// NYC XXX//

J/K this post isn’t naughty; it’s just about the triple X third (and sadly, last) day in New York.  Waking up hungover is never fun, but when your boyfriend lets you order $50 worth of OJ and bagels from Room Service, they hurt a little less.  We cleared our heads with some ramen from Ippudo which was good (The one is Tokyo is still my favorite) and about nine Ginger Ales.  The weather had finally cleared (along with some of the holiday crowds) so Dave and I walked and wandered for six hours.  

(Side Note:  When Dave and I began dating we had some huge trips ahead of us, and since my hero Hemingway said “Do not go on trips with anyone you do not love”, I try and live by this motto.  That being said, the last year we have really tried to learn to travel well together, since we pretty much cover the loving each other part like champs.  I’m pretty sure we’ve succeeded.  I mean, any guy who can get ME to wander with no set plan for more than 30 minutes must be a pretty special gentleman).

Dave even took me to the Brooklyn Bridge and at first I didn’t feel the need to see it, let alone WALK over it.  However, the sun was going down and I thought, why not? So we grabbed a hot dog (with mustard!) and hoofed it down the footpath.  Probably one of the best decisions I made on this trip.  It was an AMAZING sight…One I’ll never forget, that’s for sure.  

(Let’s focus on the background…please don’t get distracted by my EXTREME GLAMOUR)

Walking really built up our appetites and after a quick shower back at the hotel, it was time to meet our friends Michael and Sherri (who we started our trip with) for dinner at Eleven Madison Park.  This was at Dave’s place setting when we sat…

Now it’s on our fridge.  This is funny for many reasons, mostly because of this, though.

I’m very happy to say that this menu at EMP was innovative and tasty.  And even more than that, it was the FIRST time Michael, Dave, Sherri and I sat and had dinner, just the four of us.  No small task, as they live in L.A. and have a four month old…And add in that Dave keeps Chef Hours, Mike runs a production company, Sherri is a mom AND speech therapist and I….well, I’m really into watching Homeland right now and re-doing the guest room at home so I’m pretty busy as well. 

Dinner was done around 2AM, roughly, so it was back to the hotel for a quick nights sleep and then home to Chicago.  Our trip was so much…Big thanks to Dave for taking me and of course, to all our friends out there who take the most amazing care of us.  We are already looking forward to repaying the many heartfelt and thoughtful favors!