mission: thanksgiving 2010

it's the most gluttonous time of the year...

this is one of my favorite holidays because it is a time to reflect over your year to see what you have done, where you have been, and give thanks for the blessings in your life. but, holidays like this need to become more than a mere feast followed by crashing on the couch to watch some football. it should be about taking care of those in need and helping them through a time that can be quite depressing or sorrowful.

this year, i would like to challenge my readers to go beyond and give...not just say thanks for what you have. give your time, your food, your money to your community. seek out volunteer opportunities and see how your life is changed for the better, because when you set out to change the world, you find out that it actually changes you. and what can be more fulfilling and humbling than that?

i also challenge you to pause during this season of rushing around, trying to find the best holiday deals, and recognize what God is doing around you and in you. He is the One who gives us life, and to Him we should offer our thanks and love. this allows us to actually experience our God, who created us and loved us first, even when everything else around us is whizzing by, too busy to acknowledge Him.

so, now i am off to pack up and head on a plane to tucson, az to spend time with patrick's family. happy thanksgiving to you all.

this is beth signing off.

mission: let the holidays begin!

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mission: dawn patrol

warning: the dawn patrol show is not for the faint at heart. why, you may ask? for starters, if you want to catch a bus from the park and ride, which comes highly recommended, one must wake up around 4:30 a.m. (and that was so we could make it to the park and ride at 5 a.m. which was 5 minutes down the road). mind you, it is still very dark outside at this time of day, and the sleep still very much overtaking your body.

so we hitch a ride to the balloon fiesta site, and we wait in the freezing cold until dawn was upon us. as we waited, we did eat some super spicy but ever delicioso breakfast burritos, complete with green chile sauce. this kept our mouths blazing hot and in return kept the rest of our bodies toasty. i was sad when i was completely stuffed with burrito that i could not finish the last two bites for some extra warmth. aunt sue did have some specially delivered kona coffee to last us a little while longer, however.

finally, the moment arrived, and the dozen of hot air balloons began to inflate. they even glowed (still dark) and all of the pilots were announced. one by one, they set off, and thus began the next event, the morning ascension. this is when all 600+ balloons are sent off into the atmosphere one by one and usually takes a couple of hours to complete. it was yet another amazing sight as we gazed into the sky watching the large balloons turn into tiny droplets as they drifted away from the field.

a great experience about this fiesta, as i mentioned in the prior post, is that you get to walk amongst the balloons and capture the entire process of an ascension. you get to see the pilots with their chase teams (the people who pick up a balloon after it has landed somewhere) unload the basket from a truck bed, spread the yards and yards of balloon fabric into its designated area, observe the flame being tested (bring your marshmallows), and finally the inflation. if you have never watched this process being done, let me tell you, it is extensive and takes a great team to pull it off without a hitch.

after the several hours of watching the balloons take off, the adrenaline wore off and sleep took us over once again. we had to nap so that we could take on one more balloon glow in the evening. that one is not worth blogging about because the wind conditions were too high to really have a proper glow. a good dozen or so were inflated, but the rest remained on the ground. i do want to say that the very last fireworks show of the festival was fantastic, even better than the night before, not to mention the amazing sunset we had. all in all, it was a good way to end the 2010 balloon fiesta.

patrick, aunt sue, and i did other things in albuquerque during our stay, and so in my next post i will give you the top 5 things you should do on your next visit to this quirky yet fascinating city.

this is beth signing off.

mission: accomplished

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mission: albuquerque balloon fiesta

every year in the city of albuquerque the largest congregation of hot air balloons during the first week of october. it is the highlight for new mexicans and fellow lovers of balloons from around the world! this year, big apple beth got the chance to go, and boy did i have a wonderful time.

i kind of have it easy making arrangements because my aunt susan lives and works out there, and with her as our guide, we didn't have difficulty maneuvering what events to attend, when to leave, and having the knowledge to take the bus rather than driving ourselves to the fiesta site. and might i add, the bus drivers and volunteers at this massive event were all kind and helpful!

after walking around the grounds for a bit, checking out the food options (lots and lots of fried delights and of course turkey legs) and take home souvenirs, our first fiesta activity was the friday night glow. the glow is when the balloonists inflate their balloon and firing them up so that it actually glows. this is all done while the balloons are tethered to the ground, and the guests can freely walk around the grounds taking pictures and walking beneath them. it is quite incredible, and i felt so small as i walked beneath the massive shapes. the glow that i went to consisted of all the special shaped balloons such as: spongebob, a cow named airabelle, a haunted house, two large boxing kangaroos, and family of bees! each new balloon that was inflated we exclaimed with glee, "is that a lady bug?" or "wow, it's darth vader's helmet!!!" it was so awesome, and there is no other word for it really. simply awesome.

as soon as it became dark, and the night air cooled off the desert, we settled into our folding camping chairs and watched a fireworks display. for those of you who don't know me, i LOVE fireworks! it was a fantastic show, but i was ready to head to bed, knowing that i had to wake up the following morning for the dawn patrol.

keep reading tomorrow as i explain how amazing the dawn patrol was! until then, this is beth signing off.

mission: accomplished.

