Lauren Church Departs

June 26. After a very successful week we took it slow today. We ate lunch at a Chinese restaurant. It was not very successful though. My friend was confused about the ordering, and I was confused as to why she was so hungry. After ordering one roll for my self and she ordered three for her self, thinking they were single rolls as opposed to the one roll cut into many more rolls. Well after we both stared at each other mortified that whatever you don't eat you have to pay for. Lets just say more than a few rolls made their way into her bag. After lunch we walked over to the Met to pick up some postcards and such, and then headed over to the park for her to see the Alice in Wonderland statue. Then made our way to the other side of the park for Columbus Circle. Took a cab to Serendipity 3 for some gifts. After that we said our goodbyes and and I spent the rest of the day on the couch recuperating from a very long five days. A week left and I have a few things in mind that I have left to do. I still would like to find the Home Alone 2 site in the park, see the show at the planetarium, see the planetarium and Columbus Circle at night, and a few stores that I hadn't got a chance to see yet. Six full days left in the city... lets see what I can do.

Fun In The Sun

June 25. Today like planned we went to the beach. But on the way to the Long Island Rail Road we passed the library were they filmed Sex and the City Movie wedding. It was beautiful inside. The entry was smaller than expected, but still very grand when walking down the stairs. The train took about an hour to get to Long Beach. Then we walked over to the board walk and got some beach action. Sat in the sand for a while then jumped in the beach a couple of times. Was told the beach was closed. I just thought it was closed for like ten minutes. So we frolicked some more a while later and then again about an hour later. A police officer then drove up and proceeded to say the beach was closed and if he saw us in their again we would be asked to leave. I was so confused I asked where is it open, which he followed up with no where it's closed. We were both so confused. We later found out that the beach would be open tomorrow and only the sand was open today. If these New Yorkers would explain just a few things, they would not have to keep repeating them selves and sounding likes asses or classic New Yorkers. We packed up, grabbed dinner at Five Guys, a burger place, and then took the train home. To then catch a cab. We are currently debating weather or not more food is in our near future. Tomorrow we have a few things to do. Like the Planetarium, and the park again. And then she is out of here and a week from tomorrow I will be likewise.

Fine Dining Day

June 24. Today we started off with a walk in the park. It was pretty disgusting outside. My fair friend declared herself the sweatiest person in New York City. And that is why so many people were starring at her. After our walk in the park we had lunch at the Plaza Palm Court. A much better experience this time. But I still think the Brown Palace does a better job. After lunch we saw the crazed crowd in front of the Apple store for their iPhones, way too many people. We then went into FAO Swartz to see the Big Piano. I played it with about 6 children knee high to a tadpole so I felt supper cool. Clearly. We then walked down to Rockefeller Center. The venture was mildly unsuccessful. We did not find what we were looking for. But we did get to see the super cool Lego store. Then we grabbed a cab to the West Side in the Meat Packing District for the Gagosian Gallery's Monet water lilly exhibit. It was nice range of work, but none of the pieces were amazing. Then we walked a block to the High Line park. A old elevated railroad track that is being converted into a very nice elevated park. A great adventure. Once we got to the end of the park we were just one block away from our destination. Pasti's. I have waited months to eat here, and I finally did. The restaurant was just as I had imagined. It was beautifully done and maintained. The food was amazing, and the experience was memorable. After dinner it was such an early day we decided to go to Time Square, because for some reason we have to go there every day - even though we hate it, and saw Sex and the City 2. Better the second time, but still not as great as the series. Came home and are ready to hit the beach tomorrow. Catch some intended rays, as opposed to just collateral damage.

Ballin'. Nothing But Net.

June 23. Today was a day that we attempted to start early. Some how I think we left at the same time we usually get out. We bought some stamps, and some snacks and headed down to down-down town. We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. That was a nice walk and fun as well. On the other side we ate at some deli, and then walked around in Brooklyn Bridge park for a hot minute. After that we went back across the bridge and headed over to the World Trade Center site. The new location is under construction, and the site/museum that we were suggested to see was hidden and said to be in two places and didn't appear to be anywhere. It was hidden so well from the terrorists that not even citizens could find it. After that we walked around in Wall Street. Got our picture with the bull, and the stock exchange. We wanted to go in, but apparently they don't let any one in any more. Apparently it is the #2 location of high alert in America. Who would have known. After that we went into Trinity Church and walked around and then made our way over the the Staten Island on the free ferry. It was a nice ride. Got some photos of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, so now we don't have to pay to go. We are so smart. Then we took a quick jaunt to Battery Park. After that we made our way home to change, we had tickets for the ballet. We went to see Swan Lake by the American Ballet Theater at the Metropolitan Opera House. The ballet was beautiful, and so was the theater. The lead guy was also some one we recognized from the movie Center Stage. After the ballet we took a black cab to Qdoba. Nothing but class. After Qdoba we went to Serendipity 3 for Frozen Hot Chocolate. It was pretty good. The restaurant did not look like I had expected, but you know, what is? Thanks to Oprah we had a nice little late night snack. We made it home about midnight. Tomorrow we want to spend the day in the park, after our reservations for tea at the Plaza. Might do some laundry tomorrow as well.

