Day 2: NYC

Day 2 was not hard to get up for... one, because we were moving hotels - back to the one we originally booked at, and two, because there was sooooooooooo much we wanted to see and do, that we knew we had to get started.


My Mom unfortunately had a rough first night, and was plagued with a bad headache. PC suspected that it was most likely because the first item on our morning agenda was to head over to St. Patrick's Cathedral to attend mass. We left her in the room to sleep it off, and PC and I went with my Dad to the cathedral. What a place... very nice - I have to say without my dear old Dad on the trip PC and I may not have stayed for mass, but I was actually quite enlighten by the priest and the service - he was an old New Yorker (Yankees fan)... and seemed like a bit of a grumpy old thing, but was actually quite comical in his delivery. After the service, we toured around the place and took some photos, and then decided to grab some breakfast near by.


By the time breakfast was done and we returned to the hotel, it was a miracle - my Mom was up and walking, and ready to take on the world. She didn't seem too rattled that she missed church - but as presbytarian, I guess she wouldn't be!


We got settled into our new rooms, and we were really amazed at the fantastic view of Times Square from our windows. By this time it was pushing close to noon, so we headed out in Times Square to activate our 48-hour hop-on hop-off tour bus passes. It seems like a corny thing to do - ride a double decker tour bus with a bunch of other tourists - but it was honestly one of the highlights of the trip because we got see so much of the city, and learn a lot about different areas of the city that we would have otherwise never gotten to. The tour guides on the buses were pretty good... they shared with us a ton of tid-bits on different buildings and really gave us a good overview of the history of the city.

We started off taking the Uptown Loop... and got see Central Park, Trump International Tower, Harlem, and the Columbia University Area. We got off around Columbia and headed over to Tom's Restaurant for lunch - Tom's Restaurant is known for its appearances on Seinfeld... where Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, and George would hang out. It was actually a pretty decent lunch, and not pricey at all.

From there... we got back on the bus and finished the loop through Harlem... and 73rd St. E - where Carrie from Sex and the City resides in the show.

It rained on and off again during the afternoon, but by the time the tour was over, it had basically stopped. We decided to head over to 5th Avenue to check out some stores... we landed in Niketown, which was 5-story store... and filled with everything Nike you can imagine. On the 5th floor you can make an appointment to design and make your own pair of shoes - for a relatively decent price (I have feeling if we ever go back to NYC, PC will definitely be doing that).

After we shopped a bit... we decided to take a carriage ride in Central Park - this was something my Mom and I really wanted to do, and it was well worth it. Our driver was good and gave us all the little details about where scenes from a variety of movies were shot in the park, I thought it was really cool.

By the time we walked back from Central Park... it was getting dark - we passed by the David Letterman Studio... and saw some other neat things on our way back to the hotel, including a car office in which a lady was working out of, complete with fax machine, photo copier, desk lamp, laptop - you name it, she had it in her car, it was pretty funny.

After a brief stop at our hotel room... we decided to take the tour bus on the Night Tour, which crossed the Manhattan Bridge and went into Brooklyn a bit - it was really nice to see the city at night, the Empire State Building all lit up... and just the different little villages. Our tour guide was a little over the top on this ride, but nonetheless... we saw quite a bit and best of all was the view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge - it was really breath-taking.

By the time the night tour concluded, we were exhausted, but stopped for a quick slice of Pizza before calling it a night. It was a long day.... a good long day, but not quite as long as Day 3 would turn out to be!

Here are a few pics from Day 2, with more on Day 3 and 4 to come later.
Enjoy!

View from our hotel room - just an average Sunday in Times Square!

A short stop at Trump Tower and Trump Bar - didn't see the Donald though!

Safety first... always lock up your bike in Manhatten,

but try not to leave it on the same pole for more than 3 years!

A funny display in a wine store window in Times Square.

Even the NYPD drive Chargers/Tony Soporano Mobiles - PC was quite impressed.

Niketown at Fifth Ave. - quite the scene from the inside.

My Mom contemplated buying these snazzy shoes!

