My short escape this time around took me to Boston, Massachusetts... or more appropriately, Bahstun, Mass. But no, it wasn't a solo trip this time around... I was lucky to have the wonderful company of two of my closest friends. Myself, my sister Jess, and long-time friend of ours Jill, all got together for a mini-getaway to a new and previously unexplored city for an amazingly enjoyable weekend of catching up, reminiscing, and some sightseeing for good measure. Having not seen my sister Jess since Christmastime, and Jill since the time when I was still living in Edmonton, I was due for some quality time with some truly lovely ladies!
Toronto, Montreal and New York were all representing this past weekend in what could possibly be the cleanest, most beautiful and historic city I've been to in awhile. From the chic Financial District and stunning harborfront, the vibrant enclave that is Little Italy, historic Beacon Hill, the hip Back Bay neighborhood, and Boston's neighboring city of ivy-league higher education, Cambridge, the three of us were blown away by what the city had to offer. A 'Duck Tour' aboard an amphibious landing vehicle cruised us through the birthplace of freedom and city of firsts, then splashed us into the Charles River for some breathtaking views of the city's skyline.
Strolling through Faneiul Hall Marketplace, downtown Boston's prime shopping, dining and entertainment district, we came across a t-shirt being sold by a street vendor that couldn't sum up our supah-dupah weekend better...
The Tahp Ten Things ta Look Out Foha in Bahstun:
10. Paul Reveah's silvah at the Museum of Fine Ahts.
9. Two headed lobstahs in Bahstun Hahbah.
8. A wicked lotta beahs at Cheahs.
7. Bunkah Hill Mahnument.
6. Oystah chowdah in Quincy Mahcut.
5. Fenway Pahk.
4. Bahgins at Neiman Mahcus.
3. Dawchestah, Reveah, and Summahvul.
2. Pahkin yah cah in Hahvid Yahd aftah dahk.
1. The plate numbah of that cah on yah bumpah.
I'm pretty sure all three us will have a slip of the tongue at some point, this week or next, and inadvertently begin conversing in that thick Bahstun accent... don't know how well that will go down here in New Yohrk, but when The Tea Pahty members take their next trip together... to Chicahgo perhaps, I think we'll fit in just fine.
Spring is the absolute best time to be in New York City. Central Park is as lush and beautiful as ever, street fairs and outdoor events are kicking into high gear, and the gradual return of humidified days makes me so very grateful for air conditioned living quarters. But like I've said before, it's really nice to get away from it all... to clear your head from the constant hustle and bustle of daily life, and in turn, the ensued exhaustion.
My short escape this time around took me to Boston, Massachusetts... or more appropriately, Bahstun, Mass. But no, it wasn't a solo trip this time around... I was lucky to have the wonderful company of two of my closest friends. Myself, my sister Jess, and long-time friend of ours Jill, all got together for a mini-getaway to a new and previously unexplored city for an amazingly enjoyable weekend of catching up, reminiscing, and some sightseeing for good measure. Having not seen my sister Jess since Christmastime, and Jill since the time when I was still living in Edmonton, I was due for some quality time with some truly lovely ladies!
Toronto, Montreal and New York were all representing this past weekend in what could possibly be the cleanest, most beautiful and historic city I've been to in awhile. From the chic Financial District and stunning harborfront, the vibrant enclave that is Little Italy, historic Beacon Hill, the hip Back Bay neighborhood, and Boston's neighboring city of ivy-league higher education, Cambridge, the three of us were blown away by what the city had to offer. A 'Duck Tour' aboard an amphibious landing vehicle cruised us through the birthplace of freedom and city of firsts, then splashed us into the Charles River for some breathtaking views of the city's skyline.
Strolling through Faneiul Hall Marketplace, downtown Boston's prime shopping, dining and entertainment district, we came across a t-shirt being sold by a street vendor that couldn't sum up our supah-dupah weekend better...
