#realtalk #hardday #hardmonth #hardyear

Sometimes I have these epiphanies in life, and today is one of them.  I have figured out why it is so hard for the people in leadership roles (on a large and small scale) to be, well, leaders.  We are always mad at celebrities for not living up to their potential.. but what do we want their potential to be, exactly?  Not that I am in any way any sort of celebrity or even leader, but, going to a very small school, there are lots of eyes on you always.  The watchful kind of eyes.

In some ways, that's probably good, because it holds you accountable.  In some ways, that's probs bad, because it holds you accountable.  ALSO, as a leader, or celebrity, or someone with a lot of watchful eyes, its impossible to please everybody.  Everybody has a problem with something about you, little or big, and at some point those problems have to be addressed.  That is okay.. I am all for fixing myself so that others can be happy, but it just sucks when all the problems have to happen at the same time.  Its scary and hard and you can't do anything right and you don't know who to talk to.  Besides God of course, but sometimes that's still hard.

Also, speaking of talking, I've somehow developed this new habit where I don't say things out loud.. even if I know I'm not okay.  I don't know why this is a habit.. I've just realized more than ever how terrible I am with my words, and I can't make people understand usually.  And, even if I could, there is so much going on that I can't just tell one person.  Or I could, but I do not think it would do much good... these problems affect so many people, and then the people I could tell about it would tell the other people, or not like those people so they would judge them instead of help.  So, I tell God about it, and that is good, but sometimes it is still just so lonely.  

Really, when you think about it, humanity kinda sucks (myself included).  We love to get wrapped up in our own lives, own groups, own agendas, and we forget about how important people are... how much they matter. Then, we can unknowingly hurt all sorts of people with the way we rush off, or what we tweet, or how we act.

Back to the first part, it sometimes sucks even more when the people who confront you with the issues they have with you are right.  More than ever this year, I have let myself get wrapped up in my own little world.  For some reason, it was so much easier!  I finally knew what it was like to have a group, a group that did lots of things together and just clicked.  Apparently, that was a bad idea.  Groups are a terrible idea.  Because, when you try to move out of your group just a little bit just stick your toes in the water of another groups.. the group gets mad/upset/hurt.. and then the other group feels the same way when you leave.  How do you handle that?! Seriously!  Why can't everyone just love each other?

Anyways, after that crazy negative post, i think I will just look up some Bible verses about God's love.  I think what He is teaching me is that He is so very consistent even when no one or nothing else is, and that He loves me just the way I am... Even if I am messing up in every area.  I really am blessed.

        Romans 8:37-39  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 5:43-48  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 6:24-25  ”No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

The Full Life :)

Sometimes you forget just how very good life is, just how very much the Lord has blessed you.  Never has that been so apparent to me than during the last month.  Christmas and Christmas break was pretty perfect. I don't even know how to describe it.  The time with my immediate family was full and balanced and I grew so so much closer to each of them through it.  The disconnected feelings I used to feel at home slowly disappeared, and it was 100% the way I had always imagined my family to be. :) I think we are all growing up, and the relationships that I had with my siblings and parents are changing and strengthening through that maturity.

Can I tell you my biggest dream right now?? I would just like my WHOLE family to come to Homecoming this weekend, Daddy, Momma, Kate, Wacko, Natey, Amaree, Mymy, Zar, Naz, and Yeshi. Then, I want to take a picture with them, in my dress, and put it on facebook, and on the wall, and everywhere, and everywhere by it put words that say "My Family." Because they are my family.  Every last one!  I love big families, and I especially love mine the most. :)
(P.S. I am in Homecoming as a sports rep, which is funny.  I am in StuCo as a sports rep, which is also funny.  I just did cross country, which no one here knew was a sport. lol. #sillystudents #notreallyanathlete :)

