1 month.

It's somewhat odd to think that I'm not counting down and saying something like "One month down, 2 to go..." as places in the past haven't been indefinite such as this NY life. 

  

Guess what? Another language of NY discovery has occurred. Instead of saying, "What?", "Do What?", or "I'm sorry?" to have someone repeat themselves, they say "What happened?" I was caught off guard the first time I heard someone say it. I thought, "Nothing happened...", but soon I figured it out! My coworker Victor explained that it's mostly people from the Bronx that say it. He laughed when I pointed that fact out. 

Becca and I successfully conquered our fear of going to the Taco truck that normally sits just outside of our subway station stop. One night a few weeks ago, we had walked past craving tacos, but Rebecca suddenly turned away and said she changed her mind. Turns out she got scared away by the sign not being in English. haha. I was a bit nervous myself about ordering, since the only thing I understood on the menu was "pollo" under that Taco section. This week we decided to brave it since we don't have that much longer on this side of town, and so I ordered 3 tacos of the only choice that I understood. Chicken Tacos. The little Mexican man was absolutely adorable. He was all smiles and very kind to us. When we got home and took a bite into the tacos, I was in awe of our delicious they were. I was ready to run back to the truck to get some more!

The largest blessing from the week was to take the trip on bus (Megabus.com---incredible deal!) to Washington D.C. with Rebecca to meet Mom, then drive over to Wintergreen, VA to hear Matthew's world premier of his work, "Arch nemesis". My little brothers were away at camp, so it was just Mom and the "original kids" getting to spend time together. When Mom, Bec, and I made it to Charlottesville, VA to check into our hotel we were ABSOLUTELY ecstatic to see the Mexican restaurant across the street and the Flowers Bakery Discount Store next door. We haven't been able to find any Mexican restaurants in the city so far that equal the prices/deliciousness of our beloved El Valle in North Carolina. We were determined to try this restaurant. We parked, walked inside, and laughed in delight that the interior was even better than the great design of the exterior. It was like we were in Epcot in Disney World. It was amazing how decorated it was. We were definitely pleased by the food as well!

After the restaurant, I ran over to the Flowers Discount Bakery Store with Becca while Mom checked into the hotel. I've had such fond memories of going to the ones in Matthews and Indian Trail, NC with Dad growing up. We'd pick out our treats (usually the cupcakes or a moonpie), and Dad would pick out a Moonpie. At this store in VA, I ran over to the table where there was a box of 12 moonpies. I bought it, gave some to the family, even more to Matthew, and I've been enjoying them since. Sadly I only have one left, but I've confirmed my original thoughts on the best way to eat a Moonpie. Place it on a microwaveable plate, put it in the microwave for 15 seconds, be sure to watch it blow up (even though mom has always said to not watch inside the microwave....), take it out and enjoy. I've tried a frozen moonpie as well, and trust me, a microwaved one is the best. 

Soon after we got beautiful in the hotel from the night of sleeping in the car (no hotels were available), the three of us headed over to Wintergreen, VA to see our darling brother. We arrived, and the air was significantly cooler and the mountains were breathtaking. It was wonderful to be together again. We enjoyed dinner with Matthew at "The edge" which was on the campus of the Wintergreen Resort. Our favorite part was the Fudge Brownie Sundae :).

MATTHEW!

Matthew introduced us to his composer friends, and we soon took a seat to anxiously await Matthew's piece.  His quartet walked out on stage just after him, he explained the work, and the beautiful sounds of the "Arch nemesis" filled the air. The piece sings. It's gorgeous. I did record a video, but I'd have to get approval from the composer before posting ;). We didn't get to spend much time with Matthew afterwards, but in 2 weeks we'll all be together again for a vacation.

The next day, Mom, Rebecca, and I headed back to D.C. to spend some time there before our bus ride back to NY. We didn't have time to fully enjoy a Smithsonian museum, so we took the tour of the Ford's Theatre and the House where Lincoln died. I took a look around the gift shop just for fun, because Event Network (who I am employed by) owns that shop as well. The tour was very neat to experience. I had no idea the John Wilkes Booth was a star actor and that he knew the Ford's Theatre very well.  Here is the Presidential box where Lincoln was shot....

            

Soon after the tour, we had to leave momma and hop on the bus. It was sad leaving her, but we'll see her soon! We were so happy to see that our ideal seats in the megabus (the top of the double decker/front of the bus) were free. It was like a roller coaster up there!! We probably freaked out the other passengers by our excitement.

When we arrived home, Rebecca's friend Jared had just made it into town from Tampa, FL to visit for the rest of the week. One of the places we enjoyed was "Ellen's Stardust Diner". Every time we visited NY in the past, I saw the restaurant and had wanted to go. It's the famous diner where all of the servers are singer/actors working their way to Broadway. They sing constantly throughout their shifts. It was a great experience!! 

Ellen's Stardust Diner--51st and Broadway

This crazy work story will provide a good laugh if you need it....

The other day a man in his late 60s walks up to the counter with a box in his hand asking if we had any "untouched" statues. He claimed his chinese stature he was holding had fingerprints ALL over it. We tried to explain that what we have is out on the table, and he proceeded to not believe us. He said asked again for an untouched chinese statue. He said, "Look at this! there's fingerprints all over this. I could catch pneumonia or AIDS!!" 

This past Friday evening, I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with my friend Victor from work. It's one of his favorite places, so when he found out that I had never been and that I desired to go, he offered to show me around. It's not only an absolute gorgeous building, but the vast collection is incredible. We were able to enjoy the special exhibit  "The American Woman" which shows how fashion in women changed along with the roles from the early 1900s-1930s then a summary from then until the present. We also got to see the Egyptian exhibits, the contemporary art hall, and a bit more. I can't wait to go back.

As we were leaving, a rough thunderstorm rolled in. We ran for cover under scaffolding a few blocks away to wait for it to lighten up so that we could find the bus stop. We were getting completely drenched! I loved it. Running through the city in the pouring down rain..with the thrill of the thunder...so much fun. The air conditioner in the bus caused us to freeze a bit when we actually made it on to the bus, though :)

More to come...