Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Frozen Beauty
My last free day before school began, I spent a good part of it in Central Park. See for yourself...
The iPhone Changed My Life
Yes, it's true. I succumbed to the world of iPhone users. My mom got one, so I HAD to get one. Just kidding. It's way more than because of that. Plus, it just made sense; I had and iPod AND a phone, so I combined them into one piece and it's compatible with my computer. But most importantly, I no longer have to go to the computer every time I need directions somewhere. No one can understand what this means to me. I have always been pretty bad at directions, even remembering them, once looked up. Having Google Maps at my fingertips at all times is like being a native New Yorker. I never get lost anymore!! It's FANTASTIC! And everything else is also instantly accessible. Need to know where to find a cheap, but decent place to eat? I can tell you with a few clicks of a button! Or rather, I can tell myself. Seriously, I could not have received a more useful, instantly life-changing gift for Christmas (well, except for Jesus being born).p.s. This post was done on the genius machine mentioned above.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Get LOST!
Ok, three out of five weeks in January. Not too shabby. Let's see if I can keep this up, writing every Sunday.
This past week was super unproductive. I did work at my internship MWF, so it wasn't a total lazy week. But on my days off I was L-A-Z-Y. I start school this Tuesday, so I was taking advantage while I still can. And how did I decide to spend a good part of my free time? I re-watched Season 5 of the television show LOST to prep for the next and final season that begins in a few weeks (Feb. 2nd at 8pm, to be exact). I don't know what to think about it all...the whole 'show ending' thing. This is the first and only show I have ever been really into watching from start to finish, and that's because it is so stinkin' good. It's like watching a never-ending, really well-made, well-acted, well-written, well-produced, action-packed, suspenseful, twist-turning, emotional movie. Except that now it IS about to end, and, frankly, I'm nervous. Mostly, I'm afraid that I'm going to be disappointed. So far, I have not been disappointed by the show, or at least not often. And now that it's ending, I don't know what they ("they" being the brains behind the show) can actually do to bring this long-lasting, amazing show to an end that will suit it. But I should have more faith in them, I guess. They've kept my attention for this long.
I know that I sound crazy, talking about a TV show in such a way....but hey, it's fun. And I've seriously invested a lot of time and emotion into the characters on the show. There are so many layers to the back stories and lives of the people. And so much meaning in the writing of the show. Even the books that characters are shown reading have meaning and add to the plot in some way. So yes, I'm invested. Yes, I'm sad to see LOST come to an end this season. And yes, I'm afraid of being letdown, just because I've enjoyed it all this time. But whatever. In the end, it's just a TV show, and I just happen to own all the seasons on DVD. Re-watching it in the future will happen, most definitely. It's fun to get people to start watching LOST, as I've recently done with my new roommates. They just started Season 1, and I have watched a good part of it with them. What's great is that I still react to it and get sucked in, even though I know what happens. Now, THAT'S a sign of a good show. I'm not sure if that will change once I know THE END. I guess I'll find out!
This past week was super unproductive. I did work at my internship MWF, so it wasn't a total lazy week. But on my days off I was L-A-Z-Y. I start school this Tuesday, so I was taking advantage while I still can. And how did I decide to spend a good part of my free time? I re-watched Season 5 of the television show LOST to prep for the next and final season that begins in a few weeks (Feb. 2nd at 8pm, to be exact). I don't know what to think about it all...the whole 'show ending' thing. This is the first and only show I have ever been really into watching from start to finish, and that's because it is so stinkin' good. It's like watching a never-ending, really well-made, well-acted, well-written, well-produced, action-packed, suspenseful, twist-turning, emotional movie. Except that now it IS about to end, and, frankly, I'm nervous. Mostly, I'm afraid that I'm going to be disappointed. So far, I have not been disappointed by the show, or at least not often. And now that it's ending, I don't know what they ("they" being the brains behind the show) can actually do to bring this long-lasting, amazing show to an end that will suit it. But I should have more faith in them, I guess. They've kept my attention for this long.
I know that I sound crazy, talking about a TV show in such a way....but hey, it's fun. And I've seriously invested a lot of time and emotion into the characters on the show. There are so many layers to the back stories and lives of the people. And so much meaning in the writing of the show. Even the books that characters are shown reading have meaning and add to the plot in some way. So yes, I'm invested. Yes, I'm sad to see LOST come to an end this season. And yes, I'm afraid of being letdown, just because I've enjoyed it all this time. But whatever. In the end, it's just a TV show, and I just happen to own all the seasons on DVD. Re-watching it in the future will happen, most definitely. It's fun to get people to start watching LOST, as I've recently done with my new roommates. They just started Season 1, and I have watched a good part of it with them. What's great is that I still react to it and get sucked in, even though I know what happens. Now, THAT'S a sign of a good show. I'm not sure if that will change once I know THE END. I guess I'll find out!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
They Call Me a Straight 'A' Student :)
Boy, the pressure is on! Yes, the results are in...I GOT STRAIGHT As!!!! Ok, so one of them was an A-. Nobody's perfect. Ok, I'm being annoying. It's just that the last time I got straight As I was probably in 6th grade. B-average, baby. That was me all the way through high school and college. And now I've gone and shared too much.
