Avenue Q... and 5th.... and Madison...

I love New York! I had the best time. Rather than go into unnecessary detail, here's a smattering of my fabulous trip...

Thursday: Landed in NYC and, I kid you not, I started singing showtunes outloud as soon as I got in Manhattan. The day was cold and rainy, but Christine took me around and we went through SoHo and the lower east side. That night, we saw "Sweeney Todd" - it was interesting. I am extremely familiar with the show and wanted to see an elaborate set and fantastic singing. I heard the fantastic singing (Patti Lupone, how wonderful!), but the setting was blah. The director made some interesting choices - there was no chorus and there was no orchestra. The main actors sang everything and played the intstruments themselves. Watching Patti Lupone play the tuba and other actors playing the cello, pianos, drums, etc. became more interesting than watching those acting and singing at the moment. I had some issues with it, but that's because it was different. The talent, however, was fabulous. That night, I got maybe 7 hours of sleep.

Friday: Woke up early to explore. I explored, however, in the cold and constant rain (hence my present sore throat). I watched GMA and the Today Show (I saw Katie Couric yawning), discovered Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Tiffany's and other 5th Avenue things. I loved it! I loved seeing the pedestrians, the cabs, the horns honking, the people wearing wacky clothes, the immense number of little dogs being carried in bags (and walking around in department stores). After returning home (2.5 hours of walking later), I picked up Christine (she was sleeping in) and we walked around in the cold some more. Macy's is amazing - it is 8 stories high and has a Starbucks, McDonalds, and more... plus it sports wooden escalators! I saw Ground Zero (taking pictures, of course) and was introduced to New York Pizza, Tasty Di-light, hotdog street vendors, and more (I ate a lot and walked a lot). That night, I went to a bar with Christine and made a friend in New Jersey. After the bar (in which I stupidly wore 4 inch heels), we walked all around Manhattan - we went to dinner in Times Square, went bar-hopping and exploring the night life. Friday night was one of the best nights I've ever had. The company was fantastic and the evening was full of laughter and excitement.

Saturday: Christine and I went running along the Hudson (although my feet were in much pain). We stood in line for tickets to see "Spamalot" that night (and got them), then shopped some more - I have a cashmere substance abuse problem. Afterwards we went to a favorite bar of Christine's to watch the UT game (for her) and the LSU game (for me). At halftime, I decided to go shopping again. I bought nothing, but went to Bloomingdale's and Barneys. My first celebrity sighting was Christine Applegate at Barney's. I was trying on $400 hats for the fun of it and she came right next to me and started doing the same thing (although she was probably going to buy the hats). She is tiny!!! Later, Christine and I met to go see "Spamalot" - it was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't relate how wonderful it was and I wished I saw it Friday also. Tim Curry and David Hyde Pierce and Alan Tudyck and Sara Rameriz were astounding and hilarious. Afterwards, I stood outside the stage exit door with other audience members and waited for the actors to come out. David, Alan and Sara came out and signed Playbills. They signed my poster and David took a photo with me! I was so excited and I'll post the pictures when I get them developed.

Sunday was bittersweet because I was to leave. Christine and I went to a traditional diner for breakfast - I wanted my bagel with lox and cream cheese. I kid you not, the diner cook gave me a slab of cream cheese for my bagel. A huge square block. And it was fabulous. Then we ate cupcakes from Crumb and walked around Central Park, which is absolutely beautiful.

Basically, I had a wonderful trip and have now decided that I will be moving to New York. I am going to finish out this year at my school and also next year in order to save money and get an extra year of experience, but then I will be off to New York!!!! I am a city girl, and NY was everything and more I expected. I can see myself there.