Brooklyn Bridge, from Brooklyn Bridge Park

The Financial District Bull

We have also started a quote list. Since we are HILARIOUS.

1. "I'm just waiting to find a dead body."

-While walking in the rocks at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge.

2. "Thank you for choosing the Staten Island Ferry."

"Thank you for being free!"

-Our response to the ferry announcement.

3. "Just think this is how your ancestors came into this country. On a boat. Except on a boat nothing like this one."

-While the ferry was docking in Manhattan.

4. "We could go to the sites were they filmed Save the Last Dance."

"Don't tempt me."

-Speaks for itself.

Golden Birthday

June 22. Today we started early to get in line for some Broadway tickets. We went having a few in mind. When we got there this woman was in front of us that was making a huge deal out of her not being able to sit down. After her yelling at the people that were in charge of the line. And trying to get everyone around her to care, and no one did. She finally kind of shut up. We ended up getting tickets to West Side Story. After we got tickets we headed to the real West side for the American Museum of Natural History. It was under renovations, but it was still really cool. A few exhibits need a little work to make them fresh again, but I think they are on their "to do list." After we left the museum we hailed a cab home. Changed for the show and headed to Grand Central for dinner before the show. Made it to the play in time. It was pretty good. I had forgot how many songs I knew or recognized. Made it home early to rest up. Tomorrow we want to the tip of the island. And maybe our fancy dinner at Pasti's. Then Thursday a day in the park and tea at the Plaza and the 5th Ave Apple Store. Then for Friday spend on Fire Island and soak up some rays. We will see what we actually get done. Until tomorrow.

Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History

Us at West Side Story

Whittlin' That List Down

June 21. Today we headed for my favorite pizza place for our first stop. After our slice we went down to the Museum of Sex. When we got in we were like... we payed $15 for this. Is was one room with a few screens. I was like this can't be it. After way too much deliberation we finally found what could have been an Underground Railroad secret passage to the rest of the museum. We saw an exhibit on condoms, animal sex, and something else that escapes me at the moment. After that we went to Madison Square Park, past the Flatiron Building, then to Union Square. After that we stopped at a very intense Whole Foods. Then to Taco Bell. Clearly the next logical step. After lunch we went to Washington Square Park. Read for a bit, then headed off to Carrie Bradshaw's stoop. We have pictures, but my camera died so I can't post them. After that we stopped into Magnolia Bakery, they were unfortunately out of cup cakes. The guy informed us though that the other locations still had cup cakes. We were like no shit, but doesn't do us much good when they are on the other end of town dumbass. We then went to SoHo shopping district to check out D&G and Missoni. Both cool, but not what I had imagined. Then headed over to Prada SoHo store to check it out. Since it is one of the top architectural sites in New York City, thanks to my good friend Rem. Then we headed back to Madison Square Park to check out Shake Shack... after we realized the line was an hour we figured we could do without or try again another time. So we ended up eating at some mexican restaurant in Grand Central that was kind of disappointing. Then walked over to the Library to get my photo with the lion at the entry. We did try to go in, but were unsuccessful. Made our way back to Time Square to go to the movie The A-Team which was very good. And luckily we got to see it in a normal theater. FINALLY! Made it home by 12:30 after a very long wait in time square and a very packed ride for the usually speedy ride. Tomorrow we are thinking of walking Brooklyn Bridge, then Shake Shack for lunch, then get our tickets for the play we want to go to tomorrow night, and then try the Museum of Natural History. Busy, busy, busy.

Confidant Crusades

June 20. Today was the first day my friend and I got to tour the city. And I was the tour guide. I did okay if I must say. Which I must. We went to breakfast at the Barking Dog, that I had been to before. I discovered that it was not in Sex and the City though, only the t-shirt from the restaurant is in an episode. Not the same in my opinion. After breakfast we went to the Gugg to just look at the inside, then went to the Met. After a few hours at the met, and getting to see somethings that I had not seen the last time I visited we walked 5th Avenue for a little while to pop in and out of stores to escape the heat. We then purchased tickets to Top of the Rock. Came back home and rested for a bit and then took a cab downtown to Rockefeller Center. Due to the downtown trains being out of order for some preposterous reason. After we made it to the Rock, barely, we headed to the top. Took loads of photos, since we went up when it was still light out, and stayed to watch the sunset. A nice time to relax. Unfortunately they did not have proper seating, but what we found sufficed for the nearly two hours that we waited. After the Rock, we went to Time Square. Considered going to a movie in a proper theater and we deterred by the time. Considering we ate only once so far we were rather hungry, so we made our way to none other than the American Classic... Olive Garden. And at the stories high, one must wonder if that is really all the necessary. After dinner we went home and made it to bed at a reasonable hour. Off to rest and recuperate for another day.

On Top of the Rock