Life is full of simple pleasures.

Watching cream slowly cloud and envelop a mug of dark coffee.
Summer thunderstorms.
Fireworks.
Sunrises. Sunrises on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Movies. Free Movies. Free Movies in a park. Free Movies in a park in the middle of New York City.

Simple pleasures.

Its difficult to imagine - but thrilling to discover - that even in a place as vibrant, talented, over-worked/under-paid and expensive as

New York City

, simple - and cheap - pleasures abound.

The weekend America turned 237 years old was FULL of simple pleasures. And it was a pleasure to finally be residing in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave when she celebrated her birthday and independence, finally free from those pesky Brits and their King George.

To Celebrate, BBQ's were attended.

(Sea)food was eaten.

Picnics were had.

Fireworks Watched.

But we didn't stop there. Ohhh no. Like the energizer bunny we kept going. And going. And going. All night long.

There were three of us on this journey. A journey which ended in one place, with one purpose - the Brooklyn Bridge, to watch the sunrise over the East River.

The city at night is a crazy and wonderful place. Another world emerges.

A lot happens between the hours of Midnight and 5am in New York City.

At 2am

the streets are still filled with people - old people, young people, tourists, students, New Yorkers, night owls and those re-living their glory days. Time-square is still a buzz and so were we, thanks to some iced coffee and 24 hour Starbucks. God Bless Corporate America.

At 3am

the streets are a little quieter. Those who remain have holed up in a bar, waiting for the lights to come on or find someone to go home with. Others head to an all-night cafe or food truck for a late night meal to cap off their New York night.

Stairs at the Ace Hotel

At 4am

, its closing time. The bars open their doors and shut off the music. The street is flooded with the night's leftovers. Drunk people, sober people, happy people, sad people, lost people, sick people. The subway receives one last watershed from the night before, just before the movement for the day ahead begins.

At 5am

the most amazing shift happens. Almost seamlessly, as if planned or pre-ordained, right as the last of the night hawks disappear to bed, the early-risers - those with a full day ahead in an office downtown and midtown - emerge. They emerge in their running shoes for an early morning workout, or on the streets in stilettos hailing a cab, or on the subway smelling of too much cologne with bags underneath their eyes. At 5am the city is alive and revives itself for another New York Day.

And then. Sunrise.

I lasted until the minute after the sun had risen. And then, my body shut down. The adrenaline that had kept me going all night tapped out. I was literally falling asleep while walking - such a strange sensation, to wake up and realize you are walking.

And then to bed.

I think it is when you are tired that you are more aware of life's simple pleasures. It was when I was exhausted by an all-nighter, followed by a next day on 4 hours of sleep that I noticed the cream in the coffee, that I felt the thrill of riding a bike - of the ride itself, but also the views of the city streets - and the pleasure (and indulgence) of a mid-afternoon nap while the sun is still shining.

The weekend was a classic. One of those great ones that only happen once in a while. Saturday brought a day at the beach and a night on the town dancing salsa. (Apparently my hips move like a Latina's - or so I'm told by a not so sober Dominican man)

Monday night was movie night. Free movies at Bryant Park. A free screening of Willy Wonka?

Duh. Of course I'm there.

We are halfway through summer and for some reason I feel like it has only just begun.

Here's to the sunshine and more classic Americana to come.