Serendipity

Love, love is what brought my dear friend and old college roommate, Katie, to New York City this past weekend. Katie and I were not able to meet up before I left the Sunshine State due to my work place requiring me to fulfill the 2 weeks of my 2 week notice. I know, I know that should have been expected. However, every other individual who has ever given their two week notice has been escorted from the buliding immediatelly. Except for me. I am supposedly, "trustworthy" and therefore was swamped come moving day! Katie and I decided the perfect solution to us not being able to say farewell, was for her to visit...Valentine's Day weekend!

Best idea...everrrrrr.

When I was younger, I remember the absolute fondness I had for this holiday. I love romance, chocolate (espeacially out of heart shaped boxs), and of course the little hearts with words. I adore them, even though they taste like chalk. I would be filled with glee upon first seeing the valentines cards pop up in Publix ( the most amazing grocery store on the face of this earth, sadly not in NY) or Walmart ( they sell just about everything, but walls! Also, not in NY). And to be certain that no one else would have the same valentines as I, I made my own. Yep, handmade Valentine's hearts with puffy painted names of my classmates. It was the one day of the year I could eat candy for breakfast. My dad would always get my mother, sister, brother and me Valentines Chocolate...it just tastes better. Even though its a "Halmark Holiday" I feel it can bring out the best in people, and who doesn't love an excuse to express your love?!

I remember one year in college, my dad called me and said he was in the parking lot near my dorm. I walked out and he had a Valentine's Day ballon and $100 cash for me! He said, "Go have a Happy Valentines Day." It was one of the most thoughtful things he ever did for me, my roommate at the time appreciated it too...I treated her to Outback Steakhouse. I have never had a significant other on Valentines Day and that has never bothered me. I always felt like this day was not just about Romantic Love. Not about your significant other. It is about taking the time to acknowledge those who you love and who make your life more lovely. This weekend, Katie and I even got to talking about our married and attached friends and their plans for Valentines Day, "nothing". It seemed those friends and loved ones who are attached were the least bit concerened about the holiday, the single women were worrying enough for them all! I almost feel pressure to feel pressured by all the pressured woman who are single on Valentines Day. But, Katie and I were too busy having a fabulous weekend to think of what we were missing out on being single...

Katie outside of Serendipity 3!

One of Katie's favorite movies is Serendipity with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. Its an adorable tale of a fate devoted young woman, Sara and Jonathan, a man determined to show Sara that chance and fate both need to be seized. It is one of those mussy, romantic comedy's most woman love and most men, well they must love the woman they watch them with. Anyway, The movie as a scene at Serendipity 3 an amazing restuarant known primarily for there frozen hot chocolate. Which Katie enjoyed impensely (so much so, she also enjoyed the remainder of mine, I was not equiped to finish)

you really must try it!

After a divinely scrumptious dessert, Katie and I went to see Valentine's Day. It was perfect. Katie and I had no reservations at Serendipity 3, did not pre-purchase movie tickets. We just went for it....and it coud have not all corresponded so elegantly. Katie and I showed up at Serendipity at about 11:45 (they open at 11:30) and put our name in for a table for two. We then went down the street to the most amazing candy store I have ever seen, Dylan's Candy Bar. We treated ourselves to an assortment of tasty delights. Katie enjoyed the chocolate fountain and I tasted the latest fudge sample, yummmmm blueberry! Thirty mins later, we headed back to Serendipity just in time to be seated. Though we were actually third down on the waiting list, the polite young man at the host desk sat us immediately. :)



After just trying to find some clips from youtube on Serendipity to give you an idea of the decadently decorated atmostphere, I just realized we actually sat in the SAME EXACT seats as the stars in the movie. Katie thought it was pretty close, but looks like it was indeed the same position. All I have to say is, you must try the frozen hot chocolate if you find yourself in NYC. We finished our desserts and went across the street to the movie plex and say Valentine's Day, which was starting in five minutes. It was a light hearted romantic comedy with many a A lister. If you do see Valentine's Day, after the credits roll, stay seated. The last blooper with Julia Roberts was my favorite part of the entire movie....they really should have worked it in!



After a fulfillng Valentine's Day Katie and I went to a friends Play. It was a Non Profit theather group that put on a 24 hr production. Writers met and pulled out of a hat the directors and actors ( four) that they would be working with. They entire process, from writing the first word to the final curtain took place in 24 hours. Katie's friend from college, who is now living and working as a director in NYC, directed the final performance. There were six performances and I throughly enjoyed watching each performance and how with the same theme ( the paranormal) each play (about fifteen minutes long) was vastly different. I laughed, I cringed, I would love to go to something like this again!

My Valentine 2010


After the final performance Katie and I went out to another college pal's bar in the city. House of Brews. It was great to meet some of Katie's friends who are now in the city. They were all so welcoming and generous. Before we called it a night we were able to see the ice sculpture in the middle of time square.....





I really love that I was able to spend a weekend with my good friend and meet such great New Yorks who I share a common bond with (University of South Florida Alumni in the City, what what!). I could have have asked for a better Valentine's Day weekend.

Time Square ice sculpture, February 14, 2010