June 20

I promised a quick update every day, so I will be staying true to that. We got back to the hotel very late last night, so I didn't have quite enough time to churn out a daily update. So I am doing it now.

Also, the list of themes for this blog will be going up very soon; I just have to make some decisions about what themes go when and where. 

The day started after a good night's sleep (Friday, June 19 was a long day of traveling). We were meeting a family friend, Lynn and her daughter Leah, planning on going to Coney Island, but the forecast called for rain so we decided against it.

In my brilliant money saving awesomeness, I managed to get us six tickets to see the new musical Finding Neverland with Matthew Morrison and Kelsey Grammar. I got us a 35% discount on the already discounted tickets. So yeah, I'm kind of awesome.

The show was simply amazing; to say I was blown away would be an understatement. I highly, highly recommend seeing it if you get the chance. It is the story of J.M. Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan. It appeals to adults and children alike with the theme of never growing up, along with some deeper and even darker themes of (what I viewed as) mental illness/emotional turmoil. Matthew Morrison, who plays Will Shuester in "Glee" starred as J.M. Barrie and he has an an incredible voice I did not expect out of him. I even have a plan for a (non-April Fool's Joke) tattoo. You know, if my younger sister would ever allow me to get a tattoo.

Second star to the right and straight on till morning

We went out to dinner with my aunt and uncle and cousins (Jay, Tammy, Robert, and Brandon) at an incredibly delicious place called Narcisa. Here, have some food porn.

Farm fresh egg appetizer

For father's day/mom's 50th birthday, we had a super secret surprise after dinner. But of course my mom is terrible at keeping secrets, so she spilled it right before we got in the cab to go to a Billy Joel Concert at Madison Square Garden.

Yes. Yes. It was awesome and amazing and I didn't even know the difference between James Taylor and Billy Joel. I'm going to try and post a video if the blog allows me to. It was incredible.

(Also there was a man sitting next to us who was...shall we say...in a different mental state. Probably drunk. I tried to play the game guess which substance this guy is on, but Shayna was not enthused. During the last song (before the encore), Piano Man, he literally lit up a joint. For those of you not in the know, this means he was puffing a cigarette styled item filled with marijuana. Interesting fellow there. No extra cost for the additional entertainment he provided us!)

Okay, Shayna is now bugging me to pack. Per usual, the contents of my suitcase are spread all over the floor adjacent to where the suitcase is located. So I should repack. 

Well, that's it for the beginning of our awesome journey-- more coming soon. I really have to pack. Shayna is taking breaks from binge watching Parks and Recreation to scold me. And if you know Shayna, or Parks and Recreation, or both, this is a big deal. 

Shayna: (Earbuds in) *Laughter* *Laughter* *Absurdly weird cackling*

Me: (Stares awkwardly and continues writing blog)

Shayna: (Takes out one earbud) This show...so, Andy wanted to be a policeman (starts laughing) RIVI. 

Me: (Looks over from computer screen) Pack?

Shayna: This is the fourth time I've told you.

Me: Okay. I'm almost done. Let me just write this dialogue down word for word on my blog that will be viewed by the Internet people.

Shayna: (giggles)

Me: ...

Shayna: No, it's just... (laughs) (tries to put it on for me to hear) Come here. Or I'll come to you. It doesn't matter. 

Me: (watches it)... Okay, that's pretty funny.

Well, that's been enough for today/yesterday. That was not quick at all. I should redefine what "quick post" means.  Geez. I don't have time for this.

With love from NYC,

Rivi