.new york, new york.

My trip to New York was full of lots of "firsts" for me. It was my first time to ride in an airplane, my first visit to the city and seeing all the sights, and my first time to see the ocean! Yes, I know, I've lived a very sheltered life. I am 26 years old, and I just saw the ocean for the first time. But that doesn't mean I wasn't as giddy as a 9-year-old when I saw it! I even did a happy jig. That's how special the moment was to me! Oh, and even better, the first beach I visited was in the Hamptons. How's that for classy?

The beautiful Atlantic

Freezing ocean water, but so exhilarating! (And this my favorite picture from the trip.)

Lighthouse at Montauk Point

We also rode on the Staten Island Ferry to get a good view of the Statue of Liberty. It was awesome to see something so big and majestic with my own eyes!! There she is behind us!

Then there was Central Park, my favorite location we visited. Ran into a celebrity and turned into the stalkarazzi. Oh, hello, David Boreanz. No big deal! We won't even mention that I interacted with him before realizing who he was! I told him to "go ahead" and walk past me so I could take a picture of my brother and his wife. It was when he smirked and walked on past that I realized who he was!!

Another view of Central Park. I was astonished by how many people were in bathing suits. To New Yorkers, Central Park is their "beach" of sorts. It was jam-packed with people just chillin and catching some z's in the sun. And I couldn't help but wonder what was up with all the overly romantic couples caressing and kissing like they were being filmed for a love story or something. Weird.

This is me in Times Square. I am aware that I am creepily excited. That was intentional.

One of many taaaallll buildings in the city. I really like how this picture turned out.

There are a lot more pictures I could share, but I tried to limit the ones I posted to some of my favorites from the trip. We also visited Ground Zero, Rockefellar Center and saw the Empire State Building from a distance.

All-in-all, I can say it was the trip of a lifetime (so far) for me. I was thankful for a good first experience in the air and the magnificently beautiful weather we had while in New York.

New addictions that we (sadly) do no have anywhere near Arkansas: IKEA and Century 21 (not the real estate company -- the massive store filled with everything your heart could desire!).

Things I will not miss: Riding the train and subway. Having to be intentionally rude to people by ignoring them so they won't take advantage of me... This is something I had trouble with. The Southern girl within me wanted to have a conversation with everyone I met, including the characters trying to get money out of me for a picture.

At the end of the visit, we endured a 3-day roadtrip home. I say endured, but really, looking back, it was quite enjoyable. I mostly sat in the backseat of my sister's car, which we nicknamed "The Cave" because I was surrounded by blankets and quilts. I loved seeing the scenery of states I have never been through before. I especially loved all the old farmhouses and barns in Pennsylvania. Oh, and f.y.i., the best flea market I've ever been to resides in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Just in case you're ever out that way, you should stop by.

The two nights we slept in hotels, all 5 of us (me, my sis and bro and their spouses) shared a room. I was on an air mattress, which surprisingly made for some pretty good sleeping. We went to sleep laughing every night and came home with a lot of new inside jokes. If you're a fan of The Office, you know the phrase, "That's what she said." I think that was probably quoted at least 100 times during the 6 days we were together. :-)

I have a lot of great memories to savor from this trip, and I'm so glad I went. Still, at the end of it all, I was truly reminded there is no place like home. And I'm so blessed to live where I do. I guess I'll always be a Southern girl at heart, no matter where God places me. :-)