New York - Chelsea Market

The four of us, Emily, Erica, Hannah, and I, woke up slowly today. This was a different New York today  for them than it was for me. They wanted to see some of the tourist sights and I was going to hang out with the guy, Justin, we met at Starbucks a couple of nights before.

Now, before you think I'm completely crazy, I just want to let you know we made plans to meet in a crowded, very public area. :) No Law and Order scene for me, thank you very much.

I wanted to see something different in New York that wasn't going to be a huge tourist trap. Justin suggested the Chelsea Market. We met up at a Rite Aid at the corner of a subway entrance. I thought to myself, What a weird day. I'm about to hang out with someone I don't know. We could have absolutely tons to talk about... or nothing at all. 

It wasn't a very long walk from our meeting spot to Chelsea Market. I didn't know what to expect because I had never heard of it before. Justin told me a lot of the Food Network shows were filmed on the second floor of the building. Pretty cool.

When we walked in, the building was alive, my friends. People everywhere! Groups just getting out from shows, people buying groceries, and others sight-seeing like me. :) There were pictures framed on the walls... all of the same guy--just in different outfits. Very random, but funny.

Justin took me to this bakery where he claims his favorite cookies were made. The pastries looked so pretty and they were good! Just like he said. Ha. There was a lot of pink icing going on, which I am never opposed to.

We sat at a table outside of the bakery next to this gigantic window. On the other side of the window, you could see the bakers making the dough, rolling it, kneading it... whatever they do... baking it. So cool! I loved the atmosphere! The coffee was good, also, and Justin commented on how he couldn't believe I was such a slow drinker. It's so weird. I always feel like I'm drinking fast, but the liquid just doesn't seem to go down...

While we sat and ate our cookies, Justin and I had great conversation! Most of our hanging out that day was talking at the table. We talked about pretty much everything. Passions, religion, family, food, career... Justin told me about his art, which is inspiring! He told me all about the mediums he used and how he came to his certain style. So interesting. Plus, next year, he'll have his own gallery on display, which he told me in New York basically means you're an official artist. Congrats, Justin! What an accomplishment!

Justin also shared with me the song "Allentown," which was written by Billy Joel for a movie. Allentown was Justin's hometown and he was describing to me how accurate the lyrics were to real life. I found it so fascinating. Looked up the song later and it had a good sound, as well. Go, Billy Joel! Haha.

We hung out a little bit more looking through different shops. I loved it in there. There was one store that had all this imported food from Italy. Anything you could think of! They even had bricks of chocolate. Come on, that is awesome! I was so tempted to buy one... just to have it. Justin had to leave and get ready for work so we said our goodbyes at a bookstore. Bad idea for me because I immediately went in there and discovered a book I just had to have.

I had lunch at the Chelsea Market and then took the subway back to the hotel. Erica and I decided to meet later, so I went to a Starbucks to chill. As I am reading and chillaxing, a wave of familiarity creeps up to the forefront of my mind. The tables, the chairs, the windows, the coffee bar... yes, something is quite familiar about all this--CRAP! THIS IS WHERE JUSTIN WORKS! And, he just so happens to work at 3. What time is it? 3:05! I frantically grabbed at all my belongings. Shove pen, phone, and journal in purse. Slam Bible shut. Grab coffee--stand up to leave--Oh. There he is. Oh no. Act completely natural. If he doesn't see me I can sneak out of here scot free... don't want to look like a weirdo stalker. But what if he sees me sneaking out and thinks I didn't like him? Then I'd look rude... Oh, the agony! 


I sucked it up and walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and when he saw me, he was no more surprised than he would have been if Lindsay Lohan tapped him on the shoulder and asked him on a date. Oh, crap. "Hey, Justin, just wanted to let you know, I forgot you worked here so I'm not being a creeper or anything." Oh no, this makes you look even more like a creeper! Stop talking! Goodness. More awkward conversation...me walking out the door...escaping into the rainy outdoors. Whew. That was rough. 

Now where do I go? Still about 2 1/2 hours before Erica and I meet up. Central Park. Great idea! God met me there that day. Definitely a Stones of Remembrance for me.

I also met this guy named Sunfree. He was cool. A musician. We had a brief conversation and Erica called. She was headed towards the hotel. Sunfree offered me a ride, but I gracefully declined. Erica would murder me if he didn't. ;)

Erica and I then met up and rushed to the train station. We made it just in time! The train was a lot nicer than the one we had arrived on. We sat back and caught each other up on our days...New York is a place to be remembered.