We Think We Met a Man Who Thought He was Jesus

We rushed into the Subway and quickly found a spot to stand just as the train lurched forward.  Adam was about three feet away from me to my right, and three feet in front of me stood a stout gentleman wearing a Yankees jacket.  He looked at my camera, smiled at me, and said with an apparent Mexican accent,

“You a tourist?”

“No,” I replied.

“Aww, then you must be a professional photographer?”

“Ummm...that is my goal. I am still kind of learning though.”

 I looked at Adam to draw him into the conversation.

“Well, maybe it is your...,” he paused, “gift.”

I smiled, unsure of how to react to him at this point.  He crossed his arms and leaned against the door.  He went on to say,

“We all have a gift, you know.  Would you like to know what mine is?” 

I turned to Adam as if to hand over the awkward baton that I had been passed.

“Ah...sure...” Adam responded. 

Just as the man began to speak the train screeched, and an announcement crackled over the PA system.  I watched his well groomed goatee move around his words, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying.  Finally, I caught on in the middle of his sentence.

“...the Way, the Truth and the Light.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

He paused, waiting for a response. Not sure what we just heard, he then went on to say, 

“Do you believe?”

Again, I look to Adam hoping that he heard more than what I heard.

“Yep, we are with you brother.”

Taking the cue from Adam I smiled and gave him a dorky thumbs up. 

“I knew it,” the little man said, “I know my people anywhere.  Because I know everything.”

Just then we came to our stop. We shook his hand as we started to exit the train and he said,

“I’ll be seeing you guys again one day.”

“Ok,” Adam replied.

We stepped off both holding back a smile.  We headed up the stairs then finally looked at each other unsure of what we just experienced.  

Adam started to chuckle, “Did he think he was Jesus?”  

I finally let out the laugh I was holding on to.

 “I...don’t...actually know? I think he might have...”

Why I'll Never Look At a Pretzel Stand the Same Again...

It all unfolded while I was waiting at Shake Shack (my favorite hamburger place) for the arrival of my Aunt JoAnne and her friend Chris.  I picked a seat by the window so I could, a. watch for them and b. people watch.

If you look at the picture you will see a yellow bag in the background.  This is where I was sitting...front row seat for what happened next. 

After about 5 minutes of sitting there a very tall and skinny girl walked up to the pretzel stand right outside my window.  She was all done up with her 4 inch heals, hair piece, extra dramatic eye makeup – nothing out of the ordinary – except there was one thing that threw me. There was something off about the trench coat she was wearing.  It was a normal trench coat don’t get me wrong - tan material, Burberry lining, but something was missing...ah yes...where are these lovely lady’s pants?  Just then I saw a photographer come up and start talking to her.  They obviously knew each other and were up to something.  They started to discuss what seemed like a plan with the pretzel stand guy...and I’m thinking...whatever your are doing...please just keep that trench coat on – PLEASE just keep that trench coat on. 

Well...about a minute later the photographer was getting in position and the model lifted her hands up to her collar...

"oh no! don’t do it..."

brought the pretzel to her lips..."crap"

and much to my dismay...

shimmied right out of  her trench coat to reveal that she is wearing practically NOTHING!!!

Gasp...

Are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?!  

I turned my head away and immediately felt embarrassed just for being close to something like that!  Really? What inspired you to do this? I sort of felt bad for her. 

A large crowd, obviously, started to gather and take pictures. I couldn't believe that this girl was standing on the corner being photographed - from all angles - almost nude!!  Is this some sort of joke?!? An America's Next Top Model challenge??

As if things weren't already awkward enough, I was sitting next to two guys. One turns to me and states,

            “Wow, that outfit, or lack there of, is not very becoming on her!” and continued to eat his hamburger. 

Thank you guy sitting next me.  Thank you for not gawking at her like the other guy sitting next to him who immediately whipped out his iPhone and starting snapping pictures while giggling.

sigh...

