Battery Park & Ground Zero. Check.

Our lovely friend Mary Elizabeth was kind enough to spend her Sunday afternoon showing Alivia and I around the area in which she lives. I've never been to Battery Park City so I was excited to experience and new part of The City. We met M.E. [Mary Elizabeth for sort] and her wonderful parents in the Financial Building. It reminded me of a mall. However there were palm trees in it! Definitely not like any mall that I've been to before. It was nice to sit and chat over coffee about dance, New York, Ailey, Dean and friends while overlooking the Hudson River through a gigantic glass window.

 Once we finished our yummy snacks and coffee/tea, we headed up the beautiful staircase [pictured above] for the "best view of Ground Zero" according to M.E. And it was definitely something to see. She told us her story of September 11th [she has lived in the Battery Park area since she was young] and how her father and brother were in the area that day. Luckily, for reasons unknown, both of them avoiding entering the buildings that morning.

I'm sure there are millions of stories just like hers in which loved ones mysteriously avoided the horrific day.

Battery Park City is such a fantastic area. It seems like it doesn't exist in the same place that the smelly, muggy, smoky, rude-pushing area that we are used to, does. It's open, beautiful and surprisingly clean feeling. I loved walking along the water, feeling the breeze and smelling the salt which I have missed dearly this past month.

[Across the river is Hoboken, NJ]

I like this picture. For two reasons!

[Below: Irish Memorial]

[Below: A park that M.E. really enjoys with neat sculptures!]

After the three of us were practically melting, M.E. took us back to her apartment. Holy Cow. When she said she loved the view, she wasn't kidding. From their 22nd floor apartment [which is beautifully and simply decorated] you see Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, New Jersey as well as the numerous cruise ships that pass through the Hudson daily. I could have stared out that window all day! But we didn't. It was so kind and lovely of her and her parents to invite us into their home. Not only that but her father convinced us to go to dinner with them and was not going to take no for an answer.

 [View from the dock]

 [The Statue of Liberty is the tiny stick in the center of the photo. Just in case you were wondering.]

 We had such a nice Sunday with Mary Elizabeth and her family. I'm going to miss not seeing her everyday at school : (

***

Today was a very sad day at The Ailey School. Denise Jefferson, the director of The Ailey School passed away on Saturday evening from her long battle with ovarian cancer. She will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her. Her dedication, love, determination and willingness to educate her dancers will continue to flow through the studios at Ailey as well as through the bodies of dancers around the world.

Rest in Peace Ms. Jefferson.

Click here to read a lovely article in memory of Ms. Jefferson.

***

In response to those who were wondering..

the pastries from Carlo's Bake Shop were probably as you imagined.

Absolutely Amazing!

I might convince the boyfriend to take us when he comes next weekend ; )

***

Oh! Please let me know if you would like to attend our Summer Sizzler show! I have four reserved tickets for the show on Friday, July 30th at 4:30 pm. I will lose them if I don't buy them by this Wednesday!

Ok. Alright. I'm done for real now.

Wow I didn't realize how many asterixs I was using.

I apologize.