Another side of Biloxi

I wanted Ian to experience Gulf-shore seafood.

We tried a local seafood restaurant, McElroy's on the Bayou.

Thankfully for Megan, they had grilled cheese. :)

So, Ian and I split the seafood sampler platter and ordered it grilled. I have never seen so much paprika in my life. Paprika on the coleslaw, the shrimp, scallops, oysters, fish.

It tasted pretty good...but all that paprika really threw me off!!

Later I took Megan to the Beau Ravage casino. I used to get so mad when I traveled in Las Vegas and saw parents with little kids walking through the casinos.

But, I considered this an educational experience. I wasn't going to gamble (which I didn't) and the service attendants weren't quite as scantily clad (thank goodness). But, it smelled just like the casinos in Vegas (that pumped in fragrant oxygen smell), and the Beau was similar to the Bellagio in some ways of decor (slight).

So, I walked her through the floor, the sea of slot machines, table games, and people smoking. She got to see the Wheel of Fortune machines. I was able to explain that, while cool-looking, the problems that some people have with the addiction of gambling. I also gave her the perspective of spending her hard-earned money and the potential of losing it. There were groups of guys with cigars playing blackjack, and of course the waitresses serving them a cold one. Since this was a bit more upscale and slightly less offensive than many places in Vegas, I think it will help guide her in the future when faced with these "opportunities". We'll see. :)

We returned to the room after a treat of gelato ice cream and watched movies for the rest of the evening. Time to pack up today!

I really hope this sore throat disappears as I cross the border back into Ohio...

Clarification...

Just so you know, there is something else to look forward to beyond my "word pictures".

I didn't forget my camera on this trip - I just forgot and overlooked the cable to download the pictures!! What a bummer! Talk about something being just out of reach...

Oh well. I promise you will see the picture chronicles this weekend!

We just got back from the beach. That is all we have done today so far. :)

But, more adventures to come...

Biloxi, Mississippi

We are sure glad this lighthouse is still standing. It is the most photographed icon of Biloxi, MS.

So we crossed Lake Ponchartrain leaving New Orleans (this is the lake that flooded so severely during Katrina that the levees broke, flooding most of the city) on a long bridge that is being rebuilt. The highway from there to Biloxi was full of evidence of hurricane damage to trees and some homes.

We arrived in Biloxi about 90 minutes later to see this lighthouse. There is also a huge Vegas-style casino a few blocks from here, called Beau Ravage as well as the Hard Rock casino.

Other than that, this town is still devastated. Aparently, once lined with beautiful hotels, casinos, and Southern Style homes, there isn't much left. The difference being - New Orleans was affected by the levees breaking, the flooding...Biloxi took a direct and full category 5 hurricane HIT...and the differences are obvious. There really isn't much left.

They are in the stages of rebuilding. There are signs of people and businessess returning, building bigger and better than ever, but eerily...many foundations stand, the empty land around them.

Yesterday we spent the day wandering. We drove by the new casinos and on a bridge - one that I told the kids had to be brand-spanking new. It almost dazzled in the bright sunlight! (I must admit, it IS nice to see the sun!!) We took the first exit and discovered a beach on the other side, lined with what used to be some incredible homes. We must have passed the remains of at least 50 piers - all you can see are the posts that remain.

The sand there was softer and the sun seemed a little warmer than near our hotel. We took advantage and the kids frolicked while I watched. We walked a little ways down to what appeared to be a pier still standing. As we got closer, we realized that only about 1/2 of it was safe to walk on, so we did. The water was murky and shallow. There were a couple men chatting about fishing. As one left, we began talking to the other one. Here is his story -

He is a native here. He stayed in his house during Katrina, WITHOUT a basement! He said he wasn't really scared, but a tree came crashing through his roof. He was more mad than anything, he said. He described the huge storm surge, pointing out the trees on an island out in the water - all you can see of them is the top leaves. That is how high the water was, he said. Nothing here on land remained untouched. The marina where we were standing was gone, now rebuilt. Where our hotel is was full of homes and life - now there is nothing.

