Yeah, I did it. I finally visited New York. It's such a beautiful city. I could not believe how beautiful it was, but in all honesty it just wasn't for me. I grew up in a small town in the Rio Grande Valley. I never thought I'd even visit the big apple, but I made it happen. My family never had the means to travel so all the traveling I did was through school. Big shout out to scholarships and financial aid for that! I've visited countless states and even France, this is probably the first time where I went somewhere without school yet I treated it just like a school trip. Day 1:Ground Zero. Probably the most emotional part of my visit. Many people remember exactly where they were when those planes hit, including me. I was in the 3rd Grade. Mrs. Romero's class at Doedyn's Elementary when a teacher ran in telling us to turn on the news where we saw the second plane hit. I didn't know what was happening. I couldn't comprehend what was going on but I remember being scared. What if we were next? Thankfully we weren't, but thousands of people lost their lives that day. Each and every one of their pictures were posted in the museum and I kept putting myself in their families' shoes. Chills. Chills ran through my spine as I relived that day. I left the memorial in silence. New York Public Library and Bryant Park Ice Rink I needed to print out our tickets for both Good Morning America and Live With Kelly and Michael so what better place to do that than the New York Public Library?! HOLY CRAP that place was HUGE. You really could get lost there. I don't know how I didn't. I mean I walked in there to print two sheets of paper out and walked out two hours later. Right outside the library is Bryant Park where they have an awesome ice rink I wanted to skate in if I was coordinated enough but I just settled for a picture with the HUGE tree. (See above) Time Square. What's a trip to NYC without a late night stroll through Time Square? It was everything I had ever dreamed it would be. So many lights and people causing me so much anxiety. This was where I realized I could never live in the city that never sleeps. Even though the atmosphere was great I just don't want to be in a place where I have to worry about being scammed all the time. Yes, that did happen. I was taking a picture and a Winnie the Pooh character jumped in my photo and then charged me for it. WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL? Completely rude but whatever. I'd much rather live in a place where I'm comfortable like San Diego. Day 2:Good Morning America I somehow managed to score us tickets to watch Good Morning America, but damn it was cold. We woke up bright and early waited in line for so long and had to be out in the cold for the taping, but it was totally worth it to see Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan (see below). It wasn't what I expected it to be. I kind of would have liked to have been in the warmth, but it's an experience and quite fun to say the least. We even got to meet a few of the anchors and the celebrity guests which included Roman and the Bella Twins from WWE. It's so strange actually seeing the recording live. I wanted to do TV for so long and now that I've seen two tapings I'm not too sure I could do it. Ed Sullivan Theater. If I could have toured the Ed Sullivan Theater my life would be complete. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to score tickets to see Stephen Colbert in action but passing by the studio still made me fangirl. Rockefeller Center Oh. My. Gosh. Really that's all I can say about this place. So beautiful. I mean look at that tree. The architecture and the statues are just flawless. St. Patrick's Cathedral Talk about #CatholicGoals. I've visited Notre Dame and now St. Patrick's. Literally I have Vatican City left on my list and I'll be good. Gothic architecture is just so beautiful. There's just something about the design that just makes me think I'm in a castle in the Middle Ages. We went inside and saw part of a mass and I even lit a candle for my family and bought quite a few gifts. Considering I've lived in a small town most of my life, I just can't imagine attending mass at a church like this and not knowing every parishioner. Radio City Music Hall Holy crap this place only looks small because trust me when you walk inside its HUGE. So much walking went on during this tour. This was one of the few guided tours we decided to take. This venue is gorgeous and was designed to feel like you're on a boat going toward the sunset. I never would have guessed that, to be completely honest. The art on the walls are all the original paintings just slightly restored. The carpeting was so musical...literally. They have instruments on it. Oh and did I mention I met a Rockette?! She said I had the pose down packed! Too bad I'm too short to be a Rockette. 