Welcome to NYC.. This is fabulous!!! After arriving on Monday, met Margaret (owner), completed the paperwork, etc., kind of got settled, more importantly went and got coffee, bread, milk, etc for the morning... The grocery store is only a couple of blocks, wine/liquor right around the corner, laundromat just a block away, so like all the convience around me, especially with no wheels... The apt is very stark/simple/clean in lines, I like it that way, no ca-ca, very comfortable... Now I can say, I'd lived in NYC... I am stoked!!! Tuesday, went to the laundrmat, gotta' tell you, I feel reborn when all my clothes are clean, awesome feeling!!! After, went back to the grocery store to get some more groceries... Since I missed Canadian thanksgiving, am celebrating on Thursday with our USA neighbours but with a chicken dinner (instead of turkey) with all the trimmings, can hardly wait... My first home cooked meal, on Tuesday, guess?... (those of you that know me well will guess, I'm sure) yes, mac 'n cheese with coleslaw, yummy! with, of course, red wine to wash it down... Felt ssooo good to cook my own food again! I am having trouble finding my Apothic r/wine, no worries, I'll find it... ha! Gotta' tell you, I was really tired on Monday night, what's with that? Didn't get up very early Tuesday at all and was verrry happy to name my own hour, that's for sure... Today, had oatmeal, yahoo! mush! then headed off to explore the subway system over to Manhattan... By the way, I am in Long Island City, Queens, just on the other side of the East River... My address is 50th and Vernon, 546 50th Ave... Only one stop on the subway to Grand Central Station... Sweet!! Anywho, headed off this morning to 79th & Columbus, apparently the Macy's parade balloons were to be inflated, wrongo! When I finally arr'd there (went the wrong direction, just about ended up at LaGuardia airport - another Helen moment), enuf said... The balloons will be inflated just before the parade so hung around Grand Central Station, that is very properly named - love that building!! This took the whole afternoon, on a very sloppy day... Apparently, tomorrow is going to be a bbrrr day, still w/be going to the parade, can hardly wait... 'til next time, as I enjoy mac 'n cheese warmups... stay safe... h