Light me up!

New York City has tons of great moments that can be seen on TV throughout not only the U.S. but the world. One of those events is the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. It has been something that I've wanted to do ever since I moved here but the timing was always off until this year. Giancarlo has a long standing tradtion with his friends that every year, they go and eat at Olive Garden in Times Square (tourist haven) and then go see the tree at Rockefeller Center. Well this year we decided to go just the two of us. So, we ate at Olive Garden (which I haven't done since I was 11) and then wandered over to see the tree. Even at 11 o'clock at night, the crowds were still there and there was a lot of excitement buzzing around. We plan on making another trip sometime this weekend to get some more photos, but enjoy the ones below in the meantime!

Some fun facts:
The first nationally televised Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting was in 1951 on the Kate Smith Show. It was again lit in 1954 on the Howdy Doody Show.

Between 1937 and 1974, 22 different Christmas displays appeared in the Channel Gardens. The most popular display has been Valerie Clarebout's 12 herald angels -- wire-sculpted figures that were first introduced in 1954. The Clarebout Angels have been refurbished and displayed every Christmas for the past 20 years.


(you tubing it)

Ice Skating at Bryant Park

The home of New York fashion week turns into a free.. yes, free... ice skating rink in the winter. Part of my surprise day in the city last Saturday was lunch at the Celsius lounge and ice skating (or the solid attempt to not fall)

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Slightly belated) Thanksgiving at The Pachecos!
(Before shot)

(After shot)

Saturday Surprise!

Just a few photos of Giancarlo and I celebrating our engagement at his parents place. After, he wisked me off to a surprise day in the city where we ate lunch at Celsius, a winter restaurant right next to the ice skating rink at Bryant Park (many heating lamps included!) made an attempt to ice skate in Bryant Park (last time I believe I was four). That night Giancarlo made dinner reservations at one New York's hot spots, The Place. The intimate restaurant is hidden away in the West Village, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

She said YES!

On Saturday, November 24th, 2007 in the weee hours of the morning Giancarlo and I officially got engaged. Photos to come soon!!!

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

What better way to beat the crowds than to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the 6th Floor of the Universal Records building (GC's work), conveniently located right on Broadway (where the parade runs down) Here are some fun shots from the morning.

Best First Dance

EVER!

Playing in Central Park

And its up!

The before shots of the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. They "officially" light it the first Tuesday in December (which I will post after shots of later)

Its beginning to look like Christmas!

Well in New York!!! Here are some shots of the famous Christmas display windows that are already up and running... before Thanksgiving!

Fig and Olive

Fig and Olive is by far one of the best restaurants that GC and I have stumbled upon in New York City and it was a perfect place to take the little sister for her 22nd Birthday. Located in the Meat Packing District, Fig and Olive is a little bit of Italian greatness in a huge loft space. Most everything is a variation off a fig and/or an olive and the tasting olive oils are the most amazing thing every. You can even order them online! I highly recommend it for any future trips to New York, if in search of that "New York non-touristy restaurant experience." www.figandolive.com

Oh Norma

The other night we took a trip to the Met to catch the Opera Norma. We completely lucked out and received Orchestra seats (mainly because its close to a holiday and who knows the Opera Norma!) but it was a great opera and a great experience nontheless. I've seen many operas and I have to admit, Norma is one of the best ones that I've seen.
The Synopsis is-
Act I. The grove. A secret love unites the seeress Norma with Pollione, the Roman proconsul, by whom she has borne two children. But Pollione has grown tired of the aging druidess and has fallen in love with Adalgisa, a young temple virgin. Despite Adalgisa's piety and virtue, she agrees to flee to Rome with Pollione. Adalgisa innocently tells Norma of her love, and Norma curses Pollione for his treachery.

Act II. Norma’s apartment. She is about to kill her children, but through maternal pity finally confides them to the care of Adalgisa. When Pollione comes to take Adalgisa from the temple, Norma denounces him and he is seized by the Druids, after having refused to give up Adalgisa. Norma proclaims herself equally guilty with him. The funeral pyre is lighted, and ascending it, Norma dies with her lover.

Ellis Island

My sister, Nicole, is in town for the Thanksgiving holiday which means, I get to do all the touristy stuff that I still haven't done yet. Last Friday we went to Ellis Island with Giancarlo's mom. Tourist tip- to avoid the extremely long lines (especially in the bitter cold winter) take the ferry out of Jersey...nobody takes that ferry. Of course we decided to go when there was a wind chill that made it feel like in the low 30s.. these california girls still never get used to that.