Visit Ground Zero

Ten Years after 9/11, I can still remember where I was when it happened.  Unless you weren't born  then, I don't know anyone that can't remember where they were and what they were doing on that day.  During the Southern California blackout that we had a few days ago, people were frantically comparing it to 9/11.  My stomach churned.  This is NOT like 9/11 people!  I don't know how a 12 hour power outage is anything like thousands of people dying from a horrible terrorist attack in the middle of one of the most populated cities in the world, and not to mention several thousands of other people losing their loved ones. It's not the same!

 Building next to where the Twin Towers used to be

I knew that visiting Ground Zero was a place I had to go to when I visited New York for the first time in 2005.  The days leading up to it we had been surrounded by a large number of people, taxis and cars swerving around and honking angrily at each other, and to sum it up it had been pure chaos.  Visiting Ground Zero however was another side of New York I had never seen. 

 Sign at Ground Zero

Once I stepped out of the Subway it felt different.  The noise wasn't as abundant, and it was almost like someone had pressed the Mute button on the remote control after it had been on full blast.  We didn't have the exact directions to get there, but we only assumed that we were headed towards the vast space of emptiness that surrounded a sea of sky rise buildings.

The Names of the Heroes of 9/11

As soon as I got there I was consumed by a variety of emotions, particularly sadness and anger that the horrible event had even happened.  I stared at the large empty space that used to house the World Trade Center.  I walked around the perimeter, and saw the names of those that perished from that day.  It was such a moving experience, and not one that I can easily describe in words.  I can't wait to see the new 9/11 Memorial.  Today I will remember those that were lost, and those who were directly affected.  I will never forget.

A Cross made out of remnants of the World Trade Center

Date Accomplished:  August 2nd, 2005

Party In The Meatpacking District

I had watched enough episodes of "Sex and the City" to know that one of the hip neighborhoods to party in Manhattan is the Meatpacking District.  The Meatpacking district hasn't always been the go-to place.    In the 80's it was known as the area filled with drug deals and prostitution.  In the late 90's it began its transformation to what it is today.  Old slaughterhouses and packing plants were being transformed into high end boutiques, hip bars, restaurants and clubs.

We took a taxi to the meatpacking district and found a bar that served buttery nipple shots (my friend was craving it).  We felt like such hipsters hanging out at the cool part of town.  We stopped by one more bar until finding a club to dance in.

East coast guys are so different from west coast boys.  They are definitely more assertive, if not borderline aggressive.  They do not take NO for an answer!  After being practically molested at the club we quickly made our great escape back to our hotel.  A night in NYC is always a treat!

P.S.  Never cut your bangs yourself, the photo above is what happens when you do.  You have been warned.

Date Accomplished: July 20th, 2005

Run Through Central Park Like Phoebe And Rachel In Friends

 The Phoebe Run

I got the idea for this list item from the show Friends.  There is a hilarious episode when Phoebe runs ridiculously through a park.  By the end of the episode both Rachel and Phoebe are doing the ridiculous run through the park.  Click to see the run in action.  So I really have no shame when it comes to certain things, and running through Central Park like a complete moron was no surprise to many that know me.

Luckily, my BFF, is just as shameless, so we conveniently did "The Run" together.    We ran until I spotted a playground and hopped onto one of the swings.  To my shock, when I was looking up photos of the Phoebe Run, I came across videos of people who have also did the Phoebe Run.  I guess I'm not the only one!

Next time I'm in Central Park I will have to record a video of my insane silliness! 

Where My Run Ended

Date Accomplished:  August 1st, 2005