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?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
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
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!!
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:)
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:)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
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 :)
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 :)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
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 ;)
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 ;)
Monday, October 17, 2011
New York Day 4? Whoa! 4!!
All of the goooood days start off with sleeping in, so today was another goooood day:) :) We were going to get down to the Ellis Island/Liberty Island Ferry by 9, but that probs didn't happen. We relaxed and got there at about meh, 11ish? By then, the line was 1 1/2 hours long, but that was no problem! We rock, paper, scissored to see who got to walk and get Beans, and I won! (Actually, we weren't sure which one was better, so I think I won). So, I just walked a nice lil walk on up to Beans and got some more of their yummy coffee. #favorite!!
Then we waited in line forevs, went through security, and got on the ol ferry! While we were riding it, I found out @Hannahdine has even worse motion sickness than I thought! Poor lil one, the water was really rough, and she was about to puke! It wasn't too long of a ride though, and then we were able to get off and take some pictures. We also got to sit and relax a little, just sitting and talking and looking at the pretty water. It was one of those good and peaceful times that you love about vacation, what vacation is really supposed to be! haha.
After we got bored of sitting, we went to check out the gift shop. I bought a lil Statue of Liberty Christmas ornament for Clara to have in Africa someday. By now, it was about 3:15. Remember that. :0 :)
We were hungry, so we went to the little tourist cafe right there. Han got grilled chicken sandwich with yummy healthy fries, and I had breaded chicken with cheese and marinara with onion rings. First of all, the little foreign girl at the register told me my sandwich was gonna be HUGE, and she was right! It was like a footlong! A yummy footlong #nomnomnom. So we sat down and ate our sandwiches outside on pretty tables by the water. Seagulls were EVERYWHERE. I was about halfway done with my sandwich when SPLAT! Seagull poop on the 'ol hand. It looks like applesauce, just a lil heads up. GROSS. Naturally, I got up and headed to the bathroom to wash off the nasty. As soon as I was far enough away, those darn birds started swooping. First to go was my last onion ring, then the big papa fat one grabbed up the whole other half of my sandwich in one bite! Of course, all of the stupid things were fighting over who got what, there were swoop wars happening everywhere! Poor Han was still sitting there and all she could do was make her hands into fists and say, "Andi!! Andi!!" hahahahahahhaha. lol. it was terrible and wouldn't be fun at all, but it is very funny to think about her afterwards. lol. Stinkin' seagulls.
After that adventure, we went to catch our ferry to Ellis. Remember when I told you to member that time? Well, we boarded the ferry at four, and the last ferry to Ellis had left at 3:50. Bummer yo! So we missed Ellis. Nuggets. I guess it is good it will probs we there forevs. :)
This next paragraph is REALLY exciting, NOT KIDDING. We went to Carlo's bakery today! We went to a ferry station (that's right! a station for ferries! who'da thunk?) and caught the 'ol Slip 1 over to Hoboken, NJ. It was much less bumpy than Ellis Ferry :) Also, quick side note. Probs saw the most Jews EVER today. The real ones. The ones with curliques hanging way longer the rest of their hair. Han and I decided to call them curlique Jews. She made it up:) Also, the curlique Jew women only wear black and white. And then men/boys carry around weird cornstalk lookin things. Anyways, as we were leaving the train station the ferry landed at, one young, skinny, glasses wearing, curliques blowing curlique Jew saw me (I was wearing only black white #badidea) and stopped me, held out his cornstalk, and said, h-h-hello. Are you Jewish? I kind of didn't think he was talking to me because I've never been asked that question before, so I sort of blew him off at first. THEN, once I realized he was still waiting expectantly for an answer, I said no, I wasn't. IMMEDIATELY, he pulled his cornstalk courting tool away from me and kept on walking. Bummer, if I was Jewish I could've probs been married by now:)
Anyways, CARLO'S. It was the most perfect! When you walked in you took a number (except Han did and I didn't notice. Of course! She's perfect!). Then, they flashed the number they were helping on a marquis up front. We were number 37. When it was our turn, Han ordered a carrot muffin with yummy cheesecake frosting, and a vanilla cannolli (or whatevs, I'm not Italian :(). I ordered a Strawberry truffle thing and a chocolate cannolli. CANOLLIS ARE THE BESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTT EVERRRRRRRRRRR!! They are crunchy and cream filled and chocolately and the yummiest. Best thing ever. We wished we ordered 10! or at least two:) Oh well #excusetogoback ;)
Then, we caught the ol ferry back. We were the only ones on it besides a nervous man on a bike, so we got to go up on the top deck and run around. Or.. I ran around. Han took pictures #skillz #talents #whatshesdoesbest. I pretended I was her and Jess and Clara and Sarah when they ran into the wall ice-skating last year. I didn't tell her that though. She might have pushed me off. BUT, maybe I should have, because when we were going down the stairs to get off, the whole ferry probs ran into a whale and shook the hardest! Han was already down, so she saw my face and laughed! Silly nugget. She maybes would've felt bad if I was whale midnight snack. :)
When we got off at the ferry station, we started the walk back to Jodi's and Tommy's. It is a very pretty walk, all along the water and goes by the Manhattan sailing club. (Fancy for yachts and boats that look like pirates of the caribbean #firsttimeiveeverspelledcaribbeanright! :)) The path is made out of stone and there is lightposts and it is just beautiful. There were lots of runners that I wanted to be, but this week is just a walking one cuz I didn't pack my shoes. Plus, we are old and we get tired.
