Coney Island & The Polar Bears

There are not many places where photos can do all the talking for you.

I think Coney Island is one of them. Bright and colorful attractions, rides and people. 

sjp.photography on Instagram

Coney Island is composed of several parks within itself, and can tell a story with its photos alone. But, where is the fun in that, when there are incredible stories to be told? Coney Island was the home of the first baby incubators, a handlbar mustachioed lion tamer, "imps", and stories of fire and destruction.

 A fight, old versus new

juancarlospena on Instagram

natigarciao on Instagram

Steeplechase Park was an amusement park in the Coney Island area of Brooklyn, New York from 1897 to 1964. It was one of the leading attractions of its day and is considered one of the most influential amusement parks. It was created by George C. Tilyou (1862–1914), who grew up in a family that ran a Coney Island restaurant. While visiting the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, he saw the Ferris wheel and decided to build his own on Coney Island; it immediately became the resort's biggest attraction.

At the close of the 1939 World's Fair, Tilyou's son Frank purchased the fair's Parachute Drop and moved it to his park. The ride, inspired by a training device for paratroopers, saw interest during the remainder of World War II, but declined after the end of the war. However, perhaps due to the expense involved in destruction, the ride outlived the remainder of the park, operating until 1964. Still too expensive to tear down, the tower was finally declared a landmark in 1977, (added to the National Register of Historic Places) and the city took the unusual step of declaring it a landmark again in 1988. Today it is the only remaining artifact of Steeplechase.

source: wiki

susiebb on Instagram

natigarciao on Instagram

Luna Park was an amusement park in Coney Island, Brooklyn in New York City that opened in 1903. In 1901 the park's creators, Frederic Thompson and Elmer "Skip" Dundy, had created a wildly successful ride called "A Trip To The Moon", as part of the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, New York. The name of the winged spacecraft (which was not a rocket, but flapped its wings) was Luna, the Latin word for the moon.At the invitation of Steeplechase owner Harry George Tilyou, Thompson and Dundy moved their show to Steeplechase Park, a Coney Island amusement park, for the 1902 season.

At the end of that season, the partners obtained a long-term lease for the site of an older amusement park, Sea Lion Park, and rebuilt it as Luna Park, the second major amusement park in Coney Island. Although they claimed the park was named after one of their female relatives, it was probably named for the ship. The architecture was quite fanciful, with thousands of electric lamps on the outside of the buildings at a time when electrification was still a novelty.

source: wiki

Man-made and Nature

one right on top of the other

dalmi_ferrer on Instagram

natigarciao on Instagram

Dreamland was an ambitious amusement park at Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City from 1903 to 1911. It contained primarily freak shows. Opened on May 15, 1904, Dreamland was a park in which everything was reputed to be bigger and more expansive than in neighboring Luna Park, even boasting 4 times as many light bulbs than Luna Park. In a bid for publicity, the park put famous Broadway actress Marie Dressler in charge of the peanut-and-popcorn stands, with young boys dressed as imps in red flannel acting as salesmen. Dressler was said to be in love with Dreamland's dashing, handlebar-mustachioed, one-armed lion tamer who went by the name of Captain Jack Bonavita.

The side shows were owned by the Dicker family, who also owned the hotel next to the park. There was also a display of baby incubators, where premature babies, triplets who were members of the Dicker family, were cared for and exhibited. The doctors advised them of the new invention, but they could not use it because incubators were not approved for use in hospitals, so the triplets were placed in the side show, which was allowed. Two survived and lived on to have full lives until their death.

source: wiki

A glimpse of the people and community

kelseyrahn on Instagram

Personal Photo

Astroland was first built as a "space-age" theme park when it opened in 1962, although in later years "a visit [was] more like stepping into the past than the future." Some of the later rides were similar to regular carnival rides, but others offered a kitsch experience that was lacking in modern amusement parks. In June 1975 Astroland was chosen to be the new operator of the Cyclone, the famous wooden roller coaster, which stood on Parks Department land. 

source: wiki

Expected and Unexpected

An annual tradition, on January first, hundreds of like-minded (eccentric) individuals choose to greet the new year with freezing water to waken the senses and prove that they live life to the fullest. 

