Day94 #100daysofNYC

I was blessed to have a few visitors this past weekend! The first of them came last Wednesday night... Brandy, Suzanne, and Hannah! Brandy wanted to surprise Hannah with a trip here because she's been dying to come for a while... I'm worried all my walking and subway rides have changed her dreams of moving here one day ;)

We did have fun though! One of my favorite things we did was something I've had on my list for NYC... We went to see Wicked! It was amazing!! I've never been a huge fan of the Wizard of Oz, but I have heard so many amazing things about the show that I had to go! I was sooooo amazed! Go! Go to it! No matter if you're only in the city for a few days, go! The Gershwin Theater was beautiful! Did I say go? :)

Today is dedicated to Wicked and the amazing shows available to see on and off broadway!

Day96 #100daysofNYC

Museum Monday!

It's a couple days late, but Colleen and I decided to go to the Museum of the City of New York! There are so many amazing museums in this city, and I'm trying to get to all of them! There was a great exhibit dedicated to the graffiti of the city and one for the activists. It's so amazing to see what all New Yorkers have fought for over the years. If you will be here for an extended stay (4+ days) I would definitely add it to your list! It's an amazing museum up on Museum Mile at 5th and 103rd, right across from the park! It's a lot smaller than your typical MoMA, Guggenheim, or the Met, but it's a great addition to the list!

Afterwards, we decided to stroll through Central Park and get some awesome Spring pictures!

So today is dedicated to the beautiful graffiti of NYC ~ The City as Canvas

Day97 #100daysofNYC

Thursday night I met up with a few Blue Smokers to support one of our own at the Cranky Cabaret! A new experience, it was amazing! We were smushed in a tiny "theater" room with 50 other people and got to enjoy the pipes from eleven amazing women and a few hilarious men. With a cranky undertone, we laughed, we cried, we had an amazing time! I have to give a huge shout out to Madison, who KILLED Dolly's "Get Out and Stay Out" and literally brought tears to my eyes. She was freaking awesome! Some sang songs similar to she, and a few rewrote some songs to bring the room to roaring laughter. Needless to say, it was one of the best things I've shelled out $20 for! Look them up, go to a show! It's worth it!

Matt, Sam and I before we get cranky from sweating :)

So today is dedicated to the wonderful talents of Madison Osgood and the Cranky Cabaret!

Day 98 #100daysofNYC

God is good!! We could not have asked for a more beautiful day for what I had planned! Our first stop was Washington Square Park. It was absolutely beautiful! It was full of locals and tourists alike. Dog park, kid park, you name it! I wish the fountain would have been turned on, which would've enhanced the experience, but it was great as is!

Sam joined us for the day, and we headed through Greenwich Village to show them the infamous corner of Bedford and Grove. Do you know it? If you've watched any episode of Friends, you've seen it!

(March 2008)

We then headed up to The Bronx... Oh yeah, Yankee Stadium here we come! This was the last stop for me and mama and daddy on our "all five boroughs" stops. The stadium was amazing, the field was B-E-A-utiful! The sun was shining, the bats were cracking, and the boys were dancing! I'll insert a video later (but it will be up on Facebook) of the amazing field draggers dancing to YMCA! Priceless! Yankees beat the Red Sox 7-4... Great way to spend opening week! 

Apparently this didn't upload as planned... So you're getting it a week late :)

Day99 #100daysofNYC

Wow! There are moments that pass, as I'm in the middle of a busy double shift, or wrapped up in a depression day binge watching one of my shows, or just having my mind elsewhere that I forget just how amazing this city is!

I got to become a complete tourist all over again today! Mama and daddy wore ME out! We worked our way from downtown Brooklyn to downtown Manhattan and up to Midtown today. 

I took them to one of my most favorite spots in Brooklyn to start the day off... The Empire - Fulton Ferry State Park. It's one of my favorite places to shoot Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. Jason noticed it as where the last scene from Gangs of New York took place. 

(Shot from September 2013)

I then won them over and erased all memories of the "cow trailer" subway ride during rush hour, with a walk across the bridge. Phenomenal views per usual!

First family photo in NYC!

At the end of the bridge, near City Hall, I rewarded them with Waffles and Dinges. If you ever come to the city, track one of their carts or food trucks down and get one! Amazing!!! 

One of my favorite cheap NYC tricks is taking the Staten Island Ferry to SI and then just shooting right back over... Free view of the Statue of Liberty, downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn, and it's always a great breeze off the water! 

Next, a hike around downtown and Freedom Tower! A MUST: go see the 9/11 Memorial! Get reservation tickets in advance, and just walk right in! It's amazing. There's no words to describe it. Just go!

We decided to skip the subway and take the bus for a brighter, more cheery view! If you aren't in a rush, take the bus! I've always been a fan... And so we took the lovely M5 up Sixth Ave. All one hour of it! LOL But it was great letting them get a quick view of the city before we get to trekking on foot in a few days. We got to Rockefeller Center and headed straight to the top!

My second favorite spot of the day... Top of the Rock! Another MUST! Yes, the Empire State Building is traditional, but guess what... You can't look at it if you're at the top of it! So grab a ticket and shoot to the Top of the Rock! 

To finish off the night in true tourist fashion, I dazzled them with the bright lights of Times Square :D

Little by little, I'm explaining why I love this city so much :)

So, today is dedicated to the bright lights and all those amazing people who lost their life September 11, 2001. We will never forget. 

Day100 #100daysofNYC

Today I start a new blog series... #100daysofNYC 

My residency in this beautiful city of lights will end August 31, and so I'm dedicating the next 100 blog posts to NYC. I planned on doing this my last days here, but since I'll be working doubles and traveling home some, I wanted to make sure I got to fully dedicate my time and energy to experiencing this magical city and all it's made of. I though tonight a great time to start because mama and daddy just arrived! First time in New York! 

Their first experience of our wonderful subway system was during rush hour, which totally sucked and was mad packed... what a welcome! We grabbed dinner at Blue Smoke on our way home. Shout out to #bluesmokejazzstandard They loved everything!! I have always bragged about Blue Smoke and the USHG company, and finally they got to enjoy the food. I wish I could entice you with the smell on here... It's intoxicating! If you have never been, you must make it part of yor trip... A little south, up north :)

Juicy ribs, creamy mac and cheese, and some smokin staff ;) love you guys!

So, the first is dedicated to Blue Smoke and our packed subway trains!

Snow time in the city!

Ok, I was off work today and I decided to face the snow and go snap some pics! I went to the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge, walked across, and then went up to Central Park. I can't put into words how beautiful the park was! I hope that each of you get to experience it one day! Enjoy the pictures!