New York update

This is my last "I'm super late updating the blog" post. And I'm going to excuse it a little bit because I started it over Christmas break in Memphis, but the Internet at my parents was just too slow to handle all the photos ... then I just got lazy and didn't update it once I got back to Kennesaw.

Way back in September, I realized I had a flight credit (thanks to a canceled flight this past summer) with Southwest that I needed to use fairly soon. I had planned on using it towards my May 2012 summer conference trip, but long story short, that just wasn't going to work. I told Stephen the dilemma, and he said, "You should go to New York for Christmas."

Um, yes of course. Why didn't I think of that?

So, I booked my trip in September and got a deal on tickets. I flew out of Nashville (because Atlanta doesn't get Southwest until February), but that was no big deal. I went a day earlier and stayed with my friend Hannah and her husband Caleb, who graciously watched over my car for the time I was gone. Despite it being 30 degrees, we hit up my favorite Nashville ice cream place — Jeni's. I miss that place! Then when I flew back into New York, I got to spend the night with my Murfreesboro roomie Tara, and visited with Mallory, the Vandy intern. Nashville was a nice bonus in the New York trip.

In New York, I stayed with one of my best friends — Madeline — from high school. She just got her master's from Christie's (you know, the place that just auctioned off all the Elizabeth Taylor collection? Yeah, no big deal), and she's staying in New York job hunting. She is a fabulous hostess, and graciously took me all around the city to do the not-so-touristy things. We ate lots of good food, saw lots of interesting art, did some shopping, did some more eating, you get the idea. I also got to catch up with two friends from journalism school — so great to see them and catch up.

I did take a ton of photos. I don't want this post to be forever long, so here are some highlights:

We saw lots of art. Here's just one of many pieces.

Some galleries were better than others. Yes, those are trash bags filled with aluminum cans. 

Madi said it's a critique of our society, talking about waste and consumption. I get that ... but still.

Madi & her boyfriend threw a fabulous Christmas party. Tacky Christmas 

wear was encouraged — thus my ridiculous fleece hat. 

Us at the Museum of Natural History — origami tree!

Madi had a department Christmas party one night, so I went exploring. 

And this series of photos is what happened that night.

These soldiers were everywhere at Rockefeller Plaza

The light show area at Rockefeller Plaza. 

Rockefeller Center — the ice rink is right below this.

Rockefeller Center in the background — huge!

The most touristy thing I did was visiting Top of the Rock (top of the Rockefeller Center). 

I was SO cold, but it was totally worth it. Best view of the city ... in my humble opinion.

My last night in the city, we went to the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker. 

(This is outside the theater — you can't take photos inside.) It was so wonderful! Plus, a guy 

proposed to his girlfriend during intermission (so sweet to see hundreds of strangers 

cheering and clapping), and Kelly Ripa walked right by us in the lobby after the 

performance. (She's cute and really tiny!)

That's not everything ... but I don't want to bore y'all. So fun to visit Madi (thanks for being a wonderful hostess!), and such a great way to start Christmas break. If you ever get the chance to visit New York at Christmas, do it!