The Big Apple.

Things you may already know about me: I love lists. I love New York City.
Something you may not know about me: I turned 31 a little less than 2 weeks ago. (I may or may not have had a panic attack at this event. Maybe this is why I took a blogging hiatus. Hmmm....)

So anyway, why not combine two of the things I may love most and make a little game out of it?! Shortly before my 29+2 birthday, a friend sent me a NY Times article about Roosevelt Island, and I thought to myself, "Self, that is yet another place in the City that in my almost 29+ years of existence, I have not visited. Get on it." And so, it inspired me to take on a challenge on this second anniversary of my 29th year on earth.

I love the city. I really do. I grew up here (although some will argue that growing up in the 5th and forgotten borough that I am not actually a NYC resident, but I say pshhh to them), went to college here, and have never left and don't dare think I ever will leave. (Living in Jersey City doesn't count, k?). The greatest city of them all - a city that people around the world vacation to, a city people dream to live in one day - and yet, there are some iconic and famous places I have never been to and "New York" things I have never done. So lo and behold, here is my list of 32 New York-y things to accomplish/see/do by next birthday. (Don't judge and say "OMG!!!!! You've never done that?!")

1. Roosevelt Island
2. the Cloisters
3. the High Line
4. Top of the Rock
5. top of the Empire State Building
6. Jazz at the Lincoln Center
7. an opera at the Met
8. the Guggenheim Museum
9. Wicked
10. SummerStage at Central Park
11. mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral
12. St. John the Divine
13. Conservatory Garden at Central Park
14. Belvedere Castle
15. Brooklyn Botanical Garden
16. 5 boro bike tour
17. spectator at the NYC Marathon
18. BAM (aka Brooklyn Academy of Music)
19. ride the G train
20. Brooklyn Flea
21. visit the main NYPL on 42nd Street
22. ride any train from starting point to end point
23. Native American Museum
24. have a drink at the Waldorf Astoria
25. "visit" the Today show
26. see a taping of a NYC show
27. Riverside Park
28. ice skating at Bryant Park
29. Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island
30. sledding in Central Park
31. Prospect Park
32. dine at the River Cafe