Just wanted to update you on my fabulous NYC getaway!Had no trouble getting into NYC Wednesday. Caught the M60 bus and rode it to 116th, where Lauren was waiting for me. She took me to the subway and we rode uptown to 157th to her new apartment, which is SO much more spacious than her previous apartment on 105th. Even though things were still not put away, as she just got in the weekend before I came. It has a view of the Hudson River from the living room. The kitchen is small, but has it's own washer and dryer. Lots of closet space for storage. And a BEDROOM!
I put my bags away, then we walked up to 168th where the Columbia Medical Center is located. How impressive is that?! Lauren is at a renowned school associated with a noteworthy hospital. She is getting excited...She can actually walk to school daily (10 blocks) or take a bus on rainy, snowy days. It was very impressive.
Next, we took the subway to the Bronx, to the only Target in NYC. We bought shelving paper and household supplies. We brought our stuff back to 157th. We worked a couple hours covering shelves but ran out or paper. We met up with Scott who was doing a reading downtown that afternoon. He suggested a BBQ restaurant in West Harlem for dinner. It was fabulous. After dinner, we went back to the former apartment, on 105th, and brought back some items left over from the move last weekend. And that was all on the first day here.
Thursday, Lauren and I got up early to make an appointment on 37th and Broadway to see bridal gowns. We took the subway from 157th to 42nd. As we were a bit early for the 8:30 appointment, we hit Starbucks for a brew. The first shop was very small, but carried a brand which Lauren happened to like. She tried on one style, which really flattered her, but as she hadn't looked that much, she took the number of the dress and a card from the lady, and we moved on to the next dress shop. This shop was much bigger and carried lots of merchandise. As it was a weekday, it wasn't as crazy as the last time Lauren had attempted to shop there, when it took over 1.5 hours just to get waited on that time. Lauren must've tried on 10 dresses, until she tried on "the" one dress which so flattered her, there was an "Ahhh!" moment! They recorded the style number and color for us. We would be back tomorrow to show the bridesmaids. We were successful!!
We left there feeling elated over our success. We stopped for a salad lunch, working our way back uptown. We stopped at a Bed Bath and Beyond for more shelving paper and supplies. Another subway ride up toe 157th to unload our supplies. We then went uptown to Dyckman (near 204th) to meet up with 3 of Lauren's coworkers. One coworker, Amy, just moved into her new apartment and the girls wanted to see it. So we viewed her apartment, and at her suggestion, tried a Mexican restaurant, blocks from her apartment. Scott met us there, after an audition. We had some fabulous Mexican food. Another fabulous NYC restaurant! Back on the subway to 157th and another day in NYC is over.
Friday, the rains came along with a chill in the air. Lauren and I were to meet two bridesmaids, Amy (with the new apartment) and Jamalyn (Lauren's old roommate from U of Mn). Lauren tried on her dress for them. As she was modeling it, another customer asked to try on that dress (a compliment to Lauren, I would think!) Finding one dress to compliment 6 different figure types is another story. Lauren has a definite color in mind for these dresses which narrows the options. She also thought she wanted a shorter dress, which further limited the options. Having tried on a multitude of styles, they came to a tentative consensus on one dress, long, but in the color Lauren so wants. Before we left, we put a down payment for the bridal dress. Lauren is relieved to have found "the" dress, priced very reasonably, and most flattering to her, before she starts school and gets so buried in homework that she's unable to make time for such pursuits. I treated the girls to lunch (Chinese- Another wonderful NYC dining experience!) and we parted ways. As it was rainy and cold, we rode the subway back to the apartment and busied ourselves putting things away. I went back to lining shelves and completed that task, so Lauren could put her kitchen in order. Lauren, Scott and I went for burgers on 105th and Broadway. The weather was testy that day but the food and the experience were great.
Today, Saturday, is the most glorious day in NYC that I've experienced. There is a chill in the air, but it's sunny and bright. Lauren and I trotted up to 168th for a Starbucks by the medical campus, and on the way back, she realized that a certain bus line runs close to her apartment, which is a good option on rainy or snowy days for getting to class. She is studying for a final, so I am busying myself with this email and trying to stay quiet.
It's been a worthwhile and memorable trip. The one on one time with Lauren and Scott has been valued. I've gotten to see the new apartment, the new school, help decide on a wedding dress, help sort through the multitude of bridesmaid dress choices, eaten well, and made memories. I'd say it was a trip well spent!
Will be back in Minnesota Monday afternoon, much richer for the experiences with my New Yorkers!
Love~Karen
