Slow & Steady

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It seems fitting that the weekend before the 2016 Presidential election I ate, drank, and shopped my way through the great city of New York. Mom and I had no set plans--other than reservations for brunches and dinner and a date with a certain orange-clad football team on Saturday afternoon.

My bad luck flying seemed to rub off on Mom as she tried to make her way to Manhattan on Friday after work. Finally at around 11:30 she knocked on my door. The two of us stayed up well past our bedtimes--2:30 to be exact--catching up, snacking on a cheese plate, and watching the first couple of episodes of The Crown on Netflix. Saturday morning we lazily sipped coffee before making our way to Park Avenue South for brunch at Sarabeth's, followed by a mini shopping spree on 5th Avenue and an unsuccessful search for booties at Bloomingdale's. The highlight of the weekend--for me, anyway--was watching the Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech game at the official Vols bar of NYC, The Hill in Kips Bay. We were surrounded by a steady surge of die-hard Tennessee fans decked out in orange and cheering on the Vols as they crushed their homecoming game. (Oh, and our tablemates weren't exactly hard on the eyes. Needless to say I'll be back for the Kentucky game. To watch football, obviously.)

For those of you living under a rock, this past weekend was the NYC Marathon, and I am proud to say that I had not one but two amazing friends running for the first time through all five boroughs. Living on First Avenue has its advantages, and my block was the life of the marathon party. Mom and I didn't get to watch much of the festivities, but nonetheless it was quote the event. I have no intention of even considering running a marathon, but I love cheering on the racers. Unfortunately Mom had to head to the airport in the middle of the race. The weekend flew by way too fast, but the good news is that I'll see her and the rest of my family in a couple of weeks at Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday.

So that brings us to today, Election Day. I voted absentee, so I didn't get to post a fun selfie with my "I Voted" sticker on Instagram like the rest of the nation. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the outcome. No matter which way this election goes it will be historic and monumental for America. Even in New York I see people supporting both candidates. And if social media has anything to say the election could go either way. I just want to make known how proud I am to be in a country where every citizen can express his and her opinion. I'm proud to live in a country where a woman can run for president and both candidates' stances on important issues are broadcasted nationwide. I'm proud to live in this country where I've casted my vote, declared my stance, and done my duty as an American in what is possibly the most controversial and history-making election of all time. Whatever happens in the next few hours, I'm proud to be an American.