Final Day in NYC

NYC Day IV (the final day)!  It's been fun reliving the trip on my blog.  I am so grateful to have been able to accompany these teachers and students on such an awesome trip.  It was perfect.  Even the weather was very NOT-like-NewYork while we were there (we didn't freeze)!  

So Day IV started with a quick stop at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  So beautiful (and huge).

I looked across the street and saw that we were near (or maybe even on the campus of) Columbia University.  

I thought of blog buddy Alicia (at Mommy Delicious) and had to shoot her tweet to let her know I was passing through her old stomping grounds.

And then we went here!  So cool!

I remember walking in thinking, "Where's the rest of it?"  The Apollo Theater is much smaller than it appears on TV.  It was actually the first thing they mentioned in the tour.  They said they use fish eye lenses to make the room look bigger for TV.  So the real Apollo Theater is a cute, intimate version of what we're used to seeing on TV.

It was so amazing hearing the history of this place and the names of those who'd come through.  Think Jackson 5, Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, etc.  Not to mention all the newer artists who've stopped by.  We also got to see the dressing rooms - they actually have two sets of dressing rooms:  the older ones that were used long ago and then the newer ones with flat screen TVs, etc.  Today's stars choose to use the old room.  And the rooms are so simple.  Literally a table and chairs and old mirrors.  But they hold lots of history.  

Tree of Hope

Nah, I didn't perform, but some of our kids (and one of our teachers) did!  Though the audience consisted of just us and another school, how many folks can say they've performed at the Apollo? It was kinda awesome to see those kids up there.  (By the way, you'll notice I posted no pics of the kids.  I'm sure there are laws against that -- or it's just morally wrong since I didn't contact the 28 families to ask if I could put their kid on my blog.  Trust me -- I wish I could!)

And then we did a quick tour of THE Macy's store.  

I'm not that big a shopper (and I get tired just thinking about the 10 floors this Macy's has), but I found my husband a jacket he's been wanting (and got a great deal).  It was pretty interesting hearing the history of Macy's and the marketing tactics created by Macy's founder (like selling a $2.00 item for $1.98, etc.).  

And then we went for a tour of Radio City Music Hall.  

While I didn't quite run into someone I knew (this time), there was something pretty special about this Rockette here.  She's a graduate of our school. :)  The kids thought that was pretty awesome.  

I should add that our school is no stranger to the world of entertainment.  It's produced an American Idol, a Miss USA, and a show on MTV that focused on the football team (and a little teenage drama, of course).  The second season of the show was filmed when DK coached there, and there were actually clips of him in the show.  I totally forgot about that until now.

Anyway, we're not a fine arts school nor are we solely focused on sports.   Our focus is on college and career readiness (I guess that's the point of high school).  We were recently ranked nationally for preparing students for college.  I teach at a pretty cool place, I must admit.

Anyway, back to the trip.  Last but not least is the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center.  Instead of taking a pic, I recorded it from my phone.  So beautiful (see for yourself):

And that wraps up the trip, folks!  We did quite a bit our four days there, and I'm so glad I went.  I was EXHAUSTED when I got home, but it was worth it!  And it was so nice to be picked up from the airport by my husband and sweet birthday girl (who turned three on that very day).  I'll never forget it! :)

I'm wrapping up the semester at work and am looking forward to some time off.  Next week I'm sure I'll tell you about my family's get together, which is this weekend (can't wait).  I also have a sweet video to share of Morgan's class singing Christmas carols.  And Friday I'll post our family Christmas card. :)

Hope you have a great weekend!