Bye bye April Showers - helloooo sunshine! My walk to the gym was bliss
From country music on Friday, to a little bit of old school rap on this beautiful Sunday here in NYC. If you’ve never heard Ice Cube’s “It was a Good Day,” please check out the link at the bottom of this post. Rap music doesn’t always run deep (and neither does country), but sometimes it just captures my mood so perfectly. This song is as simple as it sounds: It’s about a good day; one of those days where everything just runs smoothly and it’s all good :-).
Well, as my friend Ice Cube put it so eloquently back in 1995, “Today was a Good Day” here in NYC. The rain and clouds cleared away from yesterday and brought lots of sunshine and surprises.
Started out the day with a walk and some kickboxing (my version of yoga), moved onto a little whiffle ball, got a little starstruck, enjoyed a bit of pampering and finally rounded it ALL out with a delicious Italian dinner.
Here’s the short recap.
Kickboxing = Yoga
If you live in New York, you’ll understand what I’m talking about here: sometimes it’s just HARD to get places in this city. So therefore, if I have activities that are “cross-town,” I’ll plan my day around them. Today, I had a whiffle ball (yes whiffle ball) game in mid-town west at 1:00. This meant, the smartest way for me to ensure I’d be on time and get in a good workout, was to go to a gym near the “field” (which is actually an elementary school playground). It’s times like these I’m very glad my gym is located all over the city. PLUS my fave kickboxing instructor was teaching her signature class at Columbus Circle, Ilaria Montagnani. Her name says it all: This woman means business. Just take a look at her picture.
She is a warrior! Check out those guns!
She is just as scary in person, believe me. The first time I took her class two years ago, about five minutes into the class, she asked me to leave…because I picked up my Blackberry. Ooooops. It was then I learned that Ilaria Montagnani means business. But when I really sat down to think about, I realized that kickboxing essentially is my version of yoga. It’s when I zone out, focus on the task at hand and forget about everything else in the world. Would you pick up your phone during yoga? Nope. Anyway, since then, I’ve been going to her class rather consistently, and I’m hooked (but I will never so much as glance at my little Blackberry!).
Powerstrike is “martial arts and fitness aerobics into a heart-pumping, energizing hour of choreographed punches and kicks. ” While the atmosphere of the class itself is part of what I enjoy, I would strongly recommend those of you who like workout dvd’s to consider buying this one. It’s addictive!
Today’s class was perfect. I hadn’t been in a while, and even though I was sweating like crazy, I could feel the burn, and I loved it. I was also loving the combinations today. Whenever Ilaria throws in the martial arts, I feel sooo Karate Kid 🙂 At the end of the class, the room looked like a sauna, and I REALLY wanted to take a picture…but something told me Ilaria would not have been too happy.
PS – Ilaria also teaches a class that involves Samurai sword training, Forza. I really want to take it but the class intimidates me! Should I do it? If I ever take the class, I promise to blog my little heart out.
Yes, I Play Whiffle Ball
From the gym, it was onto the next part of my SundayFunday: Whiffle Ball. Yes, you read it right. I’m in a whiffle ball league, and my team’s name is…Pitches and Throws. A lot of New Yorkers do leagues like this as a way to meet people and have some fun. And I must say, I’ve definitely enjoyed it so far! Take a look at the field we play on:
Whiffle Ball Field in Hells Kitchen - this Nebraska girl is hard core!
Our games are played on New York public elementary school “schoolyard”, in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. It doesn’t get much cooler than this 🙂 A few of my co-workers are in the league with me, and I don’t want to brag…but our team is currently 3-0. Must be the marathon training…
My friend, Sarah, gets ready to CRUSH that ball!
One of my teammates and I had to stay after to volunteer “ref” the next games, and I must say, I had a great time doing the “safe” and “out” gestures. I felt so powerful! (Even though I had no idea what I was doing…)
Only in New York
I had a beer with my teammates to celebrate our victory but had to leave very quickly, as I was in MAJOR need of a pedicure. I haven’t had one since before the National Marathon, so 26.2 miles later (and then some) it was about time. I decided to just wander until I got to the subway…and then I saw this:
Hmmm...this is not just another street corner...