You might expect New Yorkers to participate in something like this. But, you might not expect that this was established long before flash mobs and social media. The Coney Island Polar Bear club, which is the oldest "winter bathing" club in America was formed in 1903.

JulianWalterPhotography, A Plunge with the Coney Island Polar Bears

My first trip to visit Tom and his family was New Years Eve 2010, and I was told to bring a swimsuit. I had no clue why, and I listened. On January 1st he told me to don the swimsuit and we drove to Coney Island, where I found out that he planned on us participating in the swim... which did not happen. But it was hilarious to watch.

JulianWalterPhotography, A Plunge with the Coney Island Polar Bears

The chief polar bear blows into a conch shell, and all the participants run into the water, splash around, and run out. That was it. But then you saw people catching up, joking around and breaking the "antisocial New Yorker" stereotype. People seemed to know each other, and enjoy each others company. Julian Walter Photography wrote a great piece written about the event can be found here. You should click the link. He actually went into the water himself to get up close with the polar bears. Which takes dedication.... and a wetsuit.

JulianWalterPhotography, A Plunge with the Coney Island Polar Bears

So tell me...

Have you ever visited Coney Island?

Would (or have) you ever participate in a polar bear club?

Do you agree that Coney Island has a atmosphere that is all it's own?

Let me know if you have any tips to add in the comments below!

                 
Facebook     Google+     Twitter

Brooklyn Bridge

"So what do you want to see?"
It seems like whenever we ask someone who is coming to visit NYC this question, they usually say that they want to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Which makes me laugh because wanting to "walk it" makes the Brooklyn Bridge sound like some important rite of passage. Maybe everyone who does walk it has some kind of great memory associated with it, hence the importance it holds in their recommendations to others who plan to visit.

I remember when I walked it. It was the night (after spending the entire night) walking around NYC with my now-husband that I knew I was in love. We didn't get home until around 7am, but this bridge does bring back memories of spending all night strolling around a (mostly) empty NYC during April 2010.

The Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1876 and is one of the oldest bridges in the United States. It crosses the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, creating the first bridge into Brooklyn, In the mid 19th century, the "Port of New York" had become so populated that people began to travel into Brooklyn and set up warehouses in the Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood. These warehouses now have been transformed into many different kinds of buildings, but you can see the history as you walk around the neighborhood. Needless to say, McDonald's is so much cooler when it's inside a renovated warehouse.

The Brooklyn Bridge also cemented the community of Brooklyn Heights as the "first commuter suburb". In those days, Manhattanites had already flocked there, as they viewed the nearby neighborhood as a place to have a 'home in the country', and later as a way to escape the yellow fever epidemic that was taking over the island of New York in 1822. By the time the Bridge was completed, the neighborhood was almost entirely settled, and this is why if you walk in Brooklyn Heights today you are able to see some the oldest buildings in NYC.

photo provided for use by innyworld, check them out on Instagram

The best way to walk the Brooklyn Bridge is to take the subway into Brooklyn and walk back into Manhattan. You can of course start in Manhattan and turn around when halfway across the bridge if you would prefer. If you are looking to avoid crowds, the best bet would be to travel late (after 12pm). And, don't be scared when you see police with lights at the ends of the bridge. They do this for most every major crossing into the city and you are allowed to walk the bridge at any time (it does not close like the parks in NYC, which officially close at 1 am).

From Brooklyn:

A/C train to High Street
Walking Directions: from train to Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway
Take the stairway/exit onto Cadman Plaza, and walk to the East side of Cadman Plaza.
Walk south on Cadman Plaza East. When you reach Tillary Street, turn left. Walk for one block and turn left again, onto the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.