The Tahp Ten Things ta Look Out Foha in Bahstun:
10. Paul Reveah's silvah at the Museum of Fine Ahts.
9. Two headed lobstahs in Bahstun Hahbah.
8. A wicked lotta beahs at Cheahs.
7. Bunkah Hill Mahnument.
6. Oystah chowdah in Quincy Mahcut.
5. Fenway Pahk.
4. Bahgins at Neiman Mahcus.
3. Dawchestah, Reveah, and Summahvul.
2. Pahkin yah cah in Hahvid Yahd aftah dahk.
1. The plate numbah of that cah on yah bumpah.
I'm pretty sure all three us will have a slip of the tongue at some point, this week or next, and inadvertently begin conversing in that thick Bahstun accent... don't know how well that will go down here in New Yohrk, but when The Tea Pahty members take their next trip together... to Chicahgo perhaps, I think we'll fit in just fine.
View of the Boston skyline and the Chahles... er... Charles River
The Old State House and the balcony from which the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Boston took place
Boston Common, founded in 1634, is one of the oldest
public parks in the country
The Public Garden, founded in 1837, is the first public
botanical garden in the United States
The Boston Public Library is the largest municipal public library in the country, and the first library to allow people to borrow books and take them home to read and use
The Tea Pahty dined at the oldest tavern in America,
the Bell in Hand Tavern
Cheers! Where everybody knows your name!
Fenway Park, the oldest MLB stadium and home of the Red Sox
No explanation necessary!
The Final Four
May 10, 2008
"This is a Queens-bound E train... step in, stand clear of the closing doors please."
Day after day, for the past 8 months, I've heard these same repetive words loudly over the PA system as I board the 'E' train to get crosstown, from the west side where I live, to the east side where I work. Having time and again gotten off the train at the last stop in Manhattan before the train continues on to Queens, I finally satisfied my curiosity for what lies beyond the island to the east, or what typical city dwellers like to call the 'burbs.
It's hard to believe I'm down to my final four weeks in this crazy/wonderful city. So with only a few more weekends to explore parts of New York that I haven't yet already (basically the other four boroughs that make up NYC), I took an afternoon jaunt out to Queens for some uncharted-territory-wandering. Home to New York's two major airports, the NY Mets baseball team, the USTA National Tennis Center (where the US Open takes place), and Queens Center (the most profitable per-square-foot mall in America - who knew?!), Queens is the second most populous borough wherein nearly half of its population are immigrants.
So I may have spent more time riding the subway than physically exploring the parts of Queens that I wanted to (I rode the entire line minus one stop, both there and back), but at least being above-ground made the long commute seem a little less tedious. It was interesting to see how similarly different it would be to live in a suburb of 'the city'; similar in terms of the scenic sight of fire escapes, different in terms of a little less clutter, a little more space. I'm even more curious now to see how the borough to the south compares... next stop: Brooklyn.
Part of New York World's Fair Bell Telephone Pavilion;
also seen in Men In Black
Shea Stadium, home of the NY Mets
Much like the Yankees, the Mets are playing their final season in Shea Stadium, after which they'll move across the street to their new stadium, Citi Field
"This is a Queens-bound E train... step in, stand clear of the closing doors please."
Day after day, for the past 8 months, I've heard these same repetive words loudly over the PA system as I board the 'E' train to get crosstown, from the west side where I live, to the east side where I work. Having time and again gotten off the train at the last stop in Manhattan before the train continues on to Queens, I finally satisfied my curiosity for what lies beyond the island to the east, or what typical city dwellers like to call the 'burbs.
It's hard to believe I'm down to my final four weeks in this crazy/wonderful city. So with only a few more weekends to explore parts of New York that I haven't yet already (basically the other four boroughs that make up NYC), I took an afternoon jaunt out to Queens for some uncharted-territory-wandering. Home to New York's two major airports, the NY Mets baseball team, the USTA National Tennis Center (where the US Open takes place), and Queens Center (the most profitable per-square-foot mall in America - who knew?!), Queens is the second most populous borough wherein nearly half of its population are immigrants.
So I may have spent more time riding the subway than physically exploring the parts of Queens that I wanted to (I rode the entire line minus one stop, both there and back), but at least being above-ground made the long commute seem a little less tedious. It was interesting to see how similarly different it would be to live in a suburb of 'the city'; similar in terms of the scenic sight of fire escapes, different in terms of a little less clutter, a little more space. I'm even more curious now to see how the borough to the south compares... next stop: Brooklyn.
