Holiday Shopping in New York City . . .

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park: The scenic stands dotting the tree-lined alleys are clustered around the park’s ice-skating rink, just steps away from Fifth Avenue. October 26, 2012 - January 6, 2013. Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday 11am-6pm. Bryant Park, 40th-42nd Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Midtown Manhattan. Contact info: 212-768-4242 or http://www.theholidayshopsatbryantpark.com.

Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair: Known for its variety, this indoor market boasts 76 vendors. November 12-December 24, Monday-Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 10am-7pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day. Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt Hall, Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street, Midtown Manhattan. Contact info: 212-340-2345 or http://www.grandcentralterminal.com.

Union Square Holiday Market: You’ll find more than 100 merchants selling unique gifts such as hand-blown glass housewares, handmade jewelry, and Tibetan crafts. November 16-December 24, Monday-Friday, 11am-8pm; Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-7pm. Union Square (14th Street), South Plaza. Contact info: 212-460-1200 or http://www.urganspacenyc.com/union-square-holiday-market.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market: Offers items like handmade wooden puzzles and handcrafted home accessories. November 28-December 24, Monday-Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 10am-7pm. Columbus Circle (59th Street), Central Park South and Central Park West, Upper West Side of Manhattan. Contact info: 212-529-9262 or http://www.urbanspacenyc.com/columbus-circle-holiday-market.

PAID Audience Members for "The Job"

Weekdays, November 6-November 15, New York City Casting for "THE JOB" is hiring for their audience.  This is a PAID AUDIENCE show.  Must be 18 and over to apply for this casting.  THE JOB is a contestant based show taped for CBS.  As an audience member, you will sit in the studio audiene to watch contestants compete to win an actual job with a major company.  You will be watching 2 shows.  You will be ON CAMERA!  If seelcted to attend, you are paid at the end of the second show.  The rate for attending is $50 cash, paid on same day, for a 6 1/2 hour day.  However, on Novmeber 15th, the rate is $80 for a 10 1/2 hour day.  The show films in Manhattan.  Tickets are free and available to Onset Productions members but space is limited so hurry and apply for your FREE ticket.  After your ticket request is submitted, some members NOT ALL will receive an E-Ticket via email prior to the show.  Check your email daily if your request for tickets was accepted.  Simply print out your ticket and bring it with you to the show.  Utilize this link to register with On Set Productions (see the small print), and register for THE JOB tickets:  http://onsetproductions.com/calendar/tickets.aspx?showID=215

In The Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy . . .

My prayers and blessings to you as we recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  It was supposed to be my vacation week . . . a cruise to the Bahamas.  Well, that didn't happen!  The cruise was cancelled as I was en route to Maryland to meet up with family members.  Our plan was to travel from Maryland to Norfolk, Virginia where we would have boarded the cruise ship and sailed away to the Bahamas for 5 days.  As God would have it, I received notification en route to Maryland that the cruise was cancelled.  Sandy was on her way to NYC, so I couldn't return there.  The mayor was in the midst of closing down the city.  After a very disturbing encounter with a cousin-in-law, I was able to relax and enjoy my relatives.  Thanks to those cousins who made me feel special.  We ate, laughed and had a good time in each other's company.  I met a beautiful young lady whom I hope I was able to dispense some good information to.  I hope one day to read her book.  When it is published I will definitely post it here.  After spending a few days in Maryland, I moved on to Virginia Beach to visit my dear friend and Godsister (I adopted her!).  We have been friends since we were kids and it was so good to see her and her husband.  They treated me with a welcomed warmth and I am so very grateful to them.  Unfortunately, she was recently diagnosed with that dreaded disease ~ cancer.  But, we know whose we are and we know that she will beath this.  God is ever present in her life and mine and we know that He will take care of her.  I returned to NYC in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  Although my home was not affected (meaning we didn't lose power, gas or lights), many in the NYC area did.  If you are able to reach out and help in this crucial time to the NY and NJ areas which received so much devastation, please do.  You will be surely blessed!

Today I returned to work for the first time.  My office is FREEZING!  Although the power has been restored, there is no heat in the building.  I am trusting that our company will see fit to allow us to leave early.  I have my heater on and my fingertips are extremely cold.  A few days of this and I'm sure I will become sick.

As we brave for a forthcoming Noreaster in our area, I ask each of you to keep me, my family and the NY and NJ area in your prayers.  Many have lost power, their homes and some, even their lives.  Continue to pray that God will see us through these difficult times.  Always, and forever, my prayers go out to you . . .