birthday weekend!

Long time no talk! And not because I haven't had anything to say... I've been super busy and have had one of the best birthday weekends ever. 

Let's start with Friday morning. I treated myself to a pedicure at a salon nearby and at around lunchtime met up with my parents who so nicely drove down from home just for the day. They came bearing gifts, too!

Yummy cupcakes from a bakery back home... and drum roll, my birthday present: a new Nikon SLR camera!!! YAY. I am so, so excited to take it around NYC with me (although how cool would it have been in Europe!). I need to read the manual and figure this guy out. I've used an SLR before, but I would still consider myself a beginner... can't wait to learn!

For lunch, me, mom and dad went to the British restaurant nearby (I've mentioned it in my blog before) and I got bangers, toast and beans. It was like a taste of "home." Oh, what I would give to be back in London... 

It was raining cats and dogs at this point so we rescued Marie (who took the bus into town from D.C.) from some pizza shop nearby she had been taking cover under. Then we headed to the airport to pick up Lauren, only to hear that her plane had been grounded in Pennsylvania due to lack of fuel. Well, thanks a lot, plane! After she waited 3 hours in the airport, her plane was finally boarded and she headed to NYC. But really, why they gotta take away 3 hours of time away from Lauren/Jen/Marie bonding??!

In the meantime, Marie, my mom, dad and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (again) where I wanted to check out some European paintings and reunite with my main men: Degas, Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh. Oh, it was so nice to see them again. I will have to go back and spend some more time there because I was too distracted with plane fiasco frustration! (again, thanks plane!)

Afterward, we went to South Street Seaport I think it's called? Which is way downtown and is this big waterfront area with shops, restaurants, bars, etc. Basically it was pretty hoppin' on a Friday evening. I ordered fish/chips for dinner... it was good, but not as good as British fish/chips! Even with the malt vinegar on it.

I said adieu to my parents, and then Marie and I quickly got ready and went to meet Lauren at her shuttle stop in Times Square. 

Heading back to the apartment, and even just being with both Marie and Lauren all weekend, was SOOOO GREAT. I haven't seen them in 7 months and I literally felt like a little kid on Christmas morning... I was just so happy to be with them. (And now they've both left nyc and I'm all depressed and alone and wishing time didn't fly by!)

On Friday night we had a bunch of interns over at the apartment for some birthday celebrations. For those of you reading this, thank you so much for coming over!! :)

Here's a picture of Lauren, me and Marie :) reunited at last!

On Saturday, we grabbed a late brunch and finally rolled out the door at around 2 p.m. to go do some nyc things. Starting with the Chelsea Market in.. Chelsea of course. Such a great market! After Milwaukee's Public Market and European markets, I had high market standards and Chelsea definitely delivered. And so many dessert places there... NYC loves its dessert. Cupcake and bakery places galore.

We made our way to the High Line, which is an above ground park on an old railroad track. I went last summer too and just loved it... had to show the girls.

We made our way to midtown, so I could show Marie and Lauren where I work! Then, how convenient, we went to Magnolia Bakery so I could introduce them to the best banana pudding in the entire world. And I think they agreed with me. Yum. Birthday banana pudding.

After grabbing a quick dinner nearby.. we didn't want to do anything fancy since we had already spent a lot of money... we hung out with some girls in the apartment, listening to music, dancing.. having a grand ol' time. Then it was out for the night!

On Sunday, I unfortunately said goodbye to Marie but thankfully, I'll be visiting her in D.C. in a few weeks! I won't have to wait too much longer to see my curly-haired beauty again :)

Also unfortunately... I had to work Sunday. BOOOOO! not fair. not fun. especially when my dear Lauren was wandering around NYC and I so desperately wanted to be with her. My editor let me out of work early, though, and I was able to meet with Lauren at a reasonable hour and grab dinner! We ate at a Chinese restaurant in the Village. so. good. and so filling.

After walking around for a bit and catching up, we went back to the apartment. Our plans for the Empire State Building were a no go because I was feeling really sick. A mix of no sleep and some weird virus I think I caught a few days ago... meh, not a good feeling and not fun to have to cancel our much-anticipated empire state building plans.

Dear Lauren, if you are reading this, we will be back to the Empire State Building :)

That brings me to this morning, when I had to say bye to Lauren and bye to my great weekend! Ugh.. it flew by. But it was so much fun and I am so glad both of them came to see me. It made my birthday one to remember that's for sure. Thanks girls!!! <33

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On a work related note, please pick up a copy of Sports Illustrated at the end of this week because I have a byline. Yes, my name is in the actual magazine under a story I worked on. This is pure magic, people. YAY!

That's all for now.. I'll update in a few days.

xxx