I think I first read that quote in one of Elisabeth Elliot's books. I've been applying that quote to my blogging life for most of March. I've been saying yes to planning and going on a mother/daughter trip to New York with our 18 year old, Faith. So, I've been saying no to blogging. As much as I love to blog, even that enjoyable pastime has to be put on the back burner when it butts up against time with a beloved daughter. Daughters always trump time with Wilson (my mac).
We are home now, and it's time to document some of the adventures of that fun trip. One interesting difference between this trip and a similar trip I took with my oldest daughter back in 2009 (another amazing time!), is that the pictures were all taken with my cell phone! The technology at my finger tips still boggles my mind.
With that said, time to say yes to reading about our trip.
Being Lou-less for a span of time is often the hardest part of any trip I take without him. Snapped this before I left just so I could look at it some while I was gone.
Once at the airport, and because we had no luggage to check, Faith and I were able to print our boarding passes at this kiosk. Neither of us had ever done it without Lou there, so we were way more than proud of ourselves that we did this!
When we landed at La Guardia airport in NYC, we deplaned to this gate area. There is no question in my mind that this is the future of all public spaces.
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| Wall-e |
From our hotel in Midtown, we jumped on the subway and headed downtown.
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| Obviously, it's cold |
The 9-11 Memorial is still a work in progress, but is moving and beautiful.
All those names...all those souls.
At St. Paul's Chapel, where 9/11 relief workers received round the clock care, we saw this clock. It gave us shivers.
Inside that chapel, was this plaque (which obviously, had no connection to 9/11). I appreciated the description "in the midst of his usefulness." It's a good thing to be useful. I want to be useful.
After the memorial, we braved the cold and wind (!) and ventured out on the Brooklyn Bridge. Quite the impressive structure, it's hard to believe that it was completed over a 100 yrs ago in 1883.
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| Building being built in background is the new Freedom Tower at the 9/11 Memorial |
As we left the bridge, this interestingly strange building came into view. I couldn't stop staring at it.
Wanting to get the scoop on it when I got home, I googled, "weird building near the Brooklyn Bridge."
The first hit called it Beekman Tower. A little more digging, and I discovered that that name is so last year. It's now known as 8 Spruce Street and/or New York by Gehry. (Can we please pick a name and stick with it?) The Gehry in that last name refers to architect Frank Gehry, who designed this tallest residential building in NYC.
You can't miss it if you are in lower Manhattan. So very interesting.
A perfect end to our first day in NY was attending the musical "Once." Go see it if you get the chance.
Because our traveling buddies, dear friends, Louise and Heide Forrister, knew the aunt of the Tony nominated supporting actress, we got to go backstage and meet her.
Very cool.
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| Heide, Elizabeth Davis, Faith |
Another perk I had on this trip that I didn't have in 2009, was this:
We still used our paper map most of the time, (because Louise and I both love seeing the big picture and find reading maps really fun), but when our eyes wouldn't focus well on some of those little streets, this came in mighty handy.
The next day, we hit the iconic Empire State Building. The skyscraper in the background will, at completion later this year, be the tallest building in the western hemisphere. It's the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center Complex. To the right of it on that island in the harbor, you can also see the outline of the Statue of Liberty.
Whenever I'm in a city where there's an Anthropologie, I always make a point to visit. The one in NYC is huge, which means there's lots of beauty to behold. This display of "flowers" draped over the lattice work was gorgeous. The flowers were pompoms!
If you want my autograph next time you see me, I'll completely understand. I've now graced the screens in Times Square. Faith, Heide, and I are front and center. Very Fun!
Times Square at night is pretty much sensory overload.
Also not to be missed in NYC is a trip to the restaurant, Serendipity, famous for their frozen hot chocolate and the movie by the same name.
Sunday, on our way to worship at Tim Keller's church, Redeemer Presbyterian, we happened to walk by this restaurant. Recognize it?
It was in the movie You've Got Mail. The banter between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in this restaurant is one of my favorites scenes of the movie.
Sunday afternoon we visited one of my favorite places in NYC - The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since it is massive, you have to pick and choose where you're gonna spend the bulk of your time. We enjoyed the European paintings and the American Wing before viewing their special exhibit, Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity. Simply Amazing.
From there, a stroll through and some pictures in Central Park...
before Tea Time at Sarabeth's. Delightful!!
Although our week there was colder than any of us would have liked, it couldn't have been any warmer on the inside. My history with my dear friend, Louise, goes back to 1987 when we first met in Tulsa, OK. Faith and Heide have literally been friends since birth. Our families have vacationed together many times. What a rare and beautiful gift they are to us!
What a rare and beautiful time I enjoyed with my Faith.
Grateful to God for her. Excited to see what the next chapter of her life holds.
Much love.
