NYC...Simply Amazing...

My first trip to NYC was simply amazing.

We were driven to the McCarran Airport by our roommate Archie, and it was exciting to know that in just a short few hours, we were going to be arriving at the one place I have been dying to visit since I was 12 years old. We checked our luggage and headed to the bar at the airport to grab a drink or two, hoping it would help us to sleep on the plane since we took the red eye, and were going to be landing at 7:30am, and had refused to waste any time sleeping on our first day there! My best friend and roommate Chris has been to NYC a few times before, so he was excited to show me around, and I was relieved to have someone go with me who knew their way around! We flew Delta. Let me just tell you, it was SO tight a fit and so uncomfortable, mixed along with my excitement, that we did not sleep a wink. We laughed about it, maybe sleeping 30 min or so, but when we arrived, I was so excited that it woke me right up again, and I didn’t feel like I needed to sleep at all! Between the trams & Airtrans, then the Subway (My first time ever on one), we finally came out of th

e subway tunnel stairway at around 9:30am, and as I took my first steps onto the streets of NYC, I was in shock. I had seen pics time and time again, but seeing it, these huge buildings hovering over the sky, with the clouds moving so fast it felt like the buildings were swaying, I just had to stop and capture the moment with a photo, I am thankful I did.

We walked to our Hotel carrying our luggage quickly, and when

we arrived I was so happy to see it was so close to the subway and also there were so many shops and Radio City, and the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building all so close in view. Our hotel lobby was beautiful; we were too early to get our room, so we checked our bags and started our day, even though we hadn’t slept a wink!

We went and got tickets for the NBC tour, and then strolled over to Radio City and began that tour. I must say the building itself and theatre were amazingly beautiful; the tour itself was amazingly boring! Gag!! But worth it. We had to leave the tour just a few minutes early, to make our NBC tour on time. They came to escort us out, so we were taken down the elevator used only for presidents and celebrities! It was pretty awesome, though the picture we stole inside was NOT!

LOL…

We headed to NBC and it was a blast! The tour was fun, seeing the stages for popular shows and such was awesome, but the highlight was seeing the Saturday Night Live stage, and rehearsal! I got to see all the stars from the show, including Kristin Wig who is my FAVE!! It was really awesome.

We had hot dogs then headed to Times Square to get our tix for Rock of Ages for that evening from the ½ off tix place. After waiting an hour, which was fun, since we people watched, we were told they had no tix for that night together, so we decided on In The Heights instead, which featured Jordan Sparks from American Idol. We continued looking around Times Square, then went to check in our Hotel, rested for a few, then got ready to have dinner at Sardi’s! We walked which is what you do in NYC apparently. Walk, and walk and walk and wait for subway trains, and walk, and wait, etc.

Sardi’s was really awesome. The service was great! We ordered like we were rich, a bottle of wine, then an amazing steak dinner, with appetizer and dessert, you’d think we struck gold or something! We even ordered Port Wine when it was all over then it was off to theatre for my FIRST Broadway show ever, In The Heights! The show was awesome! So much fun, we had been up for over 24 hours now, but who could sleep in such a town like this?! We headed right back out to Times Square after having some more wine, a few homemade Capt’ Morgan cocktails, and walked around and people watched! It was so much fun! I even got to try my first NYC hotdog ;)

We finally went to sleep around 3:30am or 4am. Next morning we decided to have the continental breakfast at the hotel before heading out for our Museum and Central Park day! It was actually really fancy and delicious! We headed to The Guggenheim first. I named it the GAGenheim, as it was super boring. There were some awesome pieces, and some not so much. I was glad I went, but once is enough! We then headed down to the MET, now this one was really cool, we made our way through quickly, but we saw everything we wanted to. After this we went into Central Park, where I saw all the major places I wanted to, Alice Statue, Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Fountain, the Dakota where John Lennon was shot, and finally making our way to the American National History Museum, now this was exciting! We spent a good amount of time there, then made our way back to the Hotel to get ready to leave on our Harbor Lights Cruise! We decided to have dinner at this boutique Italian Restaurant near the pier, it was nice! We sat outside and had a delicious too fancy pizza! Then made our way to the pier, and got awesome seats on the top deck! The tour was amazing, but super cold! We had an itch to go to China Town for Chinese when we got done with the two hour cruise, so we did just that! We ended up getting lost and let me tell you, China Town at night in unfamiliar places is scary as hell!! But we found our destination, we ate at The Peking Duck, which was top rated by customers, and I can see why, the food was great! I tried Duck for the first time, it was really awesome, I also tried Lamb Shanks for the first time, and all I can say is EWWW. Never again! LOL…

