Warning: THIS IS LENGTHY!!
So, I kind of owe everyone an update.
And because it's been so long, it will probably be a long update.
Pictures included.
But it will mostly be under cuts, so that way it won't get confusing.
First thing's first.
New York, New York!!
I cannot believe the amazing time we had while we were in New York. It's downright crazy.
To start with, it was so awesome to get away from Tampa, from work, from all the crazy stuff we have to do, and spend 4 entire days with the boy who I am head-over-heels in love with. There is no better thing in the world than that.
We got into New York around 10:15 or something, took a cab to our hotel and dropped off our luggage (because we couldn't check in yet). We were both staring out the windows the entire ride to our hotel. I forgot how big everything is there. Everywhere you look, there are huge buildings. It's crazy. We left the hotel, went to the Subway entrance near our hotel and bought MetroCards, and took the Subway downtown towards Battery Park. We got off kind of far away and had quite a walk towards the Statue of Liberty. Especially after we walked in the wrong direction at one part. =)
We ended up not being able to go to the Statue. They closed it because of everything that had happened in London. So we just kind of looked at it. Walked around the park a little, and then headed back up to our hotel. We checked in and sat around our room for a little bit. His parents ordered us a bottle of champagne and had it sent to our room. That was really funny, because they called us from the desk to tell us we had a package, and it was really strange. Haha. We showered and got changed and headed towards the Empire State Building. We ate dinner at the bottom the building, and then went up to the observatory deck. It was so pretty up there at night! Everything was shining and lit up. You could see lights for ever. It was so beautiful! We were up there for a while. We got ice cream on the way down. That was good, too. But the waffle cone was kind of stale. Haha.
New York at night, from atop the Empire State Building:
The Chyrsler Building:
This just looked cool (I'm pretty sure that was Time's Square over there):
Us at the top of the Empire State Building:
Irene was supposed to come meet us for dinner, but she couldn't. Her mom didn't want her coming to the city because she was nervous because of London. And plus, Irene didn't feel very good.
Friday, we woke up around 11 or something. Got dressed and stuff. It started raining. It rained for most of the day, which kind of sucked. The remains of Cindy had headed up to New York to meet us. We decided to head down to Little Italy, and we ate lunch at this really cute little place. And it was SO GOOD! We walked around there a little more, looked inside some of the silly shops that were there, then headed back to our hotel cause we were sick of the rain. We changed and stuff, because we were pretty wet, and then headed to the Yankees game. We got there early, got our free visors (which are actually pretty nice!), and roamed around the stadium for a while. We walked over to Monument Park, too, while we were inside, before the game started. Mike was so freaking excited to be at Yankee Stadium! It was so funny! He was practically running to the front, which, of course, he didn't realize he was doing. And I was laughing at him, and it was great. Anyway, we went up to our seats, which were two rows from the very top of the stadium. =) BUT! Our seats were dry because they were under the awning at the top. So, it worked out well. Haha. The game was awesome! We left a little early so we wouldn't get stuck in the mad rush of people at the end of the game. We got back to the area of our hotel and walked around trying to find a restaurant that was open. There was only one. But it was good food, so whatever.
Monument Park:
The beautiful field:
Us at the Yankees Game (we look really silly in our visors. Haha):
Later during the game, when we walked down to field level:
Saturday, we woke up kind of late. I went down to buy a paper, and we got some lunch from some cheap little place near our hotel. Then we started getting ready to go see Movin' Out. IT WAS SO GOOD! HOLY COW! The guy who did the singing sounded just like Billy Joel, it was ridiculous. And all the dancers were so good! The show ended up being shorter than we expected, so we headed up to Central Park and walked around for a little bit. It was so pretty there! After that, we went back for dinner at La Prima Donna, which was really good. Then, Irene was going to meet us in Times Square and hang out for a while, but she couldn't make it over. =( It was very very sad, because I didn't get to see her while I was there. We sat down at a bar in Times Square and hung out there for a bit, walked around and saw everything lit up at night, which is always way cool, and then headed back to our hotel around 11 or so. And drank our champagne. And we danced, again, which was wonderful. *teehee*
The tall buildings across from Central Park:
More tall buildings:
Even more buildings:
Part of the park, where everyone was playing and running around:
Horse from a carriage in the middle of the park:
Us in Central Park:
Times Square during the day:
A different part of Times Square while the sun is starting to go down:
Yet another part of Times Square at night:
Sunday, we woke up and had to pack. We checked out, left our bags with the hotel, and headed towards Rockefeller Center, which was a feat in itself. We had trouble finding the NBC building. We had to go there because we had to get this coffee mug for my brother. Got my mom a mini flashlight (long story. but there was meaning to the flashlight!). And we got my dad a Tiger Woods tiger golfclub cover, since his birthday was that day. Then we went for lunch at Little Italy again. We headed over to the South Street Seaport, which, I decided, I am never going to again! Another long story... let's just say the South Street Seaport and my bowels... they don't go well together. Blah! Eeewwie, gross. Hahaha! Anyway, we wandered around there, and then headed back to our hotel to get our bags, because we had to get to the airport.