Also, when I say my life is full, I really mean every part!  This semester I am only taking 12 credits compared to that usual 18.  Riddle me this, how come I never thought of this before?? #itsthebest :) ALSO, to make that even better, 2 of those classes are seminars, so they only last one week out of the whole semester. #superwinning!! Well, and kind of a lie.  The ol profs for those classes emailed us the syllabus's and eeeek!! #profsonroids #thisiswhatrealcollegewouldbelike hahaha. BUT, since I have all the time in the world, I can just read and enjoy the classes and still have lots of time to giggle with my friends :) :)

Speaking of giggling, this weekend has just been the bestest. :) Yesterday Paige, Chelsea, Katie, and I went to Wichita to shop for bridesmaid dresses and so I could get an IPHONE!! yeah!! Iphone!! Its this cool phone where you can have everything smart, and in my case, its SUPER cool because I can send and receive messages and actually talk on and use my phone!! For those of you who think that is a stupid thing to say, obviously your service provider has never been United Wireless.  For me, its the best life! yeahhhh!! :) Anyways, those girls were the best giggle buddies.  We went to lots of different stores looking for dresses, and came up with nothin. zilch. nada. So that was a bummer.  One of the stores we tried was even at the Bradley Fair schmancy place, but those White House Black Market peeps were snobheads. Boo.  BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT, we found the GREATEST sale!! Victorias Secret scents 75% off!!
We got alllll this...

for under sixty bucks!! (divided among four people of course :)) but still!! there are not enough #epicwinning hashtags to hashtag for this moment.

Right now Morgan Stander has the last book in the Hunger Games that I borrowed from Danye.  She is reading it and that's all I want to do. #stinkinbasketballtrips boo.

BUT, I do have ol Tim Tebow to tied me over :) right now I'm reading his book, and in honor of my current obsession my friend Keaghan gave me a fathead of him to put on my wall.  Not a real one of course! #ridicexpensive but just a lil one that came for free with Joel's huge one. :) so, here he is...

 right by my bed.  I like to say I sleep with Tim Tebow every night.  BUT, that's really weird and I don't really think like that in any sort of way, so I probably shouldn't say that because it sounds so creepy.  But sometimes people kinda giggle at that, so then I feel funny :)

Anyways, back to Wichita.  While we were there, after a longgg day of shopping, we went to Jose Peppers to eat!  If you haven't ever been there... GO. NOW.  This is not a drill.  They have the yummiest chips and queso in the world! :) 4 girls downed 4 baskets. #nobigdeal.  BUT (obviously I like to capitalize but today) the best part was our waiter.  If The Flash had an undercover identity, it would be Joey (name changed for privacy reasons ;) or the reason of me not knowing his name because he never stood still long enough) from Jose Peppers.  hahaha. He never stopped and talked to us for more than five seconds.  His sentences came out like,

"whatareyouhungryfortoday?" "okberightback" "yourfoodisnextupinthewindow" and when he finished those sentences he would be gone.  He was a NINJA.  We got our food on time, our water was always filled, and he was super nice, he was probably just saving the world in between every table he waited on.  His hurry was THAT big. :) 

Of course finish the day with Orange Leaf! There's nothing better. :)

Today I did nothing.  Last night when I got back Keaghan and Emma came in and giggled for awhile (and brought me my great fathead ;)) and then Renelle came in for a sleepover because, since all of basketball is gone, she has no roomie, and my whole suite is incognito. Or something. I fell asleep in the middle of giggling.  :( #ialwaysdothat #grandmamoments :)

When I woke up, I had a productive day of texting people my new number (the number of my IPHONE!! did I say I got one?? ;)) and of course in the first text I sent people I said,

"Hey buddies!  Guess what!? I got a phone with service..that can send messages and stuff!  Yay! Anyways, have a great day!  Thanks for being my friend!" :)  See what's missing here? I forgot to tell them who this strange number texting them WAS. #notwinning I felt like an idiot.  But it got figured out. :)

At five, I went to the Folkerts for a cook-out they were having for the 4th/5th grade youth that I help with at Faith Weavers.  The boys were in charge of buying everything, they forgot to buy enough hotdogs so that I could have one. :) No problem.  They definitely remembered chocolate! :) #nomnomnom  

