And so it begins...

I am fast approaching my 60th birthday!  I think I've been saying it alot to get use to it.  The number seems daunting.  But I don't feel it and don't feel I look it.  But it is a fact!

I started celebrating early.  Not my decision though some would think so and not be surprised!  Kathy won't be back in NYC for the month of March so with 2 birds to kill...seeing her new house and celebrating my birthday - I gladly flew down to Orlando.

For this trip, I decided to take the Q60 to the Jamaica Station to catch the JFK air train.  Made so much sense with my parking lot being a few feet from the bus stop.  I used my new Raden Smart carry-on suitcase.  Omigosh...loved it!  Mostly because the agility of it was wonderful to use onto the bus and the train and more importantly the plane!

Using the MTA text info (thank you very much, Kathy!) - the Q60 arrived with little wait time for me and it was empty so I didn't have to bump into people with my suitcase!  (It was early...6:45am so that also made sense).  I had a 9:45 flight but I rather wait at JFK than home.  I got to Jamaica at 7:05.  It was only a block away from the bus stop.  The airtrain came within minutes and I was TSA pre-checked so that was a breeze!  I was at my gate by 7:30.  Wonderful!!  And all under $10.

The flight was good.  I sat on the aisle (row 30-C) and had the middle seat empty.  A woman named Carol was at the window and she was lovely.  From Maine and was a rehab nurse.  Unfortunately the wifi was not working and the TV satellite was wonky.  Still, we took off and landed on time.

Kathy was waiting once I got off the monorail.  Tony drove us home.  Their new house is beautiful and much bigger than their last.  My "bedroom" was so pretty and very comfortable!  Felt very much at home.

My first dinner was The Crooked Spoon.  Their $12 gourmet burgers are $7 on Tuesdays after 5pm so it was perfect and OMG...delish!!

Kathy & Tony gifted me with my own personalized Magic Band and a one day Disney pass!  So unexpected and super sweet!

My birthday was starting off with a pretty good BANG!

Escalator at Jamaica Station to the JFK Air Train

On the train

The 420 Burger at The Crooked Spoon.  Has pineapple relish!

My Welcome basket with essentials

My beautiful Magic Band!

V.I.P.'s & MOCA

Anyone who knows me well...knows I love some VIP service!  While others (Kathy) prefer to stay in the background...just put me up front and in the spotlight - I am in all my glory! And it doesn't have to be an "in your face" kind of thing...any special treatment is a plus in my book!

So it was A-mazing when I contacted Andrea (who works on Live with Kelly) - because Winnie, scored tickets to the show (guest-Ricky Martin!) on the off chance I could get to say a quick "Hello" to her...and she in turn - upgraded our tickets to VIP!

This was HUGE!  Winnie originally had "Group A" tickets...which meant...get there super early but no guarantees...and remember this show is live at 9am!  So we needed to be there at 6am!  But a few days before, she was upgraded to "Priority" - much better - more inclined to getting in and a 6:30'ish arrival.  But when Andrea put us on the VIP list...she also instructed us to "NOT stand in line and arrive at 8am"...WHATTT??  O-M-G!!

And sure enough...we arrived at 8am...bypassed the long "General Admission" line standing outside in the chill and the long Priority line which was standing inside the lobby.  Winnie, Connie and I "breezed" in through security and sat in the VIP waiting area. Happy days!  We were also the first to go into the studio.

We weren't able to get the seats where we could hi-five Ricky but we were in a good section for viewing.  Though the original set of seats we chose would have led to Winnie winning the $500 World Market gift card in their trivial game...easy come, easy go.

Andrea did come over to hug and say Hi.  We were also able to stay for a 2nd taping with Anderson Cooper as the host.  And Ricky was all that and more!!

Even with a 2nd taping, we left the studio around 12'ish.  We all headed down to Chinatown for a much appreciated Vietnamese lunch and then a visit to MOCA.  We had wanted to catch the Sour Sweet Bitter Spicy exhibit. The museum brought back some nice memories of growing up in Chinatown!

All in all...a terrific day and great fun!

Andrea

Second Taping with Anderson

My favorite Vietnamese dish

MOCA giftshop

Sleeping Beauty

I ended Feb 12th with a trip to Lincoln Center.  Winnie treated me to tickets to Sleeping Beauty - NYCB.  And what a treat it was!  She chose great seats...1st ring - left wing - I almost felt like I was on the stage.  It was a feast for the eyes and my cultural soul.