One Week Down, Too Many To Go

We're trying not to get too serious here in the Big Apple. There are a lot of grouchy people here, and the other day a guy knocked a slice of our pizza off the pan at Lombardi's as he was walking by and I had to stop myself from becoming a grouchy New Yorker and swearing at him. In my defense, that slice was worth like six bucks. Brick knows I am protective of my food. Seriously, though, people are cutthroat here, and I feel like they think I'm a creepy person if I smile at complete strangers on the street. It's just not done in NYC.

Our first adventure in the big city began as soon as we stepped out of the airport. We had to get a taxi to get to our hotel, so we found one and set off. It took about two seconds for the guy to start shouting every expletive imaginable at his fellow drivers, and his forearm didn't leave his horn the entire twenty (although it felt like HOURS) minute drive. He was fearless, but holy hannah, I was scared to death. He hated driving behind anyone, and would start honking and brighting the drivers in the other lanes to let them know he was coming, ready or not, then he would just go, without waiting for them to move. I realized I was holding my breath halfway through, my palms were sweating, and my kneck hurt from swinging it from side to side to see if we were going to hit anyone.

It was with a grateful heart we said goodbye to the cabby. We were met at the Affinia Dumont
by a doorman who helped us to our place, a little one roomer with a kitchenette. After we were settled in there and had helped ourselves to the pillow buffet (yes, we were able to order from a variety of pillows, from buckwheat to stress-relieving magnet pillows), we set off to find dinner. We were overwhelmed the moment we stepped out onto the busy street. Right outside our door there the streets are lined with shops and restaraunts, and right down the way is the Empire State Building. We were getting nervous and hungry, and heaved a huge sigh of relief when we spotted something familiar: A McDonalds! I hate McDonalds, but I was happy to eat there at that moment.

Since the first night, Brick has started work for Goldman Sachs, and after a couple nerve-racking moments of subway confusion, he has settled into the routine of things. As for me, I am still feeling shell-shocked. I have to make a goal for myself each day to, say, go grocery shopping, just to get the nerve to go outside. Luckily, the third day I met the one other wife that is here with the trainees, and she is in the same boat, so we have been able to brave the jungle together the last few days, and I am grateful for that. I have yet to go on the subways by myself, and let me tell you, I am NOT looking forward to that. I am such a wuss.

The Museum of Natural History

The museum was HUGE! We saw so many cool things, like pottery and carvings and human remains from like 25,000 B.C., not to mention the dino remains. Very cool.

The picture of me at the top making the monkey face is also at the museum. They had stuffed animals of every species imaginable. This one is an arangutan. It's huge!

Time Square is crazy! It's like the Vegas Strip, but ten times better and busier.

The skyline above Central Park

(if you can tear your eyes away from that handsome face to even notice!)

My first subway experience (terrifying!)

Lombardi's, America's first Pizzaria. This is where the guy knocked our pizza onto the floor:(

And the reason we are here: Goldman Sachs. Brick's a brave man to go here every day! Especially with the picketting outside the front doors.

Me and my glue addiction strike again...

These are super easy to make...All you need is glue, scrapbook paper, flat glass marbles, and magnets. Cut out the paper, glue them to the class marbles, and then clue to the magnets. Have fun!

Crafts Crafts Crafts

I'm up to my craftiness again. While Brick and I were in St. George this week I decided to make up a project. This is what I ended up with, using a little wood, paint, paper, ribbon and Modge Podge.

You just pick the wooden letters you need (make sure you spell it right-I forgot my R and had to go back:)).

Paint the front and side of the letters brown and let dry.

Use the letters as stencils on scrapbook paper, rotating paper so that you use at least three different patterns, and cut each one out slightly smaller than the wooden letters so there is a space when they are glued on the wood.

Using Modge Podge, glue the paper letters onto the wooden ones, leaving the space on the outside edge so the brown paint shows.

Once the glue is dry, use a sponge to paint more brown along the outside of the paper letters, blending it with the dry paint on the wood. I did a slightly messy look so that you couldn't tell where the paper ended and where the wood started.

Once the paint is dry, sponge more Modge Podge on thickly, so it will have some texture when it dries.

There are a lot of options for the letters. You could mount them on the wall, use them as towel or picture hangers by adding hooks, or mount them to a board, like I did, so they stand on their own.

To make the board, I just did a collage of the papers I used on the letters. Once the papers were ripped and arranged just how I liked, I glued them on with the Modge Podge and then did the texturing over the top just like I did on the letters.

