For Christmas, Justin gave me tickets to see the New York City Ballet. I've wanted to see NYCB since 6th grade when I did a term paper on George Balanchine. Finally, 18 years later, it happens.
It was fantastic - exceeded my expectations from all those years.
We saw four short ballets - Dance for Joy
1. Brandenburg
2. Carousel (a dance)
3. Zakouski
4. The Concert
The second part of Brandenberg was a pas de deux that was amazing. The ballerina was beautiful (Maria Kowroski). She legs that went forever and she could lift them (and hold them) wherever she wanted. Her partner was a great match. As the description reads, it looked as if the couple were orbiting each other rather than partnering. It was very cool.
Our other favorite was The Concert. This was a neat ballet that ended the afternoon on a fun note.
All in all, it was great. NYCB is a really great ballet company. I'm looking forward to seeing more in the future.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Wicked.....
Two Friday's ago, Justin and I went to see the musical Wicked. It was great. The story is clever - drives home the idea that there are two sides to every story and how misunderstanding a person's perspective and actions and lead to serious consequences. The story is a really unique twist on a classic tale.The two witches were fantastic - there was never a moment that the characters lost their personalities. The music was clever. Though I have to say, that it took me a couple of songs to truly understand the words.
The set and costumes were also amazing. Overall, it was a really enjoyable show. I'd recommend it to anyone visiting New York.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Bicycle
If you can believe it, Justin and I celebrate our 5th anniversary in a few days. I have to say that I haven't been the best at anniversary gifts in the first 4 years. This year, I wanted to make sure that I did better.
I bought us bicycles.
They are Raleigh Passenger 4.0 hybrid bikes. From what I've learned the past few days, hybrids are lighter than comfort and mountain bikes, not as fast as road bikes but faster than comfort bikes, have shock to keep the ride nice, and a few other distinguishing features.
We picked them up this evening at the bike shop on 96th St and rode home through Central Park. I was a bit nervous at first. I know the saying "once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget". But I wasn't sure that applied to me. I also wasn't sure that I wanted to find out on a busy NYC street - but alas, that's where we started.
It worked out fine. It's clear that drivers here know to look for cyclists (or anything really). I didn't feel too unsafe the entire ride.
Cruising through the park was fun and revealing. I'm not as strong as I wish! Now we have bikes to fix that!
Anyway, I'm hoping that we get good use of these - probably not every weekend, but at least a few times a month. It was fun - and felt great....downhill!
I'll post pictures later.
Jenn
I bought us bicycles.
They are Raleigh Passenger 4.0 hybrid bikes. From what I've learned the past few days, hybrids are lighter than comfort and mountain bikes, not as fast as road bikes but faster than comfort bikes, have shock to keep the ride nice, and a few other distinguishing features.
We picked them up this evening at the bike shop on 96th St and rode home through Central Park. I was a bit nervous at first. I know the saying "once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget". But I wasn't sure that applied to me. I also wasn't sure that I wanted to find out on a busy NYC street - but alas, that's where we started.
It worked out fine. It's clear that drivers here know to look for cyclists (or anything really). I didn't feel too unsafe the entire ride.
Cruising through the park was fun and revealing. I'm not as strong as I wish! Now we have bikes to fix that!
Anyway, I'm hoping that we get good use of these - probably not every weekend, but at least a few times a month. It was fun - and felt great....downhill!
I'll post pictures later.
Jenn
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
In the Condo
After much drama, we closed on the condo May 14th. I have to say that Marilyn McAlister is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G - particularly compared to what we experienced for this close. Organization was completely absent - 10 conversations, no one really paying attention to us, no clarity on the final numbers - stress, stress, stress. In the end, we had keys and we were moving in!
Ok - not really moving in, but moving a few shopping bags of stuff from the last temp place to our condo. Regardless, it was ours! Yippee!!
As you know from an earlier post, we planned a trip to Atlanta to pick up some stuff and see friends. In true MacFarlane style, we crammed as much as possible into the two days we were there. El Torrero with Rach, Matt & Dan, started the evening on Friday. We returned to Casa MacFarlane for one of the better dance party evenings we've had. There are pictures, but I'm fairly certain the aforementioned friends would no longer be friends if I shared!
