Nat's Visit to NYC

Oh how I've missed this friend! Natalie came to visit from Boston this weekend. Of course we did what we do best: eat, shop, and dance! Here are some pics from our night out on the town.

Me, Mel, Natalie

Ready for a night of dancing!

A cute little man on the train decided to start drawing Mel while we were on the subway, headed to Club Deep. Such a perfect resemblance! Mel you are so beautiful :)

Election 08'

I admit, I get pretty into presidential elections and like to educate myself on all the candidates. I am currently reading, A Mormon in the White House? written by Hugh Hewitt. Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, former SLC Olympics leader, and one of the country's most successful entrepreneurs has entered the race. As a member of the LDS church, I am curious to see how much religion plays a factor in Mitt's quest for the White House. Hewitt, the author of this book, is not a member of the LDS church. The book outlines ten things every American should know about Mitt Romney. I stayed up until 1:30am reading the last couple of nights, and am feeling a little tired tonight. My Friday night may be pretty low key. I kind of want to just stay home and read my book. I love when I start reading a book and can't put it down. I was walking home from the subway reading, when I ran into my friend's husband. He teased me and told me to watch where I was going. So I was an ultra nerd walking down the street, reading my book. My good friend Natalie is visiting from Boston and gets here soon! I may just have to put the book on hold for the weekend! I am starting to compile my summer reading list. It will be nice to read something other then social work-related text books. What am I saying...as if I overworked myself and read everything I was assigned?! Yeah right. Maybe my next book to read will be Barack Obama: Working to Make a Difference. I strongly believe it is our responsibility to learn and educate ourselves about the future leaders of our country and what they stand for!

Sunny Days

I have very much enjoyed myself the last few days in the city! The 80 degree weather was nice while it lasted. Today it looks like we are getting more rain! This weekend was pretty ideal. Saturday I went to a party with some friends visiting from DC. Sunday after church Mel and I decided we needed to get people together and head to the park. What a beautiful afternoon! We played a little frisbee and tossed the football around. I love the spring and summer months. I love being outdoors...there is so much more to do! If the weather was like this more often, I could see myself wanting to stay in the city! I have come to love Central Park. Bryndee and I went running around the reservoir in the park Monday night. I am much more active when I can be outside! Alright, you get the point.

Michele & Bryndee

Bryndee, Mel, Michele

Time to Say Goodbye

I love Fridays. I love looking forward to sleeping in the following morning, and having a break from school and work! Friday's at my office tend to be a bit more casual, and less productive. My office threw the interns a goodbye party today. The women in my office don't plan a party for an hour or two. They like to extend the party into an all day affair. And that's exactly what we did. All of the mother's brought in their young children, so I spent the majority of my day playing with the kids. I have a confession. I maybe was a little baby hungry today :) Mostly, missing my niece, Haley. But someday...I will be ready for my own! They are just too much fun. I came home with drool all over my clothes, and a full belly...but nevertheless, good times at Children's Aid Society! Meet my coworkers:

Cindy, Jessica & Michele

Me & My supervisor, Hazel

Lindsey, Kenia & Michele

Lindsey, Georgelina, Kenia

Leybis & daughter Lela

Utah Bound

The other night I booked a flight to go home to Washington and spend a few days in Utah. I am really getting so excited to see my family and friends. It has been 10 MONTHS since I've been to Utah. I spent a good portion of my life in that great place, and I miss it. I have so many good memories of Provo and Salt Lake! Breakfast at Blue Plate, Frisbee in sugar house park, and driving in a car with the windows down is sounding pretty nice right now! So pretty much, get excited for my visit! Utah here I come!!!

We are the Champions!

The half marathon is over! Am I relieved? Yes. Was it as bad as I thought? No. Did I want to die at mile 11? Yes. Overall, it was a lot of fun. This was my first half marathon, and I definitely would run one again. I never have considered myself a runner...but I think I could enjoy another half marathon. I am not convinced, nor do I have the desire (yet) to run a marathon. I highly admire people that can go that far. I learned that running is very much a mind game. I am a pretty active individual, in semi-good shape. However, towards the end of the race I had to tell myself to keep going. The race ended on a hill in Prospect Park; I wasn't too happy about that. There were occasions when I was tempted to walk a bit, but was able to talk myself out of it. I also liked having a running partner; someone to talk with, and push me! I need to thank Bryndee for that! My favorite part of the race was when I approached mile 10, and a man was dressed up as superman giving everyone his "power" to finish the race. It put a smile on my face. I also appreciated all the people on the sideline cheering us on! I ended up running about a 9:40 mile pace throughout the race.

The night before a big group of us went to eat at Sambuca, a delicious Italian restaurant. I know you are probably only suppose to carb load the few days before the race, but I used it as my excuse the entire week before the race! What am I going to do now? I better sign up for another race.

