Did You Get Your Copy?

It's Christmas time, and all of New York transforms into this big, beautiful, decorated city of lights, stars, trees, and.... Tourists. But that's okay, because, even after living here for 3 years, sometimes I still feel like one. Sure, I know (finally) the "uptown, downtown, east side, west side," how to get anywhere on a train (a.k.a. the subway), drive the BQE and navigate Thru Streets, 24-hour take-out (and fast, too), and all of the little eclectic nooks outside of Manhattan (I have my own little affair going on with Brooklyn), but there is always something that seems to be missing... So, today, while in the West Village enjoying the Spring-like weather and seeing Anna off to her 4-month check up, I picked up a copy of New York magazine, telling ME why I should LOVE New York. Once I plow through my Vanity Fair (where all my loyalties lie, Graydon Carter, as liberal as you are, you really are so sexy and I love your prose), I'll get to those reasons. And I'll add some of my own while I am at it.

Stefanie's Reasons to Love NY (with a special guest appearance by Mano the Hubalub):

1. Dropping off laundry (this is a Mano-reason... Personally I miss doing my own, until, of course, it arrives back to me perfectly folded!)

2. Public transportation (again, a Mano-reason. I find it extremely over-crowded, stinky at times and really dirty, although it is good for the environment and the only thing we worry about is "drunk riding" although with 2 kids that isn't much of a problem anymore.)

3. Take-out. We can order ice cream from Coldstone (they do delivery!), sushi, Mexican, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian. You name it, we got it!

4. Broadway shows are in our backyard (although they are a tad bit expensive)

5. Christmas-time (minus those pesky tourists snapping pictures on the trains and being really loud and obnoxious)

6. Spring, when we all come out of hibernation again and rejoice in public parks (although I'd rather it be my personal back yard)

7. The skyline (so awesome)

8. Indie shops (so unique)

9. Exploring the museums (so inspiring)

10. The cultural education of urban living (our kids have the whole world represented here)

Manny ends with, "You can take the girl out of Ohio but.... You can't take Ohio out of the girl."

(Although this girl knows how to eat with chop sticks, finally!)