The Plaza! Most expensive hotel in NYC.

PC with the Plaza's Rolls Royce.

Making the Band... P. Diddy's Office.

PC, and PC and I outside of the Seinfield Restuarant.

Our horse and carriage getting ready to take us on our tour in Central Park.

A group shot of us on the carriage, taken by our driver.

PC and I at St. Patrick's Cathedral - proof we were there for Mom C!

Us again, outside the huge doors to the Cathedral.

Proof Baby Coleman was there too!

PC and I outside of the Late Show!

My Mom and Dad outside of the pizza joint that David Letterman

always airs during his late night show.

A shot of Harlem... a really interesting neighbourhood.

The crazy woman working from her car office!

When we are done with our Escape, we can sell it a cab driver in NYC!

Comical sign in Times Square, given that all Taxi Driver's do is HONK!

Our first night in NYC

So our first night in NYC was Saturday.... we arrived at about 4:30 pm at LGA airport. The flight(s) there we both on time... we connected in Detroit, but on the connecting flight I got super hot, sweaty, and almost passed out at one point - I was actually pretty nervous as I didn't really know why- and all I could think was 'oh god, I hope they don't ground the plane because I'm sick' (that's my public health training coming into play there)! Luckily I recovered, drank some ginger ale and by the time we landed I had some colour back in my face and ready to take in the sights.

We retrieved our luggage - well - most of it... my Mom's suitcase didn't come through on our flight and was on the next flight coming in from Detroit at 7:15... they said they would deliver it to our hotel, so we called our shuttle and were on our merry way.

The airport was busy, people coming and going at a constant pace. We got in the our shuttle which was about a 10 passenger van. I was actually pleasantly surprised that shuttle arrangements worked out without any glitches.

The ride from the airport to our hotel in Times Square was quite the experience. NYC drivers, cabbies, shuttle service, whatever type of driver - they all maximize their speed and distances within the tiniest spaces. It was quite entertaining. Within 20 minutes we were being dropped off on the corner of Broadway and 52nd St. W where our hotel was.

When we arrived at the hotel, we learned that they had our reservation but a large group from the night before decided to retain their rooms for an extra/unexpected night - so that put us out in the street! Well... not literally... the Novotel had arranged to put us up free of charge at a neighbouring property... the Flatotel (which is apparently where P. Diddy and the gang were staying when they made a season of 'Making the Band'). It seemed really inconvenient when they explained to us what was happening, but it turned out the hotel was literally just down the street... so we walked a block and half and we were there... in our rooms and ready to take on the town in no time.

By this time, I guess we were pushing 7 o'clock ... and Baby Coleman was hungry, not to mention his/her parents, and grandparents! We headed out on Broadway and had a good bite to eat TGIF's - a little pricey for what we got, but nonetheless filling, and we had a table right at the window so got to see lots of action while figuring out our surroundings.

After dinner, we just walked around Times Square and the surroundings, taking it all in. I was really surprised how close we were to a lot of major attractions - Rockefeller Plaza, NBC, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Fifth Avenue. It seemed really busy that night, but I got thinking it was only because it was Saturday night... but I would come to find out that it wasn't because it was the weekend, its just that busy ALL. THE. TIME.

Times Square at night is definitely something to see... it's like no other place I've ever experienced, with all of the lights and non-stop comotion. By the time we had a good look around, and stopped in at a few stores, we called it a night, and we felt ready to take on the city over the next three days.

Here are a few pictures from our first night in NYC.

Day 2 adventures, to come soon! Stay tuned.

Wall to wall cabs, lights, and entertainment in Times Square.

My Mom and Dad at Rockefeller Center!

PC having a moment with the Dali Lama!

Me outside NBC Studios.

My Mom and I taking a break from it all!

Just a cool pic - according to me!

Jimmy Choo Shoes- couldn't resist taking this for my Sex and the City Girls!

PC and my Dad picking out an outfit for my Mom at Saks Fifth Ave-

apparently they think she would look fabulous in an animal print!

Radio City Music Hall

Just a random Fire Hall we came across... Engine No. 65 was out on a call!

