  We got back from our trip late afternoon yesterday. It was sooo much fun. And remember how I was worried about the actual drive? It wasn't so bad after all. Sure, being locked in the car for hours with the family ain't exactly fun...but the time went by quickly. The wedding was lovely. Friday night was the Mehndi, and Saturday was the wedding reception at the Sheraton (also where we were staying).
It was my first time in NJ, and I loved it...so green and pretty. We had a lovely view of the Manhattan skyline from the hotel. Nadia and her family had booked a penthouse suite for everyone who was visiting to hang out in...which we did until the wee hours of the morning. My cousin drove in from Philly to attend the wedding...hadn't seen her in a year so it was nice to see her. Sunday, we went to Long Island. My cousin lives there and a couple of my other cousins who live in Manhattan came over too. The next morning, Ray and I caught a train with Amir to Manhattan. The parents stayed in Long Island. This was the fun part...we spent all of Monday and Tuesday in Manhattan...it was so much fun! In the morning, Amir took us around...the Met, and Spanish Harlem (showed us a nice mosque there).
We then met up with a bunch of cousins from Ottawa and New Jersey...so it was now 5 girls and my brother (plus one of my male cousins who later joined us in SoHO). We did a ton of shopping...and walking...my feet were red and sore. I got some really cute stuff. We were staying at my cousin's place -2 steps away from Times Square...which was really cool. My cousin has this Portugese roommate...very cute and really nice. He and Ray had to crash on the floor...I got the bed:) in the lone bedroom. Those manhattan apartments can be small and expensive.
Tuesday, we went by Rockefeller and 5th ave. While we were walking thru 5th ave in the pouring rain, we noticed a crowd piled up outside of the Barnes and Noble. So guess which former U.S. prez was around promoting his new book? That's right...Clinton! We waited around to catch a glimpse...we even got into the store..there were tons of people and press outside.
It was hard to get a look because the cops made us move several times when we had a good vantage point. Oh well. I had an epiphany of sorts. I finally realized that as much as I love NYC, I think it can be a really lonely city. I know a lot of people say it's not a good place to live, only to visit...but I always felt I'd love to live there. This last time that I went, I finally felt like I knew the city well...and it is a city that is limitless in possibilities...But I feel that amidst a throng of people, you can often feel the loneliest. So I'm changing my statement to say, I would love to be able to fly over there just to spend the weekend every now and then.
Or, it would be soo much fun to be a student there. Anyway, I'm glad that we came back when we did. One of my best friends gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this morning. Masha'allah. Congratulations to Deena and Walied!!! You deserve the best. I just saw her and she is the most precious thing. 
