New York, New York

After Mr. Ken Martindale moved to the East Coast, there really wasn't anything to keep us from going to New York. Norman could come visit, my dad could see Ken and we all wanted to go on vacation and see New York anyways. So here it is, our amazing trip!!

Day 1: Travel day

We got up way too early and Josh's friend Chase drove us to the airport. Everything went smoothly and we got on our nonstop flight. Delaney and I were both pretty nervous about flying and Josh was freaking out about how bored he was going to be, but our flight had tv and we spent the time watching sportscenter, Malcom in the Middle, and Bernie Mac. It really made the time fly and kept me from getting nervous. I didn't study for my tests the way I should have but oh well...We got into JFK and made the slow ride into the City. Oh my gosh, I don't know how we would've gotten anywhere without a taxi. Driving in New York is insane! Our taxi driver was swerving in and out of traffic, getting on the freeway, getting off, getting back on, and while traffic was at a stand still we were somehow still moving rather quickly. We got to our hotel, and as we were checking in we heard the shocking news...Michael Jackson was dead. If only we knew what a circus was going to come from that. Our rooms were tiny but no one really minded. We went and dinner at the restaurant at our hotel and it was too pricey and not very good but we had fun. Then we felt like exploring, so we walked out of our hotel, took a left and just walked. We'd only been walking for 10 minutes when we walked into times square!!! It was amazing! It was so crazy how close we were to it. We were all tired from traveling so we went back to the hotel and went to bed.

Day 2: Seeing the Sights

We woke up way earlier than any of us really wanted to because we wanted to go see the Fray who were in concert on the Today show. But when we watched to get an idea of when we should head down to go see them, it was nonstop Michael Jackson...so annoying. So we went back to bed and then when we all woke up we started to explore.

Rockefeller Center was really cool. The flags looked so cool surrounding the fountain. The Rockefeller building or whatever is HUGE! Oh my goodness! And we got to see the NBC studio where they do the Today show every morning!

Then we made our way to the NBA store. It was cool filled with a lot of merchandise. Unfortunately though, it was all Lakers after their championship win and there was very little Jazz. I hate the Lakers!! Ugh!
Then my dad had to meet with Ken so we made our way back with a stop at Jamba Juice to fill us up. I then waited for Norman who was on a ridiculously long bus ride into the city! After being on a bus for over 5 hours he finally made it! We all went to the ESPN Zone for dinner (half the reason Josh even came to New York) and then we had bought tickets to go see Transformers 2. The show wasn't until midnight though so my dad, Bill, and Josh all headed back to the hotel while Norman and I went exploring around Times Square! We went and goofed off at the Toys 'R Us store, explored the MTV store, and then Norman tried to make me face my fears again and made me go into the Marriott Hotel which has clear elevators (I was pretty scared..). Then we started to make our way down to the movie theatre and we realized that people are NUTS!!! First of all, the wax museum in Times Square had put the wax statue of Michael Jackson in the front window and people were just gathered around it taking pictures and such. And then, this midget dressed like Michael Jackson walked by pulling a stereo on wheels blasting MJ music. And so many people were following him! He had his own bodyguard!! I don't know what's with people...Transformers was good! I was too tired to really enjoy it I think but I was not too tired to enjoy the grossed out look on Delaney's face when she smelled pot for the first time as some idiot decided it'd be a good time to light up hahahaha so funny!







Day 3: When in Rome...

It's weird, but while we were in New York, we felt the need that there were just certain things we had to do. We were in New York so why wouldn't we do this, ya know? So we woke up Saturday morning, and after the gym we walked down to Times Square to buy tickets to a broadway show. Oh and I forgot to talk about the little restaurant by our hotel where we ate breakfast everyday. It was delicious! and right underneath a bridge leading into Grand Central. We couldn't get enough of this place. But anyways, we went to go buy tickets to a show and ended up getting some to Chicago. The actress of Grey's Anatomy that plays "Miranda" was in the show and the singing was pretty impressive. But it was not as visually spectacular as we were all expecting and at some points it was a little risque. But when in Rome...


After the show, my dad made a spur of the moment decision I knew was coming but was dreading so badly...We were heading to the Empire State Building. The whole walk over there I had this pit feeling in my stomach and I couldn't calm down. My "always assume the worst case scenario" mind was definitely turning on me. Not to mention I felt weird because we were walking past the annual lesbian pride parade haha. All the waiting didn't help things either. Ugh it was one line after the other. On the first elevator ride, you go up 86 stories and your ears pop. That was a little disheartening haha. And then we saw the infamous poster. My dad will never stop laughing about this poster:
Tears instantly started forming in my eyes. I turned to my dad who I know was trying to keep from laughing, and asked if we were going to the 102nd floor and he just nodded his head. To be fair, I had no idea what we were going up to. I thought we were going to get off the elevator and walk into this big open room where you could peer over the edge and see how high you were. But when we went up the elevator and walked out we were in a real room with windows, no open air. It was such a relief and I didn't even really think about how we were 1250 feet in the air. Here are some pictures us in line and the amazing view:













