R.I.P. iPhone

Well I did it. I made it into a NYPD car! Wish it had been under better circumstances, but at least there were no handcuffs involved.

My iPhone and I parted ways on Saturday night on the N train. I was sitting by the door, a big "no no" I am told, and this little hooligan just snatched it right out of my hand. By the time I realized what was happening, I was flying down the stairs after him and chasing him down the street. About that time, my little brain said, "Katie, what are you doing?" You won't catch him and if you do...then what? I think I even shouted some harsh phrase like, "Hey, give that back!" I am a pretty intimidating Texan, but even I have limits.

   After the defeat set in, I toddled back to the 36th street station and informed the poor MTA attendant of my sad story. He called the police, I watched many sketchy folk enter and exit the subway station, and then I drove around with the police for half an hour searching for my perpetrator. Shockingly, it was raining and we never found him, and the police sent me home with some subway safety tips. I continually apologized to them for taking up their valuable time looking for a phone. I felt so silly!

There has been a 40% increase in crime surrounding Apple products on the subway in NYC lately. There was even a news story about it on Sunday. Almost famous. I am thankful that the kid just ran off with it, and that was all that happened. I have Pat's 3G until January when I can get an upgrade and not pay one-million dollars. Be careful out there friends! It's a dangerous place for an Apple.

All About Astoria

After a full two months in my new borough, I am feeling quite well aquatinted with Astoria. I am not an expert yet, but I have definitely gotten a handle on the local vibe.

I was a bit nervous to leave my comfortable spot in Manhattan. However I very much like Astoria. It's quieter, filled with just the right proportion of families and hipsters, and has a lot of character. Groceries are less expensive, there is no sight or sound of rats, and less waiting in line for a table on a Friday night. Pat and I have some sweet friends here, and I am starting to feel like I am part of this new community.

Some of my favorite things are the Fresh Start Market where I pick up my CSA veggies each week, the train being above ground so I can see the world instead of feeling like a mole, the view from Astoria park (pictured above), and all the new food spots to try out. The ever present gaggle of Greek grandpas is also a highlight. They are everywhere. They're on benches and sitting outside shops in chairs just watching the world go by. One can't help but adore them!

I am sure I will have much more to report on this cute new borough in the future! Stay tuned...

America the Beautiful

America the Beautiful

At the beginning of August, Pat and I set out on a whirlwind cross country trip. His parents have a retirement home in Tucson, AZ, and needed a car brought out for the future. We happily volunteered. It was such a fabulous trip, but I haven't sat down to write about it until now. This immediacy could be spurred on by the fact that I start school tomorrow. Alas, it had to happen sometime. No whining here. 

Anyhow, here was our route: Boston to Niagara Falls to Cleveland to Chicago to St. Louis to OKC to Amarillo to Santa Fe/Albuquerque to Tucson. Just under 3500 miles!

We loved seeing the USA from the car! Each morning we would set out for our next destination and read up in the car about what to do there. We stayed with friends some places, like Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, Albuquerque, and of course Amarillo with my family. Other places, we would just drive and find a hotel. Some of our sightseeing highlights included: Niagara Falls (STUNNING), the Sears Tower, the St. Louis Arch, Lincoln's Tomb, the Mississippi River, the play "Texas" in Palo Duro Canyon, and the Miraculous Staircase. In addition to the sights was the food. Our journey began at a delicious BBQ with Pat's friends from college. Then we ate at Wegmans, a Chicago dog at the Sox Game, BBQ at Piggy Pats, custard in St. Louis, Lola in Cleveland, Mama Thamer's cooking, lunch at the Shed in Santa Fe, Mrs. Pierce's brownies, and lots of Mexican food in Arizona. Such great eating adventures! We also got to stop and buy green chiles in Hatch, New Mexico which I have always wanted to do. They are sitting in my freezer as we speak.

The trip was great for Pat and I too. We didn't have any, "Am I going to have to pull this car over?" moments. Pat killed a giant grasshopper that jumped onto my leg while I was driving. Heroic in my book! We listened to books, music, radio, bad radio, and the wind in our hair from the Jeep. We thanked God for our GPS and iPhones that helped us immensely. Those may be the two things that kept our trip so smooth. All in all, a fabulous experience. If you have the chance to drive cross country, do it! It makes you appreciate the open road, the diversity of our country, and the people on the journey with you.