On my way back from the Folkerts, only a TWO MILE DRIVE, I ran out of gas.  I RAN OUT OF GAS!! #soridic lol. Siri (don't worry, she's an iphone thing, I have one of those :)) couldn't even fill me up with gas.  Sillly Siri!  So, that two mile drive turned into an hour adventure to get gas.  Good news, I know not to trust my cars computer now. :) #lifelessons :) 

Because of that, I was late to watch Tebow! #sadday but that's okay.  Miss America was on too, and that was good!  Keaghan knows the Miss Oklahoma girl from home, so it was like watching a friend!  Then we had to watch Miss Congeniality of course, cuz we were all starving to watch a good pageant ;)

After that it was Jell-o shots (minus the shot part of course, we're Christians!! :)) with Hannah, Nelicia, Hannah, and Shelly.  I forgot how stinkin good Jell-o is when its not from a Chinese Resteraunt! (still hate that word).  #nomnomnom I even liked the cherry kind! #things that never happen

In case you were wondering how they made them... they just pored the jell-o into these cute lil cups and chilled it.  

   

Then, you loosen and loosen and loosen until it comes out on the plate. 

 

Tada! Shotless Jell-0 shots. :) you just suck em right down. :)

The end :) Time for bed. I got Cinnamon Vanilla Creme Creamer to put in my church coffee tomorrow, #perfect. :) :)

Deciiiizzzionnnns.

I am the worst at decisions.  Really.  Not kidding. The absolute worst.  Most days I can't even decide what I want to eat at Subway or what to wear, let alone a big decision for my life. #bigproblems

More of that later...
It is Sunday and I thought I could make it to Sunday school cuz I curled my hair in a sock bun last night.  Bad news: my hair is too short for the thickness of sock.  Bummer.  So I am not at Sunday School (even as much as I am late, I still HATE it) and I have a little time to blog.

Yesterday I didn't do much of anything again!  Nathan and I ran three miles (he beat me!) #crazyIndian.  Zack and I watched K-State football (we're 7-0!! What what?!?) :) and Maliak, Zarian, Nathan, and I played chase.  It is amazing to me how mature my brothers are about them being here.  They (Zack and Nathan) know that they need a home, and so they are willing to share almost everything, and are probably the best big brothers ever. #bigsisterpride.  :)  They play with them and help them get ready in the mornings, and are both endlessly patient.  It is very cool to watch:)

Anyways, yesterday was just a day of good conversations and giggling with family  (OU lost to Tech.. what??) Last night, we all (except for my dad cuz he was cutting) AGREED on a MOVIE (which NEVER happens) and snuggled in with our popcorn to watch "Surf's Up!" It was a great time.  Plus, it doesn't hurt that everything about Shia Labeouf is sexy, even his voice when he plays a penguin. haha.

Well, back to decisions.  When I was running and then doing dishes later, I was very much just thinking about next year and what I should do.  You know when its the hardest to hear the Lord's voice in something?  Han and I have talked about this, and it is maybe the hardest for this decision, because.. we really don't KNOW what we want.  At all.  Nor do we have any idea what to do, so it is hard to know what to pray, and when I do, I just feel like the Lord is being very silent.  There are so many pros and cons of each, I just wish He would shine a big shiny light on a map for me.  BUT, I know it is not that easy.  This is definitely a growing process!

I love the location of Barclay, I love being close to my family, but there is nothing there that I want to pursue as a profession.  So, I am looking at all my options just like a high school senior would, except I am older and maybe not that much wiser.

Option #1-Go to BIOLA in L.A. and major in biology to become an Optometrist
Option #2- Go to K-State and major in biology to become an Optometrist
Option #3- Go to Iowa/Iowa State (I don't remember which medical program is better) and major in biology to become an optometrist.
Option #4- Take a year off and go to Africa with Emily's cousin and hold and play with babies.

