the city

here comes the sun.

 I love going to New York City....have been many times...and am always dazzled by the energy and the lights.  As I said earlier this week, my best friend (as in...we've been friends since kindergarden!) came to visit us in upstate New York and the two of us made a quick jaunt into the City. 

Left our place at 3am on Saturday...stayed a night in Times Square...and returned the following day at midnight.  We were exhausted...but managed to be super tourists and saw loads of the major sites.  We did the double decker tour bus thing...so worth the money...such a great way to see it all in a short amount of time. 

I like being a tourist and doing touristy things.  And I also appreciate doing what the locals do.  When I used to go into NYC I'd stay with friends or family in their adorable little upper east side apartments...and go to their fave restaurants and bars...and blend in.  Super fun way to go.

I have come to realize that I regret not making New York City my home for a spell.   Has there been a place you've always wanted to live in?

The 9/11 Memorial.  I wept.  The whole time. 

a warm treat in central park

the Carnegie Deli's famous pickles...photographing food is kinda fun.

central park is such a special treasure.

jewels of the city

lights and action in Times Square

I love my picture of the Brooklyn Bridge!  (I went across it for the first time this trip...found it terrifying.)

the Met is probably one of my favorite places on Earth.

Disappearing act

Outside the hotel conference center.

bone saw workshop - inside the hotel conference center.

I have been somewhat of an invisible presence on this blog these past few weeks.  I haven't just been away from the blog, but I've been away from home to boot!  It has been non stop go go go - living out of suitcases - kissing my loves good bye and eating lots of restaurant food.

toured a pretty plantation in Georgia

watched my belly expand while I was working at the lab those two weeks! (this is 21 weeks!)

Spent a week in Florida on the gulf coast at a surgical conference - the the next weekend I moved to Atlanta for a couple weeks for a training fellowship opportunity - then four days after my return from that my childhood BFF flew to NY and the two of us spent the weekend adventuring in NYC! Now I am exhausted and ready to be a homebody for a while. Fortunately the fun came to us this weekend - as my aunt and uncle from Seattle came to visit for the weekend - and it was so delightful! (pictures from our glorious fall to follow...I promise!)

I love the City.  I just love it.

at Carnegie Deli.  (a little too intense for me...but it was a fun experience none the less!)

All this travel reminded me how fun it was to be free to do whatever. I did a lot of exploring and traveling and adventuring as a single gal...it was a blast! And god bless my husband for giving me the opportunity to do these wonderful things recently - what a champ!  No matter how much fun I have on these trips there is never anything so blissful as walking into the arms of my husband and daughter upon my arrival back home. It is the best part of my every work day too. That sigh of relief to know that we are all together... Blessed.

on our road trip...just outside of Ashville...so beautiful.

*On a side note - I made a pumpkin pie milkshake tonight. I wanted to bathe in it is was so good! Tommy thought it was disgusting - hahaha - pumpkin can do no wrong in my book this time of year!

coca cola tears

I toured the World of Coca Cola in Atlanta this afternoon.  Coca-Cola is my favorite soda.  Even when I hear stories that a can of coke can erode the lining of my stomach...take the rust off of a penny...and turn a nail into mush...I still drink the stuff occasionally (and love it when I do!)

But get this...

I got all misty eyed walking into the museum.  A museum about soda.  A beverage.  As I was wiping tears away I kept thinking:  "what the #&$@ is wrong with you?!  THIS IS A SODA!  Pull it together!"  I continued to have little "moments" throughout the museum...haha...at the viewing of international commercials exhibit...in the vault gallery talking about the history of the product...randomly amidst the beautiful displays of historic memorabilia.  Geez....talk about pregnancy hormones turning me into an emotional nut job!

the tasting selection from AFRICA!

my FAVORITE of all of the flavors...and yes I tried all 60...this one was from Peru!

The museum has a tasting room which was amazing.  Over 60 different beverages from around the world!  BRILLIANT!   (FYI, my favorite soda flavor was from Peru, called Inca Kola...it was amazing! And the nastiest sickest most disgusting soda I've ever tasted was from Italy, called Beverly.)

The whole thing was such a treat.  Totally recommend the experience.  And I would bet $100 that you don't cry!

 (I also went to the Georgia Aquarium next door...it's the largest aquarium in the world...and extremely awesome - and extremely crazy crowded!  I got emotional there too...during the dolphin show.  But that's not unusual for me...I've never seen a dolphin or whale show that didn't get me choked up.  What a sap.)

fish from the Amazon...so beautiful!

 a sea dragon!