Last week I had a Clinical Director's meeting at our corporate office in Parsipanny, New Jersey. Mary Marquardt, our nurse practitioner, also traveled with me so that she could interview for a more full-time position. We left early Monday morning and flew into Newark, NJ. The traveling went seamlessly and we even chatted with a man who told us about a great beach in NJ that we needed to visit. We stopped here while we were driving around trying to find Point Pleasant Beach:
The boardwalk leading to Point Pleasant Beach:
Everything was so cute! It looked like a scene right out of a movie. :)
The Jersey Shore
Later that evening we headed to the town where our corporate office is and ate dinner. The next day I had meetings all day, and that night we went out to dinner at an amazing Italian restaurant called Casa Bella. Here we are with the clinical directors from Myrtle Beach, SC, Lincoln, NB, and The Woodlands.
Compassionate Care Hospice in Parsipanny
I had meetings until 4pm on Wednesday. Mary and I were counting down the seconds because we had a crazy evening planned. When 4pm rolled around we jumped in the rental car and returned it to the airport, then got on a train with ALL of our luggage and rode into Penn Station in the middle of New York City. We got there just after five and I have never seen so many people in my life! {I'm sure that totally sounded like "country come to town"--- but seriously!!!} We fought the crowds up the escalators and ended up at Madison Square Gardens where we caught a cab to our hotel.
After checking in at our hotel we grabbed a quick bite to eat and then headed to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. It was A. MAZ. ING. Really. I don't know of any other way to describe it. We had great seats and I enjoyed every second of it.
After the show we walked through Times Square. It reminded me a lot of Las Vegas with all of the lights and craziness. Several of the stores stay open every night until 4am.
Thursday morning we were exhausted up early to catch Good Morning America. I am a huge fan and listen to/watch GMA every morning while I'm getting ready for work.
Sam Champion learning to ride a bike-thing they were talking about on the show that morning.
Josh
The screen that showed what was being broadcasted live.
We were a little bit late getting there- but somehow I was able to walk right up to the front. Then I heard one of the producers say "They're all about to come down. The anchors are headed this way." I could not believe it when I saw ALL of them, and I was standing right next to them in the front. I could see the screen that was showing what was being shown on tv to my left, and the camera was to my right. I didn't expect to be on camera for so long, so I didn't know what to do. It was really weird. I kept looking at the screen, then at the camera, then waving, and repeating. Jason texted me shortly after and told me that I looked really nervous! It was weird- in a fun way. :)
My Grandma called me and told me that she saw me, and my mother-in-law recorded it. So much fun!
Ellen Pompeo was also there that day! She seems to be really sweet!
Next we met up with Clayton Jones. We grew up in the same town and went to the same church. Our families were really close and I haven't really seen him in several years. I still picture him as a ten year old. :) He is in New York going to theater school. We got to see his school including several classrooms and met a few of the people there. I can't wait to go watch him on Broadway one day! He was a gracious host and even helped us get a deal on the double-decker bus tour tickets. It was so good to see him.
The rest of that afternoon we spent doing touristy stuff.
The Empire State Building
A tree on the roof of a VERY tall building???
Ground Zero Memorial-- tiles painted by inner city school kids.
Ground Zero
China Town
A beautiful park (look at those tulips!).
The Wall Street Bull
This globe was part of the twin towers and is now located in Battery Park. They are planning on it being a part of the new building that will stand in the place of the World Trade Center.
The Statue of Liberty
The Brooklyn Bridge
This was a huge dog that was just sitting on top of an apartment building watching everyone as they hurried by.
Thursday evening we ate dinner with Mary's nephew who lives in Brooklyn and works in the city. It was fun to {again} be with a "local" who knew exactly where to go and what to do.
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Clayton said I had to try Crumbs cupcakes. I didn't actually get any in the city, but I did get this whole sampler pack in the airport and brought them home. They were delicious!
I had a great time but was so ready to get home to my boys on Friday afternoon. I missed them SOOOOO much!
What a whirlwind!
Thanks Compassionate Care Hospice!
What a whirlwind!
Thanks Compassionate Care Hospice!
