New York New York

For those of you who don't know, I just got back from New York last week. Some friends of mine (the regulars that I do everything with) and I went to New York City for 2 crazy days. We flew all night Wednesday night, and got to New York at 6:00 in the morning. We checked in at the Hotel, ate some breakfast and headed into the city. First we took a Ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Both places are so amazing. The Statue of Liberty really is awe-inspiring. Ellis Island really touched me too. I was amazed at what people went through in order to come to this country. It was humbling to realize that I have ancestors who walked those halls and waited in lines and prayed that they would be permitted passage to the shore which they could see, but was just beyond their reach. There is a sacred feeling on that island that one cannot deny.

After we got back to the main land we walked to Ground Zero. I was amazed at how many people were there to see the place where the World Trade Centers stood. I saw people weeping, and some openly sobbing at the sight. As I looked at the big hole in the ground and thought about that fateful day so many years ago, I was amazed at the miracle behind it. 9-11 was awful, but looking at the huge buildings that are right next to where the Trade Centers were, I am amazed that there wasn't more damage. There is a monument on the side of a building across the street from Ground Zero. It says, "May we never forget". I too pray that we might never forget the price for liberty and freedom, and always remember to honor the men and women who give their lives fighting for it every day.

From Ground Zero we travelled to the Empire State Building. We traveled up to the 86th floor where the observation deck is. I was amazed at how far the city really stretches. That night we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe in Time Square, and saw "The Little Mermaid" on Broadway. It was absolutely fabulous and amazing. It was totally worth the cost of the ticket.

The next day we got up early and did an endowment session in the Manhattan Temple. This was probably the neatest experience of the entire trip. We knew what subway "exit" we needed to take, but didn't really know where the temple was in relation to where we would come out. We were walking up the stairs, and literally the temple was all you could see. It took my breath away. There I was climbing out of the filth and darkness of the Subway, and the temple stood as a beacon to keep climbing up. The Temple was beautiful and so peaceful. New York streets are just like they are portrayed in the movies. Loud, people everywhere, the "yellow ones" really don't stop, but as soon as you entered the Lord's house, an immediate calm, quiet, peaceful feeling enveloped me. I knew that I was entering a holy, sacred, building that housed the spirit of the Lord. When it came time to leave the Temple, the World really slaps you in the face. It was hard not to just turn around and go back in.

After the temple, we traveled to Central Park. We walked around Central Park for awhile (it is HUGE!), and saw many sights from our favorite movies. We then found went to Rockefeller Center and from there walked down 5th Avenue, gazing into huge stores that held merchandise no one I know could afford. We saw Trump Tower, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and F.A.O Schwartz, this huge toy store where I finally bought my very own Harry Potter wand... it's pretty much awesome!

We walked from there back to Time Square where we needed to eat, but didn't really have a lot of time, so we at the McDonald's at Time Square. It was a huge multi-story McDonald's with grossly enlarged prices. I paid $7.00 for 2 cheeseburgers, a medium fries, and a water. After McDonald's we went and saw "Mary Poppins" on Broadway. It was just as fabulous as "The Little Mermaid". The best was when Bert danced on the ceiling, and Mary Poppins flew with her umbrella out over the audience. It was spectacular.

From there we took the subway back to our hotel, got a few hours of sleep, and flew back to Utah the next morning. New York City is amazing, and I would love to go back and spend a lot more time, and see a lot more things, but I am happy with the highlights that I saw. Coming back to Utah, I appreciate the wide open spaces,or really just having to space to not be touching people as you walk by them!

Taking the Plunge...

I am sorry for my absence from the blog again. Sometimes I just feel like I have nothing to write about, but I enjoy updates from everyone else, so I figured I should post an update on myself. School ends this week. So come Friday I will officially be done teaching Math. I am so excited to begin teaching Geography next Fall!! I will be starting full time at R&L though once school is out, so I will still be working the same hours, I will just have a much better commute. Last weekend I went to a Regional Young Single Adult Activity. We went to Camp Williams which is about at the "Point of the Mountain" for those of you who know Utah. If you don't, then it is south of Salt Lake City. Anyway, while there I got to shoot military guns that have been rigged to only shoot air, but that feel like real guns. We shot at a screen, and lets just say I don't have very good aim. I also jumped off a 34 foot tall tower. It is a tower that they use to train paratroopers. They told us that 34 feet is the point where your brain tells you to not jump. Any higher or any lower and people have an easier time jumping, but for some reason at 34 feet, your brain shuts down and tells you not to jump. You are attached to a bungee cord thing that simulates what it feels like have a parachute open up. I wasn't going to do it, but with some heavy convincing from my friend Kim and my Branch President and his wife, I decided to just do it. I knew that I wouldn't die, and also that it would make a good story. I had a friend video tape me so that I could prove that I actually did it. It was very empowering to be able to conquer a fear. I was absolutely terrified on the top of that tower, and thought that I was going to hyperventilate, but I took the plunge and it was AWESOME!!!