Part of New York World's Fair Bell Telephone Pavilion;
also seen in Men In Black
The Unisphere in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, a relic from the 1964 World's Fair, is the largest globe in the world; also commonly seen during live coverage of the US Open.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium, part of the USTA National Tennis Center, and a storage yard for Queens-bound '7' trains
Shea Stadium, home of the NY Mets
Much like the Yankees, the Mets are playing their final season in Shea Stadium, after which they'll move across the street to their new stadium, Citi Field
Feelin' the Burn
April 26, 2008
The best thing about living in New York is the endless opportunity to see some of the world's finest talent. I've been able to take in a good dose of Broadway plays and musicals in the past while, and time after time, I continue to be in absolute awe of the calibre of talent that is being presented live on stage. Virtuoso's at the forefront of their respective crafts, if you will, thrilling and stunning audiences night after night.
I'll rarely pass up a free ticket, even if it's a ticket to a concert featuring a world-class group of musicians that I had not previously heard of. This past Thursday, myself and fellow Turtle Julie, attended Bowfire - The Total String Experience at the historic Beacon Theatre in Manhattan's Upper West Side. A leading venue for top rock concerts, having seen headlining acts like Bob Dylan, Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones rock the stage over the years, Julie and I had little idea as to what we were in for.
The best thing about living in New York is the endless opportunity to see some of the world's finest talent. I've been able to take in a good dose of Broadway plays and musicals in the past while, and time after time, I continue to be in absolute awe of the calibre of talent that is being presented live on stage. Virtuoso's at the forefront of their respective crafts, if you will, thrilling and stunning audiences night after night.
I'll rarely pass up a free ticket, even if it's a ticket to a concert featuring a world-class group of musicians that I had not previously heard of. This past Thursday, myself and fellow Turtle Julie, attended Bowfire - The Total String Experience at the historic Beacon Theatre in Manhattan's Upper West Side. A leading venue for top rock concerts, having seen headlining acts like Bob Dylan, Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones rock the stage over the years, Julie and I had little idea as to what we were in for.
Bowfire is composed of ten exceptionally gifted fiddle and violin musicians that sure know how to create a high quality music experience. Taking the audience on a musical journey of Jazz, Classical, Bluegrass, Celtic and Rock, combined with impressively entertaining step and tap dancing (did I mention they were multi-talented musicians who effortlessly fiddled and tapped at the same time?), made for one smokin' hot evening of entertainment. By the end of the night, the chosen venue could not have been more appropriate... Bowfire rocked out a wicked rendition of Led Zeppelin's Kashmir for their encore performance.
Chewing on spicy cinnamon gum (an apt choice of flavor to keep with our firey themed evening, not to mention our über-spicy Thai food prior to the concert) may have failed to keep our jaws from dropping to the floor throughout the concert, but the newly fueled inspiration we both left the concert with, gave us the fabulous idea to create our own spectacular high-energy stage show. Picture this... dueling-pianos, a spinning stage, with pyrotechnics and laser lights ablaze. The name? Fingerfire, but of course.
Streets of Philadelphia
April 22, 2008
If you ask any seasoned New Yorker how often they like to escape from the constant and flurried movement and activity of this city, you're bound to hear the same response time and time again... "get out of here as often as you can... if not, well, good luck trying to stay sane."
In the days leading up to this past weekend, I found myself quickly rising to my tolerable level of perturbation. The slightest and most ridiculous things were getting under my skin, agitating me beyond belief. Maybe it was just a case of spring fever, maybe I'm more homesick than I once thought, or maybe I was becoming just too annoyed with the kitchen cockroaches who like to pay me a daily visit while I enjoy my breakfast. Whatever it was, I was desperately due for an escape.
Leaving the city of culture took me to the city of ideas and firsts... the country's first capital and the site of the first public bank, hospital, public newspaper and stock exchange, to name a few. Philadelphia welcomed me not only with scorching 30 degree Celcius weather, but also with a completely different feel and vibe from what I've become accustomed to in the past eight months. Though the City of Brotherly Love may be in a stage of hip and urban reinvention, I have to admit that despite walking all over the map, from the Museum District to Penn's Landing, the Old City Historic District to the upper crust Rittenhouse neighborhood of resolute old money, not every city can be a walker-friendly city like New York.
