New Year's in NYC Revisited & Cheers to 2012

Greetings dear friends! I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as you are ringing in a blessed New Year! A few years back, my hubby & I decided on a whim to fly to New York right after Christmas so that we could literally watch the "Ball Drop" from Times Square. It was a very last minute trip, so we were lucky to have various friends & family "receive us" on the other end as we flew from one side of the country to the other.

It was lightly snowing when we arrived, and we were sooo not prepared for the weather! Our friend from college had just graduated from law school & was trying to start out his career in New York, so he let us rest our "jet-lagged" selves in his tiny {but cozy} Manhattan apartment. It was so small that the shower was in the kitchen! lol The pic above was a view from his apartment window.

After we rested a bit, we scrambled to try to find a hotel room that wasn't ridiculously expensive to stay in. After all, it was the morning of New Year's Eve, and we had to find a place somewhat close to where the "ball would be dropping." So we used one of those online companies that tell you the price, the amenities, the location, but not the hotel itself until after you "click ok!" lol And out of sheer luck, we were able to book a night at the Hilton in Times Square. Thank goodness, because we didn't want to have to keep using the subway & cabs to get from one place to another.

So after checking in, we rushed to "get in line" to where the ball would be dropping. Well, mind you it was already 6pm, and many people had already been waiting since that morning or had even stayed out over night to get the best possible front view. So needless to say that when we arrived, the area was pretty packed!

And they told us when we got there that you couldn't leave, otherwise you'd "lose your spot" since the street was blocked off. Have you ever tried waiting on the streets of New York in the dead of winter for 6 hours straight, and wearing clothes that were fit for a Southern California winter? I was soooo frozen at the end of the night, I literally thought my hands were going to fall off, they were so cold & numb! But we were determined to stick it out, and were so glad we did! :)

I admit, it's not something I'd do again - but IT IS something to experience for the first {and only} time! :) My hubby & I enjoyed the instant camaraderie that we had with those that were waiting to ring in the New Year right along with us! :) If you've ever seen the ball drop on T.V. {the concerts, etc.}, then just imagine that experience multiplied by 10 when you are in there in person!

Afterwards, the Hilton was throwing a complimentary New Year's Party with free drinks & food for those staying there, but I was so cold & exhausted that after we got to our hotel, I took a HOT shower & just wanted to stay in bed. So my sweet hubby ordered some food & bubbly for us, and we enjoyed the rest of the night relaxing in our hotel room! The blurry pic you see above was taken during our "walk back" to the hotel.

{The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center}
The next couple of days were spent with my generous Aunt & Uncle who live in Long Island, New York. They were gracious enough to let us stay with them while we tried to explore the rest of the city, which included visiting the beautiful Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center and...

.sighting-seeing.

{visiting beautiful churches}

{and drinking "Dean & Deluca" Coffee, to name a few.} :)
I really wanted to go ice skating at the rink in Rockefeller Center during the day, but the lines were just ridiculously long!!! lol

My aunt & uncle then took us to the Empire State Building to see the beautiful 360 degree views of New York! This was an experience like no other! :)

We really enjoyed the gorgeous views - it was just so amazing to be that high up!!!

During our visit, my husband's cousin was also kind enough to host us with complimentary drinks at the bar that he owned in Manhattan at the time, and then invited us over for dinner afterwards at his NYC brownstone as well. I can't thank both our families and friends enough for being so hospitable during our stay!

Well my dear friends I hope you enjoyed these cheerful New Year's images! Whether you celebrate 2012 out and about, or are staying in with your loved ones - I hope you have a most blessed & wonderful New Year's! CHEERS to 2012!!!


XO's,
Jessie




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