Just 50 more days till I'm in New York. So, since you know from "100 MORE Random Things About Me", that I make lists; and I've demonstrated numerous times that I'm a big (yes) HUGE fan of continuity - I think it's appropriate that I do a 50 things that I want to do in New York list. Interestingly enough, most of them involve friends and food, but that should come as no surprise. So in no particular order...
1. Go to the cemetary to visit the graves of my Mom, my maternal grandparents and my great aunt and uncle.
2. Take Lyndzi and Jackie to "The Condos" so they can see where I grew up.
3. While at "The Condos", visit my old neighbor Elayne. (She knows we're coming)
4. Show Lyndzi and Jackie where I went to elementary school.
5. Take everyone on a tour of New City. I think it will be really interesting to see what's changed.
6. Go to a diner in Rockland County
7. Spend the afternoon with Ruthie (AKA Big V) and her husband Joe and daughter, Olivia.
8. Go to The Rockland Bakery. I have memories of walking in and having the delicious smell of fresh baked bread hit me in the face; and catching HOT rolls as they came shooting out of the oven. Now that was heaven.
9. Try to catch up with Stefanie S.
10. See my friend Patti from High School.
11. Visit with my old roommate, Tammy and her daughters Allie and Isabelle. Although I've never met Tammy's girl's, I have a feeling that Lyndzi and Allie are gonna be the best of friends.
12. See "Mamma Mia"
13. Meet up with at least two of the girl's (now women) that I used to work with when I was a Social worker.
14. Have lunch with my friend June.
15. Although I haven't called her yet, I REALLY want to see my mom's best friend, Millie. I'm not sure when or how I'll be able to do so; but no trip to NY would be complete without seeing her.
16. Eat and buy New York Bagels. It's the one thing that Luis has asked me to bring home.
17. Spend as much time as possible with the magnificent, Rachel S.
18. Never let Michele Q out of my sight.
19. Go to The Hamptons
20. Show Lyndzi and Jackie where I went to college.
21. I was going to say Eat Splat (Fresh clams, shrimp, steamers, mussels, and lobster) at the Lobster Inn in Southampton, but I've read mixed reviews. I'll have to check with Michele Q on this one and if in fact it's not as good as I remember; we may just have to make our own.
22. Go to Central Park. I'm a native New Yorker, and in the 26 years that I lived in NY, I'd never been.
23. Go to the Statue of Liberty. It's the one place that Lyndzi has asked to go, and additionally, another place that I've never been.
24. Have a NY hot dog from a cart.
25. Go to China town
26. Go to Little Italy
27. Hang out with my childhood friend, the SLENDIFEROUS, Judy.
28. Enjoy the company of my dear friends Dawn and Michael.
29. Visit with the magnificent, Rachel S' extraordinary mom, Penny.
30. Meet my cousins.
31. See my friend Jasmine
32. See my friend Bobbi
33. Spend time with my friend Stacy S.
34. Catch up with my friend Stacy F.
35. Meet the wife of my senior prom date, Berger.
36. Enjoy as many meals as possible with as many friends as possible.
37. Eat Challah french toast
38. See my beautiful, friend Stephanie M while I'm in The Hamptons.
39. Go to the beach
40. Laugh
41. Hug all of my friends - A LOT!
42. Snuggle with Lyndzi
43. Introduce all of my friends to my incredible daughter and my wonderful cousin.
44. Go dancing in The Hamptons
45. Take lots of pictures!
46. See everyone and anyone who wants to see me; even people who haven't made plans with me yet - hint, hint!
47. PLAY
48. Eat Pizza
49. Shop!
50. Relax. - Really, I'm gonna try.
No matter how many of these things I actually do, I know it's going to be the best trip EVER! Can't wait to tell you all about it.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
I was so excited to tell you about starting my new job the other day; that I didn't share my other, equally exciting news. If you've been joining me on "The Bumpy Ride" for a while, then you may recall that the ball got rolling on my New York trip after I had posted that my cousin Jackie and I wanted to go to Las Vegas to see "Mamma Mia." Shortly after making this announcement, I came to find out that "Mamma Mia" was no longer playing in Las Vegas; and my wonderful friend Rachel S, suggested that I could come to New York to see it since it's still playing there.
After Rachel put the bug in my ear, I knew that I was New York bound. I asked my daughter Lyndzi and my cousin Jackie, to join me on this adventure, so that we could celebrate my 44th birthday. I knew that our trip wouldn't be complete without seeing "Mamma Mia" on Broadway, and onTuesday, thanks to my amazing friends Big V and Rachel S, our tickets were purchased for the Sat. July 30th matinee. WOOHOO!!! Obtaining those tickets was like watching poetry in motion. There were numerous emails that were exchanged very quickly, between Big V, Rachel and I; as Big V raced against the clock to purchase discounted tickets with great seats. Via text, I was able to get in touch with all of my friends who were interested in tickets and in no time at all; Big V had sealed the deal. I can't believe it!! If anyone would have told me a couple of months ago, that I'd be going to New York this summer, and going to see "Mamma Mia," on Broadway, I never would have believed it. But now, in just 127 days, I'll be there. God willing.
Everything about our trip is shaping up very nicely; and I really can't wait to go. I find it very interesting that I didn't know how badly I wanted to visit New York, until I started planning everything. I guess that's just part of self preservation. Since I knew that my family didn't have the time or the money to make a trip to New York, I never thought about doing so. I didn't allow myself to want something that I thought I couldn't have. But as soon as the opportunity presented itself; I realized how important it really is to me.