Getting away, even if it was just for a couple of days, certainly helped to shallow the waters of the pool of turmoil New York can very easily push you into. But since I was getting a little tired of treading water, it felt surprisingly good to be able to walk it all out in new and unfamiliar, but at times, shady territory. My initial impressions of the city may not take me back there anytime soon, but realizing I ceased to sample the quintessential Philly Cheesesteak, I could be visiting again at some point in the future. I'll be sure to rent a car though next time... some of those city streets just aren't meant to be walked alone.
View of Philadelphia's skyline and City Hall in the distance
The Philadelphia Museum of Art's monumental staircase, famous for its appearance in Rocky
The Liberty Bell - an international icon of freedom and independence, and its famous gap, which was the result of an attempt to fix a crack which destroyed the bell's tone
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge arching over the Delaware River
If you ask any seasoned New Yorker how often they like to escape from the constant and flurried movement and activity of this city, you're bound to hear the same response time and time again... "get out of here as often as you can... if not, well, good luck trying to stay sane."
In the days leading up to this past weekend, I found myself quickly rising to my tolerable level of perturbation. The slightest and most ridiculous things were getting under my skin, agitating me beyond belief. Maybe it was just a case of spring fever, maybe I'm more homesick than I once thought, or maybe I was becoming just too annoyed with the kitchen cockroaches who like to pay me a daily visit while I enjoy my breakfast. Whatever it was, I was desperately due for an escape.
Leaving the city of culture took me to the city of ideas and firsts... the country's first capital and the site of the first public bank, hospital, public newspaper and stock exchange, to name a few. Philadelphia welcomed me not only with scorching 30 degree Celcius weather, but also with a completely different feel and vibe from what I've become accustomed to in the past eight months. Though the City of Brotherly Love may be in a stage of hip and urban reinvention, I have to admit that despite walking all over the map, from the Museum District to Penn's Landing, the Old City Historic District to the upper crust Rittenhouse neighborhood of resolute old money, not every city can be a walker-friendly city like New York.
Getting away, even if it was just for a couple of days, certainly helped to shallow the waters of the pool of turmoil New York can very easily push you into. But since I was getting a little tired of treading water, it felt surprisingly good to be able to walk it all out in new and unfamiliar, but at times, shady territory. My initial impressions of the city may not take me back there anytime soon, but realizing I ceased to sample the quintessential Philly Cheesesteak, I could be visiting again at some point in the future. I'll be sure to rent a car though next time... some of those city streets just aren't meant to be walked alone.
City Hall, the largest municipal building in the country
View of Philadelphia's skyline and City Hall in the distance
The Philadelphia Museum of Art's monumental staircase, famous for its appearance in Rocky
Elfreth's Alley, the oldest residential street in the Nation
Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was debated and adopted
The Liberty Bell - an international icon of freedom and independence, and its famous gap, which was the result of an attempt to fix a crack which destroyed the bell's tone
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge arching over the Delaware River
Energizer Turtles
April 13, 2008
Putting in nearly 24 hours of work over the course of two days is a tad much, to say the least, but when it's for a good cause, well, there's not a whole lot one should complain about. This past Friday and Saturday played host to Turtle Bay Music School's 4th Annual Perform-a-Thon, our premier fundraising event wherein Turtle Bay students, staff, faculty, alumni and members of our community gathered together to participate in two exciting days of non-stop music making. From trumpet to cello, harp to violin, and guitar to piano, performers of all ages and abilities but their best music notes together to ensure that everyone who walks through Turtle Bay's doors, is able to achieve their greatest musical potential.
This event has long been a cornerstone fundraising opportunity to help the School raise funds for music scholarships, provide financial aid to underprivileged but deserving young students, enhance our public school music programs which annually provide music education to more than 1,300 public school students throughout the five boroughs of NYC, and continue to grow our unique community outreach program, The Saturday Music Project. This new music initiative provides families with little or no access to music, with two years of music appreciation classes and instrument instruction, free of charge.
At the end of it all, the hard work and team effort from everyone at the School made the event a huge success. And while it was difficult to get up off of the chairs that we all collapsed on when the two-day event finally came to an end, I'm sure we all would have liked to get up and click our heels at the initial count for our grand total - over $14,000 - not bad at all for a small community music school with a big heart. We are, afterall, just turtles who keep performing and performing and performing...
