The bus ride to NYC started out relatively fine with a double seat to myself and a very kind driver that didn't pay attention to the 1 bag limit. The bus was fairly uncomfortable so I only slept a couple hours that night. We crossed into the US through Buffalo where we had to get off the bus with ALL of our baggage. It was a total comedy trying to pull my bags through customs. Then I was almost denied entry into the states because I didn't have my flight out of the US printed and couldn't remember the number off the top of my head. I bought the ticket earlier that day in a Starbucks in Toronto and figured I would just print it in Jersey when I got to Justin's. The more I travel, the more careless I get. I arrived in sleepy NYC at Penn Station at about 6:12 am, 8 minutes ahead of schedule. I waited for Justin to meet me at the dropoff and then we struggled to get my bags into Penn Station and down the stairs. Once we arrived in Jersey I waited on the side of the street with the bags while Justin went on a 20-minute adventure to get the car out of the parking garage. By the time I finally made it to his house I was wiped. We dropped off my bags and then went on a quick driving tour of Justin's neighbourhood. We went to Tastee Sub and split a sub and were home by 10 am. We both fell asleep from only sleeping three hours the night before and napped until about 3pm. Then I got to open some presents and get ready for dinner. We went to a Portugese rhodesia restaurant with his mom and her boyfriend. I had all-you-can eat bbq and buffet plus a slice of Tiramisu cake for dessert and some white sangria.

On Thursday we drove to Philly and did a driving tour of the city. We started with a Philly Cheesesteak "Whiz wit" (Cheez Whiz with onions). I started strong but couldn't finish the heart attack that I cradled in my hands. I saw Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell from the car as we drove around in circles and the campus of Temple University. We walked through the old Italian Market and bought some fancy-pants gouda and some salami (or something) that Mario Batali's dad makes in Seattle that has cardamom and citrus zest in it.

We got back to Jersey at about 3:15 and went to a place called Chicken Holiday for some cajun chicken fingers and jalapeno poppers. While waiting on our grease fest Justin got a msg that his friend had two tickets to the Giants game. Long story short, I had about 1 hr to run to his house, put in a load of laundry, pack up my bags (including an overnight bag) and then hop into the car to get to Jersey city. We ate in the car and started for Jersey city. We left the car parked on the street near Justin's friend's apartment and walked to the Path train to take us to the World Trade Center. Then we had to take the subway to Port Authority. Then we waited in line for about an hour for a shuttle bus to the stadium which is....in New Jersey. We arrived at half time and met up with his friend. We were sitting ROW 3 at the ten yard line. Needless to say, the seats were amazing. Then it was another wait for shuttle buses home (not as long this time) and then the subway downtown. We got a NYC slice and then walked to a bar called "Whisky Willies" that has Karaoke and beer pong all night. We had a couple drinks including a Jell-o shot (with whipped cream) and watched really competitive beer pong games. Justin's friend wanted to take a cab home instead of the subway, etc, so he paid for the bulk of the bill. I went to bed at about 4 am and woke up at 6:10 am to get ready for my flight. I had to pack up the last few things and shower and change and then get to another island to fly outta LaGuardia by 11:30 am.

We left Jersey City by 7am (on schedule) and drove through the Holland Tunnel into NYC. The city was pretty quiet and reminiscent of Vanilla Sky. I arrived at LaGuardia by about 8am this morning I think it was. Justin dropped my curb-side and started back in the traffic into the city. I managed to find a free cart for my bags but that was about the only stroke of luck that I've had so far. My bags were extremely overweight so I had to repack them according to the man's specifications and then pay $100 extra for my one overweight bag. I was sweating and struggling and freaking out in the airport trying to get my bags to close. I took my sandals off and slipped them into my bag and pulled my running shoes outta my big bag to wear through the airport. It took a lot of effort but I finally go the bags checked. Then I had massive issues at security with not putting things into the proper bins, blah blah blah. then they scanned my backpack and did tests on it bc I have so much electrical equipment in it (all of my computer cords and camera cords and webcam and camera, etc). I waited and waited and finally got cleared. I'm still about an hour early for my flight and am starving but I don't want to get up and give up my seat near the power outlet so that I can watch a movie or something. I fly to Toronto and then wait an hour and then finally get on the plane to China. I'm having nightmares about getting into China and am too tired to be thinking rationally. I'm going to watch a movie now and try to forget that any of this is happening!

Next Stop: Buffalo...NYC...NJ...NYC...Toronto..........China!!!!!

Evening, everyone. I'm on a "Greyhound Neon" bus right now on my way to the US of A. If you haven't heard of the Neon you must edjumacate yourselves as it is a travellers' bargain, complete with plugs, movies, and free wifi. I'm watching (nay, ever so slightly listening to) "Seekers" but it strains my neck too much to crane and peer at the wee screen on the bus's roof. I'm also chatting on multiple IM programs and updating my address book. A+ for multi-tasking. I'm also inducing carpel-tunnel-like symptoms in my hands but this is the price we pay. I'm bound for Penn Station in the big apple but I'll be stopping in Buffalo, as well as some other gems like Pembroke along the way. I'll be in New Jersey for a couple days searching for Bon Jovi and tipping some Jersey cows. Maybe Jon will serenade me on my birthday. Maybe I'll win the lotto. Maybe man will walk on the moon. Then, it's a flight from Laguardia in NYC to Toronto with a connection to Beijing, China on Friday morning. When asked what I want to eat there upon arrival, I will no doubt blurt "DUCK, lots of duck." Classy. Hopefully I will socialize Saturday night in Beijing, try to stand up without passing out due to jet-lag on Sunday, and start training on Monday. I'm not sure if I'll be able to use Blogger in China so check my facebook if you've got it or send polite emails kicking my butt for updates and I'll respond with a quick wit and dazzling charm.