Remembering the Days

Flying is absolutely magical. A two-hour-flight can transport me to New York from my humble abode. It was slightly scary when I saw the tiny aircraft that was suppose to go up thousands of feet in the air. I had this image of a large commercial airplane, spacious with seating in the center aisle and a large bathroom. No, our airplane had twelve/thirteen rows of seats squished together into a bullet of an airplane.

Still, after initial queasiness, flying didn't terrify me, after all, I had made it through security with no racial profiling and no luggage mistakes.

Once we landed, it was magical! I am not sure how my senior professor kept the fast-pace from 6 a.m. to midnight or later. It didn't help that I got sick half-way through the week. Still, New York was awesome with a runny nose, sore throat, hacking cough, teen-degree weather, and a wind that could rival Chicago's nickname.

We toured the networks (ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, NBC, MTVU, FoodNetwork, and so much more). In addition, the group went out several nights to see the sights and sounds of the city, including the broadway show "Wicked" and frequenting a certain Irish Pub one block from the hotel. As a girl, Greenwich Village, Chelsea Market, Soho were must shopping sites. Time Square was only a short 14 block walk from our hotel. My roommie even saw the naked cowboy out singing and strumming his guitar in what felt like subzero temperatures.

Above all else, I fell in love with the city. How could you not? If I tap my ruby slippers together, think I'll go back? One can always wish. Although, seeing the city that never sleeps, quite literally too, it makes me appreciate the quiet comfort of the South. It maybe slower down here, but it's warmer.

Here some snippets of my week in New York City.

The Central Park Hotel, where we stayed, was only 14 blocks away from Time Square.
The famous Carnegie Deli is a block away from our hotel, but their large portion size was disgustingly American. I would never eat there again.

The view from the top of the Rockefeller Center 70 stories up. You can see all the way down Central Park!

Note the beautiful Empire State building behind us. We never did go up it.

We also didn't have enough time to ice skate at the Rockefeller Ice Skating Center, but I did take a picture.

We saw a Live Regis and Kelly show, both of whom are very nice people. A lot of smoke and mirrors if you ever watch them tape it. I think its better to watch the show on TV from the comfort of your couch where you didn't have to wait forever in the long line.