2. Queens

Kev is a natural.  Maybe not a native New Yorker, but has certainly become an honorary one after giving more than one local directions.  I'm not sure if we could be more different when it comes to embracing the city.
He knows the train system like the back of his hand.  He can drive in the city and have background noise at the same time.  He can feel a wad of bills in his pocket and probably knows he has less than 10 dollars.
It didn't take me long to notice I was the only one waiting for the walk signal to cross the street. I can now walk illegally with the rest of them but still grab the kids and hightail it across when a car comes.  Kevin comes a few seconds later, casually strolling along.

The first two months of the show, Kevin stayed with relatives.  We are very thankful for their generosity and certainly don't know what we would have done without them.  We thought it would be a little easier to find somewhere to live than it was.  Two months of house hunting later he has proven his finanical stability/impeccable character and has scored an apartment.
The first time the kids and I went to visit, Kevin was still in Queens with the relatives.  It was a bit of a shock seeing houses with no lawns, just concrete slabs, both in the front and back yards.  They love it there though - the life and bustle of the city. At the same time I was wondering how they did it, they were wondering the same thing about my upbringing, knowing that I grew up on a farm.  "So boring!" they said, as they looked on with pity.
My first major accomplishment came in the form of a train ride.  I, one of  the most directionally challenged individuals in history, brought myself and the kids home safely from downtown Manhattan without Kevin.  Granted, it was one train and we were the last stop but crazier things have happened with me in charge of accurate arrivals.

The city has begun to come to life for me.  It's surreal to see the things I've seen on tv in person, and at the same time heartbreaking as I listen to one woman's account of 9-11, realizing that that event was witnessed by the people all around me. So much has happened here, so much history. I recently finished reading Book of Negroes which was made even more poignant by seeing people here who can relate to coming from terrible situations, with nothing, to encounter more hardship, and somehow make a life for themselves.

We were sad to leave. Sadder for Kevin, saying goodbye to all of us.  But there's always Skype and it wouldn't be long before we'd be back.

1. New York, New York

Upon arriving back home after visiting the Big Apple, it is difficult to summarize my experiences to those who inquire about the trip.  Hopefully this blog will help others gain insight to the many awesome/crazy/uncomfortable moments we have had in New York.

The basics:
Kevin has embarked on an amazing adventure which is to play lead guitar in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway.  He is living in New York while I stay back home with the kids.

As his wife, it wasn't a difficult decision to support him on this career move.  I know a lot of people shake their heads at us living apart for this time but I know life is filled with regret for so many people and I am honoured to journey with Kev as he accomplishes so many great things.  He has always worked extremely hard for this family and for him to get to do something he loves is worth it.  It's not forever, after all.
I am thankful to be working from home for now which allows me and the kids the freedom to visit NY when we can, which so far has been twice.

My goal is to see the New York that so many people love.  To ride the subway without looking like a noob, to jaywalk while simultaneously resisting looking panicked while cars brush by, and to find  it completely normal to see cats in the bleach aisle of the corner store.