McLife

Learning, living and loving life with my other Mc's.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

New York, Part 2 & 3 & 4


Thursday:
Slept in instead of getting up to go to Today Show and missed Ellen Degeneres
Grand Central Station -- Awesome! Loved the art. It was Grand. Met up with Scott's cousin Lisa there.
Fifth Avenue -- Shopped it. Kind of cool
St. Patricks's Cathedral -- Way cool. Sunny suggested we pray here. Before she could finish her thought I found a knee bench to kneel and pray. God was still God, even in that big, fancy church. Not sure what I expected. I felt more of a connection to our spiritual ancestors and my Grandma after being there. It was very ... well, Catholic!
Bryant Park -- had lunch there. They were setting up for Fashion Week. Sunny had her hot dog from a vendor, and I ate the worst gyro ever from a deli. Thankfully, Lisa shared her turkey sandwich!
Trump Tower -- This building had the most $ in it than any I saw. Definitely felt out of place, but the elevator guards let us stand behind their desk for a picture. Fun!
TKTS booth -- Surprisingly, one of my fav New York things. It just felt New York to stand in a VERY long line to get discount theater tickets. It was a chance to chat with the gals and listen to all the different languages being spoken. I LOVE that about New York. So much language and culture -- a little bit of heaven! If you go, you must purchase tickets here. The line is surprisingly fast, and you can get tickets 35-50% off.
Ground Zero -- Was a little disappointed. Didn't get as close as I wanted to. Lots of construction going on, and didn't walk far enough around to see the memorial.
SOHO/China Town -- Did this really quick. Learned from Lisa that buying knock-offs is illegal. Who knew?
Chicago -- My first musical. Loved the movie and loved the show, though the performers were second-rate. Got my Latina blood going, though! Definitely wanted to dance when we left. Got an invite to salsa after the show from a stranger. The request was directed at Sunny, and lucky for me, she declined with a look on her face like she had just seen Freddie on Elm Street. Had I been asked, I would have been gone in less than a New York minute. The experience taught me two things: to white people salsa = sex; and I am stupidly naive when it comes to fun. We later learned, after this guy met up with Sun again, that he clearly wanted more than a fun salsa dance.
Times Square -- Can't even describe the glitz of that place. Every one's heard about it, but to experience it is another story. It's not deep or spiritual -- nothing like that. Just very grand, and full of the latest and greatest, done up in very BIG ways. VERY cool.

Friday
Woke up early to go to the Today Show. Chris Martin (is that his name?) was giving a concert and every black person in New York beat us there. Disappointed, we walked over to the Good Morning America Show where Achy Breaky Billy Ray Cyrus was performing. NO ONE was in line.
Good Morning America - skipped out on going inside to stand out and wait for the weather man. Sam Champion stood right next to us, and our big cheesy faces were on TV. Even got to tell where we were from. My mom was mad that I didn't say Texas!
Hotel Metro -- went back to the hotel to tell everyone in the Texas and Colorado time zones to watch GMA. Scott was REAL annoyed. I think I must have called him 5 times, the first being at 4:30am. He wasn't nearly as excited as we were.
Central Park -- Did it like none other, that's for sure. Took a subway there. Exited early after Sunny looked at me, told me she was getting off, and then dashed through the door. That still makes me laugh. We didn't even walk a full block in before we found a bench, and parked it for a while. Okay, more like 3 hours. Had the best talk ever about church and where God has our families right now. He is an amazing God, people. Listened a lot, and learned a ton. Our time in Central Park was serious, spiritual, passionate and loving even while we were in opposition. My love and respect for her is deep. Loved our time at Central Park!
The Met -- Didn't get to go. Talked too long!
New York Library -- Didn't go. Talked too long!
The Color Purple -- My gosh, this show was AMAZING! Fantasia had the lead, and she was AWESOME. I laughed and cried, then laughed some more, then cried some more. Surprisingly, it was also a very spiritual experience, but this time opening my eyes to the hardships that my family, in particular, have endured.
Cheesecake -- Can't remember the name of the joint, but went after the show to celebrate Lisa's new job. She had a job interview that morning, and received notice that afternoon. YEA Lisa!

Saturday
Shopped til we dropped for souvenirs for our families. Took a cab to the airport and went home.

Love Sunny and Lisa. Loved New York. Can't wait to do it again!