It's been a crazy week - NYC

So Thursday morning arrived.  I hadn't slept much - so when the alarm went off at 5am - I was already awake.  Colleen (my sister) was picking me up at 5:30.  She said it was on her way to work.  Now mind you - she probably can make her own hours because she is the boss - but I think she normally starts much later that 6am!  But she offered - so I took her up on it - that way I didn't have to roust anyone else out of bed at the wee dark hours to get me to the bus terminal.  And when she pulled into the driveway - my niece and nephew were in tow... they looked much more awake than I felt - but I was running on adrenaline as I didn't dare drink coffee... I'd need the bathroom the whole ride down there! But I went into the terminal and waited to board.  I had never traveled on Concord before - so I didn't know what to expect.  They offered us bottled water and pretzels as we boarded... and all I could think was - this is a nice gesture.  I found my seat all the way in the back and noticed they also stocked coffee, water, juice, snacks, yogurt and fruit for us.  This is getting better and better... to bad I've never run a Keurig... so I watched the first person get their coffee - then I managed to make myself a cup of cocoa.  I settled into my seat and waited to depart.  I was heading to NYC!  And Ashley was getting married in less than 12 hours!  How did that happen so fast?

I sat back and left the driving to the bus driver.  We were supposed to arrive at 12:30 so I had a few hours to kill... I tried to sleep - but I was still too wound up and the girl across the aisle wouldn't stop talking on her phone, so I popped in my headphones and turned on my IPod.  The bus had free wifi so I played on my kindle for a bit... but then I must have fallen asleep - because they were starting the second movie.  The first one was about astronauts - not interested.  The second one - The Good Dinosaur - still no interest...  I played with my kindle some more and managed to pass enough time that a third movie had started.  I had no idea what it was... but with Robert Duvall and Michael Caine it couldn't be all that bad.  So I plugged my headphones into the jack and started to watch the movie.  It was pretty good and I enjoyed what I was seeing - but then the NYC skyline came into view... the movie drifted off into being a slight distraction.  As we got closer and closer, I got more and more excited.  I had no idea where the terminal was that I was being dropped of at... but Ashley knew and she was meeting me there.

About ten minutes later, the movie forgotten, we pulled up at a bus stop.  No terminal.  Just a bus stop.  Between two really tall buildings.  Somewhere in the middle of NYC, 373 E 2nd St to be exact.  But I got out, grabbed my bag and started to look around.  I went to the end of the buildings.  If I crossed the street there were benches - so I opted to do that.  I called Ashley and she told me she was 'underground and about 10 minutes out."  Okay... I took a photo of the big clock on the side of the building.  Watched traffic go by and realized across the street was the UN Building.  I thought about getting closer and trying to cross traffic to take pictures - but Ashley was on her way and I didn't want to wander too far away.  So I sat and watched the traffic roll by... which was fun to start with, but then the fact that I was wearing black capris started to set in - I was slowly baking... now anyone who knows me knows I'm not a sun bunny... so I lasted a few more minutes before I decided to head back to the bus stop and the shade of the buildings.  I had just crossed the street when Matt and Ashley yelled at me from the other side of the street.  Back I go and we all hug.  But no time to hang out on the streets, we had things to do.

Up first, we had to walk to Grand Central Station... we weren't going inside, just meeting up Cassie - Ashley's maid-of-honor - so that we could continue towards wedding central.  Of course, I had my camera out at every opportunity - much to Matt's dismay.  Every time I stopped to take a quick shot, Matt rolled his eyes.  "Yes Matt, your future mother-in-law is playing the tourist, get over it."  Once we had Cassie added to our entourage we headed to the subway.  Don't ask me which one - I have no idea. But Ashley handed me a card and told me to run it through the scanner... what happened to those cute little subway coins???  Ah well, technology.  I swiped my card and pushed the bar... nothing.  "Swipe it again and when it says go, then push."  I swiped again, waited and pushed.  Made it through - but I had no idea what I was trying to read.  And without glasses - I probably couldn't read it anyway! So we made it to the platform and continued to walk... and walk... further down the platform.  We finally found what I could only guess was the 'sweet spot' for subway rides.  We waited, it was loud and hot.  Luckily - the wait wasn't long... we stepped on the subway and held on.  There were lots of folks heading where we were going.  Not surprising - there's lots of people everywhere.  People got off - people got on.  Cassie and Matt debated on the best place to order pizza from.  What type of pizza to order.  How many?  Cassie was having a major pizza craving after dieting (not sure why - the girl could disappear behind a side view of a sheet of paper) so she was HANGRY for pizza! Three stops later, we got off.  Up the stairs we climbed and started to walk.  And that's when things started to get interesting.

