A Trip of a Lifetime - to the US and the UK (Part 10) – Stranded in New York

Gosh! The last time I wrote on the trip was on 22^nd May 2013!

There is still plenty to tell about the trip and there’s also the craft stash I acquired during the trip which my Stitching Friends are waiting for me to show off!

I have been so busy with work and life that it is getting harder and harder to find time to spend on another one of my passion and that is writing and blogging. 

I hope it is still not too late (stale) to continue where I left off, if not for anything else, but for my son to read in years to come.

In my last posting on the trip, on the 6^th day of my stay in the US, I mentioned that all flights out of New York, including my flight, had been cancelled due to unexpected severe weather condition within the next 24 hours.

I hardly slept that night. I had the Weather Channel on all night, so that even as I sleep (I am a light sleeper), I could hear the weather condition being reported continuously.

I prayed that the weather condition would improve in the next few hours or so, so that we may fly out of New York the next day as per our schedule.

However, as I stayed up for most part of the night, I could hear the snow storm coming in and could see the heavy snow fall through my hotel window.

By morning, it was almost certain that we were going to be spending another day in New York when the airport was closed for all incoming and outbound flights.

A colleague joked that we have been snowed in because someone had made a wish to visit Central Park but because he never got to make that wish to become a reality yet, he had wished for another day in New York to make that wish become true! LOL!

Anyway, back to the current situation and the crisis at hand, once it was determined that we won’t be able to make it for our scheduled 6.00pm flight out of New York, the next thing was trying to get the next available flight to London.

We spent the whole morning in the hotel lobby as frantic calls were made to our respective travel agents in Malaysia.

Mind you that we have a 12 hour time difference where it is night time in Malaysia as we struggled to get whatever possible flights out of New York.

Some of us were lucky when their travel agents stayed up late till 10pm to try to get us flights to London.  Some were not that lucky when their travel agents could not be contacted and they ended up having to make their own flight arrangements.

It was also quite a task trying to coordinate among the travel agents, us being so far away on the other side of the globe, as we tried to get all of us on the same flight to London to make it easy to make transport arrangements in London.

When that was not really possible as thousands of other passengers who were also snowed in like us scrambled to get whatever flights available out of New York, we decided that whatever flights we could get, we will just grab it.

As if struggling to get the next available flight to London was not bad enough, we also had a crisis with our lodging arrangements when the hotel where we had already stayed for 2 days wanted us to vacate our rooms to make way for new customers coming in.

It took a frantic long distance call to the Malaysian Embassy in Washington D.C. to assist us that finally managed to get our lodging issues resolved.

When it was all finally settled – the flights and the lodging, it was already close to 1.oopm! Only then did we all suddenly feel hungry! LOL!

Everyone went back to their rooms to change out of their travelling clothes and into something more comfortable for another day in New York.

At that point, it suddenly dawned on me – WE GET ANOTHER DAY IN NEW YORK? Wow! Does this mean that I will get an opportunity to visit a craft shop which I found out through Google is actually just within walking distance from the hotel?

Ok, ok, don’t get excited! We are not actually out of the crisis yet as the snow storm had not actually subsided. Even though we had our tickets booked for the flight out of New York for 6.00pm tomorrow evening, everything depended on the weather tomorrow and whether the airport will be opened for operations.

But for now, we just had to make the best of the situation, and first things first, we had to get something for lunch.

I followed my colleagues to lunch at a nearby halal restaurant.

After lunch, many wanted to take the opportunity to do more sightseeing despite the snow still falling heavily. Others wanted to do more shopping.

Me? I wanted to try to make way to the craft shop nearby, but, I thought that I’d follow my colleagues for a while to Macy to see what’s there as I did not get an opportunity to visit Macy before this.

I managed to get myself an extra blouse to wear for the extra day in New York.

After that, with the snow still falling heavily, and it even started to rain a bit, I made my way in search of the City Quilter, 5 blocks from the hotel.

Oooh! What I’d do without a GPS! I have always been bad with directions, but ever since I could get Google map on my hand phone, back home, I have been able to go to places on foot and by car where I would have never tried venturing before, for fear that I might get lost.

With the help of the GPS and Google Map, I have become more adventurous, and what more, when it comes to going in search of a craft shop! LOL!

It did not feel like it was a long walk as I took in the sights around me, still not believing that I am actually in New York!

After walking for about 30 minutes or so, I finally arrived at the City Quilter!

Gosh! Pinch me! I am here! I am here! I am in front of the shop that I could only see in the pages of my quilt magazines before this!

I excitedly entered the shop and was in awe of all the quilting and sewing stuff I see before me! I feel like grabbing and buying everything! LOL!

But alas, reality sank in, and I had to be practical. I have limited bag space and there was the weight of the luggage that I am limited to that I had to take into consideration.

It took a lot of will power to control myself not to go overboard when choosing out what I wanted to buy. I had to keep reminding myself to only get those things which are not easily available in Malaysia, too expensive to order and ship it to Malaysia, and uniquely New York.