At the apartment, we met a neighbor! That was exciting. Then, we went down to the deli and got sushi and fruit for dinner. Sushi? Tasted like salad. It was alright, but not my favorite. Fruit? Tasted like the best New York fruit ever. I could've had ten more cups!
Because it was early, we sat around (key word SAT, not STOOD. member that we're old and get tired??) and blogged and rested and figured out our outfits for tomorrow #favorite.
Okay, Good night world:)
p.s. tomorrow is the last day! AHH!! #shopping #donuts #pizza #china #everythinggoodandfunever!
Then we waited in line forevs, went through security, and got on the ol ferry! While we were riding it, I found out @Hannahdine has even worse motion sickness than I thought! Poor lil one, the water was really rough, and she was about to puke! It wasn't too long of a ride though, and then we were able to get off and take some pictures. We also got to sit and relax a little, just sitting and talking and looking at the pretty water. It was one of those good and peaceful times that you love about vacation, what vacation is really supposed to be! haha.
After we got bored of sitting, we went to check out the gift shop. I bought a lil Statue of Liberty Christmas ornament for Clara to have in Africa someday. By now, it was about 3:15. Remember that. :0 :)
We were hungry, so we went to the little tourist cafe right there. Han got grilled chicken sandwich with yummy healthy fries, and I had breaded chicken with cheese and marinara with onion rings. First of all, the little foreign girl at the register told me my sandwich was gonna be HUGE, and she was right! It was like a footlong! A yummy footlong #nomnomnom. So we sat down and ate our sandwiches outside on pretty tables by the water. Seagulls were EVERYWHERE. I was about halfway done with my sandwich when SPLAT! Seagull poop on the 'ol hand. It looks like applesauce, just a lil heads up. GROSS. Naturally, I got up and headed to the bathroom to wash off the nasty. As soon as I was far enough away, those darn birds started swooping. First to go was my last onion ring, then the big papa fat one grabbed up the whole other half of my sandwich in one bite! Of course, all of the stupid things were fighting over who got what, there were swoop wars happening everywhere! Poor Han was still sitting there and all she could do was make her hands into fists and say, "Andi!! Andi!!" hahahahahahhaha. lol. it was terrible and wouldn't be fun at all, but it is very funny to think about her afterwards. lol. Stinkin' seagulls.
