NEW YORK - EAST VILLAGE

It's snowing here again. Yesterday I picked Kiki up from school and by the time we got home my jeans were drenched from the knees down. It was like someone had hosed me down - I could actually wring water out of them. The fact that she had fun kicking the snow every step she took, which then landed on me, may have had something to do with it.

Kiki hates walking everywhere and always wants to take a cab but mean old Aunty Tracey (actually I've managed to get her to call me Beautiful Gorgeous Aunty Tracey but like all my kids at home, she usually only says it when she wants something) makes her walk! But yesterday, one of the few days when she didn't ask, she should have. She told me it was because she thought I'd say no.

Generally yes. Yesterday, no.

New rule - really crap weather, take a cab.

So today is a snow day - no school. And it's beautiful out side. Yesterday it was wet and sludgy snow and today it's soft and fluffy and the streets look so pretty.

Here's a few photos - one outside my bedroom window of the fire escape (attractive, I know) and the other from the living room window at the front.

The third is actually of a new kitchen scrubbing brush I bought. Completely unrelated to what I've just talked about. But hey, she's pretty cute huh?

NEW YORK - EAST VILLAGE

This weekend Jaime came down on Friday and we spent the night watching Xanadu. It's been years since I've seen it but we both knew all the words to the songs.

I was wondering if that was slightly tragic?

I posted the question on Facebook and got mixed responses. But the general feeling seemed to be that as long as we didn't know all the dance moves as well, then it was okay.

On Saturday we lined up again for our cheap theatre tickets (with a grande skinny caramel one shot Starbuck's latte in hand as usual) and got good seats to see "In The Heights."

It was enjoyed by one and all.

Well, Jaime and I anyway.

Can't really speak for the rest of the audience.

NEW YORK - EAST VILLAGE

So, I got me some new glasses!

About time too considering I got my old ones back in 2000 just before what's-his-name and I went to England for a holiday.

So it was time for a new era in eye wear. Fiona and I had looked uptown but they just weren't right. The same company had a store downtown just around the corner from me and there we found them. It's funny how the different areas of Manhattan have a whole different feel to them, each with their own type of people. Uptown is a much more conservative bunch than down here. And it's all reflected in the clothes, food, home wares, right down to the glasses, that are sold in the stores.

We took Kiki along with us because at seven she's actually pretty good at knowing what looks right. We didn't completely agree though. When it came down to the final two, she went for one and Fiona and I thought the other. They were the same style only the ones Kiki liked were purple and the ones I actually got were black and orange. Orange!!!! I can hear my Mum (and possibly Tracey Casey) cringing but they actually look pretty cool. Well that's what we think. And what with my new "do" to go along with it, well..................if I don't look like an East Villager then I don't know who does.

Actually I'm not all that sure what an East Villager looks like but Fiona tells me I look the part so I'm going go with that.

As you can see by the photo - I'm not actually in it. You can't really see the orange when I take one of me wearing them - this way you get a much better sense of what they look like.

NEW YORK - EAST VILLAGE

Remember I mentioned that there are a couple of turtles that I am looking after while I stay here? Well, may I introduce to you, Fat Shelly and Talulah-Patrice.

I think at some point there was a third one. As far as I remember the story goes something like this. The third one (not sure of it's name so we'll call her/him Frank) got out one day (God only knows how - and I mean that literally) and was lost in the apartment for about three weeks. How it managed to survive for three weeks without food and water is beyond me but turtles can live a very long time so I guess they have mastered the talent of surviving amidst adversity. So Frank loses a bit of weight on his three week vacation and Fat Shelly and Talulah-Patrice pack it on slightly. Eventually Frank decides he's seen enough of the big wide world and somehow manages to find his way home. Either that or someone nearly trips over him one day and plonks him back in the tank. Which, by the way is just a large plastic container.

There is a joyous reunion between the three turtles - or so it appears to begin with. Fat Shelly and Talulah-Patrice are, in reality, none to pleased to have him back - less space, seemingly less food, their list of complaints was endless. Secretly they were just really pissed that Frank had had a big adventure and they had been stuck in the plastic tub with no-one to talk to but each other and a few fish. Who, considering their short term memory, can actually be good to have around. Got only one good joke that you love to tell over and over? Then a fish is the best friend you could have - he'll laugh every time. In for a heavy discussion on politics or the state of the world's economy? Then you're in trouble. Anyway bitterness and jealousy can eat away at one's heart and turn once good natured turtle folk into petty, back stabbing little sea creatures. Now whether Fat Shelly and Talulah-Patrice plotted Frank's demise or it was in the heat of the moment, I guess we'll never really know. In the end Frank bit the dust late one Friday night after the sun lamps had been turned off and everyone had gone to bed. The next morning all that was left of Frank was his shell bobbing upside down in the tank and some teeny tiny turtle nails/claws (whatever it is they have) floating on the surface. Fat Shelly and Talulah-Patrice sat in the tank, pictures of innocence. Although strangely, not interested in the least in having their breakast.

