9/11 Memorial

May 04, 2012 The Provident Princess 0 Comments


Today we had tickets to the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero. We had to go through airport-like security checks before being let through.

I didn't know what to expect. Last time I was here, they were still tearing down all the buildings. But I was blown away.

I remember the debate about what should be done with Ground Zero. Should they rebuild the towers? Make them taller? Build something else entirely or make it into a memorial? At first I felt like I wanted them to rebuild the Towers or build something to show that the terrorists didn't win, that they couldn't break us. 

I think what they did was so much better.


In the footprint of the Twin Towers are two pools with 30 foot waterfalls around the entire perimeter. It is surreal to look down and see the spot where the Towers once stood. 

In the middle of the pool is a black void where all the water drains. It was so eerie to see how still the water in the pool was, then to watch it be sucked down into this massive hole to the depths of who knows where. It was almost as if part of myself were being sucked down with it. 

 I thought of us Americans and especially those personally affected by the attacks. About the void in our lives, what was taken away and the holes we have that will never be filled. 















It's very fitting that around the railing there is about a 3 foot ledge inscribed with all the people who lost their lives that day. The passengers in the airplanes, the pentagon employees, the 1st responders to the attacks and of course, those that were in the World Trade Centers.


This was such a touching memorial. It showed that yes, the terror attacks did affect us. It doesn't make us weak to acknowledge the fact. 

It shows that out of the ashes of our tragedy we can rebuild. We can get up, mourn our innocent dead and continue to live, stronger for what we have been through, and cherish what we have while never forgetting what we lost. 


The Freedom Tower being built in the shadow of where the Twin Towers once stood.


God Bless the USA!

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Central Park and Grand Central Terminal

May 03, 2012 The Provident Princess 0 Comments

Today we braved the subway and went to Central Park. Before I moved, I called the MTA and asked them to mail me a list of all the subway stations that are wheelchair accessible stations since I found out that not all of them are.

Even with that list in hand we managed to get off at a station without an elevator and ended up having to lug the stroller up 3 flights of stairs. I have no idea what went wrong but thanks to the guy who helped me carry the stroller while Mimsy carried the girls.




Aaralyn was actually excited to go on a 'train' but she's just in the refusing to smile stage. At least she's looking at the camera.


Olivia is always happy to give a great smile for the camera though.


It turns out Olivai is quite the tease. She grabs Aaralyn's sweater, hair, hand or anything with in reach and yanks while laughing all the while.


Aaralyn tries to tell Olivia to leave her alone and put her arm back where it belongs.


But she doesn't listen and is right back at it. Then I hear

"Mommy, Livie is touching me!"
I say, "It's OK, she's just saying Hi"
B: "No, she is pinching me"  cue the cry, she yells, rips her arm back and then Olivia screams at the top of her lungs for Aaralyn ruining the fun.

Man I thought I wouldn't have to deal with this until they were like 7.

Luckily their seats recline far enough down that they are out of reach from each other. Aaralyn isn't the innocent one here either, I'll look down and she'll be leaning across the divider practically on Olivia laughing her head off while Livie is screaming bloody murder.

Our trip for the day was Central Park. It is beautiful of course. But the most surprising thing I learned about it is that it is entirely man-made. The only thing that was natural are the big rocks that kind of look like cooled lava. The designers created everything else and wanted to showcase many types of landscapes from forests, lakes, meadows and waterfalls.

We chose a path and just went for it.

 We ran into Balto standing watch atop a hill.

After a little wandering around and a tip from a conservancy worker we ended up at the famous Central Park Carousel.



Central Park has had a carousel since the 1870's and this one has been here since 1950. It is one of the largest carousels in the country and was made in 1908.



The carousel was fun and fast even for me. The girls had a blast seeing all the animals, going up and down and keeping an eye out for Mimsy. I was surprised that Olivia loved it as much as she did. I'm glad I decided to take her too.


We thought it would be fun to have a picnic while we were in Central Park so we decided to grab some 'organic, natural hot dogs' from a street vendor. I don't know how that works out but it was definitely good. Mimsy got a feta and spinach sausage one that she said might be the best she's ever had.

Olivia up to her old tricks
Watch Out!
Timber

Olivia sounds like this the whole time in a really high voice "hee, hee, hee, hee"
"It stopped!"
"Where'd she go?"
 Man life is fun and crazy with these 2.


I love this picture. Livie is happy and Aaralyn's expression is totally put out and saying like "Another picture? If you must." With her eyes closed in disdain.

 Around the bend we came to a water fall emptying into a big lake. I love all the surprises we were met with throughout the Park.