2/3 train to Clark Street
Walking Directions: from train to Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway
Take the Henry Street stairway/exit.
At the corner of Henry Street and Clark Street, walk east two blocks (towards the park). Cross to the other side of Cadman Plaza West and then turn left onto Tillary Street. Walk for two blocks and turn left again, onto the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.

F train to Jay Street - MetroTech
Walking Directions: from train to Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway
Take the stairway/exit on Jay Street.
Walk three blocks north on Jay Street, cross to the other side of Tillary Street and then turn left onto Tillary Street. Walk one block and turn right to enter onto the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.

photo provided for use by midnight.xpress, check them out on Instagram

Into Manhattan:

4/5/6 train at Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Turn right onto Centre Street and you will be at the Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall subway station.

2/3 train at Park Place
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Continue onto City Hall Park Path and turn left onto Broadway. Turn right onto Murray Street, left onto Church Street and left onto Park Place. You will then be at the Park Place subway station.

E train at World Trade Center
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Continue onto City Hall Park Path and turn left onto Broadway. Turn right onto Murray Street and left onto Church Street. You will then be at the World Trade Center subway station.

N/R train at City Hall
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Continue onto City Hall Park Path and turn left onto Broadway. You will be at the City Hall subway station.

A/C train at Chambers Street
Walking Directions
When exiting the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway, continue straight to stay on Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Continue onto City Hall Park Path and cross to the other side of Broadway. The City Hall Park Path then becomes Warren Street. Walk until you reach Church street and then turn left onto Church Street. You will then be at the Chambers Street Subway Station.



I'm not sure where the tradition to "walk it" began , but I understand why is one of the first things that people say they want to do when they visit the city. Beautiful views. Easy to get find/travel to. Free. What else could you ask for?


So tell me...
Have you walked the Brooklyn Bridge?
Do you have a great memory associated with it?
Have you ever seen the bridge empty (or nearly empty?)

Let me know if you have any tips to add in the comments below!

                 
Facebook     Google+     Twitter

Above NYC

In an age of social media and photography in general, getting the perfect NYC shot has moved up many to the top position on many to-do lists, more coveted than getting a slice of iconic NYC pizza or even taking a terrifying taxi ride.

Getting the perfect shot isn't always the easiest thing to do, however it can be done with a little planning. And below are several ways you can elevate yourself above NYC and get a great photo that sums up the magnitude of this city.

Rockefeller Center Observation Deck

photo provided for use by midnight.xpress, check them out on Instagram

The Top of the Rock has not always been at the top of the list when it comes to visiting NYC.

What is the first place you think of? Is it the Empire State Building? Consider this: when you are on the Empire State Building, you can't exactly get photos of the Empire State Building. Get my drift?

Visit the Top of the Rock and you'll get the same views in addition to the landmark that most people only photograph from street level. It might sound a little insulting to Top of the Rock, to say that their best attribute is the amazing view of the Empire state building, but it is. From here you can see amazing sunsets, sunrises, and if you go at night you can view the ever changing colors of the Empire State Building. Check out what the lights mean (and the schedule) here.

You can purchase an 'unscheduled' ticket to use at any time, or select online a 'timed' ticket, allowing you to pass the lines and go to the front of the line when it's time for your appointment.

Adult- $30.00     Child (6-12)- $20.00     Senior (62+)- $28.00.
The first elevator goes up at 8:00am, the last one at 11:00pm

Empire State Building

photo by wiki commons

As most everyone knows, the Empire State Building is one of the most iconic places to visit to photograph NYC.

Main Deck Only (86th Floor)
Adult- $32     Senior (ages 62+)- $29     Child (ages 6-12): $26
Main Deck + Top Deck (86th & 102nd Floors)
Adult- $52     Senior (ages 62+)- $49     Child (ages 6-12)- $46

This seems like a good point to mention New York PASS,. New York Pass is a tourist card created by real, life-long New Yorkers to save you time and money on Sightseeing in New York City. With NY Pass visitors get free entry to over 80 attractions and skip ticket lines at many of the busiest places. If you plan on visiting many paid location in NYC, including: MoMA, Top of the Rock, Madame Tussauds, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and many more.

