So...Vancouver. Where is that? Just kidding!! I know it's in Russia...Just kidding again! It is on the West Coast of Canada. To be honest, I really have no idea if Vancouver is just Vancouver Island or more than that. But I do know this: It's where the Olympics are this year! Woohoo! It's not like I will have time to watch it but I can still be excited!
You must watch THIS. Now, if I had known that Vancouver was and experience instead of just a place, I would have joined team USA.
Breathtaking?? Yes. That is just one of the words that comes to mind.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
SNOW DAY!
I am currently experiencing my very first snow day ever. And let me tell you, it is wonderful.
Here's an inside look to what it looked outside.
There was no snow about 12 hours before this was taken.
What did I think about all day? This. Here is the preview. I saw the movie last week with Bree and Emily. I just finished the book last night. I predicted I was going to like the book more than the movie. When it's been out longer and more people have seen it, I will fill you in my thoughts. Here is a sneak peak of my my thoughts: I need a box of Kleenex.
Here's an inside look to what it looked outside.
Have fun diggin those cars out...
This is what I woke up to. It is actually very beautiful and I love having this tree outside my window.
What did I think about all day? This. Here is the preview. I saw the movie last week with Bree and Emily. I just finished the book last night. I predicted I was going to like the book more than the movie. When it's been out longer and more people have seen it, I will fill you in my thoughts. Here is a sneak peak of my my thoughts: I need a box of Kleenex.
I also thought about This along with This, oh and These Feet. And one more: How cute is THIS?? It's my new laptop wallpaper. No, I am not a creeper or a stalker, I just want to marry him. That's all.
I looked at all of those while I listened to my new and old favorite music. My old faves include Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson. I recently rediscovered one of my favorite Mraz songs. I forgot how much I LOVE it. It is quite rare and I would like to share it with you: Halfway Home. Mraz and Jack Johnson always remind me that snow doesn't last forever and Spring and Summer are fast approaching! I'm excited to visit some of the beaches around here!
My new favorites come from the Dear John soundtrack. I love the songs "The Moon" by The Swell Season, "Paperweight" by Joshua Radina and Schuyler Fisk, and "Little House" by Amand Seyfried. All very chill, snow-day music, if I may say so myself.
Here is the most random thing I did today: I watched Disney/Pixar's Monsters Inc. I love that movie and if you haven't seen it in a while and need to smile and need to feel carefree, watch it and all your worries will go away--even if just for a couple of hours.
I have discovered I am quite fond of snow days--especially when they are like this. Next snow day, I am going sledding.
Friday, February 5, 2010
FIT FIT FIT...New Year's Resolution or My School?
This was my first week back at school--let me tell you. It was CRAZY.
Come with me on a walk through my schedule!
Monday:
Macroeconomics-This class is interesting. I am already confused but so excited about the material! I like to pretend I am all into economics and understand it. This class gives me an opportunity to actually understand a little bit more! How excited! Macro-me!!
Contemporary Retail Management-2 words. PROFESSOR MESSINGER. Janice Messinger. What a woman. She is so successful and has more than enough credentials to teach this retail class. She is "Super-Professional-Woman". She so far has made this class really interesting and has so many great stories.
Wednesday:
Sociology- Another amazing person teaches this class. His name is Marc aldsjfiaghiewefigo...or something. Ok, actually, I can't pronounce or spell his last name, that's why we call him Marc. Marc isn't even his real first name. His first name is actually Ajhgohiaofhwerjwjef (The "h" is silent). This guy is young and happy and looks like he is ready to go sailing in his Sperry Topsider and Nautical get up. Sweeet.
Earth Science-Ugh. Science and I have never had the best relationship. We actually hate each other. The lady that teaches this class is Super Nerd and loves her dogs more than her husband. She is really cute but I like that this class is kind of an independent study course. Half of it is online, the other half of class we take field trips. I have my first one next Wednesday. It's going to be at a museum where we look at Science stuff. Sounds fun, eh?
Friday:
Fashion Marketing- AWESOME. I am so pumped about this class. This guy is really old, loves leather shoe boxes, technology, Costco, his wife and Chico's. What a fantastic mix. He scared me to begin with but once he opened his mouth, the nerves flew away!
