Thirty Second Thoughts

I just got an email from my oldest friend who I went to school with in Staten Island, NY. She sent me pictures of her little boys and I couldn't believe how:

1.) Adorable and TOTALLY handsome they are, and

2.) How much her first little boy looks SO much like her!


It reminded me of the first day of school at St. Paul's standing in the yard, all of us in line in our blue uniforms. I looked over at her standing with her dad and thought she looked like how I felt.

I really don't know how we became friends; maybe it was from our first grade teacher pairing us to sing all the time, or our love of Hulk Hogan and Junkyard Dog from watching Wrestling Sunday mornings, but it was just natural that we were.

I starting thinking about all the awesome things I got to do (and took for granted) living in my home-state...city.

We lived on the 15th floor of a high-rise apartment building overlooking Hudson River. Our alarm clock was the 7:00 Ferry leaving the St. George Terminal. Looking out my mother's bedroom window I could see the Statue of Liberty, and out on our balcony was the whole view of Manhattan.



I remember the 200th Celebration of 4th of July. The Goodyear Blimp floated right in-between our two buildings. You could almost reach out and touch it! The river was packed with boats and beautiful yachts, and I think the President was out there giving a speech.
We always had the best seat when the fireworks began, and it was so beautiful how their reflection glistened over the water.

One of my favorite memories was when my mom would take me to Snug Harbor to feed the ducks. It was a beautiful place that felt miles away from all the hustle of the New York life.
Maybe I have glamorized it in my mind because of the sentimental value it holds; but I loved it no less.

On the few weekends my sisters and I would see my dad, we had a ritual every Sunday morning that was actually a pretty nice memory...I appreciate them considering they came few in-between with him.
My stepmother would always order a cheesecake from the best place in the world (Junior's) and after breakfast, she would cut a slice for all of us. I grew up on that, Italian Icee's and Gelato's from this awesome Italian Pizzeria across the street. I know I'm biased, but NY has the best Pizza ever.
I miss the Haagen-Dazs in Park Slope, and the record shop next door to it. I bought my first U2 TAPE there!

Upon leaving to go back to my mom's house, we would get these Jamaican Beef Patties from this Caribbean pastry shop and they were SO good! I always tried ordering the spicy one, but my dad would switch it to mild.

I thought about all this and more in a matter of thirty seconds after getting that email from my old friend. It's amazing all the memories that flash through your mind like lightning in a storm.

I'll have to write about other 'thirty second thoughts' when I feel homesick again.