We. Love. Boston.

So Adam and I had an amazing opportunity to travel to Boston to visit my Aunt Anne, Uncle Jon, and my cousin Sara.  They were the most gracious hosts and served as the world's greatest tour guides through the city.  

First, we got to visit the place that Sara used to work.  The view was unbelievable!  It was a great way to start off the trip.  Knowing how beautiful Boston is, I made sure I brought my camera to take pictures of it...only when I went to shoot I realized that that I left my memory card 4 hours away...in our apartment...in NEW YORK!  Much good that'll do, right?!? Luckily, Sara, being the generous person that she is, gave me the memory card out of her camera to use for the day.  Thank you, Sara - you're the best.  

We traveled to the North section of Boston, aka Little Italy and saw Paul Revere's house.  This area is chock full of history and amazing cobblestone streets.  

...and delicious Cannolis from the famous Mike's Bakery.  This is an espresso Cannoli and I'm telling you - it was just...d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.  and messy :)

So after an authentic lunch at Quincy's Square, Sara hooked us up with tickets to take a Duck Tour through Boston.  A Duck Tour, you say?  Yes. A Duck Tour.  This company utilizes these World War II vehicles to take people around the city on land and on the water!  

This is a picture of us going into the Charles River as the boat/car transformed itself from a road worthy vehicle to a sea worthy vessel.  Here we go!!

After the incredibly informing and hilarious Duck Tour, we got back in the car and drove around Boston.  We miraculously got a parking spot right in front of a historical building - which if you have been to Boston you know is quite a feat - and hopped out to snap a picture the actual Cheers' sign!

A true piece of history...yes, but they didn't know my name! What the heck?!?

Terry, we took this picture for you!

This is Acorn Street...the most photographed ally in all of Boston.  There was some sort of police-y thing going on so we couldn't get a full view shot. 

Now to Dedham we go.  This is the cute little town where my family lives.  It is so quaint and full of character.  We loved walking around and absorbing the beautiful scenery and tried to comprehend the history of it all.  We actually saw a house built in the 1700's! Man...it is just so cool and so old.

Buildings in the Town's square...

The leaves are changing...yay!

This is a piece that is a part of my collection called Reflections...just kidding:)  

All that walking made us hungry...so we had to stop at this charming little bakery and scouted out their delicious pastries.  We normally don't eat like this...but, hey when else do we get this chance? Plus we are exercising...right?!? This is a Neapolitan.  Mmmm. Crunchy. Sweet. Lovely. 

After a wonderful weekend of family and fantastic seafood (the best clam chowder I've ever had was at a place called Legal Seafood) we finished up the trip taking a Harbor Tour with my Uncle Jon - who, by the way, did a better job narrating the tour than the official narrator of the cruise!  Boston is beautiful. Period. But when you get to see it from the water...man, it is just amazing.  

See?

The oldest commissioned ship in the Navy.  

A cool blue tugboat...

This clock is bigger than Big Ben. 

Just lovely.  We had such a wonderful time and can't wait to go back!!

What We've Been Up To.

I've done so much in the last week it is hard to sum it all up so I will use my pictures to help explain.  Adam has a really busy work schedule so I spend a lot my time exploring and walking around by myself.  But on the weekends, together -  we are unstoppable. On Saturday we were on our feet for 10 hours just walking around.  It is so much fun and made for some seriously sore calf muscles!!

Anyways...

Here is Central Park: These pictures are from last Monday.  As you can see the leaves are not quite turning yet, but hopefully soon. 

This is the famous skating rink inside the park.  Serendipity, anyone?  Those Zambonis look mighty bored.  They just look like they can't wait for the rink to open up :)  

Picture Perfect.  I wish you could hear this, but while I was taking this picture there was a musician playing jazz music on his saxophone.  I could have sat there for hours just listening to that! 

A Delighful Display at Mackenzie Child's flagship store on 5th Ave.  

