I have been going through my photos to see what I wanted to post on my blog as a NYC trip recap. I have way too many photos, even while I was being really picky. So I’ll post highlights (mainly Finnegan’s NYC report) and then when I have the time/energy I’ll upload the lot to my google album and let you know when they are up. Because really? I am exhausted. Also, I missed the internet. *snuggles internet*

This was our room at the Paramount Hotel right in Times Square. As you can see Finnegan headed straight for bed since our train got in 2 hours late and it was a 13 hour train ride. I was tired, hungry and tired. My roommates were out at dinner so I didn’t get to meet them until sometime after 11pm! (I loved both of them and I was so happy that we were rooming together!)

Next morning – Finnegan does Times Square. I didn’t take a lot of photos because, to be honest, I didn’t care. It’s all flashing lights and advertising and while it’s a sight to see I found it loud and obnoxious.

(click to enlarge) Because I always like to be ready for the end of the world, I made sure I visited the New York Public Library with Finnegan. I know from watching the movies that if you run up to the top floor of this library you will be saved from the destruction of the earth when the weather gets angry. Close the windows and doors and put a few books on the fire and you’re the only survivors in the world. Mind you, these steps, although pretty and marble were MANY and I don’t think I could have run up them even if my life depended on it. As it was my friend Kristi and I were huffing and puffing after a while. Finnegan made friends with the lions who guard the library.

Since we were getting lost in the library we decided the safest thing was to just see the original Winnie the Pooh characters and then leave. So we did. Here they are!

It was touch-and-go there for a while when Finnegan found himself in the trap for Heffalumps. But I helped him escape!

Finnegan also go to hob-nob with awesome authors, like Melissa Walker here (with whom we, me, Kristi and Finnegan had lunch). We ate at the Cornelia Street Cafe.

Finnegan also got to meet Michelle Zink, a fabulous woman who writes an amazing young adult series and with whom I wish I could have had more time to visit. This was only the first day in NYC and he’d already lost his I HEART NY sticker.

Later in the week Finnegan got to hang out with author Lauren Mechling, who like me, is half-Canadian half-American. We went to Sullivan Street Bakery, a tiny hole in the wall place with amazing bread.

Finnegan helped me survive the subways. He looked out for me. Can I just say – AIR CONDITIONED TRAINS. Why can’t Montreal get the hang of that? Really?

At the American Museum of Natural History, Finnegan tried to moderate a pending argument between the Pilgrims and the Natives. Always one for wanting peace that Finnegan. (click to enlarge)

He also tried to protect me from the scary sharks that were flying around over head. Why is that a good idea I ask? WHY??

Finnegan might have gotten into a couple of pickles while exploring the museum. He needs to be watched at all times.

Finnegan also tried to save this baby seal from the polar bear, but it was too late. Poor little seal.

Finnegan was all proud that he found some of Annie’s long lost relatives. I was trying to explain to him that she’s a Finnish Lapphund and not a walrus, but then he countered with this:

ANNIE WALRUS!! I gave up arguing at that point because I think he was on to something.

Little do people know, this is where Finnegan was born. He’s as rare as a pearl, my ephalent.

There are many more photos, I went crazy taking them at the museum, but hardly took any during the Book Expo I was at Wed/Thurs. My thoughts on New York? I liked it. Not so much Times Square with all its billions of people, but I liked the subways, the streets, the way the city is laid out in a grid. I liked the Village (got lost there), the West Village, Chelsea. Things are easy to get to and it’s not a huge walk if you’re already used to big city living. I had one person tell me “oh you’re so far away, get a cab” when I was accidentally directed to the wrong street and I felt like a fool standing there with my arm out hailing a cab so I walked. It was MAYBE 10 minutes tops from where I was. Take a cab? That would have seemed so embarrassing.

(And really, WHAT SANE PERSON puts a Greenwich STREET and a Greenwich AVE within 7 block of each other in the SAME AREA? Fools!)

I had the best days on Monday and Tuesday when I was just wandering the city with friends. We never made it to The Strand because we got lost and once we hit water I figured we’d gone too far. Oh, and it was FLEET WEEK! And there were men and women (but mostly I saw only men) in uniform all over the place! Navy soldiers from all over (I think, because I saw Canadians and Americans but didn’t notice anyone else).

I got called the Punk Rock Chick of BEA (book expo) by some publisher guys in a booth I was walking past (I do have ears, you know. The purple in my hair doesn’t act as ear plugs). I got told I could pass as dangerous (really?!? ME?!) and one of the highlights of my week was having dinner with my cousin Pamela on Friday night. We’d only met once before for maybe 5 minutes when I was somewhere between 17-19 and I was so excited to talk to her and discuss our family history that we each had different stories of.

Street food is great, but it makes the streets smell.

I felt like I belonged there. I felt at home and not at all nervous or scared. I think living in Montreal prepares you for NYC although the sheer number of people is amazing. Mostly all English speaking as well. I loved that part.

So that was my trip. I’ll get my photos up and organized and post the link when they are. Also my street is INSANE with huge machinery on it and our water is coming from a hose. Shawn took a bunch of photos with his phone while I was away and I took some this morning, so I’ll have more destruction information for you all. (and I do mean DESTRUCTION at this point. Wowza!)

I am home. I missed my husband, I missed my dogs, I missed my parents. I liked the bed better in the hotel than mine at home and I didn’t miss work one bit (just my coworkers!). I might need to sleep for a few weeks to recover.