We decided to exit Central Park onto 5th Avenue.


It was crazy to walk down the avenue with these beautiful, towering buildings full of amazing shops and stores and think of all the other people who have done the same over the years. There were so many things that I wanted to stop and look at but it was impossible not to just get swept along with the crowd.

Mimsy took control of the stroller giving me a chance to snaps some pics. After getting our fill of the high-end shops we decided to veer off onto a quieter road and head for Grand Central Terminal. 


Grand Central is busy! Grand Central Terminal is the largest terminal in the world by number of platforms (44). Over 750,000 people pass through it daily.

Originally built in 1913 it fell into disrepair and was almost was torn down in the 60's. But it was saved from demolition by being designated as a historical landmark. Jackie Kennedy played a key role in preserving it.

It was restored and rededicated in 1998 featuring the original astronomical ceiling that was uncovered during the restoring process. There are constellations all over the 'sky'.

A fun fact is that the stars on the ceiling are the reverse of where they are found in our sky. Many people speculate that the design was flipped but the artists insisted that they made it from God's perspective when looking down at us.


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Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

May 02, 2012 The Provident Princess 0 Comments

Today was a day I crossed something off my bucket list. Ever since i was a little girl I have dreamed of going to the Statue of Liberty. I have been to New York 3 times before this and have always been disappointed to be so close it it but not able to go. So this trip I made it a priority.

The day didn't promise good weather and it was raining once we stepped outside. Mimsy and I pushed the stroller down to Battery Park to catch a ferry. Aaralyn was so excited to go on a boat. Mimsy offered to watch the girls so I could go above and check out the view. The Financial District offered quite an imposing sight from across the river. 

Downtown Manhattan
The new Freedom Tower being built at Ground Zero just recently claimed the spot of the tallest building in Manhattan. You can see it on the left disappearing into the clouds.

I turned the other way, and there it was, the Statue of Liberty. 

Statue of Liberty
As I looked at her I thought about all the immigrants who had left everything and everyone they ever knew, traveling miles and miles for weeks on end,  in crowded, smelly ships on the hope that they could find a better life. 

                      
Then, finally, their first view of America; a speck on the horizon getting bigger and bigger is this beautiful statue holding aloft the flame of Liberty for all to see. A flame that has come to embody all the faith, dreams, and hope America offers to the world. What a first impression.

The statue representing Libertas- the Roman goddess of freedom, was a gift from France envisioned by Frederic Bartholdi. After going through their own revolution France wanted a joint project raised to American Independence so they offered to construct the Statue if America agreed to supply the pedestal. 

Apparently, many Americans protested the idea and were offended at the thought of someone offering them a gift and then requiring them to foot part of the bill. By the time the Statue was ready and shipped to America, the pedestal still wasn't built and had to wait another year before being constructed.


Aaralyn got bored and kept trying to peek out the back of the stroller so I finally opened it up so she could look around.

We hopped back on the ferry and ate lunch while we waited for our next stop. Ellis Island.

Ellis Island
 Ellis Island was opened by the federal government and operated from 1892 until 1954. Prior to this, most immigrants were processed by the states, especially New York.

The first immigrant was a 15 year old from Ireland named Annie Moore followed by an estimated 10.5 million more.

 When the immigrants would first arrive they would go through registration where they would be asked their names and how much money they had among other questions. The government wanted every immigrant to have at least $25 so that they could support themselves and buy a train ticket somewhere. Anyone who was suspected to become a 'public charge', a criminal or sick with a contagious disease was not accepted which was about 2 percent of immigrants.       

The average immigrant stayed between 2-5 hours but those who were delayed for health or record problems were kept on the second floor where there were dormitories and a cafeteria. The dormitories were full of 2-person wide and 3 level high bunk beds that could be lifted up during the day to provide living space.

Mimsy saw a 30 min film about the immigrant experience and said it was quite touching. Unfortunately for me, the girls had had enough of sitting quietly so I left the movie and walked through a great exhibit about immigrant groups from 1550 to present day that was really interesting.

I had checked with grandmas from both of our families to see if we had someone who came through Ellis Island. The Auxier's were here before the Revolutionary War and the other sides of our families came as pioneers before Ellis Island was opened. 

Although I don't have a personal connection to Ellis Island, I enjoyed the experience of walking through another's shoes and felt a new love for my country and ancestors. The blessings my family and I have to live in America because at one point someone decided they wanted something more in life for them and their family are humbling. 

Our lives are testimonies of the fact that The American Dream is alive and well!

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