When we got back to the safer side of town, we went back to Times Square people watched a bit more, had some drinks, then hung out at our room for a bit. Watched some TV and went to bed.

Monday was a really exciting day. We finally made it to the Empire State Building, Happy Hour & Lunch at Planet Hollywood, went to Times Square for tickets for Rock of Ages, then made our way around town to shopping on 5^th Avenue, going to Grand Central Station, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Madam Tussaud’s, then jumped on a NY CITY TOUR bus for a 2 hour tour around the city. This was really interesting and so much fun! We had just enough time to get ready and have some dinner at a killer bar we found, The Mean Fiddler, then head to one of my favorite shows ever Rock of Ages w/ Dee Snyder! It was AWESOME!! So much fun and we had the best seats, second row center! After the show, we headed back to the bar for some more drinks and then headed home to crash since we knew we had to be up at 4am for our train to Washington D.C. at 5:30am!

We didn’t end up sleeping until closer to 1:30am, so needleless to say, that wakeup call was a nightmare! We grabbed a cab to Penn Station at 4:30am and headed that way. We slept a bit on the train, me less than Chris, as I was too excited passing all these cities & states I never seen before. The train ride was just under 3 hours. We finally arrived and I was thrilled to see the Library of Congress and Supreme Court Buildings, just beautiful! Then we did the Capital tour which was amazing! I love the pictures we took. We had a quick lunch there too. Then headed for the Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was shot, then saw the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution at the National Archive, then headed to the Smithsonian, which was awesome! Saw the Star Spangled Banner, and Dorothy’s red slippers, even Kermit! We had a great time. We then headed over for our Washington Monument tour, relaxed for while before hand, then after that, headed to the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam memorial, over to the White House then the Treasury. By this time we were starving! So we went to Old Ebbit’s Grill for Filet Mignon and Lobster with Bloody Maryland’s! Even tried my first Crabcake! Yum! We needed to walk after that so we went back to the Whitehouse to see it at night, it was beautiful! Then headed down to a local bar for a couple beers then got back on the train. Which broke down almost back to NYC, I slept quite a bit, we were still delayed about an hour so when we got back, we were so exhausted, we crashed back the hotel almost immediately.

Our last and final day was our Wicked day! I was so excited. It was very bittersweet, leaving NYC. It was 90% humidify and it made me miss Vegas badly, lol. We got up, grabbed McDonald’s for breakfast then headed down to Delancey Street for some shopping, didn’t see anything worth stopping into so strolled Lil’ Italy and Chinatown, then grabbed a subway back to our side of town, found a bar for beers & lunch before the show, as it was HOT and we were miserable! The show, Wicked, now my third Broadway show ever, was AMAZING! I cried so much!! We then headed over to Maxi’s in Times Square, to try their world famous cheesecake, and it was SO GOOD! Then it was time to say goodbye! Headed back to the Hotel, grabbed our things and headed home.

I did just about everything I wanted to do, with the exception of buying a cheap knock-off purse and actually seeing the Statue of Liberty from the platform and in day-light. We ate lots of good food, drank lots of really expensive beer and walked more in 5 days then I have all year! My poor feet. But mostly I just feel blessed to have spent an amazing 5 days in the city I have wanted to see for over 15 years, and getting to spend it with my best friend. I am beyond satisfied and thankful, and I can’t wait to see where we end up next!

2 Days to GO!! FULL ITINERARY!!

Can you believe it? Just two short days away! I am almost in disbelief! I am so excited and with each passing hour the excitement just grows and grows. So much has changed as well! We decided to spend an entire day in Washington DC also! We have all the tours booked! I will post our itinerary below. I wont bore you with my excitement but check out everything we will be doing!!

