On Top of the World

Today I'm working on more spreadsheets for the contract work I'm doing. Focusing on detailed spreadsheets all day long can try a person's sanity. Thankfully, I have a good playlist on my iPod to keep me from poking my eyes out with sundry office supplies found on my desk.

The song "On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons just came on my iPod, and I found myself dancing in my chair and wanting to sing along (which, if you knew the library-like environment I'm working in here, you'd know would've been more than just a little awkward, and might result in a security-escorted brisk walk out of the building, haha).

It's not just a happy, peppy tune that inspires chair dancing: the lyrics inspire as well. Particularly inspiring to me--and to other fellow dream-seeking travelers--are these words that remind us that there is something within us that keeps urging us on, and that there is purpose in what we are doing.

I’ve tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something

I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn’t have ’cause
I’ve traveled all this way for something

Enjoy the song! And be warned: you may start dancing in your chair and/or wanting to clap along.

What songs / lyrics inspire you to keep moving forward toward  your dreams? What songs cause you to dance in your chair, feel happy, and belt out the lyrics?

"On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons
 
If you love somebody
Better tell them while they’re here ’cause
They just may run away from you

You’ll never know what went well
Then again it just depends on
How long of time is left for you

I’ve had the highest mountains
I’ve had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but life keeps moving

Now take it in but don’t look down

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

I’ve tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something

I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn’t have ’cause
I’ve traveled all this way for something

Now take it in but don’t look down

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child

And I know it’s hard when you’re falling down
And it’s a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now.

And I know it’s hard when you’re falling down
And it’s a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now.

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

Our Secret

And this post is dedicated to Ella and Daizha. I love you, girls!

Thanks for being the best roommates ever. :)

She's Got the L-word

This post is dedicated to my sister, who, for the record, does not have leprosy or lice (as far as I know...).

I'm soooooo excited for you, sis! Let the crazy times begin!!!

P.S. When I saw this movie in the theaters with Patty and her daughters Ella and Daizha, the four of us started cracking up at this line. What pushed me over the edge to crying was when Ella, who was laughing very exuberantly, stopped and said quietly, "What is leprosy?" She was laughing but didn't know why it was funny. That's Ella for you. She's the best! :)

Let's Hear It for New York

Today my story is... I'm missing New York City. Mara, author of A Blog about Love, one of my favorite blogs, posted the video (below) a while back (I was catching up today); watching it made me miss NYC so much.

I never thought me and NYC would ever have a relationship. Honestly, moving there was kind of an "I don't really know what I'm doing but it feels like the right thing to do" experience--the kind that requires great trust and courage. I turned my life upside down (quit my job, sold my house, etc) to follow this feeling....

I arrived in NYC with great apprehension and uncertainty. KShum, who had moved there in 2011, and I spent time exploring the city...and I fell in love with it. With all of the peculiar, crazy things you'd find only in New York. And with the people!

When I was offered a temporary job back in Utah, I wrestled with the decision for almost a week: I needed the money...but I didn't want to leave the city I loved. Practicality won out, and I returned to Utah. Unfortunately and fortunately I guess, that temporary job turned into another...and I've been here longer than I thought I'd be.

But I'm going back.

Soon.

Thanks to Mara for posting this video, for reminding me why I love NYC so much: the diversity and quality of the amazing New Yorkers!



P.S. Back in September I had the privilege of hearing Danny & Mara speak at a young single adults' conference near Lincoln Center. I arranged my teaching schedule to ensure I could hear them--and it was sooooo worth it! I couldn't take notes fast enough; I'm still pondering some of the insights they shared. And Mara was so kind when I spoke to her briefly after the conference concluded. Let's hear it for New York...and the wonderful people there!

Where I Am...And Where I Want to Be

Here you are. Right here, right now. At this very moment.You are where you are in life. Is it where you want to be? If not, get there.
— Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg), tweeted 6 December 2012

I seek for inspiration and words of wisdom from all sources--truth is truth wherever it is found, after all. I especially love the inspiring-ly (is that even word?) practical words from one of my favorite people, Donnie. The tweet he posted a few days ago hit me--well, not literally because I don't think tweets can do that, but figuratively it hit me that I'm not where I want to be.

