New York, New York

In February, Shawn had a business trip in New York...He often has to go on business trips, but because he only had to be in meetings on Friday, I decided to go with him and we would make a little weekend trip out of it. I loved it. We flew out Thursday, and I spent that night familiarizing myself with a map of Manhattan and finalizing what I wanted to do all day Friday while Shawn worked. I've never really been to New York and wanted to see the Statue of Liberty and that is how my morning began...
Here I am on the ferry. This is one of the better pictures I took of myself [I apologize in advance...there are a lot of these type of shots!]
I love this picture. I'm no photographer and probably never will be. It was such a cold blistery day outside...but there was the Lady Liberty and that beautiful American Flag...what a symbol of Freedom.
After walking around Liberty Island, it was off to Ellis Island [which I had been told would be more interesting and would take more of my time, boy was I glad I listened!]
Right when you enter the museum there are carts of luggage and pictures of immigrants. I can't imagine packing up all I could in one chest to start a new life somewhere else. Talk about courage.They have this cool section with statistics of all the immigrants and immigration patterns here in the U.S. This flag rocked-look at it one way, its just a US Flag, look the other way, and all these faces make up the flag.
This was the big room where everyone waited...first a 6 second medical exam, then on to answer questions...and how you answered determined if you could keep going...I can't even imagine.
Sometimes people would have to wait at Ellis Island before they could continue on, usually it wasn't very long, but some people had to stay months [usually due to illness]. When they remodeled the building, they saved parts of the Graffiti that was written all over the walls. I'm not a big fan of Graffiti, but I appreciated being able to see the immigrants handwriting. This was from their time there. They were here...and they were a lot like you and me. I spent hours on Ellis Island in the museum. Much longer than I expected, but there was so much information and so much to learn. It truly was a humbling experience. I'm so grateful I was able to go.

After my adventures, I met up with our friend Mark [who lives in New York] and we got a late lunch, and Mark kindly helped me ride the subway to the Manhattan Temple, so I could attend a session [another item on my "New York" to do list].
I barely made the session, but I had a wonderful time. It was so small, but still so beautiful. To go from a street corner to the House of the Lord, and to be able to feel and hear the difference was amazing. I'm so glad I was able to go.

When I got out of the temple Shawn was done with work, and I was hungry so we decided to all meet up for dinner at the Clinton Street Bakery. I met up with Mark, and once again he helped me find my way in the Manhattan craziness, while Shawn hopped in a cab and met us there and Mark's girlfriend Liz met us there a little later. Not to worry, there was a 2 hour wait...we got in at 10:20, they technically close at 11, but we were there until almost midnight. It was worth every minute. Absolutely delicious.

[Here is where my picture taking comes to a dead halt.]

Saturday Shawn and I slept in and walked around SoHo. We got pizza at this great little place whose name I can't remember, but Mark and Liz recommended. Then we checked out of our hotel, and hauled our stuff Uptown to Mark's apartment. We took a walk through Central Park in the butt freezing cold, to the Museum of Natural History/Planetarium. We saw a cool show and got to walk around the Museum for a bit before it closed. I think I could get lost in there and never find my way out-talk about a maze! Then it was off to The Shake Shack for dinner. Quite possibly the best burger I've ever had. [That's saying something because I'm not a big fan of burgers...] And then all four of us just walked around the city. We got cookies at Litz's (spelling? I dunno famous cookie place?) and then we got cupcakes at Magnolia's. MmmMmm. The red velvet was much better than I ever could have expected. We spent the rest of the evening relaxing and visiting.

Sunday we got up and went to Sacrament Meeting at Mark's ward, and then took off to get lunch before we had to leave for the airport. We went to The Cafeteria...and I know what you're thinking, because I was thinking it to. "Do I really want to eat somewhere with the title, The Cafeteria?" The answer is most undoubtedly YES!! Shawn got a macaroni and cheese appetizer. Best Mac & Cheese I've ever had. No joke...Shawn like dreams of it. So good. Then I got Waffles with Cinnamon Whipped Cream and Fresh Fruit. I ate every bite. There was nothing left on my plate. It was absolutely delicious. Man I'm making myself hungry. I'm telling you, if you're in New York, go there. I don't even know where it is, but find it and go there.

Then we were off to the airport...longest flight ever home, but such is life. I had a wonderful time in New York. It was such a rejuvenating experience. I can totally see the appeal. I can even understand why some people have a desire to move to the big city. It was so fun and so utterly and completely alive. I'm sure we'll be going back :) Hooray for weekend getaways!