CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK CITY

I took these photos when we were in NYC last year (2010) at Thanksgiving. The workers were putting the final touch on the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. All the lights were strung around the tree, just waiting for the Lighting Ceremony which was scheduled after Thanksgiving. If we were still in town, we would have gone there to be at the ceremony but then again it would have been too crowded and we were too old to stand around for hours waiting, in freezing weather and after the ceremony trying to get thru the sea of bodies.

My husband still talks about how much he appreciated all the plannings I put together for his 50th birthday in 2008. I made all the arrangements from the flights to NYC (we got to the airport early and were able to upgrade to first class seats for only $100 each), to overnight accomdation at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Christmas Eve. After dinner at Oscar's, we walked to Radio City for the Christmas Spectacular Show. After the show, we walked to Rockefeller Center and then back to the Waldorf. The next day we attended Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and then breakfast again at Oscar's. Good thing I made reservation months before the trip because the line was a mile long. People gave us the dirty look when we passed them, walked straight to the hostess, mentioned our name and were seated promptly. It sure was nice to have a little taste of how the people on the "right" side of the tracks live!

The above display was in front of an office building directly across from Radio City. I don't know if the lights would be turned on after dark.

I noticed that my posts detailing about our wonderful celebration of Christmas in New York in 2008 brought a large number of people from around the world to my little boring blog. There are visitors from places that I never heard of (due to my limited traveling and knowledge of world geography). Interesting places such as Sarmede, Veneto (Italy); Tirana, Tirane (Albania); and Brussels, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk, Gewest (a long name for a city in Belgium). I don't know what exactly trigger these posts to be included in the search engine. Could it be the excellent photos or my impressive writing? Well, whatever the reasons, thank you for visiting.

BENJAMIN BACK IN THE HOOD

You probably wonder what’s up with Benjamin. Of course, we would not be visiting NYC without bringing Benjamin. On Thursday, we brought Benjamin along to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and that was a bad idea! After about five minutes, he said that he was hungry. We tried to find a street vendor among the millions of people at the parade. After finishing eating a hotdog and a pretzel, Benjamin complained that it was too crowded and that he could not move freely. Another five minutes and he was already bored to tears! We finally were able to find a coffee shop with WiFi connection and Benjamin was happy staying there playing games on the iPad.

The next few days, Benjamin decided that while we visited my godparents and went around City, that he would just hang out with his buddies from the hood in Bath Beach/Bensonhurst.

On Monday, November 29th, Benjamin came along when we went to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree. Seeing the ice skating rink reminded Benjamin of the time when he and his girlfriend, Ophelia, used to spend many hours there. Sadly, the relationship came to an end when Benjamin moved to St. Louis. Ophelia did not wish to leave her employment with the New York Rangers. We heard she was seen going to dinner with Henrik Lundqvist even though she thought Martin Biron as a goalie with the most beautiful eyes!

Benjamin wanted to go to the Museum of Natural History but we did not have enough time. There was so much to see in NYC. It is a place to be if you have money, free time and a youthful body to enjoy everything the City has to offer!

CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK CITY

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(December 2007 - New York City)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I always thought these photos taken at Rockefeller Center in NYC of the giant toy soldiers playing the trumpet, tapping the drum, and smashing the cymbals, looking as if they were announcing the arrival of the New Year.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and may 2010 be a year of good health, good jobs, good relationships with family and friends, good neighbors, peace in your homes, your community, our country and the world. Here is to 2010 and to all my adoring fans, faithful readers and fellow bloggers - happy blogging everyone!

ANGELS AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER - NEW YORK CITY

Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye, who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.
Come and worship! Come and worship!
Worship Christ the newborn King!
All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To the eternal Three in One.
Come and worship! Come and worship!
Worship Christ the newborn King!

CHRISTMAS TREE AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK CITY

I watched the broadcast of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place this evening, as traditionally scheduled for the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. According to the news this Christmas tradition that began in 1933, is still delighting New Yorkers and visitors alike, many years later. This year, the Rockefeller Center tree is a 10-ton, 76-foot Norway Spruce, and is adorned with 30,000 energy efficient lights. The tree comes from Easton, Connecticut, and has a rare double trunk. On top of the 2009 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is the New Swarovski Star.
Since I could not be in NYC to watch the ceremony in person, I thought posting these photos from my visit in December 2007 would bring back wonderful memory of being in New York City at Christmas time. There is something magical about Christmas and about being in New York during this glorious reason. Here in St. Louis, light rain with possible flurries tonight. I should remember to keep a blanket, a hat and a pair of gloves in the car, better be ready for the cold weather!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

For every year the Christmas tree,

Brings to us all both joy and glee,

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

Much pleasure doth thou bring me!