...Which is not a new idea for me, because I've known that for quite some time. I can even tell you all of the reasons why I'm not where I want to be.

However, the why is not really the point, is it? When I focus on problems and talk (and talk and talk and talk...) and make excuses about them, they expand into more problems...like pouring water on a Mogwai (all you'll get are ugly Gremlins). And talking excessively about something has never really been my thing, which is probably why I've been stuck in this Groundhog's Day experience for so long: I haven't known what action to take, so I've just allowed myself to keep keepin' on, knowing all the while that I was needed and I wanted to be elsewhere.

I'm not where I want to be. So, what steps can I take right now to move me in the desired direction? There may be obstacles blocking my way and things I cannot do...but there is also plenty I can do. I'll focus on that (what I can do).

Thanks for the "get your mind right" words of wisdom, Donnie!

Sometimes A Girl Just Needs Her Best Friend

BFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

Today my story is... I miss by best friend (or BFF, best friend forever, as I often say). Judy married the incredible Scott earlier this year, and they moved to At-lan-uh. I haven't seen Judy since May, and  we don't know when we will see each other again--maybe not until next July. This is the longest we've been apart since we met.

Because of e-mail, text, mobile phones, and Google chat, we are able to stay in touch. (Hooray!)

But sometimes, a girl just needs her best friend in person.

Like today.

Judy and me in Honolulu

I miss Judy every day, but I've grown accustomed to her being away, and to us not being in the same city, state, or region. And that's fine. Our friendship has survived so much, a few (thousand) miles doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

Except on a day like today.

Today I just needed my best friend, someone who knows all of the back story without me needing to explain why something upset me or why I'm worried about such-and-such--or why something someone said was so hilarious, because she'd already know the inside joke.

Someone who, figuratively speaking, knows where all the bodies are buried (even has the map, haha) and will never use that information against me.

Someone who knows the words I need to hear because she's sung that song 3 7,000 times before.

Someone with whom no words are needed: we can sit in silence, our hearts doing all of the talking needed.

Someone I could wake up when I had an incredible "a-ha" and learned something really cool...and with whom I could talk it through and learn so much more.

Someone with whom I belong.

I miss you, Judy. You are indeed a "good-job" best friend.

Having fun in the kitchen

Awesome Characters in My Story: JOler and Kerry

JOler (aka The Giver) and Kerry

Today started out with a dash--and not the kind I like to use when I'm writing. More of a harried, dash-to-get-ready-and-then-catch-the-train kind of dash. The kind where I can't even remember if I'm wearing matching shoes so I need to check...several times.

Add to that some big issues weighing on my mind and I was kind of in a funk this morning when I got to the office--the grouchy kind of funk, unfortunately. So it was good that I had spreadsheets to concentrate on and New Kids on the Block music on my iPod to drown out everything else.

Then "adult recess" time came (aka lunch); after having lunch with two of my favoritest people in the world, JOler and Kerry, and some good-natured teasing all around, I felt more like Happy Adele again.

Hooray!

I am tremendously blessed with good people in my life who are kind, generous, and hilarious; who help me in myriad situations, happy or otherwise; and who make me laugh ("Marco..."), especially when I need it most; and who love me for being the crazy person that I am, shame, fears, quirkiness, and all.

As I contemplate the story of my life and those people who are cast in various scenes and situations with me, I feel grateful for a fabulous, divine Casting Director who brings these amazing people into my life.

Who are the main and supporting characters in YOUR story? What roles do they play? What are you learning from them? When was the last time you thanked them for being in your life?

Living Authentically--and Colorfully!

I love Sophia Grace and Rosie, the British girls who've won over the hearts of Ellen and so many others. There are many, many brilliant clips I could share of these girls...but this one is probably my favorite.

What strikes me about these girls--what I love about them--is that they are so authentic. Sophia Grace says what is on her mind and gleefully exclaims her thoughts and feelings, even her gratitude (as you can see in this video when the girls go on a shopping spree paid for by Nicki Minaj) in the moment. She doesn't calculate what to say; she just is, and says what comes from her heart. And Rosie, bless her little tutu, though more taciturn, is still as real as her cousin Sophia Grace.