PC was loving this sign for the port-a-potties.

Back from the Big Apple

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! Actually I have been back for a few days now, but have been enjoying some extra visiting days with my parents, and just trying to get back into the swing of things.

New York City was all it is hyped up to be and more. We had a great time... it was a jammed packed few days, filled with lots of walking, lots of sight-seeing, and by the end of it... a bit of pregnant crankiness for myself... however it was all worth it and we saw and did a ton of things.

I have the photos downloaded, but given that we took about 800 photos over 5 days, I need to go through them and choose the good ones, and a few stories to go along with them.

For now, I will just post two or three photos, and over the next few days, I hope I can find the time to properly debrief you on our adventures (complete with more of our snap shots).

The view of Times Square from our rooms.

PC & I on the Sky Deck at our hotel.My Mom and I shopping on Canal Street.

My Dad and I at Yankee Stadium: The Final Season.

Missing in Action for a few days!

We are off to NYC, so blog updates will be minimal, check back after next weekend for a detailed account of our New York City adventures, complete with photos!

Happy Long Weekend to all of you...!

NYC's must-see suggestions!

Okay readers... here's a post where I am looking for your comments... make that begging/pleading for them. I need you to step up to the plate here, and offer up some good advice about visiting New York City.

This weekend PC and I, and my parents will be visiting NYC and although I have some things I definitely want to cover while we are there, I would also love to here your suggestions for places to eat and things to see and do while we are there.

We have 5 days there and will be taking in a Yankees game (for my father, as you may recall PC and I are Red Sox fans), but other than that our other days are wide open, and we can do whatever we want! Since we've never been to NYC before, I would like to here from those of you who have:

• what your favourite things were?
• what sight-seeing items you would recommended?
• what was a waste of time?
• what to avoid?
• where to eat?
• any tips for touring the big apple?

Please... comment away!

Baby Belly Update

So... it's been a few weeks since my last belly photo shoot! Here is the belly at 20 weeks. Slowly getting bigger and rounder. It's hard to believe I am at the half way mark already. Things are progressing nicely... baby is moving around more and more, and I am starting to get uncomfortable when sleeping in the same position for long periods of time. My bladder can't make it more than 2 hours max, which is far cry from my pre-pregnancy hold outs of 6 or 7 hours!

Overall the baby is doing well... I have a low-lying placenta, which could mean a number of things down the road, but at this stage, I have been told to take it easy and not to do anything too strenuous! Of course, I am not one of those people that has to be told those orders twice!

Being this size is actually not too bad, and I think I can say that this stage of pregnancy definitely agrees with me. If only I could hold this physique until the end!

Baby Belly @ 20 weeks

No free Timbits at Tim Hortons!

Given that I am pretty big fan of Tim Horton's, I couldn't resist sharing this story.... and commenting on it.

Apparently yesterday in London, Ontario, Tim Horton's fired an employee for giving a child a free Timbit (value: 16 cents). According to the manager of the store, it was inappropriate behaviour for the employee to give out free food, and she was fired from her position based solely on this one incident.

Check out the story here from the National Post, although many other Ontario news feeds ran it as well.

In my opinion, the story was a new journalist's dream: a single mother of four who has had a reported 'tough life', and loyal employee of the company for 3 years... it couldn't get any better than that!

Once the media got a hold of this story at 9:30 am this morning...the employee was reinstated with the company within a shocking 2 hours, by 11:30 am. A Tim Horton's spokeswoman claims that the manager acted inappropriately in this case, and the employee should not have been fired in the first place. The employee has chosen not to return to that Tim's location she was fired from, but will resume her duties tomorrow, at another location in London.

Can you believe this... ? This minor debacle could have been avoided for Tim's if they had just thought about what they were doing. Perhaps is just my communication's mind working overtime, but large companies such as Tim Horton's should train their managers to think of the consequences of their actions before making cut throat decisions. I mean, firing an employee for giving out one free 16 cent product, has FRONT PAGE NEWS written all over it don't you think?

