La Manzana Grande!

(I'm practicing my spanish a lot lately)

President's Day weekend we had the chance to hit the big apple, where I went to compete in the cross country US nationals meet (http://impalasrun.blogspot.com/2006/02/impalas-rock-big-apple.html). Who would plan a cross country meet in NYC in February?!? I dunno but it was poor conditions for a jaunt outside through the woods and fields in anything but a snow suit. Snow flurries and mud + tank top and sliced ankle (a la kitchen knife accident) did not make this the most fun race of my life. But I did get to enjoy some hot cocoa after the masochistic medic jammed gauze into my open wound and taped it there.
Actually, being at a race of such caliber was a pretty cool experience, and it got me to New York for free so I shan't complain. But what is a blog without a sarcastic edge?

My sister met us there and we had a blast--constant laughter. We were able to go through the Met, the MOMA, ride the Staten Island ferry, shoe shop, walk through the park, sip cocoa at a dimly lit italian cafe until midnight, and most importantly, eat some crazy good NY cuisine. And Emily kept us entertained, watching her cruise around in a stolen men's coat that she bought at night from a street vendor for $20. She was cold, it was "designer" and supposedly a women's medium so great deal right? But the next day in the light we noticed that the shoulders of the coat hung halfway down her arms and the coat had indications of prior use. So she looked like a bag lady and we looked like the kind souls feeding her a picnic lunch on a park bench outside of Zabar's (such divine cheese).

So New York! What an excellent place. After years of searching countless convenience stores, I finally found an enormous candy store that carries the best ring pop flavor, limited edition raspberry lemonade. Muddy split ankle so worth it.