(The next step is to find a roommate (actually, I need 3 of them) and book my hotel. Is anyone else looking for a roomie? Please comment or email me ASAP!!!)
In honor of the convention being in New York City, Fizzy Thoughts is hosting an NY-themed reading challenge. The challenge is open to everyone whether or not you are attending the convention so do check out the details.
February’s challenge activity is to make a list of things I love about NYC so here goes …
The Top 10 Things I Love About New York
- My mom’s Brooklyn accent – Even after being away for 30+ years, she still has it. Here are a few examples: Heather = HETH-ah, water = WWA-tah, here = HE-ah, coffee = CWA-fee, sophomore = SOUTH-more,
whore = WHO-ah - L&B’s Pizzeria and Spumoni Garden – just around the block from where my aunt used to live in Brooklyn, they have THE BEST pizza I’ve ever tasted – we used to buy 2 full-size Sicilian pizzas (you need 4 huge boxes for this) and drive back to Maryland with it to share with all our family here
Italian Pastry Shops – they make THE BEST 7-layer cookies – I used to get a box just for myself anytime we visited- Fresh Bagels – if you get up early enough (or make someone else do it) you can have a big paper bag of freshly made bagels with an assortment of spreads that you can linger over all morning long
- Family History – several of my aunts and uncles still live where they did when my mom was growing up – visiting them, I get a look at what it was like for her when she was growing up with several sets of cousins within a 5 block radius
- Sitting on the Stoop – my aunts would bring lawn chairs outside their apartment entrances and people watch all day long, putting their noses into everyone’s business up and down the block – I thought this was hilarious when I was a kid
- Around the Block – it seems like everything you need is just “around the block” – there’s no need to drive somewhere, you can just walk
- Street Music – especially around the tourist areas there are always musicians and performers on the streets, and some of them are REALLY good
- Ellis Island – this is a must-see for everyone – the history of this place is amazing, and there are so many heartwarming and heartbreaking things to see
- Lady Liberty – if you haven’t been to the Statue of Liberty then you are really missing out – yes there are lines and yes there are a LOT of steps but it is all worth it
28 comments:
I'm doing Jill's challenge too, and need to get to work on my list!
I'll be there if I can get a job and fund my way by then! I don't blame you for being excited, I totally would be. Even though I grew up in New Jersey, I haven't spent that much time in the city. I look forward to being a tourist with my British hubby someday though. =)
I wish so bad I could go! Oh, well. Maybe in 10 years. If only it was one week later....
First of all, I neglected to say this this morning...YAY!!!!! that you're going to the convention.
And I love the list! My mom and I are planning a trip to Ellis Island...in fact, it's at the top of our list.
I loved reading this! I so wish that I could go to the conference. :( I'm kinda jealous of everyone who's going to get to go and hang out together.
But, on the plus side, my husband and I are going to be making a trip to DC in June for the summer ALA conference, and we're making a side trip up to New York. It will be our first visit to NYC and we're both very excited! I can't wait to start planning out what we're going to do (I really micro-manage our vacations and try to squeeze in as much as possible). Anything else to recommend that we see (that wasn't on your list above)?
Congrats! Have a great time and do share your experience.
I so love the image of the aunts, and I love the walk-able life. You'll have the best time, Heather!
bermudaonion - Are you going too?! I can't wait to meet you!
Meghan - It would be fabulous if you could go! But I'm sure it will be more fun when you eventually bring your husband on a tour. :)
Suey - Frankly I'm surprised that this has worked out for me, so I completely understand. I wish you COULD go though - I'd love to meet you.
softdrink - I'm so glad you'll be going! If I recall, there are some really amazing audio recordings you can listen to that have people's remembrances of their time on Ellis Island - they were sort of hidden away in one of the rooms.
Alyce - I'm not a good NYC planner so I don't have lots of advice but I do live just under an hour from DC and I'd love to meet you when you're out here this summer if we could work it out! Keep me posted on your plans, ok?
Payton - Thanks! You can be sure that I'll be posting all about it. :)
Sounds awesome! If it wasn't on a Friday, I'd be in!
My favorite things about New York are the theater & the architecture.
Oooh....definitely jealous! I would love to go but alas...too far, too much...yada yada yada. we haven't been up North since the family moved down here in '93!
Have a blast and share all the details! =0)
May is a crazy month for me, especially this year, so I cna't go. But I'll be there in spirit :) Have fun for me.
I am from NY (and live there now) and think your list perfectly captures what I love about the city! Are you sure you are not a NY-er?
OpheliaZepp - I WISH you could go with me, it would be so much fun!
GMR - I will definitely be posting all about it. :)
Jenny Girl - You got it!
Booksnyc - No, not a NYer ... I don't mind visiting, but I don't think I'd actually like living there. I AM looking forward to being there again though! Are you going to the Convention? I'd love to meet you!
This sounds like so much fun! I love your list of things you love. I bet you had trouble narrowing it down to 10!
Those cookies look absolutely delicious. I can't wait to try and find some (and fresh bagels, I'm psyched about that too).
Dreamybee - I had a lot of fun thinking of those 10 things, and I'm really looking forward to the convention!
Kim - You and me both. ;)
Great list! I'll be there too! Here's my list .
I've actually never been to New York before so I'm using this as a chance to finally go. I'll be at the last day of BEA and the Book Blogger Convention. Hope to see you there!
Oh my gosh! Italian pizzerias and bakeries - the best! (I confess I'm not from The City, I grew up in upstate NY. But the neighborhood I grew up in was almost entirely Italian so I know probably more about Italian food then German - my own ancestry!!) I can't ever have enough cannoli and thin crust pizza! This is the first I've actually heard of the book bloggers convention - sounds like fun!! Hope you have a blast!!
Jenny - YAY! I'm looking forward to meeting you!
Michelle - Another YAY! I can't wait to meet all these bloggers who I only know by their screen names. :)
Coffeegrl - Aah yes, Italian food ... YUM! (and I AM Italian)!
Heather, so we have Brooklyn parentage in common (in addition to our love of books)! My Dad still says BOTT-ul instead of bot-tle. And though he doesn't have the extreme NY accent, I've always loved the description: Where "oil" is pronounced "Earl," and "Earl" is pronounced "oil."
p.s. My favorite bagel shop is Ess-a-Bagel, on east side around 22nd St. Have a great time in NYC.
Heather - I will definitely be there and look forward to meeting you!
Dave - Ess-a-Bagel does have great bagels!
I've never been to New York. I would LOVE to go to BEA and the convention but realistically if that EVER happens it won't be anytime soon. :(
Food! Books! History! Museums! What's not to like about NYC?
You'll have to post a con recap! I'm planning to attend BEA, but I can't make the con because of a family wedding in MA.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I'm so excited you're going to be there! This list is amazing, thank you for sharing it :)
Thanks for sharing with us what you love about NYC. I can't wait to see everyone.
Carrie and I are going to be there!! Can't wait!
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