After that adventure, we went to catch our ferry to Ellis. Remember when I told you to member that time? Well, we boarded the ferry at four, and the last ferry to Ellis had left at 3:50. Bummer yo! So we missed Ellis. Nuggets. I guess it is good it will probs we there forevs. :)
This next paragraph is REALLY exciting, NOT KIDDING. We went to Carlo's bakery today! We went to a ferry station (that's right! a station for ferries! who'da thunk?) and caught the 'ol Slip 1 over to Hoboken, NJ. It was much less bumpy than Ellis Ferry :) Also, quick side note. Probs saw the most Jews EVER today. The real ones. The ones with curliques hanging way longer the rest of their hair. Han and I decided to call them curlique Jews. She made it up:) Also, the curlique Jew women only wear black and white. And then men/boys carry around weird cornstalk lookin things. Anyways, as we were leaving the train station the ferry landed at, one young, skinny, glasses wearing, curliques blowing curlique Jew saw me (I was wearing only black white #badidea) and stopped me, held out his cornstalk, and said, h-h-hello. Are you Jewish? I kind of didn't think he was talking to me because I've never been asked that question before, so I sort of blew him off at first. THEN, once I realized he was still waiting expectantly for an answer, I said no, I wasn't. IMMEDIATELY, he pulled his cornstalk courting tool away from me and kept on walking. Bummer, if I was Jewish I could've probs been married by now:)
Anyways, CARLO'S. It was the most perfect! When you walked in you took a number (except Han did and I didn't notice. Of course! She's perfect!). Then, they flashed the number they were helping on a marquis up front. We were number 37. When it was our turn, Han ordered a carrot muffin with yummy cheesecake frosting, and a vanilla cannolli (or whatevs, I'm not Italian :(). I ordered a Strawberry truffle thing and a chocolate cannolli. CANOLLIS ARE THE BESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTT EVERRRRRRRRRRR!! They are crunchy and cream filled and chocolately and the yummiest. Best thing ever. We wished we ordered 10! or at least two:) Oh well #excusetogoback ;)
Then, we caught the ol ferry back. We were the only ones on it besides a nervous man on a bike, so we got to go up on the top deck and run around. Or.. I ran around. Han took pictures #skillz #talents #whatshesdoesbest. I pretended I was her and Jess and Clara and Sarah when they ran into the wall ice-skating last year. I didn't tell her that though. She might have pushed me off. BUT, maybe I should have, because when we were going down the stairs to get off, the whole ferry probs ran into a whale and shook the hardest! Han was already down, so she saw my face and laughed! Silly nugget. She maybes would've felt bad if I was whale midnight snack. :)
When we got off at the ferry station, we started the walk back to Jodi's and Tommy's. It is a very pretty walk, all along the water and goes by the Manhattan sailing club. (Fancy for yachts and boats that look like pirates of the caribbean #firsttimeiveeverspelledcaribbeanright! :)) The path is made out of stone and there is lightposts and it is just beautiful. There were lots of runners that I wanted to be, but this week is just a walking one cuz I didn't pack my shoes. Plus, we are old and we get tired.
At the apartment, we met a neighbor! That was exciting. Then, we went down to the deli and got sushi and fruit for dinner. Sushi? Tasted like salad. It was alright, but not my favorite. Fruit? Tasted like the best New York fruit ever. I could've had ten more cups!
Because it was early, we sat around (key word SAT, not STOOD. member that we're old and get tired??) and blogged and rested and figured out our outfits for tomorrow #favorite.
Okay, Good night world:)
p.s. tomorrow is the last day! AHH!! #shopping #donuts #pizza #china #everythinggoodandfunever!
Things to do at Home:)
--Justtt a quick note :)
1. Make Backpack
2. Decorate TOMS
3. Decorate Notebook
4. Bake for Nancy, Nancy, and Josh
5. Bake for Ryan and Nick
6. REad Confessions!
7. Talk to el parentals about schools!
8. Go watch Taton run!
9. Sleep!
10. Look at Small Group stuff!!
1. Make Backpack
2. Decorate TOMS
3. Decorate Notebook
4. Bake for Nancy, Nancy, and Josh
5. Bake for Ryan and Nick
6. REad Confessions!
7. Talk to el parentals about schools!
8. Go watch Taton run!
9. Sleep!
10. Look at Small Group stuff!!
We've Got Those Big City Dreams. (New York Day 3)
Today was our longest day I think. Good, but longgggg. It started at about 7 this morning when I rolled out of bed to head to the shower. After it squeaked for a while and probs woke everybody up, I finally got clean. Then, Han showered and I ate half of a cinnamon raisin bagel and half of a plain bagel with butter and strawberry jam that Tommy brought from downstairs. They were SO yummy! He is the best at taking care of us.
We woke up that early so that we could make it to a service at Trinity Church. We walked in the doors just as the service began. #goodtiming. :) The service only lasted an hour, but it was hard to follow! The choir sang beautifully and I think the message was probs good, but at 9 in the morning it is hard for my brain to do any sort of functioning. At one point Han and I looked up from the hymnbook and the priests were doing a lil number in the middle of the aisle. Planned ceremony of course, but surprising for us little Kansas noobs!
