Friday, January 25, 2008

The Hazardous Banana Peel

Sooo...the girls and I had a good laugh on our drive to NYC last weekend. We set out at 7am to begin our four-hour treck and along the way snacked on breakfast and then some bananas and clementines that I grabbed from home before leaving. Alicia finished a banana and began rolling down the window to throw her peel out on the highway. Almost instantaneously, old episodes of Tom & Jerry flashed through my head...of Tom wiping out on a banana peel that Jerry strategically places on the kitchen floor, and I say "but what if a car slips on your banana peel?" We all busted out in laughter. But then I uttered, "seriously, what if a tire slides on it and fish-tails, possibly creating an accident?" The girls think it's a ridiculous notion. Complete nonsense, I realize, but it COULD happen, you know! Perhaps the reader should decide...What do you think? ;)

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Get Away Of All Get Aways

New York City...The birthplace of my blog (thanks to Tara) and my initiation into a faster lane of cyberspace...and technology. I'm certain Dave, Tara's other half, is proud!...and he better be after the ridiculing I received because I haven't caught on to the Apple blackberry phone thingy. Go figure! :)

But New York also holds a special place in my heart as a place of release, relaxation, and refuge. I've spent a ton of time up there with Tara and Dave, and Anita Joos, who have all become dear friends and family. It is truly one of my most favorite places to visit on a "quick trip" or spontaneous "weekend get away". There is an energy about New York that leaves me feeling renewed...not typically the endearing term a resident of NYC might call that "energy", but to a visitor, it works! It is associations like the constantly busy streets and sidewalks, the subway, the China Town bus, Time Square, Central Park, and Penn Station that are energizing. All of these are reminiscent of my frequent visits to the Upper East Side, where the girls and I get pedicures, go out for brunch, shop, or sun on a rock in Central Park on a warm spring day. Definitely my idea of relaxation.

Many fond memories were created from these trips up to Manhattan. The China Town bus to and from DC alone is a "must experience" (as opposed to a "must see"), for you'll experience no other such enrichment than from a ride on the super highway of cheap travel. But then you also have to consider the vast variety of restaurants and shops...and shopping venues too. I love that when complimented on a piece of jewelry I can say "$2.00, streets of New York."...and it's really true! Some of my coolest jewelry was bought off of a card table on a street corner somewhere in Manhattan. Although possibly stolen, I still love the bargain!

This past weekend in New York, a trip that Mauri, Alicia and I took for the MLK holiday weekend, was no different. Meeting up with Tara for Mary Poppins on Broadway, shopping, dinner at Balushi's, brunch at Cafe d'Alsace...all relaxing. I esteem these girls as some of my best friends; we always have a great time! I couldn't ask for anything more than to spend a weekend away with good friends in my favorite weekend get away.