Where I've Been, Where I'm Going

I guess I should post a pic of where I've been most of my time in New York. The hotel is just a few blocks away so I've been able to walk to work each day. Pretty cool.

Wrapped up work today at noon and headed for the airport. Of course, it wasn't going to be that easy. Was suppose to be picked up by the car service at the hotel. However, we (luckily I was with my boss Lori) got into the wrong car. Go figure. We figured it out by the time we go on the other side of Manhattan when the car service called us to tell us the car was on its way. DOH! After a series of confusing conversations with the car service, the drive, and the driver's car service, we decided it would be best if we just got out of the car right then an there and look for a taxi. Luckily, not too hard in New York. Soon we were on our way to JFK again and in the end it was about half the price. BONUS!

Once at JFK, Lori and I went our separate ways (were flew different airlines). Now all I had to do was wait for the plane. And wait and wait. (Have you picked up on the theme for this entire trip yet?) My 4:25 flight was pushed to 4:55 because the flight crew was late. Once we finally got the plane we had to wait a couple more hours just to take off. Luckily, Chris got off of work early enough to meet his mom (who's been watching Parker while I've been out of town).

I didn't get back to LA until about 9. Thank goodness I opted for the car service because I was so tired by then. It's good to be home.

Before & After

So first of all, I guess I have to state that the rice pudding from the night before...yeah, not the best choice. And I'm still paying the price. That just goes to show you, even if the establishments serves its food in cool containers, it's staff may not have the best hygiene practices.

Regardless of my delicate stomach, though, I had to go to Carnegie's Deli and brave one of their sandwiches.

I think I did pretty good. I'm not sure if I'd consider it the best pastrami sandwich I've ever had; however, the pastrami was meaty, not greasy, which was nice...especially with my sensitive condition.

Sight Seeing

Didn't have much time for sight-seeing. However, our hotel is near Central Park, so on the way to find one of Lori's favorite places, we skirted the edges of the park. I'm sure I walked past other famous things but, unfortunately, I just don't have the time on this trip to stop and check things out. That just means, though, I can discover this city some other time with Chris and Parker.

As for that place we were going to for Lori? Apparently, the building is being demolished so they're moving their flagship store. Go figure.

We did pass by Disney's NY flagship store and this window display caught my eye. Pretty cool, huh?

On the Town

NY, NY,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Had a pretty good day training the guys at ABC. Afterwards, Lori and I went out to dinner at a French bistro called Balthazar. Delish! I had a grilled beet salad with the most awesome cheese, followed by a perfect steak and pomme frites.

Afterwards we went a place called From Rice to Riches. A place that only serves rice pudding. With all it's flavors, the only ones that called to me were the traditional and the caramel flavored. I guess I'm too much of a rice pudding purist.

When the Cat's Away...

originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Chris sent this to me yesterday. I guess the boys decided to go camping in the house. I love it!

BTW, while you and I see the tent and think "camping". Parker thinks "spaceship". Hmmmm. Parker, you seem to be obsessed with spaceships lately. Is there something you want to tell us all?

A Room with a View

originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

...into another room. I guess with all these tall buildings, that would be the norm for New York.

Actually, the room's pretty nice. I mentioned the iPod docking station earlier. The bedding is soft and comfy. The bathroom is stylish with fragrant amenities and soft towels. Plus free wifi and a paper at my door in the morning. Love it!

Before I go, I guess I should mention that I'm at the Empire Hotel.

Marcel Marceau died yesterday. That's

Marcel Marceau died yesterday.

That's got to be some kind of omen.

Home Sweet Home

originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Finally, I'm at the hotel...and my iPod has a resting place, too. A restful ending to a very long day.

(BTW, the clock is an hour off. But have no fear, I've fixed it. After all this, I've still gotta wake up on time tomorrow.)

JFK IS BROKEN

originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Why can't I get out of here?

I can't believe this. After everything that's happened today, they let us off the plane into this crazy long underground hallway, which we after a while discover -- after going down one long hall then up an escalator and then down another escalator and then down another super long hallway -- has no open exits. Thank good I wasn't trying to catch a connecting flight because I think I would have freaked out.

Eventually, we walked all the way back to find the person who should have been at their exit in the first place. (Did I mention that I was not the first person off the plane but rather the last person so really, there's no excuse.)

Thank goodness the car service was still waiting in the baggage claim area -- almost 3 hours past the original pickup time.

Touchdown

Finally! I'm here. The question now, though, is whether or not the car picking me up knows that. Hell, where do I even go from the gate. Stay tuned. More to come.

HA!

originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

In case you can't read the text, it says ''Distance Traveled: 0 mi''

Good to know.

2 Hours 15 Minutes & Counting

Holy smokes! If this is ''close'', I'd hate to see what's ''far''. Still sitting on the plane at LAX.

NY NY (some day)

originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Looks like we're almost out of here. Hopefully, my next entry will be from JFK. Keep your fingers crossed!

LA LA

Still waiting. Been waiting for over an hour. (We were suppose to depart at 9:30am.) But they say a replacement part has been located so hopefully we'll be on out way soon.

I heard a guy complain about them fixing the problem, which has to do with the fuel gauge. Dude! I'm so glad you're not the Captain.

This reminds me of that flight in Nepal a couple months ago that had a mechanical problem, which was ''fixed'' by sacrificing a goat. Oh yeah. I'm feeling better already.

Now if they can just get the TVs working.

No NY

originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Scratch that previous estimate. Looks like there's a maintenance issue that will delay take off for about 20 min. (Did I mention that I'm in the last row?)

NY NY

originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Home, Sweet Home for the next 5-1/2 hours. The bummer part -- I'm in the last row. Ugg.

NY, NY

So today I'm off to New York on a business trip. I was a bit worried the car service picking me up would get lost trying to find my house. I gave them my standard BBQ directions but I couldn't help but be worried.

So this AM I woke up and kept an eye out, anticipating that I'd see the car's headlights stray off to a neighbor's house. I turned on kitchen lights, opened blinds -- but looking outside all I saw was darkness. I checked my bags and got a cup of coffee. Still nothing...Or so I thought.

Just then I heard a car start. HOLY CRAP! He's already here and waiting in front of the house. How spooky is that? A car is sitting in front of my house and I'm totally clueless. (Don't even ask about the dog. He barely got up in time to see me rush out the door.)

Well anyhoo. I'm at the airport now, with plenty of time to spare, as my flight leaves at 9:30. Will keep you updated as the trip progresses.

Spaceship

originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

I love that something as simple as a binder clip can be transformed into something as complex as a spaceship. Santa isn't bringing toys this year. Think office supplies.

Taking Care of Kailey

So, this week we're watching Kailey while the boys are out of town. While Kailey loves the company, she seems to be getting a little more than she expected with Parker. On the bright side, though, she's getting a lot of exercise as Parker chases her around the house. Run Kailey, Run!

Bye Cookie!

So Parker and I are leaving daycare and his friend Lucas screams out the window, "Bye Cookie!" Then another friend, Hailey, joins him. "Bye Cookie!"

Cookie?

So the next day I ask his teacher about this Cookie business. "Why do the other kids call Parker "Cookie"?"

But she didn't know. It just seems like Lucas started it and it stuck. Even the other parents have notices the nickname and have commented on it.

Personally, I like it. It's kind of funny. But when I ask Parker, "Who's Cookie?" he responds with "I'm Parker." so I can't tell if he likes it or not.

I don't know, Parker. "Cookie Trillo" has a nice ring to it.