R.I.P. Frank - the turtle I never met, fed or freaked out over having to lift out of the tank.

NEW YORK - EAST VILLAGE

Saturday, Saturday, Saturday!

And what was on my busy schedule? Up relatively early to make sure I had time to clean the turtle tank (more on that another day) before I schlep my way to the Y and knock over 44 laps in the pool. Walk to Old Navy and a knitting shop. Success at Old Navy and the knitting shop is closed on Saturday in winter.

Catch the subway uptown to meet Jaime and quickly drop into The Gap before I meet her in the half price ticket line. Luckily she is already there as it's busy today - probably because it's a long weekend. It's Presidents Day on Monday. Not really sure what that is.

Something about Presidents.

Obviously.

We planned to see "The Heights" but could only get seats with a reduced view so we changed to "Stomp". Grabbed some lunch at an Irish place before making our way back downtown to see the show, which, incidentally was only a few blocks from my place. My place. Sounds weird, huh? Ran the last part of the way because we had dropped into The Gap again and were running out of time.

But made it. Phew!

Saw the show.

Loved the show.

Jaime left and I went home to turn the lights on for the turtles so they could sun bake (don't ask - all will be revealed). Made my way over to Fiona's and on the way stopped in at Shoe Mania and picked up some gumboots (they call them rain boots here) on special. Had been looking for some after the massive amount of snow we recently had but couldn't find comfy ones at a good price. Love these 'cause they are comfy, fake fur lined and not really high so are easy to get on and off. They are metallic silver (the only colour in my size) but have been approved by Kiki who declared them as "so cool". Oh yeah also stopped into Walgreens for some necessities.

Cup of tea and a honey joy with Fiona before we took ourselves off to see the movie "Up In The Air". It was good but not really Academy Award stuff so we aren't sure why it's been nominated. Back to Fiona's to pick up my shopping that I had left with Sergio her doorman (he's only one of them but he's my favorite).

Walked four blocks home. Put the kettle on, cracked open the TimTams (pretty good that I waited a whole 24 hours to open them), took a photo of my new boots and pj bottoms - courtesy of Old Navy - for your viewing pleasure.

And here tis.

NEW YORK - EAST VILLAGE

Fiona bought me a house warming present today. Well three to be exact.

THREE PACKETS OF DOUBLE DIP TIMTAMS!!!!!!!!

And they're the Arnotts ones from Australia not the Pepperidge Farms ones made in America. What a friend!

Although I was wondering if she's trying to sabotage my lose weight/get fit thingy. While I have been running on the treadmill she has been walking and going up mountains (on the treadmill). She tells me it's all about the incline not about how fast I run or how high I can get my heart rate. So the other day she climbed about 700 or 800 feet. Of course I decided to try the whole walking/incline thing and I got to just over 1000 feet. Her response when I texted her was that I am so competitive.

Hmmmmm. Really?

So the next time I did it I got to just under 1800 feet!

She's never gonna catch me.

Maybe I am a bit competitive.

Maybe it is sabotage.

NEW YORK - EAST VILLAGE

A couple of days ago I moved four blocks down the street to the apartment of Fiona's friend (who is overseas at the moment) that I am sub-letting for the rest of my time here. It's only four blocks away but I am now in the East Village instead of Greenwich Village.

We (along with all my luggage) caught a cab to take us the four blocks. Seems odd doesn't it but it's a common way that people move in the city especially when they don't have that much stuff. Fiona once moved apartments by taking a cab five times. Much cheaper than paying for removalists and in a city where most people don't have cars, is the logical way to do it. Besides many apartments here are furnished so it's really just your personal things.

Did you know that in most cases in America, when you buy or sell a house the fridge, washing machine and dryer usually stay with the house? Bizzare, huh?

Could be kind of gross too.

So we get to the apartment and Mr. Yu (who, along with his daughter, lives there with Fiona's friend but is going to China for six weeks) met us at the door in his boxer shorts while cooking dumplings.

Odd.

We dumped my stuff and went through a few things with him and then went off for the rest of the day. I went back later that night to a plate full of dumplings for dinner. I'm sure I ate way too many - they were really nice and I wasn't sure what was an appropriate number to eat. Too many and I look like a pig. Too few and he might think I didn't like them.

I decided that I may have eaten too many when later on some of his friends came over to eat also.

Ooops!

Since then we have had a blizzard, which resulted in a snow day and basically means the schools are closed. I trudged through the snow back to Fiona's to babysit Kiki while Bob and her went to see a play with Scarlett Johansson and Leiv Schreiber. One of their friends was the director and it must have been opening night or a preview as there were several celebs there. Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Kathleen Turner....................