Advertising and Promotion-Interesting class. My professor's name is Abimbola Ogansola (not kidding this time). He has a super strong accent from somewhere (maybe Africa??) I don't know anything about him because as soon as he walked in, we learned the Marketing Mix, Promotional Mix and the 8 different types of communication in the Marketing world for the next 3 hours straight. Intense guy but I love the subject matter so far.
Saturday:
Yoga-That's right everyone, I have a Saturday morning class. This is my PE class. Excited? Yes. Painful? HECK YES. But hopefully I come out a more zen-like being. All I have to remember is that summer is coming and that means swimsuits, swimming and the beach! (YES!! I found one in good ole NY!) Must look my best. Oh yes, and breathe in through the nose, and breathe out through the nose. Now...relax in "downward-dog-sitting-on-a-pigeon-eating-a-pretzel" pose...and breathe.
Come with me on a walk through my schedule!
Monday:
Macroeconomics-This class is interesting. I am already confused but so excited about the material! I like to pretend I am all into economics and understand it. This class gives me an opportunity to actually understand a little bit more! How excited! Macro-me!!
Contemporary Retail Management-2 words. PROFESSOR MESSINGER. Janice Messinger. What a woman. She is so successful and has more than enough credentials to teach this retail class. She is "Super-Professional-Woman". She so far has made this class really interesting and has so many great stories.
Wednesday:
Sociology- Another amazing person teaches this class. His name is Marc aldsjfiaghiewefigo...or something. Ok, actually, I can't pronounce or spell his last name, that's why we call him Marc. Marc isn't even his real first name. His first name is actually Ajhgohiaofhwerjwjef (The "h" is silent). This guy is young and happy and looks like he is ready to go sailing in his Sperry Topsider and Nautical get up. Sweeet.
Earth Science-Ugh. Science and I have never had the best relationship. We actually hate each other. The lady that teaches this class is Super Nerd and loves her dogs more than her husband. She is really cute but I like that this class is kind of an independent study course. Half of it is online, the other half of class we take field trips. I have my first one next Wednesday. It's going to be at a museum where we look at Science stuff. Sounds fun, eh?
Friday:
Fashion Marketing- AWESOME. I am so pumped about this class. This guy is really old, loves leather shoe boxes, technology, Costco, his wife and Chico's. What a fantastic mix. He scared me to begin with but once he opened his mouth, the nerves flew away!
Advertising and Promotion-Interesting class. My professor's name is Abimbola Ogansola (not kidding this time). He has a super strong accent from somewhere (maybe Africa??) I don't know anything about him because as soon as he walked in, we learned the Marketing Mix, Promotional Mix and the 8 different types of communication in the Marketing world for the next 3 hours straight. Intense guy but I love the subject matter so far.
Saturday:
Yoga-That's right everyone, I have a Saturday morning class. This is my PE class. Excited? Yes. Painful? HECK YES. But hopefully I come out a more zen-like being. All I have to remember is that summer is coming and that means swimsuits, swimming and the beach! (YES!! I found one in good ole NY!) Must look my best. Oh yes, and breathe in through the nose, and breathe out through the nose. Now...relax in "downward-dog-sitting-on-a-pigeon-eating-a-pretzel" pose...and breathe.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Welcome Back to New York
Today was my first Sunday back on the Island. Let me tell you how I know that I am back.
I had a meeting this evening at 6. To get there on time, I left at 5 to get up to the Lincoln Square church/temple building on 66th street.
The reason I left a whole hour early is this: The trains mess with your mind on the weekends. Sometimes, trains don't run, or run on a different track, or pass by a stop completely. I thought I was ok because I knew that this weekend, the 66th uptown subway stop was closed. To get to 66th by traveling uptown (since I live downtown, I have to travel on the uptown trains to get up-town), you have to take the train up to 72nd street, transfer to the 1 train downtown one stop to the 66th street downtown subway stop (is this even making sense??).
The 1 train is a local train that hits all the stops. The 2/3 train is an express train that hits only some of the stops while passing by many of the stops in between. In short, taking the 1 to 72nd street is longer than taking the 2/3 to 72nd then switching to the 1 downtown as previously mentioned.
So, let's start at the beginning:
5pm- leave to catch the 1 train.
