New York Girls' Reunion

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to New York to play with my college girlfriends. My friend, Simone, lives in NY and works as a teacher. So we got a hotel somewhat near her place and she was a fabulour tour guide. Saturday was spent shopping, New York style and eating fabulous food. Below is a picture of Heidi, Tanya and myself at the top of Rockefeller Center overlooking Central Park which was my personal favorite.

All the leaves were changing colors - it was so beautiful.

This was a view from Brooklyn Bridge - the Statue of Liberty in the distance.

Another view of Central Park from the top of Rockefeller Center

Here we are at Rockefeller Center in front of the skating rink - no Today Show visits this time - too early to get up and too cold :)

Saturday we shopped and ate, shopped and ate some more! Sunday we walked to American Girl Store (a place I'd love to take the girls to someday). We traveled to the top of Rockefeller Center, took a carriage ride through Central Park, stopped at The Met and went to church with Simone - followed by more yummy dinner! Monday, we took a tour bus downtown and got off at Ground Zero. It was a giant hole with lots of construction equipment. It didn't have much memorabilia around due to the fact that it's been kept for the memorial that will one day be there. There are some remembrances around the site, but mostly it's a giant hole with cranes in it. It's amazing to think that two extraordinarily tall buildings used to be there. After Ground Zero, we went to Brooklyn to see Simone's school and then out to dinner once again. Tuesday, was travel day back to Arizona.

It was a fantastic trip. These girls are so special. We've been getting together pretty regularly ever since our college graduation 12 years ago. Our relationships are ones where we can easily pick up where we left off and no time has passed. It's completely comfortable and we share our souls and pray for each other. We missed Kim with us this time and hope next reunion we can all make it.

Two days after we returned home we learned of the Tea Fire that roared through Montecito and burned some buildings on Westmont's campus and some faculty homes as well. Fortunately, everyone is safe (including sister Alecia who's a sophomore). It's a devastating loss for the professors and their families, yet at the same time another opportunity to demonstrate God's faithfulness and the extraordinary community that Westmont is. Our prayers are with everyone there as they move forward and rebuild.