It was my birthday today, and I spent it alone. Most of the time, I simply felt astonished that I would be alone on such a special day. No matter what the circumstances were, it was shocking and unusual and frequently devastating. I spoke to my niece at length, who encouraged me to eat everything that was yummy and delicious, and of course there is so much to choose from in Manhattan, I was lured in all sorts of directions, and compelled to taste, mostly cold dishes, since it was sweltering in the 90's.
I started by sleeping in a little. Eric left early in the morning for the train to Providence and then the drive to Woods Hole. He had a big day teaching today, and I understood that it was a huge effort for him to drive and then take the train to NYC and then search for a birthday present for me. He played it safe and bought me Lululemon attire, which I am absolutely delighted with. He intimated that the search for a gift was strenuous and challenging, so I was doubly appreciative. I almost ignored the alarm and his movements and fell back asleep soon after his departure, which is unusual, because more often than not, I do not fall back asleep after being awoken. When I finally did open my eyes, I reminded myself that I was not obliged to do anything, so I stayed in bed to stretch, and then wandered over to the window to peek out at Times Square to my left. I decided this was the perfect place to start my exploration of New York City.
I did not rush however, and chose to be leisurely in my morning ritual. I read the paper naked, and then took my shower. I decided to read some more, and took breaks to dress, to pack, to brush my hair, but between each two minute task, I read again for a half hour, so that it was two ours later that I was finally ready to leave my hotel room and start my adventure. I kept reminding myself that this was my day, and I had no obligations.
Times Square was packed with tourists, and it was very hot. I plunged into the crowd to the Starbucks across the street, where I hoped to use the internet to make a plan for the day. I wanted to wander around the city, looking at neighbourhoods that felt welcoming and suitable for Maya and Eric and myself. There were no seats at the coffee shop. I wanted to linger, because I liked hearing all the different languages and conversations going on, but I sat outside near TKTS drinking my coffee and trying to decide what to do.
New York is too big, and there are too many choices to make.....I decided to spoil myself on my birthday and had my favourite Jamba Juice, and walked down Broadway breathing in the noise and the colours and the activity. There were a group of musicians named the 'Garbageband', who made their instruments out of garbage, and sounded rather remarkable. The Discovery Exhibit caught my attention, and I could not help but enter to see the 'Terracotta Warriors'. When I finished, I decided that it was time to be more serious about my apartment search. I wandered down Broadway, distracted by the hoards of people. On several occasions I was asked if I was from New York, perhaps for directions, I am not sure, but it made me feel as if I was a New Yorker, which I will be, but perhaps I am one already. I felt more comfortable in the area around NYU, which I had visited frequently when Tara attended Tisch. I liked Soho even more, but then crossed to the West Side. I decided that Maya would want to live in a quieter part of New York, and the West Village was quieter and more neighbourly.
Walking up 8th Avenue to the Lincoln Center felt very very long, but I wanted to get a taste of Central Park. Living near Lincoln Center would be wonderful; I would be at the opera every week, and nearby is my favourite movie theatre. I wanted to stop to see a film, but reminded myself that my agenda was to find an appartment. I asked at a real estate office about rentals, and was told that I would have to look in November for a January or February rental, so I made no appointments for today.
I was exhausted and my feet hurt. I could not say no to gelato when 'Groms' appeared before me. Pistachio, lemon granita and Italian yoghurt reminded me so much of Sicily and our time there last summer, I was in heaven, so much so I got gelato all over my white dress, which ruined my mood for a moment. I then realized that neither of my daughters had remembered my birthday. I had not had a bad day, and had enjoyed my wanderings, so I was surprised at my tears and my sadness.
It was time to go. The walk to my hotel on Times Square was a denouement. The bellman urged me to take a taxi to Penn Station, but I find taxis take longer in the crowds than my feet, so I slung my bag over my shoulder and hiked the 15 blocks to the train station, to arrive just in time to catch the 6:45 to BWI.
I accomplished what I had planned; I will start my apartment search in the West Village, perhaps Chelsea, or if there is something fantastic and affordable near the Lincoln Center (although Eric needs to be near the Path train to Newark, and the West Village is the perfect place for that). I have decided that since Maya will be in Ecuador til Feb, and will homeschool for the rest of grade 7, I will worry about schools later.
