Cousins Part 2

Sunday:

On Sunday we didn’t got to church because we were out so late at the Empire State Building and it is so far away. So instead we read a Psalm 138 and reflected on it. This is a good psalm for New York City. There is so much going on all over the place here and so many people all in different situations. This psalm can keep you focused and encourage you.

Then we went down to Little Italy for lunch at the Italian Food Center. It was a disappointment. After eating we milled around Chinatown so that the girls could shop. Michelle bought some D&G knockoffs because she needed some new sunglasses and Katrina bought some necklaces. All of these places along Canal street are just so seedy. It infuriates me to see stolen product. Katrina showed us a few places that weaved in and out of buildings that she had been through before. I tend to think that if the city really wanted to it could clean the place out just like it did Times Square. I guess Bloomberg isn’t up to the challenge.

The quest for the day came when we left Chinatown. We had to get to Cindy and Misha’s for Nik and Katrina’s engagement party and it wasn’t easy. First we had to stop and get a gift for Cindy and Misha for letting us park Michelle’s car there. Then we had to get to the Port Authority and hop onto a bus. I had thought it would be as easy as it was when we took the bus into Manhattan the day we arrived, false. It was a pain. I thought we could catch the bus on the street, but that wasn’t the case. Rather, we had to go inside and find the ticket booth and then find the terminal. The process was unbelievably difficult. We went to the information desk, no help. Went to a map, no help. Went to a cop, no help. Every instruction we received was non-descriptive and useless. I noted how many people have said that in New York people are to the point, whereas I’ve been experiencing that New Yorkers are precisely not to the point. Instead they assume you can read what they’re saying and that you have a knowledge regarding the information you are asking about. It’s severely annoying.

After running nearly everywhere in the place we finally figured it out, but were on pace to be an hour and a half late. We arrived in Tenafly and waited for Misha to pick us up. I was very impressed with downtown Tenafly. It was homely and calming. The sun was setting nicely over the trees and benches (Still, the sun sets softly over Savoy much better. FYI, Savoy is my home away from home at school). It’s the kind of place you want to sit until nightfall and then hit the town.

Enough of Tenafly, we got to Cindy and Misha’s to meet the family. It was so nice to actually be in a home for a change. I immediately hit up the cheese and crackers to warm up for ribs. The meal was nice and everybody was extremely welcoming. I must say that we were extremely lucky to have been guided by these native New Yorkers. On our way out Cindy gave me some cheese which helped because I had ran out earlier in the week. But still, if somebody’s gonna make a cheese run, holla at me dog (Scrubs).

We drove Michelle’s car back into Manhattan because we needed to pack her car for her camp. I was surprised how lucky we were to find a spot right in front of the building. Very nice! After another long day we went to bed to get up for an exciting morning.

Monday:

I got up at 6:10am so that I could pack Michelle’s car. Because I had to work in the morning and we figured that if we had to get up anyway, we would go check out The Today Show. We parked Michelle’s car in a garage and then went to Rockefeller (By the way, I work two blocks from the Rock and I’ve been waiting to see Tina Fey walk down the street and have been unsuccessful, but my roommate who works around there already has.  What’s the deal?). By the time we got there is was around 8:00 am we and heard a bunch of screaming. It was for Will Smith. I was happy that we picked the right day to go. He looks like he does on the screen. Nik was smart in taking a video so that he didn’t end up with a bunch of blurred images that resemble those urban legend type pictures like I did.

Alas, it was time for fun to end. I always hate leaving Michelle, especially when she is about to cry. Sometimes I even choke up. I went to work, Michelle went to camp, and Nik and Katrina got Rent tickets.

-George and Michelle the Engaged with Nik and Katrina the Engaged

Al Roker

Will Smith

He is “Urban” Legend

At the Today Show