The Fifty States: Pennsylvania - Part 1

This is first in a series of states, where I will highlight my time spent in a state.  These are my own recommendations of restaurants and things to do, and I hope to share my perspective. I hope to visit all 50 states in my lifetime to see the sights and learn about each area.

Pennsylvania - My Home State

 - Part 1 -

Philadelphia - This city is very history heavy surrounding colonial times.  The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Constitution Center and the Betsy Ross House are all in the same vicinity near Independence Mall. These are great to do all in one day, but you need to start out early and mind your time.  Signer's Hall in the Constitution Center is a great place to stand next to a bronze life-sized George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.  If you need something on a bigger scale, check out William Penn at City Hall.  You'll take an elevator up and see a close-up of the statue and a great view of the city. Visit Love Park for the Love sculpture.

For staple tourist food known in Philly, check out the Reading Terminal Market, buy a pretzel on the street or cheesesteaks at Pat's, Geno's or Jim's Steaks. (Jim's is my favorite.)  A great dinner out is at the Continental Martini Bar, where they have great drinks and tapas.  After this, get ice cream around the corner at the Franklin Fountain.

For science and fun, the Franklin Institute is a whole day of enjoyment.  The Mint and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are a must-see.  Run up those museum steps!

The Eastern State Penitentiary is creepily interesting.  Take the audio tour and roam around the run down prison.

Well known churches and colleges of massive scale are worth checking out.  For example, the Cathedral Basilica of St Peter and Paul, University of Pennsylvania and Temple.

Center City's roads are set up as a grid.  There are many one-way streets, so don't trust your GPS on this. 

Other points of interest are the events in the convention center.  There is the auto show and flower show if you happen to visit when they are running.  There is also the Philadelphia Zoo, Chinatown, Jewelers Row for engagement rings, South Street and Old City for nightlife.

Catch a game at Citizens Bank Park and the Linc!   Go Phils and Eagles!
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Pittsburgh - This city is very art and cultural heavy.  It is filled with bridges, mountains and bikers.  Make sure you take a native with you on your travels to easily get around the city.  The bridges, ramps and hills will surely get you lost.  There are only two inclines left, but the Duquesne Incline is a great place to start if you have never been here.  You will see the view of Point Park and where three rivers meet.  These are the Allegheny, Monongahela and the Ohio Rivers.  You'll also see downtown and the sports complex. Stop here again at night to see it in a different light!  The Carnegie Museum of Science and Art has an extensive collection, and this can be an all-day stop.  Close by is the Cathedral of Learning.  Browse through the first and third floor classrooms for the culture of many countries.  The Heinz History Center is an eclectic gallery of western PA highlights. Check out the gift shop for ketchup inspired gifts.

South of Pittsburgh there is Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water and Kentuck Knob.  The Holiday Inn Express in Mount Pleasant was a great stay.  Halfway to Pittsburgh from here is Kennywood for nice day of fun rides.

The Best Western Parkway Center Inn is an awesome hotel away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  It is close enough to drive to the city, but the free shuttle is amazing.  They will take you and pick you up pretty much anywhere in the city.  Station Square is a common stop, and you can shop there or take a Ducky Tour.

Take in interesting art at the Mattress Factory and the Andy Warhol Museum.  The Frick Art Museum and Estate is a great place to spend an afternoon.

Visit the Pittsburgh Zoo in the morning to see the active lions.  Take a drive through the Allegheny Cemetery right before dusk.

Primanti Brothers is a Pittsburgh tradition where you get fries and slaw on top of your sandwich.

Take a stroll down the Strip for art and market goods.  You will find some unique gifts and plenty of terrible towels (Stillers!). Go when the Three River's Festival event is in full swing.  Downtown is filled with vendors and environmental supporters.

