#momtakesmanhattan

When I moved to New York City, my parents and I parted with the understanding that they would come visit me as soon as I was in a show.  Optimistically, I flew off to the NYC and started my torrid, beautiful #nycloveaffair, but never was in a show for them to come see.  So they never came and saw.  And we really didn't talk about it again. 

 

Probably for the last two years, I have been thinking, "I really just want my mom and dad to come visit." And I would do things that I would think, "When Mom and Dad come, I want to take them here."  But I never said anything about it, strangely.

 

Then, two weeks before I moved, my mom called me on a Friday and said, "I can't believe we let three years go by without coming to see you in New York.  I'll never forgive myself if I don't try.  Can I come visit next week?" 

 

YES!  YES, YOU CAN!

 

So three days later, Naomi arrived.  Shout out to my awesome boss, Edward Kang, for letting me off for the afternoon to go get a 77 year old woman who would otherwise be hanging out by herself at La Guardia airport, waiting for me.  When asked how she wanted to get to my apartment, she, of course, chose the bus.  For the experience of it all.  She crazy. But ride the bus we did!

 

 

That night we just took a little walk in Central Park, and then hung out at home.  But the next day was a full one!  9/11 Memorial, lunch at Nanoosh, a session at the temple, ice cream at Ample Hills Creamery, and Wicked.  Mom has never seen Wicked, claiming she wanted to wait until I was in the show to see it for the first time.  (Sorry, Mom!)  Anyway, it was so fun because she LOVED it.  And I loved watching her love it! Admittedly, although I thoroughly enjoyed myself as well, seeing it for the third time, it was a little bittersweet.  I don't know what the future holds, at all.  But the fact that I knew I was moving made me wonder if I was also moving away from certain goals I have always had.  I don't know the answer to that yet.  And that's OK.  But I had a moment or two during the show that were a little rough for me.  But I'm so glad we went!

 

 

 

After the show Mom wanted to walk through Times Square.  At 10pm.  Again, she crazy.  But we did it.  And all the crazies were out, like I knew they would be.  I felt very protective of my mother in those moments, wanting to shield her from some of the worst parts of humanity, in my opinion.  At least those parts that inhabit Times Square.  But she wanted to see Times Square...

 

Wednesday was more low-key as I had to work in the morning.  But in the afternoon, Mom came with me to my friend's place for a practice session.  Steve plays the piano, I sing, it works.  And Mom was in heaven listening to her baby girl.  (That's me).  I'm lucky I have a mom who actually wants to hear me sing enough that something like that would be appealing for her, because I sure needed to make it happen before I left.

 

 

That night we picked up a quick dinner at Cosi, one of my favorite places, and headed off on a city lights sunset cruise.  It was stunning!  We started on the Hudson around 45th street, then went down around the tip of Manhattan, under all the bridges, and up the East River to about midtown on the east side.  Then took a little detour to sail around the Statue of Liberty after the sun went down.  And of course my phone died, so I don't have the best pictures.  But we loved every minute!

 

 

 

 

 

The night ended with Schmackery.  Naturally. 

 

 

Thursday was another whirlwind as Mom was flying out that afternoon.  But we hit the important things: the Highline (definitely one of the places I have been wanting to take her, and it was SO worth it.  She loved it!  Score!), St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Levain Bakery, OF COURSE.

 

 

Then I sent her off in a taxi to the airport, because there was no way I was letting her loose on the bus system by herself. 

 

Aaaannnnddd a few hours later, she was back at my place, after a cancelled flight.  A bummer to spend some useless hours in the airport, but I was so glad she was still here and not stuck on a layover. At least she could come back and spend the night with me again. 

 

 

The next day she was off in a taxi to the airport again, and left for real. It was such a great visit.  I was so happy to have my mom come!  And she was a total trooper, taking the train everywhere with me, and walking for days.  I couldn't believe it.  AND she climbed the stairs to my apartment as many times as necessary.  She amazes me.  The only thing I would have shifted if I could was to have her here over a Sunday so she could come to church with me.  I would have loved to have shown her off to my friends there.  And she would have enjoyed them as well.

 

I think Mom successfully took Manhattan.  Naomi's trip to NYC was a win for the books!

The Not So Lazy Days Of August

August continued to be busy!  I loved it, seeing as how I knew my days in the city were numbered.  That's covered in a later post. :-) 

Yet another beach day, this time a day trip to some beach in Rhode Island (I can't remember the name).  It was a really nice day to just hang out with some friends.

