New York Adventures Finale

My favorite part of our trip to New York 2 summers ago was Central Park. I just loved that place. So the only thing I REALLY wanted to do on this trip is go back for a jog there. Of course, I hadn't considered what running in 30 degree weather was like. But Jim was up for the challenge, and I think it was my favorite part yet again. This time I brought my camera so that I could document it. Jim kept questionning, "I thought you wanted to go RUNNING?!", to which I patiently kept explaining that now that I'm a blogger, I have to take more pictures. ;o)

We're huge Law & Order fans (back when we got cable), and we had just watched several episodes while eating cookies and ice cream in bed. Have you ever noticed that most of the victims on that show are discovered in Central Park? And many of them are killed while jogging. So we found it ironic to be greeted with this sign as we entered the park:


Yikes! Fortunately, there were tons of other runners out, and the day was much too beautiful to be scary! Oh, it was lovely!





Then we had lunch at an authentic New York Chipotle (OK, I know...but who wants a deli sandwich when you can have a burrito?!).

And then we had to head back to the airport to head home. Sad, but really, not so sad when you get to go home to San Diego.

aaaaannnnddd...On the trip home Jim and I muscled out an outline for the sequel novel to To Save A Life. It still needs A LOT of work, but we're really excited about where the story might be headed. Our publisher originally gave us a manuscript deadline of May 3 (EEEK!), but just pushed it back a month or two today (WHEW!). Crazy! Who would've ever guessed we'd write one book, let alone a sequel (and I think we're setting it up for a trilogy--everybody's doing it!)...

New York Adventure Day 2

Saturday was a bit more fun. We finished up at the conference, and then all of the other interviews and such that had been scheduled fell through. So sad. Now we just had to "hang out" in New York. Tough life.

We headed to our hotel, the W in midtown. It's quite the place, let me say!

Then we went to dinner at 212. It came highly recommended, and the ambience and food really weren't bad. But for people like us who think In-n-Out is as good as it gets, the $18 burger really was a little much.

We were also recommended the dessert sampler platter, but Jim had seen another dessert place he wanted to try, so we went off in search of it. (BTW, it's like 20 degrees out, but taxis are such a rip off, so we chose to walk!) Unfortunately we never found it. But we did find a corner market, and took dessert matters into our own hands: cookies and icecream back in our sheeshy hotel room watching TV in bed (since we don't get TV at home, Jim confessed that's his favorite part of these trips).

Fun day! I heart NY!

New York Adventure

OK, for the record, I do not enjoy adventure. Especially when I'm flying solo. I have a wonderful little bubble of a comfort zone, and I wouldn't mind staying in it forever.

That being said, yesterday was quite the adventure.

Jim and I were supposed to fly to New York together, but due to some last minute interview opportunities in DC, he flew out on Wednesday night.

So I left the house yesterday at 5:45am--alone. I drove down to San Diego--alone. I found the long-term parking Jim always uses and then took the shuttle over to the terminal--alone (the big dilemma was to tip or not to tip??? I didn't :o{...) I boarded the plane and found my seat--alone. And in the seat next to me, where Jim should have been, sat a stranger...I don't believe in coincidences, so I prayed, "Lord use me if you want..." and left it up to Him. It turns out I was sitting next to a guy who is a junior at a local high school, and we spent about half the flight discussing the premises of Buddhism and existentialism (which he and his family believe) and Christianity and how they impact our daily lives in practical application. Would I have had that conversation if Jim had been sitting next to me? Not likely. So I pray that perhaps those five hours of "solo adventure" will have eternal significance.

But my adventure was not over...Oh no, it was only just begun.

I got off the plane, eagerly expecting my dear husband to be waiting for me. But alas, he had another interview scheduled for 5:15, and there was no way he could pick me up and get back in time using mass transit. Bummer! Instead he had studied the maps and gave me the exact plan I should follow--alone.

So I took the air rail.

Eventually figured out which Metro Pass to buy.

Took the E train.

Took the 7 Line.

Took the Q23 bus.
And ended up at room 357 at the Marriott at 5:45, where my husband was waiting for me after the interview was cancelled.

Bummer!

Oh yeah, and meanwhile, it was like 20 degrees (negative on the Celsius scale, which is always a bad sign!).

However, there was a beautiful nearly-full moon out.

And the conference we went to for urban youth and youth workers was pretty cool. (Sometimes it's good perspective to be in the minority, if you know what I'm saying!)

And today, the adventure starts again, but this time I get my partner with me. Yea!

What a ride!