Bytes from the Big Apple

Greetings from New York City! Apologies if it's messed up - I copied the HTML from my Blogger editor and this is really too big for me to edit, I'm so sleepy. But hope you enjoy, if only just the pictures.... I wrote this days ago, I know. But my time has mostly been taken since then on finding an apartment share, trying to open an account which I can't do until I change my driver's license, and calling my dad to beg for encouragement and $ if I need it....*ahem* SO here goes: Get a cup of tea and put your feet up for this one, it's a saga! ******************************************************************** The Big Move Where to start..............I arrived on the afternoon of Thursday the 29th after the easiest flight I have ever taken. On departure, there were no emotions at all - in fact, I fell asleep during taxi and was sort of awake during take-off. My neighbor was an amiable old fellow originally from Armenia and he and I got along splendidly. Parkchester, where I am staying with my cousin for now ********************************************************** The Shopping Day Friday I went to Macy's and got my 11% discount visitor card good for 5 days from issue (note well, in case you need it: go to the Visitor Center upstairs, show them your passport or out of state driver's license and they'll hand it over no problem). Bought a couple of Givenchy necklaces, one gold and crystal choker and one short necklace studded with brown Swarovski crystals - this latter I wore at the wedding. I also satisfied my usual desire for Ralph Lauren clothing. I don't need Macy's for anything else really, not if I can always go to Filene's Basement. More on that another time. The Empire State Building at night ******************************************************************** Staying Downtown It is warm and summery here now, and by Saturday I was already slimming down and feeling energetic and healthy. My hair is soft, my skin is soft, my lung capacity is greater, no aches and pains, and no black soot in my nostrils. Approaching Grand Central Station, the shiny Hyatt, and the Chrysler building, along 42nd Street Saturday afternoon I checked in at the Park Lane Grand Hyatt at Grand Central, a rather nice establishment I must say. Got my room on the 25th floor. That, I must say, is a very comfy bed There were more toiletries than I could shake a stick at all over the bathroom A room with a view...of 42nd Street and Grand Central My black slippers from London no longer fit in the warm weather, so I had to run out to buy a pair in the afternoon. I was heading in the general direction of Macy's when across the road on Madison Avenue I spotted a swanky looking Payless Shoe Source, it's amazing the nice places that utilitarian shoe store pops up. You get great looking shoes, pretty good quality, for peanuts. So $24.99 (for shoes, no tax under $100) gave me black patent peep toe kitten heels. Here is my outfit for the dinner: As I walked down the street feeling very SATC, some old guy commented as he passed me, "Nice lady...", in all a very New York moment. The intimate pre-wedding-day dinner for select family and friends was held at a brasserie on E 45th which serves "little plates" and my favorite thing to do is make a smorgasbord. As I was not very hungry, I had two lobster and artichoke spring rolls, and a plate of calamari washed down with sangria, and my dessert was puff pastry with whipped cream and raspberry coulis. The restaurant started us out with flutes of champagne and finished us off with tiny glasses of sweet muscat dessert wine. Whitney and I met Denise on study abroad 8 years ago. This day was a lovely reunion and Denise put us next to her for the evening. We also received the delicate gold earrings we would all wear on the big day. With Denise Denise and her little brother Daniel, who graduated from Yale last week, and she just got her PhD from Fordham. Busy week for the family. It rained that night, and for the 3 blocks back to the hotel, I walked in it, enjoying the warm air and the warm droplets on my skin and the warm water in my shoes... **************************************************************** HEAR YE, HEAR YE Denise and Clif's BIG DAY Now get ready, here is the real point of this post: Apologies for the blurriness of the pics from the wedding. Whit's parents took charge of my camera and as I forgot to change it from video to photo, her mom actually took a series of videos lasting a few seconds each, so the pictures below are screen captures I made the other day! Never ask a mother to use a camera. Refreshing ourselves after a long photo session all over the Yale Club, we are in a meeting room on the 18th floor to witness the signing of the Ketubah, the traditional marriage contract The rabbi from the home congregation in Houston tells the story of how Jacob fell in love with Rachel. Her father made Jacob work for him seven years to win her. At the end of the seven years, Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah (because women wore so many coverings back then), so he was forced to work for another seven years before getting Rachel. The Ketubah was originated to avoid substitutions and the bride remains uncovered. Before signing, the bride and groom place their hand on a white cloth to signify their agreement to marry, the groom verifies that this is indeed the woman he wishes to marry, and the contract is signed. The Ketubah is written in Aramaic. The rabbi, a witness, the best man, bride and groom all sign. This one was a pretty Marc Chagall-esque design with a floating wedding couple at the top and it will be displayed proudly in their new home. The Chuppah (huppa) in the great hall. It is open on all four sides to symbolize the new home that Clif and Denise will create to welcome family and friends. The rabbi also mentioned something about the Western Wall in Jerusalem where the spirit of G-d (Shekinah) circulates. Groomsmen would stand on one side, opposite the bridesmaids. I stood...in heels... The bride enters with her parents The back of her sweet little gown The ceremony lasted about 45 minutes and included beautiful prayers, scriptures and songs all sung by a cantor, exchange of vows and rings, drinking of wine, joint wearing of a talit (prayer shawl), and the lighting of candles. Denise received a little mezuzah to place on the doorpost of their home. (A small receptacle containing a written verse from the Torah which begins the Shema prayer: Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One.) Clif stepped on the glass, which symbolizes the destruction of the Temple, "a reminder of losses during our time of joy" and everyone shouted MAZEL TOV while he swept his bride into a joyous kiss! After the ceremony we adjourned to the roof terrace for a cocktail reception where Whit and I ran into Mike the best man and Tony, two of Clif's friends from Yale. Then we went down to the 22nd floor for: Dinner and Dancing in the Ballroom (where I regained control of my camera!): The blushing bride dances with her daddy The music was excellent. There was a klezmer band and bride, groom, mothers, fathers, were hoisted up on chairs. We did the big circular dance. I love dancing like this. I rarely ever dance, but I was up for nearly every one during the entire reception. There was the Twist, and by the end we even did a square dance to the Yellow Rose of Texas. Denise had actually assigned us to the table with Mike and Tony so it was a good thing we'd already met. Whit danced with Mike and I danced with Tony. We had a blast! The Menu Following the cutting of the challah loaf by the bride's mother, we had: 1) Wild Mushroom Ravioli in a mushroom broth topped with goat cheese 2) Poached Bosc Pear Salad with mandarin slices, a wedge of cambazolla cheese and champagne vinaigrette dressing 3) Choice of Entree: Roasted Chilean Sea Bass on a mushroom, asparagus, fennel risotto (I chose this) OR Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa on grilled vegetables and roast red potatoes 4) Alternating desserts: Espresso Cup with mocha mousse OR Strawberry Carousel with a chocolate shot and white chocolate mousse (this one I was given) 5) Wedding Cake - red velvet cake (southern recipe) with mascarpone mousse filling 6) Coffee and Tea The cup is actually made of chocolate! Behind this I had a little chocolate shot cup - made of chocolate - for pouring Denise made the ultimate glowing bride. I love her even more now, she is so adorable. Whitney and I are extremely chuffed that our little Denise is married. Clif is in the background with his mother-in-law. Sorry I couldn't get both of them pinned down. She is in a dress of Spanish design. We bridesmaids wore J.Crew (v. preppy, so it can be reworn on a weekend in the Hamptons, I suppose). After the reception, Tony gave me a tour of Grand Central station from inside. Back in my room I got a bit artistic with things. My bouquet on the windowsill of my room with the night view behind. Good night New York

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