After the Empire State Building, Norman and I went off on our own to go on a date. We wanted to make our way to Central Park but we got stopped by a long line of cop cars and fire trucks so instead we walked around trying to find a nice restaurant to go eat at. We made a stop at Tiffany's to look at the jewelry on display. WOW! Haha and then we ended up just walking into possibly the greatest restaurant ever! It was pretty fancy and was also empty so we got all the attention from the waiters. Norman decided we were going to be fancy and so he ordered the cheese platter asking what cheese was on it haha. It was delicious but kind of ridiculous. The food was great and dessert was amazing. The whole time we were eating we kept hearing opera music. We couldn't figure out what it was. So when we finished eating, we went exploring and went upstairs. We found people walking up and singing opera so we went up to who we thought was a waiter to find out what was going on. Turns out he was the owner of the restaurant and was one of the nicest people I've ever met. He had a very thick Italian accent and he was so excited to get to talk to us. Seriously, such a nice guy! He gave us his card and said if we ever came back to New York he would love to see us again. If you're ever in New York, I HIGHLY recommend the Papillon, especially on Saturday nights when they have open mic night.

Day 4: An Interesting Sunday

We had trouble adjusting to the time zone so we were always sleeping very late and it was a struggle to get to breakfast by 11. On Sunday we just skipped breakfast (I think) and made our way down to the ESPN Zone to watch the US v. Brazil soccer game. We walked past the New York gay pride parade. I was nervous the whole time but it was surprisingly tame and we made it to Times Square safe and sound to watch the game. It was fun minus the most annoying Brazilian fans ever! We were so close to winning too! Oh well...And then we went to Central Park in search of the Merry-Go-Round. After a lot of struggling we finally found it!

















We went back to the hotel for awhile and then I walked Norman to the bus stop in Times Square to say bye. It was tough saying goodbye to him but everything went alright and we survived everything and just went straight back to texting nonstop and talking all night.

Day 5: Business District

It was time to see some truly incredible things in New York. After our favorite breakfast spot we got in a taxi and headed down to the financial district. We first got in line for the trip to Liberty Island and had fun taking pictures and singing "I'm on a Boat" haha. The Statue of Liberty was amazing! I know it doesn't seem very big but it is huge and we had a blast!













When we got back to the City we went and walked around toward the New York Stock Exchange and then the World Trade Center site. It was amazing! I didn't take any pictures at the memorial but it was one of the most moving and beautiful things I had ever seen and you should all go. Afterward we went to a restaurant right in one of the other World Trade Center buildings and it was so good. But Delaney ordered a mozzarella and tomato salad and was disappointed when that was all that it was...haha no lettuce or anything. JUST mozzarella and tomatoes haha! But it really was so great. There was such a great energy down there. I felt so important walking around. If I had to live in New York I really think I could.








When we got back to our hotel, we went over to Grand Central Station which was literally connected to our hotel. It was amazing! It was so big and there were so many tunnels and trains and people. There were so many restaurants and stores in it too. There's just nothing like it I've ever seen.


Day 6: Last Day

For our last day, we just were honestly trying to fill up our time. Maybe we went to New York for a little bit longer than was necessary but now we know haha. We went to breakfast and then my dad and I made our way over to the UN which was right next to our hotel too. Then we took a taxi to the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum. Surprisingly I think we had the most fun there. We just really got a chance to goof off and have fun like us Olivers do. We ended our day with the Guggenheim Museum. We had so much fun in New York! The only downside might have been leaving the Museum right as the rain moved in and we found out how hard it is to find a taxi in New York while its raining. Maybe we would've been fine if Josh and my dad had to go and show off. They decided that they could run around the resevoir in six minutes! Yeah no. They weren't even half way by six minutes. Fools....























Day 7: Time to go home..

We had to wake up ridiculously early and get ready to go. Everything was going fine until it was time to board. Our name wasn't getting called and the plane was filling up. My dad was trying to figure things out and it just wasn't working out. None of this was that big of a deal except my midterm was that night. So at the very last second Bill, Josh, and I got on the plane and they shut the door behind us leaving dad in JFK as we headed to LAX. Ugh! Posters of Kobe everywhere at LAX!!! GRR! But my dad showed up in time for our connection and we made it home and in time for me to take my test which I got the high score on! Woohoo!!!
New York was amazing and such a great time! I can't wait to go back and I can't wait to explore and see the world! It's made life so fun! And I get to share it with such an amazing family and Norman and I love every second of it!
Love you all!!