The East River and Brooklyn on the other side of the river:
The eversobeautiful Brooklyn Bridge:
JFK Airport is the weirdest airport ever.
So we got back home, about an hour late, which sucked. Flights were running late because of the Hurricane Dennis, I guess. Anyway, didn't get back home until about 12:30. My mom and brother met his mom. I told my mom I got her something from the NBC store, and she knew what it was right off the bat, which was hilarious.
It was the best vacation I've ever been on. And I spent it with the most important person to me. <33
The week that followed was nothing exciting. I watched the Home Run Derby on Monday Night. Tuesday night, I met Mike over at John and Jason's apartment, and we watched the All Star Game. Except we didn't watch it a lot. Jen and Priscilla came over, too (John and Jason's girlfriends, respectively). And Jason brought his friend from work, who just so happend to be Lindsey Lydecker, who I've known since high school because of marching band. We talked for about 45 minutes about people from high school ... a trip down memory lane that I was not prepared for. Haha. We all ended up playing cards most of the night. And we TPed Jason's car because he went to bed early. Wednesday, we had to work. Thursday morning, I babysat. And then a bunch of us were going to go out, but Mike and I decided to just go out for dinner. Friday, I woke up with my foot hurting really bad. I watched movies all day, and got lunch with my mom at Panera. Saturday, Mike and Jen came over for dinner. We played Yahtzee and watched Dodgeball. Sunday, I went to church. Saw Marissa, and we enjoyed a lovely time of catch-up and Waffle House!! And then I worked that night. (I can't believe I remember all that!)
Then comes Monday...
YAY! IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
Ohhh man, I'm getting so old! I just turned 20! I'm no longer a teenage, AHHHH!
It's really not that exciting.
But I did have an AWESOME day!
I woke up kind of early ... 8:40, to be exact ... and headed over to church. Everyone was leaving for Georgia that morning. So I went to see Alayna and everyone else before they left. Alayna saw me drive up, ran to my car, and when I opened my door, she screamed, "AHHHH! HAAAPPPPYYYY BIIIRTHDAAAAYYYYY!!!" It was SO FUNNY! <33 Angel gave me a card, with a $25 gift certificate for the place where I got my nails done, so I can go again. It was lovely. Then I came home and went back to sleep.
Woke up a few hours later. Did a little cleaning. Did a lot of goofing around and laughing, just because. Jen came over around 5:45, Mike came over around 6:16. Mike called me at noon to say Happy Birthday. He said it a few times the night before at work (because we were just leaving around midnight). And he sent me text messages all afternoon: "Happy Birthday" ... "Happy Birthday!" ... "Feliz Cumpleanos!" <33
My grandparents came over as well, and we all had a WONDERFUL dinner. Then I got to open presents!
The grand present of the birthday:
YESSSSSS!!!! <333333
My ohsocompletely beautiful iPod is courtesy of Mike's persistance, and my parent's and grandparent's funds. =)
Mike, who knew that I wanted a pink iPod forever, but couldn't have one because they only make the regular 20 GB iPods in white... he got me a pink case for my iPod. And it's so freaking cool.
He also got me this:
It is so beautiful in real life. It's not such a great picture. And it plays "Music of the Night," from Phantom of the Opera, obviously. <33 I LOVE IT! My boyfriend is wonderful.
I also got lots of Target money... and my brother got the most amazing gift card for me EVER!! It was so freaking awesome that I had to take a picture of it to share with everyone.
RAAAWR!!! *teehee*
I plan on keeping that one even when there isn't money on it. =)
We ate lots of chocolate cake. With homemade chocolate icing, mmmmm.