I can't express enough, though, how happy this good news made me. And more importantly, it reassures that what I am doing here is right and good. But like I said, the pressure is on for next semester and the year after that. I really can't believe that in just a few months I will be done with my first year of grad school. Really, it's more like five months, but still...if they are anything like August through December, I have nothing to worry about.
I can't express enough, though, how happy this good news made me. And more importantly, it reassures that what I am doing here is right and good. But like I said, the pressure is on for next semester and the year after that. I really can't believe that in just a few months I will be done with my first year of grad school. Really, it's more like five months, but still...if they are anything like August through December, I have nothing to worry about.
Well, the time has arrived to post photos of my new dwellings!!! I'm all settled in and it feels good. I even got a desk and a chair, so I'm prepared for school when it starts in a week.
This is the view from my bedroom doorway.
This is the view from the front door.
The kitchen, as you can tell.
And my and Jessica's room. That's my bed and the stuff underneath. The ladder to the right goes up to Jessica's bed.
I heard someone say it's like we live in a playhouse. Lofts and fun ladders to climb. Its cozy and adorable and I love it.
This is the view from my bedroom doorway.
This is the view from the front door.
The kitchen, as you can tell.
And my and Jessica's room. That's my bed and the stuff underneath. The ladder to the right goes up to Jessica's bed.
I heard someone say it's like we live in a playhouse. Lofts and fun ladders to climb. Its cozy and adorable and I love it.Sunday, January 3, 2010
First New York Moment(s) of 2010
I gladly kissed 2009 goodbye. Not that it was terrible...it was actually pretty good. I was accepted into grad school at NYU. I finished my life off in Salt Lake City nicely, in the summer time with lots of concert and movie going, and I got to see all my amazing friends one last time. Good times. I will always cherish my SLC days. I got to spend a month at home with my family before heading off to the big city on the east coast. And once here, I got to enjoy the city and play "tourist" before my life went full speed in my first semester. As stated previously, I was overwhelmed and super stressed and pretty emotional. There was a moment when I thought I may crumble. BUT! I finished out my semester...and with a bang, I might add! I'm pretty confident that I will get good grades, thanks to knowing my midterm grades were good and I made great effort to do well on my finals. I find out tomorrow what my grades are!
2010 started off with a bang! I had absolutely no plans, but one of my new roommates invited me to dinner with her and some friends, followed by the countdown to midnight in Central Park, supporting the midnight 5K runners. It's a yearly event, complete with fireworks!! Seriously, there was about 20 minutes of fireworks and we were standing right below them. I also had a celebrity sighting, though I would not have known it. My roomie noticed the girl standing next to us is one of the lead actors on the show Glee. I've been meaning to watch that show, since all my sisters and lots of other people have told me how great it is. I went ahead an snuck a picture of the celeb on my phone camera, having my sisters in mind. I knew they would appreciate it more than I, since I haven't watched the show, yet. I found a few recorded episodes of the show on my roommates DVR the next day, so I watched them. It was her, alright.
To close the New Year's night, I actually got sorta stranded in Manhattan. The train I needed to get out to Brooklyn was not coming, so me and this girl I had started talking to, while waiting for the train, decided to catch a cab together since we were headed in the same direction. We stopped three different cabs, but none of the drivers wanted to take us out to Brooklyn. I thought for sure I would be pulling an all-nighter in the city, just to get back to Brooklyn in time to turn around and move apartments later that morning. But then the girl I was with was like, "I know a guy" (very New Yorker of her, which she was). The guy she had happened to know was a legit yellow cab driver. So she called him up to ask him a huge favor. I thought it was a long shot. He had other people in his cab already, but checked with them to see if it was ok to pick us up, too. They were cool with it, since they were also headed to Brooklyn. So sure enough, this cabbie comes to get us at 4am on some random corner in downtown Manhattan. I get in a cab with four strangers (taxi driver included), and we headed to Brooklyn. The driver dropped his first passengers off, which was the complete opposite direction of where we needed to go, but we knew that was going to happen ahead of time. It was worth it just to not be stranded anymore. Two hours and 20 bucks later, I was home safe and sound. Three hours more, and I was up and moving to Manhattan. A long and exhausting start to the new year, but I would say quite a good New York moment.
I moved into an apartment with my friend Jessica. This apartment has basically been like a second home to me, so I feel right at home here. I stayed here when I came to visit a few times last year, and I also have crashed here several times on weekends since I've lived in NY. And besides that, I've just hung out here quite a bit. It really could not have worked out more perfectly. Jessica was pretty much the first friend Abby and I made when we moved to Salt Lake City back in 2006 and we get along great. I actually took Abby's spot in the apartment. If I couldn't live with both of them, I'm grateful I at least get to live with one of them.
(pictures of my new place to come!)