He also confirmed that the bridge was in fact new. See those posts, he said...that is where the previous highway was. His eyes glazed over a bit as he described..."Nobody on the news ever said what really happened here - that bridge was full of people evacuating. Hundreds of cars. That storm surge came - nothing anyone ever expected - and those people were swept away in it. Gone in their cars with all their belongings. All died." He went on to describe how whole homes were just swept off their foundations, into the sea, casinos included. I suggested the looters must have had a heyday. He explained that there were slot machines all over the beach - and quarters and chips and the like - and the casinos, if they went back into business, had to honor them - they didn't know if it was your winnings or what you had found on the beach. So, I guess a few people made out in the process! He said you can still find the occasional quarter on the beach. He was without power for 3 weeks in his home. A church came by and provided a generator, and that was how he survived.

We have seen the still remaining remnants. If you google "Biloxi" on Google Images, there are some great pics of before and after - all of which we have seen here and wondered what might have been here before. I tried to post them for you but they are copyrighted.

The lighthouse remains, just outside our hotel.

But as Megan said, this provides an opportunity to start over. A chance to do things the right way. To rebuild, bigger and better than ever. That appears to be the case with what we have seen so far!

We spent the rest of the day on the playground and beach, and driving through neighborhoods to watch some construction. Ian wanted to watch the Buckeyes so we were back to the hotel for the evening and to see them win.

And now we know a little bit more about Biloxi!

10 Bits and pieces

Some noteable tidbits from our trip so far:

1) The guy playing percussion in the jazz band in Jackson Square was AWESOME. He was so artistic in his playing! It was like he was telling a story with the drumset each time he played. So, after my kid's coaxing, I got up to tell him how great he was and found out he was from DAYTON, OHIO!!! He was there with the band trying to find a gig. So THAT'S how these people end up entertaining on the street! Anyway, their jazzy sound made for the perfect setting on this bright afternoon!

2)Sometimes you get the sudden realization you are right where you are needed. We were enjoying the pool at our downtown hotel. There was a young mom with 2 little ones in the hottub. I was sitting next to it, watching my own kids swim. The mom got out of the hot tub and her little boy (2 or 3) was still playing in it. She had just gotten out when I saw him go underwater. At first I thought he was just playing but realized quickly he had panicked and fallen under again. I went running to grab him out and the mom turned around just in time to meet me at the hot tub's edge. Got my adrenaline going, that was for sure!

3)We met a girl who attends LSU (to Ian's disappointment). She told us about where she lives (near a swamp -they are used to alligators!) and how many of her friends were affected by Katrina. Many of them moved north but stayed within the state, and so attend the branch of LSU where she goes.

4)There are LSU shirts everywhere. Though I pointed out to Ian it would be like walking around Columbus, he couldn't believe people actually LIKED that team. LOL.

5)There was actually a couple getting married on the Natchez steamboat cruise we were on. Interesting. All I know is I happened to be walking to the outer deck behind the bride when the door slammed in her face. Um, that was her new HUSBAND who had just walked out and not held the door for his new BRIDE! She grumbled and said something to the effect - "Aw, see, now that he is my HUSBAND he is going to treat me like &%#@!

6)More people got off the streetcar at Harrah's casino than at any other stop we passed on any other streetcar stop we experienced.

7)The nice man who checked us in at this hotel upgraded our room. We are now oceanfront with our own whirlpool tub!

8)I am now officially a Hilton Honors GOLD member for the second time in my life!

9)Contrary to popular family belief, my mother did NOT "earn" beads during her visit to New Orleans when I was 5.

10)So, speaking of...apparently, I had been to New Orleans before. I went on 2 family vacations when I was a kid, both involving motor homes. The first trip in 1976 - we went south to Texas. I remember 3 things - a)Mammoth Cave and it was hot, b)a vague recollection of the Alamo in Texas and it was even hotter, and c)visiting someone in a big open field in Texas that had a wine glass in their hutch drawer that had fake wine in it that couldn't be spilled, and it was so hot it was cloudy every morning. Sorry, mom, I do not remember ever visiting the Big Easy.
10b)The other trip was in 1979 or 1980, also in a motor home, but to Arizona. More about that later...but I do distinctly remember turning green with motion sickness as my dad drove down a big canyon!

Our 30 seconds under the overpass...Easter

What if everyone gave 30 seconds of their day to paying it forward? To help one person outside of their "comfort zone"?

We began Easter Sunday with a full Homewood Suites breakfast. Some were dressed in Easter attire, others were just rolling out of bed (um, that was us - though I was in my workout clothes since I have been keeping on track!!).

