Early V-Day in NYC: Part II

After spending the day galavanting around New York City, Brian and I headed back to our hotel to get dolled up to see Wicked! I had never seen a Broadway show before, so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect or, more importantly, how you're supposed to dress. After getting some advice from my theater-going friends, Brian and I decided to use the occasion as an excuse to get dressed up together. First of all, it's fun...and second of all, I love getting a chance to break out my lovely pink peacoat!

We grabbed a taxi from our hotel (which is an art in and of itself) and took the short ride into the theater district. Wicked plays at the Gershwin Theatre, and I was so excited to see all of the posters and decorations inside. We found our seats, and it wasn't long before the show started!

I had read Wicked a couple of years ago, but I really wasn't sure what to expect when seeing it on stage. All I can say is that it totally surpassed my expectations, and I loved it! The costumes and sets were amazing, the actors and actresses were all incredibly talented, and the woman who played Galinda/Glinda was hilarious!

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Brian enjoyed it as well, and now I can't wait to buy the soundtrack. And after seeing the show, I definitely want to go back and re-read the book! :)

 

On Sunday, Brian and I checked out of our hotel and ate an amazing breakfast at The Corner Cafe. Easily the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had! We rode the Subway to the World Trade Center site, which was one of the things I really wanted to see in New York before the memorial is complete. 

Across the street from Ground Zero, there is a church that became the hub of the volunteer efforts after the events of September 11th. St. Paul's Chapel is now home to "Unwavering Spirit: Hope and Healing at Ground Zero," which is an exhibit and memorial to the victims of 9/11 and a tribute to those who gave their time and effort to the recovery.

I didn't expect to feel as upset and moved as I did by the displays inside the church, and I still don't really have the words to describe it except to say that it's amazing how much has changed since that day and how it continues to affect our country. I'm glad Bri and I got to see the WTC site as it is now together.

After seeing Ground Zero, Brian and I started the trek back to WP. We dawdled a bit, expecting that I would drive home that night. My classes for Monday were eventually canceled due to the crazy amounts of snow (of which, New York received none)! After some debate (okay, really not a whole lot at all), we found and booked me a hotel room for Sunday night, picked up a pizza, and Brian and I got to hang out in our pajamas and watch the Super Bowl! An unexpected extra night together, and probably the best Super Bowl party I've ever been to. :)

Brian had to go back to school Sunday night, so I hung out in the hotel and did a little bit of homework. Luckily, his classes on Monday are over at lunch time, so I got to rescue him when they were done (and see the funny hat he has to wear to class that I've never seen in person before)! It was fun to see Brian on a weekday when he's just going to class and doing normal school stuff.

Notice anything about the Hudson River behind us?

I'm sure the frozen Hudson is just a small indicator of how frigid it was in New York! Anyway, Brian and I got to have lunch together before I eventually did make it home on Monday evening.

We had such an amazing weekend. Everything was perfect, which makes for a really nasty "fun hangover" and a lot of missing each other when it's over. But I can't help but be thankful for all of the time we have together and I know there's no one else I'd rather share these experiences with.