I Heart Reading

Reading just makes me really happy.  These are a few of my favorite recent reads and surprise surprise: they are all mysteries.  I have been raving about Mindy Starns Clark for a while now and I was so happy to finally get to read the last book in her Smart Chick series after getting it as a Christmas present.  The rest of the books are from the library and they were all fantastic choices.  

The Kate White books are told form the perspective of a Manhattanite.  My favorite thing about the author is her deep understanding of what dating life is like for a women in the city.  It is a unique and often excruciatingly painful experience.  I can't wait to read all the rest in the Bailey Weggins mystery series.

Go Grizzlies

I was not the best New Yorker the other night.  In my defense I have only lived in Manhattan so I root for the Knicks.  Since getting married I have also become an avid Grizzlies fan.  I was super excited to attend the Nets vs. Grizzlies game on Wednesday night.  It was a really fun game . . . if you're a Grizzlies fan.  I actually started to feel bad when the Nets fans abandoned their team and started rooting for Memphis's team.  I'd been to Jay Z and Kanye West concerts at Barclays, but never a game.  This was my first time checking out the food stands and I must say they were pretty good.  We chose Calexico and though I considered the prices to be exorbitant, I was happy with my delicious nachos. 

I went to a Knicks vs. Pacers game many years ago at Madison Square Garden and it was much more lively.  This game was so serene.  I wasn't on my feet cheering wildly and the Nets were pretty lucky it was only 103-92 by the end.  After we got off the subway we stopped by sprinkles which made this the absolute perfect date.  As soon as it gets warmer I am totally going to try one of their red velvet ice cream sandwiches or even a red velvet ice cream cone.  I still cannot believe those things actually exist and I cannot wait to try them. 

Honeymoon In Vegas

My dad visited me this weekend and we had a blast.  Thanks to the USO we were able to score free tickets to a show I was not at all excited to see and had to intention of buying tickets, Honeymoon in Vegas.  The previous weekend we went to see Into the Woods off-Broadway.  The gentleman sitting next to my husband told us it was really good and really funny.  I did not believe him at all.  Boy, was I wrong?  I absolutely loved it.  I've never seen the movie and knew nothing of the plot.  Well the show is funny and fabulous.  All the songs move the plot along really well.  The actors have great comedic timing and awesome speaking voices.  The set was colorful and interesting which always makes a show more accessible for me.  Tony Danza even tap dances.  

We also took my dad to our favorite Indian buffet at Moti Mahal Deluxe, visited the Paley Center for Media (my favorite museum), and tried a new for me Italian restaurant, Dopo East.  It was way too cold for a visit, but we had a great time anyway.  

By the way Into the Woods good as well.  It was nothing like the Broadway version I saw many years ago starring Vanessa Williams when my dad came to visit.  With just a ten person cast, the show had a much more intimate feel.  They took liberties, rapping one song.  I laughed way more than the big production I saw over a decade ago and it was refreshing although not as spectacular as seeing Vanessa Williams on stage with a full Broadway set.  

This Year

Last year I visited a new continent, Africa, and three new countries total: Liberia, Aruba, and the Bahamas.  I saw Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey in concert and seven Broadway shows!

In 2015 I resolve to:

1. Go see the Statue of Liberty once and for all.  It never ever happens, but I just keep saying I'll go anyway.

2. Pay off 80% of student loans

3. Go to a new continent.  

4. Visit two new states

5. See Book of Mormon  

6. Go to a concert of one of my favorite artists

7. Move to a new apartment

Here's hoping . . .

Merry Christmas

With all of the holiday festivities had a chance to talk about the best concert I've ever experienced.  If I thought I would lose my mind when Mariah announced her Christmas concerts it was nothing compared to the excitement I felt once I got to the legendary Beacon Theatre to see the Queen of Christmas herself.  She did many of my favorites including Christmas, Baby Please Come Home, Joy to the World, and O Holy Night which she performed with more panache and out of this world than the legendary studio recording.  She sang Christmas Time is Here!  That was a lovely surprise.  She also did Emotions and Hero.  There was a gospel choir, cute kids dancing, Santa, and all sorts of festive holiday cheer.  Best of all, she announced on facebook that she can't wait to do it again next year!  I can't wait either.