On Saturday, we threw an impromptu cookout. It was doggie central - Abbey (Matt & Dan), Tanner (Dixon & Vanessa), and Araya (Christian, Elizabeth, & Vanessa). It was the perfect spring day - warm temps, nice breeze, clear Carolina blue skies. It was one of those days that sells you on the South. That evening, neighbors on the street threw a party for the street. It was a good opportunity to catch up with some folks that we haven't seen in a while. Due to the dance party on Friday, we didn't last long.
Sunday morning, we packed up and started the drive to NYC - in the killer Caravan. Justin's first comment was "we have way more room that needed." That tune quickly changed to "crap, how are we going to fit everything in AND have room for the kitties?!?!". Well, we managed to fit everything in probably one of the more awkward moves to date.
We said goodbye to Matt and Dan, and hit the road. First stop, Greensboro, NC. When we drove up, Terry comes out saying "no, no, you can't have them!" Clear to see that Syd and Mel found a place in their hearts. We hung out a bit, had a quick snack and then rounded up the munchkins. Then we were off again.
Our goal was to get past DC. We achieved that and them some - almost reaching Baltimore. One funny story here is that we used the GPS system for the best route. This route would only be the best route at 9pm on a Sunday evening. I'm sure that at any other time and day, traffic would be a nightmare. The cool thing was that we had a drive-by tour of the major monuments - The Jefferson Memorial, the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the new Airforce monument (which is very very cool). Then the ride became interesting - we ended up driving through a part of town that probably doesn't make the guide books.
As mentioned earlier, we stopped just south of Baltimore - once we finally found a hotel with vacancy and pet-friendly. Let's just say, we were glad that we were only there for a few hours. I think the kitties felt the same way.
Monday morning, we hit the road for the final leg. We reached NYC around 1:30 pm - unpacked the minivan and "moved in". Moved in is a stretch, we took all of our shopping bags and put them in our empty living room. The kitties were freaked - they explored and sniffed every corner.
Regardless, we all made it. Now to make this place comfortable. :)
Ok - not really moving in, but moving a few shopping bags of stuff from the last temp place to our condo. Regardless, it was ours! Yippee!!
As you know from an earlier post, we planned a trip to Atlanta to pick up some stuff and see friends. In true MacFarlane style, we crammed as much as possible into the two days we were there. El Torrero with Rach, Matt & Dan, started the evening on Friday. We returned to Casa MacFarlane for one of the better dance party evenings we've had. There are pictures, but I'm fairly certain the aforementioned friends would no longer be friends if I shared!
On Saturday, we threw an impromptu cookout. It was doggie central - Abbey (Matt & Dan), Tanner (Dixon & Vanessa), and Araya (Christian, Elizabeth, & Vanessa). It was the perfect spring day - warm temps, nice breeze, clear Carolina blue skies. It was one of those days that sells you on the South. That evening, neighbors on the street threw a party for the street. It was a good opportunity to catch up with some folks that we haven't seen in a while. Due to the dance party on Friday, we didn't last long.
Sunday morning, we packed up and started the drive to NYC - in the killer Caravan. Justin's first comment was "we have way more room that needed." That tune quickly changed to "crap, how are we going to fit everything in AND have room for the kitties?!?!". Well, we managed to fit everything in probably one of the more awkward moves to date.
We said goodbye to Matt and Dan, and hit the road. First stop, Greensboro, NC. When we drove up, Terry comes out saying "no, no, you can't have them!" Clear to see that Syd and Mel found a place in their hearts. We hung out a bit, had a quick snack and then rounded up the munchkins. Then we were off again.
Our goal was to get past DC. We achieved that and them some - almost reaching Baltimore. One funny story here is that we used the GPS system for the best route. This route would only be the best route at 9pm on a Sunday evening. I'm sure that at any other time and day, traffic would be a nightmare. The cool thing was that we had a drive-by tour of the major monuments - The Jefferson Memorial, the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the new Airforce monument (which is very very cool). Then the ride became interesting - we ended up driving through a part of town that probably doesn't make the guide books.
As mentioned earlier, we stopped just south of Baltimore - once we finally found a hotel with vacancy and pet-friendly. Let's just say, we were glad that we were only there for a few hours. I think the kitties felt the same way.