Putting in nearly 24 hours of work over the course of two days is a tad much, to say the least, but when it's for a good cause, well, there's not a whole lot one should complain about. This past Friday and Saturday played host to Turtle Bay Music School's 4th Annual Perform-a-Thon, our premier fundraising event wherein Turtle Bay students, staff, faculty, alumni and members of our community gathered together to participate in two exciting days of non-stop music making. From trumpet to cello, harp to violin, and guitar to piano, performers of all ages and abilities but their best music notes together to ensure that everyone who walks through Turtle Bay's doors, is able to achieve their greatest musical potential.
This event has long been a cornerstone fundraising opportunity to help the School raise funds for music scholarships, provide financial aid to underprivileged but deserving young students, enhance our public school music programs which annually provide music education to more than 1,300 public school students throughout the five boroughs of NYC, and continue to grow our unique community outreach program, The Saturday Music Project. This new music initiative provides families with little or no access to music, with two years of music appreciation classes and instrument instruction, free of charge.
At the end of it all, the hard work and team effort from everyone at the School made the event a huge success. And while it was difficult to get up off of the chairs that we all collapsed on when the two-day event finally came to an end, I'm sure we all would have liked to get up and click our heels at the initial count for our grand total - over $14,000 - not bad at all for a small community music school with a big heart. We are, afterall, just turtles who keep performing and performing and performing...
Performing at the Perform-a-Thon with my awesome teacher Paula. In only my 3rd performance of my 6 months playing the violin, my nerves got the best of my bowing... the sound resulting from my shaky arm surely gives a whole new meaning to the musical term vibrato.
Prairie Girl Adventures
March 30, 2008
Alas, spring break. While most city dwellers were gearing up to get out of this place, I was dusting off my tour guide cap to welcome my good friend Tawnya to the city that never sleeps. Despite having seen most everything New York has to offer, it was very exciting for me to re-experience the sights and sounds of my chaotic surroundings with someone who was seeing it all for the very first time, getting their initial reactions to an environment that can be summed up in one simple word... crazy.
Our touristy adventures led us uptown, downtown and all over town. From the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigrant Museum to window shopping along Madison Avenue, strolling through SoHo to absorbing some breathtaking views of the city from the Top of the Rock, taking in an Islanders hockey game from the nosebleed section (mental note: don't move down to 100-level seating during the 1st intermission... you'll only be made a fool of) and being blown away by the enthralling Broadway talent in Spring Awakening, were just some of the highlights of an unbelievably fun, but indeed fatiguing week in the Big Apple for two true prairie girls at heart.
I'm running out of words to describe how truly worn out this city leaves you... but I'm certain Tawnya would be able to tell you first-hand not only what it's like as a first-time visitor, but also what it's like to live it on a daily basis. She left here completely exhausted and drained, surely looking forward to returning to her spacious, comfortable and slower-paced surroundings and I can't blame her... in fact, I was really a tad envious! Here you long for a day of peace, quiet and space, a morning to sleep in without waking to the noise of sirens, horns and your neighbors upstairs bickering at the top of their lungs, and hope that just one day, ONE day, be granted enough elbow room to not feel like cattle being herded from one pen to the next. Not until you physically experience it will you really believe it.
Kudos though to my good friend for being such a great trooper! Not a single complaint to my jam-packed itinerary of sight-seeing and galavanting... ok... maybe just one, but we were both getting a little cranky over how many hundreds of stairs we were climbing each day, in and out of the subway. She and I both could use another break to recover and unwind from our spring break, but when you spend it in NYC, there's no such thing as a relaxing vacation!
Alas, spring break. While most city dwellers were gearing up to get out of this place, I was dusting off my tour guide cap to welcome my good friend Tawnya to the city that never sleeps. Despite having seen most everything New York has to offer, it was very exciting for me to re-experience the sights and sounds of my chaotic surroundings with someone who was seeing it all for the very first time, getting their initial reactions to an environment that can be summed up in one simple word... crazy.
