New York: Day 2

Our itinerary for Day 2 was as follows:-

Martha Stewart – Macy’s – Empire State Building

After spending half a day at Martha’s studio recording, we decided to go on foot and explore the area around 28th St for a bit before heading to our next destination. We had lunch at McDonalds (I know you might think, ‘All the way to the States and they have McDonalds??’ But hey, we have to make comparisons between McDonalds Malaysia, Australia and New York ok?) :) Our conclusion, McDonalds in the States does taste better. Then we decided to head to a shopping institution here in US, Macys.

I was only wowed by one factor in this shopping centre. Everything else was just like any other departmental store. I was awed by their escalators!


In this day and age, I have only ever seen escalators made of steel/metal. I’m talking about the standard black, silver and white ones. At Macy’s top few floors, the escalators are made of wood!




Think about all the work someone had to put in to make each and every groove on each and every step to fit into the joints of the top step. Each groove the same depth and width as the one before. Gosh... I was so in awe of the handiwork. Maybe the amount of work that goes into making these are not as detailed as I envision it to be, but it sure looks like a very time consuming job!

We headed to the Empire State Building next. Had to experience ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ you know.. :) To reach the top we had to go through row upon row of red rope queue lines. It was a good thing there were only a handful of people there that day. It would be an absolute nightmare if it was jam packed. Can you imagine having to move a step at a time while waiting to get in through at least 4 rooms of zigzag-ing red queue lines? We walked through each room weaving our way through the maze of red lines completely thankful that there was no queue.

Crazy maze of red rope - There were 4 of these massive rooms


Image of the buildng set in marble

Image of the building set in glass, stone and tiny reflective tiles

We saw a video of the history while waiting to ride the lift up to the 86th floor

Alex up on the observation deck

Snow on the ledge of the building

We took the lift to the 80th floor and queued again to wait for a separate lift to take us to the 86th floor. Once we were there, it was a quite a fight to ignore the blinding cold. But it was worth it. It was absolutely beautiful to be up top with light snow falling down on us. Although visibility was reduced to ~3 miles, we could still make out the shape of the Chrysler Building, Brooklyn Bridge and Macy’s.

Macy's and the queue of yellow cabs outside the store

The pinnacle of the Empire State Building

The Chrysler building through the icy sky

This was me pretending to play with the snow off the ledge before hitting Alex with it

25 cents to look for a view through the lens


End of a nice day

Another landmark of New York done

cheryl

Blog Delay

Blogger (where this blog is hosted) is having problems with pictures getting uploaded into the web. We have tried for the past 3 nights but to no avail. Hopefully they get it up soon... We have so many pictures and so much to tell!

Come back and check periodically... I think this should be resolved soon.


cheryl

New York: Martha Stewart's Show

We managed to score tickets to Martha Stewarts Show! We were really excited to get them because there are only a limited amount each day and although we could have rocked up that morning to be put on a standby list, that would not have guaranteed us a spot. Our tickets did. Alex got the tickets about a month before our trip. On top of being able to be on a live recording of the Martha show, the audience usually gets freebies too. Talk about two bonuses in one! Guess what we got? :)

We started queue-ing up under the striped awning of Martha's studio at 8.30am. It was cold but worth it. The staff were very efficient in coordinating our movements.. you know how it is, first timers on a live tv show, all really excited and not knowing what to expect. I suppose they are very very experienced having do this every morning for the daily recording of the show.

Alex at the queue lines

Our ticket for Jan 19, Number 49 & 50

We were first shown into a room to get our numbered/sectioned sitting, followed by a security check under a metal detector. They then took our coats, gave us numbers to recollect them after the show and gave us a release form to sign. After that we were asked to take a seat in another room while waiting for our next instructions.

Joey Kola, Martha's warm up guy was our prepper for the morning. He was really energetic, lively and definitely knew how to get the crowd excited. He gave us directions on how to clap ( to fade out rather than end abruptly) how to Oooh, ahhh and how to Yummmm.... :) It was all really funny. He has a great sense of humour. Definitely the right person to set up a mood for an event.

