I would also like to thank my wonderful friends Liz (@LadyBowers) and Catherine for exploring the city with me on my trips. Also Hannah for being a complete star and showing us the hidden gems of her city.

New York

Welcome to my whistle stop tour of New York. Before we start I will warn you that a week away in New York will leave your feet aching from walking, and your face aching from smiling so much!

Getting around…

It’s worth investing in a 7-Day Unlimited Ride Metro Card for $27. Bear in mind that the subway isn’t like the tube and so if you need to change lines you may find yourself going back on yourself to be able to change. It’s worth doing a bit of extra walking and seeing the city too. As the week goes on you’ll hopefully find your bearings, walk more and use the subway less.

Sightseeing…

Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty (Battery Park): Ellis Island museum is great. I’ve never got off on Liberty Island because the views are spectacular from the ferry. Now that the statue has reopened the climb to the crown if you can get tickets it might be worth it.

Broadway Show (TKTs Times Square): It wouldn’t be a trip to New York without taking in a show. Get reduced tickets from the TKTs booth in Times Square, if there’s a show you want to see it’s worth the wait.

Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Centre): In my opinion, having done both, Top of the Rock is better than the Empire State Building. The view over Central Park is fantastic. And midweek mornings are virtually queue free.

MoMA (11 W 53 St): A chance to see some of the great works of modern art in real life. Definitely a good choice for a rainy day.

Guggenheim (5^th at 89^th St): For art I prefer the MoMA, but it is worth having a wander past, and even sticking your head inside to take in the impressive architecture. Don’t forget it’s closed on a Thursday (a fact I remember thanks to Sex and the City, Carrie and co do have their uses!)

Central Park: I fell in love with New York the day I first visited Central Park. Hire bikes if you want to see as much of the park as you can, an hour will get you round the south of the park, but you’ll need a couple of hours or more to see the north of it too. Alternatively it’s just as nice having an afternoon wander around the various sights.

Grand Central Station (87 E 42nd St): The first time I walked in it took my breath away. The second time it did it again. This is a truly magnificent building so don’t miss it.

New York Public Library (5^th Ave at 42nd St): For those of you who are librarians, this is an amazing library. For those of you who are SATC fans, this is where Carrie nearly married Big. For those of you who are neither, it is another stunning building in the city.

LOVE sculpture (6th Ave): At W 55 St. 6th Avenue you’ll find the LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana, which is a photo taking moment. (I’ve included the address as some of us spent a week hunting for the damn thing!)

Sex and the City Tour: For the fans of the show this is an absolute must. You see a lot of the city whilst enjoying SATC trivia and get a free Magnolia Bakery Cupcake too!!!

Shopping…

Times Square: My favourites are Toys R Us (I still haven’t been on the ferris wheel though!), M&Ms World (because there is something fab about M&Ms in more colours than you can imagine), Hershey’s (the outside of it is fantastic). I also loved the HUGE Virgin Megastore, but sadly it shut earlier this year. I have fond memories of being asked out for coffee by a cute guy whilst browsing CDs… only in New York!

Department Stores: Top end you have Saks and Bloomingdales. Macy’s is great once you get your bearings, but it takes time. Century 21 is fantastic if you have a clue what you are looking for, but it can be completely chaotic and overwhelming.

Apple: There are Apple stores across Manhattan which are great for checking email and using the internet (but remember to log out of Facebook!). However if you only visit one make it the flagship store on Fifth Avenue. It is a sight to behold.

For the Girls: Tiffany & Co. is a must. Meander round the floors, drooling at the gorgeous jewelry. Whether you like classic and simple, or more diamonds than you can imagine, there will be something to make your jaw drop. Victoria Secret is the other stop. Though I enjoy perusing the lingerie my favourite things are the PINK sweat bottoms, I live in mine when I’m at home, they are so comfy!

For the Labels: Head over to Greenwich Village for the various designer stores (there is also 5^th Ave, but I prefer this end of town). Here I find my favourites of Mulberry, DVF and Louboutin. I also discovered Fresh, and the best lipbalm I have ever owned.

Afternoon Tea…

Magnolia Bakery: These are the best cupcakes in the world. The original shop is in Greenwich Village, but there a couple more now including on in the Empire State Building.

Alice’s Tea Cup: Missing a good old cup of English Tea? Well this is the place to come. There is a bigger selection of tea than you could imagine, as well as the most amazing scones. They do other wonderful food too. You may have to wait an hour or so for a table, but it is worth it. Trust me.

Max Brenner: Apparently this place does more than just chocolate, but it does chocolate best. Again you may have to wait for a table, but the trip to chocolate heaven is more than compensation for the queuing.