On our streetcar tour the day prior, I saw a little church with a sign outside that read "Rebuilding Hope, Rebuilding our Community". Looked like that was where we were going to end up to celebrate Easter.

I wasn't sure what it was going to be but knew it would be different than our fav Newark Naz. I thought it perhaps would be a gospel revival church or something of the like but I really just wasn't sure...so I prepped the kids at breakfast for what we could be walking into...something quite different than they may be used to.

Actually, it was a small church and reminded us of Real Life on the East side, minus the fact the interior seemed to be brand new (rebuilt?) and very bright (painted yellow and orange on the inside). We knew we were okay when they welcomed us inside the front door. There were maybe 25 people or so in the congregation. The music was just a guy singing with a synth. There were drums on the stage and a piano, so I was tempted to offer to play :) but was of course just there to enjoy.

The crowd was mixed. A couple of families, a lot of kids (who left after the intro music for an apparent "kid's church). We saw dreadlocks of all kinds and one lady who had BRIGHT red hair. There was an older couple and several people who were alone, but all seemed to know each other. They greeted us with hugs and handshakes, and presented us with a welcome gift.

Actually, things seemed much like what we were used to experiencing, until the pastor got up to give his sermon. He was very gifted and passionate with his message, but did deliver it VERY LOUDLY. He didn't NEED a microphone, but used one anyway, and his message was excellent and just awesome for an Easter Sunday service. There were some interesting reactions from the congregation that we HADN'T experienced. At the end of the service there was an altar call. Would you believe, there were 8 people that went forward to be saved! It was a neat experience and one we won't forget.

There was obvious need in this community...from those outside and in. All of this lead to my title phrase. You may or may not know I have been studying a devotional with our praise team, titled "30 days under the overpass". The general message is from a person who became homeless on purpose to experience the life of the less fortunate. It is a powerful book, and really makes you think about how to affect (positively) the world around you and what we are called to do.

But believe it or not, and I never thought I would say this, it is hard to do. I always tended to think that I was being who I needed to be to others around me. Most of the time, I am nice to people. I try always to think of others before myself. I help out whenever I can even if it means I don't get what I need done. I try to offer what I can whenever I can. I would give what I have to someone in need. But what am I doing to truly help people in need? People who are homeless, sick, poor, in jail. Maybe even more importantly, what are my kids learning from what I do (or don't do) and how to have an impact on this world?

So, I had gone to New Orleans with a solid intent to serve, even while vacationing. I was certain that, even if we couldn't find the time or ability at home to start, here it might be right in front of us and undeniable. Well, I had prayed for guidance in this. I mean, I didn't know what we were going to find or how we were going to do it. It wasn't something I could really picture in my mind.

We had driven past the tent city the day before (see previous post). I didn't know what to do, if it was legitimate, if it was safe? The kids and I talked about it. We became overwhelmed. Our original intent was to take the book's suggestion - give away a bottle of water with a granola bar instead of handing out money, so that's what we had started with. We started looking for people on the streets in need. Once we were approached by a guy carrying a gas can. He asked for money "since he ran out of gas" so I gave him a dollar and didn't feel like I helped a bit (in fact, Ian was sure that the gas can was a prop). We saw people on park benches and sitting in the streets, but as you approached them it became obvious that they weren't in need. They were just resting, or enjoying the weather, or eating a snack.

Then the fears set in. We couldn't approach the tent city, it was too overwhelming and we weren't sure what it was about. We couldn't walk around the streets looking for needy people. I really felt vulnerable, which is not generally something I am used to feeling. I can walk through New York city and never feel that way. There was something different here.

So, we asked for guidance and got our bottles ready with the bars taped to them. We left church and drove down some side streets near the underpass, and came across a guy who said he had a flat tire and needed 75 cents for air at the gas station. Would you believe, I actually asked him how 75 cents would help, I didn't believe him that the gas station would charge for air!. I became fearful that he was going to rob us if I got my purse out. I told him I was sorry I couldn't help and moved on. As I drove away, I was kicking myself! What the heck! Here was someone that appeared to truly need help and I just drive away in my fancy rental car and Easter clothes and question his motives! I have become hardened and programmed in ways I didn't realize.

Well, I pulled into a parking lot and dug for some change. We were going to go back. But the street was only one way, so I pulled out and got ready to turn...right under the overpass.

