Let's Go Explore. Explore. Explore.

It's spring break, and I've pretty much only done two things:

1. Read in coffee shops and bakeries
2. Wander, often aimlessly, around New York City

I'd say that in the last week or so, I've probably walked at least a half marathon if not a full marathon. It's starting to get sunny out, and that pretty much only means one thing: Exploring. Everywhere. Mostly the Upper West Side.

On Saturday, I walked down through the Upper West Side to Central Park. I apparently forgot that my camera was capable of taking pictures for a while. I then met up with Jungle K and some of her friends down in Union Square for some delicious upscale dining hall food at Vapiano. Yum! Then we wandered around Greenwich Village and SoHo for some people-watching and sightseeing. The highlight of this trip was, of course, Washington Square Park:

Sand art in Washington Square Park

Random piano player in the (empty) fountain of Washington Square Park

On Sunday, I walked down the Upper West Side again to check out one of the biggest flea markets in NYC, Greenflea. Miss M recommended this market to me a few weeks ago, and I've been dying to check it out. Every Sunday from 10 am - 5:30 pm (6 in the summer) on Columbus between 76th and 77th Streets, The Parents Association of PS 87 hosts the market to raise funds for the school. Education AND thrifting? I'm IN. There were a ton of delectable treats and fun finds. I didn't buy anything (except a samosa because they're irresistible), but I definitely want to go back. What a fabulous find! Then I sat in Magnolia Bakery with a latte, a White Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and a good book.

Before heading back uptown, and taking in the view of course.

The Cathedral never ceases to amaze me.

Random Peacock on the Cathedral grounds. What the heck? Not complaining.

Today and Monday I made my gym trips into mini walking trips as well, finding some more fun things to photograph in the Upper West Side.

An ad that made me cry. No big deal.

I will seriously give money to whoever can tell me what these creatures are.

This whole thing made me really realize just how marvelous this city is. Where else can you just wander like this? While on these adventures, I also saw Lin-Manuel Miranda, writer and star of In The Heights. It's been a pretty fabulous week. It's a shame that the second half of it must be spent in the library.

Anyone else go on safari this week?

It's Christmas Time in the City

Christmas in NYC is legendary. I must admit, I was a little worried it wouldn't live up to its hype. I was even MORE worried I wouldn't have time to see anything because I'd be hauled up in a library for the entire Thanksgiving to Christmas interim. But I found some time to explore, and here is what I saw (All photos mine unless otherwise noted):

Central Park Skating

One of my best friends from undergrad came to visit the weekend after Thanksgiving, and her family took on me on my first tour of NYC Christmas. We started at the Wollman Ice Skating Rink in Central Park. It was so picturesque!

Please play the Charlie Brown song in your head

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of US skating, but you can see how many people were down there! After we were done, we walked through Midtown and ate at an Irish Pub near Madison Square Garden. I then met some friends for some more holiday/birthday cheer. It was a great day!

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Some of you may know that I saw the tree as it was en route to Rockefeller - on an 18 wheeler driving down Amsterdam with a police cavalcade at 11:00 at night! A few days later on my way to watch a Gators game, I saw the tree with all of its scaffolding at the Rock but no lights. I watched the lighting on TV and counted down the minutes until I could see it. We walked near it on our previously-mentioned adventure through Midtown - I could tell by the crowds - but we didn't get close enough to see it.

So on my fake solo Christmas, I left a little early to see Elf on Broadway and took the D train to Rockefeller Center. After I got lost in the concourse, I ended up coming out of the door I've seen a million times on my favorite show.

What do we want? To bring you sandwiches!

When do we want it? Whenever would be convenient for you!

(Source - Mind Grapes Vineyard)

I turned to my left and there it was, right behind the two-block-long line for PaulFest on SNL - the treeeeee!

Now I'm sure y'all have seen pictures of it before; maybe you've seen it on TV. But unless you have seen this 75-foot beauty in person, you can't even imagine its splendor. It's just magnificent. They even switched out the 30 Rock flags for the festivities!

Elf the Musical

After seeing the tree, I made my way over to Times Square to see the limited engagement of Elf on Broadway! Now, Elf is my favorite Christmas movie. Period.