And looking a little closer, I saw this…
Not everyday you just run into a blockbuster red carpet premiere
Yep, somehow, I took a “right” turn and ran smack dab into the Water for Elephants premiere. I chatted with some of the screaming tweens/grown women surrounding me and found out that indeed Robert Pattinson was scheduled to arrive any second. I’m no twi-hard fan, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t interested! So I waited in my basketball shorts and Nike shoes, fresh with the distinct scent of being outdoors for 3 hours, and after 20 minutes, I was rewarded with this photo:
So close yet so far...I dont fight 12-year-olds 😉
Hey, it’s nothing big, but it was truly exhilarating to run into such a big-time premier on a Sunday stroll through NYC. I’ve never seen so many flashing lights in my entire life, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. It reminded me in a strange way of how anything’s possible here in New York, and how luck can change in a “New York Minute.” Also, for the record, Robert’s hair is even shinier in person, and his smile will melt anyone’s heart. I’m officially sort of a fan 😉
Pampering Time!
Sadly, I couldn’t wait around for Reese Witherspoon, because I was in major need of a pedicure and had a 7:00 dinner party to attend. After a day of strolling through Hollywood premieres, running my heart out in whiffle ball AND kickboxing with Ilaria, those feet needed some r&r.
I dont normally take pictures of my feet....
Fitness Magazine and spa pedicure. I was in heaven.
Italian Dinner with the Irish
Finally, I made it to my end destination: Michelle’s apartment for dinner with her boyfriend’s mother, who was in town all the way from Ireland! Michelle and her roomie cooked an amazing meal for all of us, and it was just what I needed after a long day in the sun.
First, some appetizers, including homemade crostini, roasted red peppers, olives, meats, cheeses, oh my! Let’s not forget the wine 😉
Vino is essential to any proper Italian-Irish feast
And then it was onto the main course, which included salad, garlic bread and the most amazing lasagna I’ve ever seen 🙂 Nice job, Michelle!
Michelles roomie is Italian and she taught her to cook THE BEST lasagna...perhaps I should take lessons?
Of course, no one had room, but there was still some desert to enjoy. The spread included brownies, cookies and ice cream.
After so much savory, we needed some sweet
Let’s just say, we all had a hard time walking out of there, because we were STUFFED! In addition to the food, there was certainly a lot of good conversations and laughter. However, near the end of our evening, I realized I was the only one who had to go to work in the morning (everyone had randomly taken the day off). So it was time for me to head home.
Guess what? On the subway ride home, I realized that I left my wallet at Michelle’s apartment. I didn’t realize until I was nearly home, so I added nearly an hour onto my commute going back to get the wallet. But you know what? I really didn’t care. Because today was a good day :-). There are some days where nearly everything goes wrong, and there are some days where it just feels like I’m on cruise control. Today was one of those crusin’ days!
And without further ado, here’s the song that inspired this post (Note: I couldn’t decide whether to post the “clean” version or the explicit version, which is the actual music video. I went with clean, just in case – you’ll still get the idea)
See you tomorrow! I’m going to be a bit tired, due to the wallet detour, but I’ll make it through. GOOD LUCK BOSTON MARATHON RUNNERS!!
Question:
What song reminds you of a perfect day?
It does sound like a good day. I lived in NYC for a month one summer and I LOVED being able to walk to the gym. It was such a nice little “warm-up.”
I am fairly seriously considering moving to NYC after I graduate from Nursing School next August. So, hopefully you’ll still be there.
I know isn’t it just fab? I love it. Although sometimes I hate how long it takes to get me places. It’s a love-hate relationship with this city 😉 You should DEFINITELY move here!
That’s quite exciting that you saw Robert Pattinson! Like you said, I would not have been falling all over myself to see him, but still cool to see him fairly close up! I am also psyched to see this movie, Water For Elephants is one of the best books I have ever read 🙂
There are certain Rascal Flatts songs that remind me of a perfect day!
Yeah that’s exactly how I felt. I figured as long as I was in the middle of the action, I might as well stay for the main attraction…He didn’t disappoint. He is a very good-looking guy! Too young for me though 😉 Rascal Flatts are my go-to for uplifting music! Unstoppable, Feels Like Today, Stand…my list could go on and on…
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Awwww sis, the food was good but we wouldnt have had a party without your fab company! Thanks for bringing the Reddi Wip!
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