Rockefeller Plaza for New Years 2014!

Hey Lovies, I couldn't resist telling you about how exciting NYC is during the holiday season! Being away from my home, family and friends made me more of an Ebenezer Scrooge than I have ever been! I still hold close to my heart the real reason for Christmas but unfortunately New Beginnings can cause you to miss out on those times we all look forward to each year! Believe it or not I'm pretty much over the tourist type stuff in NYC. I'm ready to work and see dreams become realities! But I made it my business to catch the tail end of the holiday rush on New Years Day in Midtown Manhattan!

So I ended up at Rockefeller Plaza where you would find Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios,The Rink at Rockefeller, Top of the Rock Observatory deck and the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!

This is one of the largest tourist attractions in New York during the holidays.The Plaza is located between 49th and 50th streets between 5th Ave and the Avenue of the Americas. Saks 5th Avenue has a projection light show going about every 5-10 minutes featuring the Yeti that has been rumored to live on Saks roof and make snow! I caught it on camera  Click here to see the show! It was an exciting time with thousands of people enjoying the Tree, ice skating, the light show, shopping and other attractions in the area! Click here to see what I saw that night! I hope you all had a Happy Holiday Season and I wish you all the best for 2014 until next time Toodles!!!

With Love From New York!
Anjera

I Still Love New York...MTA Public transportation fares!

It's been a month and a few days since I moved to New York! I still love it! However it has been quite an adventure!!! I am a city girl but you never realize how spoiled the country can make you just doing day to day activities. Some might say life in the north (east) is just harder life. I'm going to say it's just different! I now catch the bus and train as opposed to driving a car. This was a choice because the public transportation is readily available here and the insurance and gas costs are high. I bought a metro card and every week I load $20 dollars on it to help me get around. There are many options for to pay for the bus or train. The first is by change, yes I said change and not cash because you must pay with coins bills are not accepted. The bus/ train for a single ride with a transfer costs $2.50. Could you imagine how heavy your pockets would be if you have to constantly have to carry change around?

Most people purchase a metro card and there are four ways to pay for it. Pay per ride where you can buy as many rides as you need starting with a minimum of $5. Unlimited ride where you get unlimited rides for a fixed price either for 7 days regular fare, 7 days express bus plus; 30 days regular fare; JFK Air Train 10 trip card or JFK Air Train 30 day unlimited ride card. When you first purchase a metro card there is a $1 service fee. You can go to the MTA Website to evaluate prices and determine which option would be best for you. I decided pay per ride works best for me I can add time and value to it at the MTA Vending machines or at the Station booth at anytime. When you spend more than $5 you also get a 5% bonus plus you get a free transfer with every ride.

 I've decided I don't like the bus but prefer the train. My reason is that if I get lost and I'm walking down a street looking for a bus, chances are I look lost and that could make me susceptible to crime. I have heard many people say just the same about taking the train especially considering the numerous amount of homeless people loitering in and around train stations. A couple tools that have helped me is my android phone's GPS and a free app called NYC Bus and Train. When you are using GPS remember that once you are underground you will not be able to plot a route so do it before you swipe your metro card. The app I mentioned allows you to download a train map and you can download bus maps. These maps work without the use of internet or GPS. 

One day I went shopping in Brooklyn and was headed back to Queens after dark. I forgot to pull up my route. I had a moment of panic because I was on a train route I was unfamiliar with and I couldn't connect to the internet from inside the train station. I had bags in my hand and I'm standing in the train station feeling like everyone knew I didn't know how to get home for all of 60 seconds. I re-grouped looked at the map and plotted my way using the NYC Bus and Subway Maps app. I was able to figure out from the Barclay Center I needed to take the R train to Jay street, transfer to the A train towards Canal st and then the E train towards Jamaica Center. The rule of thumb is to always pay attention to your surroundings, be armed with information, be prepared to defend yourself and know when to call for help. Happy Travels! 
Until later Toodles! 
With Love from New York!
Anjera

Greyhound an ideal way to travel

I don't know if you're like me but when I think about traveling by bus especially a Greyhound, Mega Bus,Trailways or Peter Pan those kind of buses I think my germ a phobia just kicked in! I don't want to ride for 8 hours and have to get somewhere overnight. In the past I've met some creepy people and guys just released from prison.
so with that being said I think you understand my skepticism with riding the Greyhound bus I went online on my mobile and I looked up my trip from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to New York Ave Manhattan at the 42nd Street Port Authority greyhounds price was 35 dollars before taxes and I also checked out Megabus their bus was $40 for the same trip Greyhound trip was a shorter distance shorter travel time and it left a little bit earlier so I chose to go with them also greyhound actually has a terminal for you to sit and wait. I was a little early baby almost an hour and a half early for the bus also when I got on Greyhound I was really surprised to see leather or vinyl siding very nice brand new motor coach and they had free wifi on the bus and they also have power outlets so I could keep my phone charged during my ride. I was impressed to say the least. The bus was clean and the staff was friendly and professional. We even arrived earlier than scheduled!!! Next time I can't drive or fly I will be happy to leave the driving up to Greyhound!!!

