It's already December...man where did the time go? I just got back from my trip to New York City, and I wanted to share some pictures.
My church choir was invited to sing with the American Festival Choir at Carnegie Hall. I've done this before with a different company. I was really excited about this trip though because I would get to stay during Thanksgiving. That means the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade people. The moment I heard about the trip I was like, "Sign me up!"
Here's a break down of my busy week in New York City. It's a wonderful place to visit, but I would never want to live there.
Day 1: November 18, 2011
I had to wake up at 4 in the morning to make the bus to Atlanta's airport. Here's a picture of me playing around and waiting for my flight. Notice the cute sweatshirt.
So our first night in NYC was spent at the Ellen Stardust dinner. This place is cool because the waiters are people trying to make it to Broadway. They each take turns singing and entertaining. It's a lot of fun and a great way to spend the first night out.
This is Kelli and me at Ellen's Diner.
Times square our first night there.
Day 2: November 19, 2011
This day was spend practicing "The Hope of Christmas". We practiced from 9-12 with an hour lunch break. We ate lunch at the Shake Shack. It was really good food. Then we returned at 1 and practiced until 5. To hear 360 voices singing at the same time was AMAZING. The sound was so angelic. It made me so excited to think that one day we all will be singing praises like those to our Lord and Savior.
Here we are with Marcia Ware. She had an amazing voice and sang many solos in our program.
Here's a few of us with David Phelps after our practice together. Seriously this man can sing. No doubt he's voice is God given.
The music director at my church, Mitch Loftin, got a chance to conduct our 360 person choir for one song. We were so proud of him. Here's Mitch in practice conducting us.
That night we went out with some of the other ladies in our choir at the Hard Rock Cafe. One of the fun things about going on these trips is that we get to spend time with people in our choir that we normally would spend time with. It's awesome to get to know some of the people in the choir that you don't know that well.
Here we are playing around and waiting on a table.
This guitar was at the entrance to the restaurant.
Day 3: November 20, 2011
We got up early again this morning to make it to the Brooklyn Tabernacle. I was super excited about going to hear such an amazing choir. They were better than great! We had a wonderful worship experience while we were there. It was a perfect way to get our hearts ready for the performance that night. It would be that night that we would premiere "The Hope of Christmas" with David Phelps and Marcia Ware.
Day 4: November 21, 2011
We had a harbor cruise with the entire company today. I got to get a lot of pictures with Lady Liberty. I was really sick at the start of this cruise. With the proper medications though I was feeling great toward the end. Thank you Shannon and Kristi for taking such good care of me.
Day 5: November 22, 2011
Today we got to spend some time at the 9-11 memorial. It was surreal and sad to know that it is the only place for some people to come and say bye to a family member that's never been found. For them it's the only place to come and hopefully have some form of love, remembrance, honor, and closure.
This is the church that literally stands at the foot of the 9-11 site. It's a place that rescuers were able to take a moment and get away from the horror of that day.
Construction still continues at the site, but the people at work are reminded daily that we are one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.
This is the only tree that was left standing after the 9-11 attacks. Word was that they transplanted it in Central Park to save it so they could put it back in it's rightful place.
We also spent this day touring Soho and eating some really good Italian food.
We also made a walk over to the Brooklyn bridge and took a few photos.
Day 6: November 23, 2011
Today was a full free day. It rained the whole day! It didnt' stop us from getting out and having a great time together. We were able to spend time at Madame Tussaud's wax museum. Here's a few pictures of the fun we had.
We spent this night in the VIP section at the Rockettes. I was so excited about this part of the trip. As soon as I heard our choir was going back to NYC I knew we had to go see the Rockettes. Here's some pictures from this great night!
Day7: November 24, 2011
It's the MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE!!! Need I say more?!? Just enjoy the pictures.
That afternoon we had our Thanksgiving dinner. It was a lot of fun to spend Thanksgiving in NYC with so many good friends. It was a great way to close out a God filled trip.
Day 8: November 25, 2011
Today we headed back to Atlanta and then to Alabama. It was a wonderful trip with the best of friends. I'm so glad I got to spend so much time getting to know those whom I sing with on Sunday. The parade, Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Tab, the rockettes, and the cruise all took second place to the joy I received from serving God a week in New York City.
Man was I tired when we got back home. Here are a few more pictures from the week.