Our touristy adventures led us uptown, downtown and all over town. From the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigrant Museum to window shopping along Madison Avenue, strolling through SoHo to absorbing some breathtaking views of the city from the Top of the Rock, taking in an Islanders hockey game from the nosebleed section (mental note: don't move down to 100-level seating during the 1st intermission... you'll only be made a fool of) and being blown away by the enthralling Broadway talent in Spring Awakening, were just some of the highlights of an unbelievably fun, but indeed fatiguing week in the Big Apple for two true prairie girls at heart.
I'm running out of words to describe how truly worn out this city leaves you... but I'm certain Tawnya would be able to tell you first-hand not only what it's like as a first-time visitor, but also what it's like to live it on a daily basis. She left here completely exhausted and drained, surely looking forward to returning to her spacious, comfortable and slower-paced surroundings and I can't blame her... in fact, I was really a tad envious! Here you long for a day of peace, quiet and space, a morning to sleep in without waking to the noise of sirens, horns and your neighbors upstairs bickering at the top of their lungs, and hope that just one day, ONE day, be granted enough elbow room to not feel like cattle being herded from one pen to the next. Not until you physically experience it will you really believe it.
Kudos though to my good friend for being such a great trooper! Not a single complaint to my jam-packed itinerary of sight-seeing and galavanting... ok... maybe just one, but we were both getting a little cranky over how many hundreds of stairs we were climbing each day, in and out of the subway. She and I both could use another break to recover and unwind from our spring break, but when you spend it in NYC, there's no such thing as a relaxing vacation!
Mmm... the best pretzels ever!
The spectacular Statue of Liberty
View of the Empire State Building and Lower Manhattan from the
Top of the Rock
View of Central Park, the Upper West Side and Upper East Side from the Top of the Rock
You definitely see it all in this city... The Naked Cowboy in Times Square
Prairie girls really love their hockey... our view of the Islanders and Penquins from the very back row of the stadium!
... And we also love cars... One hot Ferrari at the
New York International Auto Show
End of an Era
March 15, 2008
One of the most famous sporting venues in the United States and third-oldest stadium in the Major Leagues will soon be closing its doors, once and for all, after one last season of ballplaying on some truly hallowed grounds. Historic Yankee Stadium will play host to the legendary Bronx Bombers for it's 85th and final season before bidding farewell to the most successful franchise in North American professional sports history. Luckily the Yankees won't have to venture very far to their new home... in fact, they'll just have to cross the street, where the current generation of baseball players will have their own awe-inspiring opportunity to play in a new park, becoming new legends.
With my Dad (a.k.a. 'die-hard Yankees fan') in town for an overdue visit, there was no question that a Yankee Stadium tour would be at the very top of our "to-do" list. Having himself played semi-pro baseball back in his prime, my Dad was fully and completely in his element once again but on a much grander scale. Taking a seat in the press box and yankee dugout, getting an insider's glance into the infamous clubhouse and walking the field (ssshhh, don't tell, but we scoffed a few slivers of holy grass from the infield between home and first base), were highlights of a tour that left my mouth dry at the extensive chronology of historic and storied events that have taken place within those stadium walls. If only walls could talk.
It seems only fitting that the park will showcase some of the world's best players this July in the 79th All-Star Game, and perhaps even see a World Series Championship celebration in October, given the rich tradition of post-season action the stadium has seen since its opening in 1923. Quite the spectacle that would be... chalking up a 27th in the history books for a team who clinched 16 of those in a stadium that will sadly be razed, but fortunately replaced with a park and a number of playing fields for youngsters with a passion for baseball to play on their own field of dreams. Because as the saying goes... if you build it, they will come.
My beyond-thrilled Dad in the Yankee Dugout
View from the Press Box
The concourse level of the Stadium
The Stadium has a capacity of over 57,000
Yankee Stadium: "The House that Ruth Built"
The Yankee's retired numbers in Monument Park
The Facade, running along the bleacher billboards and scoreboards
The New Yankee Stadium, slated to open for the 2009 Season
The interlocking 'NY': one of the most recognizable insignia's in sports, and perhaps the world
One of the most famous sporting venues in the United States and third-oldest stadium in the Major Leagues will soon be closing its doors, once and for all, after one last season of ballplaying on some truly hallowed grounds. Historic Yankee Stadium will play host to the legendary Bronx Bombers for it's 85th and final season before bidding farewell to the most successful franchise in North American professional sports history. Luckily the Yankees won't have to venture very far to their new home... in fact, they'll just have to cross the street, where the current generation of baseball players will have their own awe-inspiring opportunity to play in a new park, becoming new legends.
