I had to write this for class, so I thought I'd share.

Where I’m From… by Mrs. Herring

I am from happy dog tails and the squealing children who chased behind,

From the cool, smooth touch of the piano as it yielded under my fingers.

I am from the statue of Mary I loved through the holidays

And the scent of perfection that lingered like a rotting rose.

I’m from grapevines and a cherry tree that gave us “homemade” fruit.

I’m from the lawnmower that I never learned to use.

And I’m from birdfeeders that drew color into the yard.

I’m from neighborhood talent shows

And the fort where we played war and breathed fire.

And I’m from the lake and the skis and the wakeboard that made me cool

With my brothers.

But I’m also from crazy Aunt Julie and sarcastic Uncle Bob,

Protective big brothers

And competitions with cousins for our grandparents’ affection.

I’m from “Perfek!” from Dad

And Ian’s “Miss Tenna”

And “You stand on the wrong side of the ironing board!”

And Mom promising “I love you no matter what.”

From Aunt Nell’s Thanksgiving rolls

(the ones Uncle Bill hides from everyone),

And Grandmom’s ring-a-ling stickies.

From Mom’s biscuits and gravy that she inherited from her mom

And the hand-decorated birthday cakes with coins in between the layers.

I’m from the mountains of Bristol.

I’m from football fanatic Knoxville.

And I’m from honky-tonk Nashville and my first mortgage.

Who am I?  I’d rather tell you where I’m from.

 I have to leave the city and my husband today.  I'll see Josh on Friday, but there's no telling when I'll get back to New York.  I've learned quite a bit about myself while spending so much time alone.  Secretly I was pretty scared to explore the city by myself.  You see, I've never really done anything by myself.  I've never had to find or make my own way.  By marrying right out of college, I've always had someone with whom to explore new places, make huge decisions, and share good and bad news.  But this past week and a half I surprised myself by finding my way around (I didn't get lost a single time or even get on the wrong train!) and by all-in-all being content with being alone.  Don't get me wrong, I would have much preferred that Josh were with me, but I feel like I grew into myself a little bit in a way that I could only possibly do by spending so much time alone. 

That being said, here are a few final pictures from a bus tour I took with my friend Mary.  So long New York!

  Empire State Building

 The Flatiron Building (it doesn't lean like the tower of Pisa; that's just my poor camera skills)

 My favorite, the Chrysler Building

 Mary!

 New York has been entertaining thus far.  Friday I spent in the financial district while I waited on Josh to get home from work.  I even ran into one of my professors from UT at Battery Park!  To celebrate Josh's 27th birthday that night, we met some friends in Chinatown for some unbelievable soup dumplings and then ventured into Little Italy for birthday pastries.  Josh ushered in his 28th year atop the Empire State Building, which I think is a pretty awesome way to spend your birthday! 

We spent Saturday with some of my high school friends in Central Park.  This has been my favorite thing about my trip so far.  I've been to NYC four times before, but each time I've been so stressed about doing all the touristy things that I haven't taken time to relax in the park.  I loved it, although it was hard for me to get used to all the people sunbaithing in a public park, especially the fat guy in his speedo about 20 yards from us.  We played yard games and socialized for about 3 hours and then found a BBQ place that served a massive amount of meat and sweet tea! 

NYSE

Ground Zero (behind the construction wall)

A sphere that used to stand on the WTC site that now serves as a memorial in Battery Park

Statue of Liberty

Brooklyn Bridge (with the Manhattan Bridge behind)

Happy 27th Birthday, Josh!

Goofing off while waiting in line at the Shake Shack

The Shake Shack, located in Madison Square Park

Central Park

Josh playing Washers

Us in Central Park

We ordered waaaaaaaaay too much food!