Things I do as an Uncle

I have been slacking on the blogging but not much to really blog about except well, Wimbeldon is on right and Federer is playing awesome. I love not really working cause I can watch all the matches, PTL for the Tennis Channel and ESPN2.
I did run a relay race last week, the Ragnar Wasatch back. It was a last minute decision as my friend Dixie and her family had a spot open up. It was 188 miles in length, 11 teammates and 3 different legs. I loved it and am looking at running one in September down in southern Utah - that is if I am still on the continent.


Other than that I have just been enjoying being an uncle and playing with my niece and nephew. The other night she was painting her nails and well she just loved doing it so much that I offered to let her paint mine. I know, I did say that I offered, but again, the things you do. That was three days ago and with no nail polish remover in the house, I have been sporint glittery green toe nails. I completely forgot about them the other night and went down to Albertsons to buy some groceries. I wore flip flops and now I can understand why some punk high school kids snickered as I walked past them. But you know what, I will wear this colour proudly until I find the remover cause Taylor truly did a fantastic job!

Utah for Now

I have been in Utah now for a week. My sister from Canada and three of her four kids are here visiting and we have been having a blast. The weather has been pretty crumby so rock band, movies, games and eating have helped us through the days. We have been able to hit the Hoogle Zoo in Salt Lake. I was really anticipating Jesse jumping into one of the animal cages but instead he just disappeared on us for a few minutes - we all know that feeling of misplacing a child dont' we. Meg and the kids leave tomorrow, it will be sad to see them go but, yes there is a but. The kid total will go from 7 down to 4, woohoo!
I am going to be here in Utah with my my other sister and her family for the summer. I do plan on starting my online audiology classes through Utah State at the end of August. I also am looking into teaching english in South Korea. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks I will know what is available. That will be a year contract and just be perfect for when I plan on grad school. I am looking into the University of Utah and Arizona State University. For the summer I plan on hiking, playing with my niece and nephew, seeing old friends and dreading the GRE, but I need to get that checked of the list!
I am pretty excited for what the next few months will bring!

Who Would of Thunk?

How many of us still have a good friend from your freshman year of university? When I say good friend, I mean, one of your best friends; i.e., you stay in touch monthly, you roadtrip/backpack together, invite them to your family shin-digs? 10 years ago I attended BYU-Hawaii and had a blast. While there I made some awesome friends, some whom I still keep in touch with, thanks to facebook. Others I see from time to time and a few that we get together when ever we are in town.
One of my best friends in my life right now comes from my freshman year. Dixie and I met and have been the best of buddies ever since. I am so happy that she is here for my last week in New York. I have some other friends coming too and have all my friends here in the city, but its good to have that person that knows you so well and will always be there for ya! Here are a few flashbacks to our adventures (I wish I had freshman photos and other pics too)

Federer Victorious!

Some of you might know that besides loving to travel I really love tennis. There are the 4 major tournaments in tennis known as the "grand slams". It has always been my dream to attend one of these and last summer I got to go to the US Open here in NYC. I got to see my favourite player Roger Federer play, he is brillant! For those of you who follow tennis (which I feel will be a few), he is down in a lull, or he was until yesterday he he beat his nemesis, Rafa Nadal. What makes it even sweeter is that it was on Nadal's home turf, in Spain on red clay. Nadal had won 44 matches straight, but that is no longer. The next grand slam starts this coming Sunday in Paris, Roland Garros. Rogers win is such a huge boost to his confidence and I am hoping that he takes it to Nadal!

Yankees and Gaga

I have been slacking on writing about last weekends adventures. Russell, Natasha, Chelseanne and I went to the Yankees game. It was the first of the season for me and the first time in the new stadium. It had been raining on and off and we were hoping that the skies would hold the rain for a few hours. We entered the 110 subway stopped when it was pouring and when we arrived in the Bronx it was all clear. The stadium rocked! We were sitting in the bleacher seats and they were awesome! You can't beat $12 tickets!!! The Yankees rocked the first inning and went up 4-0. It was great until the 6th inning when it started raining and the Angels when up 6-4 and then in the 7th up 9-4! To say the least, we were not excited. Then Chelseannes prayer was answered -- the Yankees started their comeback in the 8th inning! It was 9-7 or 8, (can't remember) in the bottom of the 9th and then Cano got up with the bases loaded, yes, bases loaded and no outs! Cano singled and the Yankees ended up winning 10-9, AMAZING!!!!