NYC Daily Itinerary 10/23-10/25

Saturday 10.23.10

• Arrive @ JFK 7:38am

• Check In @ Cassa Hotel @ 70 W45^th

• Times Square (Tkts) 42^nd/Bdwy

• Madame T’s 42^nd/7^th

• NBC Tour 49^th/5^th

• Radio City Tour 50^th/6^th

• Bryant Park 42^nd/6^th

• Emp St Bdg/NY Skyride 33^rd/5^th

• Sardi’s Pre-Show (6pm Reservation)

• Rock of Ages @ 8pm 47^th/8th

Sunday 10.24.10

• MoMa & MET 5^th/80^th

• American Nat’l History 8^th/78^th

• Guggenheim Museum 5^th/88^th

• Central Park Tour:

  • Bethesda Fountain 72^nd Street

  • Zoo 74^th/5^th

  • Alice Statue 75^th/5^th

  • Strawberry Fields (forevah!) 8^th

  • Dakota  Lennon 72^nd/8^th

• Circle Line Cruise @ 6pm 42^nd/12^th

• Planet Hollywood for fancy drinks!

Monday 10.25.10

• Bus Tour

• Statue of Liberty

• World Trade Center/Wall Street

• Little Italy/China Town

• Top of the Rock

NYC Daily Itinerary 10/26-10/27

Tuesday 10.26.10

• 4:30am wake up (mercy)

• Amtrak @ 5:30am to DC

• 9:00 AM – Library of Congress, Supreme Court

• 10:00 AM – Capitol Tour

• 12:30 PM – Ford’s Theatre

• National Archive, Smithsonian

• 3:30 PM – Washington Monument

• Vietnam, Lincoln

• Treasury, White House

• Dinner at Old Ebbitt’s Grill

• Amtrak @ 10:00pm back to NYC

Wednesday 10.27.10

• Riverside Park (yay!)

• St. Patrick’s 50^th/Madsn

• Grand Central Station 42^nd/Park

• Ice skating @ the Rock 50^th/5^th

• Wicked @ 2Pm 50^th/8^th

• Fly Back Home @ 9pm

Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano...

So with less than 10 days to go before we embark on my first trip to NYC, I am taking a few moments to update my blog and share a secret with you. This trip, which I have been raving about since the beginning of September, and dreaming about since I was 12, almost became sabotaged this past week by my own rendition of Rocky, LIVE. And I don't mean Rocky Horror, because that may have actually been better... As many of you know, the past few years of my life have been challenging, as most of our lives often are, and I understand that everyone deals with their past in their own way, and for me, I chose not to deal with it at all. Doing what I had to do to survive my biggest heartbreak to date, and working at getting back on my feet, etc. Making sure everyone around me in my immediate life was happy and well taken care of, neglecting what I needed or wanted, most of the time. You know how it goes, it's easy to ignore your own warning signs when you are busy helping other people with theirs.

Truth is...I got squirrel-baby crazy for a moment in time and almost lost a friend, and I decided at that point, it was time to stop ignoring myself and face these things I have been putting off for years. So with that, I have made some good life changes, and I am pretty happy. This past week has been enlightening and I am just a blessed woman! So the trip which was going to be canceled for a moment in time, is back on, and I am so excited, and truly grateful. Now enough the emo-supremo talk. Let's talk NYC11

We got our NYC City Passport which allows you to enter all the museums, & tours, go on and off the Double-Decker buses, and take a boat tour around the island, go to and up the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, etc ... You know all the major landmarks. So now we have EVERYTHING! Only thing left to get is our Rock of Ages tix at the half price tix booth in Times Square!!

It is almost too exciting, I am afraid my heart is going to beat right out of my chest!!!


I am so thankful, and so blessed. I truly believe that if you try your best, and even when we fail and make mistakes, we try again, and again, it will pay off. Maybe not right away in your life or situation, but at some point. I am a firm believer in "what goes around comes around" and I believe paying it forward and treating people with love and respect and kindness, and most of all FORGIVENESS, it will come back to you when you Need it most...