Joey doing the prep talk

Soon we were sheperded into the recording studio. And boy, did everyone go "Wow..."

It was my first time seeing that many video cameras and lights. Take a look at the number on the ceiling. And this only 1/7 shot of the ceiling!



The studio was brightly lit and the atmosphere in there was definitely electric with all the staff running around doing their job preparing the place, the food, the videos, the script, the placards..etc

One of the staff writing on her run sheet

Behind me, bedroom set up for the show

The show was divided into 7 segments and after every segment was a commercial break. We would cut back in after the commercial and its quite amazing to see all the work that goes into producing a 1 hour tv show.

Martha answering questions from the audience after the live show

Joey bringing the mic to the person with the question

Also being on the show thought us a few things about the tv business. Remember how we said we were really glad to be able to score the tickets? And if you noticed, with live tv shows, the camera sometimes cuts to the crowd? Well..... it turns out, some 'Manhattan ladies' (the quotation marks here imply young, pretty, made up, hip) were invited to attend the Martha show and were lured in with the promise of sitting up front and being given freebies. We know this because we heard the girls gossiping among themselves as they waited to go in. I managed to get some shots of the pretty ladies. Sorry my shots don't do much justice cos I didn't have the flash on. Shaky hand syndrome.

How is that?? Well obviously the cameras needed to show a 'cool' crowd and probably make the show to look like it has a younger following that it really does. I guess housewife, simple dresser types don't sell a show.

So yes, if you ever watch live tv shows and caught sight of some really pretty ladies in the crowd, chances are... they probably didn't really want to be there. Just there for the free stuff.

Oh and there were other men there too. Alex wasn't the only one :) Although I must say half of the others looked kinda gay... hehe.

Anyway, we enjoyed ourselves. I like the experience of being in a live recording. Coordinated clapping, oohing, ahhing, yumming is not a difficult thing to do especially when we are paid in gifts!

So what did we get? Well..

1. Breville Juicer Fountain Plus - Valued at USD149.99 (we checked it out at the website!)

2. Estee Lauder Limited Edition Inauguration Pressed Powder

3. Estee Lauder Signature Powder Blush

4. Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick

5. Estee Lauder Sumptuos Mascara

And last but not least, Barack Obama trading cards!

Apparently as soon as the Obama's choose their family dog, we can send in our ticket to get those trading cards too!

:)

We took a photo with Joey after the show

It's great to experience a live tv recording is it not? Remember to try go for one if you ever visit New York or LA. Shows are mainly recorded in LA. New York has a limited selection.

This trip has really been full of first experiences for me..

cheryl

Obama To The Left, Obama To The Right

Ever since we arrived in the States, the name Obama has been on every lip, around every street corner, in every restaurant and on tv round the clock on the US news channels.

Have you heard of the song by the Ron Clark Academy students titled "You Can Vote However You Like"? Well if you haven't, go have a listen. The kids are wonderfully spontaneous, unpretentious and just really enjoying themselves while singing the song that you can't help but enjoy the song too.

So there is a line in the song that goes Obama to the left, McCain to the right... well right here and right now, it feels a lot like Obama to the left, Obama to the right. Its Obamadom~! Since we got here I have heard the word inauguration so many times, I even hear it in my sleep!

Complains aside, excitement is really in the air for this special day when Obama begins his term in the White House. As we flew into New York, a man on the plane yelled, "How many of you are going for the inauguration? YEAHHHH!!"

Here are some of the pictures from the inauguration in Washington.

Pastor Rick Warren did the opening prayer (Rick Warren of Purpose Driven Life)

Joe Biden - Vice President being sworn in

Barack Hussein Obama -44th President being sworn in

With Michelle Obama

The 21 cannon salute

Obama giving his speech

There are high hopes and high expectations for this new president. With Gods grace, we pray he is given the wisdom and humility to run this country the way God would have it.

cheryl

New York, New York!

