Scotland Adventure: First Stop, the Airport

My first stop in my Scotland adventure is the airport (obviously). 
However- not so obviously, is that I am taking a first class airport adventure. 

I am flying British Airways first class. No, I didn't shell out $4,000 for the ticket- I got new credit cards to get the points with the bonus. I was concerned of having to sit for the extended period of time in a regular seat given recent medical issues. 

Upon my parents dropping me off (thanks mom and dad!), I checked in and instantly had great service. They asked if I knew where to find the airport lounge, put a priority tag on my luggage and directed me to the first class security line (which is no line). 

Upon arrival at the lounge I found the option of having dinner before my flight or snacking at the buffet (with a full bar and espresso maker). 

While the first group of business men left me feeling under dressed, soon after, people started trickling in also clothed in jeans. 

I enjoyed a cheese and cracker assortment with a couple (large) glasses of chardonnay. 

Capped with a loving phone call from my husband- can't complain at all! 

My favorite spectacles are.. 
.. the business man who hasn't gotten off the phone since I arrived.. 
..the older gentleman on his iPad and seemingly having a difficult time of it.. 
.. and the middle aged man who obviously has used some hair dye to hide his grays who can't figure out how to position his iPad so he can drink champagne and do whatever he is doing that is making birdie sounds at the same time (I almost offered to sell him an iPad case with stand, but thought better of it).. 

NYC Father-Daughter Weekend 2014!

Last year, I wanted to do something special to celebrate my Dad's retirement. The rest of the fam wasn't into going to a Yankees game at the new Yankee stadium- so just he and I went. Hopefully it has become a tradition as we went again this year! 

We stayed at the Calton Hotel, a part of the Marriott chain under their "Autograph Collection" (AKA: fancy!). I had a promo code through Travel Zoo so it wasn't too bad on the budget. Like a typical NY hotel, it had a lot of character. Here's the stairwell, although the photo really didn't do it justice. 

On Friday, we checked in then headed uptown from 29th st to Central Park. We stopped at the library, one of my favorite places- the genealogy room and a clean bathroom! Last year we found Dad's name in the registry of births in NYC. This year we looked up my Uncles (his brothers), and my grandmother.. they didn't exactly get her info correct... considering its Lenore Locicero born Aug 1.. Oops! 

We headed over to Fifth Ave after that and walked up to Central Park- of course stopping at Tiffanys on the way. Central Park is one of my favorite NYC sites- including this site right here. 

We were too late to ride the carousel was closed on Friday but we went back the next day and had a carousel ride! 

Then it was off to the Yankees game. We were able to make it down to Monument Park before it closed- and saw the new retired #42. Very cool since we saw Mariano play last year. 

Overall it was a great game- since it didn't rain and the Yankees won.
 

We got free hats! 

And a few souvenirs from scavenging at the end of the game. 

We walked around Time Square that night and did a little shopping. The next day we were off to the Green Flea on the Upper West side. It was a cute flea market! Some good things, and some stuff that probably had fleas..