Monday morning, we hit the road for the final leg. We reached NYC around 1:30 pm - unpacked the minivan and "moved in". Moved in is a stretch, we took all of our shopping bags and put them in our empty living room. The kitties were freaked - they explored and sniffed every corner.
Regardless, we all made it. Now to make this place comfortable. :)
Friday, May 11, 2007
Summer 2007 Travel
Jenn and Justin
May 18-21 - Atlanta, driving back to NYC
July 6-8 - Leominster, MA
July 28th Weekend - Worcester, MA - Halstead's wedding
Aug. 26 - Sept. 3 - Atlanta (?)
Sept. 14-16 - North Carolina, Linda's wedding
Jenn
June 5-8 - San Francisco, Google meeting
Justin
June 23 - July 2 - Hong Kong, China
Aug 25 - Sept. 1 - Hong Kong
May 18-21 - Atlanta, driving back to NYC
July 6-8 - Leominster, MA
July 28th Weekend - Worcester, MA - Halstead's wedding
Aug. 26 - Sept. 3 - Atlanta (?)
Sept. 14-16 - North Carolina, Linda's wedding
Jenn
June 5-8 - San Francisco, Google meeting
Justin
June 23 - July 2 - Hong Kong, China
Aug 25 - Sept. 1 - Hong Kong
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Sticker Shock
I've been in NYC for a few months now. For the most part, the prices were in line with what I expected. Honestly, after living in London with a weakening dollar, this doesn't seem so bad.
There have been a few things that surprised me though.
1. Dry Cleaning - $75 for 10 items??? really now, at this rate I'll repurchase my wardrobe by the end of the year.
2. Starbucks - about $.20 higher compared to Atlanta and NC
3. Mani/Pedi - finally had my talons shaped into lovely nails - I opted for the spa mani/pedi and forgot to ask the price. The service was great - though the foot massage found incredibly tense areas. Regardless, the $70 price tag was a shocker...oh well, for this day, it was worth it. :)
There is a silver lining though --
1. Yummy Breakfast Sandwiches - many many places that offer fab egg and cheese sandwiches for $2.50 or less
2. Delivery - you can have anything delivered - including the above mentioned yummy breakfast sandwiches - the perfect option for rainy, Sunday mornings.
3. Papaya Restaurants - these are legendary in the city - they offer hotdogs and drinks and I don't think much else. The best offer is the Recession Special (or something like that). It's 2 hot dogs and a drink for $2.50. (I'm sensing a trend here).
More later!
There have been a few things that surprised me though.
1. Dry Cleaning - $75 for 10 items??? really now, at this rate I'll repurchase my wardrobe by the end of the year.
2. Starbucks - about $.20 higher compared to Atlanta and NC
3. Mani/Pedi - finally had my talons shaped into lovely nails - I opted for the spa mani/pedi and forgot to ask the price. The service was great - though the foot massage found incredibly tense areas. Regardless, the $70 price tag was a shocker...oh well, for this day, it was worth it. :)
There is a silver lining though --
1. Yummy Breakfast Sandwiches - many many places that offer fab egg and cheese sandwiches for $2.50 or less
2. Delivery - you can have anything delivered - including the above mentioned yummy breakfast sandwiches - the perfect option for rainy, Sunday mornings.
3. Papaya Restaurants - these are legendary in the city - they offer hotdogs and drinks and I don't think much else. The best offer is the Recession Special (or something like that). It's 2 hot dogs and a drink for $2.50. (I'm sensing a trend here).
More later!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Upcoming Move
In just a few short weeks, Justin and I will be packing up part of our Atlanta home, picking up Syd & Mel, and heading back to NYC. We're moving into our condo in the Upper West Side - finally creating a home after several months in corporate and short-term apartments. Let's just say that we're more than ready to be in our own place - even though we'll have little to no furniture....it's got to be better than other people's stuff and worse other people's filth. (If you can't tell, we didn't have the best experience in one of the short-term places).
Anyway, should be quite the adventure -- quick packing in ATL, dinner at the Torrero, 2 cats for a 10 hour drive, and finally arriving in NYC. I'm sure that we'll have great stories. :)
Anyway, should be quite the adventure -- quick packing in ATL, dinner at the Torrero, 2 cats for a 10 hour drive, and finally arriving in NYC. I'm sure that we'll have great stories. :)
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