One would think that the Yankees comeback game would be enough for a while but Lady Gaga was in town and Russell and I had tickets to her show. Love Lady Gaga and her show was awesome. We went to Terminal 5 for the show which is located on 12th Ave and 56th street. We met up with two other girls from our ward and we enjoyed "people watching". Liatards and make-up were all the rage. One of my favourite quotes from the night "girl, if I weren't a homosexual I would make out with you, and you, and you -- You are all FABULOUS!" We got prime seats in the venue and enjoyed the three warm up bands, one of which had a lead singer (a he) who wore high heels and fish net stalkings -- welcome to NEW YORK CITY! Lady Gaga was an awesome entertainer. Her get-ups and props were awesome. Her her "storm trooper boustier" made us laugh throughout the show. Here she is in her bubble dress, which at first we thought she might be in the nude but she had a skin tone liatard underneath. The weekend was great and I look forward to the next few weekends here as I cross things off my list and as friends come into town to visit.

My Favourites Are......

Once again it is coming down to the final week for all my favourite reality t.v. shows, or well most of them (Survivour is still going). I wanted to just mention who I am rooting for.

First up, America's Next Top Model (ANTM)


I am just smitten by Allison, she is so odd and quirky that she has what it takes to win, except for that dreadful walk, OUCH! Ms. Jay is not pleased with her abilities but she takes such stunning shots you just have to love her. Literally you want to put her in your pocket and take her home.



Aminat has that swagger that makes us men go week in the knees (you know what I mean if you saw her salsa last night). She has got the pure chocolaty skin that as my mama said "once you go black, you ain't never go back" She needs to watch the lighting as Tyra and Nigel have told her all competition.





Predator, I mean Teyona, has somehow made it into the top three. Personally I preferred oldmaid Celia but Tyra and I didn't see eye to eye. This shady lady is confident and has a rockin' bod, but she lacks coordination and acting skills. The Cover Girl commercial will be the death to her, AMEN!







THE AMAZING RACE

Margie and Luke
Love the deaf kid and his mom -- he can sign some nasty words!

Asian Flava
I wasn't a big fan at first but they have grown on me, like moss on rock!


Red Head @#$^!!
They have got tempers but they might be the first female duo to win, unlike my beauty pageant ladies a few seasons back.


THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE

JOAN















VS.

ANNIE aka Hitler according to Joan
















If we thought Omarosa and Pierce were bad, well they have nothing on these two ladies. It wouldn't surprise me if Joan tried to knock off Annie during the task.

Enjoy all of this starting Sunday, long live reality TV!

Monday Morning Picker-Upper

I love this ANTM beauty, I laugh at this clip everytime I see it.

Subway Chitchat

I am usually not one to strike up converstaion on the subway cause like everyone else I have my Ipod cranked up. As I was returning for a jive class (shoutout to Natasha for teaching it) I stepped onto the 1 train at Lincoln Centre and right away I heard one of my favourite noises, the French accent. Theses two middle aged ladies were conversing and I decided to ease drop. I knew that they were from France because I could actually understand them. The Quebec accent is so goofed up I never can catch it. I wanted to jump in and just chat but had no segway. I then noticed the luggage tag and as I looked closer it read Narbonne. I served 10 months of my mission in a city called Beziers and Narbonne was part of our area, it was a 15 minute train ride. Our branch president was actually from this town so as missionaries we visited once a month or more to do some work. I decided to just chime in with a "oh, i heard you speaking and...". I did just that and the three of us just started chatting about what we were doing in the city and what he loved about Southern France. As we were talking the lady right next to me put in her two cents. She was from Morocco and thought it was funny that out of all the subway cars the four of us ended up together speaking French. Lets just say I have been smiling ever since. For Nostalgic purposes

I Can Relate Sandra

I looked out my window....

