New York State of Mind

Let's get it out of the way: The FP touched down last Thursday! We enjoyed seeing the city together and got to hang out in a way that we've never hung out before: for more than just two hours. It was a cool weekend and only because I just don't want to talk about it anymore, I'm leaving out the "downer" moments for me.He and I have addressed it, still love him to pieces, and among other feelings, that's it. We had a good time. By the time we got to the airport, I was crying for quite a few reasons. Ohhh, such a girl!

Today's Focus is: Living in New York. While the FP was here, he suggested we go to "Top of the Rock" at Rockefeller Center. Now, I'd never been and like many born and raised New Yorkers, there are many other tourist attractions I've never seen (yes, the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building are on my list) so I was up for this! So, we take our quick ride up to the Mezzanine level (you can see it from the street) and we're walking through what's kind of like the History of not only Rockefeller Center but also a small history of the man himself and those harsh economic times. There were some cool facts on the walls. As we were exiting there, we stopped to take a picture of us on a fake ledge in front of the NYC skyline (of course, my mom thought it was real at first).

So, now we go up to the 65th Floor. They're doing this "Tonight Show w/ Johnny Carson" type intro to the top levels with a virtual show playing through the ceiling. All very cool and exciting.

We step outside and I'm amazed. It's a beautiful evening and you can see the entire city so clearly. It's breathtaking. The FP and I are trying to get our cameras right to take the best pictures despite the plastic guarding surrounding us (you know the walls the bulletproof type walls that the President has? I doubt what's up there is bulletproof though - just to make sure you don't drop stuff off the roof.). We walked around and I showed him buildings that I knew, embarrassed myself with my lack of direction, and showed how little I knew about some of the bridges. We stayed out there for a few minutes before going back inside to go up another two levels to head out to the COMPLETE Top of the Rock.

My heart almost skipped a beat and I really thought a tear would drop. This is my city. I've lived here all my life (okay, I went away to college for four years but my permanent address had NY on it) and in this moment, I understand why so many people either come to visit or come to live. Just looking at the city makes you believe that you can do anything and everything. That the Big Apple is really big enough for you and all your friends to take a bite from it and make your way. I've lived here all my life and I finally GET IT. I barely knew where the FP was during that time. My thoughts were able to wander and be totally free. My emotions were all caught up because I've never seen my city from this high and from this angle.

How could I ever be without this city? I NEED this city.