There's No Crying in NYC!

My eyes opened to a room full of sunlight which automatically triggered my panic button. We must have slept in really late! The lights were promptly turned off at 3:00 AM last night – I mean this morning, so it was my conclusion half the day was already over. I popped up like a zombie while reaching for my watch… only 6:30 AM, Seriously! Really! But there I was, wide eyed and bushy tailed! It had to be the pure excitement and adrenaline of being in the Big Apple without kids, not wanting to miss a single second of excitement. Today we would hang out with our fifth friend on this trip, Christy. She arrived in NYC yesterday afternoon, and had spent the day with a fellow neighbor of ours who also migrates back home for the summer, Trish. I had promised the girls a special breakfast treat – cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery! Yes, the breakfast of champions, I know. And I did not disappoint.

After indulging into more calories, we were off to stand in line for yet another Broadway show. We had been bit by the theater bug. Unfortunately "Wicked" and “Billy Elliot” were not choices for discounted tickets. We opted for Mary Poppins, and before you could say “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!” (and after a little shopping at H & M) we were in a taxi heading to the East Side where one of the best gourmet mac-n-cheese establishments exist! S’MAC - short for Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese, was created by husband & wife team, Sarita & Caesar Ekya who had the desire to serve one of American’s favorite comfort foods. And who said you can’t eat cheap in New York! The smallest size, “The Nosh”, is priced between $4.75 and $7.25… and I couldn’t even finish it! Another MUST!

We were able to hit a few quirky and charming shops in the East Side before heading over to see Mary Poppins. Here is where we ran into a few issues. Three and a half hours of sleep + Stomach full of comfort food + Theater full of "kicking the back of your seat" kids + Phone call to hubby during intermission + Miscommunication during phone call = TOTAL AND COMPLETE MELTDOWN! Yes, I was the first and only to shed tears on our Diva trip! There is always one in a group and this trip it was me. My sincere apologies, Ladies! One thing for sure revealed to me during my emotional outpour, I have some of the best friends ever. Thank you all for your words of encouragement, for not calling me a sissy, for your advice and giving me time to collect myself. Also, shopping on 5th Ave did temporarily help as well. After a phone call to dear hubby, I was back to my old self. (Thank you, Scott!) Thankfully makeup helped to cover up my meltdown as we all got ready for our next NYC Adventure: Little Italy. My next door neighbor and our friend, Monika, met us on Mulberry Street as our tour guide of this charming area of the city. Sights, sounds, and smells drew us in at every direction. Bargains galore for tourists - I heart NY t-shirts for $2, Adult size… I’m not kidding! We ate at Da Nico’s, Monika’s favorite Italian restaurant where she and her family has been going for years. And then off for dessert at one of THE best Italian bakeries, Ferrari’s. Another MUST! Well, at least that is what everyone else said. I did not partake of the sweets at that location. I craved only of the Hot Frozen Chocolate, and was so grateful when the majority wanted to return for one last hoorah. Oh Serendipity… how am I going to live without you!