And so the ball dropped...

...and in rang 2008.

Well, this New Year's was certainly better than last year when I was dying of tonsillitis! Bryant Park was a great party.. well it must have been if I can't remember much after midnight like all the best NYE's! 

This picture of me and Jez my housemate was taken at the beginning of the evening.  I am praying that there were none taken at the end! One thing I will say is when you are out in the city on 31st December, you really do feel like you are at the world's biggest party. Bryant Park is a whole block away from Times Square, yet the noise is still deafening. The anticipation and excitement in the air is contagious.

However, this weekend was not one sent wallowing in the January blues... oh no. On Saturday I sent the whole afternoon in the spa making the most of my bosses Christmas present of spa vouchers! Best afternoon ever! I got myself a sauna, massage, manicure, pedicure and facial. I have never been so chillaxed... blissmongerous!

Then Sunday was the best day ever, for the following reasons:

1) I saved the life of none other than Jane Krakowski a.k.a. Elaine from Ally McBeal when I went for brunch in Tribeca, by adjusting the welcome mat of the restaurant, thus preventing her from tripping as she left!! Lj, celeb life saver = fact.

2) I spent the rest of the day on my lonesome, which was the best thing ever, cos I never get time to myself these days.  And I had forgotton how much I like my own company. Noone hassling me to hurry up, not having to worry if anyone else was bored. Fabarooney. I took the time to see and appreciate.

More specifically, on Sunday, I ventured to the New York Public Library:

This was because at the moment they have on an exhibition on none other than Jack Keroauc, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of 'On The Road'

I have only recently read 'On The Road', but I really love it.  I think its one of my favourite books. It gives me a similar feeling that 'Catcher in the Rye' does, which is my favourite book of all time, but the main character, spouting similar ideology to Holden Caulfield, is older, which gives it a slightly different perspective to the same ideas.

It was fascinating to see all the Kerouac memorabilia, and especially inspiring to see the famed scroll.

After that I was all in a literary mood, so wandered up 5th and spent the rest of the afternoon doing the New York Sunday Times Crossword puzzle in the Barnes & Noble cafe. Best.Time.Ever.

While I was there I looked through the pictures I had taken earlier in the day, while in Bryant Park, and it made me think of words that Kerouac had once written about it:

"It is upon first entering, almost startling

to sense the aura of rest and quiet

which exists over the area".

Too true Kerowacky... too true...

Here's to taking the time to notice.. to experience.. to appreciate.. to be thankful..

Here's to making the most of everything while you can..

Here's to this year.

Cheers xx