Friay in NYC Solo

The next 3 days I was solo in the big city, as opposed to the first three with Marko and Gary.
Friday for me started about 7am.  After quickly getting ready a walked to the Empire State Building and got in line about 7:30am.  They don't open until 8am but I wanted to be first/early in the line.  I succeeded.  At 8am the line began moving.  Once you made it through the metal detector, then you bought your tickets.  I yo-yo'd back and forth about doing the typical 86th or paying extra to do the 102nd.  I stayed with 86th as I assumed the view wouldn't be different enough or better enough for the extra $20.  I acknowledge I am a cheapskate, but am also perfectly ok with that.

In the entrance to the building on the 1st floor

What I learned--- opened in 1931 and at that time was the tallest building in the world-- out doing the Eiffel Tower.  From start to finish it took 1 year and 45 days.  The Empire State Building held the title of world's tallest from 1931 until 1972 when the World Trade Center was completed.  It is currently the US's 4th tallest and the World's 23rd tallest building.

The colorful outdoor flood lights were added in 1964.  In 2010 the building went green with 120 of the $550 million dollars of renovations being to make it a green building.
We went from floor 1 to 80 where we bought tickets and then 80-86 where the observation deck is.  Amusingly my ears popped once on the way up and twice on the way down!

The elevator

Views from the 86th floor

NEXT TOPIC IS THE 9/11 MUSEUM.  SINCE I HAVE A FRIEND WHO I KNOW IS SENSITIVE TO THIS TOPIC, A FRIEND WHOSE LIFE CHANGED ON THIS DAY AND OTHER FRIENDS WHO DON'T LIKE READING/SEEING SAD THINGS  I FEEL IT BEST TO WARN ANYONE WHO MAY NOT BE INTERESTED  TO FAST FORWARD UNTIL YOU SEE THE NEXT LARGE BOLD RED PRINT.

Then I took the Metro to the World Trade Center area.  I was still very interested in the official 9/11 Museum, so that is where I went.  My ticket allowed me to enter at 10:30am.  They have entrance times on your ticket as a form of crowd control which I thought was good.  The museum just opened on May 21, so it is extremely new.  It was a lot to take in--- A LOT.  It started off plenty spacious but filled with sad artifacts (don't know the proper wordage for such items). 

No Day Shall Erase you from the memory of time

Behind this wall:  In a space between the two Twin Tower footprints at bedrock, visitors will see a wall behind which the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York will operate and maintain a repository for the unidentified remains and a small work space. In addition, there will be a private viewing and seating area solely for victims’ families adjacent to the repository this private area is in addition to the “Family Room” that will be located in the Museum Pavilion, with views of the two Memorial pools.

What was....

What happened...

Fire fighter bought this "project bike" but never got around to making it run and usable.  After he died 9/11 his fellow fire fighters finished his project he never started.  It was almost like therapy to them according to the display.

An urn with every victim's name

the time square new years ball in honor of the victim's that year

huge quilt designed in memory of the victms of 9/11

Another piece of wreckage

One of the tributes from ground zero

I never thught of the destruction to things/people/equipment outside of the twin towers.... until this

A lot of the memorial didn't allow photography.
There was a victims portion with pictures and stories and small computer like stations where you could look up a specific person.  Most of the ones I saw gave a brief history of that person--- where they worked w/i the building, how many kids/spouse/sibs, a few photos and even their hobbies.
Then there were two short movies showing--- documentary may be more accurate.  I watched one of the two.  The line took about 30 minutes.  Here is a vague mini version of the video 10 year time lapse- click on the time lapse, although all the options are pretty neat!
The largest portion of the Museum was like an awkward maze-- with one entrance and one exit (not including emergency exits).  It was very extensive starting with a "before" section and a picture from a 7am shot of a weather/web cam of the normalcy---- a gigantic time line complete with "breaking news" news clips of audio and visual of each step, articles of wreckage, lost hope of people jumping, recordings between rescue workers that went quiet and you knew what that meant, destroyed emergency vehicles, every imaginable item in between.  It went from that horrific day to the memorials made at ground zero and the clean up phase and the rebuilding phase and even a section on making the link and the connection of the terrorists and how they began their plan etc.  It was A LOT.  I know I keep saying that but it was.  I stayed at the Museum from 10-1:30--- Entering at 10:30, leaving at 1:30ish.

 

THIS SECTION IS OVER, AND NO MORE 9/11 REFERENCES.  WE ARE HEADED TO LUNCH, BIKING, AND OTHER FUN.