Case in point: In this video when Russell Brand asks Sophia Grace what she's thinking of right in that moment, she answers him honestly. (And her answer is beautifully authentic! LOL!)

I'm a big fan of Sophia Grace and Rosie. You go, girls!

P.S. Thanks to my dear friend, Line, who introduced me to these videos. Line is another person who is very authentic. Love ya, Line!

Grateful List, Part 1

I've found that when I'm in a funk, that a good way to get me out of it is to start a "grateful" list. So, here goes!

• I am grateful to be in NYC.
• I am grateful for air conditioning, especially on a muggy day like today.
• I am grateful for running water and indoor plumbing.
• I am grateful for cold water to drink on hot NYC days.
• I am grateful that I have food to eat.
• I am grateful to have a laptop that works.
• I am grateful to have access to the Interwebs.
• I am grateful that I can read and write.
• I am grateful for IM conversations with my best friends.
• I am grateful for any and all communication with my beautiful sister.
• I am grateful for walks to the clean bodega with KShum.
• I am grateful I have a place to sleep.
• I am grateful to breathe.
• I am grateful that I am able to learn and for plentiful opportunities to learn and grow.
• I am grateful for fun times with KShum.
• I am grateful that I haven't seen any mice since KShum installed the plug-in thing.
• I am grateful I have clean clothes to wear.
• I am grateful for all of the generous things KShum does for me (too numerous to list right now).
• I am grateful that my friend Shandy is coming to visit on Friday.
• I am grateful that my bank account is currently above $0.00.
• I am grateful that I have scriptures and inspiring messages to read every day.
• I am grateful to pray.
• I am grateful for second chances.
• I am grateful for the Atonement and repentance.
• I am grateful for friendships of awesome people I admire, people who love and care about me even when I don't see them for a while.
• I am grateful for good parents.
• I am grateful for friends.

Charts and Graphs: A Nerd's Guide to the Universe

Last week as I was finishing up my report for my contract work, I worked on some fun charts and graphs. It reminded me (yet again) how nerdy I am--and how I love that about myself. I love presenting data in a visually interesting way and creating fun, vibrantly-colored visual aids. In fact, when I was much younger, I went through a phase when all I wanted to be when I grew up was a worker at Kinko's so I could design and print cool things on various textures and weights of paper and other materials. (Yes, the nerdiness goes back a looooong time, my friends!)

So this clip of Marshall from How I Met Your Mother sings a happy song to my nerdy little heart. I dedicate this to all of you data nerds out there everywhere. You know who you are.

P.S. This is sooooo something I would do! LOL!

 

If you were to include charts or graphs in YOUR story, what would they represent about you and your life / interests?

"I Think I'm Going Crazy, Dennis. I Really Do."

I've been thinking a lot about happiness and joy lately--specifically about how they relate to each other and how we as humans can experience more of these in our lives.

Y'all know that generally I'm a happy person and a delight to be around most of the time (if I do say so myself...and I do, haha), and that I'm more likely to be found laughing and having fun than being serious--which is why my blog is full of funny, quirky things because that's a big part of who I am.

There's more than that to me as many of you know; I often find it challenging, however, to express my intuitive side because what I feel isn't as easily discernible (even by me) or discuss-able (if that's a word).

As I continue to ponder on happiness and joy, I return to a few quotes about this subject because I feel they speak to my current situation quite well:

Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.
— Mahatma Gandhi

Happiness and joy come only when we are living up to who we are.
— Sheri Dew

Though I have experienced (many!!!) moments of happiness here in NYC and know in a way that I can't adequately explain that I need to be here right now...I realized that I'm not happy because what I think and feel (my intuition) are not in harmony with I'm saying and doing--but I don't know how to fix it! My intuition (or soul or spirit, whatever you want to call it) knows so much more than I can even utter...and not being able to get to the place where what I think/feel/know can be manifested in what I say/do is, pardon my New Yorker language, hell.

Hell with a capital H and the double hockey sticks and all that.

Hell because I know what I need to do but feel powerless to do anything to get there.

