I Want to Be a Part of It . . . New York, New York

When my friend, Michelle called and asked me if I wanted to tag along (using their frequent flier miles and hotel) to New York for a week while she took some classes, I could hardly believe it! Of course I couldn't pass that up and worked the "birthday angle" with my family telling them that I just wanted to have things covered while I went to New York over my birthday. Off we went for a very exciting week and an amazing first time in New York City. Here are some highlights: I had to take a picture of the Crown Plaza Hotel because I had just watched the movie "Bride Wars" on the plane.
One of the things Michelle and I really wanted to do was go walking in Central Park. We spent about three hours doing that on my birthday--at our "power walking pace" I might add which was a wonderful way to spend the day! Michelle loves the beautiful bridges in Central Park.
This was my birthday cake. We stopped at the drugstore and got my favorite snacks for my birthday dinner after yummy Bruschetta pizza at John's Pizzeria at Time Square.
> Me at the M&M Store at Time Square--I was so excited to go here because I LOVE M&Ms!
My first morning alone while Michelle was in class I found myself on the subway bright and early to catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I was a little intimidated by the whole thing but it turned out fine once I got there. I really enjoyed the tour.
Michelle and I met up later and walked around Wall Street and by Ground Zero and then it was time for a cake decorating class she signed us up for. This is a strawberry shortcake I made. It was delicious--the best ever! We were sad we didn't have a fridge to keep it in. We would have eaten the whole thing. I hope I can duplicate this now that I'm home.
This Soup Man restaraunt was not too far from our hotel and supposedly home of the original Soup Nazi. I love the Soup Nazi--No Soup For You!
We had such beautiful weather on most of the days. I luckily picked a very clear day to go up on the Empire State Building. The guide told us we could see five states that day--don't ask me which direction or where, though. The view was spectacular!


I also had the Today Show as a "must do" on my list. I was a total nerd--I went to the drugstore, bought a poster board and some markers and walked down to Rockefeller Plaza to get my two seconds of fame. It was awesome! This is Al Roker right before he shook my hand!


Me and cardboard Matt Lauer.
This is my famous poster that made it onto the show. They showed my area of the crowd right before the eight o'clock news break so I was able to text Nate and he recorded it. I love watching it!
Michelle and I excited for Wicked to start. We also saw Mary Poppins and were in the second row for that show. Both were excellent!
In between massive amounts of shopping, I spent a lot of the last day there in Central Park. Michelle had a longer class that day and I really wanted to go for a run there. It was so warm and I absolutely loved running and enjoying the beautiful day.

That was such a fun trip! I really appreciate my family and friends for helping out with things here at home so I could go. What a great blessing it was to have a great friend to take me there and great friends and family supporting me at home--thanks guys!