I wrote a review on using a CityPASS in Seattle, and would wholeheartedly recommend it if you plan on going to these places anyway, want a way to structure your trip, or plan on visiting in the colder months. If you are planning on visiting in the summer and enjoy outdoor space and 'living like a local' I would pass on the New York Pass.

Hours: 8am to 2am every day

The Roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

photo from the MET museum website

By visiting the MET (where instead of paying the suggested price you can Pay What You Wish) between May and November you are provided a opportunity to travel to the roof which is available (weather permitting) for visitors to see amazing views of Central park and skyline surrounding the area.

There is also a café and bar available for refreshment, open Sunday–Thursday: 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m and Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–8:15 p.m. Visit the Met's website here.

Roosevelt Island Tram

photo provided for use by midnight.xpress, check them out on Instagram

photo provided for use by midnight.xpress, check them out on Instagram

The Roosevelt Island Tram is one of the lesser-known ways that you can get a view of the city, all while taking a quick trip to an small island next to Manhattan. The entire trip takes only a few minutes but offers a fun 'ride' for kids and a unique perspective. Roosevelt Island alone has an amazing view from the park at it's southermost point, the FDR Four Freedoms Park, a great place to pack a lunch and have a relaxing day away from the busy streets. If you would like to visit the island without taking the tram, the subway does go there. Take the F train going towards Queens, and get off at the Roosevelt Island station.

Sunday - Thursday:  6:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Friday & Saturday:  6:00 AM to 3:30 AM

To ride the Tram, you must use a MTA MetroCard. MetroCards are available for purchase at either Tram Station and at subway stations throughout New York City. Full fare: $2.50 per trip per person.

One World Observatory- Freedom Tower

photo by wiki commons

Opening in 'late Spring 2015' One World Trade Center will be available as an alternative to the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building for 360 degree views of the city.

Adults (13-64)- $32     Children(6-12)- $26     Seniors(65+)- $30
Children 5 years old and younger are free but do require a ticket

Tickets will be available to buy online, and all tickets will be valid for a specific time and date. Sign up for updates and the latest announcements about ticket availability by clicking here.

Aerial Photos
Want to get those amazing shots that we often see following the news?

You can rent a helicopter and see NYC like only the birds and news choppers have. This of course can get pricey, but if you are looking for those shots nothing else will compare. We always visit Groupon and other coupon websites for a few weeks before travelling anywhere. Groupon NYC and LivingSocial NYC are great for anything, from dinner to walking tours to helicopter rides. But check often to see what is available, since they sometimes sell out quick.

Or, if you have a flight flying into JFK or LGA airport over the city (from anywhere west of the east coast) you are likely to get a good aerial shot from your window. Just plan on arriving during the daytime hours to get the best airplane photos.

I've taken several, but the best would be this one, taken when flying south (hence why the photo is of Brooklyn, with Manhattan, New Jersey and Staten Island in the background).

I think we are all in agreement that getting "above NYC" can provide some amazing photo opportunities.

So tell me...
Have you visited any of the places above?
Are you planning a trip to NYC this spring or summer?
Where have you gone in NYC to get 'above it all'?

Let me know if you have any tips to add in the comments below!

                  
Facebook     Google+     Twitter

Breaking News- 2015 A-Z Theme Reveal

It's that time again....

The month is approaching where I join 1700 other bloggers to write every day for the month of April.
We write based on a different letter, A-Z, every day except for Sundays.

And this year the theme is....

I've compiled a list of places, A-Z, where you should visit when you visit NYC this year. Or next year.
Or when you decide to be a hometown tourist (as we often do).

The places will be:
Well-known- Grand Central Terminal
Off the 'beaten path'- Highline
Somewhat Obscure- Manhattanhenge

Each post will include:

  -History Lesson- Information about the place
  -Tips and Tricks- from when I've gone or what I've heard from other travellers
  -Basic Info- website, hours, phone and Tripadvisor link
  -Directions- Public Transit... because when you are here you should get the whole experience. Including the subway!