Hell because I feel impotent and, well, just cuh-ray-zee (crazy) with a capital C.

In sum, I'm unhappy because I'm not living up to who I am--and I feel helpless to change my current situation (and I've tried...for months and months!).

This entry doesn't really have nice bow to wrap up what I've been saying (partly because I don't have any bows or wrapping paper of any kind with me in my 2 suitcases' of material possessions here in NYC) but mostly because the problem is still that: an unsolved problem.

I guess more than anything, I just needed to talk "and try to get it out."


I think one of the challenges about telling our own stories is that they are being written as we go. Which is a wonderful adventure, yes...but it can also be a frustrating experience to patiently wait for the next pages to come off the press.

How do you reconcile yourself with the thrilling, sometimes frustrating adventure of your story in progress? 

When you feel stuck or not in harmony with your intuition (where your gut says you should be / be doing), how do you get UNstuck?

Catching up: Couching a Tender Mercy

On my third day in NYC back in May, I had an interview at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) Employment office. To say that I was emotional that day would've been a complete understatement: I'd been through...well, quite a bit to even get to NYC. And there I was, finally in the Big Apple as I'd felt for soooo many months that I needed to be, but still uncertain what the #$%@ I was doing there and how I'd survive. (Still don't know the answer to the latter...but that's for another post.)

So when I walked into the foyer of the building where the LDS Employment office was located (the Union Square chapel is in the same building) and saw this familiar-looking couch--one that I've probably seen in dozens of LDS churches all over the world--I almost cried. No, wait: I did cry! I never thought that seeing a green floral print couch would be such a tender mercy. Yet, it was for me on that Friday; it was just what I needed to give me a little boost to keep going a little bit longer. And for me, that couch was a little "love note" from Heavenly Father telling me that He knew where I was and what I needed.

A green floral tender mercy

What familiar objects have meaning to YOU?

TV MFM (Television Made for Me)

If I could create a fabulous television series just for me, I'd include the following elements:

• characters with accents (especially those from the UK)
• science fiction / fantasy
• humor--and lots of it
• action and more action (a la Bourne trilogy)
• great acting by the cast
• well-crafted episodes that reference to previous episodes and foreshadow future events (basically, great storytelling!)
• and something so unbelievable that I could suspend reality and actually believe it.

Surprisingly, all of that is found in the he BBC television series Doctor Who. I've only watched the post-2005 regenerated (pun intended) series, so I don't know everything there is to know about the whole of Doctor Who-dom and am not quite ready to go to ComicCon dressed as a Dalek and I won't go around brandishing a sonic screwdriver. Notwithstanding, what I've watched so far, I've loved.

Doctor #10 David Tennant is by far my favorite Doctor primarily because he has some of the best lines, like this one!

And this schtick! ROTFL!



If you could create a television series just for YOU, what elements would you include? Who might star in it? What would the plot be? Special features?

Catching up: Scrapple in the Big Apple

Can I buy a vowel?

Whilst grocery shopping a few weeks ago in NYC, I noticed a packaged food called scrapple.Turns out, it's a spam-like substance with Pennsylvania Dutch origins (called "pon haus" by them). Leave it to those Germans to utilize every piece of an animal in their cooking and make it a "delicacy." Those resourceful Germans!

Now that I know what scrapple is, I'm more convinced that I will never be putting this in my shopping cart.

Catching up: Talking S'Mac

To celebrate my arrival in NYC back in May, KShum took me to this awesome restaurant called S'Mac, purveyors of numerous varieties of macaroni and cheese (Judy's kind of restaurant, yes?), including a delicioso gluten-free version which I quite enjoyed. I thought I'd lost my pictures from that outing; turns out that I'd emailed the pictures to myself, to an account that I rarely use. I found them last night and thought I should post them now before I forget about...oh look, shiny!

Wait. What was I talking about?

Oh, yes. S'Mac. Fabulous place! Loved it!

My favorite number

Gluten-free mac 'n cheese at S'Mac

Look at that yummy, bubbly cheese!

Sometimes A Nerd Just Wants to Belong

Do you ever feel like Moss--wanting to "fit in" with a certain crowd at work, in your neighborhood, etc? 