There are probably more.. but that is all I can think of right now (I'll do pros and cons later.)  I really do think I want to do Optometry, because I want to do something medical, I like to learn, and Optometry is the least blood and gutsy.  So that is nice.  Also, I would love to have a partnership or whatevs, but then I would love, like on my vacation or on weekends, have extremely discounted inner city clinics and extremely discounted glasses:)  Also, my friend Clara will live in Africa, and maybe I could do that over there too!  (Obviously that would have to be more than a weekend).

So there's all my life plans.  If y'all think of it.. maybe you could keep me in your prayers?  

What do you do after vacation? Vacation some more of course!:)

Hey hey!  Time for another day.  My friend Shelly told me once that the best way to blog is to never take a day off.  So I'm trying that idea :) at least for now when I'm not too busy!

Today I woke up at 6:15 to hang out with the fam bam before they went to school (and work of course!)  My dad made pancakes because my cousins Maliak and Zarian are staying with us for a while, and pancakes was what they wanted!  Charles is the best pancake baker:)  Before he came upstairs and told me he was going to do that, I had already started in on some baked apples! #nomnomnomnomnomnom!




I made 8, and I learned that an apple corer is a very very tricky tool. After 8 apples to practice on though, I might be getting to be more of a boss at it:) THESE APPLES ARE SO GOOD.  Really.  Maybe the best everrrr!  I had two:) Hopefully in my life I will have many more (maybe starting later on today:))

Then, I went with my dad to drop Maliak and Zarian off at Aunt Betty's, and Nathan off at school, and then came back to feed the steers.  I don't really remember much of this, because I don't really function until I take my vitamin and drink a cup of coffee #Ireallyamanoldperson.  Then, I started laundry, unloaded some of my car, did some reading homework, and laid down for a nap, all before 9! #productive ;)

Well, just like old people can't sleep, I couldn't either.  So, I got up and started in on some pumpkin spice cream cheese muffins for me and ma family and fwiends!  #dunkindonutsbutbetter :) I love having my computer, cuz I pretty much beastmoded lots of different pictures of this event.  Its pretty epic because I really don't bake that much.  BUT, I had to be focused, so it was time for cup of coffee number 1!

Out of an M&M cup and cinnamon vanilla creamer! Thanks mom!:)

 Then, I mixed up my stuffs and had all three parts ready to goooo!!

 After it was all mixed together, it looked kinda funny.. like cookies instead of muffins. #notgood.  Then I realized I forgot the MILK.  I told you I don't bake much!  So, I went and added that in, but for a fourth a cup of it, I used Cinnamon Vanilla creamer. #don'ttellchell :) So, then I drank another cup of coffee, (white mocha creamer, naturally) to make sure I was awake enough not to mess anything else up! :) #collegelivin

 After THAT adventure, the muffins looked much better.  Side note: I hate that with muffins they say "mix until just blended"  What the heck does that mean?  I mean, I know what it means, but sometimes its the hardest to find the balance between not mixing too much and mixing enough.  If I ever figure it out, I'll make muffin batter indestructible!  P.S. Stains on the shirt are real.  I can't keep it clean :P Oh! And here I am sampling batter, because everyone knows that's the best part of baking :)

Finished product! Bad side of photobooth, sometimes I can't hold my computer still to take a good picture!

Plus, this is the mostamazingever, deliciousiouso, melt-in-your mouth cream cheese filling! (plus yummy muffin, I just like cream cheese better:))

The End!

