Long Beach

So if you hadn't noticed, I've attempted a bit of a dare I say staycation this Memorial Day weekend. From touring the navy ship, to shopping in Brooklyn, to today going for the classic Memorial Day weekend activity... the Beach. I decided to try a new location and had heard about Rockaway Beach. I did a some quick research on google maps (aha there is a train station near a beach) and mta.info (the train leaves in an hour) and threw on my suit, filled my beach bag, and headed out the door. Turns out it was a good decision. About a 45 min train ride from Woodside and then a 5 minute walk to the beach. Apparently there is a "getaway" ticket package of train ticket/beach pass, but I didn't know and I was a little flustered at the ticket lines (apparently everyone had my brilliant idea). The train was packed and we all went straight to the beach, which was handy for me (follow the crowd). Instead of the getaway package I had to purchase a $12 beach pass. The beach was clean the boardwalk was long the water was cold and the sun was hot. This is just my third beach in the New York area, but maybe my favorite for convenience and cleanliness.

Fleet Week Fun

I headed over the west side to take in some fleet week activities. I toured the U.S.S. Iwo Jima and took in some entertainment on the pier.

flight deck

a life lesson

men with a big gun

marines anyone?

The Iwo Jima is an amphibious assault ship

Pier entertainment- Aaron Fresh singing "Spending all my time loving you"

Sex and the City 2 midnight show

Wednesday night I headed to the Chelsea Cinemas for the 12:01 am showing of Sex and the City 2. One of my friends had the hook up to know that there was a "pop bag" event at this cinema. When we entered the theater we were handed a "boarding pass" for our theater (there were four different showings of the movie). We got "Carrie" passes and then headed to the party. Different companies had booths set up around the room handing out free samples and signing people up for give aways. A bar serving wine was also set up in the area. Working our way around the room we got press on nails from Dashing Diva, Metromint water (thumbs down), Bass shoe's coupon (I didn't win the shoes), Cupcakes from Cupcake Stop, Popchips, and won some finger nail polish from the pop bag trivia table with help from my friend. (Who did Carrie call the idiot stick figure without a soul?) The event was hosted by Hedda Lettuce (seen below) who was working the room with a crew of cameras, had a best shoes contest on stage, and introduced the movie. As we entered the movie we were handed our goody bags.

The movie itself was a bit excessive, but enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend the movie to anyone who didn't watch the show, but if you did I think you will enjoy the movie.

MC Hedda Lettuce on stage

The SATC girls with some sparkle

All my goodies...

Flower update

The Petals keep blooming... more! more! more!

My flower hanging out in my Irish scape.

Historic Long Island City

In the early 1800s wealthy New Yorkers crossed the river to escape the city crowds and built mansions and brownstones. Several villages popped up and in 1870 the villages and hamlets of Astoria, Ravenswood, Hunters Point, and Steinway voted to consolidate and become chartered as Long Island City. In 1898 Long Island City officially became part of New York City, as NYC expanded its borders to include what is now Queens.

I took these pictures in what was/is Hunters Point. I think these were built in the 1870's. The historic district is located at 45th ave between 21st and 23rd sts (basically one block).

My Sunflower!

This week I came home to discover my sunflower coming out to play.

Thursday 6pm

Friday 8:30pm

Saturday 9:30 am

View from LIC water taxi beach

Mizzou Alumni Picnic

Saturday I went to a wonderful picnic in Central Park with some great Missourians.

Happy May Day

When I was little I would make a basket from woven paper and add flowers gathered from the yard and hang it on my grandma's door, knock, and run away. I don't know the last time I did that, but today I was surprised with flowers! (thanks Susan)

So Happy May Day. A little history- May day comes from pagan beginnings but was Christianized along with Europe. The first day of May was celebrated as the first day of Summer and originates from many holidays in many countries and is currently celebrated in different ways around the world (including bonfires in Germany). May day is also associated with labor day and the labor movement. However I like the flowers on the doorstep and maypole tradition the best.