  

Who else but Adam would catch a bird in mid air on camera?

Love these buildings...Love these trees

These next two pictures are from our favorite spot: The Highline.  It is an old above ground railroad that has been redesigned as an above ground walking path. 

Its. Just. Lovely.

Rainy nights make for awesome pictures.  This is a view from outside of our apartment:  The building with the green mast is the Empire State Building.    

  

We went to Brooklyn on Friday night and Saturday morning and just toured the city.  Brooklyn is so different than Manhattan. There are so many abondoned buildings on the water front.  It is crazy to think that that prime property is just sitting there...hmmm...makes me want to buy it all up.  Does anyone have a couple hundred mil laying around they wanna give me?  Yes...No...??  

The picture below is just one of the many historic buildings marked with graffiti.  As cool as graffiti is, it is sad to see these original brick walls all marked up. 

The J Train. I goes OVER the East River and makes for a cool view...if you aren't worried about knocking someone over because the train is super packed and there is barely any room to stand...

We are having a great time. I have to admit, last week was a little rough. Both Adam and I got a little homesick and "citysick" at the same time.  I think the crowds, noise, and hustle and bustle got to us both.  But all is better now.  :)  We just needed to regroup and get our heads back on straight.  After all, we are in NYC...

Walking around after a rainy day.  The steam from the subways makes everything seem like we are walking around on a movie set. 

Meet Ester

I was exploring the shops on 5th Ave the other day and decided to walk into an old antique shop that had these amazing chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.  I was taken back with their inventory.  Jade this.  Sapphire that. Diamonds here. Diamonds there.  At that point, I knew I was in over my head.  Just as I turned to leave, a saleswoman walked up to me and asked me what I was shopping for.  I felt bad and I decided to just stick it out. I told her that I was drawn to her store because of her fabulous window display and wanted to come in to see what else they had.  She smiled and pointed out different areas of the store.  I had never been schmoozed before, but I felt that this nice lady was about to lay it on!  

"My name is Ester and I am here to help you with whatever you are looking for. What is your name?"  

I replied, knowing that now, I was committed.  I made it clear from the start that I was not going buy anything and was just looking. Well Ester, bless her heart, was determined. After showing me a couple of other items and sensing my disinterest she says, 

"I have just the bracelet for you. It matches your wedding ring perfectly,"

She gracefully walks behind the counter and unlocks a drawer.  I was impressed with her attention to detail and her knowledge of their inventory.  Before I knew it she held the sparkling treasure out and motioned for me to hold out my wrist.  I obliged and the next thing I knew I was marveling at how it indeed perfectly matched my ring and how it surprisingly felt like it simply belonged on my wrist.

"Man, Ester, you are good. This is beautiful.  But I would have to talk this over with my husband first." Knowing full well that I would never buy this - seeing that it has a price tag of $11,000. 

"No worries, Shalyn. Why don't you just take it home with you and wear it around for a couple of days and then make your decision."  

What?!? I stumbled for a response...

"Thank you for the offer, but I don't even feel comfortable walking around with my camera - let alone an $11,000 piece of jewelery."   

"I see," she quietly says, "about that, why don't I break the rules a little for you and let you have it for $4,000."  

?!?!?!? I looked around the store and saw that I was still the only person in there and that the other group of salesmen had lit up a cigars and were smoking them INSIDE the store.  "Where the heck am I?" I thought to myself. 

"Uh. Wow, that is very generous, but I still would have to talk to my husband about it."

Ignoring my obvious hesitation she goes on,  

"So, we always make a big deal about who makes the first sale of the day, and since it is already 12:25 and we haven't made a deal yet let me tell you, Shalyn, if you are willing to purchase this bracelet right now...I can give it to you for $3,500."

...

Oh Ester.  You got me. 

Needless to say, I now own a beautiful diamond laced bracelet that perfectly matches my wedding ring...

...just kidding.