Sometimes You Just Have a Happy Day

My alarm went off at 7 a.m. this past Sunday morning, which is very rare for me. Usually I don't even bother to set my alarm over the weekend, and try to rack up as many hours of sleep as possible. This weekend was different though because my roommates and I had planned an adventure. After reading an article about many unknown places in New York, we decided it would be fun to visit The Cloisters up on 190th Street in Manhattan. So Sunday morning greeted us, and like eager children we loaded into my roommates car and departed our apartment around 10 a.m.

There's that famous quote, "It's not about the destination, but about the journey that takes you there." (Or something more eloquent than that.) Well, that may be very true, as was evidenced by our travels that day.

Google Maps estimated that it would take close to 30 minutes to get from our apartment to The Cloisters. Well, not to blame Google Maps (because it definitely wasn't the DJ, the driver, or the navigator's fault) but we ended up taking a quick jaunt to New Jersey via the George Washington Bridge. We ended up at our destination just after 11 a.m., and despite all the excitement that ensued, we were still on speaking terms with each other (and by speaking terms, I mean singing or shouting our emotions at each other).

Now, we had not planned on visiting the museum at all, but thought it would be fun to have a picnic on the grass (somehow without packing a picnic, we had in our minds that this would magically work out). Upon realizing that it was a "pay what you can" donation to enter the museum (and that we had no food), we came to the conclusion that it might be worth checking it out.

I could go into details about the various rooms and gardens we wandered through together, but then I feel as if I'm a travel agent raving about the spectacular Cloisters you should definitely visit if you're in New York City. For now, let's just say it's worth checking out, the gardens are gorgeous, and the history is very impressive. If you like museums, nature, and history, this is a place for you to see.

We left around 1:30 p.m. and ventured further down into the city for lunch (since our picnic didn't magically appear for us). As we drove down Broadway, I pointed out to my roommates one of the various "hoods" I used to live in. Throughout the day, each of us took turns pointing out our old stomping grounds as we drove through areas such as the Lower East Side, Spanish Harlem, and Inwood (yes, we traveled through a good portion of the city that day). It really was quite remarkable to see the various areas we've lived in, and how far we've come at this point in our lives.

Having moved seven times in less than two years while in New York, the concept of home has become somewhat idealistic in my mind. It's taken me awhile to feel comfortable enough to call an apartment "home," but I can definitely say where I'm living now is it. My roommates are more than just people I share a bathroom with. They each continue to inspire, motivate, and brighten my life on a daily basis.

In order to prevent this turning into a love letter to my roommates, I must say that it really is all about the journey, not the destination, because those are the memories you take away from it all. I wouldn't be where I am today, living with these two amazing girls and two fantastic dogs, without all the struggles I endured prior to it. Yes, I am happy (elated) that I ended up where I am now, and continue to look forward to sharing many more adventures with these ladies and this city in the future.

Okay, now this is the awesomeness that ensued after spending the day with two of my favorite people, and then closing the night by watching Sister Act: