I Love NYC

It all started Valentine's morning. Alarm, snooze button and morning cuddles... or so I thought. Instead, Brett turned on his lamp and handed me two pieces of paper. Paper #1 was an airline ticket to NYC and paper #2 was the hotel information. Um... Happy Valentine's to us! It was a quick two days, but we definitely made the most of it!

 

Our first morning started of at Ellen's Stardust Diner with aspiring Broadway performers and bacon bowls. Tears streamed down my cheeks when two of the servers sang Lily's Eyes. I could have stayed there for hours!

Next stop... the double-decker tour bus.

Time Square...

...and Broadway! That really is the Broadway sign between my hands. Besides, I can't be on Broadway without doing jazz hands... duh!

I was at a loss for words at the 9/11 memorial. Such a somber, sacred place.

I will never forget holding my newborn baby, Brooklyn, as I watched the dreadful events in 2001.

The Survivor Tree stands in front of Freedom One. The Survivor Tree (an 8-foot stump) was found among the wreckage and nursed back to health. It is now a thriving 30-foot tall tree... representing strength, determination and growth. I read the story in the pamphlet, photographed the tree many times and continued to wander back to it while pondering its significance. Brett understood what it meant to me. While in the gift shop, he bought me a necklace that has a single metal leaf from that tree.

I wear it with pride. I am a survivor.

I can't have a child named Brooklyn and not visit the Brooklyn Bridge! The best part of the bridge was hearing the story of how it was built. A woman named Emily (first self-taught female civil engineer) oversaw the final years of its construction. Once completed, no one would use it because it was built by a woman. Barnum & Bailey took their circus animals across it to prove it was safe... and it's been used ever since!

Flags waving, ice skaters laughing... Rockefeller Square gave me chills.

There is so much beauty in diversity and I could have stayed for hours just watching all the people.

Quick stop at Radio City Music Hall.

A bit more night-time sight seeing before eating dinner at Carnegie Deli and watching the Broadway show Pippin.

That is an exciting, full and exhausting day!

Day two started with seeing beautiful buildings such at the Trinity Church.

The ferry tour to see Lady Liberty... in all her glory. Took my breath away. I saw her all lit up flying in to NYC a couple nights prior and she brought tears to my eyes. To see her up close... priceless.

So beautiful...

Um... go to NYC and not have a treat from the Cake Boss Cafe?

I don't think so! So yummy!

Next stop... Top of the Rock. Friends and family that read my blog... you know what I was thinking up here. I was imagining all the prayers ascending to heaven. I was imaging the spirits coming and going. There is just so much going on that we can't see with our mortal eyes. I looked around in awe at all the buildings and people. I found it strange that with so much going on below, it was so quiet. It wasn't the cold that took my breath away, it was the view. Amazing!

Overlooking Central Park. One day I hope to walk through it...

when it's warm and green!

I've always loved the climactic meeting at the top of the Empire State Building from the movie Sleepless in Seattle. I couldn't help but ask Brett to take this picture of me. Why? Because Brett and I have watched this movie together many times... and I get emotional every time. Love it!

Thanks, Brett, for a memorable trip to NYC.

I love you!

Substitute Teaching

"In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn." Yes, Phil Collins, I completely agree. For three months I had the joyous opportunity of teaching and learning from hundreds of first through eleventh grade students. I could list the number of classes I taught, or all the subjects... however, I'd rather remember and share special moments. Some of my favorites were eating lunch with my daughters, playing basketball at recess with the boys... and hand-games and hopscotch at recess with the girls, receiving countless hugs, finding notes in my lunch bag, feeling a small hand slip into mine, playing the ukelele, teaching my daughter's classes, playing learning games in Spanish, singing and dancing in theater class, finding sweet notes on the white boards, teaching music classes, giving out hundreds of dum-dum suckers, creating a putting course in the hall, and much, much more!

There were moments when I taught the students, but there were MANY more moments when they taught me. I heard words of encouragement from one child to another that melted my heart. I witnessed acts of love in the classrooms and halls. I saw students cheer each other on academically and in sports. Above all... I saw growth. The type of growth that occurs when youth are becoming their own. I saw them face challenges and conquer. I overheard hurtful conversations and witnessed them work things out and come to a resolution. I watched frowns turn to smiles as kind words were shared. My favorite? Seeing the expression of relief and happiness when they felt safe and included by someone that truly cared about them.

One day, after giving extra love and attention to an energetic and sweet second grade boy, he told me I was the key to unlock any door. As I thanked him for his kind words, my heart filled with gratitude knowing that these youth are our future. They are the ones that will unlock countless doors! They are wise beyond their years and have the ability to deal with the fiery darts of the adversary. They are a choice generation. Being in their presence is an honor and my purpose was only to be a guide on the side.

As Gibran said, "No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge. The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and his lovingness. If he is indeed wise he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind."

I loved walking among the youth, seeing their faith and sharing in their love. For this short time in my life, I will always be grateful.

Nothing like getting sweet notes from sweet girls!

 

I love you too Brookie Cookie!

I chose to hold the guinea pig instead of the tarantula. I'm so brave!

My first self portrait!

Seriously? Could they be any nicer to me? I don't think so!