Also, the man who stood next to me at the service maybe did all the responsive readings the FASTEST. Ya know those people who are always off at the whole follow the congregation thing? He was most def one of them. He was really nice probs, but chant tone-deaf:)
Then we left church and started walking back to Jodi's, on the way there we passed under one of these crazy construction metal looking things that they have in lots of places, and we saw a sign for Beans and Beans Organic Coffee Company. We were maybe a little worried at first.. but it was THE. BEST. COFFEE. EVER. I think maybe it was the kind with the white beans? Whatever it was, my double shot caramel white mocha was probably the best coffee I've ever had:)
We sat and chatted for awhile, and of COURSE while we were giggling about chant guy he walks in to Beans. What are the odds in good ol New York? Ah well :)
Then, Jodi and Tommy were very nice (of course!) and drove us to Central Park. Then began exploring!!! Central Park is probably the coolest place in the city. First of all, it is HUGE. Second of all, its not just a park, its an entertainment center! We saw Sheep Field (where there used to be REAL sheep), Belvedere Castle (plus a wedding there, bonus!), a pretty lake with boats like the notebook, the bridge that's in Home Alone Two, just everything! It is hard to describe. Mostly I would say its hard to imagine it in real life, it just feels like you in a big 3D movie that surrounds you! I don't mind:)
It is also fun to ask someone to take a picture of you. You have to scout out just the right person, and then you have to approach them and not be weird, and THEN you have to take a quick picture so that you don't waste their time. Its sometimes annoying, but sometimes very fun to remember:)
We walked about 12 blocks up through Central Park until we arrived at the Museum of Natural History. IT was just like Night at the Museum! #benstillershoutout. :) That was just on the outside though. The inside was cool, lots of animals and thought put into exhibits, but I think we just have old brains and our legs were tired from walking, and we couldn't enjoy the museum that much. We did see one of the special exhibits, The Butterfly Conservatory, and that was really neat. Still, it was really cool to go there!I have never seen so many butterflies! There were iridescent blue ones, and ones as big as my forearm, and just so so many! God did a really good job when he made butterflies. They would take the most creativity!
After we left the museum we were hungry, but we had to walk to Times Square, so we just started going and hoped we saw something. @Hannahdine had this great idea that I had to make the decisions allll day, so it was the worst! I couldn't decide and couldn't decide and couldn't decide! We walked all the way from 60th street to 54th street (to take a picture at the LOVE sign!:)) before anything looked remotely right. We finally decided on a lil Five Guys, and of course our tummies thanked us:)
Re-energized we started trucking along toward Times Square. We took 5th and 6th Avenue, and those were very cool to see: #whenigetrichandhavethebestcloset :) When we got to Times, we decided it was kinda lots like Vegas, it just smelled wayyyy better! BUT, it was crowded and lighted and just seemed more crazy than anywhere else we had been in New York so far. There were about a billion and a half guys advertising for a stand-up comedy show and one stopped us (of course!) Hannah is maybe the best at giving answers like "oh, we're just visiting for a while," (when they ask how long we're here for), or "oh, we're just from this super tiny town in Kansas" (when they ask where we're from. Funny thing, people in New York get scared when they hear a town is 70 people :) @Hannahdine is a good ninja to have answers to scare away the creepers :)
We shopped at Forever21 (four stories! four stories of Forever21!!) and Roxy and got cupcakes at Crumbs Bakery! Hannah got White Hot Chocolate and I bought an Elvis, which was a peanut butter banana cupcake with banana cream cheese frosting and peanut butter chips. We didn't eat them until later at Starbucks, but they. were. sooooo. good. Thank you @Jefferyd!
After Times Square we had even more of a walk down to the Empire State Building. Funny thing, once you get close to the Empire State Building, you don't know that its the Empire State Building cuz you can't see anything! That happened to us. It turned out okay though, we walked into the building just like Will Ferrell and Elf and got a sawweet pic. We rode the escalator up to the 2nd level, but you can't see anything else there, you can only buy tickets. We are poor cheap college kids, so we decided maybe no top of the Empire State Building until after we find our husbands like on Sleepless in Seattle:) Or, until we find our parents ;)
Then, we left the building and walked more. We couldn't decide if we should walk, take a bus, or take a cab home. We sat in Starbucks and ate our cupcakes, and then, without having a plan, a cab pulled up right in front of us. #thanktheLord. We then proceeded to have the craziest cab ride ever! He was a sweet lil guy, but haha, he kept flooring it everytime a light turned green, and he didn't hear where we said to take us the first time, so we got a $20 cab ride for $10 bucks. That was a good day:) Andddd... the end!