How do you change your story to feel included with this group? And how does changing your story make you feel about yourself...and about the people in the group?

My New NYC BFFs

For youth conference, my girls and I stayed at the Orton's house up north in Inwood (close to the Bronx). They were so kind and very hospitable, especially considering that each night we arrived late and left early the next morning.

The first night we arrived, 3 of the Orton children greeted us as we exited the elevator on their floor and wanted to know everything about us. Sister O (who, btw, is 3 years older than I am...again, feeling old!) met us with Lily, their young daughter with Down syndrome, and welcomed us into their home. And guess who became my first best friend forever (BFF) in that house? Yep. Lily! She sat on my lap, tugged on my hand to follow her to play in her room, got angry when any of the other children started to talk to me, and so on. I was enamored with her, and she with me.

Later, however, I had another new BFF in SJ, a bright, talented, 10-yr-old girl with lots of energy. She sat next to me at the table during a brief time when Lily had wandered off. SJ saw my claddagh ring and asked if it was a different kind of CTR ring. I told her about the symbols of the claddagh and what it meant worn on the right hand versus the left. When I mentioned it being worn on the left hand and that someday when I get married I would like to have that as my wedding ring, she asked me seriously, "But aren't you too young to get married?" Her comment made my day! I laughed and told her that it was very sweet of her to think that I was one of the youth, but that I was actually their leader and was her mom's age. SJ told me I didn't "look as old as a mom" (LOL). How old are moms supposed to look?, I wonder.

SJ then asked if I'd like to see the drawings in the room she shares with her siblings. Wow! That little girl is very talented! What impressed me more than even her drawings (which were awesome) was what she had on her wall: pictures from The Friend magazine, sayings from inspiring leaders, and short paragraphs of stories she read in The Friend that she rereads to herself every day so she can remember to be kind to her siblings and other people. And this girl is only 10 years old!

The last night we stayed with the Orton family, we arrived too late and left too early the next morning to see the kids (they'd already gone to bed), so we didn't get to say goodbye. But SJ left us a drawing! Isn't it great?

SJ's picture for us

The Fountain of Youth

I spent most of last week as the "ma" (i.e., female leader) of a group of about 7 young people who attended the New York LDS stake's youth conference.

Youth conference was awesome. And exhausting. And fun. And did I mention tiring? I don't have the stamina of teenagers: all of the late nights, VERY early mornings, and lots of trekking all over Manhattan is too much for an old person like me. Yet, I was blessed with the strength to keep going...until I could stop. And then I slept for a LONG time.

There were about 70 young people who attended, split into 10 "families" each with a female leader (aka "ma") and a male leader (aka "pa"). Except for Friday night when we camped out at Inwood Hills park, we stayed over at other homes--all the boys going with the "pa" to one apartment, and all the girls in the family going with the "ma" to another place. I'll share with you in another post some of my experiences staying with my girls at the Orton family's apartment in Inwood.

Me with David (my 1st partner) and all the "kids"

Some interesting bits from the past week ('cuz there is too much, lemme sum up):

• Being around all of the youth (ages 13 to 17) made me feel young again. And as I focused on serving them, I forgot about my problems. What job search? What diminishing bank account?
• Seeing so much of Manhattan! Roosevelt Island, Times Square, Union Station, Central Park, Inwood Hills park (the place where the Hudson and the East rivers meet--which looks like it should be in upstate New York, not in Manhattan), Grand Central Station, Wall Street, and so on.
• Assisting the youth in my family as we did baptisms for the dead in the Manhattan temple. I got to be the towel girl and provide towels to each of the youth as they exited the font--and I received quite a few wet hugs. Very special.
• Providing the content for genealogy classes (including the handouts and Power Point presentations) and then seeing the 5 youth facilitators teach the others about how to research their ancestors. Incredible!
• Helping my group register to use new.FamilySearch.org...and noticing that most of them were born the year I graduated from high school. (That made me feel VERY old!)
• Associating with the other leaders and finding some kindred spirits and other quirky people like me.
• Dancing on a boat cruise around the East River. 'Nuff said.