It was pretty much the best birthday that I've ever had.
I had lots of people call me to wish me happy birthday. I had lots of people send me IMs telling me happy birthday. Basically, everyone who is important to me remembered that it was my birthday. And that was really cool. Because usually, not many people remember. Or I don't ever get phone calls. It was really awesome. So thank you to everyone who remembered and told me happy birthday... it meant a lot.
<3
Today, I slept late, as usual. I went to lunch with my mom and brother. And I went to school to watch "The Oracle MJs" play flag football for summer intermurals. It was ... quite amusing, to say the least. *teehee* The team is my Mike, another Mike, Mark, Marlow, John and Justin ... i.e., the "MJs." And they aren't very good. Well, also, the team they played was way too good to be playing stupid college intermurals. In fact, all of the other teams are basically freaking amazing and have been playing for years ... and have coaches. It's a little crazy. Anyway, they lost their first game, which was no big deal, but they were all kind of pissed. The score was 49 to 6 or something like that. My dear lovely boyfriend scored the only touchdown, woohoo! Haha. Then Jen (John's girlfriend) and I went to get Subway, and then were going back for the second game at 9:15. But when we got there, the other team had to forfiet, so the MJ's won. Yaaaay! Haha. It was a thrilling night, full of humorous football-playing ... and lots of fire ants. Rawr.
Tomorrow is the last night of work until we start working on the Welcome Back issue of the paper. We plan on finishing the paper as early as possible, and then going out afterwards to celebrate. Don't know what we're celebrating, because none of us are going to get paid for the next few weeks now, but hey! Whatever!! =)
A few odds and ends...
These didn't really fit in anywhere else in this post, so they get their own cut. =)
I got my braces off the day we left for camp. The following picture is the results of my lovely braces-less smile (I just took this a few days ago):
And here. The best picture in the world.
This is from when I went to the beach with Mike and his family over the weekend between camp and Orlando:
I love him so much. And he makes me so happy. <33
So. That is pretty much the end of my exciting update.
I hope you all didn't think it was too long.
But mind you ... I warned you all at the beginning that it would be lengthy. So there! =)
Thank you for reading. Tune in next time (probably in a few day) for more of Allison's exciting life.
So it's really not that exciting.
The end.
*Ally
And because it's been so long, it will probably be a long update.
Pictures included.
But it will mostly be under cuts, so that way it won't get confusing.
First thing's first.
New York, New York!!
I cannot believe the amazing time we had while we were in New York. It's downright crazy.
To start with, it was so awesome to get away from Tampa, from work, from all the crazy stuff we have to do, and spend 4 entire days with the boy who I am head-over-heels in love with. There is no better thing in the world than that.
We got into New York around 10:15 or something, took a cab to our hotel and dropped off our luggage (because we couldn't check in yet). We were both staring out the windows the entire ride to our hotel. I forgot how big everything is there. Everywhere you look, there are huge buildings. It's crazy. We left the hotel, went to the Subway entrance near our hotel and bought MetroCards, and took the Subway downtown towards Battery Park. We got off kind of far away and had quite a walk towards the Statue of Liberty. Especially after we walked in the wrong direction at one part. =)
We ended up not being able to go to the Statue. They closed it because of everything that had happened in London. So we just kind of looked at it. Walked around the park a little, and then headed back up to our hotel. We checked in and sat around our room for a little bit. His parents ordered us a bottle of champagne and had it sent to our room. That was really funny, because they called us from the desk to tell us we had a package, and it was really strange. Haha. We showered and got changed and headed towards the Empire State Building. We ate dinner at the bottom the building, and then went up to the observatory deck. It was so pretty up there at night! Everything was shining and lit up. You could see lights for ever. It was so beautiful! We were up there for a while. We got ice cream on the way down. That was good, too. But the waffle cone was kind of stale. Haha.
New York at night, from atop the Empire State Building:
The Chyrsler Building:
This just looked cool (I'm pretty sure that was Time's Square over there):
Us at the top of the Empire State Building:
Irene was supposed to come meet us for dinner, but she couldn't. Her mom didn't want her coming to the city because she was nervous because of London. And plus, Irene didn't feel very good.