P.s. The bad side of drinking so much coffee is that it definitely works a little like a laxative.  BUT, I needed if after so much time on the plane. #Ireallyamanoldperson. #pooptalk

P.P.S. If you'll excuse me... I have to go move a couch out of my room now. #stinkinsisters

Just a Day:)

One of my new goals in life (as of like, yesterday) is to become better at remembering things.  People, conversations, facts, events, better at remembering everything!  One of the best ways is to write it down I think.. so here goes: One crazyyy day! :)

I woke up this morning to eat with my family again.  We had biscuits and gravy and Dad taught me how to make the gravy #nomnomnom.  (Well actually, I don't like gravy, but maybe someday if my husband likes it, I could make it for him:))  Then, everyone went off to school and my dad took Maliak and Zarian to work.  I was to take care of them, but I was SUPPOSED to use that morning for me, because I had to run, call BIOLA, check on sub licenses, take food to my old work, and run to the bank and store.

Because that was such a long list, I decided maybe I'd take a short 40 minute nap and then start the list at nine.  Well.. my alarm went off at 9 (The song "Until You" by Dave Barnes) #newfavorite #perfecthusbandsong #listenedtothisalllllday.  And I snoozed that sucker.  9:15? snooze. 9:25? zzz.. 9:40? 20 more minutes! And, well, at 10.. I finally got up:) All of this is because I didn't take my vitamin at breakfast because I was going to run.  #Iamsosososoold

So, I nixed running out of the schedule and showered so I could get on with the rest of the list.  (I also nixed taking food, because one of the ladies I worked with is vacationing on a beach in Mexico right now. #sojealous)  I finally made it to town and headed to the sheriff's office/bigscaryprison to get fingerprinted for a sub license.  I parked and just waited for about six minutes so that my heart would stop beating so fast!  I was very nervous to go in there, sometimes talking to people is so very scary.  Finally after two Christian songs that I can't remember now but were really helpful played, I was brave enough to walk in:)

Right inside this new jail is a lil speaker box where the secretaries sit.  I stood outside while three tough looking police ladies talked to each other inside.  It was SO awkward because I saw them look at me, but I didn't know how I was supposed to respond.  Finally, one lady turned to me and spoke through the speaker box, "Can I help you?" I said something about fingerprinting for a sub license.  (I don't remember exactly what it was, because I was so nervous my voice cracked, and so I just tried to hide it!) haha.  Anyways, moral of the story is, you can't get your fingerprints without paperwork #fail.

Then, I went to the bank and remembered how much I was the gladdest I don't work there anymore! #gross #madmoneyliterally

Then, I hit up the grocery store to buy some baking ingredients (I am on a roll! #nopunintended) and frozen pizza for lunch.  I picked up Maliak and Zarian from Micky D's, and then we headed home!

I guess this is a good cooking day!  First day of gravy, first day of frozen pizza.  I got a four cheese kind #nomnomnom. I had a few pitchaaaas, but the computer is being el stupido.  Whenever i tried to take the FIRST pizza picture, it slid off the pan onto my keyboard. #WOW #whyimnotinthekitchenmuch


Zarian didn't drink his milk, so I told him he couldn't leave the table until he did #classicparentrule He never drank it.  He just sat his head down on the table and was sad.  He didn't whine or anything, but that him not complaining felt the worst!  I talked to him and rubbed his back for awhile, but that didn't help.  After about 30 minutes, I just let him leave.  With them, it is hard to know where to draw the line.  If they are a part of our family, they would follow our rules, if not, they'll hate us for our rules.  It is so tricky!

The afternoon was ineventful. I made strawberry bread, and the three of us made brownies (it worked out perfect cuz there were 2 mixes, so everything that one did on one, they switched on the next!:)).  I also made friendship tea and bread pudding.  The pudding messed up though.  I kept telling myself the only reason I was liking cooking was because I hadn't messed anything up yet! #spoketoosoon

Cody Mills got to our house around 3:30 cuz Nathan didn't get there until 4:30! #sillynathan #boredcody We giggle some, he is very smart, especially about farming!

When my mom got home, I went for a run!! YAY!! FINALLY RUNNING AGAIN!!:) I did the ol 6 1/4 mile course.  My house looks the craziest from the back, I couldn't tell that that was it forevs!! But, I finally made it back.  I LOVE to run.  It gives me time to think, and pray, and just be peaceful and slow down:)

Tonight was a home football game, but I didn't go:) I baked bread pudding!  I really maybe don't like to see big groups of Hugoton people sometimes.  Not because I don't like them, because I very much do, but I just don't know how to relate to them sometimes.  And I don't like not relating.  I probably should though, because if I ever move back, I will want to be in touch!  #sillylife.

