"you may say that i'm a dreamer..."

Hey guys!  It's City Girl from over at Skyscrapers and Stargazers.  I have to thank the fabulous Lacey for the opportunity to guest post on her awesome blog today.  Hope she and the boy are having the greatest time in Chicago!  While they're living it up in that gorgeous city, I'm here in New York, gearing up for another fun weekend.  There's always so much to do and see here, that things can get hectic.  I never want to miss anything, so it's always go, go, go.  Running uptown and downtown, from the upper west side to the lower east.  This truly is the city that never sleeps.

The key to living in New York though, is taking the time to slow down.  You have to, or you'll burn out quickly.  As much hustle and bustle as there is here, there are also lots of little nooks and crannies full of peaceful beauty and serene landscapes.  My favorite?  Strawberry Fields in Central Park.  I'm a huge Beatles fan, and have always loved how John Lennon truly embraced the city.  The tiny garden in Central Park, named in his honor, is a designated quiet zone.  There are a few benches surrounding the gorgeous "Imagine" mosaic, the smell of wildflowers fills the air, and you can hear violinists in the distance.  People often place flowers, letters and pictures on the memorial, to pay their respects and reflect on life.

It's truly one of the most peaceful, serene and gorgeous places in the city, and you should definitely check it out when you visit New York.  The Dakota, the apartment building where John and Yoko lived for years (Yoko still does), is right across the street, and really hits home John's message.   Let's all be nice to each other for once, shall we?  Let's celebrate (or at least respect) each other's differences.  Love really is louder than hate.

Have a great weekend!