Sunset from the deck of the boat. You can see the Statue of Liberty and other boats in the river. Pic taken by Christian, one of my "kids."

When Things Don't Go As You Planned

When things you've been planning for ages don't go as you planned, how do you act / react? How do you feel about yourself? 

Does it make you want to run and hide (like Moss tries to do)? To where do you run when you feel like this? What or who can help you stop hiding / running?

O, Canadian Jason!

And who could forget this classic coming-of-age tale of a young Canuck? Riveting. I was on the edge of my seat as we waited for the Village Elders to make their decision. A nail-biter!

Love ya, JOler!

O, Canada: Part 3

Some classic bits from How I Met Your Mother about Canadians and all things Canada.

Enjoy, eh?

O, Canada: Part 2

More Corner Gas fun. (SIGH. Oh how I love this show!)

O, Canada!: Part 1

In honor of Canada Day (that's today for all of you non-Canucks), I'm going to be posting some of my favorite Canada themed clips.

The first ones are from (of course) Corner Gas.

A Real New Yorker

This morning I had to dispose of a body.

I found curled up on our bathroom tile the lifeless body of the little mouse I'd seen just a few days ago. And whilst this is not my first rodent rodeo, I've never had to dispose of the remains by myself: I've always had a dad, home teacher, roommate, or someone else to do that for me. And since I couldn't just leave the dead body there in the bathroom for someone else to clean up, I had to perform the body removal on my own--with lots of "ewww!" and plenty of plastic bags so I didn't have to feel the body (gross!).

Body disposal isn't on the How I Met Your Mother "Real New Yorker" list, but I think it should be. (And for the record, I've only done one thing on their list: cry on the subway and not care what anyone thought.)

This One's for Crutchie!

Um, apparently Newsies is on Broadway! I must see this!

As per my belief that life should be a musical, the 1992 Disney movie shows how this is legitimately plausible (haha).

Who could forget one of Christian Bale's finest moments singing "Santa Fe"? That was the beginning of heartthrob status for Mr. Bale indeed.

If You're Nerdy and You Know It...

Another TV show KShum introduced me to: a Brit-com called The IT Crowd. Huh-lare-e-us!

My favorite character is the socially awkward, nerdy Maurice Moss: he has THE best lines and bits! KShum and I quote them often.

Some of the most extraordinary ones are below. Enjoy!

Put It on My Tab

Part of the general social scene here in NYC revolves around pubs, taverns, clubs, and the like--i.e., places where alcohol is served. Coming from a predominantly teetotaler environment, this focus on socially imbibing brings with it some challenges. Like what to order when they don't have sodas.

I'm learning quickly, though.

Every time I go out to one of these establishments, this NKOTB song comes to mind, particularly the phrase "Hey Mr Bartender, please make a pina colada, hold the alcohol please."

(This one's for you, Kerry!)

Out with the Old, in with the New

Apparently I've been walking too much for my cheap flip flops to tolerate. A few nights ago after another walking adventure through Central Park, I noticed that I'd worn a hole in one of my flip flops. This necessitated a shopping excursion to replace said footwear. (I can't NOT have a pair of flip flops!)

RIP my cheap, polka dot flip flops that stained the bottom of my feet a smurfy blue.

And welcome to the family you wonderful new flip flops! My feet are filled with joy. I can wear any of you to walk all over NYC! Hooray! Huzzah!

#DinnerWithKShum

Last night KShum and I went out to dinner in "Alphabet City" at this cool little place called Cornerstone Cafe, a cozy Italian bistro on Ave B. Thanks to KShum's foresight, we had a Groupon for dinner at said cafe (whoo-hoo!): she got the salmon, and I got the steak.

Yummy, Gluten-free (I checked) steak dinner -- and worth every calorie!

Did I also mention that they had AC? A nice, cool break from the suffocating heat outside.

All in all, a fun adventure with KShum!

#KShumRocks

A Celebrity Welcome to NYC

NYC is much more friendly than I thought it might be. People have been so welcoming. Even Police Commisioner Frank Reagan welcomed me to NYC! (Hahahaha.)

The Happiest Place on Earth, Part 2: We Have Arrived!

