New York City

NYC = Fantasmical

NYC also = Sweat lodge

This is the sphere sculpture that stood in the front plaza of the twin towers. After 9/11 it was found with all those gashes, dents and twisted metal pieces and moved to Battery Park and made into a memorial.

The sights were just as great as they always are, but it was so humid and rainy that I thought I was going to just die right there.

But...I didn't (as you can tell) and that's a good thing!

Long Island in Bloom

Long Island has so many gorgeous flowers!

Everytime I see one that catches my eye I make sure I stop and take a picture.

Just a few for your viewing pleasure...

And there are little bunnies that just hop around and eat the sweet clovers in my uncle's backyard.

  

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Volunteer Fire Department

New York (and many other places) have volunteer firemen. When they get a call, a big and loud siren goes off that can be heard throughout the town and the volunteers come, suit up and go fight fires!

We were there hanging out while my parents talked to one of their friends at the firehouse and i'm walking around taking pictures (of course) and all of a sudden the loud siren and alarms go off. I jumped (actually jumped) screamed and ran to my mom's side like I was five years old.

Throughout the next few minutes some guys came in, suited up and left. It was very cool to see. Some jobs even let their empoyees leave if they are a volunteer firefighter and hear the siren.

It was very exciting to see.

They also had a really nice memorial in front of the firehouse.

Inside a glass window in the center it had a constantly buring flame.

It was pretty awesome.

More posts to come about other vacation stuff soon.

We're off to the city tomorrow!

Stay tuned!

Back To My Roots

In three days I will be here...

Good ol' New York.

As many of you know, I was born in New York.

My roots are there.

Well, I wasn't born in New York City.

I'm from Long Island.

If you have never been there, you have never seen one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

There are so many reasons I love going back there.

I will list them because who doesn't love a good list :)

(in no particular order...)

Reason #1 - Family.

They are crazy and fun and I never want to leave once I'm there.

#2 - The beach. East coast beaches are different than west coast beaches. Both good, just different.

#3 - The colors you can see during the actual different seasons they get to experience.

#4 - White Castle

Never going there means you are seriously missing out.

#5 - The Statue of Liberty

#6 - The Empire State Building

Standing at the top of this enormous building, looking out over the city, central park, bridges, rivers, etc. is one of my favorite places to be and truly one of my utopias.

# 7 - Hot dogs from the vendors on street corners.

Seriously. Amazing.

#8 - The history you can see all around you.

From Ground Zero to Ellis Island.

New York is beautiful.

You just have to see past the pigeons.

Which are there to greet you INSIDE the airport.

Eww.

I will miss you all, but hopefully I will update while I'm away.

I'd love to hear some of your favorite places or utopias...

A brief overview. Did I say brief? I meant long.

Things have been so busy lately and the worst part is that it's not over yet. We went to New York last week. It was great. It always makes me homesick. Just being able to see your aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents whenever you want is so nice. I feel that a lot of people take that for granted because they have always had them around. My cousin Michelle got married to a great guy and they looked so happy together. I love weddings. I will post pics later.

After a LONG flight home on Tuesday it was back to work on Wednesday, bright and early. We had a science camp meeting on Wed. night, and then play practice and a PTO meeting on Thurs. night. Friday happened and sucked and at least Saturday turned out to be relaxing.

So a while ago Kelle and I got forced into creating and running a skit group for the primary musical. After this week it will be over and then we won't have to think about it ever again. Ever. (Lol...ever. That's for you Kelle). We will be rehearsing at Stapley on Mon. and Tues. and then two performances on Wed. and Thurs. and one more for Highland on Friday. Oh, and don't forget that schedule includes teaching 28 students all day long. If I live through this week I deserve to go out and be pampered.

On a good note...I will be attending The Twilight movie on Thursday night. Midnight release. I know, crazy idea! With that full schedule I just spoke of, Kelle and I will run our kids through the performance at Stapley on Thursday night, go to see Twilight which starts at MIDNIGHT (incase I didn't mention that) and then wake up to teach on Friday and do the musical one more time. Yay. I am SO excited to see it though!!

Like I said, if I make it through this week please congratulate me. I need it.

P.S. Collin turned 5 on Wednesday. Gosh, where did the time go? He gets even more cute with each passing year! Party is coming up so I will take pics.

Thanks for listening! Love you all!