My exciting news?

Kiki and I made Honey Joys today!

NEW YORK - GREENWICH VILLAGE

Well the weekend rolled around again and that means what?

Another chance for Jaime and I to see a Broadway show. Actually this time it was off Broadway. We went to see "Avenue Q" which has won a ton of awards in the past including a Tony Award for Best Musical.

The best way to describe it - in Jaime's words (and they are pretty accurate) - is the x-rated version of Sesame Street. The national Australian tour is on right now and apparently ends in June so I definitely recommend seeing it before it ends.

And no I didn't take photos in the theatre - I got them off the internet.

As if I would!

NEW YORK - GREENWICH VILLAGE

Today Kiki and I made a cake.

Bob had been away in California for a few days so it was to welcome him home.

NEW YORK - GREENWICH VILLAGE

The Saturday after Australia Day Jaime and I went to a night out for Aussies (a belated Australia Day) organised by the New York Magpies which is a bunch of Aussies who get together and play football.
Or something like that.
We got a door prize for getting there early which was a box with a bottle opener, pen and something else (can't remember 'cause it wasn't that exciting) from Coopers. We went there to meet some other Aussies in New York although they were a bit clique-y (really have no idea how to spell that or if it's even a real word) because they all seemed to know each other and didn't make an effort to include us. So much for Aussies being really friendly.
Anyway we had a few drinks and a meat pie (very disappointing as the pastry was really blah and as far as I'm concerned that's the best part) and actually met a few Americans who were really nice. One happened to be married to an Aussie and he seemed like a nice guy.
We ended up spending a lot of the night talking to two great Poms (mad of course - aren't they all) who are in the RAF and have been in the U.S. for about two and a half years. They are stationed in Las Vegas and were having a five day break in New York. They were great guys and absolutely hilarious.
The highlight of the night?
Someone dressed as a Koala was handing out TimTams.
The major highlight of the night?
One of the organisers gave me a pack of TimTams to take home. He may have been completely smashed when he did it because as I was leaving he said "Did I really give those to you?"
"Yes you did." I answered, holding on very, very tightly to them.
They are actually made in America by a company called Pepperidge Farms and on the front they say something like 'An Australian cookie.'
You'd think they could at least say the right thing and call them a biscuit.
Why do the Americans have to change everything to the way they do it??????
Anyway I was able to introduce TimTams to Fiona and teach her the correct way to eat them. Bite off a corner on each end (diagonally opposite is better) and then get a cup of tea and drink it through the biscuit like a straw. Then shove the whole melted, wonderful, chocolaty thing in your mouth.
It's heaven.
And I'm happy to report that there is one American that agrees with me.
Oh yeah, I forgot to say that before we went to the Australia Day thingy we had dinner at the Oyster Bar which is a famous restaurant located in Grand Central Station and has been there for a gazillion years. Right before you walk into the restaurant there are two walkway areas and the ceiling where they cross is kind of domed and vaulted. Anyway if you each stand in a corner (diagonally opposite from each other), face the wall and whisper, then you can hear what the other person says just as if they were standing next to you.
Alright, so you feel like a complete tool facing the wall and you look like you're talking to yourself (actually in New York it doesn't seem that out of place) but it's really cool. It's called the whispering spot or corner or something fairly obvious like that.
I must say I felt better when we came out after dinner and saw other people doing it and looking somewhat like fools.

NEW YORK - GREENWICH VILLAGE

I decided that I'd had enough with long hair (again) and it was time to have it all cut off (again). Not to mention the "Can you please get your hair done!!!!" that I was getting from Fiona every other day. To be fair, the re-growth was way beyond acceptable and it had gotten to that length where it drives me nuts so I just put it up all the time. So Friday was the day. I wasn't that sure about it (I know you need to give it a few days) and the next morning when I couldn't get it to do what I wanted, I decided to go back and get it a bit shorter which was a good idea. I'll put some photos up soon. On the way to the hairdressers (the second time) Fiona and I saw a huge brown rat on the pavement in 14th Street. She's completely disgusted by them (I'm not that fond of them either but her dislike is extreme) so when she saw it she freaked out and ended up pushing me into it's path and I felt it brush up against my foot as it ran past. We were in fits of laughter despite how gross it was.

I think I need some new runners.

The other excitement for the weekend (apart from a little incident at a subway which I won't even mention) was that Kiki's first tooth came out. We all had to guess when we thought it would happen.

And guess who won?

Me!!!!!!!!

When I pointed this out Kiki said "You don't have to be right about everything you know."

I told her that I wasn't always right (which is actually the opposite of what I've told her in the past) and that the least she could do was give me a bit of credit for this one thing.

Pigs might fly.