We departed the subway at Spring Street.  A quick logistics conversation had us breaking apart.  Ashley headed off to go to a job interview.  What else should she being doing on her wedding day??  It IS NYC... so that's where she headed.  Matt, Cassie and I headed off in search of cheesecake, flowers and pizza.  We made it to the cheesecake place.  Eileen's Cheesecake - a notorious spot for cheesecake.  Matt and I picked out  fruity flavors while Cassie fought to order pizza - conceding to a second choice as where she wanted pizza from was too far away and wouldn't deliver to Chinatown.  Next up, flowers.  Ashley had directed us to a location but we thought we were looking for a street vendor.  We were in search of flowers that were blue... hydrangeas are a bit big to put in your hair, but we couldn't find the florist.  Back and forth we walked on one street.  We were in Little Italy and Matt was getting antsy.  Cassie was getting frustrated.  Their smart phones were dying - and I have a dumb phone which was of no use to anyone but me.  Cassie texted Ashley and back we walked down the street we'd but back and forth on a couple of times.  We finally found the florist - not what we thought we were looking for and Matt and I went in to search for flowers.  Cassie held down camp outside while we finally found a couple stems that would work for Ashley's hair.  One was even blue!

Another thing off the list we reconnected with Ashley.  Interviews in NYC are FAST!  And we started to walk.  By now I was pretty sure we were just walking in circles and all I could do was try and keep up.  We made it to an intersection and Matt and Cassie crossed and got pizza.  Ashley and I waited - mainly so I could catch my breath!  New Yorkers walk FAST when they are on a mission!  But we still needed to pick up champagne... I asked Ashley where that was and we crossed just as the pizza carrying duo emerged.  Did I mention that it was in the 80's while we were doing all this power walking?  Ashley had run out of water - but thanks to Concord Bus Lines I had a bottle of Poland Springs in my bag.  It wasn't cold - but it was wet and she downed it.  I did get a sip out of the bottle - but she needed it more than I did.  This time Cassie and I went in to pick up the champagne... it was cool inside :)  So we picked up our bottles and as a group we were now juggling my adventure duffel, and boat & tote, a bag of cheesecakes, flowers, a gallon of orange juice, two bottles of champagne, two pizzas and Ashley and Cassie each had a purse.  We were ready for anything and could have an instant party if we had to stop in the middle of the street!

We continued to Ashley and Matt's apartment, going around and around in circles again... didn't we see that already?  Wait I need to take a picture!  Matt's eyes rolling into the back of his head.  In all honesty - those quick photos gave me a chance to catch my breath!  But I kept them in my sights and while I didn't catch up to them - I didn't completely loose them!  We made it to the apartment and up one and a half flights of stairs we made it to their air-conditioned apartment.  Oh my God!  I've never seen so much stuff in such a small space!  They had mastered the use of bookcases to their maximum! I'm pretty sure their whole apartment would fit into three rooms in my house.  We dropped our stuff, ate pizza, drank mimosas and then Matt crashed. At this point, Ashley took a quick shower - but didn't wash her hair (it washes the good luck away) and Cassie and I had another mimosa.  Matt had been asleep about ten minutes and Ashley had just emerged from the shower when people were knocking on their door.  Matt's parents and brother had arrived!  Quick introductions were made before they headed off to the wedding location around the corner.  But not before Matt's father, Arthur informed me in no uncertain terms that at his house I'd sleep in a bedroom, not on the couch.  They were getting married at Whiskey Tavern.  Cassie had managed to get dressed and had her make-up done.  She ran off to check on the wedding location while Matt got dressed.  Ashley was still hanging out waiting for Matt to leave.  Back Cassie came and she managed to get Matt out of the apartment.

Ashley finally could get dressed.  And she was lovely.  Her dress was perfect for her.  Her flowers were in her hair and she was just radiant.  While it wasn't the wedding I had managed for her - it was also perfect for her.  Before I had left work on Wednesday - my boss had asked if we had the old,new, borrowed, blue thing covered.  That had put me in a panic - but somehow we managed to pull it off.  Cassie had let Ashley borrow earrings that were old - her grandmothers.  New of course was the dress, borrowed was my mothers ring (That way - in some sense - she had her brother and sister with her when she got married.) And blue were the flowers in her hair.  We even managed to remember the shiny new penny for her shoe compliments of Amber!  So we had things covered.  I quickly changed into different clothes and off we went to get married.  We walked around the corner and we were ushered to the back of the tavern.  The owner had set up an instant chapel of sorts.  He had made banners and had a trellis set with lights.  There were hearts everywhere and it was charming.  The immediate family was ushered into the tiny chapel and we lined both sides of the entry (it was in essence a hallway) and Matt waited with Rob (the tavern owner and ordained minister, who was performing the ceremony.)

