So, New York was a blast. And a whirlwind! Life seems a lot faster there! I did a lot of quintessential New York things, including attending two Broadway shows (both featuring college friends who took us on-stage afterward), eating a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery, several hot dogs from Papaya Dog, shopping in Greenwich Village, strolling through Central Park, visiting the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Time Square and Ground Zero, traveling by cab and via subway and staying up far too late. I was so tired by the end of the week that I could barely keep my eyes open!

I also met Lucy Liu's dogs (two chocolate lab puppies) and passed one of the America's Next Top Models contestants on the street. I saw some beautiful art at MOMA and fed pigeons in a park. I saw many dear friends and gained three pounds of bagel weight in my face. And I refused to wear tennis shoes most of the time, so my feet are stained black and will never be quite the same again.

I am so glad we got to go and experience the big city, but I am happy to be back home! I am definitely a Midwestern girl at heart. It will probably take me a full week to recover!