Saks Cafe SFA (8th Floor): Get a table next to the window in their café and overlook the roof stunning gardens of the Rockefeller Plaza buildings whilst enjoying traditional afternoon tea.

Food & Drink…

Any Diner: Another New York tradition that can’t be missed. At least one breakfast trip for pancakes, and dinner visit for burgers and a shake. There are a fair few to pick from, so no excuses for missing out.

American Favourites: Dunkin’ Donuts, Tasty D-Lite etc these are the places you’ll immediately recognise but haven’t made it over the pond

Starbucks: Because mid-afternoon you will need a sit down, drink and a toilet break (not necessarily in that order) and they are perfect for all three. The only time you won’t be able to find one is when you are absolutely desperate!!!

Europa Café: You’ll find these dotted around the city and they are great for a reasonably priced delicious lunch. The sandwiches are lovely, and fresh salad is made whilst you wait.

My blog yesterday was worthwhile. Getting everything out of my head onto (virtual) paper helped me to see what is holding me back and causing this feeling of “meh” as I like to call it.

When everything came crashing down last October I realised my confidence had evaporated. But because of my determination to turn things around and get on with things I had to find a way of appearing confident again in a very short space of time. The problem is I’ve continued to appear confident, without really feeling that confident again since.

So it really is a case of being nice to myself and picking myself up. I need to spend more time giving myself a pat on the back when I achieve something. I need to not look in the mirror and tell myself about the bad things, instead focus on what is positive.

Before my holiday I had decided that at the end of it I should have a night out where I could get dressed up, look fabulous and have fun. Last night I did just that. Admittedly I started off by feeling that perhaps I should have called it off as I wasn’t as full of energy and hadn’t come as far as I had planned when I wrote ‘The Holiday’.

But I went ahead. I had a nice long shower and pampering session. I did my hair and makeup, which was so much fun. Then put on a new dress and shoes. I felt fabulous. I looked in the mirror and said to myself “You look gorgeous!” and for the first time in a long time I really felt good about myself.

The rest of the night was lovely too. There was something to celebrate, and that was getting to a point where I am starting to find my confidence again. Although I have a way to go, these two weeks have given me the jump-start I needed to work from. And so I come to the end of my holiday, back to work tomorrow. I have blogged every day… and achieved much beside!

I also found a cocktail called “Afternoon in the Woods” that has Earl Grey tea in it. Cups of tea at cocktail hour, now that is worth celebrating!

“When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.” ~ Anon

In fact today is a good day to discuss 10 years ago. This time 10 years ago I had collected my GCSE results and been so overwhelmed by my A* in German that I decided to do an AS in it. I never completed the AS, and I will never know how the A* came about. Some poor sod probably had a C somewhere that was actually mine!

Being 16 had far more firsts for me than 18 ever did. My first night out clubbing. My first holiday with friends (in a Youth Hostel in the Lake District and my parents were within a hours drive away!).  My first boyfriend (technically my second, but I don’t think five days when I was 13 really counted). Finishing my GCSEs and the first year of A-Levels were definitely an induction to adulthood, and despite everything I got up to I got through fairly unscathed.

Incidentally I realised when I was in York that my last trip would have been a decade ago at the beginning of September. It was our sixth form induction, with two nights in the University of York halls. I was across the hall from my boyfriend and also my friend Michael (aka trouble!) so there was lots of sneaking about late at night!

I have found evidence that one thing hasn’t changed in ten years. At the end of our three days in York we had to write nice things about everyone in our form class and anonymously put them in an envelope. I’ve just dug mine out from my memories box (also coming across my UCAS application form, offer and acceptance letters, and the “Monica and Chandler” award from our 6^th form leavers do) and here is a sample of what my class mates had to say…

“Helen: You’re fun and silly and enjoy life. Keep Smiling ”

“Helen, you are always smiling and it is always nice to see you”

“Helen: You’re smiley and friendly and always cheer me up”

“Smile”

Ten years on I’m still smiling! So I guess this is really what I need to tweet “#in10years I will still be smiling!”

Though, despite the multiple references to smiling, my favourite thing in the envelope has to be:

“You’re better at dancing than me”

Do you think Strictly Come Dancing will take that as a reference?

