Broadway? For ME?!?!?! =]

We left D.C. early in the morning in order to make sure we had some time to play in NYC that day. We were going into NYC today because for my birthday I got Broadway tickets to go and see Phantom of the Opera!!!!!!!!!!! My handsome once again outdid himself, and I was thrilled =D

Maryland decided not to share when their state line occurred but we did catch a few others!

The drive across some of the big bridges was beautiful! The day was once again clear and sunny, and it was good to lay eyes on the water.

New Jersey was a bit unconventional about how they went about welcoming us into their state but i guess this way made sure that not a single person missed it!

This is our gas stop once we made it into New Jersey. This is a very smug but mostly confused Sean as he experiences a "full service" gas station for the first time!

We now understand why people from Jersey are so upset when they come down south and have to fill up their own tank!

It took almost five hours to get there but we managed it (and by me I mean Sean, he has done all, ALL, of the driving so far). We finally arrived to Newark Penn Station. Sean had never been to the city before and we were excited to hurry up and get there!

We were pleased to discover that parking was nowhere near as bad as in D.C. the one day we parked in the city. We packed up our backpack with our fancy broadway clothes and a couple water bottles. We made it quickly onto the Path train into the city with very little assistance from the ticket guy upstairs.

We rode the Path to the World Trade Center stop and when we got off we were greeted with an imposing view of the new Freedom Towers! These suckers were big, shiny, and impressive. We found out later that they lit up at night: red, white, and blue

Our first stop after the WTC was to my favorite place in NYC, Strand's bookstore. This place is huge! It has four levels and has every kind of book imaginable. But on one of my most recent trips to NYC I found out that the third floor has a big collection of rare, old, and beautiful books/ pamphlets/ maps/ literature. I knew Sean would like it so we went right to the top.

After much effort and a lot of looking we both found things we wanted to take home. Mine i a gift so i cannot disclose it here but Sean took home an old map of China, Korea, and Japan! How awesome that we keep finding things that point us towards Korea.

We probably spent too much time in Strand but when we could drag ourselves away we headed towards Central Park. I wanted to go on a carriage ride but upon arriving at the park not only did we not have enough time but it was not worth the arm. leg, and first born child they were asking for for a twenty minute ride.

Instead we continued on into the park and allowed the serenity of the park to enclose us after being in the bustling city. As we walked passed a hotdog stand I just could not resist. We had not really eaten much of anything all day and a hot Italian sausage was calling my name. We picked up a couple of those and found a quiet perch to watch the park from.

We wanted to get to the ticket box early to pick up our tickets so we headed that way. The theater is located right off of the Time Square subway stop so we took look around while we were there.

The city was of course full with lights flashing and tons of people milling about. I think that because I had been here before (on a number of occasions) it was not intimidating for me. It took Sean a minute to fully soak in everything that was happening around us.

The theater was only a short walk away and as we got closer there were play posters all over the place! I was getting more and more excited as we got closer to the show.

Again I have spared you from the thirty photos we have of us with the posters, these were just a couple of them.

After picking up the tickets and grabbing a quick dinner, we transformed into respectable people. We were ready for the show! I was told beforehand that he had found good tickets but it was not until we were at our seats did I realize how close we were to the stage.

We were in the orchestra section only five rows back from the stage and sitting dead center. Everything was sold out around us, and I felt really special to be in such good seats.

Of course no photography was allowed during the show but I just couldn't help myself during intermission. We got a picture of the chandelier on the stage.

I had to hold my tongue to keep from singing along to all of the songs. The actors were phenomenal and beyond well casted. The show kept you intrigued and interested the entire way through.

My wonderful boyfriend bought me an official play pamphlet and a Phantom of the Opera rose. I love my rose =]

It was a great show, a good time, and it was all because he knows me so well. We have spent a lot of time together on this trip, both with other people and by ourselves in the car. It is strenuous for any two people to spend this much time together and we are both doing such a great job of keeping it together. This moment in our trip was wonderful to share and experience together. I am so glad he made this happen for us.

Of course I highly recommend sitting right in the front for the show, and to definitely make time to see it. There is a good reason it is the longest running show on Broadway!

We finished the night by making our way back tot he car and driving out to my Aunt Lucy's. Our partial day in NYC was wonderful, invigorating! Thanks again handsome boy.