Walking on sunshine

So, I got these new shoes. I couldn't actually afford them myself, so I asked my mother to purchase them for me for an early birthday present while she was in town and she obliged (cause she's a great mama).

The shoes are called MBT's and it's quite and interesting concept, sorta like Earth Shoes, where your heel hits lower than your toes, except these shoes are meant to simulate walking in sand (like the Masai tribe). They look pretty ugly (big fat soles), but they actually feel like heaven. And for a person who has had as many foot problems as I have since moving to New York, I am at the point where I'm about willing to do ANYTHING to escape the pain. And escape the pain, do I ever. They are breathtaking. Lovely. Amazing. Pain free walking. It's like the kid who puts on glasses for the first time and realizes they can see...I can walk without pain in my heels!

For the next week or so I'll be breaking them in. A lot of people buy them to tone and loose weight and get good butt muscles (all good outcomes), but those things to matter to me. Curing my plantar fasciitis once and for all is the real goal. So, don't laugh, cause they look goofy, but cheer because they feel SO good!

Need a hand?

I got this pic as I was walking home from my school through East Harlem today. It was another hot HOT day but I decided to take a walk just to get some exercise. I've been bad at that lately.

This mother/daughter team were lugging boxes back to somewhere, probably to their apartment where they may or may not be packing to move. I just thought it was funny that the little girls box was almost as big as she was. What a good little helper!

In the Spirit of things

My friend Katie died and went to heaven tonight when Dan invited the both of us to come along with he and some of his friends to a club that features large screen TVs playing nothing but show tunes! It was awesome! It's just one big sing-along bar, mostly for men who love men, but also for those who just love show tunes. I belted out a few numbers including, but not limited to "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, and "Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent. It was rad. Seriously. I will return.

Parade to the Boat House

The last day for Mama and Aunt Jan in town. We decided to take advantage of the day though and venture out into the atrociously hot weather. We encountered the Puerto Rican Day parade along 5th avenue, which was quite the spectacle. Kind of amazing to see such pride for the culture and country so far away from New York City, but yet still so much a part of it.

We had a thrill walk across the park along the roadway sidewalk, which proved hot and uncomfortable, but once we got to the Boat House and found seats at the bar while we waited for a table, it all became worth it. Some bloody mary's and some lovely tea, then on to this view of the lake while we had a really nice brunch together.

Around the world

...if the world is Manhattan (which it thinks it is). Today my mom, my Aunt Jan and I got up and since it was a triple H day (hot, humid, hazy), we decided to take the Circle Line Tour around Manhattan on a three hour cruise! Ahhh the water!

We started out at 42nd St. on the West side,passing Jersey on our right and then made our way down around the tip of the island, making our way past Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the on up towards the Brooklyn Bridge. What a great start!

We then puttered more upstream up the East River past many of the city sites. The microphone announcer guy was actually REALLY good and I learned a lot of history and stories about the city and people involved in it. I have become such a history nerd since moving here that I just can't help myself when it comes to these dumb tours. I love them! And they love me!

Passed by many midtown places, up past my school and then up the Harlem River past the Bronx, under MORE bridges, but now surrounded by steep rock cliffs rather than housing projects or large apartment buildings. So much of Manhattan's coast is industrial and it seems like for such a tiny island that that space could be utilized so much better. But whatever. I just work here.

We passed through a bridge to get around the northern tip of the island, passing Columbia University and the big C on the rocks. Then headed back down past Grant's tomb, Riverside Church (biggest church in the U.S.) and then back down to the seaport. What a great activity for a hot, hot, HOT summer day!!

We had lunch in Times Square at Juniors Diner, and later that night we went to see the Lion King! Heart that show! What fun! Cheesecake followed and then I collapsed from exhaustion...not really, but figuratively.

And you smell like one too...

Happy Birthday to my mama! I'm so happy to have my mom and aunt in town. We had a fun day today as well, or at least they did while I was at work with kids and science fair projects, but nonetheless, it was a good day. We went to a great Mexican place for dinner and then headed downtown to our tried and true favorite bar in NYC, Don't Tell Mama's.

It was amazing! We drank, we sang, my mom swayed with some random guy next to her (that's how it works at this place, you simply just make friends with the people around you while making your sing-along that much more heartfelt by sharing it with a stranger!)

I think this was one for the history books...no seriously.

Water Under the Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge to be exact! My mom's in town for the weekend, and my aunt Jan came along too. We had dinner in China Town and then decided to take the opportunity to walk across the bridge tonight. It wasn't the most picturesque, but it was certainly breathtaking anyway. I've never done it, so I thought it was quite fun! My aunt loved it so much she wants to go back later and do it again! We'll see. Here's me and my mama half way!