Some more New York to brighten your day

Pretend you have no idea how long I've been back from New York...

So... BACK to My Trip!!

Do you know this man? He's a little bit more on the radar now a days since he's the owner of two golden statues.

Here..maybe this will jog your brain a little bit..Christoph Waltz is one of my favorite actors. He's a little bit quirky, a little bit bad a$$, and no one does condescending like him. He's a ton of fun to watch, and while he blows the audiences mind when colaborating with Tarantino he did a Roman Polanski film last year that I {L O V E} called Carnage along side Kate Winslet. Check it out..it takes place in one apartment over an afternoon.

Anyways..my point about Mr. Waltz is that while in Manhattan he was the host of SNL. I got it into my head that it may be fun to try to get standby tickets since hes not uber well known. I had done some research and knew that we had to get there early...like 3 am early...for tickets to be handed out at 7am. Royal was down so we got up at 4am {^^@ Columbus circle stop waiting to head downtown} and got to NBC Studios. We got there and no one was there- 20 minutes later some other people showed up and we thought..wow we might have a chance. Honestly when I think back it was certainly to good to be true, and indeed it was. {lol} Around 6am some guy showed up saying theres a line on the other side too- of course there was. Royal went inside and asked what the deal was and they informed him today was special and the line was on 58th street instead of 50th today. {awesome! not.} We trekked over and found a line, an extremely long line. Im talking people on air mattresses with suitcases wrapped in trash bags to keep dry from the on again off again sleet. It was the craziest thing Id ever seen and I wish I could have taken a picture but there were times on our trip when I was so caught up in the joy or fun of what was happening I totally forgot to take photos.

The beauty about the experience was that either way it didnt matter. We were on our own in New York City. If we wanted to be nuts and wake up in the middle of the night-- we could. When we got to the end of the line Royal and I were more than happy to keep walking to jump on the subway and go back to our apartment and go back to bed. On the way we passed by Rockefeller Plaza and it was empty. Not a soul in sight. Okay thats not true there was a 30 something guy in a tuxedo sleeping on the ground in the middle of the street with snow on him. I wanted to be like..you obviously have a nice apartment somewhere..go home..lol. We also walked through Time Square {my first time} and it was just us and the lights. NO taxis, people, or delivery trucks. It was freakin' awesome. Later we woke up at 1pm and decided to continue with our day and hit up the diner around the corner before setting off for Brooklyn.

Ill say that the Brooklyn flea market was probably one of my favorite things we did. During the winter its held in this amazing building filled with a rotating smorgasbord of vendors. Its the kind of place that really makes you want to live there so you can go a few times a year to see the new hauls they have acquired and what will translate well into your own home. I found this old school Lands End crew neck sweater for $20. It is so warm and I lived in while we were there. Royal found a Barbour jacket in great shape for more than 1/2 off but alas it was too big and so we passed. There were rows of vintage Pendleton wool button up, donney and bourke bags, eclectic furniture and prints, and one of a kind jewlery pieces. I was hunting for a broach that really jumped out and was kind of disappointed nothing spoke to me.

In short if you are in New York over the weekend ever go! Its a must do on your trip. You will not be sorry you took the time; ever!! We decided to skip the pizza that night and instead jump up to Grays Papaya and try their recession special; 2 hot dogs and a drink for $4.99.This place was recommended by Tony, you know Anthony Bourdain...lol. He lives nearby and has said its his favorite place to eat in NYC. I totally see why. The hot dogs are sooo good and the experience is quite fun as well. Its a quick and dirty place if you will, no seating, but its a good thing because its usually so packed full of people where would you sit anyway. You get in you eat you get out. I love places like that and its supper accessible. Just get on the 1 train and take it to 72nd/Broadway. You'll see it as soon as you pop up top..No hunting required.

Sunday means church for us. We got on the subway {1 train again} and took it to 66th street. The temple is right there when you pop up. It was really cool having always driven to church. We actually saw a family we knew from a neighboring ward back home which was fun and the other families we met were so nice as well. It was ver family oriented. We joked around with them about the talent they must have as Juilliard was right across the street. They said you have no idea!!

Later that evening we took the subway down to the 9/11 Memorial--

This was the coldest I remember being on our trip^^^

The footprints of the buildings have been made into a memorial waterfall type thing. It's really beautiful and all those who lost their lives have their names engraved around it.

This is the new building that's being constructed

^^^^Here is the survivor tree. Story's like this always fascinate me. I love to see them. There's one in Oklahoma that I would love to visit if I ever make to Oklahoma. There's something very beautiful to me about such evil devastation and something so natural surviving against impossible odds.

This piece was in memory of the fire fighters who lost their lives from the first responding station across the street. I felt more sorrow here honestly than at the actual 9/11 memorial center. It felt less of a mass memorial and more of everyday people remembering their friends.

We really had a great time!! It didn't matter what or where we were going. It was perfect!! When we got back to Manhattan we of course got some pizza. I couldn't live without it. Lol--

xO- Etheline

Ps. more soon..promise..lol