I was starving and emotionally drained.  It was lunch time.  I got brave and tried a chicken gyro from a food cart.  Too much, too messy, but edible and filled me up.  It wasn't bad and I didn't catch any disease eating on the street ;-) haha

Then I just walked and explored by foot-- see what there is and where it is and all by foot so I didn't miss anything.  I was in what is considered "down town" or "lower Manhattan".  There were several landmark map/info signs and I hit all the landmarks listed minus museums because I'd had enough Museums!

I walked to the Pier and found the Naval Museum--- basically you tour the old boats.... I toured them just fine outside of the old boats for free ;-)

Then I saw the sign for Brooklyn Bridge.  It was a given, I was skipping across that bridge!  And then it got better I saw a booth with the sales reps wearing "I biked across the Brooklyn Bridge".  Oh yeah, I was renting that darn bike and was riding across the bridges!  My plan was to bike Brooklyn and Manhattan and return the bike at the two hour mark, which was completely do-able and realistic.... until I couldn't find the return station in time.  So I kept it until close because the fee for 3 hours and until close were almost identical.  I rode the Brooklyn, Manhattan and George Washington Bridges alng with a park in Brooklyn, China Town, Little Italy, all over the Piers and all throughought lower Manhattan seeing ever building on that map, that was considered a point of interest.

It was super hot--- the hottest day of our trip of course, and of course I'm wearing a black t-shirt.  It was exciting, adventurous, hot- but so fun!  Near the end of the bridge riding I bought this to rehydrate with

Mango is sweetly delicious and juicy and so worth that $3 price after biking the bridges

Since I was going to be 10 minutes beyond the two hour mark thanks to traffic detours and one way streets confusing me, the riding continued for 3 more hours. 

This is called supper: Waffles and Dinges--- that ONE place Marko wanted to try in NYC--- haha I loved it at least.  This is called an "ice cream sandwich".  I chose to fill my sandwich with gingerbread ice cream and strawberries.

I rode my bike to the Statue of Liberty/Battery Park.  I had a caricature made of Jayna.  Anthony had one made when he was 2, so this was long over-due.  I got a good deal $10 for the drawing and the matting.  The artist used a photo on my phone to create it.

Of course I was entertained by plenty of people watching--- I liked watching the helicopters land and this Statue of Liberty was unique...

 I rode many of the trails-- it takes you to Central Park.  And just before I was finished riding I found the New York Information and Technology Building....

And Paula and Answering Service friends- this one is for you---  I saw the RR Donnely building in New York City while you answered RR D's phones in Lynchburg!

I made it back to the hotel about 9.  Showered and went to sleep early since the boys were still picking locks and learning computer security stuff.... that I know nothing about and quite frankly couldn't care less about but will pretend to listen and comprehend as they chatter about it.

NYC With Marko and Gary

We never got to go on a honeymoon, or any kids-free vacation.  Originally Marko had dreamed of doing something for our 10th anniversary like a cruise.  Neither of us did the leg work required to plan such an event, and instead we saved up to pay the expenses of closing on a house and such for his mom "Momma".
And then the opportunity arose for Marko to go to a computer conference he's been wanting to go to for years and years. So of course that meant we had to invite Gar-Bear to go too since they are techy buddies.  And to clear up any potential weirdness.  Gary and I have been friends 10 years now as we met when I was first hired at BK.  We became much closer about 6-7 years ago.  Marko and him became good friends while he went back to school for computer IT while he was working at BK.  We've stayed extremely close since we each left BK. 

MONDAY
We dropped the kids off with Momma on Monday evening.  Then we made sure everything was ready for our early morning.

TUESDAY
Tuesday morning we ran to Walmart for umbrellas just in case we needed them in NYC.  Then we picked up Gary about 6am from his house.  We ran through the Hardee's drive thru and then to Joyce's house so she could drop us at the train station and have our van to use for the week.  We got to the train station about 6:30. It was so simple and low key there-- nothing like an airport and absolutely nothing like a DC or NYC train station. Our train arrived at 7:25 and left very promptly as scheduled at 7:38.  I always imagined trains are super fast.  That is not true.  It felt maybe as fast as a car on a highway but not super fast as I had imagined.  It was nice and spacious where we had the luck of sitting.  We stopped for a "smoke break" AKA lunch rush break in DC's train station.

