Coming up I've got the second half of the Crompton / Carville tour, and then a couple of cool US experiences in store for you.
When I left you last, I was on a rest day with the kids, trying to get some additional battery charge for week two. One thing I missed from the last blog (rightly pointed out by one of my mini-guests) was one of my highlights, which was post fireworks on July 4, our glow stick party. That was a blast - music pumping and nothing lighting up our bad dancing but red, white and blue glow sticks! The landing on our stairwell made a very good podium (those that know me from my Rosies and Storm days know that I don't mind a boogie on a podium). The old house that I live in didn't know what hit it!
On the Monday night of week two we went to Bryant Park for the Monday night movie series. Movie of the night was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the Gene Wilder classic version. It was a cool atmosphere - there was a naked painted lady in the crowd, they were dishing out free chocolate tacos (mmmmmmm), and the Oompa Loompas were clear favorites with the crowd.
The rest of the week was spent with a visit to Ground Zero - they have really put together a beautiful memorial (this is the new Freedom Tower);
Wall Street (this is Mitch kicking back NYC style in Wall St)
including a stop at Maccas (or Maccy Dees to the Yanks) where we had prime visibility to the misfortune of this poor photocopy delivery guy
We took the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty, we found a hidden Central Park Treasure - Belvedere Castle which used to be the viewing point of all of the lakes in the park to see if they were iced over;
Jack is trying out his skills as a nature photographer!
That plaster that mum's rocking comes in handy in crowds!
Nic and I enjoying a Mango cocktail pre-Yankees
We went to Yankees v Kansas City where the Yankees were in fine form with 2 home runs, and we managed to get ourselves on the big screen - one of the most exciting moments of my life!!!... and yes, there was some silliness required to get us up there!
We went to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum which ended up being a highlight for the boys. They have a retired Air Craft Carrier Ship (named the Intrepid), a submarine, a British Airways Conchord, a lot of war planes and choppers, and my favorite, a Space Shuttle.
We checked out a dodgy Chinese restaurant in China Town - delish, dirt cheap and the quickest service ever;
Luckily the dodgy chinese had no negative effect, because the next day was farewell day. It was sad to say goodbye to the fam, but knowing we will see each other in my quick visit back to Aus in September (to graduate) made it much easier.
Since the fam left I did as I said I would, which was sleep for a whole weekend, getting ready to go back to work. In my first week back I flew off to Costa Rica for the week, and then the second week the whole team came into NYC for our annual meeting, so there has been no rest at all! This week was my first week at my desk in 5 weeks.
Last Saturday night I headed off with Teena and Matt to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to check out Jersey's own Bon Jovi. After reading some dodgy reviews of his previous concerts on the tour (unfortunately without Richie Sambora) he obviously took on board the feedback and came out in (pardon the pun) a Blaze of Glory! He came on stage after the J.Geils Band, who I had no idea who they were until they broke into Centerfold. Clearly a one hit wonder, but a bloody good hit at that (the lead singer was still rockin' sparkles!).
Bon Jovi came on at 9 and played non-stop until 11:45! The encore went for 8 songs with my two faves in there - Livin on a Prayer and Always - bloody awesome. LOVED IT!
I then headed back to the Intrepid on Sunday morn with Brett where it happened to be Space Fest. There were astronauts there (yes, real ones!)
Then this Wednesday was a fun experience. We went to see America's Got Talent be filmed at Radio City Music Hall. It was a results show so none of the 'talent' actually performed but I didn't care because Robin Thicke came on with his posse of girls and sang Blurred Lines - love that song. We somehow must've fit the demographics they are targeting for the show because we got selected for the VIP section - we were only around 10 rows away from the judges - Heidi Klum, Mel B (Scary Spice), Howie and Howard Stern. They were all really good and interactive with the audience. It was a really cool experience - I can now add being on tv to the list of being pulled up on stage on Broadway, and being on the big screen at Yankee Stadium, the TRIFECTA!
Mel B (Scary Spice)
Heidi Klum
Me & Liz
The Robin Thicke set (I was too busy boogying during his set to get any pics)
I hope you all enjoyed. Look forward to catching up with many of you in September!
Michele xx