Sadly, as with Durham Cathedral (but without the excuse of a bad back), I didn’t feel I got nearly as much as I should have done from this glorious cathedral. It didn’t help that I forgot to bring my tripod, meaning I missed out on quite a few shots in darker parts of the minster. Once I get back I will be uploading more images of York Minster, and the rest of the city, to my Flickr Photostream. But for now here’s a sample…

As it so happens after the delights of the Ghost Hunt (and the cute/funny/slightly scary tour guide) I found myself in the Evil Eye Lounge, sampling their cocktails and really proving to myself how much of a lightweight I am these days. Now I am back in my hotel with cup of tea (complicated when tipsy with a strange kettle/mug set up) and ready to blog.

So cocktails. Well the Evil Eye Lounge really is something to behold. Growing up in Southport, in the vicinity of Maloney’s (which doesn’t have a website but gets top mention on Wikipedia’s entry for Flair bars) I was destined to become somewhat of a cocktail addict. The Cosmo and Mojito are my personal favourites.

Tonight I first entrusted myself to the suggestion of an ‘Evil Pear’ from @Preater. Surprisingly delicious even in a pepper rimmed glass. It went down an absolute delight.

It was from there I made my mistake, opting for a Green Fairy. When they boast a selection of Absinthe cocktails you feel it only fitting to try one, but from the first sip I knew it would be my last.

It also happened to be the night they were offering single shots of any whisky for £2.50. So I opted for the Bruichladdich. I am ashamed to say I only managed half the glass (aware I had no one to carry me home!) but it was nice.

However tomorrow I intend to head back. There was a cocktail that impressed me visually, the Basil Royale, which, as basil is my favourite herb, I don’t feel I can leave York having not sampled. And eavesdropping on the bar mans conversation I also need to try Springbank whisky, because it is the best whisky in the world (to be honest I don’t trust that he has travelled the world drinking whisky, but still a claim like that should be tested out)

Having acquired chips from a kebab ‘man in a van’ on Parliament St, I think I have settled my stomach enough to sleep well and get up early for my uber-tourist day. Now it’s off to enjoy my cuppa before bed.

I’ve also done a bit of tidying and cleaning. Enough to have a less chaotic environment and make the remaining tasks a little less daunting.

And I’ve cooked. Made a gorgeous homemade soup.

And I’ve been to Body Balance. Which did me the world of good as I found thanks to working out all week my Tai Chi and Yoga poses flowed much better than usual.

And I’ve chilled some more in between all of this.

And today I feel far better than I have for the past few days. I think it was down to my sister pointing out that perhaps I was trying a little too hard.

I’d been putting pressure on myself to feel fabulous. I was determined to have a positive mental attitude towards getting up early, getting stuff done and enjoying every single moment of the day. Unfortunately the regimental attitude defeated the object of chilling out and feeling better in myself.

It’s taken almost a week but I think I’m ready to start my holiday now. No more pressure to feel a particular way by a specific deadline.

Here’s to a healthy and thoroughly relaxing holiday for the next eleven days!

I’m going on holiday. Although my holiday plan is going to plan in theory, the desired effect isn’t exactly kicking in. I’m not feeling fabulous after exercising. Meditation isn’t having its usual cheering effect. I’m still at home. I’m unable to chill out because of all the things that need doing around the flat. In short I’m trying to be positive and happy, but a fortnight of holiday without a holiday is just a very very long weekend at home.

So I’m going on a mini-break by myself. I will be spending two nights in York at the beginning of next week. I still don’t have the money back from the cancelled holiday that was due to be happening this week, but I figure it will all break even in the end. If I don’t get out of my flat for a couple of days I will probably end up returning to work feeling sorry for myself and I refuse to do that.

It’s not been easy deciding where to go. Did I want to hide away and write? Did I want to work out in the gym and chill by a pool and in a spa? Did I want to spend a couple of days enjoying and entertaining myself? I have spent a good few hours surfing the net and weighing up all the millions of options. I just wanted a website to say “Here is the holiday just for you, enjoy!”

In the end I decided on York. It’s a lovely city, which I remember enjoying as both a child and a teenager. I’m sure I will find more than enough to keep me entertained for just over 48 hours.

On top of all that trying to book a holiday for one is depressing. Once I am in York I will happily entertain myself. However the process of navigating single supplements and offers that apologise for my singleness  (“we’re sorry but that offer is only available for two or more travelers”) nearly made me give up on the whole thing.

My camera and I are going to visit all the exciting visitor attractions. I’m thinking my first night has to be the Ghost Tour, it’s almost a decade since I last went to York for our sixth form induction and I remember that being really good fun.

Day Two I have a York Pass so I can just amble around doing things like the Dungeons, York Minster and apparently there’s a Brewery Tour so that is a must. Then in the evening I will take myself out on a lovely date to a nice restaurant, eat nice food and indulge in a cocktail or two.