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mission: almost like beginning again

tonight i watched julia and julia again, the movie that inspired me to write my food and travel blog about a year ago. i was hoping that within a year i would be able to write everything i did everyday so that i could gather my own following of people who were interested in my life in new york city and the travels in which i would partake. alas, my following is few, my blogs are sporadic, and writer's block has set in.

i wish i could write about some of the amazing things i have done in the past several months, like the over the rhine concert i went to at city winery or buying apple cider doughnuts at stew leonard's (which is the most awesome grocery store ever). but instead of back tracking and hoping for more consistency, i am going to begin anew.

so from this day forth, i will give you new adventures with full steam (until, as i predict, it will run out in a few months from now...again, but i will try not to let that happen).

this week is going to bring me lots of wonderfully exciting travel and possibilities. the first thing is happening tonight! my friends from college, josh and mandy harpold, are coming to visit us. it will be a short one, lasting roughly 12 hours for them, but it will be wonderful to see their smiling faces. funny how time flies so quickly the older we get. i haven't seen them in three years, the last time being at their beautiful kentucky wedding, but i suspect we will pick up right where we left off. that's what good friends do, and i should be so lucky to have some in my life.

the next thing going on this week is a trip to albuquerque, new mexico, to visit my aunt sue for the balloon fiesta! this fiesta happens every year, and i hear it is a most amazing sight to see. my aunt has us fully booked from dawn till dark, seeing the hot air balloons take off in the morning, glow in the twilight, and watching the fireworks light up the sky at night. not only that, we will hike, eat LOTS of mexican and drink some specially ordered kona coffee. i cannot wait.

to those who have been following my blog, thanks for hanging in there with me. i shall make my return a lasting one.

this is beth signing off.

mission: thank goodness for grace.

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mission: goodbye summer

fall is in the air, and i cannot wait to begin doing all of the fun fall things that i enjoy oh so much! but, before i can divulge any information on my recent goings on, let me tell you about the rest of my summer.

before moving, i got to visit some wonderful friends in the south. my first stop was to visit the wyllyses and the straits, who are patrick's family, in wilmore, kentucky. for those of you who have never heard of wilmore, that is okay, let me enlighten you. wilmore is a little college, ahem now university, town located about 30 minutes away from lexington. it is the place where i myself received my undergrad education and had the best four years of my life. it is also the place where i fell in love with the man i married, and so it will always have a special place in my heart.

the reason for visiting was to attend a baby dedication for little zoe grace wyllys, daughter to our best friends carrie and daniel. this beautiful service was held outside, at their friends' home, as the sun was setting and cows romping around in the meadow behind the yard. it was emotional and perfect, as dean wyllys, dan's father and methodist pastor, prayed over little sleeping zoe and offered her life to God. with many friends and family members gathered round weeping, i knew in my heart that zoe's life will be filled with love and support from so many caring people.

so, with that as our main purpose for the ky visit, we also got to enjoy spending time with patrick's aunt, uncle, and cousins (the straits) as well as some added time for the wyllyses, sans friends. it was relaxing and completely enjoyable to be around people about whom we care so deeply.

**for those of you who are going to attend the world equestrian games in lexington, check out these fave haunts of ours: pazzo's pizza pub, joe balogna's pizza, triangle park, graeter's ice cream, and ramsey's diner (best fried chicken ever!!!!!!!!!!!)**

after ky, i was off to charleston, south carolina for the remainder of my week to visit my friends laura and adam. these two new yorkers recently moved there so that adam could attend medical school at the university of south carolina. while i was there, laura was intent to introduce me to all things charleston, as this was my first visit there, and i was happy to oblige (as i am typing this, scarlet o'hara's voice is ringing through my ears).

my first full day there we went on a carriage tour around the city. now, in charleston, they like to do things a little differently. since there are so many carriage tours occurring at the same time, we cannot all go to the same places and see the same things. so, the tour guide must stop and find out where the tour is going. he is then given a number either 1,2, or 3 and that determines what section of charleston the tour is going to see. and! you never know what your are gonna get. our tour was 2, so we meandered down the center of charleston. it was fantastic and educational! the houses there are so beautiful and the history is so rich. i highly recommend this for first time visitors.

