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