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!

A Trip of a Lifetime - to the US and the UK (Part 7) – A great time with brother and SIL

After seeing off the rest of the group go off to where ever was planned earlier, my brother and SIL stayed on awhile to snap a few more photos.

Then it was to a craft shop that I have been dreaming of that someday I get to step foot into the shop!

It was about an hour’s drive from New York, with a picturesque view all along the way.

When we arrived at Joann’s, I felt like another dream just came true again!

Thanks and syukur alhamdullilah to Allah for making this dream come true!

I had one hour to spend at Joann’s as we other places we wanted to go to.

Boy! I was really spoilt for choice!

Luckily, or, was that unluckily, I am not a millionaire. If I were, I’d buy the whole store! LOL!

I dabble in so many hobbies, and trying to decide what to buy and to buy something that is worth it, coming all the way to the US, which I can’t find in Malaysia or are too expensive, was difficult, because a lot of the things were either not so easily available in Malaysia or, they cost an arm and a leg.

I couldn’t decide between which hobbies that I wanted to spend on – scrapbooking? Cross stitching? Patchwork and quilting? Rubber stamping? Baking? Crocheting? Sewing? It was like trying to make a major decision! LOL!

I went around and around Joann several times before finally making my choices.

Thanks, NikAi, for taking the photos! I was so excited I was in Joann's that I forgot to snap photos of my own!

Just look at all those fabrics! Trying to decide which one was hard! I want them all! LOL!

I finally decided on some patchwork and quilting stuff, a few things for my scrapbook and rubber stamping hobby and bought a couple of patterns for my sewing hobby.

The stash? You will have to wait for a separate posting dedicated just on the stash that I bought, but I am sure my craft friends are going to be envious when they see the stash that I actually managed to haul from this trip! LOL! *wink*

Next stop? The Woodbury Common Premium Outlet!

I am not actually a person who goes crazy buying branded items, especially when they cost a bomb. I’d rather spend it on craft stash. But, occasionally, when I find something branded that I like and it suits my budget (which isn’t exactly sky high *grin*), I would buy it, but that does not happen often.

I prefer to buy something that would either make me look good or makes me feel good about myself, and gives me confidence to go about my day, and it may or may not be a branded item.

So, I wasn’t initially excited about going to the Woodbury, but since everyone said that if you are in New York, you must visit the Premium Outlet. If not, your New York trip would not be complete. So, I was excited about the fact that I finally get to visit the much talked about Outlet!

It was an hour’s drive from Joann.

I never imagined how big the Outlet was going to be, and now that I have arrived at the Outlet, now I know why it is a must visit place when in New York!

I was in awe of how big it was and how many branded shops could be located all in one location! It was awesome, and yes, I was awestruck! I could not believe I was there! LOL!

When my brother and SIL asked me which shop I wanted to visit, I was at a lost.

There were so many shops to choose from but most of them were selling items I know I could only dream of ever being able to afford them.

Furthermore, I think I have better things I would rather spend my money on. Also, I don’t think I could ever bring myself to buy a handbag where the price is the cost of half of my salary. I‘d be crazy to spend that much money!

But in awe I was, and I wanted to visit them all as I don’t think I will have an opportunity to visit Woodbury again in the near future.

But Coach is a must visit store as this is one brand that many of my friends and relatives have been talking about and I was told it is one of the more affordable brands. I told myself that I must at least come home with one Coach Handbag! LOL! *wink*

I brother said that I should visit the Prada store as in Malaysia, I might never dare to step into one! LOL! He is right about that!

So here I am with a Prada handbag that I could never afford! LOL! Not yet, at least! *wink*

Just posing in front of another store I could never imagine buying from their items – Gucci. At least not yet! *grin*

So, let’s walk away for now.....

We chance upon members of my group who also took the opportunity to come to Woodbury.

We got to the Coach store, and oh my, I was spoilt for choice, and most of the items were, err.....kind of affordable! LOL!

I fell in love with this beige bag the minute I set eyes on it, but the price made me put it down again. But, wait, it was on sale! The final price? I am not telling! LOL! *wink*

The red salmon bag is lovely too!

Checking out a bag at Vera Bradley.

No, I did not buy anything at Vera Bradley as I think most of the items sold looks like something I can make myself. Maybe I can someday promote Uniquely Aznique too? *wink*

We just gave Burberry a pass as it was way too expensive for me to buy anything from there.

We took a short break at one of the many food courts available at the Outlet to enjoy Eli’s home cooked Nasi Lemak.

It was delicious! Really love it! Nasi Lemak all the way from New Jersey! See that satisfied look on my face? I look rounded too! LOL!

Thanks, NikAi and Eli!

After the short break, it was another round of going around to see more stores!

We stopped by Nine West and I almost did not buy this pair of boots when another lady would not let go of the other side of the shoe when she saw me trying it out.

I decided to just let it go. I did not feel like arguing with her over a pair of boots.

However when we came back later, she did not even buy the boots, so I decided to buy it as it was 60% off, if I remember it.

I am glad that we went back to get the boots because it was these pair of boots that kept my feet from freezing up the next few days as the boots I brought with me from Malaysia were not thick enough to sustain the freezing weather of New York and London.

Next stop, Kate Spade, as my brother wanted to get something for my mum.

I like this colourful handbag my SIL chose for my mum.

I feel like a little kid posing with my mum's Kate Spade! LOL!

If I wasn’t too worried about my luggage being in excess, I think I would have gone overboard and over my spending limit buying all the handbags I like! LOL!

In actual fact, I did actually buy an extra luggage, but that was planned well in advance as I had pre-ordered some craft items to be sent to my brother’s house well ahead of my journey and I needed another luggage to bring them back home with me as I started the trip with only a single standard size luggage. My brother had advised that I get the second luggage in the US as it would be cheaper and I would get a better quality luggage at the Outlet.

I could not, however, resist buying at least one Michael Korrs Handbag though! LOL! *wink*

It was another bag that I fell in love with the minute I saw it at the store front! LOL!

After that purchase, I told my brother that we are not making any more stops as I might not be able to resist buying another handbag! LOL!

I have no regrets about buying the things I bought that day, although I am not about to reveal how many pieces of handbags I bought that day *wink*, but, no, I did not go mad and bought 10 handbags! LOL!

Maybe if my luggage could fit,.....maybe..... LOL! *wink*

By the way, I also bought my son 2 pairs of High Top Converse shoes in red and black, and bought my hubby a Bostonian shoes at the Clarks Store. Unfortunately, I bought the wrong size. Hubby said that he will be keeping them for when Aiman can fit into them.

We arrived at the hotel and took a short rest before we headed out to dinner at the same halal shop I had dinner with my friends just the night before.

We were hungry and too tired to venture any further for dinner.

After dinner, we decided to go sightseeing......

Day 5 to be continued...again! – 6th February 2013 – the night is still young!