We literally picked up right we left off in grade school. Josh asked me if I was nervous about staying with her since it had been so long, but oddly enough I wasn't nervous a bit. I knew everything would be great, because Paula is just one of those people. We had the best time and I am forever changed because of her and I just hope that I have brought her as much joy to her life that she has brought to mine. She is such a positive human being that radiates to everyone she meets. She's a true beauty inside and out. I know that she truly wants the best for me and is truly happy for me in every aspect of my life.
I had what you could call a rocky growing up with friends and I thought that I had been scarred for life. I was very hesitant to trust people, because I had been hurt so bad and I didn't want to go through that again. I thought that it was me and I wasn't good enough, but what I have now found is that it is not me, but who I decide to surround myself with. There are people and friends out there who truly love me and want the best for me. I feel like myself again and cannot thank all my friends out there who have been there for me and loved me for me. I am so grateful for all of you.
Now on to the fun stuff! After a slight flight delay I was on my way to NYC by late morning and I arrived around 5pm.
Right when I got there we relaxed on her bed and spilled our guts to one another for about 3 hours. So theraputic!! After that we got ready for a night on the town. We went to dinner at a restaurant called Aria and it was probably one of my favorite places that we ate while there. We got a few small plates of oysters, mussels, lobster risotto, lobster salad, tortellini, and truffel mac & cheese. Of course we started the meal with a bottle of champagne followed by a bottle of Rose. We then ventured off to a Moroccan Restaurant/Bar and then to a club for a little dancing and more champange and finished off the night at Blue Haven, Paula's favorite dive bar right next to her apt. It was a fabulous night!!
The next day I got up to catch my ferry ride out to see the Statue of Liberty. I was very proud of myself, hailed my own cabs, gave directions and got to my ferry in time. I had a blast riding out to see Lady Liberty with the rest of the tourists, except I was the one taking selfies the entire time:). It was such a fun experience seeing something so pertinent to American History. I got to go up into the pedastal and take a couple selfies, eat lunch while over looking the ocean and city skyline, and grab a keepsake for my mother.
The ferry did stop at Ellis Island, but I chose to stay on the ferry and save it for my next trip with family. I know my mom and Josh are really looking forward to me being their tour guide the next time I go out there, so I need to save a few things for them. I did, however, venture off in the city by myself a little bit where I stopped at Wall Street. I deemed that necessary since I am a banker and all. :)
That evening we got ready and ate at Mary's Fish Camp. It was once again sooo delicious! It was a very small corner joint where you could see the kitchen, dishwasher, and bartender all at the same time. New York reminds me so much of Italy, so many restaurants everywhere you look, sidewalk table seating, and the small, dive places are always the best! We took it easy that night and went to a karaoke bar for a drink, then stopped at Artichoke for some pizza by the slice. We finished the night watching a little Jimmy Falon and off to bed.
The next morning we got up for our Trapeze School! This was probably one of the highlights of my trip. I was so nervous that I was going to be terrible and the "worst kid in the class", but surprisingly enough I wasn't too bad. We started out with a couple basic tricks and eventually went on to do catches. It was on top of a building so we got a fabulous view of the New York City skyline the entire morning. It turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day!
Following Trapeze school we grabbed a quick juice then off the the Union Square Greenmarket to meet one of Paula's good friends. He is a very talented chef (he was on the TV show America's Next Great Restaurant on NBC) and so graciously offered to cook us dinner that evening. As everyone knows I am typically a red meat and potatoes type of girl, but this dinner was going to inspired by whatever peaked our interest at the market. And oddly enough we did not choose any meat.
The meal was so so good. We started the meal off with blistered shishitos w/ honey & toasted sesame seeds. It was followed up with roasted purple carrots, parsnips & fingerling potatoes with thyme & lemon; cauliflower-chickpea stew; and quinoa w/ ginger, peas & carrots. Soooo yummy!
We finished the night drinking wine (lots of it) and small living room dance party. I also need to mention the rooftop of his apartment {amazing}. The view of the city was incredible and it was beautiful night to be on the roof!
The next morning we were a little slow getting around and slept right through as a matter of fact. We went to lunch at Lupa! right across the street from Paula's apartment. It is owned by Mario Batali and once again the food was amazing! We started off with some prosciutto and sparkling wine (yes it was at lunch) and Paula got the carbonara and I got some pasta with red sauce. I thought I had hit the jackpot with my meal until I tried Paula's and that stuff was melt in your mouth tasty! It was so good it inspired me to make it Sunday night for my family as my first meal back.
We then took a cab and went to my last tourist destination which was the 9/11 Memorial. I cannot even begin to express the emotions that were felt once we got there. I was sad, grateful, thankful, humble, honored, and overwhelmed all at the same time. So much had happened at that very spot on the never forgotten day of 9/11. Once I got up to the memorial and saw all the names of everyone who had lost their lives that day it immediately hit me. I knew there were so many lives lost that day, but it really hit home once I saw all the names spelled out right in front of me. I am at a loss for words trying to express my feeling while we were there. It was a very somber place. There were white roses placed in some of the names. It was incredible to go to the place that has had and is still impacting our country. I am so thankful for the country we live in and will always remember the bravery of those who lost their lives at that very spot.
After the very emotional visit to the memorial we needed a retail therapy. So we headed to Soho! It was so fun to see all the stores that are in NYC as compared to Iowa...my favorite was by far Bloomingdales. I got the kids a little something, Josh a little something, and myself a little something:). Our last stop was to the Mac store, where Paula's roommate Tini manages. She was so nice to give me a small makeover and I also picked up some things to keep me beautified once I got home.
Our last and final stop of the trip was out to dinner at the newly opened restaurant of Bobby Flay's called Gato. Let me tell you, Paula kicks a$$ at getting us in places. They were supposed to be booked until 1030, but naturally she sweet talked the host into getting us in right away.....SMOOTH! We shared a bottle of wine, had some started of lamb tenderloin, mussel & clam salad, and a tuna stuff pepper. Then for my main course I got Charred Beef and crab rissotto and Paula got the scrambled eggs (which is what the restaurant is known for) and crispy potatoes.
At dinner I kept thinking to myself how grateful I was for the trip and Paula. She is just rock solid and I am so happy to have her back in my life. Now that she is here I am never letting her leave again! :) She is an incredible woman and I am lucky enough to call her my friend.
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