5:06 pm- arrive at the 1 uptown subway stop.
5:15 pm- 1 uptown train still hasn't arrived...bovered.
5:18 pm- 1 uptown train arrives. I can make it to the meeting in 40 mins. This could work.
5: 24 pm- 1 uptown train arrives at Chambers Street stop. This is where I catch the 2/3 express uptown train so that I can get to 72nd street faster. Exit 1 train at Chambers street.
5:30 pm- Still waiting on platform for the 2/3 train to arrive. Wow. This train is seriously express. NOT.
5:35 pm- Wow. Here is the 2/3 train, creeping up to the platform. Awesome. Get on 2/3 train.
5:35-5:50 pm- Ride 2/3 train all the way to 72nd street stop. This is the slowest express train I have ever been on. I could have run up to 72nd street from the STATUE OF LIBERTY faster.
5:50 pm- Exit 2/3 train at 72nd street. Run upstairs, across the way, run downstairs to downtown platform. (this is where I have to catch the 1 train back downtown one stop to get to 66th street). DANG!!! There goes the 1 train, sailing right on past the platform. Missed it.
5:55 pm- Weird guy asks me if I am waiting to get on the 1 train. (When I said yes, he smiled. Probably because he was a psychic and could see what was going to happen next.)
6:00 pm- My meeting is starting! That's ok, I can be a few minutes late. It was probably faster to just walk from 72nd street to 66th street. Oh well.
6:10 pm- Still waiting....
6:13 pm- Oh look! Here is the 1 train!! Yay! I am finally going to get to my meeting! Enter the 1 train (LOCAL train--you know, the one that makes ALL the stops??)
6:15 pm- Sail past 66th street stop. Shoot.
6:16 pm- Sail past 59th street stop. Uh-oh.
6:16-6:20 pm- Stuck on the non-moving 1 downtown train that just past the stop I need. Now I can't even get the train to move down to 42nd street (Times Square) so that I can ask Emily, who is at the meeting, to take notes for me as I will obviously not be attending.
6:22 pm- Get off at 42nd street to make a few calls, Emily will take notes (what a wonderful girl!!)
6:25 pm- Get back on the train to make my way home. (Ok, cool. Now the express train decides to really be express and not molasses-fast.)
6:35 pm- Almost at Rector Street station, my home stop (there's no place like home, there's no place like home...).
6:40 pm- Arrive home after a long evening of trains that mess with my mind.
Fun night, right?? Right. That's how the Island welcomes me back! Thanks, it's good to be back:) Just you try to kick me off the Island stupid trains!! Just try...
~xx
I had a meeting this evening at 6. To get there on time, I left at 5 to get up to the Lincoln Square church/temple building on 66th street.
The reason I left a whole hour early is this: The trains mess with your mind on the weekends. Sometimes, trains don't run, or run on a different track, or pass by a stop completely. I thought I was ok because I knew that this weekend, the 66th uptown subway stop was closed. To get to 66th by traveling uptown (since I live downtown, I have to travel on the uptown trains to get up-town), you have to take the train up to 72nd street, transfer to the 1 train downtown one stop to the 66th street downtown subway stop (is this even making sense??).
The 1 train is a local train that hits all the stops. The 2/3 train is an express train that hits only some of the stops while passing by many of the stops in between. In short, taking the 1 to 72nd street is longer than taking the 2/3 to 72nd then switching to the 1 downtown as previously mentioned.
So, let's start at the beginning:
5pm- leave to catch the 1 train.
5:06 pm- arrive at the 1 uptown subway stop.
5:15 pm- 1 uptown train still hasn't arrived...bovered.
5:18 pm- 1 uptown train arrives. I can make it to the meeting in 40 mins. This could work.
5: 24 pm- 1 uptown train arrives at Chambers Street stop. This is where I catch the 2/3 express uptown train so that I can get to 72nd street faster. Exit 1 train at Chambers street.
5:30 pm- Still waiting on platform for the 2/3 train to arrive. Wow. This train is seriously express. NOT.
5:35 pm- Wow. Here is the 2/3 train, creeping up to the platform. Awesome. Get on 2/3 train.
