This is something tough to watch.  I was just there 6 months ago.  6 months I stood across the street from the Old Yankee Stadium just looking at it.  Remembering what it would have been like to be seeing a baseball game during the years of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Oklahoma native; Mickey Mantle.  Many Greats walked into the stadium I saw across the street, across from the New Yankee Stadium, the one I saw my first Yankee Game in.

It’s a surreal thing seeing this happen.  Seeing something so old and ancient that once housed all the greats of Yankee Baseball be torn down.  This video from CNN just leaves me in shock.  I was just there.  I just saw this stadium.  I do wish I would’ve walked across the street and touched this building, touched what remained of the Old Yankee Stadium.

After the Yankee Game we dropped off the map for over a week.  We made it back to Oklahoma 2 weeks after our departure on September 24, 2009.  We flew into Dallas and then drove back to Oklahoma in the fog after Midnight.  I even slept in my own bed and felt more comfortable being at home.

I do plan to go back to NYC and take in more sights, but for now I’m going to concentrate on graduating college & getting a real job so I can accomplish just that.

So on 9/14/09 Mom, Dad & I were privileged enough to take in a Yankee Game.  It was perfect.  We watched the Yankees & the Angels.  Of course my team won…go Yankees!

Little did we know what would happen the next day….  On our way “home” we stopped at the Yankee Stadium to snap some shots.

I heard screaming and just had to go check it out….what did I find?  The VMAs!!!  I wasn’t expecting to see anyone, but we did.

Getting ready to find out what all the commotion is about….

I was determined to get to Rockefeller Center this day.  I planned the entire day out from which Subways to hop…streets to take…and sights to see.

I finally got a bright & sunny day in NYC.  It was Perfect!  This was our near to last day exploring in NYC and we took advantage of it.

Being underground reminded me so much of Ghostbusters.  It sort of had an eerie feel to it and it was super hot.  I had to peel my jacket off me I was about to burn up down there.

Staying out til’ 2 AM doesn’t take work…it’s very doable.  After Little Italy we hit up the Brooklyn Bridge…my oh my.  It’s one of the most famous Bridges and I’ve seen it in at least a dozen movies since I’ve been home.

Mom had planned a few trips around the city of different places she wanted to go.  One of those…Little Italy.  Little did we know Rice to Riches was a stones throw to the Little Italy Festival.  I’m not much of an Italian food lover, so I sat this eating adventure out.

Special Thanks to my old E-Comm teacher, Ms. Whitfield, for this recommendation.  Rice to Riches.  It’s now a stop for the future trips to NYC.  Who would have thought Rice Pudding would be such a popular treat?  I love the stuff, but dear ole’ Dad doesn’t care for it…he DID eat it though.

Going up and down the streets in Times Square you’d never expect to run across something like this.  Well, someone else might expect to, but I sure didn’t.  I had never been to Hershey or M & M World.  Dad, on the other hand, has.  Let’s just say there was still a lot of exploring to do because this is New York.

This place is magical.  Bright.  Cheery.  Colorful.  I {love} M & M’s.

This M & M man was sort of creepy.  His eyes would follow you around and his facial expressions would change.  It was something I wish I would’ve captured on video, but then I’m sure the video would’ve freaked me out!

Ahhhh…..walking through the M & M store.  Not really sure of what I was going to find.  I looked at t-shirts, mugs, key chains, etc.  Nothing caught my eye and I didn’t want to stand in the huge line waiting to check out either.

Add this item to my Christmas List.  The price tag on my Christmas “Wish List”?  Around $3,500.  Gasp.  Talk about my Christmas dreams being shattered.  Maybe I’ll ask Santa?  I’ve been a good girl.  Plus, Miley Cyrus has one, why can’t I?

Looking out at all the people walking by on Times Square.  I loved people watching downtown.

Curious as to what $22 worth of pure chocolaty M & M goodness looks like?  Dad could tell ya.  The orange ones are for him, while the red ones are for me. Go OU!

Outside looking in.  This place was massive.

All the chocolaty goodness in one spot.  Gotta love NYC!

The Hershey store in Times Square.  I walked by, had zero drive to go in.  We’d just been to the M & M store – I had all the chocolate I could take.