Friday, we woke up around 11 or something. Got dressed and stuff. It started raining. It rained for most of the day, which kind of sucked. The remains of Cindy had headed up to New York to meet us. We decided to head down to Little Italy, and we ate lunch at this really cute little place. And it was SO GOOD! We walked around there a little more, looked inside some of the silly shops that were there, then headed back to our hotel cause we were sick of the rain. We changed and stuff, because we were pretty wet, and then headed to the Yankees game. We got there early, got our free visors (which are actually pretty nice!), and roamed around the stadium for a while. We walked over to Monument Park, too, while we were inside, before the game started. Mike was so freaking excited to be at Yankee Stadium! It was so funny! He was practically running to the front, which, of course, he didn't realize he was doing. And I was laughing at him, and it was great. Anyway, we went up to our seats, which were two rows from the very top of the stadium. =) BUT! Our seats were dry because they were under the awning at the top. So, it worked out well. Haha. The game was awesome! We left a little early so we wouldn't get stuck in the mad rush of people at the end of the game. We got back to the area of our hotel and walked around trying to find a restaurant that was open. There was only one. But it was good food, so whatever.
Monument Park:
The beautiful field:
Us at the Yankees Game (we look really silly in our visors. Haha):
Later during the game, when we walked down to field level:
Saturday, we woke up kind of late. I went down to buy a paper, and we got some lunch from some cheap little place near our hotel. Then we started getting ready to go see Movin' Out. IT WAS SO GOOD! HOLY COW! The guy who did the singing sounded just like Billy Joel, it was ridiculous. And all the dancers were so good! The show ended up being shorter than we expected, so we headed up to Central Park and walked around for a little bit. It was so pretty there! After that, we went back for dinner at La Prima Donna, which was really good. Then, Irene was going to meet us in Times Square and hang out for a while, but she couldn't make it over. =( It was very very sad, because I didn't get to see her while I was there. We sat down at a bar in Times Square and hung out there for a bit, walked around and saw everything lit up at night, which is always way cool, and then headed back to our hotel around 11 or so. And drank our champagne. And we danced, again, which was wonderful. *teehee*
The tall buildings across from Central Park:
More tall buildings:
Even more buildings:
Part of the park, where everyone was playing and running around:
Horse from a carriage in the middle of the park:
Us in Central Park:
Times Square during the day:
A different part of Times Square while the sun is starting to go down:
Yet another part of Times Square at night:
Sunday, we woke up and had to pack. We checked out, left our bags with the hotel, and headed towards Rockefeller Center, which was a feat in itself. We had trouble finding the NBC building. We had to go there because we had to get this coffee mug for my brother. Got my mom a mini flashlight (long story. but there was meaning to the flashlight!). And we got my dad a Tiger Woods tiger golfclub cover, since his birthday was that day. Then we went for lunch at Little Italy again. We headed over to the South Street Seaport, which, I decided, I am never going to again! Another long story... let's just say the South Street Seaport and my bowels... they don't go well together. Blah! Eeewwie, gross. Hahaha! Anyway, we wandered around there, and then headed back to our hotel to get our bags, because we had to get to the airport.
The East River and Brooklyn on the other side of the river:
The eversobeautiful Brooklyn Bridge:
JFK Airport is the weirdest airport ever.
So we got back home, about an hour late, which sucked. Flights were running late because of the Hurricane Dennis, I guess. Anyway, didn't get back home until about 12:30. My mom and brother met his mom. I told my mom I got her something from the NBC store, and she knew what it was right off the bat, which was hilarious.
It was the best vacation I've ever been on. And I spent it with the most important person to me. <33
The week that followed was nothing exciting. I watched the Home Run Derby on Monday Night. Tuesday night, I met Mike over at John and Jason's apartment, and we watched the All Star Game. Except we didn't watch it a lot. Jen and Priscilla came over, too (John and Jason's girlfriends, respectively). And Jason brought his friend from work, who just so happend to be Lindsey Lydecker, who I've known since high school because of marching band. We talked for about 45 minutes about people from high school ... a trip down memory lane that I was not prepared for. Haha. We all ended up playing cards most of the night. And we TPed Jason's car because he went to bed early. Wednesday, we had to work. Thursday morning, I babysat. And then a bunch of us were going to go out, but Mike and I decided to just go out for dinner. Friday, I woke up with my foot hurting really bad. I watched movies all day, and got lunch with my mom at Panera. Saturday, Mike and Jen came over for dinner. We played Yahtzee and watched Dodgeball. Sunday, I went to church. Saw Marissa, and we enjoyed a lovely time of catch-up and Waffle House!! And then I worked that night. (I can't believe I remember all that!)