Once all this is dry, I added ribbons and glued (again, with Modge Podge) to the board.

Have Fun!

Look Out You Big Apple

I get to live in NYC for two months in a little studio apartment with my honey--just long enough to see most all there is to see, including a couple Broadway shows and China Town, but not so long that I permanently freeze my tootsie off or spend all our money on taxi cabs and hot dog venders (I don't know, isn't that what new yorkers spend all their mula on?). Aren't I one lucky gal? I think yeah.

Brick's new job is taking us to the big city, and neither of us have been there. Heck, until a three years ago I didn't even have a cell phone and had never driven on the freeway. It will be a big adventure for us country folk. We're leaving on the 18th and coming back March 26th. If anyone has any tips or suggestions for must sees (or should avoids) I would appreciate it a whole lot!

In my dreams I imagine it just like I'm Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail ("Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms"). Of course, I'm not Meg Ryan, we won't be there in the fall, and I already know the name and address of the most romantic guy (soon to be) in NYC. Nevertheless, I'm sure it will be fantastic!

I HEART NYC.

2009 in a Nutshell

I know this is a few days late, but the days are all blurring together now that I am done (WHAHOO) with school. We started the year off with a bang when we realized it was twenty minutes past midnight and we'd missed the countdown. Leave it up to Brick and I to start off a whole year late.

When asked what his biggest achievement was in 2009, Brick answered "Graduating!" I'd have to say the same thing for myself. I've learned a lot since 2008... I learned that Uggs, while really and truly ugly, are an essential in Utah. I learned that my husband is a saint and that I am not...along those lines I learned that I should never mock emotional girls because I can now empathize. I learned that with an increase of online homework comes even more chances for procrastination (I typed many a blog when I should have been typing an eight-page paper). I learned that nothing can replace a sister's friendship and understanding. I also learned that college has greatly increased my chances of winning an argument with the hubby. Hee hee. And he footed the bill...The joke's on him.

This past year has flown by in a whirl of trips to Arizona, Texas, California, and Hawaii, tests and graduations, loss and gain, and (I hope) a whole lot of growth. I told Brick a while back that I couldn't wait for the year to be over so I could move on past all that happened in the last few months, but now, in retrospect, I have to say that overall it was a really good year.

SO, Happy Late New Year, and here's to my New Year's Resolution:

No more Procrastinating.

A Love Story

Brick and I met by pure chance. I was working for the summer in Utah, after changing my plans to go to D.C. last minute because I felt like I should go to SLC. My first sunday there I went to church at the institute, where I took one look in the chapel where my new ward was supposed to meet, and decided to cross the building and go to a different ward on a hunch. Brick was visiting the ward just that one time at the urging of a neighbor who said if Brick went he would meet his future wife there. We were both at the wrong church at the right time, and the moment I saw him walk in the room I hoped he would sit by me. He looked so handsome in his dark green suit, and held himself like a person who knew exactly who he was, and I could tell he was different, in a very big way, from any man I had ever met. He and his friend, Tyler, walked across the room and Brick asked if the seat beside me was taken. Of course it wasn't! And if it had been I would have lied, because I desperately wanted him to sit by me. He asked if he could use my pen, which I later found out he used to write a note to Tyler which said,

"I Love Her!"

On our second date, Brick held my hand and we walked the streets of downtown Salt Lake in the rain. We said hello to every person we passed, danced on the street corner, and splashed in the puddles. I began to fall in-love.

Around our fourth date Brick stopped by my work in his fed-ex uniform to "make a special delivery"...a beautiful bouquet of flowers with a note that told me he thought I was beautiful and he appreciated my friendship. He took that "friendship" thirty more dates, when he finally decided we could be more than just friends and kissed me--in the rain under the most gorgeous fireworks I had ever seen. It was perfect.

Brick revealed his romantic side once again last night as he treated me to a night on the town. It was such a great reminder of why I love that guy! The night started with a walk through Gardner Village, where we saw all the elf decorations and stopped in at Sweet Afton's for fudge, then Santa's Workshop to look at Christmas ornaments. After that Brick took me to eat at the Mayan, where we saw the diving show and ate great food. After dinner he took me down town and we walked around looking at Christmas lights and decorations and enjoyed the light snow.We ended the night by watching "A Christmas Story," while drinking hot cocoa. Before we went to bed, Brick surprised me by taking out one last gift--a pearl jewelry set he saved since our vacation to Hawaii, where he had very sneakily bought it and saved it for half a year until our anniversary.