And what did I see? Two news vans from the local NYC news stations reporting on some suspicious 'swine flu' activity at the two schools on my street. One of the schools if directly across from my apartment building. The other school is two buidlings down. I immediately phoned my sister Jaime, the pharmacist, and got all the drug info on things I should get if I started feeling ill. I have actually been sick for the past month and my doctor said quote "you have developed allergies". Allergies my eye, what if I have swine flu??????? PS - does anyone remember the fact that I went to Mexico in January?

Bucket List #11 Checked and Done

I started my NYC Bucket list this week and I checked off the Roosevelt Island Tram. Its a 4 minute ride from Roosevelt Island, which is in the middle of the East River, to the East Side of NYC, at 60th Street. It was was very tranquille and nice, and the price was that of a metro ride.

Le Printemps est arrivee!!

Its been in the 80's for the past three days and I am loving it! Today was the first day since October/November that I have not had to wear my long black NYC business coat, PTL!! I almost thought about hookin' up my AC system last night cause it was so bloody hot but instead I just kept my windows open.
I am loving this heat cause it means shorts, slurpees, mr. softie ice cream, walks along riverside park, walks in central park and hanging out on the balcony off my bedroom. Friday night Chelseanne and I just hung outside on the balcony and watched the five stars that we could see, it was so warm out!! Saturday we enjoyed Roosevelt Island and the blossoming cherry trees (I hope thats what they are) and then sun tanning in Central Park with the thousands of other people. I am taking full advantage of this nice weather, lets hope its here to stay.

Jersey Shore Relay Race

All I really knew of the Jersey Shore was MTV's production of "True Life: Jersey Shore" and all the dancing and drinking and scandals that went on. In reality it is full of boardwalks, huge beaches and beautiful scenerey. 20 of us from our ward participated in the 26.2 mile relay race last weekend and boy oh boy was it beautiful and an adventure!

TEAM L Kool J's (Liz, Kathyrn, Jason, Jane and Jeff) aka Backstreets


Sending out the transition VIBE - skirt and aviator glasses, nuff said!


Jersey Shore Beach - HUGE


What teammates are for -- GO K GO


The 4 teams together - we came in 3rd!!

Grilled Cheese Please!

Growing up you are raised on certain foods and certain ways that they are prepared. For instance, my brother-in-law was raised putting baked beans on his tacos which I add is amazing, I will never eat tacos without them (if I can manage). Since moving to New York I have been cravin' my grilled cheese sandwiches. I am not sure if this is a Depew thing or a Scoville thing but I was raised with my grilled cheese sandwhichs consisting of bread and cheese whiz from a jar, not from the can, eww gross! The jars here are so expensive and so small so I have yet to buy a jar, but don da da don, my roommate Russell came back from Utah on Tuesday and voila, he came with a jar of cheesewhiz. About midnight last night I couldn't resist the cravin' and I knew I had to have Chelseanne experience one, she was a bit skeptical, but as you will see, I think I have peeked her interest and maybe she will convert. There is nothing like gooey cheesewhiz oozing between some bread and melting in your mouth, D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!

City Traffic

I really just wanted to give you an idea of what driving in the city is like. Besides crazy cabbies and pedestrians walking whenever they can, the toll booths at the Holland Tunnel are ridiculous, especially on a Friday night say around 7-ish. I was trying to get back into Manhattan from Jersey City with our rental car, it was crazy. After you pay the toll, it immediately condenses from 8 lanes to 2!!!!