Despite all the limitations and constraints I set myself, I actually managed to get quite a good haul. I think my Stitching Friends are going to be so envious of me! LOL!

After paying for my purchases, I managed to get the Sales Assistant to allow me to snap a photo in the shop. 

I told her that this photo will be a part of my blog journey in search of craft shops that will get my craft friends jealous! LOL! *wink* 

   

Sorry for the almost identical photo, but some reason, photos taken in vertical comes out in horizontal when I upload it to blogspot. 

I can't figure out how to resolve it. So, I decided to put 2 vertical photos together to force the photos to stay vertical.

Happy with my purchase, I made my way back to the hotel, with the snow still falling heavily, and rain coming out in full force too. 

I made a stop at a souvenir shop to buy some souvenirs to take home for friends and families.  

After a short rest to regain energy that was drained from all the excitement of the morning of trying to get tickets for the flight to London, reaffirming our extended stay at the hotel and finding my way to a craft shop, I started organising my things to pack up.

It was an art of packing to get everything compacted inside the bags and still be within the weight limit allowed, without having to pay excessively for excess luggage. 

I already knew that I’d be paying for excess luggage when I bought an extra luggage, but I wanted to be sure that I won’t be paying an exorbitant amount.

When that was done, it was already late evening and the snow was still falling heavily.  

I did my payers and prayed that the weather would improve over the next 24 hours so that we may make our next leg of our trip.

All night long, I had only the weather channel on. My brother messaged me suggesting that I go out and buy some food in preparation for maybe another long day in New York should the weather not improve.

I went out to the nearest convenience shop and bought myself these.....

I went to bed after having dinner of leftovers from the meal I had with my brother and his family.

It wasn’t such a restful night, as all night long, I kept listening up to the weather report to see if things would improve....  

End of Day 7 – 8^th February 2013 – an unintended extra day in New York.....  

A Trip of a Lifetime - to the US and the UK (Part 9) – Another day in New York

I had to wake up early on the 3^rd day of my stay in New York as we had been invited to join the Consulate General (CJ) of Malaysia for breakfast with his family. Our transport was picking us up at 7.30am.

I was tired from yesterday’s excitement, but forced myself to get up at 6.00am to get ready.

As we drove through the city to the CJ’s official residence, I managed to snap a few photos of the sceneries.
 

I was looking to find Donald Trump Tower because I watched the construction of the building on Discovery Channel before making the trip to the US, but, from the photos here, I can't seem to recognize which one it is.

As someone who is architecturally trained, I can't help but look at details of buildings and structures where ever I go, and would take photos of structures that I find amazing, unique or simply interesting. And I find this bridge structure to be interesting....

We arrived at the CJ’s lovely home slightly early then expected when we received conflicting information. But, never the less, the CJ and his family received us warmly.

A view from the residence was breath taking as it overlooks the a river. Unfortunately I forgot to snap a photo of the scene.

We were served Nasi Lemak and Laksa Johor. Nothing beats home cook meal anytime!

I wanted to snap a photo of the food but was afraid that it might be considered rude to do so, so, you will just have to use your imagination and trust my word for it that it was a delicious meal. *grin*

Seen here is me with Dr. Hasnah, one of the members of our delegation from UKM.

 

 

One for the album - with CJ and his family.

 

After breakfast, we headed back to the hotel to rest as our next appointment with Autism Speak, an autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public was at 3.00pm.

 

However, when I got back to the hotel, my brother suggested that we try to look for this Carlos Bakery (http://www.carlosbakery.com/) which I told him I wanted to visit prior to coming to the US when my son and I have been watching Cake Boss on Astro ever since it started showing on TV.

I had to see for myself what I have been watching on TV, and since I was already in New York, why not, right?

It was a 10 block walk to Carlos Bakery, but, we took in the sceneries as we walked to the Bakery and so, the walk did not feel so far.

I could not conceal my excitement upon seeing the Bakery! Gosh! I am dreaming again that I get to actually see the bakery in person after watching it on TV almost weekly!

 

I think my son would have been excited too had he been here to see the bakery.

I hope that someday, I will be able to come again with him and my hubby to the US, God willing.

 

We ordered some cannolis and lobster trail and yes, they were awesome! I must learn to make them myself!

Soon it was time to make our way back to the hotel as I needed to get ready for my meeting with Autism Speaks and my brother and SIL wanted to go back to New Jersey to pick up their kids and bring them over so that I can get to meet them too.
 

On our way back, I finally found a cart selling berets which I liked and immediately bought it.

See the excitement on my face? Like a little kid who just got a new toy! LOL!

More scenes to feast the eyes.....

One for my son who likes listening to Justin Bieber but would not admit it! LOL!

Believe it! I am in front of Ripley’s Believe or not!

A glamorous McD!

My brother left as soon as we got to the hotel while I got ready for the meeting.

The meeting with Autism Speak was more of a discussion to better understand the programs that they do around the world, and by the end of the meeting, plans were made for Autism Speaks to come to Malaysia to further discuss their programs to suit Malaysia’s needs in building our own Autism Center, similar to what they did in other parts of the world.   

