I took Driver’s Ed in Manhattan when I was 16. We practiced on Park Avenue in rush hour. One day, the teacher directed me across a bridge and I panicked because we were leaving the island.

Streets in Manhattan are narrow and generally one way. Streets in Queens are narrow and generally two way. Add snow to the mix and you have even narrower two way streets with impatient drivers. In the mornings, in everyone’s haste to get to work, there is barely a slow down as you pass cars on these streets. Generally, what happens is you slow a little, and turn your head to see if your sideview mirrors graze each other as you pass, then breathe a sigh of relief when you pass free and clear. This whole time, you are not looking forward, in either car.

This was our “two way” road (right outside our house) after last week’s snow fall.

I thought I would document my drive to school today to show you the harrowing tale of my journey every day.

Here is the plowed state of our roads, all two way, that I have to hit each morning. Notice the nice snow drifts taller than Jay that I navigate around. These are especially fun at stop signs.

I woke up extra early this morning and got the kids ready to go so that we would have ample parking space. Here is an example of ample parking space. Had I gotten here 10 minutes later, these would have all been taken and I would have to circle for 20 minutes to find a spot or walk 3 extra blocks.

This is the spot I got. I had to weigh the pros and cons of parking too close to the snow bank to let Mara out or further in so I don’t have to stand next to the busy main avenue. I chose to give a little more space today to the snow bank.

So this is what I was closer to when I unbuckled Thane from his car seat (then ordered him to get out Mara’s side). Now I know how troopers feel on the side of the road.

We then walk a block and a half to school, drop Thane off, then back in the car. I time opening my door with a red light so I can get in without the door being ripped from me.

The drive back is much easier, until I get on the Cross Island Parkway, which does not have line markers on the 4 lane highway by the Sound. I feel like I am driving in India as I choose a lane and try to stay in it.

Phew, I am home. Starbucks anyone?

Today was the last day of the skate session and to commemorate they gave each of the kids medals. Mara got hers at the start of class and proudly wore it throughout the class. She did great today and skated between Mommy and Daddy several times. The only pics I have of her today are at the end of class when she took a break and sat on the chair while we whooshed her around the ice. Thane did awesome in class today too, listening well and doing all of his required moves to a T. He got his medal at the end of class and was very excited too.

I was really impressed with the medals too. They had the name of each class and level on the medal.

One of the awesome things about being in New York is being near my Nouna (godmother). We need a good name for her for the kids, right now it is Nouna Nina, which is quite the mouthful.

A couple of weeks ago we got to enjoy dinner with Pappou at Nouna and Daniel’s apartment. It was the first time we have had dinner with him and it was a wonderful evening, I cannot even tell you. We laughed and told old stories all night, I even learned a few new ones. Thane and Mara got to savor apple juice out of these awesome plastic wine glasses from the MoMA. Now, that is being an NYC kid. I need to get my hands on some of those!