{It is what it is}

I noticed this blog of mine is a sporadic collage of everything that is important to me. My thoughts, fears, hopes, cherished memories, etc. By providing experiences and thoughts that have motivated me to be a better person, I hope in turn, that someone else may feel of its importance {tho subtle it may be} to them.

The bottom line: I love people and I just want everyone to feel they are loved.

That's it.

Somewhere along my childhood {5 years-yesterday} I learned how to ask questions. I learned this from my mother. Simple questions can create stimulating and uplifting conversation with just about anyone. By asking good, heartfelt questions, everyone can feel they are loved and important. Period.

I stumbled upon this song this week. It is perfect. It encompasses all the thoughts I am trying to articulate. At first, I thought this was a video -- similar to the ones my sisters and I would make in front of my mother's large bathroom mirror -- however, after listening to the words, I realized just how much I love the message of this song.

Note to self: You are beautiful. Believe in yourself enough to love yourself. Be assertive and don't let others impose on your beauty. {These are thoughts I have had this week while battling fears of loneliness, fears of the unknown, and fears of living under my potential}

Be brave, you owe it to yourself!

My Kind

It's been wet, really wet. 

The rain woke me up early Tuesday morning, and it has been raining off-and-on since. It always makes me a little more excited to be awake when it's raining -- everything seems a little more alive when it's wet, especially in the big city. I have come to find out, I am not particularly a lover of huge cities. I tend to gravitate toward nature, or in this case Central Park. 

During yesterday's lunch break, I wanted to explore a new place to eat and see a new part of the city I haven't yet ventured...however, I didn't get very far when I hit Central Park. I love this place. I love it so very much. A little part of my soul reawakens when I walk into nature of any kind, especially after being in a city all day. 

It is more than just nature. It is the people in the park that I particularly enjoy. People in the park, I believe, are of a different breed. They exercise, laugh, talk, and actually bond with each other. It is foreign to me to be in close quarters (subway, on the street, in a store) with people and have no one talk or even smile for that matter. It's sad and so unfamiliar. However, these rules do not apply to park people. Everyone is friendly, active, and happy to be alive. Oh how I long to be a park person.

So I apologize for all the future blog posts with dozens of Central Park pictures, they are simply the most beautiful to me. 

As for the rain, one umbrella down, one to go. 

^^The subways are a little more cozy when it's wet ^^

Speaking of nature, my apartment received a little more light this week thanks to Nick. After a long day of work, I came home to this beautiful bundle of joy. *I especially love the plastic lemons in the vase--it's such a nice touch. It makes the white, generic decor and overall apartment seem a little more homey. 

people.

i am simply amazed by the people i meet on a daily basis. it seems as though everyone here has taken a giant leap of faith in attempt to achieve greatness {a relative term, i recognize}. sacrifice is definitely a theme weaved through every conversation i have with New Yorkers. after attending the Harlem ward on Sunday, i reevaluated the way i define ambition. we took a few additional moments at the beginning of relief society to do quick introductions. to me, this was the best part of the entire block.

amidst a handful of interns, there were aspiring actresses, culinary artists, fashion "extraordinaires," opera singers, nurses, prison guards, teachers, etc. maybe i'm a culprit of naitivity {i take it that i am, tho i try not to fall too victim to this} but man, people are brave. to many, the rationality of many of these sisters may have been lacking--to move here on a whim, no connection, no security, nothing--however, i looked at these women and thought how wonderful and brave they are.  it can be scary, in fact it is scary. it is scary to look forward to the future with a giant question mark, hoping that someone will open a window of hope somewhere along your journey.

after marveling over these sisters, i thought to myself, 'how can someone leave everything comfortable and reassuring behind to look forward to an empty slate of unknown, by choice?'

i admire these sisters' strength and independence. i admire the people who forge ahead amidst uncertainty and doubt. i hope, while i'm here, to learn their ways and become more like them. i just hope my incessant questions won't stray too many people away:)

note to self: live by the 20-second rule:

“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.” 

-We Bought A Zoo

Highlights of the Week:

My first Broadway Show: Once

AH! Breathtaking. Set in an Irish pub, Once was unlike anything I have ever seen before. The music was fantastic. I fell completely in love with the characters, especially the lead actor, Arthur Darvill. Every SINGLE time he opened his mouth to sing, I drifted to another place --a little closer to heaven. People are just talented. I, at times, forgot I was in a little box in the theatre, listening to these talented people sing and act.

The show had the bare minimum of cast members (who doubled as the orchestra), set/costume changes, and props. This simplicity set the tone of the play and fit perfectly with the musical's plot. Not to mention during the intermission, people were allowed to go on-stage to have a beer (yeah, for other people--they seemed to enjoy it) ... let's just say it's not hard to see why this show won best musical last year.