I finished my book in the train, and cried some more. I blame myself for bringing up children that forget their mother's birthday.
I started by sleeping in a little. Eric left early in the morning for the train to Providence and then the drive to Woods Hole. He had a big day teaching today, and I understood that it was a huge effort for him to drive and then take the train to NYC and then search for a birthday present for me. He played it safe and bought me Lululemon attire, which I am absolutely delighted with. He intimated that the search for a gift was strenuous and challenging, so I was doubly appreciative. I almost ignored the alarm and his movements and fell back asleep soon after his departure, which is unusual, because more often than not, I do not fall back asleep after being awoken. When I finally did open my eyes, I reminded myself that I was not obliged to do anything, so I stayed in bed to stretch, and then wandered over to the window to peek out at Times Square to my left. I decided this was the perfect place to start my exploration of New York City.
I did not rush however, and chose to be leisurely in my morning ritual. I read the paper naked, and then took my shower. I decided to read some more, and took breaks to dress, to pack, to brush my hair, but between each two minute task, I read again for a half hour, so that it was two ours later that I was finally ready to leave my hotel room and start my adventure. I kept reminding myself that this was my day, and I had no obligations.
Times Square was packed with tourists, and it was very hot. I plunged into the crowd to the Starbucks across the street, where I hoped to use the internet to make a plan for the day. I wanted to wander around the city, looking at neighbourhoods that felt welcoming and suitable for Maya and Eric and myself. There were no seats at the coffee shop. I wanted to linger, because I liked hearing all the different languages and conversations going on, but I sat outside near TKTS drinking my coffee and trying to decide what to do.
New York is too big, and there are too many choices to make.....I decided to spoil myself on my birthday and had my favourite Jamba Juice, and walked down Broadway breathing in the noise and the colours and the activity. There were a group of musicians named the 'Garbageband', who made their instruments out of garbage, and sounded rather remarkable. The Discovery Exhibit caught my attention, and I could not help but enter to see the 'Terracotta Warriors'. When I finished, I decided that it was time to be more serious about my apartment search. I wandered down Broadway, distracted by the hoards of people. On several occasions I was asked if I was from New York, perhaps for directions, I am not sure, but it made me feel as if I was a New Yorker, which I will be, but perhaps I am one already. I felt more comfortable in the area around NYU, which I had visited frequently when Tara attended Tisch. I liked Soho even more, but then crossed to the West Side. I decided that Maya would want to live in a quieter part of New York, and the West Village was quieter and more neighbourly.
Walking up 8th Avenue to the Lincoln Center felt very very long, but I wanted to get a taste of Central Park. Living near Lincoln Center would be wonderful; I would be at the opera every week, and nearby is my favourite movie theatre. I wanted to stop to see a film, but reminded myself that my agenda was to find an appartment. I asked at a real estate office about rentals, and was told that I would have to look in November for a January or February rental, so I made no appointments for today.
I was exhausted and my feet hurt. I could not say no to gelato when 'Groms' appeared before me. Pistachio, lemon granita and Italian yoghurt reminded me so much of Sicily and our time there last summer, I was in heaven, so much so I got gelato all over my white dress, which ruined my mood for a moment. I then realized that neither of my daughters had remembered my birthday. I had not had a bad day, and had enjoyed my wanderings, so I was surprised at my tears and my sadness.
It was time to go. The walk to my hotel on Times Square was a denouement. The bellman urged me to take a taxi to Penn Station, but I find taxis take longer in the crowds than my feet, so I slung my bag over my shoulder and hiked the 15 blocks to the train station, to arrive just in time to catch the 6:45 to BWI.
I accomplished what I had planned; I will start my apartment search in the West Village, perhaps Chelsea, or if there is something fantastic and affordable near the Lincoln Center (although Eric needs to be near the Path train to Newark, and the West Village is the perfect place for that). I have decided that since Maya will be in Ecuador til Feb, and will homeschool for the rest of grade 7, I will worry about schools later.
I finished my book in the train, and cried some more. I blame myself for bringing up children that forget their mother's birthday.
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