Bus Adventure

This is not really an adventure persay but still interesting. I was getting on the bus coming home from church yesterday with Chelseanne and Jane M. As we sat down the man in front of us just stared at me. At first I thought it was at my trendy suspenders I was sporting, but then thought no, its got to be my mohawk hair-do that I am rockin'. I then noticed that his eyes kept shifting to my scriptures. All of sudden he pipes up and says "are you from the MOR-mon church?" He said it in such a tone that I was ready for a lashing. That lashing never came. I told him that I was and I then waited for him to say something about polygamy, prop 8 or Utah, but he didn't. He kept staring so I asked how he knew and he replied "the way you got on the bus". I have never heard that one before in my life. I didn't know how to respond and I was trying to think at how I boarded the bus and how that would have made me stand out as a mormon. Our conversation then turned into how he went to Utah State and the beauty of Utah. He conversed for a few more city blocks, then he stopped abruptly, turned to the lady ahead of him and asked "so you liked Aruba?" My suspicions of him not being all there were confirmed a little bit more with that comment. He then got off the bus and I am still bewildered at my bus boarding technique.

Harry Potter

I was reviewing my friend erin's blog and and saw that there was a new trailer out for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (HPHBP). My entire family is consumed by Harry Potter. I remember my first exposure to Harry Potter. It was on my mission and elder carlson was reading the the philosphers stone in French, for French study. I remember my mom writing me a letter saying my brother Justin was into the books and that she started reading them too and aside from the 'sorcery' she liked them. I think you don't mind the spells and sorcery now do you mom??? Check out this trailer, I get goosebumps everytime I watch it.



PS - I know I am a nerd, but 90 days till it comes out!

Tax Return - How Do I Spend It?

Yesterday afternoon I spent an hour or so doing my taxes. Seeing how this past year I actually had a full-time paying job, I am getting a good sized return back, yippee!! I had all these crazy ideas of how I would spend this money, like some broadway shows, maybe a trip to Duck Beach, car payment (ha ha), good New York food or a trip. Then I thought, oh, Europe here I come. I am constantly scheming about what big adventure is next for me. I was going through all the scenarios and getting super excited about the possiblities, none of them involving taking any responsibility.

I decided to go to the gym right after finishing my return and well, work out, but also clear my mind. Thats where it hit me: CROATIA.

I decided that I would take a bit of my return and put it aside for an adventure in Croatia during the summer of 2010. With me starting school next month and doing three semesters of online classes and finishing them at the end of May 2010, I thought that would give me enough time to work and save for this amazing journey. Anyone is welcome to join, and why wouldn't you after looking at these pictures.















So this is my plan and I am going to stick to this one. I will be mostly responsible with the tax return but part of it will go to starting up a fund for this trip, the countdown is on!

I Heart NY is Right!

I was looking through one of my friends pics on facebook and came across this photo that she took from the "top of the rock". Its the view from the top of rockefeller center, which in my opinion is better than the empire state building. The reason i love this picture so much is that is shows one of my favourite places here in the city, Central Park. I was so happy that last Sunday it was so beautiful here and that I was able to enjoy a walk in the park. I was astounded as to how beautiful it was and couldn't wait to play more often in the park. It was jammed pack with so many people taking advantage of an awesome day. This place is beautiful during all seasons, but its the best when you can just come and relax and leave the city life for a moment. Its hard to believe that there are 8.2 million people in the 5 boroughs alone!

Photo Finish

I want to thank my buddy Rustin for using his mac to get this pic. Due to some unfortunate events (my amazing speed in the half marathon) my friends were not able to get any pics of me finishing the 13.1 mile race in DC. They do however have official photographers take pics of everyone and yes it says no copyright but I am proud of my race and this is why! Brooklyn Half marathon May 30th here I come!!!

Born on the Wrong Continent

I was introduced to this movie before my Europe trip in 2007 by my friend Bev. It is one of my favourite movies. I had the opportunity to serve 4 months of my mission in the acclaimed "Provence" area of southern France. If you have not been, please make it a destination to visit. I have had the luxury of going back to visit and it is the most beautiful place I have been. Okay, it is right up there with the Pairs, the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como. If you have not seen this movie, rent it, red box it or buy it and you will be on the next flight to Provence.



Village de Bonnieux




Village de Gordes


La Terre du Provence


Cafe Square from the Movie