Prepare for takeoff....from The Big Apple to The Little Rock

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

It was great to spend ten days -- and in the mix my birthday -- with my daughter, Blair, in NYC.  

I arrived on Sunday (July 14th) ...

Need I say more?  I love a girl in her pajamas!

My visit included numerous hot days with metro rides to various places - shopping - dining out - staying in and piling up on the bed with mother/daughter chats. Dining at local neighborhood restaurants and picking up items at the corner market. Trips to the park where it was too hot to do anything but sit on a park bench.

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We love the corner diner a couple blocks from where Blair lives - especially for breakfast. 

C & C Time With Blair

(C & C = Coffee & Chat)

We love to sit and drink coffee there - chat - and stay as long as we like. I call it our C & C time - coffee and chat!

 

Me and my doggie bag! 

Do people even use the term doggie bag anymore? 

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My new "New York City" running cap 

 We normally would enjoy running/walking in Riverside Park - next to the Hudson River.  Running / walking next to the water is usually very refreshing. Frankly, it was too hot to run this week.  In the other direction from the apartment is Central Park.  It is indeed beautiful.  Personally, I do not think running in Central Park is as nice as running in Riverside Park because the designated running trail/path/area (whatever it's called) in Central Park is not pavement and a girl's shoes get dirty.  :)

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Happy Birthday to me!

The 'birthday' photo - July 17, 2013 - 58th Birthday

Gayla in Gemze's apartment in NYC

I spent my 58th birthday in NYC!  I guess it should be said that I celebrated the entire week - not just one day!  Blair had to work on my actual birthday, but she took off on Friday.  The following evening, Gemze and I celebrated with a glass of wine and dinner at a favorite neighborhood restaurant. 

 

Gemze and me - July 22, 2013

Gemze and I have our own girl talks.   It's as though we have known each other for years. 

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I could be the only Mother who has fun hand washing a few pieces of clothing in the bathroom lavatory or sitting in the basement laundry room with their 23 year old as the laundry machines gurgle and slosh water and soap together.

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I maneuvered the metro on my own successfully. Walking down the stairs to the train is like walking into an underground sauna - fully dressed, of course! It's so loud and people zoom by like you're not standing there. I'm not a big fan of riding the metro, but a NYC taxi - uhhhh - is almost like dangling your life over a bridge holding on for dear life. You're pretty sure you'll be ok - but - it's a gamble. Taxi drivers are generally ridiculous and due to the traffic it takes  f o r e v e r . You can sit in a taxi a very long time to go a really short distance.

I think NYC is a stressful city.  Everyone seems to be stressed and in a hurry, etc.  Oh well, one thing I've concluded is that if you don't expect too much from people - you won't be disappointed! 

Prepare for takeoff - I'm going home -- from The Big Apple to The Little Rock!