5:35-5:50 pm- Ride 2/3 train all the way to 72nd street stop. This is the slowest express train I have ever been on. I could have run up to 72nd street from the STATUE OF LIBERTY faster.
5:50 pm- Exit 2/3 train at 72nd street. Run upstairs, across the way, run downstairs to downtown platform. (this is where I have to catch the 1 train back downtown one stop to get to 66th street). DANG!!! There goes the 1 train, sailing right on past the platform. Missed it.
5:55 pm- Weird guy asks me if I am waiting to get on the 1 train. (When I said yes, he smiled. Probably because he was a psychic and could see what was going to happen next.)
6:00 pm- My meeting is starting! That's ok, I can be a few minutes late. It was probably faster to just walk from 72nd street to 66th street. Oh well.
6:10 pm- Still waiting....
6:13 pm- Oh look! Here is the 1 train!! Yay! I am finally going to get to my meeting! Enter the 1 train (LOCAL train--you know, the one that makes ALL the stops??)
6:15 pm- Sail past 66th street stop. Shoot.
6:16 pm- Sail past 59th street stop. Uh-oh.
6:16-6:20 pm- Stuck on the non-moving 1 downtown train that just past the stop I need. Now I can't even get the train to move down to 42nd street (Times Square) so that I can ask Emily, who is at the meeting, to take notes for me as I will obviously not be attending.
6:22 pm- Get off at 42nd street to make a few calls, Emily will take notes (what a wonderful girl!!)
6:25 pm- Get back on the train to make my way home. (Ok, cool. Now the express train decides to really be express and not molasses-fast.)
6:35 pm- Almost at Rector Street station, my home stop (there's no place like home, there's no place like home...).
6:40 pm- Arrive home after a long evening of trains that mess with my mind.
Fun night, right?? Right. That's how the Island welcomes me back! Thanks, it's good to be back:) Just you try to kick me off the Island stupid trains!! Just try...
~xx
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Horton Hears a Who
At church, we had the Christmas party. It was amazing. We have such talented people in my ward--especially Richard. He sang a beautiful song that made every girl's heart melt. Then the ward choir (of which I am a member of) sang and that was super fun.
Then, I came home and visited the Met online for Art History class. I was meant to go in person but during finals weeks and with only 8 days before "I'll Be Home for Christmas" day, I couldn't bring myself to spend 4 hours with the Baroque Realism, Classicism and Rococo masterpieces.
Then, I went to a Relief Society dessert party. The best part of that was in the elevator. Bree and I entered an elevator with the intentions of going up to the 6th floor. Who knew that we got in the elevator with 2 strangers that only went to the 1st floor, then skipped to the 15th to the 32nd floor. All we needed to do was go to the sixth floor. So after an awkward, stifled laugh, I pushed floor number 15 and exited the express elevator. Best elevator ride ever.
Then I met Mr. Horton over a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs and double stacked Oreos. That was a good idea. Thank you, Mr. Horton, for introducing me to double stacked Oreos. I owe you one.
After all this, all I can say is: Sundays Rock. Amen.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
I'll Be Home For Christmas...
Good news! In less than 2 weeks, I will be home with most of the greatest people on this planet! I am so excited. I remember counting down the days until I was home the very day I stepped foot on this island. It's not that I wasn't excited and ready to start a new life but, honestly, there is absolutely no place like home.
While I am missing out on the decorating at home, I have definitely had my share of creating a festive atmosphere here. First, I decorated the Christmas tree at work. It was quite an experience: Friday evening, almost everyone had gone home. There was only the few unfortunate who work on the weekend eve left in the office. Everyone was drowsy and desperately lacking holiday cheer. As soon as I started decorating, the office came to life--It felt like Whoville! Now here is the truth: some of the workers got so excited they burst into Christmas song (and one into an improptu ballet). It made the Friday evening a little more fun.
This is the cute tree in the office. Standing at 3 feet tall, it is quite the little masterpiece.
That was Friday night. Saturday morning, the family ward had a Christmas party. I was asked if I wanted to go to help set up the Christmas tree there. How in heaven's name could I refuse? I never say no to a good dose of Christmas festivities. This tree was slightly bigger than 3 feet tall. It was a good 7 feet. Thank goodness Elder Miller was there to help put the decorations up. He goes home on December 21st, and was super excited to put up a Christmas tree as he had missed his decorating at home, also. Here is the Ward Christmas Tree!
