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Good Things to Come

Once again, I've waited until you all think I'm dead just to spring up out of nowhere to tell you you're wrong and I'm actually alive! Just popped in to let you know I'm working on creating a new blog. I just wanted a new start because I feel like I've grown up a lot since I began this one. I'll let you all know when it has launched, so be on the lookout!

In the meantime, I thought I would tell you that the life changes have not ceased to take place. I've continued to be surprised, to be disappointed, to be confused, to be sad, to be happy, and to learn. I'm setting new goals for myself, trying things I wouldn't normally try, and making the decision to try and like things I have always claimed to have hated. I've learned that you open so many new doors and options for yourself when you do that. There are so many things I want to do, and I'm still not quite sure how I'll do them all, but I'll figure it out. I'm not about to unload the mess that I'm going through now, but I'm walking through the storm head-on and facing my fears. Compared to past experiences, this is definitely at the top of the most difficult of them. The difference, though, is that this time around, I know what I have to do. I really have no excuse to not get through it. I already know I'm not given any challenge I can't bear. Old news. So, yeah, of course it's going to be hard. But enough is enough. I just want to know what I'm going to learn from this one. Bring it on! There are bright things ahead and good things to come.

An Exceptionally Large Apple.

This one is long overdue, but I promised a blog about my fantastic trip to New York this summer. So, let’s start from the beginning…(and I’m warning you now, this will be VERY long and have LOTS of pictures. I’m actually cutting a lot out for you readers. Careful.)

My super good friend Chris asked me in February if I wanted to go. Of course, my automatic first thought was, “You totally can’t afford that.” But we talked about when, and decided sometime in the summer. I figured I could definitely save up some money by then, so I said, “Why not? I’m in!” We bought tickets in April for the week of July 14-21.

The time finally came, and we could hardly contain our excitement! I was especially excited because I hadn’t had a vacation (other than going home) in years. Also, because I’d been at my job for over a year, I got to use my vacation days. So basically I got paid to be in NYC! So awesome.

Chris has a cousin Aleisha who’s husband Grant is currently attending dental school at NYU and graciously offered to be our tour guides for the week! We stayed with them on Staten Island and got to play with their adorable kids, Alaina and Garrett.

The next morning, we headed to Chinatown, where we got on a bus to take us to Boston. THAT was quite the experience. Just look at that logo and tell me we weren’t in for a good time! Let’s just say, there was a reason we were supposed to get there a half hour early…just a little bit of a communication barrier. :)

The reason for going to Boston was to go to a Red Sox game. Chris (a Yankees fan) really wanted to go to a Yankees game, so he made a deal with me that he would go to Fenway with me if I went to Yankee Stadium with him. I was so excited. Fenway Park is one of my most favorite places.

I made Chris wear my hat for 2 innings. One of my most glorious moments, one of his less-glorious, I imagine. :)

Of course, we had to have Fenway Franks while we were there. It wouldn’t be a baseball game without one!

The next day we met Aleisha, Grant, and the kids at Battery Park and did some exploring of Wall Street, 5th Avenue, and Ground Zero. (And can I just add that you don’t truly experience New York until you’ve ridden on the Manhattan subway system? Well, I just said it.)

The next morning, I was woken up by breakfast in bed. A nice gesture, right? Well, of course there was a big string attached. Bribery…what a great thing to teach your kids, Grant. :) In case you can’t read that, it says, “In exchange for the Secret Enchilada Recipe upon bite (Syrup not included)”.

We took the ferry over to the Natural History Museum (which we found out is nothing like the movie). It also took FOREVER to get through. Kinda cool, but don’t go if you don’t have a lot of time, or if you’re expecting everything from the movie to be in the front entrance.

Next stop was the Manhattan temple. It’s amazing. Really cool to have one place in that busy city that’s clean and peaceful. Hopefully next time we’ll have time to go inside.

We went to Junior’s Bakery just off of Times Square for the best cheesecake in the world.

Then we walked the Brooklyn Bridge.

We walked so much, in fact, that my shoe got a little worn out.

We hung out at a park afterward until Grant came back with authentic New York pizza.

This is the fabulous Petersen family, by the way.

Sunday, we took a day off of exploring and went to church at the Staten Island ward. Interesting. I got to go to nursery and help Aleisha with the kids. They were all adorable! After we got back, I made the famous enchiladas for everyone for dinner… and I think they were loved! :) (Thanks, mom!)

We took a walk along the boardwalk of Jersey Shore. It was pretty, that is, until we were so rudely interrupted by a guy and his girlfriend wandering around the beach in a thong. Siiiiiick.

Time for Times Square! This was a particularly favorite day of mine. I wish we could have gone at night, but it was still awesome.

We went to Hard Rock Cafe for lunch.

There was a lot of favorite memorabilia there, but of course, my favorite was Paul McCartney’s guitar!!!

We found our way over to Ed Sullivan theater, where Dave Letterman does his show (and where the Beatles played!). And next door is Hello Deli where Rupert works!

We saw so many places… (SO many) including all the high-end fashion places, Trump Tower, the Plaza Hotel, Central Park, The Daily Bugle from Spiderman, and Madison Square Park.

We finished off the night with Chris taking his turn to make dinner…delicious lasagna.

Our last day in the city started out by making our way to Rockefeller Center.

We went to NBC Studios to be on the Today show!

Of course the day that we go is the one day that Al Roker isn’t there. This chick was.

So Chris changed his sign to say, “Green Dress Lady”.

An NBC photographer took this picture of us for the Today show blog.

Then we went to the Empire State Building.

The last thing on the agenda was the Yankees game. I have to admit, even though I’m not a fan of the Yanks, their brand new field is beautiful.

Chris retaliated by making me wear a Yankees hat for 2 innings.

We left to go back to Utah very early the next morning. The trip was such a great opportunity. Thank you, Chris, for asking me if I wanted to come, and a very big thank you to the Petersens for taking good care of us! I hope I’ll be able to go again soon. It was definitely amazing, and there is so much more I’d like to experience.