😭 Love Sign and Lady Liberty Now I just had to be basic and take a photo with the love sign. Unfortunately, I was too broke to take a guided Statue of Liberty tour but I still wanted to see her so we took the FREE...yes, I said FREE ferry to Staten Island and caught a glimpse of her on the way there and back. Broadway: Something Rotten This has easily become my new obsession. For my first Broadway show, it did not disappoint. SO FUNNY. If you don't know, Something Rotten takes place in the Renaissance period and follows the story of two brothers who are writers living in the shadow of William Shakespeare so Nigel Bottom sets out to create the world's first musical. Now I know what you're thinking and trust me it's not that at all. It's funny. It's crude and so many sexual innuendos. Definitely a must see. Now you're probably thinking "how did you score tickets to this Tony Nominated show?" Three little words: Broadway on 8th. We got great seats to this show for $75! Originally they run to be about $200+! The guys there are so helpful and they even hooked me up to see another show for just $50! (See day 3) Day 3:Live With Kelly and Michael No joke, I'm still pinching myself about this. We stood outside in line for about 2 hours and it was FREEZING. So damn cold. We thought we weren't going to make it in, but we were some of the last people to make it in the studio audience and sat FRONT ROW. We met Tyler Perry (see above). And I even got a selfie with Kelly Ripa, who I've adored since I was a kid! (See below). Kelly and I have the same appreciation for Beyoncé. Sometimes Yoncé just comes out of us. She was such a sweetheart! Oh and Michael, my favorite Giants player EVER. (See below) Unfortunately no selfie with him but I did fangirl over him two days in a row. So if I learned anything that day it's that patience and waiting are worth it. You may just get rewarded with front row seats to things. Central Park Such a beautiful creation. I climbed a giant rock to get this photo and well later messed up my ankle but hey, I got the photo! 5th Ave. and Tiffany's Spent those few hours acting like I was rich and famous, but in reality couldn't afford anything on that street except for maybe a chocolate bar. I mean really I couldn't afford a key chain at Tiffany's. It was over $70. FOR A KEY CHAIN. But still I dreamed and stared at all the things I couldn't afford. Broadway Part 2: Matilda So speaking of Matilda and TV, I found out I made it on TV for Kelly and Michael (see above). That was totally exciting. Back to the actual point: Matilda was PHENOMENAL. If you're a classic musical lover or a fan of the movie Matilda this is the Broadway show for you. It's so dark and twisted plus the effects will have you thinking how did they do that?! Original prices for this show are also in the $200 price range but Broadway on 8th hooked it up for $50! Seriously save your money and go check these guys out. Day 4:Thrift Shops I love finding little treasures at thrift shops and popping tags, man. I found myself a Coach purse for only $10! Yeah, it's dirty but I can fix it up and wash it. No biggie. Oh and if you look closely under it is the jacket I found for $30! It's real leather and super cute. It's all about those hidden treasures. Back To Reality:I learned so much about myself on my little journey. Sometimes you just need to get away for a while and explore a place you've never been before to find yourself again.
Like I mentioned earlier I could never live in NYC but visiting again would be nice. There was still a lot I didn't get to do, but what I did do I totally enjoyed. 2016 will be the year of travel for me. Up next Vegas in February!
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2015 was a pretty horrible year. I was diagnosed with a mental illness and let that stop me from accomplishing many things.
"New Year, New Me" is what everyone always says but I just don't see it. I ended 2015 with some of my best friends (see above) but inside I was still fighting my anxiety and depression. Depression is so taboo in my culture. "Estas loca" is something that's thrown around on the daily from people I know. I'm not "loca" I have an illness and I'm working on overcoming it. I didn't let my social anxiety and depression win last night. I went out and had a great time with friends. Yes, I struggled with my illness a good portion of the night but like I said I'm working on it. This year, I've decided to not let my illness win. I'm going to travel more. I'm going to explore. I'm going to take in life. Who knows what else may come from it. I'm stronger than my mental illness. It won't win. |
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