New York - Our 10 Year Anniversary Trip

We had an absolutely amazing time in NY … 10 years of marriage to the most amazing man I know. And, ahhh, New York was the place to celebrate. Just me and Dean for 5 glorious days!

The trip started out a bit crazy. First, I missed my flight and had to spend over 5 hours at LAX waiting and hoping I would be able to make the 9PM flight. I was on standby and anything was possible. After a good cry and feelings of pity and frustration I asked God to use the time. I sort of looked at it as a break in the busyness of life - a disruption in the Matrix, if you will (smile)

I did make it on the 9PM flight and even though I was in the center section, middle seat I didn’t care. I was so thankful to be on the plane. I was seated in between two guys. I ended up having a really nice chat with the guy to my left. He’s a young 20-something guy. He lives in LA and works as a writer’s assistant on the TV show Vanished. He was traveling to visit his girlfriend. We talked about LOST and chit-chatted until a natural break in conversation caused me to turn and talk with the man to my right. This is where God stepped in. Ends up this guy, Craig, also missed his flight and happens to live in Thousand Oaks! He is a 40-something guy, married with a couple of kids. He was traveling on business. I got the impression that he was a tired man. Tired and beaten down by the pressures of the corporate world. Apparently, he had lost his first company and was starting up a new one. He was traveling to try and work some business deals. He said he didn’t feel completely motivated this time around. He just didn’t have the same drive/energy that he once had. He described the loss of his first company as a “business divorce that cost him 2 million dollars.” Business-Divorce … interesting choice of words. I can only imagine that must have been hard. I told him why I was traveling and I mentioned that I hadn’t seen my husband in several weeks because he had been traveling all over the US. He kept asking questions. So, I kept giving him more insight into the IMN, Makers of Fire, mission, Jesus, life in community, etc. Ends up he attends the Presbyterian church in Westlake but doesn’t seem to really have a relationship with God. It sounds as if he attends because maybe it’s a “safe place” where you can meet people with “good morals”. He kept asking more and more questions. So, I kept sharing. We talked almost the whole trip. I really felt God was talking through me. I think Craig needed water for his withering soul. He isn’t sure what comes next in life and I get the impression he isn’t really sure what the point of life is. I don’t know what will come of Craig but he gave me his business card as we exited the plane. Maybe Dean and he can connect … time will tell. (by-the-way … neither of these guys were hitting on me. They were just nice people. Thank you God for making that plane ride enjoyable!!)

I finally arrived in NY at 5AM. My Deanie was waiting for me. It was sooo good to see him. We slept most of the day away but got up and headed into Manhattan in the evening and here is where I will start the pictures …

Day 1 Our first night in Manhattan. We took the bus from Jersey into the city. The moment I stepped off the bus I felt like I was home. I love NYC!
We ended up in Little Italy and ate at this amazing little Italian cafe.

Day 2 we drove Long Island and the Hamptons until we arrived in Montauk. This Lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington in 1792. We drove almost 4 hours to get here. We arrived at ‘golden hour’. Perfect time to capture these amazing pictures. (Isn’t Dean a good photographer!)

Day 3 we played in Manhattan again. This is me in time Square PROUDLY wearing one of Aaron’s hats. Check him out at http://www.myspace.com/staggertogetherforever

We walked down 8th until we arrived at Central Park …oh how I love Central Park!! We strolled and talked until we arrived at the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

The picture of me sitting next to the large windows I included because it reminds me of one of my favorite moments on the trip. We sat in this large atrium/cafe in the museum. We sipped coffee, stared out the window into Central Park, and talked for over an hour about life, dreams, possibilities, technology and God. What a great time I had with my Deanie!! We stayed for over 5 hours at the MET and still didn’t see everything. But, we didn’t fret … we just promised that, God-willing, we would come back soon!

We spent the rest of the evening hanging in the city. We walked down 5th Ave and OF COURSE We HAD to check out the Apple Store … it is so cool!

Day 4 we took the bus and the subway to the Village. What a fun and hip place. It’s sort the the college part of the city. Lots of culture, street perfomers and diversity. The town is centered around NYU. We ate at John’s (one of the famous places to have New York pizza … yum!!!)