Han just passed out with her laptop in her lap, so that means time to hit the sack! Goodnight world. Goodnight New York! Walking you makes us the sleepiest!! :)
love, Andi <3
We woke up that early so that we could make it to a service at Trinity Church. We walked in the doors just as the service began. #goodtiming. :) The service only lasted an hour, but it was hard to follow! The choir sang beautifully and I think the message was probs good, but at 9 in the morning it is hard for my brain to do any sort of functioning. At one point Han and I looked up from the hymnbook and the priests were doing a lil number in the middle of the aisle. Planned ceremony of course, but surprising for us little Kansas noobs!
Also, the man who stood next to me at the service maybe did all the responsive readings the FASTEST. Ya know those people who are always off at the whole follow the congregation thing? He was most def one of them. He was really nice probs, but chant tone-deaf:)
Then we left church and started walking back to Jodi's, on the way there we passed under one of these crazy construction metal looking things that they have in lots of places, and we saw a sign for Beans and Beans Organic Coffee Company. We were maybe a little worried at first.. but it was THE. BEST. COFFEE. EVER. I think maybe it was the kind with the white beans? Whatever it was, my double shot caramel white mocha was probably the best coffee I've ever had:)
We sat and chatted for awhile, and of COURSE while we were giggling about chant guy he walks in to Beans. What are the odds in good ol New York? Ah well :)
Then, Jodi and Tommy were very nice (of course!) and drove us to Central Park. Then began exploring!!! Central Park is probably the coolest place in the city. First of all, it is HUGE. Second of all, its not just a park, its an entertainment center! We saw Sheep Field (where there used to be REAL sheep), Belvedere Castle (plus a wedding there, bonus!), a pretty lake with boats like the notebook, the bridge that's in Home Alone Two, just everything! It is hard to describe. Mostly I would say its hard to imagine it in real life, it just feels like you in a big 3D movie that surrounds you! I don't mind:)
It is also fun to ask someone to take a picture of you. You have to scout out just the right person, and then you have to approach them and not be weird, and THEN you have to take a quick picture so that you don't waste their time. Its sometimes annoying, but sometimes very fun to remember:)
We walked about 12 blocks up through Central Park until we arrived at the Museum of Natural History. IT was just like Night at the Museum! #benstillershoutout. :) That was just on the outside though. The inside was cool, lots of animals and thought put into exhibits, but I think we just have old brains and our legs were tired from walking, and we couldn't enjoy the museum that much. We did see one of the special exhibits, The Butterfly Conservatory, and that was really neat. Still, it was really cool to go there!I have never seen so many butterflies! There were iridescent blue ones, and ones as big as my forearm, and just so so many! God did a really good job when he made butterflies. They would take the most creativity!
After we left the museum we were hungry, but we had to walk to Times Square, so we just started going and hoped we saw something. @Hannahdine had this great idea that I had to make the decisions allll day, so it was the worst! I couldn't decide and couldn't decide and couldn't decide! We walked all the way from 60th street to 54th street (to take a picture at the LOVE sign!:)) before anything looked remotely right. We finally decided on a lil Five Guys, and of course our tummies thanked us:)
Re-energized we started trucking along toward Times Square. We took 5th and 6th Avenue, and those were very cool to see: #whenigetrichandhavethebestcloset :) When we got to Times, we decided it was kinda lots like Vegas, it just smelled wayyyy better! BUT, it was crowded and lighted and just seemed more crazy than anywhere else we had been in New York so far. There were about a billion and a half guys advertising for a stand-up comedy show and one stopped us (of course!) Hannah is maybe the best at giving answers like "oh, we're just visiting for a while," (when they ask how long we're here for), or "oh, we're just from this super tiny town in Kansas" (when they ask where we're from. Funny thing, people in New York get scared when they hear a town is 70 people :) @Hannahdine is a good ninja to have answers to scare away the creepers :)
We shopped at Forever21 (four stories! four stories of Forever21!!) and Roxy and got cupcakes at Crumbs Bakery! Hannah got White Hot Chocolate and I bought an Elvis, which was a peanut butter banana cupcake with banana cream cheese frosting and peanut butter chips. We didn't eat them until later at Starbucks, but they. were. sooooo. good. Thank you @Jefferyd!
