Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Last week my good friend from grad school Deidre, came for a visit. Deidre and I got through grad school together by frequently meeting for lunch and going to see sappy chick flicks together to take our minds off all the work we had to get done. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding in January. She and her sweet mom drove all the way from Iowa to be a part of my special day. 

She’s a very special person and dear friend to me!

 

Deidre is one of those friends you can count on. A true gem!

The day she arrived, actually she literally had just walked through the door when I got an email that yet another position I had interviewed for didn't work out. It was perfect timing to get my mind off of things.  It was also nice to talk to someone who, as a recent grad herself, knows the frustration that comes with the difficulty of looking for a job. 

Once Deidre arrived we mapped out our plan on how to maximize the three days we had together. Once we put on our cute summer dresses (it was in the 90s during her visit!) and our side strap purses (not since the 'fanny pack' has there ever been an easier way to spot a tourist) we were on our way.

Top Ten Moments (in no particular order...)

1.     Seeing our childhood television/movie stars on the Katie Show. 

Tickets to such shows as "Live with Kelly & Michael" "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" "Dr. Oz" "The Colbert Report" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" are FREE. For most shows you must book tickets around six weeks in advance online or you can try for stand-by the day of. 

The set, which is much smaller in person. 

From left: Katie Couric, Karyn Parsons (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Mara Wilson (Mrs. Doubtfire & Matilda), Jonathan Lipnicki (Jerry McGuire), Candace Cameron Bure (Full House), and Jaleel White (Family Matters aka Urkel)

2.     Getting to talk to Katie Couric

After the show finished taping, Katie asked the audience if anyone had any questions for her. She's one of the more personable TV personalities of the shows I've been too. (Stephen Colbert is also fun and takes questions from the audience before his show tapes. He usually works some inside jokes into his show as well) Anyways back to Katie, I had been to a taping last October and kicked myself for not asking a question then so this time I came prepared. 

My question:

Me: I came to a taping last October when Susan Sarandon was the guest and I came back today with my friend because it's always a fun experience being a part of your audience. I was wondering what your top three moments from the first year of your show are? 

My new BFF Katie Couric: (paraphrased from memory) First, when Robert DeNiro got emotional when we were talking about mental illness (De Niro starred in "Silver Linings Playbook" playing the dad of a bipolar son).  Secondly, singing with Hugh Jackman...because it's Hugh Jackman (who wouldn't count that in their top three!). Lastly, bringing awareness about sexual assault in the military. (This last one struck a chord with me, because like Katie, I want to be a writer and work in the communications field to make a difference.)

3.      Seeing Cinderella on Broadway 

What girl doesn’t want to pretend like she’s a princess?

TKTS is a place where you can get discounted day-of tickets either in Time Square or in downtown Brooklyn. We got  our tickets 40% off!
 Take advantage of this!

4.      9/11 memorial

Make sure you get tickets online so you don't have to wait in line. 

So many people there on a beautiful day.

I signed the banner thanking the 9/11 recovery workers.

5.     Central Park

We visited Shake Shack on the Upper West Side and then took our burgers and fries and ate our lunch in the park while watching people jog or bike by. (They were probably wanting a bite of our food! It smelled heavenly)

It's impossible for me to walk through Central Park and not want to break out into song. "How Does She Know?" from Enchanted anyone?

One day Chris and I will have a Saturday date here. Gorgeous!

6.     Serendipity

As seen in the movie of the same name. Somehow we got lucky and just walked in and were seated. On our way out there were people lined up out the door. 

Tasty Honey Dijon Chicken Salad!
(ate lightly so I would have room for  dessert!)

We split this amazing "Broadway Blackout' sundae!
So delish!

7.     98 Degrees/NKOTB/Boyz II Men Concert

There aren't many things that will get me up at 4:30 am, but on Friday morning Deidre and I awoke at that ungodly hour, hopped on the subway and arrived at Rockefeller Center shortly before 6am  for the concert. 

When the signs weren't being held up it was easier to see ;)

Al Roker! (with his suit from 'Dumb and Dumber')

A sound bite from 98 Degrees!

How do I become friends with these people?

8.     Spending time with my sweet friend!

Along the way we took breaks to just sit around and talk. That's how you know you've found a good friend. When you can just pick up where you left off!

Time Square! I find it much more enjoyable to be watching the crowd rather than be in the mist of it.

Yummy gelato! (Tiramisu and mint chocolate chip!)

We got to talk a lot when we rode on the subway.
There are lots of good map Apps you can download where you can put your location in and
where you want to go and it will tell you which lines to take.
 It came in handy a lot for us this week. (P.S. do you spot the dog?)

Planet Hollywood

9.     NBC Experience Tour

On this tour we got to see the studios where they film SNL (it's on my bucket list to go one time, preferably where I don't have to sleep outside for three nights, but the right host could tickle my fancy enough...) Jimmy Fallon and Sunday Night Football. We were there around the time Brian Williams was shooting the Nightly News, but we did not see him. Sadly. 

10. Re-enacting the scene from ‘BIG’/Visiting FAO Schwartz

I played 'Deck the Halls"

Getting my work-out on with 2lb Snicker bars!

Nerds in cereal-sized boxes. Yikes!

Of course  me and my sweet teeth couldn't walk away with nothing!

Deidre and I did so much in the three days she was visiting that after she left I felt like:

Worn out and exhausted, but boy did we have a good time! This city has so much to offer and I love getting to show my friends around the place I now call home!