This is my best friend, and just ONE of the many pics from this year, which has been crazy, fun, frustrating, exciting, and every other emotion that exist! Can't wait to see what pics we come back from NYC with!! I <3 my life! And I love my friends & family...

The End..

Fly with me...

It is just a short 22 Days, or 21 Days now I suppose away from my trip. I am still as excited as the first day, but life has been so busy and complicated lately that I haven't even had the chance to think about it much. Everything is booked, now it's just a waiting game, and I am growing impatient now that I have the time to think about it. I also have been thinking about my life, my career, which I love my job and all, but there isn't much room to grow. The sales people make more than the managers long as we meet our goals, so why the hell would I want to strive for that? No thanks. Seems maybe I am with the wrong company? I am not sure, and since none of this really pertains to NYC, except that maybe it is a DREAM of mine to find work there, I guess I will call it a night and update when I have something a little more exciting to share! ;)

Oh How I Wanted it to be You...

Today I woke up with a sense of true accomplishment! Yesterday at work, I decided to glance again at our employee discounts for hotels in NYC, since when we checked prior to that, there was NOTHING decent under $400 a night, and Lord knows, I can't afford that business, or I'd just MOVE there already! :P But yesterday there were three hotels having one day sales, or 5 days sales, and we actually found three located IN times square for what we were looking to pay to rent someone's home or apt for a few days via the AirBnB website. So I sent the options to Chris knowing my favorite, but knowing it was $100 more, and when he researched them, he picked the same one, and I was thrilled!! So we finally have booked our room! The hotel is located at 70 W. 45th ST, New York NY, that is in the center of everything! It is unbelievable that we got this place with a discount that saved us over $400!! SO excited! Even comes with breakfast everyday! One less meal to have to figure out! In the pic to the right, it is the REALLY tall white building.

The Cassa Hotel just opened in August (last month) and has some really awesome consumer reviews! A few jerk-offs made some negative comments, but the good absolutely out weighed the bad for this place. It is gorgeous!
It even has rainfall shower heads and robes, "Oh you fancy huh, Oh you fancy huh, Oh you fancy huh?" :P

So needless to say, I think our trip is pretty set in stone, and ready! And we have 33 Days to go! I still am not sleeping well, I am just too excited, and the anxiety of picking the place and having everything planned and booked was overwhelming me, just because my excitement was exhausting! But now I can REST! Though now it seems I am even more excited than before, but it still seems surreal... How many people get to make their biggest travel dream a reality? I am sure there are many, but people like me who could barely afford food just a few short years ago, actually getting to travel. It is just shows that with hard work, positivity, good friends and good family, you really CAN do anything you set your mind too. I always have. And I hope that I don't lose that gift. Makes for a rewarding journey along this road we call life... Feeling blessed, hopeful, and totally thrilled about next month...And yes, this is a real picture of the counter in the hotel room :)

I HEART NYC WICKED CRAZY LIKE!!

It's been a while, but I finally have some exciting news! Yesterday Chris booked our Wicked Tickets at the Gershwin Theatre! And the seats... Lowdy Lowdy!! Row DD Seats 106-107!! That is 4th row Orchestra Center! AHHHH!! So excited!!




We have narrowed our search down for the place we want to stay to like 7, so tonight will be the big deciding night and we hope to have it booked by the end of the weekend! Then it will feel more complete! Then next week (payday) After I throw down some moolah on bills, we will bok our NYC pass & Double Decker Bus passes! Oh this is exciting stuff ladies & gents! A true dream unraveling before your very eyes! All i can think about is this trip! 33 days to go! I'll come back with more excitement soon! Thanks for reading!!

I hear nothing but the beating of my own heart!!!!

Can you believe summer has come and gone? This year is turning into what seems like one big blur. With moments of success, accomplishment, failures, and disappointments. I guess that is what we call life isn't it?

Before you know it, Christmas will be here, and I will be saying I cannot believe I am just 4 months away from turning 30. Yikes. But no need to rush the inevitable, and 30 isn't so bad, right?

Ha.

