SLC Visits NYC

Naomi and Dianne were here last week, and I had a blast hanging out with them. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:
I became a little obsessed with a new iPhone app I had downloaded while they were here that gives photos an interesting effect, hence, the unusual colors and such. It was a great time. I love when friends come to town.

Oh Boy

Ok, so I am finding it extremely difficult to concentrate on the last four week of this semester. First, the weather has turned!!! It is Spring, officially. I had to take my cardigan off while walking home tonight because I actually felt warm. Incredible. It makes me just want to be outside all the time.

Second, I don't want to face my final assignments; one 15-page paper, one 10-page paper, and another 10-page paper, plus studying for an multiple choice exam...all due in about 4 weeks. Yikes. Let's just say, I'm not promising all As this time around. I never promised those in the first place, but yeah, I'm totally OK with Bs. And third, there's just a lot goin' on around here. It's been three full months now that I have lived in my apartment in Manhattan. I think it's safe to say I feel settled in and am starting to really make friends and get to know people and be familiar to people. So, that's nice.

This past weekend was General Conference for the church and I watched all four sessions at the church. I really think I got a whole lot more out of it, because I was at the church, dressed up, sitting up, and watching a big screen. All these factors contributed to an inspiring weekend. In between sessions on Saturday I joined a small group of people in Central Park for a picnic. How's that for a New York moment?! I still sometimes can't believe I live here.

A few favorite notes from Conference:

-It is possible to feel bathed in help, even in turbulent times.

-There are those who have imagined a Jesus who wants people to work for social justice, but who makes no demands upon their personal life and behavior.

-There is no greater good than motherhood.

Artistic Weekend-Part 2

Today I got to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was nearly free. Admission is by donation, FYI. There are fees that are "recommended", but really, you pay what you can afford.I went with my girls, Abby and Jess (we each paid one dollar. yep). I love it when the three of us hang out. It's familiar and easy. I guess it makes me feel a little closer to home. =) (image above taken Christmas 2006, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UT)

And here are some art pieces we saw:
Johannes Vermeer's masterpiece, The Milkmaid, 1657-58

Pablo Picasso's Dying Bull, 1934

The Angel of Death and the Sculptor from the Milmore Memorial, 1889–93; this carving, 1926
Daniel Chester French (American, 1850–1931)
Marble

And so, so much more. This museum is HUGE. We barely scratched the surface.

Artistic Weekend-Part 1

Ok, so it's been awhile since my last post. Basically, that translates to school is kicking my trash. I'm reaching midterm point, and THAT translates to lots of writing (which I should be doing now, in fact, instead of posting on this blog). But I guess I'm not that worried. I have till next Thursday to complete one that I'm already half way done with. So yeah, I should be ok. Here's hoping.

This weekend was the first in several weekends that I actually went out and did fun stuff with my friends, and it was full of wonderful art, which is why I am going to break this post into two parts. Last night I did two amazing things. I met up with my friend Jess to visit MOMA (Museum of Modern Art),which is free on Friday nights. The first and only time I had been to that place was my first time to NYC, back in 2001. It was well overdue. The place was hoppin', with tons of people everywhere, thanks to the "free"-ness of it all. People LOVE free stuff. And not just Americans or Mormons. Ha. The visit was a little hard to enjoy fully because of all the people, but it was good to see some great art. And I was sure glad Jess was there to point out the technical details and stuff to the photography (her specialty) and other art.

After MOMA, we went to see this movie:And I LOVED it. I want to go see it again, that's how much I loved it. I could see it tonight, THAT'S how much I loved it. I'm just sayin'. L-O-V-E. I was enthralled in the story, in the world of "wild things", the entire time. The acting was phenomenal (where did this little boy come from?!), the scenery/imagery was beautiful, the storyline (that is only like 10 sentences in the children's book) was deep and meaningful (I even choked up a bit). I'm no film critic (I'm fairly easy to entertain), but man, that was good. Oh, and the soundtrack? Forget about it. So stinkin' good. Everyone MUST go see this movie. I really have loved the name Max (short for Maxwell) for some time now. It may just be my first born's given name, girl or boy. I'm claiming it now, just so you know.

A Bulgarian Comes to Town

My dear friend Petra stopped by for a visit on her way back to her homeland. It was very nice to see a familiar face, someone from my life before NYC. We went on a search for the perfect pair of boots, tried on many, bought none. It was fun, though. We also went on a Staten Island Ferry ride to visit Lady Liberty and see the city in all its sparkling glory. Unfortunately, my camera does not feature the greatest zoom lens or night shooting options.And sadly, I only got one picture of us together. Oh well. I got proof, and that's what counts!I also have proof that my roommate's cat (that I pretend is my cat) is more than adorable, especially when sleeping.

So Far, So Good

Last night I saw Regina Spektor play a free show at a Barnes & Noble near Union Square. I got there an hour before it started, and already there were tons of kids staking out there spots by sitting in place, waiting patiently. I decided not to fight the crowd and just hung in out in the back. Her songs were interspersed by an author named Kurt Anderson, who I believe is also on a program on NPR. I stayed for a few songs and then went down a few floors to meet up with two friends who are also newcomers to NY. They both are about to start their masters in film at Columbia. We went out for pizza afterward and then I went over to my friend Jessica and Abby's to hang out and slept over there. I figure that will be happening often, since I live out in Brooklyn and don't want to be riding the subway alone, late at night. If it's ok with them, I should just leave a change of clothes and some toiletries at their place. Ha.

Today has been quite unproductive, but that's ok. It's super warm and humid out there. I made a visit to my campus. It surrounds Washington Square Park. There's a big fountain in the center, and people were playing it it today like it is a public pool. I walked closer to check it out, as it did look refreshing, but the smell that hit my nostrils was unpleasant, to say the least. I can't imagine putting my body in that. And I won't. Sitting in the shade is enough of a cool down for me. Below is my building and a close-up of the door I will be using frequently.

And last, but not least, are the animals who like me enough already, they hang out with me in my room. =)