2010 started off with a bang! I had absolutely no plans, but one of my new roommates invited me to dinner with her and some friends, followed by the countdown to midnight in Central Park, supporting the midnight 5K runners. It's a yearly event, complete with fireworks!! Seriously, there was about 20 minutes of fireworks and we were standing right below them. I also had a celebrity sighting, though I would not have known it. My roomie noticed the girl standing next to us is one of the lead actors on the show Glee. I've been meaning to watch that show, since all my sisters and lots of other people have told me how great it is. I went ahead an snuck a picture of the celeb on my phone camera, having my sisters in mind. I knew they would appreciate it more than I, since I haven't watched the show, yet. I found a few recorded episodes of the show on my roommates DVR the next day, so I watched them. It was her, alright.
To close the New Year's night, I actually got sorta stranded in Manhattan. The train I needed to get out to Brooklyn was not coming, so me and this girl I had started talking to, while waiting for the train, decided to catch a cab together since we were headed in the same direction. We stopped three different cabs, but none of the drivers wanted to take us out to Brooklyn. I thought for sure I would be pulling an all-nighter in the city, just to get back to Brooklyn in time to turn around and move apartments later that morning. But then the girl I was with was like, "I know a guy" (very New Yorker of her, which she was). The guy she had happened to know was a legit yellow cab driver. So she called him up to ask him a huge favor. I thought it was a long shot. He had other people in his cab already, but checked with them to see if it was ok to pick us up, too. They were cool with it, since they were also headed to Brooklyn. So sure enough, this cabbie comes to get us at 4am on some random corner in downtown Manhattan. I get in a cab with four strangers (taxi driver included), and we headed to Brooklyn. The driver dropped his first passengers off, which was the complete opposite direction of where we needed to go, but we knew that was going to happen ahead of time. It was worth it just to not be stranded anymore. Two hours and 20 bucks later, I was home safe and sound. Three hours more, and I was up and moving to Manhattan. A long and exhausting start to the new year, but I would say quite a good New York moment.
I moved into an apartment with my friend Jessica. This apartment has basically been like a second home to me, so I feel right at home here. I stayed here when I came to visit a few times last year, and I also have crashed here several times on weekends since I've lived in NY. And besides that, I've just hung out here quite a bit. It really could not have worked out more perfectly. Jessica was pretty much the first friend Abby and I made when we moved to Salt Lake City back in 2006 and we get along great. I actually took Abby's spot in the apartment. If I couldn't live with both of them, I'm grateful I at least get to live with one of them.
(pictures of my new place to come!)
Monday, December 14, 2009
D-O-N-E, DONE!!!
Above: Me writing papers at the NYU library the other night, The little speck behind me that I am staring at is the Empire State Building, lit up blue and white. Too bad I don't have time to go out and actually enjoy NYC!I just finished printing off my LAST final paper for my first semester of grad school. Yes, I feel pretty dang proud AND relieved at this moment. I was strugglin' quite a bit at the beginning of the semester...and the middle and end. Let me be real, here. I was miserable. BUT, because of the wise teachings of my parents and the gospel of Jesus Christ, I knew that with challenges come strengths and lessons learned. Most important lesson learned this time: I CAN get through it and even do well at it! Even when miserable! Haha..ha.
So, tomorrow I attend my last two classes, turn in my last two papers, and then get on a plane bound for HOME! :) I have never been more excited to return home after being away, except for maybe when I was coming home from my mission. And it's Christmas time! I love Christmas time, but I never really feel like it is until I am with my family. Therefore, starting December 16th, I will officially become aware of the holiday season.
Upon my return to New York, I will be moving into Manhattan! Things have worked out so well. I had hopes to move into this very apartment, because it contains some very dear friends of mine. Unfortunately, one of them is leaving and that's how I am able to move there. BUT! She won't be far. Life in the city, so I'm told, is a must-have experience (duh) and quite different than the Brooklyn experience. I'm grateful I get to experience both.
The photo below is the amazing, humble little branch I am leaving behind. I will once again be in a singles ward (heaven help me). But I guess I better take advantage (?), because before I know it, I'll be getting the "you're too old" boot!
I'm also leaving behind this little guy. He's kept me company through what felt like the toughest four months of my life! We totally bonded. Who woulda thought, I even get attached to animals?! Oh wait...I did. I knew that would happen. :(
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
December, I Love You
I know I am not the only one stunned by today's date. I must say, my first semester of grad school went SUPER fast. Time ain't slowin' down none, and I'm so happy about it! Two weeks from today I will be turning in my last two final papers of the semester and jetting home to Las Vegas for holiday happiness. I'm pretty sure this is why I'm all of a sudden in much better spirits. I think I've made it clear that this transition to NYC and into NYU and Social Work has been challenging. I think what made it especially hard is my expectation of myself. But anyway, I am learning to not be so hard on myself, more patient, etc., and I am proud I have made it to where I am.
The end.
Here's a short video clip and photos of the parade!!
So glad I got Spongebob in my self photo shot!
The end.
Here's a short video clip and photos of the parade!!
So glad I got Spongebob in my self photo shot!
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