After spending time at Liberty Island, we caught the next available ferry for Ellis Island. I was sooooooo excited! (Poor KShum...!)

And here we have Idaho, er, Ellis Island, winning her way to fame

We first wandered through the main floor of the building, first running into (of all people) 2 sister missionaries from the New Jersey mission who volunteer at the Ellis Island family history center once a month. (I'll post about that story later!), and then viewing an immigration exhibit.

My fascination with family trees, pictures of trees, and tree decorations continues

From a display about accordions and their ties to immigration

Leave it to the Germans to introduce the accordion to Mexican immigrants. I can thank my own people for the music I listen to whilst I am doing my laundry!

Wisconsin German immigrants introduced kindergarten to the US. You're welcome.

The concentration of German immigrant settlement in the US. Looks like a weather map you'd see on the nightly news, though. I don't think the burnt orange color means that it'll be in the 100s tomorrow....

A nation of immigrants, starring Germany. Size of font indicates size of immigrant population in the US.

And then...THEN we got to go upstairs to the Registry Room, which was by far one of the coolest things I've ever seen. (Again, go with my nerdy-ness on this, okay?) I tried to imagine what it would've been like to be in that room, how it felt to have come such a long way and to be stalled (sometimes quite literally) in the place with your future in the hands of people who could either make your dreams come true or send you back. Being in the Registry Room, imagining the millions of immigrants who endured this great uncertainty (including my great Uncle Jack and his sister Lena), I started to tear up...probably, you know, from all of the dust there, and what with my allergies and all....

The Registry Room as it looks today. A very special and sacred place to me--and to the millions of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island.

Ceiling of the Registry Room at Ellis Island

As we did more exploring through the exhibits, I learned much about the process an immigrant endured once arriving in the Port of New York. Fascinating stuff.

Literacy test given to immigrants. This card is for native Swedish speakers; Uncle Jack and his sister would've been tested with a card similar to this.

When restoring some of the pillars, they discovered original carvings made by immigrants who passed through Ellis Island. This is an example of some of those carvings.

A photo I took of a photo of the Registry Room with immigrants waiting to be processed

My artistic take on a set of the "separation stairs" the immigrants took during processing

A drawing of Castle Garden, the predecessor of Ellis Island. Castle Garden was in what is now known as Battery Park in Manhattan. Most of my immigrant ancestors arrived here.

Immigration brought the prospect of a new life, but it was also a hardship.

My First Visitor in NYC

And speaking of Jenga...she was my first visitor in NYC! She and her sister AJ came down to NYC for the ballet, and the 4 of us (Jenga, AJ, me, and KShum) had dinner at a cute little Mediterranean hummus bar near Lincoln Center called Nanoosh. I had a bowl of their uh-maze-ing, organic, locally-grown tomato soup and the hummus tahini plate. Soooo delish!

Seeing Jenga was so wonderful; I heart her very much! Talking with her about our friends (that includes you Suz, Mel, and JenE!) made me miss the familiar things in Utah and my friends there...but I know I need to be here in NYC and "give the Lord a chance" to show me why. So, here I am!

Good job, thankyouverymuch, amen.

The Happiest Place on Earth, Part 1: Getting There

For some the "happiest place on earth" (thanks to a great marketing team at Disney) is thought to be Disneyland.

Not so for me. My nerdy "Disneyland" isn't a theme park: it's Ellis Island. (I know, I know. SUPER nerdy, right?! Well, welcome to my world.)

And until last Saturday, I'd never been, which is kind of pathetic for a genealogist who is enamoured by the immigrant experience. However, every time I'd visited NYC, something always came up and I never made it; and my layovers at JFK, though quite lengthy, weren't long enough to leave the airport and trek to Ellis Island and return in time to fly out again.

My luck changed last weekend, though, when a very generous friend (Jenga) offered her tickets to me because she wasn't going to be able to use them. Would I take them, she asked. Um, HECK YEAH I would!

Thanks to our awesome tickets (thanks, Jenga!), we walked right by the loooooooooong, general admission line and quickly passed through security to board the (appropriately named) Miss Ellis Island ferry.

No, not a beauty contestant -- although I'd vote for her!

