I'll Do It My Way - Thanksgiving Edition

Well, it's November, ya'll, and we are zooming into the Holiday season, fraught with family, drama, and family drama. Speaking of family, we can all agree that divorce is most brutal on the kids, even when they are grown-ass adults! I feel like even though my daughter is grown, there has to be stress around choosing where to spend the holidays. Christmas is a bit easier because you have a bigger choice of days if you are willing to compromise. Thanksgiving, however, not so much. This year, I've decided to make the decision easy for her; I'm going to New York City. I am not planning to work at all as I've been pretty busy with my current gig and could use some time off. Let me give you a few reasons I'm traveling for the holiday, and then I'll go full travel blogger and share what I'm planning!

Reasons for Thanksgiving Travel

• First, it would take more than ten fingers to count all of the family fights and drama that have ruined past Thanksgiving celebrations—some with my ex-husband, some with my mom, and some just shitty experiences. I don't really love Thanksgiving anymore, so why not remove myself from that drama? Plus, I kinda think turkey is nasty.

• Second, it will make my daughter's choice easier, she goes to her dad and his new family. She'll have a great time, my dogs can tag along and see their pet cousins, and there is low stress. Don't worry, I've cleared it with her, and she's cool.

• Third, I can give myself a bit of grace and put some space between my mom's death and Thanksgiving with Dad and his new family. I really do like his new wife, but last Thanksgiving was my first after my mom passed. Seeing her family in my mom's house was tough. None of this reflects on my dad and his wife, but it's still hard to see a completely new family sleeping at their house and moving through the kitchen as if it were their family house (which it is). I know this will get easier as time goes on. I'm just a whiny only child.

• Fourth, my mom always wanted to go to NYC for Thanksgiving. I may even be brave enough to take a sprinkle of her ashes so she can finally make it. I suspect I will feel her presence following me telling me to stand up straight, couldn't I have flat-ironed my hair, and maybe don't wear sweats in public. Just kidding, sort of.

• Finally, just being in New York. There are so many Broadway shows I've been dying to see, I will have to budget-budget-budget and prioritize. Visiting the Christmas Markets thrills me, too. I really want to hit the European Christmas markets, but I'm being frugal right now. Maybe next year. Since I know NYC pretty well and I love walking and exploring, it becomes the perfect location for me to relax and explore.

Travel Plans

Here's what I'm hoping to do/see in no particular order:

• Shows: Oh Mary! - A dark comedy about a long-suffering Mary Todd Lincoln in the week leading up to Abraham Lincoln's assassination. I know it sounds tacky, which is perfect for me. Gypsy - Legendary musical about Gypsy Rose Lee. I've always wanted to see Gypsy and with Audra McDonald as Mama Rose, who can pass it up? TKTS Booth - I may see what's on sale at the booth the night I land if I have the energy. There are so many other good shows: Once Upon a Mattress with Sutton Foster, Cabaret with Adam Lambert, Death Becomes Her with Megan Hilty. I also need to broaden my horizons, see a play, and get out of my musical theater rut.

  
  

  

• Museums: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim to see Kandinsky's work - Love him, NEUE Galerie to see work by Gustav Klimt - also love. I feel like I've spent a lot of time with the old masters in Paris, London, Brussels, and Amsterdam, so I'd like to broaden my horizons. Other museums such as The Morgan Library - fascinated after reading The Personal Librarian and maybe MOMA, if I have time and it fits into my budget.

• Christmas Experiences: Christmas Markets - super excited to see the ones at Bryant Park, Union Square, Zucotti Park, and Grand Central Terminal. I've only been to the Christmas Market at Columbus Circle, so these will be fun. I need to leave room in my suitcase (and my budget) to bring home purchases. Christmas windows

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  Food and Vibes: Russ and Daughters for bagels, some yummy Matzoh Ball soup at a deli (probably the 2nd Ave deli), maybe back to Bubby's, Yellow Rose NYC - see how Texan they are, Café Wha - Music in West Village. Thanksgiving Dinner has been booked at La Marchande. We'll see how happy they are giving a table to a single!

• Other Options: Take a walking tour from the Tenement Museum, walk all over Central Park on Thanksgiving day, tour Grand Central terminal, Trinity Church graveyard, Staten Island Ferry, and maybe even Roosevelt Island Tram. Important Travel Note: The Tenement Museum is the coolest place in NYC, period. It's the closest I've ever gotten to time travel outside of my tour of the Colosseum in Rome.

Photos and Reviews will come after the trip. I may even share pricing compared to budgeting…not sure if I'm ready yet!