The Big Apple.🍎 Why an apple? New York City is a big city. The biggest in the States to be exact. Why not like a grapefruit? It’s bigger. The story of how “The Big Apple” came about is actually pretty interesting. It was almost the New Orange. ???? Terrible. Check it out here.
The Swede is a tennis star. (Washed up college player) He made his initial Arkansas debut by way of tennis, so naturally he’s a huge fan. (I should be nicer. He’s actually pretty dang good.) The US Open was the main event of our New York trip this time around. It was a bucket list item that we and a couple of other friends decided we should knock out this year because….well…just because. 😁 For me, tennis has been more of an “acquired taste” over the years. Both of my brothers played it, so I’m not sure how I missed the boat, but I did. My idea of playing tennis was hitting balls with my dad’s old high school tennis racquet (which kind of looked like this badminton racquet🏸😆) with a friend who was equally as bad, struggling to keep the balls from going over the fence. I guess I was too busy honing my taekwondo skills🥋🥊 (yes…true story) and running down softballs in the outfield.
The US Open was awesome. So cool. It had to be one of the cleanest sporting events I have ever been to, despite how big it is. Random, I know. There were probably 25+ matches going on at once. The best match that we saw was between Schwartzman and Cilic. We watched Venus, which was neat just because of who she is, but her match was a shut-out. A little FYI…If you are ever going to go, the best thing to do is to go two days in a row. By doing that, you should be able to catch all of the good players. Next time.
On the famous 7 Train to the Open, the four of us were randomly interviewed by an ESPN reporter who was doing a story on the experience of riding the 7 Train to the US Open. I mean…who wouldn’t want to interview us? He asked us question after question and was highly intrigued by the fact that The Swede made it all the way to Arkansas from Sweden to play tennis for the U of A. We didn’t really think anything would come of the interview…until a couple of days later when Clarissa was thumbing through her phone and saw the article…front and center on the ESPN website. ESPN famous. Her moment of pride and glory was very evident, until she came across the line that collapsed her momentary high just like that. Out of the 1,000 questions that were asked, the one inaccurate joke that she made not only was what appeared in the article, but it quoted her with name and all. She made her momma proud. Looking back, it is probably what landed us our claim to fame. Thanks…I think. Check it out here!
It’s hard for me to go to New York City without catching a Broadway show. There’s really nothing like it. The talent these people have is unrivaled. And every time I go, I am reminded that not only do my talents not lie in the Broadway realm…they don’t even come close. No matter how good I think I sound in the shower or in my car. Does Jr. High All Region Choir count? My traveling cohorts had never been to Broadway, so we went with the classic, Chicago. After watching it, I can see why it is the longest running show on Broadway, making its debut in November 1996. And although we missed the singer Brandy and the infamous Mel B (Sporty Spice) of the Spice girls, both of whom have played Roxie in the last couple of years, the lead actress did not disappoint. Very intriguing…and highly recommended. He had it coming! 💃🏼🎶
Because part of the crew had never been to NYC we did a lot! Some touristy, some not. But here are some of my faves…
Coffee shops. Restaurants of all sorts. Places to shop. Neat architecture. Great seafood. Food Market. Awesomeness.
Eataly-Flatiron District
Y’all. This place encompasses so many pieces of Heaven on Earth under one roof. Pizza. Pasta. Gelato. Wine. Coffee. Great coffee. I mean…Look at those chocolate shavings on top. An Italian market where you can get fresh pasta and seafood. And Mario Batali is part owner. Enough said.
This park goes for miles. For me, it’s a must do every time I go to NYC. Great scenery, and it encompasses several different venues and such within it. It even has its own zoo. In my opinion, the best time to see it is in the fall. And my opinion is pretty legit. Here are a couple of snapshots I took last November when I was there.
And a few other places we saw and pics I took….
Five days. Four Friends. Lots of good sights. Lots of good eats. Best sporting events I have ever been to. Broadway at its finest. My favorite place to visit. 🗽🚕🍎
Side Notes:
- Odell Beckham and Russell Wilson both came through for me in my first week of Fantasy Football by not only losing…but making me dang near last. Thank you, Melinda, for having a more disappointing team than I.
- Continued prayers for those who have been affected by the terrible storms. In light of Harvey and Irma, check out how this Harvey/Irma duo has weathered the storm for 75 years. Pun unintended actually.
- Venus might not have won the U.S. open, but she sure did leave her mark. On this poor guy.
- Starbucks has launched its seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte for the year. PSL for you crazed veterans. This has become the key indicator of fall here in the U.S. Whether you partake in the super sugary, yet somewhat delightful drink or not, you are very aware of it and the pumpkin spice phenomenon that it has created. And if you aren’t…you live under a rock. More like a boulder. After all the annual anticipation and hype that it gets, it’s crazy to think that it almost didn’t exist. Check it out here.
Big Hugs. Lots of Love.
P.M.T.
Pardon My Thoughts* 