When you wake up with a view like this, you’re pretty much disallowed the right of complaining about ANYTHING.
All of New York City...literally right before my very eyes. It's like a castle in the sky!
As mentioned in my last post, my parents are in town for the weekend. So, instead of heading to the beach with the rest of New York City, I’m camping out at my parents hotel room, which, as you can see overlooks all of Central Park.
Now this is what I call a room with a view.
My parents actually stay here whenever they come to New York City (friend of a friend’s hotel condo type of thing). Since the view is so spectacular, I usually stay with them for a few days. It’s like a mini-staycation.
Plus, often times, if you live on one side of the New York City, you could go weeks, even months, without seeing the other side! I head to this part of town every now and then, but it’s still fun to explore more when my parents are here.
The view from the bedroom at night time...breathtaking. Not too shabby, indeed.
Oh, and I even get my own room.
Old-fashioned, but quaint and beautiful, especially when all of Central Park lies below.
Yep, this is the life. Not gonna lie.
This is how I enjoyed my oatmeal and coffee this morning.
Coffee, oatmeal and a side of Central Park 😉
My father and I ate our breakfasts silently while taking in the view and working on our computers. Always working – like father, like daughter ;-).
Giving into Temptation
A girl can only stare out a giant window at so many runners in Central Park before she just HAS to join in on the fun. Since I hurt my foot, outdoor running and running in general has been pretty limited.
I want to talk more about the foot thing, but I haven’t quite processed it all, so please stay tuned.
Anyway, the doctor and physical therapist told me I’m allowed to run and am not risking any permanent damage. It’s about knowing when to quit and remembering to do the proper stretches/icing afterwards.
So, with that in mind, I headed out on my first Central Park run in over a month.
It was a beautiful day for a jog in the park. PS- the shirtless girl isn't me. Sorry for not partying.
In the end, I completed about 6 miles. It wasn’t easy – in fact, at times I felt like I was barely running. But at least I finished. Yes, it’s frustrating to remember the glory days of running 20 miles in this very same spot without any trouble, but hey, I like a good comeback (Cool Runnings = Fave sports movie of all time). I’ll get back there eventually – don’t you worry.
Regardless of the challenge of the actual running part, I’m so glad I did it. It felt so refreshing to be back out there in Central Park breathing the fresh almost-fall air, and taking in all of the sights and sounds of the city. I mean, I even kind of missed the smell of horse poop on that one part of the Park that has lots of horse and carriage (NYC runners, know what I’m talking about?).
I didn’t miss the hills, but I question the sanity of anyone that misses running on rolling hills.
Halfway up Harlem Hill...not lovin' the run right about now. Good thing for every hill, there's a downhill!
All-in-all, while the run wasn’t easy, it felt encouraging to be back where I’ve had so many great runs in the past. Here’s to hopes for many more.
Jamie Time
I have this little problem whenever my parents come to town. I tend to become overly-concerned with how they will entertain themselves. At the same time, they do their best to ensure me that they are fine on their own for a bit.
So, today, they told me I should feel free to get in a little bit of alone time to decompress after the long week.
And that’s just what I did.
I hit up the clearance sale at Borders in the Time Warner Center, where I picked up 3 books for 15 bucks. Sad that the store is going out of business, but very happy about the big closing sale.
Next, I perused the 9/11 exhibit in the mall. The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is one week from tomorrow, and you can’t help but think about it when you live in this city. The longer I live here, the more I feel attached to the city and a sort of “kinship” with the people in this crazy place.
The exhibit showed the stories of 9/11 past and present through photos.
I’m not too good at verbalizing these kinds of feelings, but the point is that I feel a strong sense of pull towards these types of exhibits, and I want to be a part of the memorials and special events that the city is hosting in the coming week. It’s been 10 years, but I still remember where I was and exactly what I was doing when I saw the first plane crash into the towers on the news. It was an unthinkable tragedy that seemed so close to home, yet so far away at the same time. I felt so sad for all of those innocent lives that were lost and for all of the families that were broken.
But, I never realized I’d end up living here and be lucky enough to call it my home. I have a feeling next Sunday is going to be a pretty special (although somber) day here in NYC.
I'll never forget the cover of the New Yorker, which so perfectly depicted the unthinkable tragedy.
Reading Chick-Lit, Eating Outside
Nothing gives me more happiness during the nice summer weather than sitting outside with a nice little beach read and a big salad.
So, seeing as this is the weekend to say goodbye to summer, I decided to do just that.
I ate my gigantic salad while reading Jane Green’s latest, Promises to Keep. I’ll let you know what I think of it when I’m done.
Reading and eating on the streets of New York City.
Oh, and I also, flipped through this amazing find: Junk Foodie.
