Thankgsiving and Lincoln Center

Gobble, gobble everyone!  Thursday was Thanksgiving in America, and I got to celebrate in New York!  Thanksgiving is a time when families and friends join together to share thanks for all that they have (love, happiness, community, health etc.).  They celebrate with a big dinner!                                                                                                                           

 Here I am with my Thanksgiving buddies.  They were very nice with me.

 He's my new pal...

And, tada!!  The Thanksgiving meal: turkey with gravy, sweet potatoes, stuffing, rolls, salad and vegetables.  Yum, Yum!

Then, over the weekend, I got to see The Nutcracker!  A traditional ballet for the holiday season.  It was performed by the New York City Ballet, a well-known dance company here in the states.

The ballet was at Lincoln Center, where many operas, ballets and other cultural events take place.  New York Fashion Week is now held here twice a year!  Where are those models?!

The weather was so beautiful over the weekend, so they turned the fountains on at Lincoln Center- how marvelous!

I then got to take a stroll on the High Line.  It is a new, above ground park in the Chelsea area of New York.  It used to be an old, elevated railroad track, but then the city took it over and turned it into a park.  It's like an above ground forest in the city!

I love the greenery!  Happy Fall!!

My jaunt to the Upper East Side

I started out this past weekend in the Flatiron district- best known for that building in the back.  The Flatiron Building!  It's known for its unique triangular shape!

I was then fortunate enough to take a trip uptown to Central Park!  Look at the beautiful fallen leaves!  It's Autumn here in New York!

 I played on the well-known Alice in Wonderland sculpture.  She's quite large!  And fun to play on!

  

Look at the beautiful boat pond, people sail mini boats here!

I then went to the Museum.  But not before stopping for a hot dog and a pretzel at one of the street carts outside.  NYC street food, yumm!

Aah.  The Met. (Metropolitan Museum of Art)!  Finally!  There are so many great works of art in here!  And I love your steps and columns!

Look, a pedicab.  This is one way to see NYC in the open air!  A small cart for two!  I can see all the sites from here!

As I left the park, I saw some construction being done... These NYC workers are adding some more gravel to pave the road.

And onto a soccer (American for football) game for me.  I hope to score a goal!!

I Take to the Streets!

 I got to venture outside of school today for a little bit with my fellow classmates.  It was a lot of fun (though it did drizzle a little)...

 Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving this week (on Thursday).  Lots of store windows are decorated for the holiday, like with this Turkey (soon to be someone's meal!).

 Lots of walking, I'm tired.  I'll rest at this nice cafe table for a while.

 Ooh, an American post!  I am familiar with this!

 Wait!  What is that?!  A street named after yours truly?!  It couldn't be!  I'm honored!! Oh, thank you New York, thank you!

 I took time to stop and smell the roses.

 Right before my first New York bagel experience.  A schmear of cream cheese- yes please!

 Now for some New York pizza!!  So many topping choices- what do I get?  Pepperoni...

 Spinach and ricotta...  Ham and pineapple...

 Yep, I think it will be this one!

 Look, stores are even getting ready for the winter holidays in December.  This wreath is quite cozy, and I like the pine cones- very festive.

 Here I am at the bus stop again- it's a great way to get around the city.

 But not the only way.  I love a NYC taxi!  Bright yellow, so you can spot them anywhere!

 Oh, and the famed daily paper.  The New York Times!  What's this, a marathon was run here?  Oh, I must have missed it.  Glad I can still read about it though!  What a great event!

 New Yorkers like to keep their city clean.  Throw away your garbage, and recycle when you can!

 Housing Works!  I learned this place does a lot of good.  It's a place where people can donate old items, and then others buy them back.  All the proceeds go to housing for the homeless!  What a splendid idea!

 And the NYPD.  Always around when I need them.  I feel safe.

 New York is well known for their shopping.  Hmmm... look at these fancy bags.  Maybe I can bring one back with me...

 New York has so many people, that driving around causes lots of traffic.  Wise New Yorkers bike around the city, it also helps keep the city free of pollution.  The green lanes are specially designated lanes for the bikes!

 Yumm.  Cupcakes.  From the best in the city.  Magnolia Bakery!  Look at that frosting.  Delicious!

 New Yorkers also take motorbikes like this one.  Don't I look cool?

 And I had to check out this fancy restaurant... The Spotted Pig.  A known New York City haunt.

I am an Honorary 10!

I returned to my host school this week and got to go with the 10s to all of their Special classes.  My first stop was in Spanish class.

 Hola Senora!!

 I lead the 10s in their class song, en Espanol of course.

 I then "traveled" with the group to South America!

 And got to see Venezuela.  What a beautiful country!

I joined students in reading too.  Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick is a fascinating book.  I love the text and pictures that tell a story!

 Who knew Recorder could be so much fun!  I learned all of the notes.

I even got my own music stand.

Mozart and I, we look like we could be distant cousins!! 

I practiced all of my notes, I did so well!

And even got to play the glockenspiel in Music!  What a great sound!

In Technology class, I listened to some more tunes...

And even got my own user name and password to log into the computer!  Ssssh.  I won't say what the password is...

I finished up the week in Design class!

And saw all of the 10s' work that they did in Photoshop!  So talented!

And I even stopped to take a picture with the group!

What another fun-filled week!  What adventures await me next week?  I hear it's Thanksgiving.  A truly American holiday!  I hope I get some pumpkin pie...