On our way back to the hotel after our meeting, we made a slight detour to see the site of the 9/11 Memorial.

It was along walk from where the driver dropped us off, but so determined were we to see the place that we walked for about an hour before we finally arrived at the site because we had to go around the site.

Looking at the site, it hard to imagine that only 2 towers used to sit there as now they are building 5 towers to replace the 2 towers. They also put up a special memorial of falling water where the 2 towers used to sit.

It was an awesome sight – the new towers, the water fall, the gardens, etc., but it was unfortunate that many people had to die.....

I arrived back at the hotel to find my brother and SIL already waiting for me, together with their children.

It was so nice to see the kids again after more than 2 years of not seeing them. I miss them, and my, both of them have grown so tall!
 

Sarah is as pretty as her mum, as Farhan is as tall and handsome as his dad.

As soon as I freshened up, we sat down to have dinner of Tadoori Chicken, Nan bread, butter rice and other food that my brother and SIL had brought.

 

 

Too bad picture is kind of blurry.
 

 

After dinner, while the kids did their homework, yes! they brought their homework as they still had school the next day!, my SIL and I chit chat while I started packing. My brother, in the mean time, had gone to dreamland! LOL!

It was passed midnight when my brother decided that it was time for them to head home to New Jersey. I felt a pang of sadness as I felt that the 2 days spent with my brother and SIL was simply too short. I wished that we could have spent more time together.

Maybe, God willing, I will come again, and this time with hubby and Aiman, insyaAllah.

When my brother left, the snowstorm was about to hit. The weather forecast on TV predicted a very heavy snowstorm coming our way.

I made my brother sms me as soon as he arrives home as I wanted to be sure that they arrived safely.

Thank God, they arrived safely, but soon after that, he smsed me to let me know that all flights out of New York, including my flight, had been cancelled due to unexpected severe weather condition within the next 24 hours.

I hardly slept that night....

Day 6 – 7^th February 2013 – a very long night.....

A Trip of a Lifetime - to the US and the UK (Part 8) – Night time sightseeing

It's been more than a month since I last updated my blog. It's been a hectic last 2 months, what with so many new projects coming up lately but at the same time, I find myself short staffed when one of my Senior Officer who has been my right hand man got promoted and got transferred out.

Anyway, here's the continuation to my US and UK Trip.....

 

After dinner, my brother, SIL and I decided to go sightseeing to see the city at night.
 

We walked 10 blocks to Times Square, but it did not feel like it was 10 blocks that we walked when we made many stops to enjoy the scene and took pictures.

 

 

I have to take a picture on the Fashion Avenue, especially with this statue of a man sewing.

 

 
After a while, it got really windy and cold, and without a cap, I had to use my scarf to cover my ears as they were getting frozen! LOL!

 
I love watching CSI (NY) and so cannot resist taking a photo with these kind policemen who obliged when we excitedly asked if we could snap a photo with them for souvenir sake.

 
I only wished that one of them is Gary Sinese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Sinise). LOL! Only in my dreams! Only in my dreams! Wake up, Nik! LOL!

In the background is the tower where my brother said the countdown to the new year happens.

I had to get a photo in front of this awesome limousine, but even before we could get a clear angle, it drove off! LOL!

I think the driver knows what we were up too! LOL!

Too bad I was 3 weeks early for the Oscars, not that I’d be able to go to the Oscars anyway! LOL! But it would be awesome if I had been there during the Oscars.

 I am finally here! The steps where people gather every year to countdown to the new year!

 

We tried to get ourselves on the big Hyundai screen.

See the tiny me on the left hand side of the screen? I am sure you can spot me! I am the one in red. LOL!

If my feet weren’t starting to freeze, we would have walked another 10 blocks to the Apple Store, but I was tired, and it was getting too cold to walk.

So, we decided to take the, ...yey! ....famous yellow cab....back to the hotel!

I am amazed how advanced this city of New York is.

The cab has a TV screen to entertain you as you take the ride to your destination, and when it’s time to pay the fare, you can pay by credit card even if the fare is only $2.00!

In fact, most shops, even the small shops in New York, accept payment by credit card.

I don’t think that would be acceptable here in Malaysia. You must have at least spent a minimum of RM50.00 to use a credit card to pay.

I think it will be some time before Malaysia will and can catch up on this method of payment in the small shops. Even a tourist destination like Langkawi, the shops there still only accepts cash.  

The good part to being able to pay by credit card is that you need not have to carry that much cash, which is good, because then that way, you avoid people trying to steal cash from you.

Over here in Malaysia, I use my credit card for emergencies or when I make purchases for large or expensive items. But my brother is just the opposite.

He said that he uses his credit card to pay for almost everything and cash is only used for emergencies. *grin*

We got back to the hotel close to midnight.

Here's one for the album - with my awesome brother, NikAi, as we fondly call him.

 

Day 5 finally came to an end. It had been an exciting day, but wait, there’s more exciting stories to tell! So, stay tuned and wait for the next posting!

End of Day 5 – 6^th February 2013 – it’s been an exciting day!