After Times Square we had even more of a walk down to the Empire State Building. Funny thing, once you get close to the Empire State Building, you don't know that its the Empire State Building cuz you can't see anything! That happened to us. It turned out okay though, we walked into the building just like Will Ferrell and Elf and got a sawweet pic. We rode the escalator up to the 2nd level, but you can't see anything else there, you can only buy tickets. We are poor cheap college kids, so we decided maybe no top of the Empire State Building until after we find our husbands like on Sleepless in Seattle:) Or, until we find our parents ;)
Then, we left the building and walked more. We couldn't decide if we should walk, take a bus, or take a cab home. We sat in Starbucks and ate our cupcakes, and then, without having a plan, a cab pulled up right in front of us. #thanktheLord. We then proceeded to have the craziest cab ride ever! He was a sweet lil guy, but haha, he kept flooring it everytime a light turned green, and he didn't hear where we said to take us the first time, so we got a $20 cab ride for $10 bucks. That was a good day:) Andddd... the end!
Han just passed out with her laptop in her lap, so that means time to hit the sack! Goodnight world. Goodnight New York! Walking you makes us the sleepiest!! :)
love, Andi <3
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The Big Apple... Day 2 :)
Warning. This might be the most rushed writing I have ever done. EVER.
Today has been a great day. I didn't know New York could be so big and feel so safe and artsy and fun. The morning started out grrrreat, I got to sleep until ten while Han showered, then we got ready. After that Jodi took us "up" to their roof deck, (which is actually down ten floors:)), and we got to walk all around the pretty gazebo roof and look out over the water and see sailboat races (today was the last official season day for the Manhattan sailing club), the Ritz-Carlton building, the Statue of Liberty, and pretty much all of NYC :) Jodi took lots and lots of pictures of us with those fun backgrounds.Then, after that, we literally walked out of the building, turned left, and the next shop over was the CUTEST little organic foods store/bakery/deli. There were cupcakes with swirls on the top, fancy breads, muffins, pastries, pizza, lasagna, all sorts of salads and soups and yummy looking buffet dishes I've never seen before! It was like a different fancy world:) We were going to get bagels for breakfast (that was our goal for the day), but it was already 11:15, and apparently in the biggest city ever bagels sell out before then. Oh well. After Jodi bought her yogurt, she went back up to the room and we started walkin' them city streets.
We didn't have to go far at all! Broadway Street was about a block away. We saw the big bull thing that we didn't really understand until we got back to the apartment. (Apparently the cow is supposed to symbolize financial strength. Riddle me that buddy.) After a few more minutes of walking, we came to St. Paul's Cathedral/Trinity Church. It was beautiful, and Nelicia told me that there was cute little graveyards outside of it! I didn't know graveyards could be cute, but she was right. There were protesters protesting processed plastics in food (or something) outside of the church. There were SOO many of them!! They kept chanting "We are the Bronx!" Or something so crazy random like that. Right when we got in the middle of them to go to the church, they started picking up their drums and signs to move to Wall Street. @HannahDine said, "uh-oh, this could get ugly!" We could've become Bronx protesters right then! Fortunately the door to the church came just in time.
The church was beautiful! Stained glass and cathedral like. In the back there was a museum of the church, it had lots of history. Alexander Hamilton was buried there, George Washington prayed there, but the best part was the history of 9/11 that was there. The church is pretty much right in the backyard of the twin towers, so when they fell, St. Paul's opened its doors to let firemen, policemen, and other rescue workers sleep, eat, and relax. Besides having pews to sleep on and food available, the church also had live music, podiatrists (which I am confused about why they need), and masseuses right on hand! It was definitely a very neat ministry:) Also cool was the picture they had of the church during 9/11. It looks totally different than now because St. Paul's got new pews after 9/11 because the workers heavy tool belts scratched them all. BUT, they had a picture of the church during that time, and it was SOO neat. I guess after 9/11 when everyone was trying to help, a bunch of different kids sent pictures and notes of encouragement to the workers. In the picture, their pictures COVERED the church. They were on the walls and on the backs of the pews. The last thing a firemen would see every night was a little tiny kids note with two stick figures holding hands saying, "I believe in you." It was so precious!!