Favorite Foods - Vol 2

1. Nachos
2. Tacos
3. Pizza
4. Spinach
5. Potatoes
6. Chicken
7. Eggplant
8. Cheese

People have different tastes.  They walk in food venues and order their favorites, what they are craving for, or something new.  This great eight list contains my favorite foods.  A large percentage of the time, I will be ordering something that is related to this list. I'm glad some of my items are healthy enough, and I can pair them with other items.  I can have chicken florentine with mashed potatoes, and that is half my list!  Yes, cheese is on pizza, tacos and nachos, but they can also be on eggplant parm and cheddar mashed potatoes.  Cheese can be on a lot more things, such as broccoli, and it makes them so much more enjoyable.  There are many other favorites that could make a top fifty list, such as filet mignon, kettle sweet potato fries/chips or a chocolate peanut butter dessert.

I used to choose just burgers when I was younger.   Now, I could never imagine bringing a McDonald's hamburger into Taco Bell.  (What was I thinking?!)  Green beans are awesome, and broccoli is now consumable.  I am picky, but not as bad as I used to be. 

There are many things I still dislike:
Onions - They've got to be so fried like in Burger King's rings - Their new ones are great!
Seafood - I can stand a not-so-fishy crab cake and tuna, but rather stay away.
Peppers - Occasionally mixed with a salsa or sauce is okay.
Most nuts - Peanuts are a big exception.
Bacon and some pork - No visible fat please.
Others: Celery, scallions, radishes, water chestnuts, oranges, beets, horseradish, sauerkraut, extra hot sauce, mushrooms, raw, rare or medium cooked meats, eggnog, vegetable juice

Waking Up from a Nap

How rejuvenated are you supposed to feel after a nap?  It doesn't matter how long or at what time, but I wake up groggy every single time I nap.  Grogginess is supposed to be when you wake up before your sleep cycle is complete.  I don't think it's a coincidence that I wake up before it's done every time.  I usually don't set an alarm and wake up naturally.  I need at least 45 minutes to an hour after I wake to comfortably converse with other people.  It's hard to form words out of my mouth.  It's like someone glued a brick to my throat preventing my voice box from projecting any sound.  My face keeps one expression: a half frown with an old age wrinkle between my eyebrows.  There's a dark cloud in my head, and everything sounds muffled and loud.  It's a really bad hangover, though I haven't had alcohol in a few weeks.

As a caution, I like to stay away from people in my first stage of waking up.  I become grumpy when I don't want to be, and I feel like I will regret how I'm acting toward them.  I don't want to come across as mean or ignore people either.  I tend to become a monk and hide until I'm ready to come out and be normal again.

Waking up in the morning is a little better.  I still can't talk much, but I don't have the fog in my head and am not a grumpfest.  It's probably from snoozing my alarm for an hour, testing my body for awakedom.

I found that the cure for a quick recovery is listening to something comical, whether it is a cartoon or a funny radio program.  The bf and I couldn't be any more different after naps.  He is a bundle of pep, while I am the queen of the blahs.  His silliness is out of control, or that's what it seems like at the time.  I am not quite in reality yet, and I am appreciative of him because my mood can improve quicker.

Watch the Time

What day is it again? Classified as a gold personality type, I have a constant need to see what time it is and where I am in the day, week, month, etc.  A watch and a huge wall calendar will suffice!  Through the holidays last month, I had many days off from work, so the five-day work week clock in my head became askew.  I started thinking my Wednesdays are Fridays and my Fridays are Sundays.

Between my watch, wall calendar, desktop calendar and pocket calendar, I would think I have enough.  Nope.  I have one more - I need to update at least once a week my online calendar, where I do most of my planning.  My adventures will not schedule themselves!  Lists on my phone are becoming necessary for shopping and to plan new restaurant visits.

I don't realize how much I look at my watch during the day until I forget to put it on in the morning. 

 

Realizing I forgot my watch.



Counting the hours in my head.  Is it 5:00?






















If it's not on my dresser, in my purse or pocket, I start wondering if I dropped it and is in a parking lot somewhere.  I always end up finding it though. Even when I do find it, I don't put the watch on!  The relief is there that it is found, but I like to be settled for the night without having it on my arm.  If I want to use a laptop and my watch is on, forget that.  It is uncomfortable, so the watch is being set aside.  I am still in the know of what time it is by the lot of digital and face clocks throughout the house.

A few weeks ago, there was a double whammy - I found my watch in my purse at dinner time, and it was stuck on 12:20!  Now I have to find the time to start up the time  :D