The music started - wait - what's that?  Starship?  Nothing Is Going to Stop Us Now.  Perfect - she picked the theme song to the movie Mannequin.  It was one of her all time favorite movies... I just didn't know it worked as a wedding song.  I should have guessed that a theater major wouldn't pick the traditional wedding march to walk into - at least you can sing (in your head) to Starship!  In started Ashley - and if I could have - I would have started to cry... but the adrenaline was still rushing through me at being here to begin with.  She was radiant, her smile was stunning and she made her way to Matt.  Rob shut off the music and started the wedding vows.  Again - another twist to tradition.  The vows were edited to include lyrics from the same Starship song Ashley had walked in to, they were quite clever.  Before long, the rings were exchanged, they kissed and they were married.  They walked out past us and we all exited into the tavern - which was now in full swing!  And it was loud.  But just like any wedding - it was photo time.  So back we all went into the room and the cameras were pointing our way.  Pictures of the bride and groom.  Then with the parents, flash, flash, flash!  Ugh!  How many photos does that girl need with me in it??? Unlike Ashley who is super photogenic - I look like something out of the movie IT... even without make-up I look like a clown.  Next up was the grandmother - and Matt's grandmother is a hoot!  She kept telling us to hold her purse and not loose it "It has my million dollars in it!"  The photos continued, flash, flash, flash!  Even not being in the picture - I was beginning to feel like a stroke was coming on.  But the crazy camera girl finally had done all the damage she could do and we all went back out into the tavern.

The place was PACKED!  Rob had saved two booths for the family and had made photos of Matt and Ashley that were hanging on the walls.  They were hysterical!  Clearly this guy has a wicked sense of humor.  And he even provided the wedding cake!  Hostess cupcakes with vanilla cookies and licorice candy for decorations!  With a photo of Matt and Ashley (big heads on little bodies) as a cake topper! We shuffled around for a bit and then Matt's mother, Eleanor grabbed my arm and said "It's too loud for the old people here.  Join us for dinner."  I thought, okay.  Why not.  When in Chinatown - go with the locals.  I told Maggie - another of Ashley's friends at the wedding what I was doing and headed off with my daughter's in-laws.  Might as well get to know the new family.  Eleanor gave me a family history lesson as we walked towards the restaurant.  It was fascinating to hear about their family, like any American family and how they lived, worked and played in the area.  Things had changed, the family meat business was now an ice cream place.  But as we stopped to look into the basement - actually Eleanor and her brother looked - I waited on the side walk - it started to pull together.  Family is family - no matter where you are and no mater what nationality you are.  After the brief stop to look at the greatly improved basement, I learned where they went to school, which was now an elderly community center.  Historic buildings were pointed out, people milled around and with Matt's grandmother in tow - the pace was less frantic.  Much more casual.

We made our way to Mott St and the restaurant we would have dinner.  Now mind you, i'd already had pizza - so I wasn't all that hungry - but I was willing to enjoy the adventure.  And this is where like any other family in America - things became very evident that families are families are families - no matter where you are.  We entered the restaurant and told the host how many there were in the party.  "There are 10."  "No there are thirteen."  "There aren't thirteen, how do you come up with thirteen?  There's only ten of us?"  "We need a table for thirteen, the girls might join us."  "But they are still at work.  They won't make it in time."  "We need a table for ten."  The restaurant people are moving chairs and tables.  Pushing tables together, then apart.  Finally they roll a table top out of the back and place it on top of a table.  The 8' round table becomes a 10' round table - enough for thirteen.  That is - if thirteen people show up.  We start to sit down.  "I'll go in the back with grandma,"  I offer.  Others start to settle into their seats.  We fill up the five to grandma's left.  Eleanor and Arthur sit next to me leaving one spot empty.  They start to remove that setting - "Wait, that's for Matt's brother.  Bring back that chair."  "Where is his place setting?"  "Here, we have an extra one."  "Sit between grandma and me.  What do you think you want?"  I'm looking at a menu that is thicker than some small novels I've read - and it's mostly written in Chinese.  "I'm here as a guest, what ever you order, I'll find something to eat."  "What can't you eat?"  "Well I can't eat most seafood, but..."  "Stop ordering all that seafood, Kathleen can't eat seafood."  "Sure, they are doing all the ordering, but will they put their hand out to pay for the check, no."  "I don't eat a lot of Chinese food.  I mostly eat spaghetti."  "Can you eat clams?"  I shake my head no.  "She can't eat clams, order something else."  "Okay, that's chicken.  You can eat chicken, right?"  Across the table, ordering and discussion about what to order is going on in Chinese.  "That's a fish dish.  Can you eat fish?"  "You should be able to eat the vegetarian dish.  It's mostly mushrooms and fungus."  No, fungus is not mushrooms, its a different genius."  "Do you want more tea?"  Food shows up and is put on a carousel in the middle of the table and it spins towards us.  "We always serve the eldest first."  The first pieces of chicken go on grandma's plate.  "You can eat this.  It's Chinese chicken."  "Do you want rice?"  The chicken get's spun around the table and a second dish is added.  "You can't eat clams?"  I'm shaking my head as I try to figure out how to hold the chopsticks to pick up the pieces of chicken that are sliding around on my plate.  "Can someone get the girl a fork!  She can't eat with chopsticks!"  I feel myself start to slide lower under the table.

