• My flight arriving on time
• Early check-in at the hotel
• A beautiful sunny day in the 50s (in December!), perfect for walking around the city
• A delicious NY diner breakfast of French Toast, eggs, bacon and sausage
• Walking along the waterfront and seeing the Statue of Liberty in the distance
• Hanging out with the Charging Bull on Wall Street, wreath around its neck
• Honoring the memories of friends who died in the attacks of 9/11
• Watching skaters at Rockefeller Center

And then…..

Visiting the New York Stock Exchange! I’m on the Board of Directors of Girls in Tech, and in honor of our 10th anniversary, we had been invited to ring the closing bell of the NYSE. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, and the few expectations I did have were blown away. The folks at the NYSE were so incredibly gracious and welcoming. They shared the history of the stock exchange, took us on a tour of the building, and encouraged us to enjoy ourselves during the closing bell ceremony. I was shocked that anyone would need encouragement. We were on the floor (and then overlooking it) of the New York Stock Exchange! I was struck by how quiet it was. My impressions of the NYSE are mostly from movies in the 80s, where people yelled as trades were made. The floor had a calm air to it and people were friendly as we walked by. On the podium, we could see the floor in its entirety. We watched, expectantly, as the large digital clock counted to 3:59:45, the signal to ring the closing bell. We clapped and woo hoo-ed and high-fived as the bell was rung. It was a celebration – the end of yet another successful day.

View of Statue of Liberty

With the Charging Bull

Toy soldier at Rockefeller Center

Skaters at Rockefeller Center

In front of the NYSE!

On the trading floor

Overlooking the trading floor

The NYSE lit up for the holidays

The 9/11 Memorial