The city that never sleeps

Hello all --

I am currently writing at my sister's disheveled dorm, on the 12th floor of Alumni Hall. We are currently in the grievous process of moving all of her belongings from 27th street to 30th street. Sure, three blocks sounds like NOTHIN', but when you're carrying a total of 40-50 lbs. per trip, it is quite tiring.

I arrived here around 7pm Saturday night. That night, we went to an adorable Italiano restaurante called Gusto, in Greenwich Village, and then made our way to a French cafe with an ADORABLE garden out back for some Banana Flambe paired with a cup of coffee. One of my favorite things about this city is the food. Every delicious cuisine is available to you at any location, any time.

Sunday morning we went to Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem with Jenny's Menswear crew. There was a group of around 10 of us, and we all went with one of the professors, Professor Pascall. Sweet, sweet lady of around 55. She had a wonderful Spanish accent and was so kind. After the service, we went to an amazing restaurant, buffet style! Soul food was on the menu. The owner of the restaurant greeted each one of us individually, and actually asked if I was Britney Spears. Me!? Britney!? No thank you.

Afterwards, we took a subway to the piers and walked. Beautiful, yet dreary due to the misty weather. We returned to Jenny's dorm and I took a three and a half hour nap. WHAT!? I was exhausted from travelling/lack of sleep. I felt really rested afterwards. Heck, I'm on vacation -- I will nap as I please! Later that evening, I returned to meet Jenny at her apartment on 30th, and Marcus came over for a Chess match. After he killed me, we walked to McDonalds for a midnight snack. Their parfaits are super good -- especially at night!

Today, I awoke to a musical beat sounding from the neighboring wall. Good morning from New York! Me and Jenny went to breakfast around 10:30, and then proceeded on to F.I.T. for her last presentation of the semester. I was able to go to the classroom with her and got to sit back and watch as different classmates stood in front of the room and explain their design, the inspiration, why they chose the fabrics, and the functionality, etc. I felt as if I had turned on the TV and Bravo's Project Runway was on. It was fascinating. To think that this is my sister's life blows my mind. She was selected to present and she did a wonderful job. She tailored an incredible black blazer, and did an amazing job on it. Don't let her tell you otherwise.

For today, we are focusing on moving everything out, and eventually grabbing some New York pizza!

Tomorrow we fly out for London at 6pm, so if you're reading this, pray that me and Jenny will be safe during our travels! It is somewhat intimidating, but I am not in the least bit scared. The Lord is good and is watching over me and my sister -- why should I be afraid?

In His name,
emily

Preparations

In less than 48 hours, I will be on an airplane headed for New York City. Five days from now, I will be in London, England.

Overwhelmed is what I feel. I have no idea what to expect and very little hopes for this trip, fully knowing that it will meet my every desire while hopping from country to country.

These are my travels.

Keep up with my adventures so that I won't have to e-mail everyone regularly. The internet should be vastly utilized, as seen today.

My next post will contain details about NYC!

I will leave you with this...

Romans 8:1-11
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [1] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you [2] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, [3] he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

-emily