The train ride

In Washington DC

The train got more crowded from DC until NYC.  We made it as scheduled to NYC at 3.  It was crowded but not horrible.  Our hotel was directly across the street so we went to check in, which took quite a while thanks to a lengthy line.  I'd never experienced even that before.  We got stuff situated in our room and then it was time to hit the streets of NYC.  We made it to Central Park via the Metro.

1st time on a Subway

For the record the 7 day pass IS the way to go if you will be there 3 days or more--- right Gary?   P.S. I got the 7day and the boys didn't. P.S.S. I paid the least!  We walked to the end/begining of Central Park via the sidewalk across the street (not the actual park).  It was quite a few blocks.... and practically hundreds for the sweet hubby who isn't a fan of walking.

In Central Park--the very edge on the corner and as close as Marko got

Of course we are far from the hotel when it started raining.  And when we started walking it didn't look like rain so those 2 brand new umbrellas were in the hotel room... so we walked back in the rain!  The boys were super unhappy... luckily my years of experience playing in the rain with the kids paid off!  But it put a huge damper on my picture taking.

We went to the hotel to dry off and get dressed to go find dinner.  For dinner we had "Irish" food..... I guess since it was called Stout's Irish Pub.  Gary had the Crab and fish meat Sandwich meal, Marko had the Brats worth Burger and I had a grilled veggie panini with sweet tater fries.

Then we headed back to the hotel again.  Poor Gary immediately crashed.  I got a shower before crashing myself... and some pictures from our hotel room.

WEDNESDAY
Wednesday Gar and I got up and headed out while Marko remotely logged in to his office to fix some computer issues.  Breakfast was nasty and not picture worthy.  Who knew French Toast could double in weight when you add enough butter.  No I did not eat it but I did drink my snapple.  Then we walked to Central Park. We were 45 minutes too early for the zoo so we walked around the park some.  At 10, we went to the zoo.

Penguins

The sea lions were my favorite at feeding time.

Gar I think liked the "rainforest" bird type exhibit best.  It is just a small zoo.  So about noon we met up with Marko at the Apple store.  It's open 24/7 365!  Crazy!  It was interesting... or heaven to the boys if only they had an endless money source.

Next we hopped on the Metro (I used my week long card I got for $30-- p.s. good deal... as Gar spent $30+ in having to refill his card twice and I rode twice as many times as he did) We went down to where the World Trade Centers were.  The plan was to go to the 9/11 Museum, but instead we went to a smaller, cheaper, similar museum: The 9/11 Tribute Center.  The sales lady outside gave us a 33% discount making admission only $10 each.  After we went to the Tribute Center, we crossed the street to the 9/11 Memorial Fountains on Ground Zero.

ll

As an almost 30 year old, this was easily the biggest ever news head line of my memory--- with Columbine HS Shooting, VT Shooting and Osama Bin Laden captures being the next closest big happenings. After that we walked the financial district, seeing Wall Street with the New York Stock Exchange, Federal Hall.  Then we took the Metro to China Town.  We walked China Town and Little Italy.  We ate at The Original Vincent's Restaurant.  I got Baked Rigatoni along with Marko, while Gar got pizza.  Vincent's was celebrating their 104th year.  It was delicious and probably my favorite meal of the week (surprise surprise--- the girl who adores pasta)

Then we took the Metro back to-- Marko went to the hotel, while Gar and I went to conquer Central Park.  We hit pretty much every picture icon on the Central Park Map.

I don't know what time it was when we made it back to the hotel, but I know we were nicely warn out.  Gar and I took the Metro back to the hotel although every other time we (Gar and I not Marko) had walked from Central Park to the hotel (and vice-a-versa).  In typical Gary form- he passed out quickly (and without supper).  After a shower and a rest, Marko and I went in search of supper.  We passed his beloved (dessert) place he had spoken highly of and wanted during our NYC trip-- but we hadn't had supper yet so were still in search of food.  (This is important to know for Friday's detailed day).  We got Chinese food.  He got General Tau's and I got Chicken Lomein.

Then it was back to the hotel for bed... Gary was still sleeping away.