Anyways, Paige came out after the game and we giggled and talked and she asked me to be her bridesmaid (officially!) :) and showed me the dresses and maybe the shoes.  So that was REALLY fun:) #bestiesforlife.  Then, my aunt Angela came out and we ate strawberry bread and talked (mainly about Maliak and Zarian).  That was good too, I miss her very much.  

Now I am laying in my bed about to sleeeeeep:)

Goodnight world:)

Just World Travelin'

Good morning afternoon time:)  Well, just in case you were wondering.. we are safely back from New York!  After one VERY long day yesterday, I finally arrived in Hugoton at 1:15 a.m. (as in the morning, like after midnight :P) Also, my parents read my blog now, so I am not allowed to say how fast I drove, but it was safe ;)

BUT, it was a good travel day!  We got to La Guardia airport in plenty of time, and because we are smart and savvy technology teenagers, we used the self check-in to print our boarding passes! #21stcenturygoodness.  So far, it was a good day.  Five minutes LATER, however, as we tried to walk through security, they informed us that we were only allowed to have TWO bags, counting our purses!  Epic packing fail.  Both of our bags were packed so tight we couldn't fit anything in, so we had to walk back to the check-in counter and check a bag. #35dollarsoutofpocket #cussing (But, we did get to cut in line, courtesy of the security ladies pink pass:))  The only really BAD thing was, after we got through security, Han reminded me that I left my laptop in my checked bag, so I was very worried the whole time!  It turned out okay though:) #macbooksafeandsound #sighofrelief

Then, we walked to our gate and got breakfast.  Well, Han got Auntie Anne's cinnamon pretzel, and I got my LAST container of New York fruit.  (I scarfed my pumpkin muffin from the night before on the car ride there. #nomnomnom)  Finally we got on the plane and proceeded to PASS OUT for our 3 hour flight to Dallas. #goodsleep #badneckcramps

At Dallas, we braved a huge airport again.  We figured out our gate and started truckin'.  (Not rollin this time, cuz remember we checked our bags?)  :)  However, we ran into a problem.  We followed the signs to our gate, and it put us on the skyline thinger, or whatever the cutesy tram name is at the Dallas Airport.  The problem was this: The tram was only going one direction, because the opposite direction one was broken.  The REAL problem was that the one running took us allll the way around the whole airport, to all the terminals, before we got to ours.  So that killed about 20 minutes of our layover.  Plus, the REAL REAL problem was that the signs lied to us, and that we could have just kept walking straight and got to our gate after only about 13 more.  Okay, and the REAL REAL REAL problem was that we were STARVING, and we only had about a fifty minute layover anyway.  so yeah.

But, we finally made it to the ol A16, and found the yummiest BBQ place really close by.  (Actually, it was the only restaurant close by, but that's a minor detail. :)) P.s. Side note.  I hate the word restaurant, I NEVER spell it right!  We were in such a hurry I didn't see what it was called, but I think it started with a D, and I really did love it!  Also, we pulled up to our gate right when they called our class again #queensofclosecalls #livinontheedge :)

Our plane took a while to take off due to "mechanical problems" which turned into "luggage problems," which turned into Carol Williams telling us later "that's about the time I get off the plane!" But it wasn't too bad a wait compared to our one in Chicago.  Also, the FUNNIEST old lady was sitting across from us.  One of the stewards probs had about 10 cups of coffee today, and when he was doing the pre-flight demonstration he would zoooom from the front of the plane to the back of the plane.  He maybe thought he was super steward or something! Anyways this old lady kept giving him funny looks, and we were ROLLING.  I think she noticed how funny she was being, because she smiled at us and made even funnier faces.  She even tried to shush us because we were laughing so hard, but it didn't work.  She was a character! #goodgrammy