THE GREAT GATSBY PREMIER:

After work, a group of us decided we were "star hungry." We made our way over to the Lincoln Center to watch stars attending the Great Gatsby Premier walk down the red (it was actually black) carpet. After an hour of waiting and 20 false alarms, the stars finally arrived. We saw Leonardo DiCaprio and his co-stars, Florence and the Machine with her beautiful red, flaming hair, Jay-Z, Toby Maguire (Spider-Man), Martha Stewart, famous news anchors, and several stars from Vampire Diaries (never been a fan, so they looked like normal people to me). We had fun going crazy over these actors and actresses. Needless to say, I had the time of my life. Welcome to New York. 

EXPLORING THE CITY:

The cutest dessert place to eat I have eaten thus far on my journey is Rice to Riches, located in lower Manhattan. This place is a yogurt shop on ROIDS. The marketing is genius; the long line to order was the living proof.

yum.

Pick a flavor, I dare you.

The final product: 

one word: exotic. 

Even the spoons were neat. I couldn't stop marveling the whole time I was eating this yummy rice pudding. 

THE MET

My friend Whitney and I went to The Metropolitan Museum of Art for a few hours on Saturday. Talk about sensory overload. There are floors and endless rooms hosting artifacts, paintings and sculptures from all over the world. We only had time for the second floor--probably my favorite--where all the paintings are located. It is remarkable to see the paintings I have studied over the course of my academic career in real life!! Oh, how I love art. I will definitely be venturing that building a few more times while I'm here, too much to see in too little time -- story of my life:) 

TIMES SQUARE:

People. All I could think was, isn't this a school night? People here travel hard, eat hard, and play hard. It's so fun to be around all this energy. I definitely am building endurance to keep up -- walking has worn me out!

BROOKLYN BRIDGE:

After shopping on Canal Street for an hour or two *thank you mom for teaching me to haggle, we -- a few fellow students and I -- wandered our way down to Brooklyn Bridge and Wall Street to touch the famous bull.

The Brooklyn Bridge was crowded, with people walking, running and biking on a two-way wood plank. We went while the sun was setting (tho, I heard it was much more beautiful at night with the lights, so I will be back). It's a beautiful part of the city.

There were all of these locks hooked to the sides of the Brooklyn Bridge ... neat.

OCCUPY WALL STREET:

We wandered our way down to Wall Street. The closer we came to the Battery Park, the buildings got bigger and more expensive-looking. wow. However, we didn't stay long because the sun was setting and I was shaking like a leaf. Luckily, before we made our long trek home on the subway, we stopped to get a much needed hot chocolate from Starbucks. yum.

da bull. 

ALONE

looking back on my first week in NYC, I have grown more fond of this place I temporarily call home. the first night was definitely the hardest, when i realized how alone i really am in this big city. however,  after a few days of people watching i realized, a lot of people are alone, really alone. NYC is such an independent city. everyone has their own agenda and to-do lists. it's only until i see a father reading to his child on the subway or a couple holding hands that i realize people do form relationships here:)

THINGS I ALREADY LOVE about NYC:

The sunshine. food*. diversity. parks {running}. energy. passion. work. independence. friends. cute rings from Canal Street*

First Day of Work

For all of those wondering, I am living in New York to intern for the LDS Public and International Affairs Office. It's an opportunity of a lifetime. I have met some pretty remarkable people already and it's only been a few short days.

The Office:

This is Mia. She is the other intern working with me. Ironically, we decided to wear the same colors the first day -- it must be a good sign. I have absolutely loved working with Mia thus far. Fun fact, Mia used to be the Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters at Disney World.  She is cute, fun, and trendy.

We got "leid" our first day of work. I couldn't believe it. After a full day of orientations and getting to know the couple missionaries and Ahmad, who we will be working with, we had the opportunity to attend a luau to promote the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii. Let's just say it was a feast. There were ambassadors representing countries all over the world in attendance at this event. 

After the munch and mingle, the PCC entertained the guests with a few dances and musical treats. 

Exhibit A: 

It was a great, long day of work. And of course, after each day of work the partying begins. 

To be continued...

Home

NEW YORK CITY

The front door. 

It's quant, yeah? It looks like it is being remodeled, but it isn't. 

The side view. 

It's really a beautiful building. I cannot believe how long it has been around. My mom lived here when she was my age.

The next door neighbor:)

Luckily the city is slowly blossoming and turning green.

My lovely room. 

It's the perfect size, small and cozy. However, I wake up every morning thinking I am lying on a hospital bed -- crunchy sheets and a firm mattress do not help. 

The communal bathroom (not to be confused with a bath house, Hannie:)). 

This is a look down my street. 

I love when the sun peeks through the buildings and lights up the trees. Some of my fondest memories, so far, include walking to and from work early in the morning and in the late afternoon.

I absolutely love living in Harlem. I love the residents living in my apartment. I have met some wonderful people who are doing incredible things with their lives. It is inspiring. Just today I talked with a Jewish girl from San Francisco on my way to dinner. We conversed about religion, marriage, education and career paths. This complex is a little metropolis of its own. I absolutely love it!