THURSDAY
Thursday was my last day with the guys (well other than the fact we shared a hotel room).  Gar and I got up at 5:30am!  That's flippin' early when you're on vacation!  We were headed to the Today Show Live.  Well, not all plans go exactly as planned.  We past the Good Morning America stage and taping area first--- so guess what show we attended!  We had the option of watching the indoor taping via through the glass or to watch the outside set up.  We were amongst the first 20 people there arriving just before 6:30am.  We decided to go with the 100% live version of the outside set instead of the glass window version.  Patience was required but Gary and I chatted it up and people watched too.  The glass window's action and excitement began at 7 when taping/on air began.  But the outside set up's action would be brief but close.  We waited until 8:30am and then the live outside segment began!  Here's a video of the clip Gary and I were in!  Good Morning America  .
 It was pretty cool.  Those tv personalities you see plastered on the tv and internet news sites, were within hand shaking distance--- although we didn't. 

After it ended at 9, we headed to find some breakfast!  We tried organic.  Man it was actually good--- even though they cooked Gar and my eggs wrong it was still a winner.  Next on our morning's list was to check out a Museum, as Gary wanted.  I'm not into history, museums or science so I think I was a pretty bummer-summer tag a long.  Sorry Gar-Bear.  I don't believe in science--- and no nothing any teacher or science fan says will alter my opinion.  But even with that said The American Museum of Natural History  was huge, had some nice animal displays-- of animals I've seen before (in a zoo) so that part I believed.... the dinos and other fossilized bones that "became" some animal not so much.  The big bang theory earth and space stuff-- negative.  I didn't mind the cultural areas.  We lasted there a couple hours.

Then we headed back to the hotel to get Marko and the three of us took the Metro to head to the Statue of Liberty.  We got to Battery Park saw the Staten Island Ferry but the crowd I think was basically against Marko's religion of anti-crowds.  That was also a stink'n crazy line-- at the Statue of Liberty.  A line to buy tickets, A line to get into the medal detector, A line afterthe medal detector in a huge metal warehouse like building, a line to get on the boat to the Statue.... so basically we got in line, to wait in lines.... but eventually we made it on the boat.  It was a neat ride.  I like anything adventure-like, and a boat ride was new and different so it qualified! We decided to wait in another line for food once we got to the Statue!  The views were pretty awesome!  You could see in every direction-- NJ, NYC, Ellis/Stanton Islands, Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.... it was neat!

We obviously road the boat back to Battery Park then took the Metro to a very important place on Marko's list--- the Google Building! 

Marko in his Microsoft shirt at Google

Then it was back to the Hotel for the boys to get their registration info packets for the computer conference.

silly glasses they got at registration

After a bit it was dinner time.  In Gary's honor-- ok because we'd never had it before-- we went for Korean.  It was expensive, I didn't much like it but it was an interesting experience and one I'm glad to have had especially with Gar and hubs.  However, I won't be having seconds- ever.

VBS- Weird Animals

The kids started their second VBS last week.  It is one of the ones we did last summer as well.  It's just up the street from us a mile and a half at Fort Hill United Methodist Church.  It started Monday July 7 and went through Friday July 11.  There was also a VBS celebration Sunday the 13th.

The church served the whole family supper from 5-6, before VBS started at 6 and went until 8:30-- but as is typical it ran over a bit.  My favorite part about this VBS is all their missions projects.  They don't come home each night with a craft/project, instead that typical part of a VBS budget is put towards a missions project.  The 5 projects for this year are listed below by each day ( but in no particular order b/c I don't know what they did on what day).

Monday: We were served deli sandwiches, fruit,  and a bag of chips and a cookie

Day 1 both kidlets

The main mission was heifer international.  All week we collected money to purchase animals for 3rd world countries.  As of close on Friday they had raised $276, enough to buy a pig and a llama.


Tuesday: We were served fried chicken, mac and cheese, fruit and veggies w/ ranch and a cookie

Tonight they decorated cookies for Parkview Mission.  They have a free supper on Wednesday nights for those in need of a hot meal, and part of their meal was a cookie from the VBS kids.

I brilliantly lost my key at VBS so walked home, and then back to VBS at pick up time.
Unfortunately Jayna was deeply offended this day when she was chatting with a boy in the group and not just some other kids but even the leader agreed that the little boy was her boyfriend.  She refused to go back.  So she went to her cousin's house on Wednesday after we went to the pool all together.

Wednesday: We were served either PBJ or deli sandwiches fruit, chips, cookie

The kids made a total of 93 I think Butterfly Hugs for cancer patients

Thursday: We skipped the supper, but I saw they had spaghetti (with meat so neither of us would have eaten it anyways) salad chips and cookie

The mission project was the Lynchburg Humane Society where they collected pet supplies and used towels and blankets all week.  They even got to meet this fellow (and one other too)

Friday: We skipped the meal again, but it was pizza, salad, fruit and cookie

The final missions project was for United Methodist Family Services: a care package for children entering the foster care program.