I had such a blast of a 3 day weekend with Chris' parents here, now it's back to work to make them dollah dollah bills ya'll... So I can spend them on things like... Rent, Car Payments, and
Martini's in NYC ;)

I wish I could fast forward to the day we are leaving, but I am sure it will arrive just as quickly as summer has come and gone. People say as you get older, time just goes faster and faster, and I am beginning to believe that. If only the work days felt like they flew by everyday :P I only forget how much I would love to not have to work, when I get my paycheck!

Well anyway, today is going to be a good day. At work, and just all around. I can feel it. Yesterday we lounged around and watched 6 movies, yes, 6. And at least 3 were films based in NYC, as we so often see. It was beautiful outside, but I enjoyed the couch, a bottle or 3 of water, and the company of my best friend who slept through at least one of the movies lol.

Well for now, I bid you farewell until I have more to say... Hopefully something interesting next time ;) In the meantime, here is a pic of one of the things I want to do while there... yes, EAT!

Is that O.K?

I am breathing and dreaming NYC. I can hardly fall asleep STILL. I laid down at 3am, and could not fall asleep until close to 5, then ended up getting up at 8am to look at replies we got from different places we are looking to stay! It's madness how much I cannot stop thinking about it!

Today is a good day, it is Saturday and after work today, I have a three day weekend, and Chris's Dad & S.Mom will be in today, and they are just a blast, so I am totally excited! So just have to get through today, let's pray for an E.O!! (Early out @ work)

As far as NYC planning goes. We have our flights, a whole 5 day itinerary of where we will go and such. We know what shows we will see, Wicked, Rock of Ages, and possibly Into the Heights or In the Heights, whatever it is called!! lol. :)

I haven't been good about the gym, I have been eating little to none, so even though I'm making progress, it isn't the healthiest way, but I'm getting there! Ha. I wont give up though :)

So now it's off to work!

What will NY152 Say today....

I mean seriously... This just makes this seem so REAL... Well mainly because it is :D When Chris sent me the reservation to my work email, I was on a call, and i nearly screamed in excitement!

As far as hotel, we have a few to choose from that are perfectly located, we will book those about a month in advance, so we have some time! We even have a daily itinerary so we can make sure to do everything we want to do! I will post that later!!

This is just a quick update on flights. Happy Friday!!

If only I could have a puppy, I'd call myself so very lucky...

Oh man, I am ill today. I haven't been able to sleep in 5 days just thinking non-stop about NYC, and then night before last I was having horrible dreams. So I thought if I had a few shots of Rum and quick, maybe I'd actually sleep last night.. Mistake!! Let me first start by saying Ron Vicaro is NOT a nice man!!! ha.

On a lighter note ;) My TV I purchased using giftcards from work, and just spent $9 out of pocket, arrived at the door yesterday! I cant wait to set it up, though that will surely be tomorrow! I am not feeling it today. Maybe even tonight after work, which I hope is slow, I would love to leave a bit early.

Our flights are to be booked today, and I am really excited. It didn't work out last night due to Ron Vicaro, but it IS happening today. Yesterday I also found a camera on Craigslist for a KILLER deal, and she even threw in the memory card that holds 1000 pics, worth $40, for less than what I paid for the camera, ya.. It was a steal, I am so excited and plan to fill that card with all the pics it can while in NYC. Of my feet on the streets, myself on a subway, and us eating Hot Dogs from a cart!! Oh it's the little things in life, I tell you...

I'm really ultra excited. And even if I am talking only out to the oblivion because no one is actually reading my insignificant blog, it is still a way for me to release some of my excitement so I may do my best to lead a somewhat normal life in the next 6 weeks. Ha!

Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

So it's a beautiful day in Las Vegas. Ample sun, no work, and I did what I set out to do! I sold the iPad for what was just $50 less than retail value, and now I am golden for purchasing Hotel & Flights as soon as TODAY!! We were looking into some options, and we might actually rent out a studio apt near Times Square! There is this website called http://www.airbnb.com and it's sort of like a Craigslist deal, where people can list their place for rent short term for travelers. It is super cool! I know what you are thinking, SCARY, you dont even KNOW these people! Well they also have to be verified and have reviews, and it's kind of exciting and something different, so we are going to check it out, and I can't wait! It saves a TON on hotel fare, and we can still get super close to Times Square. Most are in Hell's Kitchen, which is totally walkable in less than 10 min :) I'll bring my walking shoes..