Many who visit this site either live in the Northeast and regularly make their way to the city, or are from further away (Georgia, Texas, Washington, etc) and are always interested in the photos from around the city. And this month (due to sickness, migraines and a large period of time without a phone/camera) I'm featuring work some amazing photographers based in NYC that I found on Instagram.

Follow one (or more) of the following so you don't miss out!

                 
Facebook     Google+     Twitter

So tell me..

Have you ever traveled to NYC, and wanted an insider's guide?

Where do you live, and what places would you recommend?

Are you participating in the A-Z challenge? You can sign up here.

All About Candy and Commercial Easter

1. This coming weekend is Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. Do you celebrate Easter in your home? What was your favorite Easter tradition as a child?
As a child we didn't do much in terms of celebrating Resurrection Day, but I remember returning from church to look for my Easter basket. My parents decided that hiding the basket ensured more time spent preoccupied, and they often hid it very well. I remember dying Easter eggs and my mother would make homemade coconut, jelly and peanut butter "eggs". My mother used to sew my dresses and I remember some frilly ones during the Easter season.

2. George Weinberg is quoted as saying, 'Hope never abandons you, you abandon it.' Agree or disagree? Share your own thoughts on the word hope.
Um... I'm not sure how a feeling can abandon it's owner, but I do think you can either give up on it or just flat-our change your mind. Sounds like something a wise old man would say to encourage a teenager in a feel-good movie.

3. Weigh in with a yay or nay on the traditional Easter candies. A solid milk chocolate bunny? Cadbury Creme Eggs? Peeps? Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs? Jellybeans? Coconut Cream Eggs? Of the candies listed, which one would you most like to find in your Easter basket?
I do not like solid-chocolate anything, can only eat so many Peeps or jelly beans, but I love anything that is filled with peanut butter. Those, plus the Whoppers "Robin Eggs" always left me in a happy sugar coma as a kid.

I don't think I've ever really had a Cadbury Creme Egg, but remember the commercial well. We had recorded "The Wizard of Oz" on videotape during Easter one year, so ever 10 minutes you had a bunch of random animals in bunny ears trying to be the new Cadbury bunny. Since this was the movie I chose to watch on repeat growing up, this commercial is ingrained in my mind as much as those terrifying flying monkeys and the lollipop guild.

4. When did you last feel 'like a kid in a candy store'?
When Tom and I took my friend and her little girl to Dylan's Candy Bar. The entire place is modeled after Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, and just smells like sugar. I can't imagine any of the workers ever enjoying sugar after being in the place 8 hours a day, but you do get an instant contact sugar high when you walk in. They have some crazy decor, such as this lollipop sculpture:

5. What's something you know you do differently than most people? Does that bother you? Does it bother other people?
I was just reminded the other day how different I am from my husband, this time because of grocery shopping. I oftentimes get frustrated when we go to get items for a meal, and instead of having a plan to get in and out, he prefers to wander around until he decides what he likes to cook. That drives me insane, but I think that we've resolved to shop separately from now on :)

Farin: "List complete."
Tom: "Oh, ribs are on sale."
Very different shopping styles

6. Palm Springs CA, Palm Beach FL, or the PALMetto State...of the three mentioned, which sunny spot would you most like to visit right now? Which have you visited at one time or another?
I would take any of them at this point, but I guess I would prefer Palm Springs.

Maybe it's because I've been to Florida several times but California just once. That, or maybe since we've been toying with the idea of visiting the west coast again this year so it's on my mind already.

7. If you could change the length of a day would you lengthen it or shorten it? Tell us why.
Lengthen it. I'm guessing most people would agree, but only as long as our bodies wouldn't need even more sleep to function. What good would a 30 hour day be if we still needed 10 hours of sleep to function? Sounds good in theory but I'm sure we'd still get less than the recommended amount, be dragging ourselves, and crave an even longer day. Good thing we aren't in control of these things!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Since the questions this week mostly all revolved around Easter (the commercial side anyway), my mind has switched over to Easter mode.  Growing up, we sang this song in church every year, in the weeks approaching Easter.