Michele, Mel, and Bryndee

Didn't quite get enough to eat at Sambuca, so we headed to Magnolia's for dessert!

I was a HUGE fan of their banana creme pudding!

Our first Mag's experience!

Mel, Me & Karen getting pumped for the race

A little stretching before...

The Manhattan 8th Ward bunch! We did it!!

Fun at the Opera House

My days in NYC are coming to an end. Sad, but true. If you remember, I presented a "To Do" list in a previous post. Attending Phantom of the Opera was #5 on my list. So thank you Karen for being my date! The last time I saw this play was when I was 10 years old. The only thing I could remember was the amazing chandelier that came down at the beginning of the play. I grew up loving the music. It was either Lesley playing the piano and me pretending to be Christine with my opera-like voice, or dad blaring it on the stereo system. Can I just say that the music is truly amazing, brilliant! The play itself is quite interesting...a very unique story, but the music is on the top of my Broadway musical list. I occasionally complain that the city is too overwhelming, and stressful, etc. It is nights like this where I love being a New Yorker. After the show Karen and I took some fun pics in Time Square and ended the night right with some Cold Stone ice cream.

Why

Last year the roommates in SLC kind of got obsessed with the TV reality show, "So You Think You Can Dance". We maybe re watched certain dances over and over and over and over again! Last night Mel and I spent some time watching you tube videos of Allison and Ivan. I am getting pretty excited for the show to start up again. Mel came across a couple imitating Allison and Ivan's modern dance piece. Which couple do you like better?

Guilty Pleasure

One of my favorite childhood movies is the hit show, Troop Beverly Hills. Yes, the movie with Shelley Long, and Coach. Jenny Lewis even plays Hannah Nefler! I've been a You Tube junkie lately and have spent way too much time watching videos. I came across this video and it put a smile on my face. I remember when I was younger, I wanted so badly to be one of these girls, dancing, and selling cookies. I never did have the opportunity to be a wilderness girl. I have the entire movie memorized...not sure why I am admitting this. Some of my favorite lines include:

Rosa: Patches? We don't need no stinkin patches.
Jasmine Shakar: Excuse me officer, don't you know who this man is...
Cheech Marin: Annie Herman, boy yoy yoyng...wanna wrestle... Are you related to Pee Wee?
Freddy: If you contributed anymore to this marriage, we would be on welfare.
Phyllis: I may be a beginner at some things, but I've got a black belt in shopping!
Troop: We're the girls from Beverly Hills, shopping is our greatest thrill..5, 6, 7, 8!
Phyllis: He permed me!!
Chica Barnfell: Can we just quit now? Phyllis: Not until we sing Kumbaya!
Room service boy: "Aliento de perro!" (Spanish for, "dog breath.")
Velda: Isle 13...COOKIES!
Tessa DiBlasio: Wilderness girls don't bluff!

Alright enough already! I can't believe I am dedicating an entire blog entry to Troop Beverly Hills. My favorite part of the movie is when the girls put their heads together to raise money for the annual jamboree! Enjoy!




Trivia: When Velda and Annie go into the Beverly Hills Hotel, two joggers pass by. Who are they? What famous Beach Boy song is playing as the movie starts?

All Grown Up

Julie and I survived living together for three years in cougar country!! We had some fun times at Liberty Square, Hampton Court, and the Promenade. It wasn't too long ago that we were playing BYU intramural football, introducing each other in our church talks, skiing at Targhee, and winning ward talent shows! It is crazy to think how different our lives our now. Kate Lewis was born on March 30, 2007. What a cute little family! I am excited for you Jules.

Julie & Michele at the BC game

Julie, Jeff & Kate Lewis

Bad habits

Since living in New York I have picked up a few eating habits that probably aren't the best for me:
1. yogurt covered pretzels....love them and can't get enough!
2. Rice Krispie treats from Starbucks. (only$1.95)
3. Plan bagel, plain cream cheese, lightly toasted...I am such a New Yorker!
4. PIZZA (the cheapest meal in Manhattan)
5. Toffee Nut steamer (low-fat milk) from Starbucks...helped me survive this bitter cold winter!
6. Panini's
7. Dale & Thomas popcorn...chocolate chunk is the best kind.
8. pita and hummus
9. cherry coke (needs to be with grenadine)
10. pepper jack cheese
11. wings
12. Okay I think this is enough...as you can see, the list isn't a very healthy list. As the summer months approach, I am really needing some discipline in my life. I will say, it is hard to eat healthy in this city. Food at the grocery stores are outrageously priced, and who wants to make a meal for 1? I was informed that family pictures will be taken in June. We all know what this means!!!

Funny Stuff

A friend posted this video and I thought it was kind of funny.