Celebrating the City

Our President's Day/Valentine's Day weekend was full of fun (and a whole lot of walking!). We walked everywhere, from China Town to the Brooklyn Bridge to Time Square and back to our apartment. We kept the chill off with the occasional cup of hot cocoa or apple cider, and had a really great time exploring the city.

This is what the streets of New York look like on a permanent basis: a million people trying to go in what seems like the opposite direction that you are trying to go in!

China Town was CRAZY! I've never seen so many people buying dried jellyfish and dried octopus in my life! I'm not kidding. The smell was indescribable. It was quite the adventure. We wanted to buy something to try, but all the prices and names were in Chinese.

We found a deck where we could gaze at the Brooklyn Bridge and sit and contemplate life and such. The birds were awesome, all lined up waiting to get their pictures taken. Very sweet of them.

We were so close to the Statue of Liberty, and we were planning on taking a ferry across to see it, but the line was out of this world long, so we just walked around the dock seeing the monuments and boats. This one is dedicated to the navy, and it overlooked the Hudson River and faced the Statue of Liberty.

The ferry we were gonna take (and see that tall building in the background, the one that towers over the rest? That's Brick's work).

On our Valentine's day adventures we happened upon the Rockefeller Center, which was actually really cool. I really wanted to do the outdoor iceskating, because it looked all romantic.

We decided this year that it was my turn to plan our Valentine's day, since Brick has done it every other year. I thought he would appreciate an oh-so-romantic outing to the NBA store, since it's his favorite. While there we figured out I am tall enough to play in the NBA! I could too, you know!

Brick is not quite as tall as Yoa Ming.

Our day also consisted of the ever-so adventurous first time trying Indian food. We were the only ones in the restaurant because it was a little early, and we ordered a three course meal. We had no idea what to do when they brought out this hard tortilla thing with spices in it, and this bright greenish stuff, I guess to dip it in. I'm sure the waiters were enjoying our cluelessness. We just laughed it off as we guessed which fork to use and all, and it was a good time. The experience really encompasses what our relationship has been all along...a whole lot of guessing and laughing and trying new things together. Brick has really helped me to step out of my comfort zone. I am so grateful for his companionship!

On that note...Happy late Valentine's Day everyone!

New Skills

The past couple of weeks I've filled my time learning how to crochet and digital scrapbook. I hope to get really good at both, and I figured when will I ever have this much time on my hands again, like, in my life?

My sis-in-law, Cat is a great teacher, and very patient with me while she took the the rounds with the crochet hook. Thanks sis!

In New Yo-ork! This place will make you feel brand new...

These are the three plays we went to see on Broadway this week. It's almost sickening how much talent we experienced in three nights. Their voices were INCREDIBLE! The first one we went to, In the Heights, featured Corbin Bleau, for all you Highschool Musical fans out there, and he did a great job. Memphis was about the first Rock and Roll music, and Rock of Ages, featuring American Idol's Constantine, and boy can he ROCK! I loved the music in that one, because I LOVE THE 80's!

This is the set for In the Heights. I wouldn't advise taking pictures inside the Broadway theaters. You get in trouble. But sometimes you gotta take risks, right?

Brick's fam was visiting because our brother-in-law, Trevor, who jumps for BYU had a trackmeet here. He took third and jumped 6' 8 and a quarter. It was awesome being able to see him jump, and then party with them the rest of the time!

This is a restaraunt called Ellen's Stardust Cafe. The waiters and waitresses are all aspiring Broadway stars, and they perform while they wait tables! They are all fantastic singers, and the cafe has a 50's feel to it. So fun!

The museum of the week was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Yes, mom, we saw works by Remrandt, Van Gogh, and many other famous painters. I know the artist in you is dying to go, and I hope some day you can!

There was also an Egyptian exhibit, which was my favorite. Above are the sandals and finger and toe covers, made of gold, which they adorn their royalty in for burial. Tracy Jordan in 30 Rock isn't the only person who owns a pair of golden shoes, I guess.

All the mummies were fascinating, especially when you consider how old they are and how well preserved they are!

Another New York specialty: Dog Walkers! This cracked my up! Each person had about nine dogs they were walking!

Last but not least, we saw these dancers on the subway train on our way to a show. They dance and then ask for money. They were pretty good, especially considering that the train was jolting right and left and stopping suddenly while they danced!

NY 2 DC

This last week I left Brick for a few days and headed off to Vienna, VA to visit my brother Aaron and his family. I was met at their house by this welcome sign and a chocolate on my pillow, courtesy Hanna Mack. She was so sweet to let me use her bed!

One afternoon we walked just down the way one day to enjoy the frozen creek and the beautiful snowy landscape. Here, Hannah is helping Alli up over the slipery ledge (how cute are they?)

Aaron is such a good brother! He took me out on a date to the Cheesecake Factory while I was visiting, and every night we chewed the fat until it was way past my bedtime!

I sure love these girls!! When they were little, I babysat them all the time, and everytime I did, they would sit on the counter while I braided their hair and painted their fingernails, just talking to their Auntie Candio and being their sweet selves. It was a little strange to see them growing up! Alli kept me great company the whole week, cuddling up to me like the old days.

I was so surprised, because I had never thought about it, but Aaron pointed out to Alli that I was closer to her age than I am to his. He told her how fun it would be when she grew up and she and I could be friends. She looked at him with confusion and said, "But dad, Candice and I are already friends!"

Hannah and Alli are in middle school, and Tanner is going into high school next year! He and his newly found logic, especially when it comes to chores and bedtime, was really entertaining.

The first night I was in Vienna we all went to Seussical the Musical, starring Hannah Mack! She did a great job, and belted out each note beautifully and fearlessly, even throwing a full-out tantrum up there on stage, jumping up and down while delivering her lines without missing a single beat!

Even though we were just outside DC, we sat on our rears day after day, talking and crocheting, which Cat was kind enough (and patient enough) to teach me while I was there. I made this hat and one other ALL BY MYSELF!

Thanks for making me feel at home, just like you did when I was in high school! Love you guys!

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!