A Snowy Stroll Through the Park

Gina and I are getting in the habit of taking long walks through Central Park on Sundays. The cold weather has not been a deterrent thus far (although if I remember last January and February correctly, I'm sure it will be soon). We started on 72nd and Central Park West and eventually exited at 59th and 5th Avenue.

The Park was gorgeous in a New York City Christmas sort of way. Naturally, Gina was on a shutterbug rampage...










These tracks are fresh. The third graders can't be far...



The area of the park known as "the Mall" was unusually peaceful that afternoon. We could only hear the distant sounds of traffic on 5th Avenue. One would never guess that he was in the middle of Manhattan...



Here I am at "the Mall" hearing nothing...


Another beautiful (and now carefree - did I mention I finished my 3rd semester?) afternoon in the greatest city in the world...


Gina and I are heading to California on Tuesday so I probably won't blog until next year.

Happy holidays everyone!

First Snow of the Season!

Opened the window this morning to see this outside:

(The video quality is merciless but I think you'll get the picture...)




Gina and I had planned to go straight to the library to study, but we couldn't resist a minor detour for the photo op. Here are a few we took around our neighborhood, Morningside Heights.

This is Riverside Park, where families were out in full force. Children were sledding, dogs romping, and everyone enjoying the newly blanketed hills.




Gina wanted to document the snow in my hair for some reason...



At least a few inches must have fallen, because there was more than enough to scoop up and throw.



An undisturbed park bench.


I couldn't resist slipping the gloves off to feel the fine powder.



I love the big patches of pristine snow. Beautiful.



Gina with her new earmuffs.




Here is Riverside Drive, which is just picturesque in the Wintertime.




We wandered onto the Columbia campus where we discovered all the trees have already lost their leaves. Winter really snuck up on us this year.









As you probably know (if you've read my earlier blogs), I am obsessed with snow. This is sure to be the first of many upcoming snow-related blogs.

Grace Church, Mozart, and Christmas

Last night Gina and I went with our friends Daniel and Amy to see the Choral Society's Annual Holiday Concert at Grace Church in the East Village. The church is over 160 years old and has perfect acoustics for choir music. The four of us sat in a beautifully-crafted oak pew surrounded by an interior of stone and stained glass. I think the architecture enhanced the music somehow...


Here are a few pictures from the evening...






Here's a short video clip of the concert...



I can really feel the holiday season settling in now that the weather is colder and there are more festive activities like this. I'm sure you'll see at least another Christmas themed blog in the future.

Happy Holidays everyone!