With my Dad (a.k.a. 'die-hard Yankees fan') in town for an overdue visit, there was no question that a Yankee Stadium tour would be at the very top of our "to-do" list. Having himself played semi-pro baseball back in his prime, my Dad was fully and completely in his element once again but on a much grander scale. Taking a seat in the press box and yankee dugout, getting an insider's glance into the infamous clubhouse and walking the field (ssshhh, don't tell, but we scoffed a few slivers of holy grass from the infield between home and first base), were highlights of a tour that left my mouth dry at the extensive chronology of historic and storied events that have taken place within those stadium walls. If only walls could talk.
It seems only fitting that the park will showcase some of the world's best players this July in the 79th All-Star Game, and perhaps even see a World Series Championship celebration in October, given the rich tradition of post-season action the stadium has seen since its opening in 1923. Quite the spectacle that would be... chalking up a 27th in the history books for a team who clinched 16 of those in a stadium that will sadly be razed, but fortunately replaced with a park and a number of playing fields for youngsters with a passion for baseball to play on their own field of dreams. Because as the saying goes... if you build it, they will come.
In the grandstands of Yankee Stadium
My beyond-thrilled Dad in the Yankee Dugout
View from the Press Box
The concourse level of the Stadium
The Stadium has a capacity of over 57,000
Yankee Stadium: "The House that Ruth Built"
The Yankee's retired numbers in Monument Park
The Facade, running along the bleacher billboards and scoreboards
The New Yankee Stadium, slated to open for the 2009 Season
The interlocking 'NY': one of the most recognizable insignia's in sports, and perhaps the world
Grab Your Scalpel!
March 2, 2008
It's been awhile since my last post... maybe I myself just can't keep up with this digital generation that us creative twenty-something's find ourselves immersed in everyday... that and the fact that turning 25 just one month ago may have had more of a brain-draining effect on me than I had once anticipated it would! You know the feeling... where you start to question every single aspect of your life to the point that you wake up every day with a headache because your mind just won't stop racing... ok, maybe not. Well it's a new month, the winter- and getting-older blues are seemingly starting to fade, and my mind is gradually starting to clear of the constant 'what am I doing with my life?' concern, to finally allow me a surge of mental energy to do other things... like blog.
Today I ventured all the way down to Lower Manhattan to attend an unique exhibition that took me way back to my early days of university. Ahhh.... the glory days of being a Phys Ed student. Surely we had more fun than any other faculty on campus, but it wasn't all just fun and games (those volleyball and golf courses only filled up half of our schedules). In all the years that I was a professional student, my favorite class was without a doubt was 'Structural Anatomy.'
South Street Seaport is currently playing host to Bodies - The Exhibition, an innovative exhibition showcasing real, dissected human bodies (preserved that is), that unveil the intricate and complex systems of tissues and organs that make our body work. From bones to muscles, a healthy heart to cancerous lungs (stop smoking people!), and everything imaginable in between, the event was a fascinating display of the reality of our entire physical makeup.
Having regretfully not taken Gross Anatomy as an elective for my BPE degree, and therefore not having that course under my belt to serve as a buffer for what I would eventually see this morning, I was a tad worried I wouldn't be able to stomach the event. But it's all good, my porridge stayed down! Looking back, I definitely don't miss the days of cue card studying and bell-ringer lab exams associated with one of the more difficult first-year courses I was required to take, but it sure was nice to have a visual refresher course now, to allow me to re-identify all those muscles that sure do ache on a daily basis in my old age.
It's been awhile since my last post... maybe I myself just can't keep up with this digital generation that us creative twenty-something's find ourselves immersed in everyday... that and the fact that turning 25 just one month ago may have had more of a brain-draining effect on me than I had once anticipated it would! You know the feeling... where you start to question every single aspect of your life to the point that you wake up every day with a headache because your mind just won't stop racing... ok, maybe not. Well it's a new month, the winter- and getting-older blues are seemingly starting to fade, and my mind is gradually starting to clear of the constant 'what am I doing with my life?' concern, to finally allow me a surge of mental energy to do other things... like blog.
Today I ventured all the way down to Lower Manhattan to attend an unique exhibition that took me way back to my early days of university. Ahhh.... the glory days of being a Phys Ed student. Surely we had more fun than any other faculty on campus, but it wasn't all just fun and games (those volleyball and golf courses only filled up half of our schedules). In all the years that I was a professional student, my favorite class was without a doubt was 'Structural Anatomy.'
South Street Seaport is currently playing host to Bodies - The Exhibition, an innovative exhibition showcasing real, dissected human bodies (preserved that is), that unveil the intricate and complex systems of tissues and organs that make our body work. From bones to muscles, a healthy heart to cancerous lungs (stop smoking people!), and everything imaginable in between, the event was a fascinating display of the reality of our entire physical makeup.
Having regretfully not taken Gross Anatomy as an elective for my BPE degree, and therefore not having that course under my belt to serve as a buffer for what I would eventually see this morning, I was a tad worried I wouldn't be able to stomach the event. But it's all good, my porridge stayed down! Looking back, I definitely don't miss the days of cue card studying and bell-ringer lab exams associated with one of the more difficult first-year courses I was required to take, but it sure was nice to have a visual refresher course now, to allow me to re-identify all those muscles that sure do ache on a daily basis in my old age.
South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan
Got Monuments?
February 11, 2008
American history. I can't say I remember much of anything from my Social Studies classes back in junior high and high school, but everything that was easily forgetten was quickly refreshed in my mind in my recent mini-vacation to Washinton, DC. Monuments here, memorials there, and more museums, federal buildings, state department buildings, marble and Grecian columns than you care to imagine, most people can probably think of much more thrilling places to visit. My reasoning however, for hopping aboard a train to experience the land of America's forefathers went beyond any interest I may have had in government, politics and orators of the American republic.
USArts, the sponsoring organization behind my internship in New York City, recently invited all interns currently living and working in the U.S., to Washington, DC for a couple of days of sightseeing and tours, and to have the opportunity to exchange stories about our life-changing experiences thus far. Even though I was able to take in some quite stunning sights of the nation's capital, drop in to a handful of beautiful Smithsonian museums, and absorb all that forms the basis of America's power in today's society, that was all just a bonus of my trip.
The real perk was being able to meet and spend time with some intelligent individuals who are all literally walking in the same pair of shoes. It was reassuring for me to learn of my fellow interns' similar experiences in moving to new and challenging territory, facing both forseen and unforseen obstacles and sharing the same sense in hoping that once our internships come to an end, we leave here with a confirmed feeling of what it was that we came here looking for. And if not... well... at least we'll all have our own little piece of American history.
The US Capitol Building
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Canada (x2), England, Venezuela, Poland, Argentina and USA all share a little taste of Italy!
American history. I can't say I remember much of anything from my Social Studies classes back in junior high and high school, but everything that was easily forgetten was quickly refreshed in my mind in my recent mini-vacation to Washinton, DC. Monuments here, memorials there, and more museums, federal buildings, state department buildings, marble and Grecian columns than you care to imagine, most people can probably think of much more thrilling places to visit. My reasoning however, for hopping aboard a train to experience the land of America's forefathers went beyond any interest I may have had in government, politics and orators of the American republic.
USArts, the sponsoring organization behind my internship in New York City, recently invited all interns currently living and working in the U.S., to Washington, DC for a couple of days of sightseeing and tours, and to have the opportunity to exchange stories about our life-changing experiences thus far. Even though I was able to take in some quite stunning sights of the nation's capital, drop in to a handful of beautiful Smithsonian museums, and absorb all that forms the basis of America's power in today's society, that was all just a bonus of my trip.
The real perk was being able to meet and spend time with some intelligent individuals who are all literally walking in the same pair of shoes. It was reassuring for me to learn of my fellow interns' similar experiences in moving to new and challenging territory, facing both forseen and unforseen obstacles and sharing the same sense in hoping that once our internships come to an end, we leave here with a confirmed feeling of what it was that we came here looking for. And if not... well... at least we'll all have our own little piece of American history.
The US Capitol Building
The Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial
I spy snipers...
Canada (x2), England, Venezuela, Poland, Argentina and USA all share a little taste of Italy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
