For the past few months Mike has been in contact with a chiropractor in White Plains, New York. While they were texting and talking back and forth Dr. Gertner told Mike that he is looking to hire associates to work in his practice. He told him all the details about the opportunity and Mike was really excited. He was excited mainly because of the opportunity but also because the opportunity is in New York. He LOVES New York! He had been considering New York for the future for about a week when he heard about this opportunity and started talking to Dr. George so we knew a trip to New York was definitely going to happen.
Dr. George told Mike he wanted him to come for an interview and to also see the clinic and observe how he runs his practice. We planned to go during Thanksgiving week since we had more time off school and work but schedules didn't line up and Christmas was out of the question. That left us with 2 options: go this past week or wait until sometime next year. We decided that the best time would be to go now. So on Sunday night we decided and we left for the city on Wednesday afternoon. So Mike picked me up after work and we began the 11 hour drive up to White Plains (for those of you who don't know, White Plains is about 20 miles outside of Manhattan).
We got to the hotel around 12:30am and basically just passed out. Mike was going to be with the chiropractor all day Thursday and half the day Friday. That meant that I would be left to explore on my own. The only hard part was that I wouldn't have a car so I decided to just stay around the hotel property which was huge and beautiful so it wasn't too hard. So on Thursday I spent the day sleeping in, working out at the gym, sitting outside in the park reading and taking pictures of the area. It was fun to explore an area that people don't think of when they here New York. It was so quiet and peaceful and we would have everything we need with the city being just 20 miles away if we wanted to go.
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| Mike at Dr. George's clinic |
I had fun relaxing and taking lots of pictures. The area had tons of trees so you completely forget that you are in New York and so close to the craziness. The nice part is that you have the peace and quiet but there is still lots to do. You can go into downtown White Plains to get more of the city feel or you can just stay in the suburbs. I think we were there at the best time of year because the leaves are starting to change and its cold in the morning and at night but its still in the 70's during the day and the good news for me....less humidity than home :) I also love how they've combined the old and the new. The hotel was updated but it still had that old feel to it.
After Mike was done shadowing we went into Manhattan. I have to say that its not as loud as I thought it would be for being a crazy city. The traffic is really not too terrible either. The worst part in my opinion are all the people walking around. The traffic is always moving unless its a red light so its really not bad. The hardest part is trying to find parking. Another thing that I'm not positive I could ever get completely used to is the smell, the city has a very unique smell to it and where you are depends on how prominent it is.
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| We got so see the LDS Manhattan Temple :) Its across the street from Lincoln Center |
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| I've never seen so many pigeons in my life! Let's just say....the cars dirty now | | |
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| Julliard |
One thing I wanted to make sure we explored was Central Park. After much searching we found a place to park right next to the park :) On the way into the park we saw one of the many hot dog and pretzel vendors and we had to stop and buy a big pretzel :) The park was beautiful and it seems so out of place in the middle of the city. It completely takes you out of the craziness.
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| We found Balto! |
After the park we just did some more exploring of the city. We got to see Times Square which was amazing! I think it was my favorite part of the whole city. I loved the energy of all the people and the huge tv screens. This is also where a lot of Broadway shows are done and the Madame Tussauds wax museum (which I really want to go see someday) and a ton of restaurants. We also saw the mirror ball they use on New Year's Eve. We also got to see where the richest people in the world live and the city was noticeably cleaner in the areas these people live in than in other areas.
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| The Empire State Building...It just keeps going and going |
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| The iconic Flatiron Building |
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| See that tall building way in the background...that's the new world trade center |
After exploring Manhattan, Mike wanted to leave via the Brooklyn Bridge so that he could start showing me some of his mission. On the way out of the city we saw more beautiful buildings. My first thought when we there was that this city is definitely old but that is part of its charm and its also what I think it so amazing.
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| This was one of the most ridiculous things we saw. I think at this point I would just park. The parking ticket would probably be less than the idling ticket. |
Brooklyn was one of Mike's favorite areas in his mission. It was exciting and still considered city and he loves city life. He took me to a park where we could see the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges and a nice view of New York City.
After Brooklyn we drove through Queens and then Long Island. Mike arranged for us to stay at some friends of his that he met on his mission. It was fun to spend the night talking with friends. Mike also took me out to a nice dinner at Applebee's :)
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| This poor dog..... |
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| This was the church building for Mike's mission for 6 months. |
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| This picture and the one below are from Flushing Meadow Park. This is where they had a world's fair. Behind it is where they play the US Open. |
We were set to head home on Saturday but on the way out Mike told me he had a cool place to take me. We climbed up to the Pulaski Bridge and got some great views of the New York City skyline. We were so happy we had such a beautiful morning on our last day.
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| This one really shows how tall the new world trade center is |
Lastly because we were tourists we bought I love NY shirts and I told Mike I wanted a picture of us wearing them in Times Square. So being the great husband he is, he paid for parking and we walked 7 blocks to Times Square. It was so much fun to walk around :) I just loved being in New York City!
I hope we can go back soon because it was awesome! I really don't think I would mind living in a place like White Plains and being able to go into the city whenever. The best part of New York city is that you have plenty to do without spending any money. There are always free shows and museums to go see, I just wish we'd had more time. Those shirts are such true statements of our feelings after this trip :)
