From snow to sun...

Well, the last time I wrote a few weeks ago, it was snowing. And now it is incredibly balmy and beautifully warm here in New York. The flowers have bloomed, the tree's have leaves, so much has changed and happened in such little time...

True, I have worked a lot in the past few weeks. But the time I have spent working, although tiring, has been incredibly rewarding. And in my time off I have really begun (what I think) to be a solid, long lasting relationship with this city. Really! I think this could be it =) haha

One Sunday off, I found myself on a Sex and the City tour of New York. Yes, Ashamedly I am a bit of a die hard fan. So it had to be done, and it was great damnit! To top off that day I spent the afternoon wandering around central park, and window shopping on the fancy fifth avenue!

I've got to spend fun days out with the girls, wandering around SoHo, taking a row boat out on the lake at central park...

Last Sunday, feeling in need of some 'real' nature, I ventured off the island of manhattan to the Botanic garden in Brooklyn. It was so lovely wandering around there, the cherry blossoms of spring were in full bloom and amazing, and I even brought home a little nature to the loft in the form of a houseplant! That night I went and saw the musical Avenue Q on Broadway - an 'adult' version of sesame street. It was great! Highly reccomend it!

It wasn't until this weekend, however, that I felt myself really open up to the spontaniety and all that New York really has to offer. I think i'll remember the exact moment forever (at least I hope!). After spending a lovely Saturday in various parks with the girls, it was a beautiful 30 something degree afternoon. We were wandering home to the loft, when we spied a whole lot of cherry blossoms littered on the pavement, and lots of kids throwing the blossoms up, letting the warm wind take them and shower the blossoms back down on them. The girls and I stopped to partake in this happy event, and even as simple as it sounds, this small action was the beginning of an amazing weekend, and i'm sure, an amazing few months here in the city. It really was magical!

This Sunday I treated myself to a massage (excellent!) and spent the afternoon shopping, before heading up to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building to get a whole new perspective on the city. Wow! In the evening, I perused the local 'what's on' newspaper, before deciding to catch a late show at a jazz club on broadway called the Iridium. I went and saw Allan Holdsworth - a great guitarist, considered to be in the top 100 ever apparently. And he was very good!

Today after a lazy morning, I ventured out for some more shopping in SoHo (God help my bank account!). I also checked out China town here, which is HUGE! Lots of interesting things there! The Tribeca Film Festival is on here at the moment, and as I reside in Tribeca, I felt I should go and see at least one film. The Tribeca Film festival was created (in part) by Robert De Niro, in an attempt to revive the community after the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Tonight I went and saw 'Englishman in New York', a film about the later years of Quentin Crisp's life in New York. It really was a phenomenal and touching film. To add to the experience of such a great film, there was a red carpet, papparazi and after the screening they had a question and answer section with the cast - including John Hurt, Cynthia Nixon and Jonathon Tucker. I love New York!!!

This week my Auntie Margaret will be in New York, and i'm really looking forward to seeing her. Also a few friends, including a couple who are going to crash here at the loft for a couple of nights, so it should be an exciting week! The adventure continues!!!

TTFN xo

A New York Beginning...

Well, here I am some time later from my last post, sitting in a cafe in New York staring outside as the SNOW falls on the pavement. Yes, I have embarked on my next adventure, and this time I find myself in New York! I've taken a job nannying for the lovely family I used to work for in London, while Jess acts in a play on Broadway - i'm looking after little Bee and Freda in our amazing loft apartment!

I arrived in New York almost 2 weeks ago. It was a bit of an adventure getting here, having some trouble in customs getting into the country and subsequently almost missing my connecting flight from LA to NYC - I found myself running for my plane in my socks!!

I did make it though, and the first couple of days here I chilled out in my hotel room in Midtown while I awaited the arrival of Jess and the kids. We moved into our amazing loft apartment in downtown Tribeca - I really lovely little area in downtown - it's clame to fame as being Robert De Niro's 'hood'. I still haven't seen him yet but am determined to track him down by the end of my time here!

The first week was a bit of a blur - it entailed a lot of long hours of work while Jess rehearsed and got ready for her play. We did however manage to get to Central Park for a lovely afternoon with the kids, taking a horse carriage ride through the park. It really is amazing there, such a large park in the centre of Manhattan!

We hung out with Jess at her theatre, and while there unbeknownst to me I sat right next to Kevin Spacey (one of the producers of her play) !!!! Haha, really I WAS just playing it cool!

Another highlight of last week was a visit to Broadway to take the kids to see Shrek the musical. I was slightly perturbed by the man dressed as Shrek - the whole ogre suit thing on a grown man was a bit off putting! It really was a great show though.

On Sunday I had a lovely day off to take in the city. I took the ferry to Staten Island and got a whole different perspective on Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Amazing!

This week has been really busy too, with Jess working alot doing alot of press and the opening of the play last night. Hopefully things will settle down soon and i'll be able to write about more exciting adventures in NYC!!!!

TTFN xo