On the right, coming in at 7 feet tall, Ward Christmas tree! On the Left, coming in at 6 feet 7 inches, Elder Miller!
The Christmas Season has been very different, so far. I am not a fan of finals but I have such a good thing to look forward to. In exactly one week, 5 days and 3 hours, I will be back home, in Utah, with my sweet family. This is my only Christmas wish.
--Katie xx
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Heaven Bless Chicken Noodle Soup
Sickness. It's a recurrance in my life ever since life started on The Island (that's what I call my dear Manhattan). There has been so many occasions, I have started giving each episode a name.
It all started with an intense cold/fever I like to call Piglet. I call this one Piglet because I believe it may have been swine flu--excuse me--I mean H1N1. Although the doctor told me that it was probably a cold and couldn't hear what I was feeling in my lungs, it felt much worse than your typical cold. Or flu. It took me a while to get over that one. But thank goodness I had it and had to go to the doctor to get medicine for it. Piglet was a blessing in disguise. Because I had Piglet, I found the Health Center on campus and got much needed medicine.
After getting over Piglet, the second sickness decsended upon me. This one has been far, the WORST pain I have ever felt in my life and ever will feel in my life. Yes, ladies and gentelmen, worse than giving birth (or so said my doctor...but how does he know? Oh yes, he is a doctor and has to tell me these things). I named this occurance after the thing itself. I call it: The Stone.
The Stone, located in my kidney, hit at about 9 am one frightful Friday morning. One moment, I was on the phone with my dear mother, the next I was agonizingly limping out of Building C to Building B, on the phone with my brave father. In a matter of less than 2 minutes, I had gone from feeling fine to not being able to walk, let alone stand. This is where my gratitude for Piglet comes in. Because I had been to Health Services once and filled out all of the paper work the first time, I was able to find it-no problems-and they had all my paper work on file. After indescribable pain, it was confirmed (guessed, more like it) that I had 1, if not more, Kidney Stones. Amy, the sweet doctor who held my hand, called an ambulance and in 20 minutes, I was headed for a New York City Emergency Room. I would like to emphasize something at this point--NEVER go to a New York City ER unless you do not have another choice. Close your eyes, and imagine what it could be like...are you imagining something like TV show ER?...Well, what you are imagining is amazing compared to real life the Emergency Room. There was no George Clooney in my ER...
The ambulence ride was an experience and a half. I have never heard someone swear so much over a ticker-tape parade. It was after the Yankee's winning of the World Series and the streets of New York were jam packed full of true Yankee fans. One of the EMTs woke up on the wrong side of the bed...maybe he was a Philly fan.
When I got to the ER, I was given a few doses of Morphine. Because of those injections, this fateful Friday was the best day of my life.
Long story short (sorry, it hasn't been short so far), I was discharged that evening and went home with an angel named Emily. The rest of that week was spent in bed and on the bathroom floor. It felt like I was having a baby the size of half a grain of rice. How is that meant to be worse than having a baby the size of a real baby?! All I have to say about that is, bring on the real babies.
The millimeter Stone and I finally parted ways 5 days later and I hope to never meet any of it's friends. EVER.
All of these episodes bring me to my most recent one called Cold. It gets quite chilly in New York. The Island has two temperatures: Sauna, and Ice Box. With these 2 come different elements (sun, rain, clouds and rain & clouds). Most recently, it has been Ice Box with rain & clouds.
While The Island has 2 temperatures, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT--the University I attend) has only one: Colder Than Ice Box. I literally bundle up in my jacket, tuck down in my chair and still feeze in all my classrooms. This problem has caused Cold. I have Cold right now. I think since this morning, it has already gotten better, but tomorrow, I have to go out in Ice Box with rain and Colder Than Ice Box. Thank goodness for the leftover medicine I have from Piglet.
It is my Christmas wish, that with exactly 3 weeks until the day I come home for the Holidays, that I don't have to come up with any other names for episodes that occur in my life on The Island. It is also my wish, that you have a healthy, sick-free Holiday Season as well. If not, I believe Chicken Noodle Soup is always in season at your local grocer.