For $4, you bet I was buying this little gem.
The book contains recipes for the “lowbrow gourmand.” I was intrigued. Does that include the “Sometimes Healthy Gourmand?” My favorite so far is the “Pop-Tart Brunch Strudel.” Basically, one combines apple pie filling, handi-snacks cheese dip and pop tart crust to create a faux gourmet strudel…
Now that's what I call "mouth watering" junk food. Perfect for a girl with such a "refined palette"
This book is nothing short of amazing.
A New York Kind of Night
After a relaxing day to ourselves, we headed out for dinner and a Broadway show. First, we hit up a deli near the theatre. Too me, delis are one of those characteristic New York experiences. So whenever my parents visit, I beg them to take me.
mmmmmm...nothin' like those good ol' deli pickles.
I ordered a turkey sandwich and enjoyed pickles and a glass of wine on the side.
Not the prettiest sandwich but it was mmm mmm good.
I would have had the whole sandwich but the waiter thought I could only have a half…apparently he doesn’t know me.
Luckily, my dad ordered my favorite dish: smoked fish. So, I “borrowed” a few items off his plate too.
I HEART smoked fish. Yeah, that's right, I'll admit it.
Next, we were off to see Sister Act. I’m not really a fan of Broadway shows, but I was looking forward to this one.
Looks like a good time to me.
I mean, how can one not be a fan of the movie that this musical is based upon?
I was disappointed Whoopi couldn’t be a part of the stage version, but, in the end, I didn’t miss her. The lead was absolutely incredible, and this was far and away one of my favorite Broadway shows ever. It was entertaining, quirky, high-energy and full of laughs. I would definitely recommend this show to anyone looking to see some Broadway!
I wish I could go watch the movie right now, but sadly it’s not on iTunes. I’ll have to buy it tomorrow because I now have a major urge to see it!
And on that note, I’m off to bed. Hoping to hit up my fave kickboxing class tomorrow morning – the instructor is CRAZAY 😉
Jane Green is my fav author! I love her books. That junk food book seems like it would be good inspiration for your wacky food combos.
My thoughts exactly. Stay tuned! I love Jane Green. Jemima J is my fave book of all time. I actually think it has quite the deep message for being such a chick read 😉
Whoa that hotel room looks awesome! I bet it is nice to stay at a different place for a couple of days! Have fun with your parents!
HOLY COW!!! That view is outstanding! That is so fun your parents are in town. Girl, great run but I know how hard it is mentally to have to kind of start over again. Now I am craving pickles big time!
I know you relate, and that’s why reading YOUR blog inspires me every day. Your attitude is so admirable, and I love how you’ve adapted your content to be about so much more than just running. I would pretty much read anything you write – even an analysis on the best brand of toilet paper 😉
sounds like you’re having a great weekend!
how does that view even EXIST?!?! let alone that apartment! it’s the life! i’m so glad you were able to get out and enjoy central park with a great run!
xoxo
I know. It’s pretty special. I hesitated sharing because I didn’t want to appear to be the high roller that I’m CLEARLY not. We just got lucky with this room…PS it’s where my brother proposed to his fiance, too. So, it will forever be special to my family 🙂
wow, I am very jealous of your parents’ hotel room! I don’t know what I’d do with a view that isn’t my street and the apartments across from it (though i guess it could be worse!).
Nice job getting out there for a run – it’s such a tricky injury in terms of running vs. resting. I hope you keep making progress and can knock this thing for good!
Can I stay with your parents next time they visit? I don’t think that’s a weird request…
Um, not a weird request at all. I really want to try to get the hotel room when my parents AREN’T in town and have big sleepover. We could have a little blogger sleepover and go running at Central Park in the morning…this could be good!
Ummm. Totally calling a sleepover at Jamie’s parents’ hotel room next time. I’m just going to show up. If I bring a healthified snack, does that grant me admission?
I absolutely love pickles, and your picture is making me crave one as part of my lunch today.
Happy Tuesday! Hope the rest of the weekend was as relaxing as the beginning 🙂
You are hereby granted permission. You would be granted permission without the healthified snack but please bring anyway 😉
Ok, more to love about you, I also LOVE Cool Runnings…it’s been WAY too long since I’ve seen it! And injuries totally suck…so sorry about your foot, hope it’s better soon!
After looking at that book, you would totally enjoy http://thisiswhyyourefat.tumblr.com/ (the new thisiswhyyourefat.com is removed for some reason but you can see some previous stuff on the tumblr site)
We need to meet up soooon! We are so close! I know exactly where those little blue bistro tables are!
I have TOTALLY seen that site and love it. Yes, please, can we meet up?? PS – I LOVE your blog. I’m adding you to my blogroll!
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