It’s always a wise idea to travel to a major US city and stay out until well after 2AM.  Times Square was something to see, it really was.  After dark it was the place to be…Broadway is amazing.  I had no idea so many shows existed on Broadway.  We didn’t see a show, there simply wasn’t enough time.  So I give you Times Square After Dark.

We stepped off the Subway and what did we see?  Why Times Square of course.  Smack dab in the middle of Times Square is where we would up and let’s just say it was breathtaking.  I definitely didn’t realize Times Square was as big as it was.  It’s a sight to see, especially for those of us small town folk.

Mom was all about the photos.  Dad & I would go off and start walking and taking in the sites – before we knew it we’d gone off and left her.  We did this several times.  Finally, we just left her and figured she’d catch up later.  Which she did, cause she made it back to Oklahoma with us.

We’re in TIMES SQUARE.  Believe it?  Don’t worry.  I didn’t either.  I still don’t.  NYC is one of those places you only dream about going to, not one that you actually accomplish.

Crosswalk in the middle of Times Square.  It was drizzling the entire time we were down here, but it didn’t matter – we were out to explore the city.

The ball from New Year’s is still up there.  Happy 2009 y’all!

The displays downtown are unreal.  I can’t even begin to explain just how big they are or the details that are involved in them.  Just wow.

The place where I saw OU beat Idaho :: 64 – 0.  Those were some amazing results, right?

Just another big billboard in Times Square.  These things were everywhere and there were times we all stopped and stared and then would move on to the next billboard.

The MTV Awards were vamping up for the big VMA show.  Yes, I was in NYC at the time of the VMAs.  It was a different experience and of course my parents didn’t know what to think of all the mayhem that was going on in NYC.  Later on, it gave them all something to talk about, because being an Okie, it’s not every day that you can see some of the things we did.

This is one of those photos you had no idea what was going on, you were too busy snapping photos at all of your surroundings.  For instance, I had no idea there was a camera in the middle of Times Square spying on everyone.  This seems very Big Brother-ish.  Too bad I didn’t notice it at the time.

The Marriott in NYC.  Although my eyes draw to the Toy Story billboard.  I want to see Toy Story 3 so bad.  Hopefully I can talk someone into taking me to see it when it comes out.

The hustle and bustle of the city.  It’s true that it’s the city that never sleeps.  The cabs/cars were still going when we left Times Square at 2am.

Jealous, aren’t you?  I didn’t care for the movie, but I hear the play is great.  Again, I’ll have to save that for next time.

If I could pick any Broadway play to see, Wicked would have to be the play I would’ve seen.  Maybe next time I’ll be able to see this play on a future trip to NYC.  Hopefully it’s still playing on my next trip to NYC.

Horses in time square, yes they really do exist.  I didn’t believe it til’ I saw it.  I’m one of those girls I usually don’t believe something until I see it.  Low and behold, horses in Time Square do exist, so ya’ll don’t have to wonder if they do or don’t anymore.

More advertising in TS.  This place is like the Super Bowl, except it’s all in real life.

Look at all those lights.  Just phenomenal.  Words can not describe the sights you actually see.  It’s so much better than what you see in the movies or books.

Double Decker buses.  Something I’ve only heard of being in NYC.  I never expected to see an actual Double Decker bus on my trip though.

Pops is a Stock Exchange junkie.  I’ve known nothing but buying and selling stocks since I was a youngster.  For him to see where some of the shows he watches are filmed was a sight to see for him.

This is where a majority of Dads stock shows are filmed.  I swear he’s a stock exchange junkie.

After getting lost in China Town and then finally catching a Subway, boy oh boy did we find some good food!  The getting lost part is somewhat amusing now, but it wasn’t at the time.  Little Chinese ladies would come up and tap you on the shoulder to get you to come in their shops and shop for COACH PURSES.  Not so lucky for them – I had already hit up the Coach Outlet in Florida before coming to NYC.  Now onto Gray’s Papaya!

…we were actually downtown on 9/11

It was my objective to see the World Trade Center Tribute on the exact day it happened.  Lucky for me, that happened on 9/11/09.  It was so surreal and honestly I couldn’t even imagine what was happening on that fateful day while I was in Latin II with Mr. Zuhdi in 2001.