homage to the 845 and the nyc.

Grand Central Terminal.

I don't know what's gotten into me lately. Maybe it's because of the trip we have coming up. That is most likely the case. You see, I've lived in sunny southern California for a little over two years now. And don't get me wrong, I LOVE it. It's beautiful, the sun shines pretty much every day, and I live three blocks from the ocean. What more could you want right?

I take it you have probably figured out by now that I am not from here, and you would be right! I was raised in good ol' New York. A wee town called Hopewell Junction (or Hopeless Junction, as it is affectionately known to it's younger residents). I also lived in Poughkeepsie, which is twenty minutes north on Rte 9. If Poughkeepsie sounds familiar to you it is probably because Snooki claims to hail from there (she's not, and ask ANYONE from that area that question and you will get the same response), there is that line "If you pick your feet in Poughkeepsie" (which I am not sure if it is from a book, song, or a movie), and it was mentioned in a Something Corporate song from like 2002. My entire life was spent scheming and plotting various ways to get the hell out of that place. Look, ma, I did it!

So why am I so nostalgic for it?!

All things considered, it wasn't a bad place to grow up. I grew up on a cul de sac. We had a small house on an acre of property. I had a swing set, plenty of woods, and many forts. A small creek ran through the neighborhood. There was also a baseball field, and in later years a playground. It's about a hour and a half from NYC so impromptu city trips were aplenty. You could drive, but that was lame and a hassle. All the cool kids know you take the train! Metro-North Hudson line, represent!

Boyfriend and I are taking a trip back to my homeland next month, which I am thoroughly excited about. He has been to New York once, when he was a kid, so naturally that doesn't count at all. I am excited to introduce him to all sorts of wonderful things like a Jewish deli (apparently there are some out here but IT'S NOT THE REAL THING, I TELL YOU), Central Park (in the late spring/early summer no less! SQUEALS!), pretzels and hot dogs from the street vendors, the subway system, etc. Also hometown faves like the Eveready Diner, Walkway Over the Hudson, any general Greek owned diner. If I wasn't going to be six and half months pregnant I would introduce him to the legendary bar scene. I would never take him to Mahoney's. Ew, gross. Mahoney's is to Poughkeepsie what Sharkeez is to Hermosa/Manhattan/Redondo. Catch my drift? No no. You go to the dives. Or the great Cabaloosa's. Well it was great to me! Or that amazing bar I stumbled upon once in New York with some co-workers when I worked  at BCBG. I want to say it was called Jake's? New York, where the fun never ends and the bars and clubs don't close until 4am. Imagine my shock when I moved to California and found out closing time was 2am. I was outraged, let me tell you!

But I digress! Obviously, no bar scene this time around. But just thinking about this upcoming trip, and taking Boyfriend to all of these places, and in general just being back in New York-well, I could just shriek with delight and anticipation. You spend your whole life trying to get out, and once you do, you can't wait to go back. To visit. Because moving back there is a whole other story!

Just a little love song to the 845.