 

 

 

And sometimes the road workers need to entertain themselves.  So they make people.  It's fine.

 

 

 

Mala.  My girl.  We tried so hard to take a serious picture, but there was just no way that was going to happen.

 

 

Turns out, the sunsets are pretty awesome in the RI. 

 

A trip out to Governors Island for the Jazz Age Festival.  I really didn't take any pictures, but aren't Tamara and I cute?  It was a lovely afternoon sitting on a picnic blanket listening to a 1920's jazz band play all the hits from many years before my birth.  And the people watching was great.  Definitely an event I wanted to go to again before moving.

 

 

Sometimes I just need my people with me on a Sunday evening, so I plan a potluck.  Most had left by this time, but the rest were forced to document the moment.  I found a great tribe here.  Really. 

 

 

 

So, a straight Mormon girl walks into a gay country western bar with five gay Mormon boys....

 

 

 

It must be Rance's birthday!  This boy.  I sure love him.

 

 

I took myself on a date to see my friend Scott in an outdoor production of Measure For Measure.  The requisite Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory treat was a must, with the Bridge in the background while I waited for the play to begin.  What a fun evening, celebrating a friend's talent and Shakespeare done in a creative, innovative way. 

I am fully aware that sometimes I write really great, witty, or thoughtful posts.  And then sometimes they are more like lists of stuff I did, and I have no creative juice or energy to pour into a great post.  Sorry about it. 

 

Allison Came! And Other Happenings Of Early August.

I got back to the NYC after my too-short, lovely vacation and August came; weird how that happens. The first thing was a goodbye dinner for my good friend David.  It was held at Momofuku.  There were copious amounts of food, and definitely items on the set menu that I didn't need in my life.  But everything else was amazing, and it was great to be with some good friends. 

Saturday happened and so did a Broadway show!  I needed some theater in my life, so Mel and I went and saw An American In Paris.  It was a beautiful show.  One of those shows that I am totally not right for in any way, so I could just sit back and enjoy without critically thinking about how to get an audition for it. :-)

Allison came!  Allison came!  

 

 

To visit me, that is.  They just moved to Virginia, and so she made the trek and I was so glad.  We had a great few days.  I took her to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, of course, and across the Brooklyn Bridge.  And, I'm sorry.  This view will NEVER get old.  I'm amazed every time that I live here.  So I'm actually no sorry.

 (Just trying to get good at the panorama view on my phone.  You know.)

We did the Staten Island ferry, 

Central Park, and Shake Shack with David since it was his last day in the city.  He's been a big part of the last year for me, and I'll miss his crazy.  

 

I had to work some, so Allison and I just did a lot of hanging out at my place too.  It was very low key, but a really great visit.  I sure love that one.

I just love really, really good subway performers.  So much.

 

Jennifer is getting married!!!!!

This isn't my building, but it's on my street.  I love this place.  

Getting Back To Our Roots In Nauvoo

For the last week of July, I was in Nauvoo with my family.  I know I've talked a lot about how great my family is.  I look forward to our reunions every year; they are a highlight.  I just...like them.  A lot.  

I have never really been to Nauvoo, so this was a first for me.  I can't really even begin to describe every moment, but I'll give a run down: 

Saturday: 

I flew to St. Louis, and just happened to sit next to the largest man I have ever sat by, who also happened to be one of the New England Patriots.  You know, the football team who won the Super Bowl this year.  It was a hysterical experience, since he is the age of my niece Jennifer (24) but still made his attraction clear.  Hey, I was definitely not complaining; don't judge. ;-)

We actually a great chat, and he was a very nice guy. A fun combination between a farm boy, southern gentleman, and a frat brother. Try to picture that, will you?

I met my parents AKA my travel buddies, at the airport, and we headed toward Nauvoo.

Sunday: 

Church, naturally

Carthage

Dinner

Show put on by the performing missionaries, or something.

Trail of Hope

Turns out, there's a lot of us.

Monday: 

Riding Reunion Shirt Day!

Morning: Wagon ride 

Afternoon: Wandering around the city like some big amoeba, ever ebbing and flowing, going to the different historical sites all over the historical district.

Buffet dinner at the Hotel Nauvoo

Mission reports from Josh, Jen, and Ally- I am inspired by the three oldest grandchildren in our family.  They are amazing, and I'm so proud to call them mine.  How they have all grown in the last few years as they have served their missions is astounding.  It was awesome to hear and see, all week. #proudaunt

Truth be told, I started the day with a little run down to the river.  This is the spot where the pioneers crossed the Missouri when they were being pushed out of Nauvoo, including some of my ancestors.  It was very sobering, and sacred, to be there. I needed a minute by myself.  Fair warning: there are a lot of pictures of the river.  Just be OK with it.

