The Big Apple & The Georgia Peach

View from the 30th Floor of our Hotel

• Going above 30 stories in a building.
• Ears popping while going down elevators.
• Riding a ferry. (Statue of Liberty)
• Seeing a frozen pond. (Central Park)
• Taking a taxi. (Make this one the second time. I'd rode one once when our car broke down as I child, but I barely remember that. So, I'm going with it.)
• Having New York pizza!
• Wearing thermal gear. I'm from south Georgia. It's 64 degrees outside right now, in January. Need I say more?
• Losing all sense of personal space, often. New Yorkers do not know the meaning of the term "personal bubble." They cram themselves in every subway and elevator, no matter how full.

I've always wanted to see NYC. The big screens of Times Square, the booming voices of Broadway, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. I wanted to bustle down the crowded streets and look up into the sky and see buildings kissing the clouds. 

This past weekend, I experienced it all and so much more. It was as amazing as I always thought it would be.




It was a grand time of FIRST TIMES:

• Flying with my husband. We'd both flown many, many times but never together. 
• Riding in a subway. The closest I'd ever came was in shuttles at the airport.
• Walking over 16,000 steps in one day and being called an "over-achiever" by my Fitbit. 

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• Falling down stairs. It was rainy, slippery, and slick going down to the subway. I'm okay. Only sore. :)
• Buying an umbrella. Okay, so this one is ridiculous, I know. But I have curly hair and a rain coat, and it only takes thirty seconds to get to the car. I normally never need an umbrella. Well, I spent an entire cold, rainy day in NYC. Now I own an umbrella. 
• Needing gloves. I bought gloves for the occasion, and I needed them. They weren't just an accessory like when I last wore them in the fifth grade. 
• Seeing a play on Broadway. I've always loved theatre.

WICKED was amazing!

The entire city is a giant breathing advertisement. There are ads in the cabs and subways. Everyone, everywhere is trying to sell you something. But perhaps what New York is really trying to sell you is life. Go live, travel, shop, play, skate, see, and dream. Know that even the sky isn't the limit. Look around. Look up. 

View from the top of the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building was built in the midst of the Great Depression. The Twin Towers still glow in memory of the fallen, and now the united trade center towers overhead and stands in guard of its memorial. 

New York is a symbol of America's ambition and resilience. It's truly something to see. 

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Several people have asked me what my best experience there was, and you may be surprised by my answer. There are those moments in life that define you. The pre-experience you and the post-experience you. Visiting Hillsong Church was one of those spiritually defining moments for me. The pastor, Carl Lentz, shared an amazing message that still has me thinking. He left us with three questions to ponder, and now I'm leaving them with you.

1. What habits will you build and which ones will you break in 2015?
2. What relationships will you invest in this year? Surround yourself with people who help build the character God wants to build in you. Life is about the people who experience moments with you. Get people around you who will help you keep your head up.
3. What is non-negotiable in your life that you will honor? Options are gone when non-negotiables show up.
   

 *You will reap a harvest. There is no reality HE cannot change. Keep your head up!

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So long New York. Until our paths meet again.