The musings of a wife, mom, and thirty-something who will pretty much try anything...

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Apple of Bigness

   NYC; I have to be honest, I've never been a huge fan. I've been there three times before, and it just hasn't appealed to me. But I'll tell you, the fourth time was a charm! Nick, Tara and I headed there for four days at the end of July. We discovered the Chelsea Market, the meatpacking district, the High Line, and about 400 off-the-beaten-path bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. Sure, we did your typical tourist things (see photo of me toasting Lady Liberty below), but kept them to a minimum.
  What I was really there for was The Pulse Teacher Workshop, which was three days of dance with the faculty of Broadway Dance Center. Some of it was reigniting my creativity. Some of it was teaching me different ways to structure my existing curriculum. Some of it was proof that I am capable of much more than I give myself credit for. And all of it reaffirmed my decision that I am absolutely headed in the right direction. I can't wait to go back next year.
  

I can't fly without gummy bears. Although 3 pounds may be excessive.


Grand Central Terminal



Grand Central Oyster Bar (yes, evidently smoked trout is ALWAYS cold)


Freedom Tower

9/11 Memorial. Absolutely Beautiful.


The Survivor Tree. Found in the rubble, and nursed back to health. It is now replanted at the memorial.

There is something very inspiring about having a glass of champagne in front of the building where my grandfather first entered the United States from Lithuania.

Cheers!

Chelsea Market


La Fonda del Sol

The High Line

New York's Finest


Gansevoort-Meatpacking District






The best donuts in the history of fried dough

9/11 Memorial

First day, first class. Ready to go.

Nick and CJ in the La Fonda Cellar




Gansevoort-Park Ave.

The Black Taxi Apartment. It used to be an old church rectory. Incredible.


Little Italy

Good Morning from Grand Central

You might recognize this lovely lady, Carmit, from the Pussycat Dolls. And you might remember the one next to her from "The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll." heheheheh.

In line for the Guggenheim. 45 minutes well-spent (don't ask Nick and Tara ;))

Frank Lloyd Wright!

The Rotunda. No, you aren't supposed to take pictures. But how can you not?!?!


Catching up with Emily, a very dear friend! We had the best time; certainly wished she lived closer!



The New York Public Library...

....is closed on Sundays. Boo.

$4.25. Worth every penny. I needed it for the cab ride back to LaGuardia ;)

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Time for a Little Family Getaway...

So every two years, the Smith family gets together in a central location to spend a week eating, drinking and yelling (we both come from loud families....shocked?!). This year, we headed up to Lake Norris, Tennessee. We spent a week boating (I made a few failed attempts at wakeboarding), climbing stairs (100 to be exact. Each way. To the water and from the water), and wearing costumes (we love a good theme day!). Tara and I bailed on the golf day (have you spent four hours on the golf course with two little ones?), and headed to Cumberland Gap. They needed to be able to run free for a bit! On Saturday, we left the lake and spent the next two days in Knoxville. What a great city! Farmer's markets, boutiques and history....I was in my glory! The kids loved the zoo, but after a week of no schedule and way too much sugar, they were happy to come home on Sunday. We're looking forward to 2015, Smiths!
 
 
 
Can you tell what little future engineer was responsible for this?!

A pretty great way to start the day!





Geared up for Survivor Day!


Derby Day!

Playing cornhole at the Marina




Masters Day. Fore!


Cumberland Gap...the intersection of KY, VA and TN!


Blue rubber mulch at the park. It was like being in Super Mario Brothers!
 


Telling everyone to 'jump!' from the bridge! (and we did!!)
 


Watching the bridge jumpers!

Ahh...the joys of being outnumbered by girl cousins...

Redneck Day!


Nice legs, Nick!

Game Day!



Brushing the goats at the Knoxville Zoo


Can we keep him? Pleeeeaaaase?!?!

A little prairie dog!


The Sunsphere, from the 1982 World's Fair



Oak Ridge-Site of the Manhattan Project