I GOT A JOB!!!!

After way too long of a wait, I got a job!!! Next fall I will be working for the Davis School District at Syracuse Jr. High, home of the Seahawks (I'm excited about the mascot too). It will be fabulous. If I drive, my commute will be 2 minutes, and if I walk it will be about 10 minutes. I'll be teaching 9th grade Geography and possibly a couple of classes of 7th Grade Utah studies. I've never taught or taken Utah History, but I took Church History in Institute and that is basically the same thing right? I am so thrilled to finally have something solid and settled in my life. I have been in such limbo as I've tried to figure out where I needed to be going and what direction I needed to head. Thank you to everyone who supported, believed in, and prayed for me. This job has just worked out so well. Now I can really say that I am a teacher!

Update on Me

I check everyone's blog about once a day, and am always a little disappointed when they are not updated. I then realized that it has been a little while since I've updated mine, so I thought that I would. I am still teaching at LifeLine. I like it a lot, but would really like to be able to get a full time position teaching History in the Fall. I did have an interview at Syracuse Jr. High, but I haven't heard back on it yet. I am also working at R&L Vinyl fence. I enjoy working there, but am very busy and never get home on time anymore. Like if good though. I am going to New York in June with some friends. I am very excited. It is my first time there, and we are going to two Broadway shows. We are seeing "The Little Mermaid", which just came out, and "Mary Poppins". I am most excited for "Mary Poppins", they will actually dance on the ceiling from what I understand. I'm also excited to run through Central Park sing "How do You Know He Loves You?". For those of you who are unfamiliar with this song, you need to watch "Enchanted".

Speed Test

73 words

Speedtest

Okay, Sarah impressed me. I had to take the test about 10 times before I got this speed, and I don't have fake nails like she does. I will concede defeat... for now...

A Return to the Holidays

It is time to return to the Holidays. I forget how fun it is to have something to celebrate everyday. Today is another day with a lot of different things to celebrate. Today is "Listening Day". It is amazing how many problems in the world would be solved if people would just listen to those around them. How often do we watch a person move their mouth without ever caring to engage those things on the sides of our heads that allow us to hear and listen. I encourage all of you to take the time today to listen to those around you and not just watch their mouths move. Another holiday to celebrate today is the birthday of Dry Milk. So go get some powder, mix in some water, add some ice, and enjoy a nice cold glass of milk. Or if you are feeling adventurous, maybe try just eating the powder. I don't think I will be celebrating this holiday. I don't like milk to begin with, and powder milk is worse. Today is also "Astronaut's Day". On this day in 1959, the first 7 U.S. astronauts were selected. Perhaps to celebrate you can spend some time looking at the stars. If you are living in a place that will have clear enough skies to do this, perhaps you can look at some stars for me too! It is also "Name Yourself Day". If you have been disappointed in the name your parents gave you at birth, today is the day to change it. Go down to the courthouse and have your name changed. Personally, I like my name well enough. I mean, I don't know what other name I would prefer to have, so I think that I will keep my name what it is. But if there's anyone out there who's thought about changing their name, I am curious as to what they want to change it to.
Finally, it is "Winston Churchill Day". I think that this is a fabulous day to celebrate. Winston Churchill was a great man who deserves to be remembered, not just one day a year, but always. For my nieces and nephews who read this blog and others who might not know who Winston Churchill, he was the Prime Minister (the British version of the President) in Great Britain during World War II. In his first speech as Prime Minister he said, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat." Another inspiring quote from Churchill is, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." Another quote that made me chuckle is, "A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen." For more fun quotes from Churchill go to http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/winston_churchill.html. Needless to say Winston Churchill was a great man, probably one of the top 10 on my list of historical political leaders I would like to meet. I hope that you all have a wonderful day celebrating and remembering!

Austen Quiz

You are Anne Elliot of Persuasion! Let's face it; you're easily persuaded, particularly when friends and relatives try to use "the Elliot way" against you. But this doesn't mean that you don't have conviction. Actually, your sense of duty is overwhelming. And though you won't stick your neck out too often, you have learned to speak up when it counts. To boot, you know how to handle sticky situations. You love deeply and constantly.

Take the Quiz here!

I usually take these types of quizzes on Facebook, but this was fun to be able to take it and post it on the blog. I love Anne Elliot! She is one of my favorites!