Where it all started - Travel Entry #2

Taking trips down memory lane whenever I go home never gets old.  I like to take my kids to see where mommy grew up and to show them what I was doing when I was their age.  Sometimes they think mommy was born old and knows nothing about being a kid.  So whenever we are in New York, they see all my old hang out spots,  I share the stories of all the bicycle crews that took over the streets of Uniondale and we play the games that I once played in my front yard, to show them I actually had a childhood before they came along.

If this park could talk...the crazy stories it would tell.         RIP Mr. Brown.

Lifelong friendships were made at Smith Street Elementary  School.  Nothing but fond memories of this place.

Turtle Hook Junior High!!! I thought it was cute showing my middle schooler where I went to "junior high school" when I was his age. He couldn't care less and didn't even get out the car.

I stopped by my aunts house and this was in the living room.  You couldn't tell me I wasn't cute! I think I was 16 here.

We played hot peas and butter like I did back in the day.  Nothing like someone chasing you with a wire cord to whip your butt.

We hung out at the mall where I had one of my very first jobs.... Sales Associate at JcPenny.  My only real memories of that job are of me hanging out in the break room.  Model employee I was. LOL (Sorry, we didn't do any shopping in Pennys that day, so I don't have a photo.  The deals were hitting in Zara.)

I heard the ice cream truck and we went running.  Mr. Softees song is still music to my ears.

New York City Sunshine - Travel Entry #1

It's been a crazy year and I felt like I needed to recharge. Some go to the Islands to relax, others go on a cruise to get away. Me, I go back to where it all started.  I go home.  I go to New York.  Where the smells bring me peace, my friends let me be me and the possibilities seem endless.  So I packed up the kids and we headed to NY for 3 and half weeks.

Packing

I'm old school West Indian American, so you know I had to put ribbon on my luggage to identify it. Looks crazy to most, but with 1000 black suitcases going around that conveyer belt, bet I get mine on the first try.

Traveling for almost a month might sound overwhelming when it comes to packing clothes. But I decided instead of over packing like I usually do, I would only bring enough for a week and a half and do laundry when necessary. We stayed at my moms house on Long Island, so doing laundry was kind of convenient. I went over board on packing the shoes though( One carry on bag has nothing but shoes).  I honestly only needed to bring 3 pairs instead of 6 but you never know when you might need red, black or tan heels, sandals in all colors and flip flops for the beach I will probably never see.

The Flight

Once upon a time, I could only do redeye, direct flights when traveling with the kids.  I didn't want to drag them around the airport for connecting flights and I wanted to guarantee their silence on the plane by scheduling the flight during their bed time.  But now that they are older, I book whatever flight gives me the best deal. Act up on the flight and get your feelings hurt if you want to.

We had to catch a connecting flight in Texas, so I had everyone bring a book and do their summer reading in the airport. Thats right, all the reading they did all summer was in the airport during a 2 hour layover.  It's better than nothing, so don't judge.

We didn't get much sleep on the plane ride because my son hadn't flown in years so his nervous energy kept us all up. We had to stage this photo in hopes that his eyes and mouth would stay closed, but it didn't work.

And just like that. I was home.  Ready for the all the adventures that the summer had in store.