Before I leave on Day Three I will have to go and visit the National Railway Museum and see if my train namesake ‘Helen’ still exists and if it does ask a kind stranger to take a photo of me with it once again! (This time there will be no gold headband or shell suit unfortunately, it was a good look for me!)

At the same time it is not about putting pressure on myself to achieve the unachievable and fill every second of every day. I sometimes have the problem of wanting to do everything now, and feeling very disappointed when 90% of it doesn’t end up happening. So there’s no pressure. Everything should be enjoyable and fill me with a sense of achievement. No anxiety. Lots of rest and relaxation. It is a holiday after all!

Completing my list each day should give me the energy and motivation to make it easier to complete the list the next day. And by the end of my holiday I’ll be able to do these things and spend eight hours at work too.

Ultimately in two weeks time I’d like to have lots of energy and feel like Tigger on a good day. “bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun”

Helen’s Day:

1. Exercise
This is the easiest way to get energized. Well it is if you don’t see exercise as something that HAS to be done. I am prone to the sulky teenager approach of knowing that I should exercise regularly but refusing to actually enjoy it. But it’s time to change that. I want to enjoy exercise and make it part of my routine. Not only will it help my mental health, but physically I’ll be much healthier too.

2. Eat exciting food
There are piles of recipes that I’d love to make but never get round to. I love cooking so this isn’t a chore. Making the choice to eat something I would really enjoy every day sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Yum.

3. Meditate
Whether it’s three minutes or thirty minutes I know that meditation really does help me feel better and more energized.

4. Write a blog
I love writing so this should be a completely enjoyable part of my day. It doesn’t matter what I write about, or how long or short it is, as long as I post something.

5. Write a page of my novel
I’m currently reading ‘The Right to Write’ by Julia Cameron. It is a fantastically inspirational book. As a result I’m aiming to stop putting pressure on myself to write reams of perfect prose every day. Instead I will write a page of my novel, even if I come out with the worst page of writing in the world. Of course I can write more if I want, and it can be fabulous too, but a page will do just fine.

6. Do one thing on my ‘To-Do List’
My ‘To-Do’ list doesn’t exist yet, so that is my one thing for today. Write it my ‘To-Do’ list. The idea is there’s lost of things I’d like to do or need to do. Some are exciting, like visiting York, others are things I put of, like clearing my desk in the spare bedroom. The idea of this is that after 14 days I’ll have done 14 things I’ve either been putting off or haven’t got round to.  That can only fill me with a sense of achievement!

In fact I had a wonderful week, after the lovely weekend with my parents I headed to Newcastle where I spent a blissful four days at my sisters. I spent most of the time with my youngest niece (seven months) cuddling and playing and generally trying to make her smile and laugh all the time, which is not hard – the child only cried once during my entire stay (and that was just minutes before I left… what can I say?!). I avoided nappy duty and instead did my bit by feeding her and putting her down for naps… which I didn’t mind one bit. If I was honest I would also say I was verging on broodiness (there’s a first for everything!) – I work out that if I do end up deciding to have kids I’ve got a few years to work out how to have one that like my niece, lots of sleeping and smiling with hardly any tears at all!!! I also spent quite a bit of time with my other niece (5 yrs old) after school – playing boggle, learning Spanish… and even reading her Goldilocks in Welsh (at her request – I don’t speak the language so god knows what I was actually saying!). I also did the putting her to bed bit, not so complicated, just repeat to yourself “Story Teeth Toilet” and it all goes to plan!

After just about resisting the urge to kidnap the baby (my sister would have killed me!) I headed back down to London. One of my best friends, S, was down in London for an interview – and therefore borrowing half my bed for a couple of nights, but instead of being the party animals we usually are we spent Friday night with a Chinese takeaway, a bottle of wine and Comic Relief on TV (which was absolutely fantastic – yes I have donated some money!) and to be honest, although not the most exciting thing to be doing with a Friday night it was absolutely lovely to finish a week of relaxing with yet more relaxing (it is something I need practice at as until recently the notion of relaxing was one I was non to familiar with).

Yet more relaxing followed with a lazy Saturday with S once I had been to Spinning (this time my muscles didn’t kill afterwards, 20 minutes of stretching is the solution!!!) and then a wonderful evening with N (workmate of past and very good friend). And to top it off I continued the theme on Sunday by having a bit of a movie late afternoon/evening (When Harry Met Sally, Moulin Rouge) once T4 had finished…

So all in all I have spent a week being a boring sod, but a very relaxed boring sod who is very pleased with herself for allowing herself to be a boring sod long enough to relax!