Friday night we dropped off Schrute with Jared’s parents and went to the NCA basketball game before heading to my parents in Athens to stay the night. Our wake-up call was 4 AM to catch the 7.20 AM bus in Scranton heading to NYC!

We thought for sure we would sleep on the way to the bus station – but no luck. Jared, PM, my cousin Matt, my Aunt L, and I were so excited to get en route to see CHICAGO! The bus ride down was good – we watched Gran Torino – the new Clint Eastwood movie – luckily the volume was a little “wonky” during the first half so I missed out on all the swearing – good thing! It is a good movie – great message – and the best part was – it is a brand new movie and we got to see it for free – granted it was on a tiny little screen – but still!

We arrived at the bus station a little after 9 and grabbed breakfast. Then we ventured out on the streets of NYC! We hit the M & M store – where we saw every color imaginable and a $3000 diamond-encrusted jacket for the ULTIMATE M & M lover!

Aunt L met Morgan Freeman

at the wax museum …

We walked up to Central Park and got some pictures on the edge!

PM had mentioned that the APPLE store is close to Central Park – so we HAD to go in and check it out – Jared was in HEAVEN!

We saw the computer that I am going to get soon – and a new iPod – that Jared wants to get soon.

We walked through a fur protest at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE.

We managed to make it back to CHICAGO early and stand in line waiting for the doors to open – it was COLD!

Our seats were in the upper balcony – second row – in a VERY tight fit!

The show started and I was shocked that there was not much room on the stage – since they had the entire band on the stage as well. It was a good show – but not great – I was expecting something of BROADWAY proportions – and I thought that the movie version was MUCH better!

Melora Hardin – Jan on The Office – was playing the part of Roxie Hart – so that was AWESOME to see – since we had met her at The Office CONVENTION!

After the show we went to the NBC store to get a DUNDER MIFFLIN beanie and scarf but they were all sold out – so we got the next best thing – A DOG LEASH for Schrute – which is so fitting since he is named after Dwight Schrute on The Office! There were tons of great shirts too – but not for the price they wanted!

Then we went back to the train station to grab dinner and wait for the bus back to Scranton! The ride home was not non-stop so we did not have a movie waiting – which was all the better since we were all TIRED! We made it to Scranton shortly after 9.30 and then started the 2 hour ride back to my parents and then the hour ride back to Mansfield – PM dropped us off at about 12.45 AM – made for a long day – BUT A FUN DAY!

CHICAGO didn’t turn out to be the show I thought it would be – but we had great company!

Sunday after chuch we celebrated Jared’s dad’s birthday with lunch and then picked up Schrute – who was so excited to see us! Jared helped me move my office downstairs and set up a new room for Rutie.

I’ll post new pictures of my office space soon!