The first guy Megan spotted, she got out of the car and took him the water bottle and wished him a nice Easter. Then someone approached the car asking for any help. I gave him the bottle and the bar and my handful of change we had for the guy who needed it for the air. He did a dance and called me his "Sista" and that may God bless us. He didn't want to get too near as he "hadn't washed" but was happy we had come by. This gave us an opportunity - a glimpse at these tent homes - only to realize these really were people in desperate need.

I know what may be going through your mind. We were being taken advantage of, these naive people, a single mom and her kids in their Easter clothes. Even if that was the case...who were we to judge? How did we know who needed help and who didn't? These people are LIVING in TENTS. And not just a few drunk men out of control. There were families and people just all over. It really did feel overwhelming - but then I realized, even if we touched just one...we didn't know if that may have changed their day, given them a little nourishment...even just a little encouragement.

So we rounded the corner and returned to the man with the flat tire. He had by now borrowed a tool to remove the flat tire. Ian got out with a bottle of water and I with a new handful of change. I handed over the change and Ian handed over the water, made sure he had what he needed and moved on.

The next stop was our last for today. This was still under the overpass, but on the other side. I found a place I could pull over. The kids took the bottles and handed them out. One man shook their hands. Unfortunately, the visit ended when one of the last people they were talking with became rather ill and we had to leave in a hurry. It put Megan over the edge. We found a gas station where we could wash up and talk about it, and there was someone else in need. Ian and I handed him water and some candy and asked if anyone had wished him a happy Easter. He asked that God bless us as we moved back toward our car.

I don't think the kids really believed people lived that way. It's one thing to know they are there...to read or hear about it...and it sure is easy to ignore, but I don't think they will forget it any time soon.

So yes, there is much to be done. Yes, it is overwhelming. But to the kid's question - "Why isn't anyone helping these people, mom?"

I say we need to try. Even if it is only 30 seconds under the overpass. It's a start. What if everyone did that? It might just become a habit...

What a whirlwind...

So...spring has finally arrived.



Well, I don't think it feels like it in Ohio. But WE are on spring BREAK!!!!



I have to admit, it was a whirlwind of activity to get to this point!

On Thursday...our home was blessed with some new carpet (the old was 10 years old...had survived (or not) 2 toddlers, a cat, and a previous husband that refused to remove his shoes)...time for it to go!!



While they were installing the new carpet...my new CAR arrived!!! Um, well, just realized...my old car is also 10 years old!!! P.S. - Plug for the guys at G&M Auto Sales in Coshocton - and thanks to Justin, I finally got the vehicle I have been waiting for!!



All this while trying to get some real work done. My kids arrived home from school and I still hadn't packed for our 7:15 pm Skybus flight.



As I wrapped some things up, trying to get out the door, my son also announced that he was lacking in certain clean garments for the trip. I believed they were in the dryer, so I sent him down to get them, only to find that they had washed alright...a FEW DAYS AGO. AAAAAAAGGGHHH!!!



So, we rewashed them and threw them in the dryer while I finished packing in a hurry. I couldn't think of what I possibly needed so in went a few spring clothes, flip flops, and my sunglasses. Oh, and a few other important items also.



Minus ONE important item.



I'll let you see if you can figure it out.



We arrived in Gulfport, Mississippi about 8:30pm Thursday night. We went to the store to pick up a few items and headed to our hotel. The hotel wasn't quite what I was expecting, but interesting nonetheless. It was a Hampton, but was like a motel...the lot was full of semi's!! The road this was on appeared to be the center of this area, much like Rt. 79 in Heath.



Anyway, we gathered our stuff and got to bed around 11pm.



Friday morning we drove to New Orleans, about an hour and 15 from Gulfport. We were amazed at the obvious remaining hurricane damage from Katrina in 2005. Though there is evidence of construction and re-build, other spots are still completely devastated. As if providing a riddle...other areas look just like they never experienced anything at all. Sometimes these are tucked in between homes or businesses that have not been dealt with since the storm plowed through.



We arrived at our hotel in the city, after driving right past a tent city under a highway. Actually, the kids noticed it and I missed it until I was turning the corner. We are perplexed by this. Are these people poor and homeless? One would think obviously, yes. But these aren't shantys, or even army type tents. These are the big tents that a whole family would use on a camping trip. And there were maybe a few hundred, tucked under the overpass, within yards of Canal Street on either side. Were the tents provided? Or is this some sort of staged protest to the lack of assistance? We just aren't sure.