It all started with an intense cold/fever I like to call Piglet. I call this one Piglet because I believe it may have been swine flu--excuse me--I mean H1N1. Although the doctor told me that it was probably a cold and couldn't hear what I was feeling in my lungs, it felt much worse than your typical cold. Or flu. It took me a while to get over that one. But thank goodness I had it and had to go to the doctor to get medicine for it. Piglet was a blessing in disguise. Because I had Piglet, I found the Health Center on campus and got much needed medicine.
After getting over Piglet, the second sickness decsended upon me. This one has been far, the WORST pain I have ever felt in my life and ever will feel in my life. Yes, ladies and gentelmen, worse than giving birth (or so said my doctor...but how does he know? Oh yes, he is a doctor and has to tell me these things). I named this occurance after the thing itself. I call it: The Stone.
The Stone, located in my kidney, hit at about 9 am one frightful Friday morning. One moment, I was on the phone with my dear mother, the next I was agonizingly limping out of Building C to Building B, on the phone with my brave father. In a matter of less than 2 minutes, I had gone from feeling fine to not being able to walk, let alone stand. This is where my gratitude for Piglet comes in. Because I had been to Health Services once and filled out all of the paper work the first time, I was able to find it-no problems-and they had all my paper work on file. After indescribable pain, it was confirmed (guessed, more like it) that I had 1, if not more, Kidney Stones. Amy, the sweet doctor who held my hand, called an ambulance and in 20 minutes, I was headed for a New York City Emergency Room. I would like to emphasize something at this point--NEVER go to a New York City ER unless you do not have another choice. Close your eyes, and imagine what it could be like...are you imagining something like TV show ER?...Well, what you are imagining is amazing compared to real life the Emergency Room. There was no George Clooney in my ER...
The ambulence ride was an experience and a half. I have never heard someone swear so much over a ticker-tape parade. It was after the Yankee's winning of the World Series and the streets of New York were jam packed full of true Yankee fans. One of the EMTs woke up on the wrong side of the bed...maybe he was a Philly fan.
When I got to the ER, I was given a few doses of Morphine. Because of those injections, this fateful Friday was the best day of my life.
Long story short (sorry, it hasn't been short so far), I was discharged that evening and went home with an angel named Emily. The rest of that week was spent in bed and on the bathroom floor. It felt like I was having a baby the size of half a grain of rice. How is that meant to be worse than having a baby the size of a real baby?! All I have to say about that is, bring on the real babies.
The millimeter Stone and I finally parted ways 5 days later and I hope to never meet any of it's friends. EVER.
The picture above is The Stone (located to the right of the arrow). This smile was all that I could muster after the week I had...
If you want to, click to enlarge. But only if you have not eaten yet.
The next episodes are called Tummy. Ever since The Stone, I have been plagued with on again/off again nausea. Besides the nausea, I have been relativley well. Until a few weeks ago, I hadn't had a dairy incident this whole time on The Island. My luck evaporated with a spoonful of condensed milk. REALLY?! Did I really think I could get away with a spoonful of condensed milk? Really. And more than that, did I really think I would be ok without taking any meds for it? Really? Furthermore, was I really supposed to get off scotch free after eating the treat that I made using the condensed milk? Really?! REALLY.
All of these episodes bring me to my most recent one called Cold. It gets quite chilly in New York. The Island has two temperatures: Sauna, and Ice Box. With these 2 come different elements (sun, rain, clouds and rain & clouds). Most recently, it has been Ice Box with rain & clouds.
While The Island has 2 temperatures, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT--the University I attend) has only one: Colder Than Ice Box. I literally bundle up in my jacket, tuck down in my chair and still feeze in all my classrooms. This problem has caused Cold. I have Cold right now. I think since this morning, it has already gotten better, but tomorrow, I have to go out in Ice Box with rain and Colder Than Ice Box. Thank goodness for the leftover medicine I have from Piglet.
It is my Christmas wish, that with exactly 3 weeks until the day I come home for the Holidays, that I don't have to come up with any other names for episodes that occur in my life on The Island. It is also my wish, that you have a healthy, sick-free Holiday Season as well. If not, I believe Chicken Noodle Soup is always in season at your local grocer.
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