So, I admit, committing to a photo blog series is tougher than it sounds. This week has been full of great material, which is typically a result of staying BUSY! I apologize for my lack of keeping you up-dated, but if you’ll forgive me, I’ll show you what I’ve been up to for the past couple days. (Heck, I’ll show you anyway, but forgiveness is always nice. For everyone involved!)
Monday – July 2, 2012
It’s always good to come through on promises to good people and on Monday, I got to do just that! My first encounter with Liz was in Nov. 2011, when she served as my link, informant and sincere source of comfort on a particularly stressful evening! We finally got to meet a couple weeks after that, when I flew to NY for Charlee’s b-day; Liz and I were co-conspirators for a surprise b-day party and I absolutely could not have pulled it off without her!!! While I was visiting NY in March, I had every intention of meeting up with her again, but didn’t manage to do so, and vowed that if/when I came back, I would make it a priority! Luckily, this visit fell around her b-day, so Monday, Charlee and I got to go to lunch with her to celebrate! Like any good Baptist, I’m a fan of Mexican food, and this guacamole prepared right at the table was DELIGHTFUL! So glad I got to hang with Liz for a while, tell her all about the World Race (and get great cooking tips for limited substances – WR teammates will appreciate this, I’m sure!) Happy Belated B-day, Liz! Miss you already!
After lunch I had plenty of free-time, so I headed into NYC for some sightseeing. On my last trip, I found a store in Grand Central Station that I absolutely fell in love with! Between quirky knick-knacks, hilarious cards, interesting books and generally awesome BRIGHT COLORS, I could get lost in here for hours (which I did on Monday – the benefit of a couple of people who are getting some cool things I picked up!) If you ever get the opportunity, definitely go in Pylones!
Since I’ve been there several times, I didn’t get deep into the heart of Times Square this go-round, but the outskirts happened to be en route to my destination of choice. Always good to see familiar faces when you’re visiting somewhere as big as NYC!
Ran across this ad, again, while walking along the outskirts of Times Square. Everyone knows I’m an Agriculture lover, and as such, I don’t typically favor PETA’s stance or practices. Clearly the folks at the Center for Consumer Freedom don’t care for them, either. Personal beliefs aside, this billboard was a good reminder that no matter what you believe, you’d better be ready to defend it no matter what! I’m working to know my Christian beliefs inside and out as to be ready to defend/or just explain to anyone willing to listen.
Finally reached my destination – Chelsea Piers – where I promptly collapsed on a lawn and enjoyed the view (and a chat with my Grandma!) Something about the dotting of nature amongst so much pavement, concrete and steel just makes me happy! Put me in this setting anyday!
Finally revived, I willed myself to walk from somewhere around 50 blocks to a favorite restaurant/coffee shop/house of awesomeness known as Choco Bolo. They have a flourless chocolate cake that is phenomenal (and they had free wireless internet to let me get out another blog post!)
One of my finds while meandering around Pylones was a book by Keri Smith, called Finish This Book. A few months ago I found another book by the same author, called Wreck This Journal, but I talked myself out of buying it. L This time I went on impulse and grabbed it up. It’s almost like a workbook of self discovery… I’ll let you know how it goes.
Closed out the evening with a smorgasbord of Cheese and Crackers. I highly recommend Horseradish infused Cheddar as well as Herb Goat Cheese… 🙂
TUESDAY
Poor Charlee had a migraine for most of the day-light hours on Tuesday, so in-the-city plans derailed and we stuck to the house. Lucky… I’m easily entertained!
Finally, tho, the modern world of medicine did itself some justice, and we were both itching to get out of the apartment. PF Chang’s anyone? Flourless Chocolate Cake = YUM!!!
My fortune left me a little uneasy. When I think small gifts, I think babies, and although I want no less than five at some point in life, that point is certainly not current! How long are Chinese fortunes good for?
We debated forever over seeing Brave or People Like Us, and even though we both clearly wanted to see Brave, we wound up in the latter. No matter; pretty good movie (tear jerker!) well worth viewing!
Wednesday – July 4th!!!
What better way to celebrate July 4th than lunch at your favorite Central Park restaurant? The Boathouse has been one of my favorites since my first extended visit to New York (their Mac and Cheese is honestly the best I’ve ever had!) Had the Ahi Tuna this go-round (realizing most of this photo blog has focused on food… Oh well.) LOVE this place!
Ever seeking to further “culture” myself, we set off to find Strawberry Fields (where John Lennon was murdered.) We both cracked up at a 12-ish looking girl who noticed a button stand with commemorative JL pictures all around and proceeded to ask her parents, “Who’s John Lennon?” Suddenly I know what it is to feel old. Yet again, no matter what you stand for, stand firm.
Like any true Kentucky kid, I love Bluegrass music! I was stoked to find out about a free July 4th Bluegrass concert in Madison Square Park. Nothing beats lying on a blanket, being serenaded and enjoying a beautiful day!
More food! I have to give Charlee credit; she’s introduced me to TONS of food that I never would have tried without her :::::cough::::: forcing :::::cough::::: encouraging me to do so. Figs, Hazelnut spread, Goat Cheese, Hummus, Dukka, Mango, Bubble Tea, Tikka Masala… the list really does go on and on. Alas, these dishes (mine was Horseradish Crusted Salmon, Charlee’s was some kind of Red Snapper) may be the best food I’ve EVER eaten.
We corralled onto 42nd avenue along the Hudson, elbow to elbow with 50,000 of our closest compadres in anticipation of the best fireworks show we’d ever seen. Sometimes I guess it’s just best to laugh; when the show started, we couldn’t see a thing! The explosives were set up one pier away, and we were blocked by a massive apartment building from seeing any of the spectacle (although we could turn around and watch the reflections in the windows of numerous sky scapers!)
We gave up early and fought our way back to Grand Central. While plenty of folks probably earned a trip in one of the NYPD vehicles that night, we just wanted the photo opp…
Thursday
Finally time to go home, I armed myself (somewhat impressively) with my ONE backpack, a sack full Godiva chocolate gifts for Charlee’s grandma, and my personal snack for a day of trains, planes and automobiles – Peanut M&M’s! Seriously, any care package sent to me while on the World Race containing these delectable morsels will instantly become my FAVORITE!
And perhaps the coolest part of the entire day, when I landed, Mom and Dad were at the airport to pick me up – their idea of a practice round for when they pick me up from WR in about a year! Mom had in tow a copy of this week’s Todd County Standard, complete with an article about me leaving for the World Race. I’d like to thank Ryan Craig, Tonya Grace and all the folks at The Todd County Standard who have let me work part-time this summer to continue putting funds toward WR, gain some great media experience and have necessary flexibility in my seemingly non-stop schedule! As always, it’s great to be from a community full of supporters!
That’s a wrap, for now! I’ve got much to learn on this Photo Blogging thing, but round 1 has been a fun experience! Can’t wait to do this again ASAP! (Who knows, with Memphis Mission Trip next week and Training Camp the week after that, I could have PLENTY of material!)
Thanks for sticking with me!
Be Blessed,
Ashlee