We checked in, parked and headed out on foot. We walked down the famous Canal Street toward the Riverwalk, and we got to see our first paddleboat/steamboat, docked on the Mississippi. We moseyed along until we found the French Quarter. We did a lot of walking, and suddenly my kids were STARVING. Oh, where to eat with so many choices!



We chose a little place called "Napoleon's" after much walking and Megan "almost dying". She had a delectable "Po' Boy" roast beef sandwich, while Ian and I split a famed "Muffaletta" and a panini. We also got a sample side of jambalya, which was fabulous! On the way out of this cute pub, we took a quick pass down Bourbon Street (and that was enough!). It's...well...a mini-Vegas of sorts??



We topped this off with a visit to the famous Cafe du Monde for our own taste of real beignets! All this while sitting on the steps in front of Jackson Square, with the beautiful St. Louis cathedral and horse-drawn carriages as the backdrop, and live jazz music to listen to!



Ahhhh - this is vacation to me. New sights, relaxing in the warm sun to some live jazz music! And the kids enjoyed it too!!!



A ride on the streetcar took us across the city to the cemetaries, where all are built into mausoleums. Though there was much about witches and voodoo along the way (and supposedly in the cemetary), we chose to pass up those "opportunities" for time spent better elsewhere. Like I told Ian...they will see enough on their own someday. No need for me to introduce that stuff!



We finally made it back to the hotel and went down for a good night's sleep.



Today, I decided since I had to leave my parking space to move on to the next hotel, we might as well "get lost". I am so glad we did!



First stop - Louisiana Superdome. It is hard to believe that this was home to so many who were stranded. It is difficult to picture water all around in the city, but it was there!



Next, we drove through the beautiful garden district. Incredibly huge and decorated homes, with tree-lined streets and flowers everywhere. Again, a mix of homes under re-construction, others look like nothing ever happened. We ended at what appeared to be a small oil refinery on the river. There were railroad tracks right next to it - and so we waited a little bit - and here was a train!!! Neither I or the kids had been this close to a train moving right next to us!



From there we hit the Audubon Zoo. Here we took in all the wildlife, most notably an anteater and some really beautiful flamingoes, as well as seeing a white alligator and snapping turtle being fed steak!



We headed back in the late afternoon to chill, and get ready for our Easter Eve adventure...

a jazz and dinner cruise on the Mississippi!!! On the big paddlwheel Natchez tour.



We'll see what tomorrow brings...here is a taste of what we saw!

Another trip to NYC!

So, one of my "Jen" friends was having a birthday.
40, to be exact!!
She needed a tour of NYC to complete her 39 years on this earth!
So, I rounded up my favorite mini map, my metro card, and met her and Steph at the airport on Friday night after my business trip!

We drove into and through the city toward our hotel. It is so cool to see it at night.

Well...cool it definitely was.

We arrived at our hotel, checked in even though I lost my wallet (!), and decided to go find some dinner. I had to drop off the rental car, so we did that and started walking.
There was a little breeze but it was a cold but cheery night.
We set out to find a bite to eat and see a little city before our long day tomorrow.
A few blocks later, big flakes of snow began to fall...
I mentioned how very romantic that was! Big flakes falling on the city. You don't always get to experience that. :)

We got to Wall Street and I took a couple shots of the New York Stock Exchange - one highlighting the snow flakes and one not!

However, a few blocks later and the snow was BLINDING. We had to push through the wind and snow as if it were a blizzard.
I felt like Pa on Little House on the Prairie, except on the cement prairie, and with the wind coming right off the water.
BRRRRRRR.
We found a nice little pub and warmed up with a light dinner.
The snow fell fast and hard!
We (gladly) cabbed it back to the hotel and tried once again to get warm.
And then rested for our WHIRLWIND NYC tour!!!!

As we walk to Battery Park...

We catch a cruise line headed out on the Hudson River

Stop to give honor to those who died in the World Trade Center

And then head over to pick up our ferry tickets and head to the Statue of Liberty tour!!!

Battery Park and the Financial District

So we continued through Battery Park and headed up the street to see our friend in the bull market.
The customs building was right there on the corner and I hadn't really noticed it before.
Steph pointed out the interesting archaeology and the skulls at the feet of the statue...
I am sure there is a story there but I don't know it!