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!

Good-bye guilt, good-bye fear, good riddance! Hello, Lord, Hello, sun!
I am one of the Easter People! My new life has begun!

Daily news is so bad it seems the Good News seldom gets heard.
Get it straight from the Easter People! God's in charge spread the word!


So tell me..
What is your favorite Easter candy?
Any Easter traditions (God-centered or worldly)?
Do you have a song that just brings back a childhood holiday?

Is This Real Life?

Sometimes I feel like Dorthy, waking up in Oz. 
I expect to wake up from this weird city life, and wake up in rural Pennsylvania. Things sometimes seem weird here.

Yesterday I was at the DMV, updating my license and I skipped a huge line because I made an appointment online. I only spent 10 minutes at the DMV, which is unheard of, and the people I passed coming in were glaring at me as I walked out with my paperwork in hand. 

I was never the super-organized person, the one to have all their ducks in a row and be able to skip past all the other people in line. I would be the person to show up late, and have to fill the documents out there, and return to the back of the line. 

I had about 2 hours to kill, so I enjoyed a almond pretzel from Auntie Anne's and found some flats for $7 in Old Navy. I browsed around Marshalls at all the home decor and planned to return when I could actually spend time looking around. 

In high school I had never even gone to a mall, until my best friend brought me one weekend. It was all too much. Even in college I bought all my clothes at JC Penney and everything else from Walmart. I could never imagine being the type of person to just go shopping, how extravagant. 

I left for work and saw a troupe of 'dancers' the next car over. So, when the train stopped and the made their way to my subway car, I got up and went to their old one. Got a seat, and looked into the car I just left at all the people trying to ignore the blasting music and contorting school-skipping kids. Then a family of tourists asked for directions and after helping them I was profusely thanked. 

When the subway reached my station I was already positioned at door that let the staircase I needed to make a quick exit. Because it feels pretty awesome to walk up a staircase alone in front of the 40 people behind me attempting to squeeze up it all at once.

I am still shocked that I am living in a large city, navigating it and knowing where I am going. Knowing to avoid that block because all those people are just leaning on the buildings. Never will you find a group of 'strangers' casually doing that... unless maybe this is in Midtown, and they are waiting for a ticket line to something open up. Knowing the tricks on the subway to avoid the smelly subway car, the dancing kids and how to make a quick exit to street level, I feel almost like an expert. 

-------

I never used to feel like an expert. 

I never used to have confidence in my ability to live on my own, let along here. I still often have 'out of body' experiences, where I am running to catch my train and I realize that the old me would've been shocked. How do I even know where I am going? Know not to walk down that block? How did I learn all this? Well, I guess the short answer would be that Tom is a great teacher, but the better answer is that I just never thought to try new things. This real life still surprises me.

I'm sure that this is normal.

When someone becomes a parent I'm sure that they remember back to when they were praying to become pregnant, shell shocked when the child they longed for was placed in their arms. How do they do this, be a parent? Then they suddenly are doing it, and doing it well.

Maybe you were hired at an amazing job and are shocked that your minimal qualifications got you there,. Maybe you think that the suit you borrowed from your roommate is fooling the person hiring you. But then you say something useful during a meeting and everyone looks up, and your realize that you can do this.

Maybe you are like me and moved somewhere very different, the one place you never planned to live and even told others you would never move to.


So tell me...
Something that you are brand new to, that feels overwhelmingly different?
Is there anything that you feel like you've conquered?
Did you ever get flashbacks to how it was?

On Confidence and Green Acres

1. Share a favorite song, book, or movie title containing the word green?
So, Green Acres immediately came to mind.
Upon listening to the lyrics, I laughed at how exactly opposite this song is from my life.
Here, the husband drags the ritzy wife to the country. In my case, the exact opposite happened.

Husband:
Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.

Wife:
New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.

2. Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, 'Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.' Would you agree? Are you a believer in luck?
In certain things, silly things. We tend to stay away from that word since we believe that most things that happen to us were set in motion for our good by God's glory (and we don't want to take any importance away from that and give it to luck). But if we're playing a game and and you get a good hand, you're lucky. Or, if you drop a buttered piece of bread and it does that mid-air spin (in slow motion, of course) to land faceup on the plate.... you are lucky :)

3. Spring water, Hot Springs, handspring, spring fling, spring break, spring fever, offspring...which 'spring' word best applies to something in your day, week, or life right now?
Spring fever. I've gotten to the point where I am disappointed when I see that the temperatures are below 50. I've been spoiled.. just last month it was a heatwave it if got above 40. But I miss flowers most of all, anyone else with me there?

 4. What's something you do to make yourself look or feel more confident?
Put on some makeup or dress up a bit. Not something I grew up knowing how to do, but once I figured out that it was okay to take some pride in your appearance I realized that it's a definite confidence boost. Putting your best foot face forward and all.

5.  It's National Celery Month...are you a fan? If so, what's a snack or dish you enjoy that calls for celery?
I am a fan, and our favorite way to use them is for holidays and parties. Mix together cream cheese and Lipton Onion Soup Mix well, until it tastes right (you know, oniony). Spread onto 2 inch pieces of celery and munch. And, because it's celery, you can almost fool yourself into thinking they are a healthy alternative to chips and dip.

6. What's one thing you wish you'd learned sooner?
I guess to be confident in my choices. They may have been bad ones, but I used to second guess myself a lot and look to others for their input. Since college I've gotten past this, and am a pretty decisive person :)

7. Would you like to own a second home? If so where would you want that home to be?
Sure- one in the country with room for a cow, some chicken and room to garden. I would love to have a small homestead where I could live, and make this NYC apartment our second home, to visit family and host visitors.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
My aunt arrived on Friday, right on schedule, but this morning I woke from a pregnancy test dream. No- I don't believe in dreams 'telling' me anything or as a message from God- but I do believe in my preoccupation with figuring out my cycle and when I ovulate. I woke for my early morning shift, logged onto Amazon and placed the order for some ovulation prediction strips. Hopefully I can figure this out!

So tell me...
Are you more like the husband or the wife in Green Acres?
Have you ever done a handspring? I don't think I've advanced past somersaults, despite gymnastics class.
Where would you build your second home?

Things Might Not Go According to (My) Plan

Sometimes I feel behind schedule in life.

My 10 year high school reunion is supposed to be in a few months, which we all know is about seeing where everyone has ended up. Did the jocks make it pro like they aspired? Did the cheerleader end up with the perfect life as we all expected? And..... how will I answer the questions "what have you done in the past 10 years?" I have plenty to say, about going to college and more so about moving to New York, but needless to say, I'm stumped on how to explain our current stage of life.

Considering how New Yorkers are known for fast talking and fast walking pace of life, they tend to put family and relationships after their career, getting that set up and established first. Many of our friends will not likely settle down until their early 30s due to education demands or career advances.

In contrast to now being one of those faster talkers/walkers, the country side of me feels behind schedule. It seems as though my friends in the country are on their 3rd or 4th baby, buying a house, or selling their first. We were the first to get married in our NYC group, but I'm sure many of our Pennsylvania guests have been tapping their watches.

And now, with this delay in a baby. I understand that we look like we're enjoying a comfortable lifestyle on purpose.

We're the perfect DINK (dual income no kids) couple. And, as the Wikipedia page describes (yes, DINK really is established, having it's own wiki page)...

It describes a high-earning couple who do not have children yet and are therefore able to afford a more expensive consumer lifestyle.

"When are you going to settle down and have kids?" we're asked even now, and immediately I feel like replying that we are working on it. Which is creepy, because it's telling people what goes on in the bedroom. I guess a better way to put it would be to say that we go on trips and out to dinner as a way to be a couple while we are childless. Or, we would rather sit at home and watch our child drool instead of going on vacation. Would rather host playdates at our house instead of game night/dinner parties. And, immediately following God and our relationship with each other, children are what we desire most.