Planning this trip has given me the opportunity to reconnect with friends that I haven't seen in far too long. I feel extraordinarily blessed, that so many of my friends want to spend time with me; and and I can't wait to hug each and every one of them.
Time is just flying by now, and I feel like I'm in the homestretch. My future is waiting for me right at the finish line; and I can't think of a better way to move forward, than to go back to where I began.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
The other day I told you that I had "VERY Big News." I shared that my daughter, Lyndzi, my cousin, Jackie and I are going to be taking a trip to New York to celebrate my 44th birthday. I mentioned that I decided to take one of my kids with me and that Lyndzi seemed like the perfect choice; but I didn't say why. Since that post, I've spoken with a number of my friends and although everyone is very glad that I'm bringing Lyndzi; they all seem to want to know how I made my choice. They all want to know; why Lyndzi?
When I first considered asking one of my children to come to New York with me; I thought about who would enjoy the trip the most; and hands down the answer was Lyndzi. Although all three of my kids can be picky eaters; Lyndzi is the most adventurous diner. Lyndzi enjoys trying different foods, where with Nicky and Kelsie, it can be like pulling teeth to get them to try something new. Since I was planning to eat in China town as well go out for Italian food; Lyndzi seemed like the logical choice because I knew that she would enjoy these meals more than Nicky and Kelsie would; and the same may be said for "Mamma Mia." All three of my kids like musicals, and both Lyndzi and Kelsie adore ABBA, but I think that Lyndzi is at an age where she'll really be able to appreciate the show, more than Kelsie would; and I didn't think that "Mamma Mia" was up Nicky's alley. Then there's the whole patience thang. Lyndzi is extraordinarily complacent, patient and considerate; and honestly,the same may be said for Nicky. Whereas Kelsie is seven. Nicky and Lyndzi are usually very shy, so Kelsie always appears to be the friendliest of the three. She's also naturally outgoing and a great conversationalist; but patience and consideration are two traits that my youngest daughter needs to work on. Lyndzi on the other hand, will sit and draw for hours on end; and she finds it very easy to entertain herself. Lastly, but certainly not least; I really relish the idea of introducing everyone to my little ray of sunshine. Lyndzi is such a joy to be around and her positivity is contagious; therefore, she is a gift that I would love to share.
It was very difficult for me to only invite one of my children on this momentous trip; but I assured them that they will each have an opportunity to travel with me at some point. I was very proud of all of my kids and the way that they handled my decision to take Lyndzi with me. Lyndzi didn't gloat or act overly excited; and Nicky and Kelsie didn't question my choice or make me feel guilty about it. Are these some special kids or what?
With each passing day, I get increasingly excited about our trip; which I've had to extend by a couple of days, by the way. I am so delighted that Lyndzi AND Jackie will be joining me on my return to New York; and I can't wait to revisit my past with them; and celebrate my future.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
I have news, I have news, I have VERY big news! When I wrote "Making Plans," I told you that I was starting to think about arranging a celebration for my 44th birthday; and I mentioned the possibility of taking a trip to Las Vegas to see "Mamma Mia." Well, the next day, I got an email from my amazing, friend Rachel S (who I wrote about in "The Care Package;") and she wrote something to the effect of "We also have shows in New York." I responded, telling Rachel that I'd love to come to New York; but I didn't think that I would be able to, any time soon. Shortly after that, I posted "Pizza Timeline," which prompted a conversation between my dear, friend, Dawn and I; about the fact that I hadn't been to New York since 1996; and she encouraged me to come for a visit.
With two friends now having mentioned the possibility of a New York trip, my wheels were turning. I spoke to Luis and we agreed, that in honor of my 44th birthday, I should in fact GO TO NEW YORK. I told Luis that I wanted to be home with him and the kids for my birthday; (and my local friends as well; of course) but I could take a red eye to New York that night; and he agreed. I was now in planning mode; and I could barely contain my excitement, when I asked my cousin, Jackie if she wanted to go to New York with me;and she immediatley got on board. Everything was starting to come together; but there was one final detail that I needed to address. I'd been considering taking one of my kids with me; and I thought that Lyndzi would be the perfect choice. I discussed my idea with Luis and without hesitation he agreed.
I spoke with Rachel via email and confirmed that Jackie, Lyndzi and I would arrive in New York on Friday, July 29 and we accepted her most gracious invitation to stay with her. Rachel was as generous as ever and told me that we were all welcome, as were any of my other friends that needed a place to crash for the night. We briefly discussed the need to find a location / restaurant where we could meet with all of my friends; and our need to find out how many people were interested in going to see "Mamma Mia," so that we could try to get a great deal on tickets.
So there you have it, in a nutshell. I'm going to be in New York from July 29 until Aug 1; and I desperately want to see as many people as possible; so anyone who's interested in getting together while I'm there, please let me know, so that we can make PLANS. I know that it won't be possible for me to go to all of the places that I'd like to go; but at the least, I want to go to China town, eat Italian food, and see "Mamma Mia." I want to go to New City, so that I can show Lyndzi and Jackie where I grew up; AND go to to a diner, of course. Last but not least; Jackie and I are planning to go to the cemetery where my mom and our grandparents are buried. We know that it won't be easy, but it's something that we know in our hearts, we need to do.
I am so overjoyed about the prospect of seeing so many of my old friends.
I can't think of a more perfect way to celebrate my 44th birthday and I look forward to hearing every one's input and suggestions. If you you don't currently live in the New York area, but there's a will and a way for you to get there during my birthday celebration; I would be so delighted to see you. The more the merrier!!
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