The ferry...brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I can't tell you much, because I am numb cold thinking about this picture!

What I can tell you is, we boarded the ferry for the statue of liberty.
I did warn the girls we would need to bundle up and it would be C-O-L-D.

I guess I was hoping against hope the weather would break a bit, being March.

Well, DUH, it's March!

At least it was sunny?
I can tell you, it was down right, bone chilling, frigid freezing COLD!!!
And so went our trip on the ferry!

Interesting tidbits...

Of the Statue of Liberty!

These are the stairs going up into the statue itself, which are now glassed in and inaccessible to the general public.

There she is! Lady Liberty, tall and proud.

Jen made it!!!

I love how you see everything when you are in NY. When else would you see hair matching glasses matching scarf...and Ellis Island to boot (background)?!

Ellis Island

A great stop after the Statue of Liberty is to visit Ellis Island.
We took the quick tour. You can spend a lot of time there, but not on a whirlwind tour.
They have a computer database where you can search for your ancestors coming over on the boat.
There was a Charles William Cox back in the late 1800's, and he was from England. Since my dad's heritage is English, I do wonder if this would be my great great great something!!!


The reception hall, where the immigrants were processed.

Like traveling on a boat where you can't move for a long, long time?

Immigrant children.

The ferry ride back to Manhattan

is always full of great views of my city.
I know people must think I am crazy.
But these views just make my heart pound!
I love it!
Not to mention I snuck to the front of the boat, where the wind wasn't blowing!

A gift for Jen!

And a new experience for me too!
Again, after all these years, visits and friends, this is the first time I ever took a Central Park carriage ride!
It was cold! But they had warm blankets and um...you could cuddle?

Happy 40th, Jen!

Headed down Central Park South.
Some day I will tell you the story of having my own rooftop access at the Essex House (in the background).

Our carriage director! He was from Ireland, accent and all!
His name? Why, Connor, of course!

My favorite spot in the whole world

is right here.
Central Park.
Bridge.
I love it and wish I could build my home so I could see this every day.
Might seem crazy, but it's me.
And I am sharing it with you.
Probably where they'll bury me!!

Rockefellar Center

A trip to the city is not complete without a stop at Rockefellar Center and the NBC studios building.
Last time I was there with the kids we toured the studio, it was awesome!
No time for that this visit...
In good cold fashion, the ice skaters were out in full force!


The newest addition...a light fountain!

Though we didn't skate this time, I will NEVER forget my skating experience when my kids and I came with Molly and her kids for the Macy's Day parade 2 years ago.

NBC Studios. Live, from New York, it's...

Steph and Jen!!!

WTC as of March 2, 2008

Each time I do a tour in NYC, I take at least one pic of the World Trade Center site.
It has come so far!
The first time I visited, from this point all you saw was dirt - a big hole a block in size, in the middle of a city.

Now it is several layers built, the subway system under it is back working, and progress on the Freedom Tower has begun...

Brooklyn and church...

As part of Jen's trip, she wanted to visit a church in Brooklyn.
Their home church here in Heath sponsors as a mission, this small church in New York, called "Crossroads Community Church".
They meet in a high school in Brooklyn, with 2 services on Sunday mornings.
They have a live band, and video services that tie with the sermon.

So, here were a couple of new experiences for me - not just visiting a church in New York, but also taking the subway from the city to Brooklyn.
It involved taking a different line on the subway and seeing some new cityscapes.



Their band

Played songs I knew...

Their logo on the left (Faith, Love, Life).
Small, but mighty in a somewhat God-less place.

Steph and Jen with the pastor, who has been here for 9 years!

Our quick miracle on 34th street...

I had forgotten what a rush it was to do business in the Empire State Building.
We all stopped and bought new sunglasses, and then I showed them the lobby of the big and tall structure on 34th.
I have been up in it once, the first time I took the kids in December a short few years ago (I think Megan was 6!)
I was spoiled on that visit because, due to a business connection, I got VIP tickets to skip the lines and go up for a view of my favorite city!
It's like having front row seats at a concert - is there really any other way?


Two cool chicks checking out the carpet.

I love this in the lobby of the building. It is beautiful.

And here I am with the replica of the building. I don't remember that being there before, but I am sure it was!