I Love New York!

I just took a long deep breath in the cold damp night air. Ok I'm ready to finally saying it out loud " I MOVED TO NEW YORK CITY"!!! All I can think of is big buildings, bright lights, deli's on every block and yellow cabs buzzing through the streets! Do I take the A train from Brooklyn to Queens? How do I hope from JFK airport to LaGuardia airport? Will I go broke trying to have a decent meal in Manhattan? How do I avoid being pick pocketed? Can I be a chameleon in the big city and learn to blend in or will my adopted southern accent cause me hell? Will I go numb with the ridged temperatures and snow that I must now face? 

I have always wanted to live in New York since college, that was over 12 years ago. I could never figure out how to make that transition. In my opinion New York is the city where dreams come true! No matter how many rats I've seen in subway stations or homeless people approach me on the street there is just something about New York that has lured me. I was able to take a transfer on my job that was also a promotion for me. My family and friends back in North Carolina think I am absolutely crazy! You would never believe how many people asked me " Do you know how expensive it is in New York?" I had a Google voice number with a New York exchange for at least  five years because I wanted to have a local number when I applied for jobs! So I sold my car and most of my belongings in North Carolina and booked a one way ticket to New York!

I have been here for three days and To say the least I am ecstatic! Each day is a new adventure where I am faced with new challenges. I started work here yesterday. I am learning a lot and feel confident that I will breeze right through training. Everything is new to me right now, I'm in a new city, with a new job, and a new roommate! I don't know anything but excitement and that God will direct my path. I am so comfortable and fearless I'm sometimes taken a-back by my own bravery! When I breath in this cold, polluted air for some reason I feel right at home like this is where I was destined to be. Most people don't understand my joy and it's very hard to explain it. It's like falling in love it feels so good but you can't quite describe it. I feel so alive I don't want to sleep. I feel the urge to learn as much as I can about my surroundings. 

Today I had to go to a training class. I had to figure out how to get to an off site location. I was reminded  of the old saying "it never hurts to ask"! I look forward to many adventures in New York and I will share as many of them as I can with you! Until next time Toodles!

Chick-Fil-A and support of traditional family

If you read my blog you know I'm a foodie! I love Chick-Fil-A! My favorite is the nuggets with polynesian sauce and carrot & raisin salad! Yummy, I'm drooling now! LOL. Anyway on a more serious note Today is Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day! I've been hearing all the buzz about Chick- Fil-A's President and COO Dan Cathy's comments in the news over the last few weeks. You can read the interview and actual comments yourself from The Biblical Recorder here. I don't understand why there have been petitions and proposed bans of Chick-Fil-A  from entire cities! Huh??? Why has this become a government issue? Why is our society so insistent upon pushing government to have more control over us, what we can have, do, and eat? Mr. Cathy didn't say anything disrespectful or degrading. I think some people are being a little over sensitive. I applaud him for speaking out on what he believes and not being afraid that it could have a huge impact on his business. In my opinion today's world is full of hypocrites; people that sway with the wind depending on what benefits them. He just stands strong on what he believes. Is it so surprising that the owners of a business known to abide by biblical principles, who still remembers to keep the sabbath holy would have these views? Is this still America? It is Mr Cathy's 1st amendment right to voice his opinion. Yes it is also the people's 1st amendment right to protest if they disagree. If you don't like the Koolaid, don't drink it! Do we really need government officials saying certain cities can't have a Chick-Fil-A because of the owners personal views. To the mayors in  Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh; If you plan to shut out Chick-Fil-A are local faith groups next? I think Malcolm X said it best..."If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything." I think Mr. Cathy is right to stand for what he believes , it is his witnesss. His organization has been around since 1946 operating on biblical principles; Why is it a problem in 2012? I admire and support Chick-Fil-A and the Christian principles they follow!