My kids left NJ today and headed back to CO so they can spend the summer with their dad. I’m sad that they’re gone, but can’t wait to explore as much as possible, doing things that I wouldn’t have time to do otherwise.

In fact, my two best friends in the world are coming to visit me next week and I’m going to show them my new haunts and even brave NYC with them. I’ve been there plenty of times since I moved to NJ, but this will be my first as “hostess”. I hope they have as memorable a time as I did when I first visited in 2008. Actually, it was two years ago this month that I flew out here with my then-boyfriend for a whirlwind visit with my parents, who have now been here about 5 years.

The documentation of my trip back then is extensive but, seeing that it’s an anniversary of sorts, I’d like to share some of those memories with you. Here is the first entry, originally blogged with words, but recorded now for your listening pleasure.