Isn't he romantic?

Three Years and Counting

Three years ago today...



...And I love him more everyday!

NOW I can breath

This just in: I finished my last finals paper five minutes ago...

I am officially DONE with college! Hooray for me!

The Fruits of my Labors

The one thing I'm going to miss about college is my pottery class! Brick said it felt like Christmas every time I came home from class with something new that I made. Maybe I'll rent studio space or something so I can keep it up. For those of you who have never tried it, I would definately recommend this hobby!

Now for the Countdown

Oh the wonders the next two weeks will hold! Can I just say, (because I know how unique this makes me...not) I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!

AND, I must say, I have an even greater reason than the average jane for my enthusiasm. See, take a look for yourself, at what I have to look forward to (especially this year!):


12/15/09
My final test EVER. Yes, I might be able to breath after next Tuesday. No, wait, not quite yet because...

12/17/09

After this I won't have to write another paper unless I choose to, or read a book unless I want to! And after this day, I will officially be done with my bachelors degree!!! Holy cow, I can't believe I made it to this point, because, as my family will all attest, I never really thought I would (or even wanted to!) And yet, here I am!

12/19/09
This is the day we celebrate my dear mom's b-day. I have the most amazing, loving mom (yeah, I'll say it: IN THE WORLD), and though I won't get to celebrate the special day with her since she is across the world, I will be thinking about her even more than I usually do. Happy Birthday MOM!

12/22/09

THIS is (drumroll) the day I celebrate not only my BIRTHDAY, but also my WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! Yes, you don't even have to ask--I am crazy. I got married on my 20th birthday three years ago on this day. But don't worry, I don't let my husband off the hook. He is not allowed to wrap my anniversary or wedding presents in anything Christmas related...no reds or greens or santas or anything of the sort. It is to be totally separate and wonderful. And, no, Mom and Dad, you didn't fool me. I always knew I was getting a little bit ripped off when you told me to go pick out my b-day present from under the tree. One of my brothers called that (brilliant) planned-parenting. But Brick knows better. Or at least he will after he reads this post, right honey?

12/25/09

I don't have to tell anyone what a special day this is. I love everything about Christmas time...the music ("Chestnuts roastin on an open fire...la da da da..."), the traditions (my family always watched "It's a Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve), the treats (as much hot cocoa as a person can stomach), and most of all, the great family time and just the spirit of it all.

If only I could drag it out more than two weeks!

Merry Christmas to All!

A Thanksgiving to Remember

Ammon's excited to get him some turkey!

Thanksgiving was, to say the least, interesting. I am happy to say that I was able to spend it with most of my family, which I haven't done since the year I graduated highschool. My Grandma Maxine passed away a few days before, and so we made a quick change of plans and and headed to Arizona. Hansy and his wife invited us to spend the holiday with them in their home, along with a few others. I made my grandma's signature Thanksgiving dishes--baked beans and sweet potato pie, and Casi brought in some new dishes from her side that I have to say are going to have to be regulars from now on!

On Friday, I talked Casi into squeezing me in at her salon and had my hair chopped and dyed. Brick says now he feels like he's married to another woman--a woman who looks older and more mature, and that he feels like he can no longer act immature around me because of the new 'do.

That was the same day that Brick got sick. I hate to say it, but he really looked like death. He was pale as a sheet, and had dark circles under his eyes, and was throwing up every few minutes for the first ten or so hours. He was moaning and had tremors every few seconds, and was running a fever. I seriously thought he had the Swine Flu, but seeing as how he is doing much better, I guess that's not the case (which we are SO grateful for). Swine Flu or not, I was worried, and I am so glad he's all better now.

The next day we attended my grandma's funeral. It was such a strange thing, first to go into their home and feel her absence, and then to see her sweet face and feel that absence again. Our family sang a song together that she taught us all and that her dad taught her, and it brought back great memories. I was also able to sing with my sister and sisters-in-law, and I was so glad we could give my grandma that gift. It was such a beautiful service, and it was really great to be there with family, I just wish it was for a different reason. I love being with my family, and it was such a blessing to be able to have them there to share that experience and give comfort.

So, needless to say, our holiday wasn't as traditional as usual, but it was definately a memorable one for all of us (and one Brick would probably rather forget).