Statue of Liberty 2011

This past Saturday I took a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. She was beautiful at every angle.
There was something in that moment as I stood at her feet, something that warmed me from the depths of my soul. When I looked up into her eyes staring out across the waters it was as though everything fell away. Her torch stretched up towards the heavens giving light to all those who have a dream. The American Dream. We are not perfect, we know this as well, if not more, than the rest of the world. America has its issues; but when I looked up I suddenly could see from others eyes. To immigrants coming across the waters her light is like a beacon guiding them to a place where they are free - more so than any country. It is a place where you have choices, where you work hard, where you fall and get back up.

America is still young but our strength grows each and everyday. We are proud, and at times naive. We stumble through the dark but we find out way.

It is not always easy to see us as Americans. We sometimes get lost in the petty things... clothes, skin color, money, the way we talk, etc. We forget that we are each a part of something bigger than ourselves; bigger than all of it.

America does not promise your dreams to come true, but it does promise the chance to fight for them... the chance to work hard for them... the chance for them to come true.

Because in the end... it is you who has to make the decisions. It is you who fights the battle.

This is the land of opportunity. Let us not forget where we come from but look to the future as to where we are going.

xoxo

Happy 4th of July!

I truly hope everyone had a good 4th of July. It was strange to see that home, that is Texas, was being discussed on the news this past Monday. They showed all the areas that had been put on burn bans or "no fireworks" and pretty much all of Texas was not allowed fireworks for the 4th celebrations. It is sort of sad because I believed that the fireworks were a big part of what made the 4th... well the 4th. Here I was planning on going to see one of the largest fireworks display in America and back home they couldn't even have sparklers... and I LOVE sparklers. It just made me feel guilty is all. However I did hear from my friends and family that they enjoyed their day so that made me feel better *grin*. 

It was a lazy day really. All of us girls (Myself, Paige, Sarah, Sara, and Katrina) were slow to head out toward Pier 84 down on 12th avenue. However we finally made it about 4:45pm and were able to get a good spot. It was really exciting to see how many people were there already. If they are willing to wait in this heat for 5 hours then it had better be a good show right?

It so was. 

I can't help but feel as though I am bragging sometimes when I don't mean to. I just have to express how amazing this was. The cracks, the thundering sounds that vibrated in your ears. The smell of smoke that fill your lungs. The lights so bright and so beautiful. Sometimes there are things you just have to see live. 

When the Macy's fireworks began I had goosebumps for a solid 15 minutes. Everyone's eyes were to the sky as fire danced against the stars. Red, white, blue.... golds, silvers, purples, greens... all synced harmoniously to the beat of the musical celebration. 

*sigh* I really love America.

It is a country to be proud of.

Anyways, before I get all sappy on you - please enjoy some photos I captured down at the pier. These are not even CLOSE to how many I got but this would be a ridiculously long blog post if I put them all up.

Enjoy and don't forget to leave me a comment! I need to hear from you back home - been a little homesick lately.

 

xoxo

New Poll!

What Broadway production would you go see if you could choose any that you wanted?

Poll is in the right side bar >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you don't see the one you would choose in the poll feel free to put it in the comments on this post by clicking "Your Thoughts Here". 

xoxo

The Met

As a group activity we visited The Metropolitan a little over a week ago. It is an amazing place to visit and I highly recommend it to anyone who visits New York City. The day that we went was called "Museum Mile" which is one day out of the year where all the museums in this mile long stretch open their doors to the public for free!

Don't get too excited though. Here is a little New Yorker inside information for furture reference. The Met has suggested prices, which means if you want you can ignore the suggested price and pay 50 cents. When we went back to the Met a second time (because its WAY too big to see it all in one day... or two days for that fact) that is exactly what we did. I handed over my two quarters and inside I went! Crazy right? 

When she asked me how much I wanted to pay I timidly responded with 50 cents fearing the entire museum would stop in their tracks and stare at me with their condemning eyes. However nothing that dramatic happened. The lady simply took my quarters and handed me my cute little blue Met button. I felt very triumphant like I had just gotten away with something naughty. I was a little disappointed as I moved out of line when no one patted me on the back for knowing this little secret.

*sigh* 

I am not sure if it is just for students or everyone but heck its awesome and super cheap! Us college kids love cheap!

Why I insist on toting around a giant bag of books... I shall never figure out.

Pretty statue fountain I loved. 

Chase, Myself, and Katrina chillin in this great hall of statues. 

I loved this statue! Isn't it brillant!

Our group! I <3 my friends :)

Left to Right: Paige, Chase, Jonathan, Leucepe, Sara, Me, Katrina
Note: the person taking the image had difficulty in properly framing the image... as you can tell peoples heads are chopped off lol

I saw this little tea pot and thought of Mom. She has a collection at home in our kitchen.

Highly considered stealing it... but it was in a glass case and I don't think my parents would have liked to hear my explaination of being in a New York City jail.

Sorry Mom.

All in all I love The Met. There is so much to see and the two times I have been we haven't even come close to seeing the entire museum, which is insane!

I'll hopefully update you with more images but there was so many I didn't know what to do with all of them.

Thanks again for reading!

xoxo

Outfit of the Day - Love Fridays

 

My LOVE top again, paired with jeggings and black wedges :)

Lower East Side Adventure

I'm happy to say I have made some amazing friends while here in NYC. Katrina, who is interning at 2 dance companies here in New York (I know right, frickin' awesome!), and myself love to go on our adventures to find the extremely cheap or free entertainment. She calls it "extreme couponing", I can't help but laugh.

We recently took a subway to the Lower East Side to catch a street performance. The sky promised rain but since it didn't hit yet we hoped for the best and continued on. On our way we stopped at this adorable little coffee shop called, "Think Coffee". How can you just NOT stop there? Katrina got this cappuccino and they did something amazing with the foam <3

Everywhere we turned there was something unique and fun about this neighborhood. I immediately stopped in my tracks when I came across this little garden and wall that was literally right next to it. Katrina was amazingly patient as I clicked away.

 

Finally we made it to the street where they were having the performances. It began to drizzle a little but nothing to pull you inside to seek shelter. The dancers had just began to get into their places to start. It was a very interesting performance. Very modern and "funky" as Katrina put it. More like a story being told through this interpretive dance.

Then right as the next set of artist were to begin the heavens opened and the rain began to fall. I have to say, getting used to all this rain up here has been a little strange. Coming from Texas I am used to the dry 100+ degree heat. On more than one occasion I have had to grab a jacket because I was, yep, "COLD!". Which is very weird to say in the middle of June.

We took shelter inside the theatre to use the RR and roam around for a bit before we decided to just face the rain and explore.

There was one street lined with the sweetest little boutiques. Dusty Buttons and Pink Olive were just 2 of the several we stopped in to visit. Just look at how cute they are!

I could have died when I saw all these old school cameras, and then I did DIE when she told me that these on the shelf actually work! Unfortunately they were a little out of my budget, but there were still nice to admire.

You have to love Vintage <3

I think I could rock this look, don't you think?

"I have found getting lost in New York is one of my favorite past times. "

Stumbling across little boutiques, shops, and spots like these are what make New York, New York. There is always a hidden park, vintage shop, or perfect little coffee shop you can visit to submerge yourself in. I literally melt when I walk into a new place and breathe in the unfamiliar air. It consumes you and overpowers you in all the good ways. It is like a little accomplishment every time you find a new undiscovered trinket. 

It is as though it has just been sitting there, waiting for you to find it... and in all places, New York City.

xoxo