After the church we walked around the graveyard a little. I think it was from National Treasure, not kidding. Nobody was shooting at us though :)
Then, we just kept on walking down Broadway, and by now we were STARVING!! We want to maybe get sushi when we are here, and there was a sushi place on Broadway, but we were maybe not brave enough to try it yet. So, after checking out a sketchy sub place in a basement, we decided to not eat there and go to Majestic Pizza instead! The restaurants are so crazy, they are basically all like roadside stands or amusement park concessions, and everything the workers due is the fastest. I had pizza with sauce, cheese, tomatoes, and spinach and more cheese maybe? Han got pepperoni. Mine was really good, but the pepperoni was legit!! I have never liked those little pepperoni slices more in my life. We also had garlic rolls, because all of the food is CHEAP! We expected it to be like amusement parks or London prices, but it wasn't! I had a huge slice of pizza, 3 garlic rolls, and a bottled water for 6 bucks. #newyorklivin #thatswassup We stood up at a counter and ate it, because there were only about 6 seats in the whole place. It was so tiny, but so so so so yummy!
After that feast, we decided it was time for a lil Dunkin' Donuts. That place was just like a amusement park too! We just rolled up to the counter, ordered our stuff, paid in cash, and walked away with a brown bag. It was just like Junior High Sports concessions, but WAY more yummy! Anyways, Han got a pumpkin donut (340 calories) and I got a pumpkin muffin (600 calories). I am putting the calories because a muffin should not be worse for you than a donut. Oh well, it was SO stinkin good!! We both loved it. I have never ever ever had a better muffin. It was moist and pumpkiny and struesely #nomnomnom :) We also both got caramel coffees with cream and sugar (except the guy taking our order says caramel coffeeeee? creaahm ahhhnd shhuugerr? and you just nod:)) Also, Han didn't like it. She said it "put hair on her chest." hahaha! We then walked across the 9/11 memorial and sat against a wall with Starbucks to eat. (Ironic? Yup.) While we were eating, two British grandmothers came up and asked us for directions to the Subway. After we told them we were tourists too, they said, "Oh well, Thank you Love!" We decided we could be them one day.
We tried to do 9/11 cuz we were right there, but apparently you have to pre-order tickets, so our appointment is on Tuesday. It is the craziest thing ever! No one understood this ticket thing. haha. It is kind of fuzzy what we did next, but eventually we ended up in this store called Century 21, or, as we like to call it, HEAVEN. This is a HUGE department store, with like, a whole set of rooms as big as my house full of PURSES, cheap, designer PURSES. There were about 5 racks of jewelry, and so so many cute designer clothes! It was also the cheapest I've ever seen. There were dresses for like fifteen dollars, cardigans for 12, it was like a cheaper, more designer Forever 21. WE spent three hours there of course, and each ended up with a new purse and a few headbands.
When we left it was getting dark, but we walked down Wall Street to South Street Seaport and took a few pictures. They have the cutest benches there! Funky shaped and single chairs and lawn chair shaped. Han wanted pictures with them, but no stranger danger looked safe enough to trust with her camera. #bummer #newyorklivin
Then, it seemed like the dark made everything a little sketchier, so we headed back. We walked inside battery park and took some pictures by the water, it was sunset, and so so beautiful!! Tommy had lasagna waiting for us (he's Italian). It was so so good! I have never had lasagna with the meat on the outside and not the inside. It was just pasta, sauce, and cheese plus a meatball. Maybe the yummiest ever.
Jodi showed us some of her natural stuff. Han about threw up when she smelt the lavender! hahahahaha. it was funny. Then, we went back up on the roof and giggled and took pictures. That was good and relaxing. When we came back, Tommy had made baked apples (he is the best cook!!) You just take apples and core them, put a lil butter inside, and then put cinnamon, nutmeg, and almonds on top. Then bake for 45 minutes. They are maybe the BEST. THING. EVER. We decided to eat them every day for breakfast at home :)
Right now we are getting ready to go to church at St. Pauls. #Newyorklivin #feelinlikecelebs
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Starting Adventures.
Hey hey! Today marks day numba one of New York Adventure with @Hannahdine. :) Today was a travel day, we left Haviland a little after 11 (it was supposed to be 10:30, but Hannah couldn't decide which bag to bring and I couldn't figure out how airplane email worked, plus we are both always late everywhere, so it was 11 :)) I drove my fastest, and we made it to park in the shuttle parking lot at about 12:40. What time did our plane leave? 1:20. Whoops. Thankfully, the Wichita airport is the smallest, so we made it through check-in and security in just about 10 minutes. We rolled (literally rolled, cuz of those dang carry-on suitcases) on up to our gate just as they announced boarding. Thankkk theee Lorrrrd.