When we landed in Wichita, it was the DEADEST compared to the rest of the world.  We feel like we most definitely understand city people culture shock now!  Instead of taxis, there were big ol minivans.  Also, in NY we waited in a long line for a taxi, and there there was NOBODY.  We were the only ones on the parking shuttle.  it was the weirdest feeling.  Kind of like in Rango when Rango goes from the crazy highway to the old west town.  It was like that, total contrast!  There was even a sign about checked guns in luggage and that old-timey western music playing.  We were definitely back in Kansas!

We had made plans to go out to eat with lil Cara Wara Linville, so we did that, and I lost my On the Border virginity!  I had pork tacos that were KIND of like the ones from  Hugos in Mexico.  They were good good good!! Then, we just giggled forevs:) (or two hours)

Then, we set off on the last leg of our journey.  Home home home home home!  Funny thing, we were driving along Maize and all of a sudden lights started flashing in my mirror.  My life probs flashed before my eyes, but I pulled over.  The cop was SUPER young, and I knew I hadn't been speeding, so I couldn't imagine what this noob was doing.  He proceeded to say that I had been swerving across the lines alot of times, and because of me, he almost ran into a few cars.  #soundslikeapersonalproblembuddy.  He asked who we were and what we were doing, and when I said we were just visiting and were really from a very very small town (he hadn't heard of Hugoton of course!  Bonus for smallness:)) He immediately relaxed and let us off the hook.  He didn't even take my license!  I don't really know how to take that except maybe he knows that small town Kansas has really bad city drivers.  Oh well, no ticket! :)

We finally got to Haviland and dropped Han off to go to bed.  zzzzz.  (that was for her snore ;))  Then, a fairly uneventful ride homeeee. To sleeeeep in my ownnnnn beddddd:) :) :) Minus the fact that Kaitlyn's couch, desk, and school supplies are all over MY room.  Her room is just a huge closet for HER.  What is wrong with this picture?

She sent me a very sweet text on the way home.  So I should've known something was up.  #judging #lilangry #illmovethatcouchtomorrow  :)

The End of the Beginning. Meh, not really. Mostly just the end :P

Today was... our lastest day in New York #sadface.  We were supposed to go to the 9/11 memorial at 10:30, buttttt, like most days, we were running late, so we missed our reservation. #whoops.  We maybe shouldn't have, cuz we even paid for a cab!  BUT, there was the most traffic and also the taxi driver was maybe the rudest.  We fumbled around just a little bit with the money, and after 3 seconds of fumbling he said, "okay fine! just give me whatever you have!" #heprobablydoesn'tloveJesussoIshouldbenice.  BUT, I really just didn't like him.  Anyways, we missed our reservation, but we just waited in line to get one to go in at 7:00 pm, and that just worked out better! :)

We looked through the preview site after that.  It was probably the coolest one-room building I've ever been in.  There was a timeline of that morning, all sorts of personal stories and facts of 9/11, and two SUPER cool books that I really liked looking at.  One was the Hero's of 9/11, which had pictures of the heros or families of heros.  The other was like, art inspired by 9/11, notes, and poetry, and lil kid drawings. They were both very interesting.

After that we were brave and we RODE THE NYC SUBWAY.  This is a BIG deal.  We just walked down the 'ol underground stairs and hopped on.  (Not really, we asked the guy in charge for directions, but ah well).  We just had to ride one stop to ol Chinatown, but it took forevs because the train in front of us got stuck or something!  So, we sat for a while (Han looked nervous ;)) and made friends with Jake Urischious twin who was late to meet the manager of Saks Fifth Avenue #prettybigdeal #rubbinelbowswithcelebs

Eventually we got off and walked up the stairs to what could have been Chinatown. #Sketchystuff #realllyyyysketchystuff  Canal Street was maybe the shadiest place we have been, and we just hustled our little booties right through Beijing!  After some quick re-navigating, we ended up in Little Italy, and that was much better #peopleweren'ttryingtomugus.  There were about a billion cute little cafes on Mulberry Street to choose from, and eventually we chose one called S.P.A.U.? or something.  I might've made those letters up.  I had fettuchine and Han had brick oven pizza #definitenomnomnom.  It was pretty uneventful, except that at the end we were trying to decide whether or not to take a to-go box (do they have to-go boxes in Little Italy?) and then the little man just snatched them right up!  No leftovers for us!