 Selfies on the church playground just before VBS started showing off the newer shorter hair do

Mo the Mole gave him a great hair scalping, 

if you notice the difference from "Monday"

It's Over!... for us, b/c we didn't attend the Sunday festivities

As silly as it may sound, all week ever since I walked on Tuesday, Anthony has wanted to walk home from VBS.  So on Friday, we did!  We walked the mile and a half home in just about 20 minutes-- most of it barefoot because we like to!  It was nearly dark by the time we got home!

She's not sexy

As I scroll through facebook, as I see other kids at the pool and even at bible school, as I hear the pre teen and teen lingo, as I see other moms and Aunts interact and comment on the girls they love... I realize I am so different, and it's ok I guess.  And yet it kind of saddens me and sickens me for the sake of the other unknowing.

I just want it to be clear, my daughter is NOT sexy and she never will be except to her husband.
To me though, the same goes for my nieces, Jayna's female friends, my even my sisters.

I am utterly confused when I look on facebook or sites on line and I see a baby and toddler aged little girls and their captions say things like "sexy baby" or "sexy lil mama".  What the What!!!?!!  Nothing about this precious baby is was or ever will be correlated to words like sexy or hot or lil momma or .... any other wording that is meant for mature adult women, not my innocent and precious daughter.  Then it continues as that child is a pre teen and certainly a teen-- they desire to be sexy and they think the less clothes the sexier.  I don't even like seeing sexy on my sister's facebook.  She is far beyond sexy, she's beautiful, intelligent, talented, unique... and maybe to her husband sexy but the average friend no way!  Give a compliment with real meaning not "sexy"!

Do you realize the meaning of "Sexy"?

sexy

adjective \ˈsek-sē\

: sexually appealing, attractive, or exciting

: having interesting or appealing qualities

Why would ANY parent every refer to a child this way?  And why would you want your child to or allow your child to dress in a manner that will make others think she is sexy?  My daughter is NOT sexy!

My daughter IS beautiful.

My daughter IS talented and unique

My daughter IS loving and caring

My daughter is strong and brave

My daughter IS sassy

My daughter IS loved

My daughter IS happy, even though she has modesty guidelines

My daughter is NOT sexy-- she is just a child!

It really blows my mind when I see girls allowed to wear whatever is in "style" regardless how much skin it shows.  Not my kid.  I can't understand why girls even want to wear shorts that barely cover their butt cheeks and the pockets are longer than the shorts.  Not my kid.
I don't care if the female movement thinks we have these rules that are "unfair" to my daughter because boys can't control themselves why should the girls be punished or when boys get to go shirtless.
I don't care if the secular people think I'm too old fashioned and living in a box and not allowing my kid to fit in or express herself.

In our house,
all skirts and dresses have shorts or leggings worn with them.
All shorts must be at least meet the fingertip rule and preferably to the knee
Nothing low cut
No 2 piece swim wear
Nothing too tight
Nothing too thin- thus see through w/o another shirt under it

Every household should set some ground rules, but these are ours, for our house.


Marko (somewhat kiddingly) says his 2 #1 jobs are to keep his daughter off the pole (stripper/sex industry) and to not have her be a young parent like us.  Sure we managed and even have become somewhat successful but it isn't what we want for our kids.  So in the process of helping them go farther with more success is caring enough about them to have dress codes and to instill into her mind what is and isn't appropriate.

I feel sorry for those kids without guidelines.  Often times those kids find their way towards trouble of a sexual nature.  No I'm not surprised, but I also think they were ill prepared and given a false security.  If that dress shows all when you bend down, if those shorts are no longer than under wear, if your outfit is skin tight.... you are giving off an impression you may not intend, but it's still given.  We live in an over-sexualized time.  I also feel bad when they find that trouble they are punished both by parents and other consequences that come with being sexual before the time is proper.  How can it be ok for them to "look sexy" (typically by lack of clothing) and yet not ok to be having sex as a teen.  That's a confusing double standard.  They need boundaries and rules and my child will be taught modesty and she will learn the importance of herself-- not the popularity of her outfit.  There is no guarantee that Jayna won't rebel (like her mom) and choose a more risky apparel when she leaves the house unknown to us.  But I have no doubt she'll know our thoughts and God's on her ward robe.

1 Timothy 2:9
I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.