Nuurdygirl Ventures to New York

When I first started to write this entry, I had the idea of giving all the details of the trip. My father is a great writer......and when he travels he often posts what we call "epistles": daily details of the trip. This is what I thought to do at first....but realized that I did not have the patience to write that much nitty-gritty. Also, I am fairly certain that you as a reader do not REALLY care about the nittgh-gritty. However, I have opted for the MOST EXCELLENT highlights from my trip to New York with my parents.

This was my first real trip to New York. I have been to New Jersey loads of times for work, seen Manhattan from the glory of Newark, and been into the city twice for work functions....but never been to enjoy it or spend some time. Additionally (thanks to my wonderful father) this was my first trip FIRST CLASS. My dad cannot sit on an airplane for a long flight like the one to New York in coach, so when he booked the tickets, they were all first class! I most certainly did not fit in while wearing grubby yoga pants, sweatshirt, and fuzzy boots.....but it was sooooo nice!

I flew out from Seattle and met my parents in Minneapolis, and we flew all together to Newark. There were plans to spend the total 6 hours on a plane crocheting.....but they were well thwarted. Of course on the second leg I spent the time gabbing with my mother.....but what was irritating was the first leg. I simply got caught up watching the in-flight movie. That doesn't sound so bad....except that the movie was My Sisters Keeper. If any airline executive reads this: DO NOT SHOW SAD MOVIES ON A FLIGHT! Seriously....stick with comedy - NO ONE wants to cry with strangers while trapped in a hurtling piece of tin! But it was a good movie.....

We spent 4 full days in the city - taking the train in from Jersey City each day. Three of those days were in mid-town near Time Square, and one day was down toward the East Village and NYU. I am not sure if I really expected the city to be different than what I got.....but what I found was that I adored this city. There is a great energy.....maybe because there is no STOP to the people. People are working and moving all the time.

We saw 4 shows while we were there: Chicago, Rock of Ages, Blue Man Group, and Mamma Mia. The Mamma Mia tickets for Wednesday night were a last minute surprise from my dad - he couldn't wait for tickets either. All of our seats were amazing! Blue Man Group was the only show we did not sit in the balcony - and all our balcony seats were right in the middle and only 1 or 2 rows back. STELLAR! My favorite show had to be Rock of Ages. Not because it was so much better....but because I was surprised with the story, talent, and I have not laughed that hard in so long. I had never heard of the show, and my parents thought it was about the history of rock and roll.......and it turns out to be you typical boy-meets-girl-boy-loses-girl story. It just so happens to be set on the Sunset Strip in the early '80's and using rock music like Styx, Journey, Pat Benetar, etc. Completely hilarious.

The places we ate were terrific too. We went to places without much planning or reference.....and loved all of them. We ate at Ellens Stardust Diner, Burbon Street, Beccos, The Chinatown Brasserie, and The Shake Shack. I came back with an extra 5 pounds as a souvenier! And I just have to say......get the 'Shroom Burger at the Shack. YUM! And at Becco's, get the 3 pasta special side dish with whatever you order......it's pasta Heaven!

Speaking of The Shake Shack, on our way over to get lunch there I had my first brush with fame on the trip. We crossed the street with Christine Baranski. The next night, and the China Brasserie, we had dinner at a table next to John Goodman. I was totally fine until I heard John Goodman speak....and then I got all giggly. Because he is just so funny and delightful.

This was one of the best trips I have had in a long time! Just my folks and I spending the time.....no big rush and no real plans. Just hanging out and being goofy all together. My parents are so much fun!

The best thing I brought back from this trip....next to awesome memories....was the decision to go back to school. After the Blue Man Group show, I stopped into the Starbucks at Astor Place in the east village to get coffee. The idea of going back to school had been rattling in my head (lightly) for a while......and standing there in a crowd of NYU students I was struck by a thunderbolt. Now is the time.....do it now.....go back to school. So I am!

Wonder what will be the epiphany on the next trip we take?

My Goodness What a Week!

This past week has been so completely incredible! Not because there was anything extraordinary (per se), or there was some remarkable event (although winning the lottery would have been a nice addition). But for the past week it has been like floating on air.....NOTHING could have brought me down or spoiled my mood.

As you may recall, the week before this one was the Week of Suspension in which my son had to deal with the consequences of joking about breaking the law, and was trapped working at home for a week. Monday morning brought his return to school.....started off with a meeting in the principals office. He did not want me there (only his dad) and so I had to hear about the results. He had written a letter to the Principal apologizing for what he had done, and explaining why his joking was inappropriate. It was sweet and beautiful, and 2 pages of more thought than ever expected. He was so relieved to get back to school! And I was so proud to have him really think through what had happened and be able to learn from the experience.

The biggest joy this week is the countdown to my Geekboy moving! In barely over 2 weeks, we will be on the road driving from the East Coast to the West Coast to finally get some living done! This has been a very long time in coming.....and a most welcome relief. Everyday he and I check the counter that ticks away the days and the hours....loving how the numbers keep getting smaller.

