Thursday, June 10, 2010

The slip and fall

Last night we went out as a group to a restaurant called Max Brenner's which is known for it's chocolate. We really went for dessert but started with a light dinner. I shared a delicious peanut butter chocolate euphoria sundae with a colleague (yes, it was really called that one the menu), which we thoroughly enjoyed.

It was raining like crazy, so we were already a little wet as we entered the crowded subway with people heading home for the night. I went to slide my metrocard through and it said I didn't have enough money, so I turned around to go put more on my card. Because the ground was tile and extremely wet and because I was wearing my rainbow sandals (awful on the floor when wet), before I knew it, I was in midair. I thought for a moment that I was able to catch myself from falling, but no such luck. Smack! I hit the wet ground with no warning and no time to brace myself. I landed on the hard tile, hitting my hip, elbow and knee simultaneously, and no joke, the whole crowd went, "Oooh!". By this time all of my friends were to the other side. As I was trying to get reoriented and not to cry, I kept hearing this one highschool guy say, "I missed it! I didn't see it!", which at first annoyed me a bit, but then I started to think was funny. I kept reminding myself that at least I was not old enough looking for people to be really concerned about falling.

There was this one nice angel of a man who came and helped me up and asked me if I was all right. I was so thankful for him because honestly at that point I could use all the help I could get. I told him that I was all right, that I had just slipped, to which he responded, "Yeah, I know." Anyway, it's times like this that surprise me a bit and teach me some too. I really did not feel that embarrassed, which came as a surprise to me. I guess by now I have lived enough life to know that stuff like that happens. To all of us. Maybe not in NY in front of a crowd of people with one dissapointed that they missed your gymnastics, but it does happen to all. And I couldn't get over how thankful I was for that man. I think it will make me more aware of my surroundings when a stranger needs help. I realized that often times people want help even if it is not expressed. I know I did. It makes you feel not so alone. Anyway, I guess these are some of my ponderings as I sit here the next day with my knee and hip and elbow still throbbing. I am secretly hoping that bruises will pop up just so that others know how bad it hurt!!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Tour de NY

Bob came up to visit Memorial Day weekend and we exhausted ourselves with activity. We did all the touristy and fun things that our hearts could desire and found out we still did not have enough time. The first night we went to Times Square and the Hudson River. It is fleet week, where the navy ships come in and the men wander the streets in their uniform. I was hoping to see an action shot of the famous picture where the navy guy is kissing a girl, but did not get my wish.

We ate beignets at a New Orleans restaurant which were completely subpar in taste and way too pricey. After experiencing Cafe du Monde in NO, I can honeslty say that nothing else should be able to call itself a beignet. One of Bob's goals was to eat at as many pizza places as he could so we grabbed pizza at two different places one night.

I wanted to see Ground Zero, which of course now is nothing but a construction sight. They have a small commemorative museum nearby which was extremely powerful and worth the small entrance fee. Bob and I were both incredibly touched by the displays. Seeing pictures and hearing and reading people's stories made it so much more real. I felt connected in a way that I never have before to that incredible tragedy. I am sure that it helped to be in a place that was right next to where the monstrosity occured. I think the main thing I was left with was people's courage and the ability to unite and become selfless in times of utter vulnerability. I couldn't help but put myself in the shoes of a wife having her husband call from the air saying his goodbyes or the wife of a firefighter knowing that he purposefully entered the mess to do his duty aware that he most likely would not return. Gosh, it was awful and amazing. Another thing that particularly blessed me was this quilt that young students had made and sent to the firefighters and on each square it said "Somewhere today someone is..." and the children finished the sentence. The goal was to show that life can grow and continue even after extreme loss. The children finished with things like... planting a garden, giving someone a kiss, etc. I never cease to be amazed at children's vulnerability, hope, and life. Can't wait for some of my own :)

We also biked Central park, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, ate homemade ice cream, ordered take-in (so fun!), saw the Statue of Liberty, bought food from street vendors--worst churro and pretzel I have ever had, but also the best gyro I have ever had-- and ate pizza at Patsy's, a place that Frank Sinatra frequented and loved so much that he would have pizzas from there flown in to Las Vegas. We ate at S'Mac, a mac and cheese place that serves various gourmet kinds of the comfort food, stopped at Max Brenner's chocolate store but couldn't handle it at the moment (I WILL be going back) and visited the famous Strand Bookstore known for 18 miles of books.

Needless to say, we had a wonderful time together and created many precious memories. Although Bob liked NYmore than he thought he would, I think he has become a Georgia boy. On day 2 he already missed the water and the trees and was ready to go home by day 3. When he got home, he mentioned how much cleaner he feels and how he can breathe better. I am getting ready to be back in nature as well, although I have a bit more shopping to do :)