Grandma on my left is now adding food to my plate.  Eleanor on my right "She can't eat that!  It's shrimp."  Off my plate - over to grandma's plate.  My teacup is refilled.  You can eat this.  It's clean broccoli.  You can eat broccoli, right?"  I shake my head yes.  "It's been twenty-five years since I brought in all that jewelry that I didn't declare and I still get pulled aside and searched."  "How was the tennis match?"  My teacup is filled up again. "Here, try this.  It's Buddhist vegetarian casserole."  I put a tiny bit on my fork and bring it to my nose.  I can honestly say I've never smelled anything so foul.  And somehow I had to put it in my mouth and swallow.  Buck up and down the hatch!  UUUUUGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!  I need more tea!  More tea!  More tea!  Spin that carousel, I need more clean broccoli.  Oh, there's melon under there now that the shrimp are gone.  Melon is good.  Cherry tomato, yup that's good too.  More tea.  How many cups have I had???  Oh this is bad.  I can't have caffeine after 11am and it's 7 at night.  So throughout the meal, the family chatted about simple family things.  Trips they'd taken, how kids were doing, normal family things.  Matt's parent's kept telling me all of Matt's secrets, because I just needed to know some things and meanwhile Matt's grandmother kept trying to give me different food.  No thanks to the chicken head.  No I'll pass on the fish bones, even if they are cooked extra crispy.  Please!  No more tea!  Ugh!  "Of course they did all the ordering, but do you think they'll pick up the check?  Of course not."  "Stop worrying about it.  Just pay."  Ron calls in the middle of all this to chat.  "What are you doing?"  "I can't talk right now, I'm having dinner with Matt's family."  "You're doing what?"  "I'll call you later."

We make it through dinner, almost two hours later we are heading out of the restaurant.  "Someone get grandma!"  I help Matt's grandmother down the stairs to the side walk.  "I like you.  You're a good girl."  Okay - sure.  We slowly, and I mean SLOWLY meander back to the front of Matt and Ashley's apartment.  Here we start to say our goodbyes to different members of the family.  Matt's cousin joins the group.  Introductions are made to each other.  Ron calls again.  I step away from the group.  "Hello.  Yes, we are just finishing dinner.  I'll have to explain it to you later.  Did you need something?"  "No I just wanted to talk."  "I'm in NYC and you decide you want to talk?  We don't talk when we are both sitting in the living room.  How's Christopher?"  "Okay, I'll talk to you later, go to bed."  By this time we have stood outside of the building for about thirty minutes.  I start to wonder off towards the tavern.  I make it back and am introduced to Matt's two cousins.  "Yeah, we were supposed to join the family for dinner but we were scared.  Then we found out that you were there alone and we felt bad.  Boy are you brave!"  "It was fun."  "You're just saying that."  Into the tavern we go.  Yup - still loud!  "Mom, you're back.  Do you want something?"  "Yes, Peachtree and cranberry with Stoli and lime."  Ashley laughs.  "I'll go get it for you."

We sit at the bar for a few minutes.  It's almost ten o'clock now.  Matt's cousins and I chat for a bit.  Ashley joins us and eats a taco.  What else would you eat on your wedding day? We decide we've had enough and head back to the apartment with Cassie and Maggie in tow.  We are now in need of cheesecake!  The girls each have a beer... I'm still trying to come down from my tea high.  The girls decide they are going back to the tavern for a while.  Matt has to work in the morning so he head's off to bed.  Ashley takes another shower and finally washes her hair :)  And then she goes to bed.  I'm left in the living room with the remote to the air conditioner, my kindle and the chirping of the smoke detector in the hallway for company.  I'm exhausted!  I need to sleep.  Off with the A/C.  On with the A/C.  My eyes just won't close.  I finally drift off into a fitful sleep.  I'm still just too keyed up to sleep well.  I'm in NYC and Ashley just got married.  It's like it's a dream and it's only Thursday!  I should be at work!  I wonder what tomorrow will bring?  I don't know but I'm too tired to think about it.  What was I thinking drinking all that tea?  Who's on Facebook?  No one - it's a week night!  Ugh... just a few hours of sleep... off with the A/C.  How about some Solitaire?  On with the A/C.  Sleep.....