Today the plan is to get some sun after running a few errands. Oh and let's face it, I never made it to the gym yesterday, too much NYC research, then my roomie came home and we decided Rum and Juice was in favor, so... I will try again for tomorrow before work. I could have lied and said I went, but that defeats the purpose right? lol..

Anyway, I can't wait to book my stay and when I do, there will surely be pics to follow!!

Riverside Park at 91st...

So my favorite movie of all time is You've Got Mail, and that is not why I love NYC so much, however, I do love that movie because it's AWESOME and also based in NYC, so I decided I want to visit the spot where they finally meet and Brinkley runs to find her first ;) So ya, I googled that shet!

I also decided to sell my iPad so I can front the money to buy my flights & hotel ASAP. I won the iPad, and while I love it, it is super cool, I know it is really useless to me on the bigger scale of things. My dream has been to travel to NYC since I was about 12 years old. I'd give just about anything to go, and this would allow me the money to do so upfront to make my dream a reality.

So if you know anyone looking to buy one, It is hardly used, still have the box, even bought a case for it, and it's worth $599+tax, and the case was $20, but I'm selling it at $550, it is still new :) Just holler or it will be on Craigslist by the end of the week.

I've been so excited about this trip that I cant even sleep! We spent last night mapping out our trip. I can't wait to see the Empire State Building and Radio City and have NY style Sliced Pizza, IN NY!! :D I know how ridiculous it sounds for one to be so excited about a city, but I am in love with NYC and I haven't even met her yet. But believe me, I am counting down.

I am also going to the gym today, can you believe that crap? lol. I know it's good to keep BOTH of these dreams alive, but I seriously hate the gym, but I am going to do it! Every other day for 6 weeks before my nyc trip.

I'll keep you posted on my progress for both, thanks for reading! <3

Happiest Day...

So, I had Vacation time scheduled for Oct 10-15th with the plans of going to California for Knott's Scary Farm, and staying 5 days. Then my best friend and roommate informed me that he got 5 days off for Oct 23-27th, and said let's take a cruise. Of course this was exciting, a Mexico cruise for cheap and it will be helpful since I book cruises daily, but have not been on one myself, crazy right? So I changed my vaca dates then after looking at Mexico cruises for those dates, we realized we have to leave Friday, which we cant get off work, so we had to resort to other plans, and that's when it hit me.

My biggest dream is to travel to NYC, my biggest fear is I will never want to come back LOL.. Anyway, so I researched NYC hotels & activities etc ALL day at work since it was slow as hell, and then I told my roomie Chris what I thought and he was excited too! So it's done! He has been before, so he can show me around, and I can finally live my dream of visiting the city that has fascinated me since I was 12 years old! It feels like Christmas! I don't travel much at all, I haven't been many places, so this is just the happiest day.

I have decided to Blog the events leading up to the day I finally see NYC for a few reasons. I have to keep focused on a few side goals before I can make this trip a reality, so by posting this publicly, it will help me stay accountable.

One is, I want to lose at least 25 pounds. I have 7 weeks to do it, and a free gym membership that I have used 2x, in 5 months... I want to take so many pics in NYC and I don't want to hate them!! LOL

Second, my finances have ALWAYS been tight the last 3 years, at some points I didn't even eat for a few days, just to keep the lights on and a roof over my head. I am finally in a position where I can pay bills, and have some fun now and then, but this trip requires real discipline in spending. I wont be going out much for the next 7 weeks, but it will be worth it when I am standing on top of the world in the Empire State Building, looking at the city I love and have never even met!

Oh just thinking about it makes me want to scream, I am so excited. So what I plan to do is blog this daily or every other day, my progress on both goals until finally in 7 weeks, my dream comes true.

You may get bored of reading, as I will be candid and open, but if you're interested, please follow and keep me motivated and encouraged. This is a huge deal for me, and I am so excited to share my journey to NYC with you... Along with some side conversations I'm sure ;)