But it's a hard thing to understand, not getting what you want when you want it. This is America, in the 21st century. Immediate gratification and if not..... how do we fix it? The belief that we will see our plans come into reality is such a modern day belief, we even try to find some reassurance that things will happen from scripture.

I'm sure everyone will be quoting Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

And again... this was written to NOT telling you that God desires you to have an easy life. You have to take every verse in context. and this verse was written to Israelites in Babylonian captivity. Not you.

But there are verses to help me understand that things might NOT go according to my plan.
He tells me they are going to go by His plan, and that if I seek him first, and find shelter in his grace, I will be satisfied in any outcome.

Psalm 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

This is a hard thing to explain to the "when are you settling down and having children" crowd, but it's enough for me.

So tell me...
Have you ever gone to a reunion and encountered this?
And have you ever dealt with explaining infertility to others?
What did you say/do?

Spring Flowers and Ikea Furniture

1. What's the first image that comes to mind when you hear the word 'spring'? Which phrase best describes the season of spring where you live right now (today)-sprung! almost there, or still waiting?
Daffodils. Then crocuses, tulips, and the smell of wet dirt. Obviously flowers are the best part of spring for this farmer's daughter. Still waiting for that weather, but the temperature is going to reach 60 today!

2. Bed, couch, stapler, garage door, computer mouse, recliner, flashlight, door knob...which household item containing springs most needs replacing in your home? Speaking of springs...did you ever own a Slinky?
Our couch. Besides the fact that our cat sometimes claws the corners, it has lost its 'spring' in the main cushion. We owned nothing but a television prior to marriage, so when we moved in after the honeymoon we went to Ikea. And bought every piece of furniture that that is in our house from there (except mattress).

This summer I plan on doing a 'how did they hold up' review on all the Ikea pieces. Short story: we love our bookshelf and bed frame but you should avoid buying their kitchen chairs. They wobbled after a month, and are semi-hazardous to sit in.

Moved!
The first blog post I wrote was about moving, our Ikea mega trip and the scary stuff we found on our fire escape

3. March is Women's History Month. Share a favorite quote by a woman.

We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves.

Lynn Hall, Where Have All the Tigers Gone?, 1989

4. What's a question that looms large in your mind right now?
Will I get a positive test this weekend. Starting to think that this is a recurring question, in which case I'll offer another.

Wondering if I'll be able to pull off my A-Z challenge, since it requires a lot of photography in the next 3 weeks, and the weather isn't the most accommodating.

5. Are you a sugar freak? By that I mean how much do you love sugar? With all the bad press sugar gets these days, have you made any efforts to reduce the amount of sugar you consume?
I am, and I can't say that I've made a strong effort to cut back. I have moved towards coffee without sugar, but sometimes Dunkin Donuts coffee just needs some syrup. I do like hot lattes without sugar though. This does not sound very impressive, but I do drink a lot of coffee. So there's that.

6. Would you rather have less work to do or more work you enjoy doing?
I'll take either. To have work that you love would be optimal, but seeing as how I am not at all dependent on that for happiness of fulfillment, I'd happily spend less time doing something I don't love (which opens up time for other ventures that I might). Like drinking coffee and daydreaming about daffodils.

7. Ever been to Texas? Of the top ten Texas tourist attractions which would you most like to see-The Alamo, The San Antonio River Walk, The State Capital, Dallas World Aquarium, Padre Island National Seashore, Houston Space Center, Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Moody Gardens, or Galveston Island?
Can't say I have, but we did consider a Gulf Coast/Padre Island honeymoon until we really sat down and thought about it. A lot of travelling and running around. We took a cruise instead.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Made some more homemade bread, which always makes me happy :)

So tell me...
Do you dream about the flowers that spring will bring?
Have you ever made homemade bread, and what is your recipe?
If you're doing the April A-Z challenge, do you have your posts written/photos taken?