After a gruelling 10 hour lay over and 5 hour flight, we finally arrived in the city that never sleeps. New York! Can you believe we went a total of 48 hours without proper sleep? Thats a crazy 2 days! Imagine the grumpi-ness Alex had to put up with, with me. Heh heh. Friends who know me know I don't function best without my regular 8 hours of sleep. 6 hours is pushing my limits.

Our experience in New York began when we got into a shuttle for our hotel. It so happens our driver was an ex-cop named Collis. He and Alex struck up a pretty good conversation. He gave us some tips about getting around New York and I take it he took a liking to Alex. I could not keep my eyes open and was nodding off in the shuttle. The shuttle ride took ~40minutes from JFK to Manhattan.


We arrived at our hotel The Wellington and unfortunately was told that all their rooms were full. (At that time I kinda felt like Joseph and Mary - but with me not pregnant of course! - being so tired and not finding a room at the inn) None of their guests had checked out yet and we were told to leave our bags with the bell boy, go for a stroll down Broadway and return later for our room. At this point Alex had to literrally drag me out because I was so tired. :) I got my second wind an hour later though and that helped get me through the following 3 hours.


When we first walked out of the hotel doors, two words came to me. ICE. COLD. But surprisingly it wasn't a complete shocker and I think it was because I have gotten used to the cold in Canberra as well. And NY is just several degrees below Canberra, plus snow.


SNOW! I love snow! Its my first taste of snow and I love it! We had light showers of snow and it is expected to continue over the next two days. There is something really romantic about walking under a light fall of snow, exploring an unknown city, taking in new lights and sounds. Little white specks floating down from the sky is a beautiful sight. I got so excited just seeing the flakes land on my gloves. Snow flakes really have unique shapes and none are the same! Such complicated and minute designs yet they are symmetrical too! So happy... I could just stand and admire each one that falls on me.




So after being 'kicked' out of the hotel, we walked down Broadway towards Times Square. We decided to kill time at the M&M shop. Honestly, I have never been a fan of M&M memorabilia until I walked into this shop. I actually had fun! It was 3 shop floors of everything M!







Check out the many colors of M&M's and the massive dispensing machines! M&Mania!




There was a M&M mood machine in the store and when you stand under it, it will start scanning you and telling you what color M&M you are. Funnily enough, it was actually quite accurate!


M&M to Alex: I think this one has a nutty center! Your M&M is.. PEANUT BUTTER! You are a nutty character..

M&M to Me: I think this one is a little low on M... Your M&M is.. DARK BLUE! You take things pretty seriously but you can also be seriously silly too! (Is this so me or what?)

After that, we headed back to the hotel and got our room. We hit the bed as soon as we got in and had a 3 hour slumber so we would have enough energy to roam the city at night. Later that night we walked to the Apple shop which was located across the street from The Plaza Hotel. The hotel was gorgeous. So regal. So Home Alone. So Bride Wars.. :)


The Apple shop was impressive. Huge space. Many staff on hand dressed in bright light blue to give anyone in need a hand. And all the showpieces worked! For once I actually enjoyed walking into a tech showroom. I loved the atmosphere in the place. The Apple Shop is 24 hours! We fiddled around with the iPhones, iTouch and the iMac. Took some pics on the iMac to send through email to our parents too.

I love, love, love New York. We are already planning our return when we have yet to leave the city! There is only one thing that irks me here. It is the constant stench of petrol/diesel fumes and cigarette smoke. I hate that. Gives me a headache. But other than that, the dirt in this city is not something I'm unfamiliar with and I like night buzz of the place. Maybe its winter that takes the ick away from this place. I guess we'll have to return during warmer weather to see if we feel any different.

I suppose some of you are thinking its odd that I'm blogging during the honeymoon but you see, I tend to forget things really quickly. So me blogging enables me to these experiences down in words while the memories are still fresh. My memory kinda self deletes after 48 hours to make room for new memories :) Part of age catching up I guess.

I have more exciting things to blog but its 12am now. I gotta get my nights rest to fight the chill again tomorrow!

Till later..

cheryl