the next day we went to the beach on kiawa island, where adam's parents are in residence. so mostly that day was all about relaxing and getting burned. i also had an enormous amount of sand stuck in my bathing suit due to the fact that laura and i decided to lay down in the water while working on our tans (i mean tan for laura, burn for me). i can hear my mother's voice now..."some things never change bethany. you always had a load of sand in your bathing suit..." some things never do change :)

our agenda then proceeded to boone hall the following morning. this is an old plantation and is still working to this day. it was an interesting place, and we learned a lot about the gullah culture (derived from the african peoples who came over to america as slaves), and life as a slave. many slaves' quarters are still erect and have been turned into an exhibit all about african american history, from slavery to present day.

my last night there, laura, adam, and i decided to go out, and i wanted fried chicken! so we chose to go to virginia's on king. it...was...AMAZING! i highly recommend this place for some true low contry cuisine. try the fried chicken of course but the shrimp and grits is also fantastic! the price is right and the food will have you comin back fo mo.

the next i had to leave, but i left with some great memories. laura and i did many other things (adam was mostly in class and every night he shared all of the interesting things he was learning..he is going to be a great doctor. of that, i am sure), but i fear if i write anymore this post will become boring.

this is beth signing off.

mission: accomplished.

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mission: moving day!

good morning all! it has been yet another month in between my postings, but have no fear, big apple beth is sure to get back on track shortly. you see, this month i have been packing and getting ready for this very day...moving day. though i have been in denial, and on vacation, this day has finally arrived, and i am up and at 'em! packing the last of our things and sending them to our new apartment, which is on the upper west side of manhattan. it is a great neighborhood we with lots to do and see, plenty of running trails to explore, and no more riding the D train to get to work!!!!

i must confess, though, that i am sad to be leaving brooklyn. i love our dyker heights nabe, especially from halloween to easter when everyone decks out their house for all the holidays. christmas is the best here, and i will be coming back to visit the lights whenever i can.

i will also miss our wonderful neighbors that we have lived near these past three years. whoever moves in here next is going to be blessed and feel like part of special family. thanks meredith, especially, for the great person you are. we have loved living next to you, and you will be missed greatly (although we will get together in the city after work, so that makes me happy).

most of all, i will miss my first home i made with patrick. we have had wonderful memories of living in this apartment, filled with love, tears, and joy. it was a great first home for us, and i am sad to say goodbye to it.

but onward and upward we go...making new memories in our new place filled with new adventures and new missions for big apple beth!

so i am off to finish packing.

this is beth signing off.

mission: it has been great!

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mission: where have i been?

well a lot of places actually! my poor blog has gone to the wayside ever since i have been on a resume (and cover letter) rampage. looking for a social work job in this economy has been challenging, but i am still on it, ever pursuing a career.

ok so here is the whole kit in caboodle for you- a summary if you will to catch up where i have been and what i have done since going to gramercy tavern for my anniversary.

june

great adventure- patrick and i rode the rides and got some thrills at this six flags destination in jersey. it is a fun, family adventure although it lacks the disney charm. lots of big coasters are an attraction to the young adult crowd for sure. if you don't like waiting in lines when it's hot, the park is open until halloween!

the intrepid sea, air and space museum- awesome! located on 46th and 12th ave (pier 86) this landmark museum is a great place to take the kiddos here in nyc. there are lots of interactive exhibits and it is super fun to tour the submarine (the growler) and the intrepid to see how the navy has served on the high seas!

luna park and the wonder wheel at coney island- well if you can't make it to the jersey shore this summer, head down to stillwell ave where the subway dumps you right at the beach! ride the new amusements at the re-opened luna park and take a swinging trip around deno's famous wonder wheel! it is definitely a good time, and to avoid the lines get there around 11 a.m. when the park opens. oh! and don't forget to have your nathan's hotdog!

july

this month began with a trip to harbor island in south carolina. for a good 5 days, patrick and i enjoyed a wonderful family vacation. it was peaceful, relaxing, and patrick got some good golf in with his uncle dan at sea pines, located in hilton head. there was lots of family time, eating, and playing on our private beach!

destin- a florida panhandle resort paradise! with the frenzy over tar balls and oil leaks, this usually over crowded vacation spot was so fun. the water was surprisingly clear (until bonnie the storm brought some seaweed in her wake) and the beaches were still pristine. if you decide to head there and aren't scared of clean and empty beaches, go to mcguire's restaurant, located on highway 98 (the main road that goes through destin). it is a funky and fun place, and you can get a bowl of 18 cent soup. great irish pub fare and crafted beer with some interesting decor that will definitely keep the conversation going (there is over $900,000 of $1 bills stapled to the ceiling, walls, fans, and animal heads)!

this weekend lil' mommy (my mom) is coming to visit. we are going to see american idiot the musical and possibly visit the doughnut plant and american museum of natural history! should be a good one!

until then, this is beth signing off.

missions accomplished.

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