Here we go..

Coming to you live from my Bolt Bus heading towards Baltimore! Trying not to get carsick, but as our buses WiFi is out, this is what I am left to do. Luckily I hopped on a bus leaving an hour earlier than mine and I got on RIGHT as it started pouring the rain. There have been tornado warnings here all day and a very ominous looking sky as I got on my bus, it made me feel like I was back in Kentucky!

So my journey to Baltimore has officially begun! First let me recap the past few days. Wednesday I went to Pittsburgh  with my dad to visit my brother for the day. He just started school at the Art Institute and he turned 20 on Thursday, so we went to lunch to celebrate. He showed us around the town and the restaurant he just got a job at. I am so proud of that kid! After spending a few hours together, I then flew to New York City to say farewell to my friends there. 

I had a very action packed few days in the city, and I am exhausted. I had a great time my friends and being very touristy! All of my friends work during the day, so I was left on my own to explore, which I love to do. On Thursday I went to Bryant Park, which is awesome, and had some breakfast and sat and enjoyed the park. 

That's ones of my favorite parts about the city, all the cute little spots of greenery among the gigantic buildings. Parks are also great places to people watch, which is one of my favorite past times. 

I then went into the New York Public Library. Such a cool building! I also couldn't help but think about Sex and the City the whole time I was in there. I also stopped in Grand Central Station. 

 I then navigated my way down to Battery Park and I took a round trip on the  Staten Island Ferry. It's a fun, short ride, and gives you great views of the Statue of Liberty and the city sky line. It was nice to be on the breezy water (a great change from the muggy land), and I got some practice in before I started my job. Good news- I didn't get sea sick (I wasn't worried)! 

When I got back to shore, I realized I was starving. I knew I was near a place on the water where I had gone to with my family when I was younger, so I started walking towards the Brooklyn Bridge and found it. Pier 17! I found this fun beer garden and ha some amazing fish tacos and french fries as I overlooked the bridge and boats on the water. 

After that I walked around Seaport and stopped in the Heartland Brewery for a pumpkin ale, which turned out to be the best one I've ever had! I got sad though because I have to skip fall this year since I'll be working, and I won't get to experience my favorite time of the year. 

Friday morning I went to Murray's bagels where I got one of my favorite breakfasts; an everything bagel with lox cream cheese. I took my bagel over to Union Square and found a nice table in the shade to sit and eat. 

After this I realized I was on Fifth Ave so I started walking around, browsing the stores in which I can't afford anything. As I was walking I noticed people taking pictures on something behind me and realized I was  right in front of the Flatiron building. That's another great thing I love about the city; you can just walk around and stumble upon cool things. You don't need to have an agenda to see the sights! 

I kept walking and then realized I was near the Empire State Building. My plan for Friday was to spend the day in Central Park, but seeing the ESB, I decided I had to go up. I've been up before, but it was in middle school, and all I remember was standing in line for 5 hours (yes, that is an exaggeration, but when I was 12 years old it seemed like ages). I was up and down in about an hour, and boy am I glad I did it! I forgot what an absolutely breathtaking view that is. I could have stayed up there all day, but A) I'm afraid of heights,  B) there were too many people and I got annoyed, and C) I was hungry (shocking). 

Yes, I took a selfie.

After that, I decided to head down to Central Park.  I decided to go into the Plaza Hotel and explore and find some lunch. They had afternoon tea, but as I was by myself, sweaty, and wearing jean shorts, I decided to turn that option down. They have a food court downstairs where I got a delicious panini and an ice cold Coke. The Plaza had always been another one of my favorite spots to visit as a child, mostly because of the book Eloise. 

I then meandered over to Central Park. I should have done this earlier in the day. I found myself lost in the very center of the park walking in circles with a dead phone. I was to the point where I couldn't see any buildings around me and started having a mini panic attack. I tried to take in the beauty, but I was slightly freaking out. 

I finally found my way out (no search parties were called) and somehow found the Subway and made it back to meet Rebecca. We went out for drinks with our other friends Sam and Paige, then Paige and I got delicious Mexican for dinner. In case you haven't noticed, my favorite part about NYC is the food. 

Today I spent some quality time with my girls, relaxing and watching 30 Rock on their new TV! Rebecca and I then went into the city where we parted ways. She had to go work at the Tibi Spring fashion show! So cool. It was really sad saying bye to her and I tried my hardest not to cry in the middle of 22cd street. She's my girl. 

So here I am now on my way to Baltimore. I'm excited, nervous, and sad. It hasn't hit me yet that by this time tomorrow I will be out in middle of the Atlantic Ocean.  It's been a very emotional week of goodbyes to the people I love the most. It's going to be one of the hardest things to be away from you all for 6 whole months. It seems like such a long time. 

And now as I sit here crying on my bus, I realize how lucky am to have so many wonderful people in my life that make me cry because saying goodbye to you all is so hard. Thank you all so much for being supportive and excited for me. You are all amazing. Words cannot begin to describe how much I love you all and how much I will miss each of you.