This is an event that has been more than a year in the making, and has held up so many other events in life. So many other pursuits. And to be on the verge of action is so exciting! It's more than exciting.....its thrilling and frightening and wonderful!

Because of this amazing thrill, nothing could have brought me down. Not my kids throwing tantrums, not work being crazy busy and sometimes out of control, not my ex stirring up drama, not being completely broke and struggling for pennies. Nothing. It all just rolled off....because it is all fleeting and insignificant in the realization that true happiness and peace in my heart are arriving.

This, however, has brought me to feel a little sad. Not for myself or my children....but for some others in my life that I see hanging on to what brings them their own sadness. There are people in my life who are so set in thinking of happiness in a certain way, that when other chances for happiness or changes for happiness present themselves, these people refuse to see it or try it. Joy and peace are part of a journey, and not a destination of themselves. You have to take chances and go through hurt to keep finding the wonderful spots along the road.

I have often remembered a quote this week. Forgive me if I get it a bit wrong, but the meaning is the same.

"Hell is doing the same things over and over, but expecting a different result."

At this point for me, the chances I have taken have given new results. The part of the journey I am on is beautiful! And I hope that it continues a while longer, and that others find their own way onto this road.

For myself....I am going to keep along this path and take it slow. I am going to savour every delicious moment with smiles, and butterfilies in my stomach, and a spring in my step. I am going to watch the calendar and the counter to the time my Geekboy is finally near me and not just on the phone with a constant giggle of delight. I am going to remember that all the other little moments of drama and tantrum are nothing more than minor bumps in the road. And I will try to keep my kiddos entertained on this journey and show others how great it is to take the chances for happiness.

The Week of Suspension

I would like to open by saying that I try very hard to recognize that my children are not perfect. The idea that "they can do no wrong" is silly.....they are kids and will make mistakes and bad choices. If we adults do it, so can kids.

My brain and my heart have been very prepared to get called to the principals office for my daughter. She is feisty and will really fight when she needs (or feels the need) to. However what knocked me off my feet this week was getting called by the school pricipal regarding my son.....and having my son SUSPENDED for 4 days.

Bug (my son) and a few of his friends had been discussing some changes they wanted with the computer lab, and it escalated into a joke that involved breaking into the school. Now.....these boys are 11, and I know they are not going to really go through with it. However, I do agree that they cannot joke around about something that is illegal and/or will cause harm to another person or place. Better to have a slightly excessive punishment now in the 5th grade, than to go too light and have him think he can get away with something in High School that will show up on his record and keep him out of a college. And so he has been parked at home for the last week......and his room has never looked cleaner!!!

There are all kinds of discussions that can go on about how to handle such a situation, and what punishments are fair or excessive. However, I think what is interesting is how this affects you as a parent. The feelings of concern and disappointment are so heavy......and the desire to give in and just hug them and say "hey....let's not do this again" and then go get ice cream are overwhelming.

When we went through setting up his home punishment on top of the school punishment, it was so very hard. I think I cried more than Bug did....but it was pretty close. He felt so terrible about what had happened (and I am sure about getting caught) that it just broke my heart. Because of this he had to drop out of the school talent show which he had worked very hard for and had to audition for.....it was the highlight of the year for him I think. My heart was broken...it took everything I had to not wrap my arms around him and just say "it's ok". Had to keep reminding myself it really isn't ok.....but it will be.

Let's be honest....we all did KID things when we were young. We were stupid and made foolish choices....just like our kids do now. But I realize now that there is no way I could understand then the impact this had on my own parents. The worry, fear, and sadness must have been extraordinary!

Bug is a good kid. He is a GREAT kid. And all of this trouble has not changed my view on that in the slightest. I know he is just as great as before because he really knows what he did. He is remorseful. And if he wasn't a good kid, he would simply be angry with the situation. He has worked around the house, cleaned his rooms at both his fathers house as well as mine, done all of his homework, written an apology letter to the principal, and given up all his privledges (games, movies, etc) without a whine or complaint. When his sister, Bean, offered to let him play on the computer after her....he even told her "I can't until at least tomorrow."

Today is Sunday, and he will be going back to school tomorrow. He and his father will be meeting with the principal in the morning (Bug says he didn't want me there - just his dad) and Bug has an apology letter to read and give him. He has done so very well, that I want to let him have all of his privleges back. He has pacified himself by helping to coach his sister through all of the computer games and such when not in the midst of cleaning his room. I want to say "I love you....have at at" but I can't. I will be tough.....and just try to not seem mean.

But with any luck....this was just a one time thing for him. I am still sure this was just practice for me.....for when Bean gets into that row and throws her great right hook.

p.s. Sorry to my folks. Everytime something like this happens with my children....I am compelled for doing it to my parents. So....sorry. Again. :-)