Lizzie comes to New York

We love when family comes to visit! We had so much fun with Liz. Wow we were spoiled with such a beautiful weekend. We only had a short time with her because she was in for business... but we are excited for her to come back in October. We went to great restaurants- (of course I had to take her to the cafe on top of Saks), a Beatles concert at Radio City Music Hall, Little Italy, and a beautiful bike ride in Central Park which was the best part of the weekend. It was gorgeous.

Here are some pics of the beautiful scenery at Central Park

Strawberry Fields

Little Italy was so fun! A huge parade was going on- it was fun to get all of the fun treats on the streets.

I've been tagged.. I don't really know how to do this!!

So (I think) I have been tagged by some friends- but there are a lot of Katies so I'm sorry if I'm the wrong one but here you go =)
I am: Living it up in NYC!
I found: great friendships in places I have lived! Great neighbors!
I think: most people will stop reading this blog at this point (Nat- I agree)
I know: that I need to find a job but I don't want to! ha ha
I want: the weather to stay like this forever in NYC. I love the Fall.
I dislike: when people interrupt you when you are talking
I miss: my family and friends sooo much back at home!! and I miss my house!!
I fear: the future of this country and the market when my husband is done with his degree.
I feel: anxious... living here in NY, I feel like I have to be doing something every minute.
I hear: Cars and noises out on the street outside mywindow
I smell: the fresh breeze of Fall outside my window!
I crave: well I don't really know... after going to serendipity, I am now craving their frozen hot chocolate all of the time. so I guess that's it!
I usually: don't do these tag things... I think they are funny.
I search: for movie stars out on the streets.
I wonder: when Jeff and I will have kids?! Someday!
I regret: not finishing our house sooner than we did so that we were able to enjoy it. but that was my fault! I told Jeff that I wanted a break from the house- he is such a hard worker... he kept working on it.
I wish: I knew what is ahead for Jeff and I- where will we end up?
I love: my husband- I love that we are having so much fun on this adventure
I care: too much about what others think
I always: leave the fridge open
I worry: about raising kids in this day and age.
I am not: working.. and it's weird but great!
I remember: so many great memories of people and places back at home. I remember my great friends at work- my high school friends- my neighbor friends.
I believe: that everything happens for a reason and that wherever this path takes Jeff and I- it's for the best.
I sing: to Jeff when I am trying to be funny ha ha
I don't always: workout but I am getting better at it.
I argue: when I think someone is trying to put me or someone else down. I hate that.
I write: to my friends and family back at home
I win: Jeff and tennis no just kidding, he is much better than I am
I lose: a lot of board games
I listen: to Jeff telling me all about his classes and what he is learning in today's market and I love it. It's so interesting!
I don't understand: politics... I actually hate politics
I can usually be found: walking Willie, cleaning or I don't know making up a project
I need: friends to come visit us in NY- I love visitors
I forget: people's names, but never faces. (agree)
I am happy: when I feel at home... when Jeff is near, when people are nice around me, when my apt is finally put together, and when it's a beautiful day!

What I Love About New York

So today I was thinking... this experience here in NY is going to go by sooo fast, we have to soak in every little bit that we can. Mel and I have been planning all of these little trips and places we want to go while we're here and 9 months is not a long time!! So we need to do them fast. It's almost been a month and I am getting sad that the warm weather is going away... but I am also sooo excited to experience Fall here in Manhattan. If anyone has any neat ideas of places to go, restaurants to eat at, or just daily activities to do here in NY- I would love to have you share them!
Anyways... I know that I'll look back on this experience and want to remember everything that I felt, or experienced or saw. So, here are some things that I love about NY:
I love that everything is so close!
I love that you can find great food wherever you go
I love looking around and seeing places that have been in movies you know?! That's always fun for a movie buff like me =)
I love seeing all of the fun fashion all over the city
I love that people are dog lovers here
I love that there is always something to do
I love all of the parks
I love being able to know my way around the city (well I guess I'm getting there)
I know there will be much more but I thought I would share that as of now!
Lately it's been nice just hanging out everyday, doing whatever I want! I am not really working and I'll be honest, that was weird at first but now I am actually loving it. I thought that I would take advantage of the good weather and have the chance to explore the city while I can. So I am! Mel and I will do a run in the park here and there, run errands, explore the city, read our books in the park, etc. Here are some cool pics of the city we took just walking around with my parents when they were here one night.

Here is the Columbia Library where Jeff studies! Very cool library. What's so fun about Columbia is that so many people hang out on campus all hours of the night.

The Johnsons come to New York

One of the greatest part about being here is having visitors! My parents came out to visit us and we were all able to go to the US Open. It was so fun having them out. We had so much fun shopping, eating, seeing the sights and just hanging out together. What I loved was that my parents knew their way around New York so well! So I pretty much just followed them. My dad use to work here back in the day and my mom would come with him occasionally- so of course they knew all of the great shopping places and restaurants!

Here we are at the top of Saks Fifth Avenue- great restaurant with such a cool view
So I wish we had more pictures... but since my mom wanted to stay in Saks for the next few hours (I think she could have been there for 3 straight days and would've been happy)... my dad and I went out and explored the NBC building, Rockefeller Center and other shops along the way. It was raining hard- but it was fun!
I have decided that New York's weather changes every minute! One minute it's blue skies... you think you're dressed appropriately... and then it pours rain and you have ruined your shoes =)
We took them back to our favorite burger place in Madison Square park and then watched the US Open on the big screen.
Of course we had to go to Serendipity!

US OPEN!!
The first match we saw was the men's quarterfinals

And then the next day we went back for the Women's Semi Finals- and saw Serena Williams play

Like I said- the best part is having visitors! But I have to say... it is even harder saying goodbye when they have to leave! When we left for NY, I knew that I was going to see my parents in just a few weeks, so it wasn't that bad. But when we had to say goodbye when their trip was over... that was of course sad. You always dream about having a great shopping extravaganza with your Mom in New York... down 5th Ave, Park Ave and Canal Street. So I love that we had that chance mom!! We had so much fun! Mom and Dad- you were so cute about everything- our new place we call home, Jeff's school, the Columbia Campus, etc. Thanks for such a great time! We love you!

"Start spreadin' the news...I'm leavin' today... I want to be apart of it... New York, New York!

We made it! It's been a hectic couple of weeks but we are here. It's crazy! We've been running around everyday running errands, buying furniture, figuring out the subway system, and seeing the sights! The boys have started school and they are loving it. Of course it's a big change but I think we'll get use to it!

We were eating out so much- we decided to order in good ole' chinese
At the airport getting ready to load the plane


Our good friends- Marylynn and Scott live here and they took us to a great Mexican restaurant


So Jeff bought this shower curtain that shows a map of the subway system... so in the shower we can get to know NY a little better =) hilarious

We already saw our cousins that came out for the US Open. Fun to see you Mar and Traci!
We ate at a great place called the Shake Shack - and then sat on the lawn to watch a big screen of the US Open
Yankees Game!!! Yankees vs. Red Sox

Here is the outside of our place- Butler Hall

This is our awesome kitchen! We are thinking of remodeling our kitchen at home to look like this. Let us know what you think...

So we came with just our luggage and we have been sleeping on air mattresses for the past week. We finally got our stuff the other day and can now set up the apt! Here is a little preview of our front room:
Here is the view from our apt- kind of fun to see the campus

Jeff and Trav all ready for their first day of school =)