Then comes Monday...
YAY! IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
Ohhh man, I'm getting so old! I just turned 20! I'm no longer a teenage, AHHHH!
It's really not that exciting.
But I did have an AWESOME day!
I woke up kind of early ... 8:40, to be exact ... and headed over to church. Everyone was leaving for Georgia that morning. So I went to see Alayna and everyone else before they left. Alayna saw me drive up, ran to my car, and when I opened my door, she screamed, "AHHHH! HAAAPPPPYYYY BIIIRTHDAAAAYYYYY!!!" It was SO FUNNY! <33 Angel gave me a card, with a $25 gift certificate for the place where I got my nails done, so I can go again. It was lovely. Then I came home and went back to sleep.
Woke up a few hours later. Did a little cleaning. Did a lot of goofing around and laughing, just because. Jen came over around 5:45, Mike came over around 6:16. Mike called me at noon to say Happy Birthday. He said it a few times the night before at work (because we were just leaving around midnight). And he sent me text messages all afternoon: "Happy Birthday" ... "Happy Birthday!" ... "Feliz Cumpleanos!" <33
My grandparents came over as well, and we all had a WONDERFUL dinner. Then I got to open presents!
The grand present of the birthday:
YESSSSSS!!!! <333333
My ohsocompletely beautiful iPod is courtesy of Mike's persistance, and my parent's and grandparent's funds. =)
Mike, who knew that I wanted a pink iPod forever, but couldn't have one because they only make the regular 20 GB iPods in white... he got me a pink case for my iPod. And it's so freaking cool.
He also got me this:
It is so beautiful in real life. It's not such a great picture. And it plays "Music of the Night," from Phantom of the Opera, obviously. <33 I LOVE IT! My boyfriend is wonderful.
I also got lots of Target money... and my brother got the most amazing gift card for me EVER!! It was so freaking awesome that I had to take a picture of it to share with everyone.
RAAAWR!!! *teehee*
I plan on keeping that one even when there isn't money on it. =)
We ate lots of chocolate cake. With homemade chocolate icing, mmmmm.
It was pretty much the best birthday that I've ever had.
I had lots of people call me to wish me happy birthday. I had lots of people send me IMs telling me happy birthday. Basically, everyone who is important to me remembered that it was my birthday. And that was really cool. Because usually, not many people remember. Or I don't ever get phone calls. It was really awesome. So thank you to everyone who remembered and told me happy birthday... it meant a lot.
<3
Today, I slept late, as usual. I went to lunch with my mom and brother. And I went to school to watch "The Oracle MJs" play flag football for summer intermurals. It was ... quite amusing, to say the least. *teehee* The team is my Mike, another Mike, Mark, Marlow, John and Justin ... i.e., the "MJs." And they aren't very good. Well, also, the team they played was way too good to be playing stupid college intermurals. In fact, all of the other teams are basically freaking amazing and have been playing for years ... and have coaches. It's a little crazy. Anyway, they lost their first game, which was no big deal, but they were all kind of pissed. The score was 49 to 6 or something like that. My dear lovely boyfriend scored the only touchdown, woohoo! Haha. Then Jen (John's girlfriend) and I went to get Subway, and then were going back for the second game at 9:15. But when we got there, the other team had to forfiet, so the MJ's won. Yaaaay! Haha. It was a thrilling night, full of humorous football-playing ... and lots of fire ants. Rawr.
Tomorrow is the last night of work until we start working on the Welcome Back issue of the paper. We plan on finishing the paper as early as possible, and then going out afterwards to celebrate. Don't know what we're celebrating, because none of us are going to get paid for the next few weeks now, but hey! Whatever!! =)
A few odds and ends...
These didn't really fit in anywhere else in this post, so they get their own cut. =)
I got my braces off the day we left for camp. The following picture is the results of my lovely braces-less smile (I just took this a few days ago):
And here. The best picture in the world.
This is from when I went to the beach with Mike and his family over the weekend between camp and Orlando:
I love him so much. And he makes me so happy. <33
So. That is pretty much the end of my exciting update.
I hope you all didn't think it was too long.
But mind you ... I warned you all at the beginning that it would be lengthy. So there! =)
Thank you for reading. Tune in next time (probably in a few day) for more of Allison's exciting life.
So it's really not that exciting.
The end.
*Ally