"39 Steps" in Bryant Park . Measure for Measure

Movies in the park are something every city organization should offer. Seriously. Especially when the program consists of Harry Potter previews, a Bugs Bunny cartoon, and an old, black and white movie.

Brooke and I, YET AGAIN, got tickets for Shakespeare in the Park Tuesday evening to see Measure for Measure. This Shakespeare play was much more dark than the previous we had saw. The story line was much more serious and the actors did an excellent job at portraying the story line. I really enjoyed the play, but not as much as All's Well That Ends Well.

(Am I a theatre critic yet?)

Cloisters. Fort Tyron Park. Turtle Pond. Belvedere Castle

What could be better than a day spent pretending you aren't in the middle of New York City? I can't think of one. Today Brooke and I spent a majority of the morning up in Inwood - the most northern part of Manhattan). There we visited the Cloisters, an extension of The Met, and walked through Fort Tyron Park. The Cloisters is a museum/conservatory dedicated to Medieval art and architecture - beautiful art inside the old castle, courtyards/gardens, and more. After that we walked through Fort Tyron Park along the Hudson River. On our way back home we went to Central Park's Turtle Pond and Belvedere Castle. Man... I'm beat after this day!

The hike up to the Cloisters

I stumbled into Herbology...

We think we're cute... or something...

Shakespeare in the Park

I love free events. Brooke and I got free tickets for Shakespeare in the Park tonight via the online ticket lottery with the NYC Public Theatre. We've been entering for the last three weeks and FINALLY got some for All Is Well That Ends Well. I was excited to go, but I was a little worried I wouldn't like it. I don't think I've ever been so into a Shakespeare play before. The comical and traditional mix of Shakespeare and modern language made for a very entertaining three hours. The actors were so talented and... you may know a couple of them - Reg Rogers and Annie Parisse.

The Delacorte Theatre is nestled in the heart of Central Park. It legitimately felt like I was back home and up at the Leavenworth Summer Theatre in the mountains. It was such a peaceful break from the city.

I hope you realize the risk I took to get this photo. Strictly NO PHOTOS in the theatre, including friends. You want to know how I know this? Later Brooke and I took a photo of us, and a snippy little volunteer stood over me until I deleted the photo... Really?

Jersey Boys

I must have been really determined to go to a play last night, because I checked four other theaters for rush tickets before I finally arrived at the Ambassador Theatre to ask about Jersey Boys tickets. One important thing I learned last night... men at the ticket booths are WAY NICER than women. Nuf said.

Review for Jersey Boys: Fantastic play! At first I was a little lost because the story line was going really fast at the beginning, but everything came together so nicely. The play was about the original Four Seasons band started back in the 1960s out of New Jersey and their journey to fame. Some songs you may recognize includes, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don't Cry (not fergie...), and Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You. Definitely a play worth seeing.

Top 10... Home

While I've been having a great time out here in New York, there are some things I really do miss about home. Don't get me wrong, I really have enjoyed my time out here and am grateful for the blessing it has been to have this experience, but there are a few particulars that I miss about being home in the summer. So, here we go!

Presenting the Top 10 things I miss about summertime at home:

1. Family

Especially these two (my parents)

2. Cherry harvest

(and chubby babies, apparently...)

3. Sunsets in the basin

4. Irrigation ditches used as swimming pools

5. Driving tractor (only a little bit dad, don't get any ideas)

6. Fresh flowers from the garden and my backyard

(I'd like to take credit for helping my mom landscape and maintain this yard every summer until this one)

7. Wide open spaces

8. Fourth of July fireworks in the back of the truck in George

9. Ice cream at DK's

10. Fruit stand hopping

(annual trip with mom)

... and a few others ...

Pommes Frites. Smorgasburg.

Pommes Frites

Friday, after getting off work at 10:30, I met Brooke and Zack to hang out for the night (and get me some dinner). Julia had been telling us about this place we had to try - Pommes Frites. They are a Belgian french fry restaurant with at least 20 different kinds of "fry sauces". Delicious? I think so!

Delicious fries with Mango Chutney Mayo...

Those are bags of Idaho potatos...

Saturday after spending too much time in the sun and telling Brooke over and over again, "Yes, I know I'm red and it hurts!" (Love you Brooke) after being at the beach two hours, we stopped in Brooklyn on our way back at the Smorgasburg - a type of Scandinavian meal served buffet-style with multiple dishes of various foods on the table. We had cold sesame noodles from Shorty Tang's and ice cream from a Blue Marble cart. Yeummy!

Gigantic rainstorm

Raining buckets!

Instagram.

My roommate Brooke introduced me to using Instagram. It's an iPhone app very much like twitter where you can post photos of things you see, where you're going and what you're doing. You can follow me by downloading the APP and searching "boothm08". Here are a few photos that I took earlier this week...

Happy Flag Day!

View from office. Well, Steve's office. I really see a grey wall...

Museum of Natural History.Soho.Movie.Toms

Well, we woke up to a rainy day today. So no beach. But it was the perfect day to spend some time inside.

Brooke and I stopped at a little cafe just around the corner for breakfast called Sip. It's a cute little place and they make the best omelet sandwiches. Yum!

New York City subway stations are filled with fun, mosaic art. You'll be seeing more of this.

Afterwards we jumped on the subway and went down to the Museum of Natural History (donation based) and spent about 2 1/2 hours strolling around. You know, Dinosaurs are pretty awesome. Don't argue with me. Cause I know I'm right. We spent at least 75% of the time in dinosaur exhibits. Besides the fact that the museum is donation based, you should also know that there is a "secret" guide if you ask for it. It's a guide for all the different exhibits that are featured in the movie "Night at the Museum". Yep, we're that nerdy. Just ask the sweet little ladies at the information booth at the entrance of the museum. They'll know what you're talking about. Everyone else will just think you're an idiot.

Dum Dum want Gum Gum

After the museum we went to Soho and Canal Street to do some shopping. Canal Street, ladies, is where you get all the guys asking if you want to buy Chanel, Gucci, Loui, etc. knockoffs. It's kind of fun.

After shopping was movie time. We went to the Angelika in Soho and saw "Midnight in Paris". I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! The movie was actually very funny. I just wish I was smarter and knew more about the 1920s so I could catch all the jokes. When I see it again, I'll be prepared!

On our way home tonight we stopped at Toms Restaurant just up the street from our apartment. This is the restaurant used featured in Seinfeld! Delicious milkshakes and fun, welcoming atmosphere.