Then we walked down to SoHo for a little shopping:)  We met a nice man in Italy who gave us directions.  We like it when nice people see that we're lawst (NJ accent) :) and help us out.  There were about a billion stores there!  We only bought stuff at H&M, but we looked at lots, like a store called Necessary Clothing!  Plus, we smelled the only Starbucks ever that hasn't smelled good.  Mold is the new coffee in SoHo apparently #grimy

Because, like I have said before, we are old and get tired very quickly, it was time to head back.  The Subways are super hard to navigate I think, but Han figured it out after only one wrong trip and we ended up in our Battery Park stomping grounds!  #gooddirections  Then, after resting on a bench for awhile, we headed off to eat a New York hot dog and see the 9/11 memorial.

Of course, of all the times we WANT a New York hotdog, that would be the time when ALL of the vendors went home for the day!  We finally found one, and paid three dollars for a hotdog that was probs the size of my pinky.  Han said "WOW! He could've put four of these lil guys on there!" She was right.  Oh well, they were probs still the best hotdogs I've ever had:) Thanks vendor man!

Then we sat in this deli for a while and rubbed elbows with some celeb newscaster lady #connections #nycliving  We had fruit, cuz it is the BEST here!! We sat across from the picketers again, and there was this weird lady dancing to a drum with a skunk hat on her head.  Riddle me that one too buddy.

Finally it was time for our reservation (we were not missing that one again buddy!)  And we walked through a maze and looked at the memorial.  IT. WAS. BEAUTIFUL. Really.  The water was beautiful, the skyline was beautiful behind it, the names were so cool.. It was just a wonderful memorial.  Pictures will describe it much better:)  Han and I just walked around and talked about 9/11 sometimes and sometimes were quiet.  I think my favorite part was the little flowers and flags stuck in peoples names.

We decided after that that we wanted pastries and coffee (bean&bean of course!) :) We went to Dunkin Donuts first (of course! Han has made their pumpkin muffins my new fave.)  The little Indian man (p.s.Indian is Han's favorite food!  #crazyrandomfact) that worked at Dunkin' had muffins, but he had to tell us about a billion times that they didn't have donuts.  We just could not understand ONE WORD he was saying.  Han would nod at him like she did, then turn to me and say, uhh.. What'd he say? hahaha. lol. it was so funny!

So, I got a muffin, but we still needed coffee!  Too bad we walked to Beans&Beans and found out it closes at 7:30.  Time? 7:50.  Nuggets.  We then went to the little place downstairs (its becoming our New Favorite!) :) and Han got some funky tasting coffee and a cinnamon roll flaky pastry roll-up.  I got a turtle cheesecake brownie.  #nomnomnom #thingsIcouldn'tresist   We brought them up to the apartment and ate them, plus a leftover Dulce de Leche cupcake from Crumbs, while Jo played and sang for us.  It was a great way to end our last night:)

Boo. Last night.  I think we are tired and maybe a little ready to go back, but we both love this Big City life.  Maybe, maybe someday I'll come back and figure out those crazy Jews, or picketers, or brave Chinatown, but right now I just like to think about how I had the best NYC livin time with @Hannahdine. #bestfriends #roomies #ilovethatgirl.  Bye New York!  Hope to see you sooooon! :)

P.s. Han didn't wash her hair tonight!  This is crazy nuts! I've never seen this happen!! I guess that #newyorklivin finally got to her ;)