So then we rode on planes. And rode on planes. and rode on planes. Our first flight was from Wichita to Chicago, and then we were the big girls that found our next gate all by ourselves. At first we went the wrong way, but when we reached the dead end of terminal G, we figured it out :) Then, we found out we had about an hour extra due to weather, so Hannah picked to eat at Chilis Margarita Bar ;). We had chicken wraps with avocado and corn and ancho-chile ranch (which I don't know what that is, I am just hoping it doesn't have anchovies in it.) The wraps were okay, but the fries were pretty much the bestest! Plus, almost all of our waiters and waitresses were older small chinese people. They were the cutest!
Anyways, after our yummy lunch we made it to the terminal in plenty of time. Because of Breast Cancer Awareness month, all of the gates are decorated in BRIGHT pink. Of course, our gate had to have a bowling lane set up in it. "Strike against breast cancer!" Good idea. Hard on ears. Carlos Lopez's dad was there, or his twin, and he acted just like them! It was crazy nuts.
I never remember how I should pack for trips. I either try to be really good and then I don't pack enough, or I overdo it and pack a duffel and a small suitcase for a carry on. Definitely overdid it this time. Whoops. I can't make it down the aisle without running into at least 7 different people and 11 seats. Or hitting my head on the roof of the plane. Hannah likes to laugh at me.
The guy we sat next to on our plane from Chicago to New York was the maddest about the 3 hour layover we had uz of weather. He wanted to go to at least 5 different clubs and do the whole city after 10:30 p.m. Wow! #headache #latenight #newyorklivin #crazy man! He told us we had accents and read a thick book. He was nice I think. I hope he got to dance at all those different clubs. baha. We bonded when we slept together. On the plane of course! Hannah giggled at that too, but her mouth did fish motions whenever she slept. Silly girl.
Then we finally got off the plane, got on a taxi (first time in a NYC taxi, woot woot! :)), and made it to Jo and Tommy's apartment building. It is very pretty and big, and pretty quiet for New York City. The Apartment itself is not that big, just one bedroom and bathroom, kitchen and living room, but it is still nice and homey and feels like it belongs here and we belong in it. That is nice. Tommy also had yummy soup waiting for us when we got here. It had chicken and broth and some kind of rice noodle I'd never seen. It was the best:)
Tomorrow we are ready for adventure numba twooo! :)
So then we rode on planes. And rode on planes. and rode on planes. Our first flight was from Wichita to Chicago, and then we were the big girls that found our next gate all by ourselves. At first we went the wrong way, but when we reached the dead end of terminal G, we figured it out :) Then, we found out we had about an hour extra due to weather, so Hannah picked to eat at Chilis Margarita Bar ;). We had chicken wraps with avocado and corn and ancho-chile ranch (which I don't know what that is, I am just hoping it doesn't have anchovies in it.) The wraps were okay, but the fries were pretty much the bestest! Plus, almost all of our waiters and waitresses were older small chinese people. They were the cutest!
Anyways, after our yummy lunch we made it to the terminal in plenty of time. Because of Breast Cancer Awareness month, all of the gates are decorated in BRIGHT pink. Of course, our gate had to have a bowling lane set up in it. "Strike against breast cancer!" Good idea. Hard on ears. Carlos Lopez's dad was there, or his twin, and he acted just like them! It was crazy nuts.
I never remember how I should pack for trips. I either try to be really good and then I don't pack enough, or I overdo it and pack a duffel and a small suitcase for a carry on. Definitely overdid it this time. Whoops. I can't make it down the aisle without running into at least 7 different people and 11 seats. Or hitting my head on the roof of the plane. Hannah likes to laugh at me.
The guy we sat next to on our plane from Chicago to New York was the maddest about the 3 hour layover we had uz of weather. He wanted to go to at least 5 different clubs and do the whole city after 10:30 p.m. Wow! #headache #latenight #newyorklivin #crazy man! He told us we had accents and read a thick book. He was nice I think. I hope he got to dance at all those different clubs. baha. We bonded when we slept together. On the plane of course! Hannah giggled at that too, but her mouth did fish motions whenever she slept. Silly girl.
Then we finally got off the plane, got on a taxi (first time in a NYC taxi, woot woot! :)), and made it to Jo and Tommy's apartment building. It is very pretty and big, and pretty quiet for New York City. The Apartment itself is not that big, just one bedroom and bathroom, kitchen and living room, but it is still nice and homey and feels like it belongs here and we belong in it. That is nice. Tommy also had yummy soup waiting for us when we got here. It had chicken and broth and some kind of rice noodle I'd never seen. It was the best:)
Tomorrow we are ready for adventure numba twooo! :)
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