No harm was really done to the employee... she still has her job, but Tim Horton's reputation will taking a bit of beating for the next day or two in the media, and I am sure this story will definitely turn some people's noses up at what is generally an organization known for doing good things in many communities across Canada.

What do you think... are you somewhat turned off by Tim Horton's initial actions here? Does it taint your view of Tim's, or do you just think it was a slow news day, and the media choose to capitalize on what would normally not be news?

Prenatal Classes

Calling all mothers or those well-versed in child preparation!

It seems since the announcement of my pregnancy, many people have mentioned 'prenatal classes' in a typical conversation about: child birth, pregnancy, and any other discussions related to getting ready for a baby.

People drop the ol' 'Oh, but you'll learn that in your prenatal classes', as if these so-called prenatal classes are mandatory for all new parents.

I am not against prenatal classes, but I don't know the first thing about them either.... as in, where they are offered, when they are offered, when you should be taking then.... is this something you do now, or are you suppose to wait until 2 weeks before you due date?

No one, not my family doctor, not my OB, not anyone has come to me and said 'Oh... your expecting, here's a list of prenatal classes offered in the area, and if your interested in taking them, here's what you need to do to sign-up for them'. No one has mentioned a peep about them, other than the fact that I am going to learn oooh sooo much when I actually take them.

And, another thing... do you HAVE TO take them? Is it a prerequisite for becoming a parent? I envision me delivering the baby, and when they go to hand him/her over to PC and I, the nurse pulls back and says with a look of shame in her eye: 'oh... you don't have a prenatal class certificate... sorry, we'll have take the baby away.'

Help.... this is my plea! Anyone bearing prenatal classes information: opinions, advice, dos and don'ts ... please share - I am begging you!

All over the map!

Happy Friday tout le monde.

I called this post all over the map, because lately... that's how my mind has been functioning ... everywhere, sometimes in three places at once, and going 5 or 6 miles a minutes all. the. time.

Yesterday, I remarked to a colleague (who has kids of her own) 'I feel like I am losing my mind these days', and without skipping a beat she responded, 'And you never get it back either!"

I am charting new territory ... usually I feel very in control of things, I usually have a fantastic memory.... and I pride myself on having these qualities. However... as of late, I am feeling less in control of anything, and my memory is shot.

For example.... after work on Wednesday I went to the chiropractor, and then had some shopping I want to do. I went directly to the first store, made the necessary purchase, and left. I travelled five minutes down the road to my next stop, which was a strip mall... and when I parked the car in the parking lot and went to get out of the car, I stared intently out the window and said out loud 'Why the hell did I come here?'

It took me a good minute to retrace my thoughts as to why I wanted to stop at this particular strip of box stores... and when I scanned all of the stores I thought to myself 'I can't buy clothes at any of these stores, why would I stop here'. A minute later, it hit me, I came looking for a new purse and shoes. As my memory kicked in, I breathed a sigh of relief... thinking, 'phew, nice recovery Sara!'. I was almost celebrating the return of my memory, since the alternative would have been looking like a complete retard backing out the parking spot and leaving the strip mall within 2 minutes of arriving there.

This is just one example of where I am at these days. Last week, I made 5 trips up and down the stairs at my house, because I was upstairs cleaning, and had to go downstairs to get the pledge, but each time I went down stairs I would get sidetracked and return upstairs without the pledge - this happened 4 times before I had to walk down the stairs repeating out loud 'pledge, pedge, pedge, pedge, pedge, pedge...' - craziness I tell you.

I think I am definitely becoming my mother's daughter.... I use to make fun of her for having to write everything down, always making her little lists, consulting these lists three, four, sometimes five times daily, and then stroking off the items once she remembered to do them. This all seemed very amusing to me 10 years ago... but let me tell you, there is nothing like a good list to keep you focused on the task at hand. Thanks for setting such a great example Mom.

I have heard that this 'losing your mind' thing is common to expecting mothers.... has this been your experience (if any of you are expecting babies or have already had your kids)? Any good ideas on how to cope with being all over the map? Or what to do to keep yourself from feeling insane?