The Women's Garden.  

Alma 37:37- Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and He will direct thee for good...

Selfies with Eva always make me laugh so hard.  Rachel joined in on a few, and there are so many more of these than I am posting!

Lunch with these crazies.

These cute girls discovered the dress up clothes.

And Elissa got herself a bonnet, and I wanted to eat her.  Really. (Sidenote: How is it, when we discuss the cuteness of children, our descriptions turn to violent images?  I know I'm not the only one.  Just a thought).

I can't decide which of these photos I like better...

I got schooled by my sister.  It's fine.

Tuesday

Morning: Temple for the adults

Lunch and Annie's Custard. (I mean...)

Afternoon: A little more wandering in the historical district

Temple for teens and parents

Christmas in Nauvoo for the kids, put on by Becca/Dave, Mike/Sarah, and me.  And by that I mean, I did nothing but show up. They picked out little gifts for each other, and had a "snowball fight" with jumbo marshmallows.

Nauvoo Pageant

There is a very sacred feeling here.  Even among temples I have been to, it is different.

My absolute favorites in the world.

My kids, all grown up.

Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum Smith's burial sites.  

The Smith family cemetary, with that view again.

Grandpa telling a Jack story, of course. Tradition.

Wednesday: 

Morning: TREK. (Oh, and another chance to wear the cool shirts Becca designed.  We got asked about them all over town.  We were the envy of Nauvoo. :-)  Not kidding.)

Pioneer cemetary.  Another very sacred place, where we stopped to hear some family history from Dad.

Afternoon: We finally just gathered in bits and pieces and hung out.  It was exactly what we wanted to do.  Some people went and did a few things and then came over to the gathering place later.  But really, we just wanted to connect with each other and spend some quality time with each other, Riding style.  Meaning, sit around and chat, some of the kids played ultimate frisbee with the uncles, some swam, and a lot of us did a lot of sitting and staring at the amazing view over the Missouri River.  It was heaven, a little bit.

That afternoon Layne also let us know how he is doing with his journey with cancer.  It was heart-rending, since he is obviously near the end.  I think I have been in his presence for the last time in this life.  Though I am saddened by it, I do know we are an eternal family, and I'm so grateful.  I'm grateful that Layne has been and is a part of our family.  To hear his testimony and see his faith was something I will never forget.  

Going to the British Pageant finished out the night, and served as our final activity together.

Jacob and Rachel, definitely equally yoked, I would say, and ready to go.

Ah, Lucy Loo.  This encapsulates your personality better than anything I've ever seen.  And it makes me so happy and laugh so hard, just like you.

Eva and Lucy, earning their keep by cleaning the handcart wheels.  You missed a spot, ladies.

Letters to our current missionaries, Chris, Ethan and Tristan.

These guys made it all possible.  In thanks for that, I made them do a pensive, off into the distance shot.  You know, the kind Dad used to make us take sometimes when out hiking or something.  From some overlook.  Thanks, guys!

Thursday:

My parents and I and Mike and fam headed to Hannibal, MO to pay homage to Mark Twain, which meant we went on a riverboat cruise to learn about him.  Mr. Twain, I salute you.  

Back to St. Louis

Gateway Arch

Ted Drewes with Mike, ah yes.  That happened.

Last shot of the incredible view.

I wouldn't even include this picture, because it's horrible of me.  But I just think it's so funny. And it's with my dad, so sometimes you just have to make sacrifices for the memory.  Ah, vanity.

Shaved ice? Yes, thank you.

This darling boy loved the Arch.  I, for one, realized I'm a little more claustrophobic than I ever thought.  I was very relieved to get onto the ground again.

It is pretty cool, though, I have to say.

Friday:

A little bit of the St. Louis Botanical Garden.  

Nice job, St. Louis.  Who knew you were so awesome?

Unfortunately for me, that was the end of my voyage.  

I mean, seriously.  She's a flower.

More selfies with Eva.  Not sorry about it.

Lincoln and Sam, discovering the magic of the green screen.

I arrived home, tired and happy.  Needing a vacation after my vacation, as usual. And missing my family already.  It's a good thing I'll see some of them in September at a certain wedding...

Now that's going to be a good blog post.