I'm singing! I'm on your blog and I'm singing!

(Source - Halloween Landing Zone)

So needless to say, I was a little worried about the Broadway adaptation. But with its resume, I was reassured: Directed and choreographed by the man who brought us the Drowsy Chaperone and the Highland fling of Spamalot, gorgeous sets by the man who designed a million buildings and the sets for Legally Blonde and Hairspray, music and lyrics by the team responsible for The Wedding Singer, and costumes by a man with both Broadway (Legally Blonde, Drowsy Chaperone) and Christmas (Radio City Christmas Spectacular) experience. Alright! I will see it. By myself because no one else wanted to go. And you know what I thought?

This critic was spot on. It was ridiculous and nonsensical. The lead, Sebastian Arcelus, didn't try to be Will Ferrell - he was his own endearingly goofy Buddy the Elf. Every cast member was brilliant. The sets, costumes and music were fabulous. I loved the use of technology. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. But it was great fun. I loved every minute of it. Perfect for kids of all ages!

We're singing! Concrete Jane liked us on Broadway and now we're singing!

(Source - Elle Girl)

(And yes, that IS Norm from Cheers as Santa up there. WIN!)

Snow on College Walk

The minute I finished my final final, it started to snow. And not just flurry, but actually snow. Not enough that it obstructed anything, and it didn't even last very long. But the important thing was, I ended my holiday celebration in NYC by frolicking in the snow with my roommate (let's call her Roomie V).

Our romantic walk down College Walk

Low Library all lit up and snowy!

Frolicking! Roomie V says I look like a gingerbread man

Overall, I was happy to have checked so many things off my holiday to-do list. There are still so many things to do in the next few years, including the Rockette Christmas show and some kind of public Hanukkah ceremony. For my first year, I think I did pretty darn well - especially considering I aced all of my finals in the midst of this (Thanks, finals survival team!).

Does your neighborhood do anything special for the holidays? Have you added any new location-based traditions this year?

Guys... Where Are We?

Living near Columbia, it's really easy to forget you actually live in one of the biggest, busiest cities in the world. I know that's kind of silly. It's clearly Manhattan. I look outside my window and see big buildings and yellow taxis. I walk five blocks in either direction and I hit a subway stop. But I'm serious - it's easy to sink into college mode and forget to enjoy the wonders of the city.

Yesterday was the first time I left my neighborhood in a week. Sure, I've been wandering around roughly a 20-block radius, but until yesterday, I hadn't gotten on the subway and gone anywhere for a looong time, which is why I haven't been blogging lately. Nothing to say, and nothing to show. And let me tell you, I had cabin fever. But I've had so much work to do and so many errands to run and so many people to catch up with. But yesterday, I simply refused.

I woke up early, finished my five page paper (welcome to the first week of grad school), ran a few errands, and hopped on the subway to the Upper West Side. After a few glasses of wine on Jungle M's rooftop, we followed a friend a few blocks away to a tiny Thai restaurant for late night spring rolls and drunken noodles. Then we went our separate ways - the boys to their nearby Fordham Law dorms, and Jungle M and I back to her studio apartment to watch 30 Rock and PTFO. And right before I fell asleep on an air mattress on the floor of one of my oldest friends, I thought, "this right here, is New York City."

Sure, you can drink beer at a friends house anywhere you live. But can you do it on a rooftop overlooking Central Park?

Not our view exactly but pretty close

Source - Oyster Travel Guides

So I decided last night that starting today, I will do something to make me appreciate the beautiful city in which I live every single day. And if you know the right Twitter accounts to follow, you know that there are a million things going on in this city every single day. And so many of them are free! Now, obviously there are going to be days where I can't just take in a Broadway show. But even if the only thing I have time to do is walk down to The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, or grab an apple turnover at the Hungarian Pastry Shop, or just sit on the quad of Columbia's campus and take in the magnificent, ancient buildings, that's okay.

So what's up first? Tonight, Jungle M and I are taking in one of the Metropolitan Opera's free outdoor screenings. Because why not?