We made the obligatory stop at Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty, etc. I kept thinking to myself, "Green statue, yeah yeah. Let's get to the good stuff, people!"

Lady Liberty pic from the ferry

View 1 of the Liberty Bike. Couldn't Tell if it was a Harley Davidson or not....

View 2 of the Liberty Bike at Liberty Island

I did learn some cool things about Lady Liberty and her connection to the immigrant experience from some of the displays outside of the gift shop.

The Statue of Liberty welcomed over 14 million immigrants to the United States between 1886 and 1924

A poem written by Emma Lazarus captured how the Statue of Liberty offered hope to immigrants seeking refuge from the misery of their homeland situations.

98 Degrees and Rising

(For all of you 98 Degrees fans out there--and who isn't, really?--check out this article about the band reuniting for una noche at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey, PA. Coincidentally, NKOTB and BSB will be performing there as well. #JustSaying....)

It's hot. Very, very hot here today! Weather reports indicate that it could reach 98 or 99 degrees by 2pm.

KShum tells me that this is the beginning of the "Hot as H..." season in NYC. Awe-some...!

Thankfully so far today (knock on the wood floor), it hasn't felt too hot yet and all I have is a simple fan going (no AC). But give it time. When I go outside, I'm sure I'll feel all 98 or 99 degrees of it. Oh, and plus the humidity!

For KShum

You make "27" look good!

#JustSayin'...!

The Laundry Day Song

What KShum and I sing on laundry day when we're NOT humming along to the Latin accordian music.

It's All Fun and Games until Someone Sues

KShum introduced me to a new television show: Drop Dead Diva. Over the last few weeks, we've watched all 3 seasons on Netflix. When I see Jane (the main character) in action as a lawyer, I imagine that that's how JenE is in the courtroom--brilliant, sassy, compassionate, and innovative.

Here's to JenE, the coolest lawyer in school, as she studies for (and will pass!) the bar in yet another state! Whoo-hoo! You can do it!!! (Would I lie to you?)

WWDRD: What Would Danny Reagan Do?

Today whilst perusing the online job postings, the quiet of my morning thoughts was interrupted by a scene from Blue Bloods: 5 police officers stood outside of the apartment across the hall and started pounding on the door. The woman (who I guess is someone named "Miss Miller" because that's what the officer kept calling her) did not want to answer the door, despite the persistent police officer banging on the door and shouting for her to open it for quite some time.

I kept waiting for the police officer to Danny Reagan the door (i.e., impatiently kick it open), but I realized that that wasn't a good idea because the apartment door is made of steel or krytonite or something like that--very heavy and difficult to open, even when you have a key.

Finally, after 15-20 minutes of constant banging on the door, she must've finally opened it or something because the ruckus ceased...and I went back to my regularly-scheduled job search as if nothing ever happened (except, you know, I just blogged about it -- haha).

I think I'm becoming more of an official New Yorker every day!

C'Mon 'N Ride The Train

When navigating the Metro, it's important to know a few basic things.

First, you need to know the alphabet and then a few numbers (1 through 7 should be sufficient).

Next, your directions. Forget about north, south, east, and west. (There aren't mountains here anyway to help distinguish east and west.) All you really need to know are two little directions: UPTOWN and DOWNTOWN.

And finally, local or express? Local means the train stops at numerous stations along that line; express means the train is scheduled to stop only at specific stations (refer to the Metro map for which stations those are).

There you have it! You're a Metro pro now!

P.S. I think I've seen some of the people on the Metro dressed like this (like they are in this video). Just sayin'... LOL.

White and Nerdy

I love efficiency. Love, love, love it! If there is an efficient way to do something, I will find it--and quickly.

For years, I've been saying that there must be a more efficient way to do some of the extracurricular stuff at church, e.g. pay tithing and sign up for a Potluck.

Thankfully, I learned about paying tithing online a few years ago (very efficient!).

And yesterday, I learned from my apparently very efficient and progressive RS leaders in my new ward that there is a way to efficiently organize volunteers for potlucks and taking meals to someone. Behold the future, ladies and gentlemen!

TakeThemAMeal.com

PerfectPotluck.com