New York

Yes, I did take pictures in New York with two cameras. And no, I haven't uploaded them yet. In all fairness, it's been kind of a crazy week. We had one of Mitch's friends stay with us, I had a group project, we were in New York, I taught dance, and there was a Relief Society Activity.

One day, when I have time, I am going to upload millions of pictures.

We went to New York last weekend with Mitch's family and it was basically the best, thanks to Paul and Shelley.

We drove! Best idea ever. Spencer and Sara went with us and it made more sense to drive. We even got an amazing parking spot right outside our hotel that is free on the weekends.

We ate so much food. Of course it was delicious. Some of the highlights include:

• Shake Shack. I gave into eating a Shack Burger and it was the best decision of the day. I stay away from red meat like the plague, I have high cholesterol - last year I was at risk for a heart attack. Not awesome. Back to food, I ate the Shack Burger with all its deliciousness and totally enjoyed it.
• Donut Planet. Oh my gosh. I have never enjoyed a donut so much in my entire life. I don't even like donuts. But these were chocolate on chocolate cake donuts. It was so delicious, thank you to Abby/Jason for showing us this delight.
• Indian Food. It was delicious. It's always delicious.
• Random cart on the side of the street outside our hotel that had a 30 minute wait. Totally delicious. I don't even know what to call the food. It was yellow rice, lamb, chicken, lettuce and tomatoes. And so delicious.
• Otto. Again delicious.
• And Magnolia's Banana Cream Pudding. Most delicious.

I think I may have overused the word delicious...

As you can tell, we spent a large majority of our trip eating. We are awesome. We also:

• Went to see Bryan Drury's gallery, Dean's Project. His attention to detail is incredible.
• Walked the high line.
• Saw the 9/11 Memorial. The memorial totally exceeded my expectations. The site is peaceful and powerful.
• Watched Anything Goes on Broadway. I was in this play in high school and I loved watching it again 10 years later, I am getting so old.
• Went to Brooklyn to check out Abby's cute new neighborhood. I am 100% jealous of her new apartment with exposed brick.
• And did all the other random stuff that you do in New York, walk, shop, and eat.

Overall, our trip was a success.

The Folka Dots

My step-sister, Corinne - the one in the green coat, is in the awesome band, The Folka Dots.

You should listen to them.

They were also featured on C Jane's Blog.

They can also be found on iTunes.

Pretty awesome.

Happy Friday. I am off to New York to enjoy all my favorite parts of the city with a lot of people I love.

Month of Love

(Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything, probably the best movie ever)

Hope your Valentine's Day is fabulous.

And listed below is my Month of Love movie flicks for 2012,

it's tradition. Enjoy.

Day 1, Pretty in Pink

Day 2, Shakespeare in Love and Romeo & Juliet

Day 3, Dear John

Day 4, Casablanca

Day 5, Braveheart

Day 6, One Fine Day

Day 7, Becoming Jane and Pride & Prejudice

Day 8, Twilight

Day 9, Star Dust

Day 10, One Day

Day 11, Bodyguard

Day 12, Definitely Maybe

Day 13, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail

Day 14, Say Anything

Learning to Let Go.

(I usually don't write about personal things on my blog, but my brain has been reading about higher education so much lately and I need a little break from reading. So, I am writing about what has been floating around in my mind for the last few months.)

Do you ever disconnect yourself from someone or something just because it's too hard to hold on? Well, I did. Basically for the first time in my life, I just let it all go. Not because I didn't want to hold on forever, but because for the first time I realized that it was easier for me to let go. Easier for me, for Mitch, for my family.

My Mom got divorced last month and I had to let go of my step-family for a little while. This isn't because I don't love them like they are my own family, but because I realized that I couldn't hold on for the time being. I guess you could say it was my way of mourning the divorce. In most situations I feel like the easier option is the wrong way out. But not this time, at least for me. Maybe I am writing all of this to justify why I disconnected myself from the people that mean so much to me.

I write this for so many reasons. 1. My life isn't perfect, I do have the best husband and we are fortunate is so many ways. But my life isn't perfect. 2. I want to start over again. I mean by this that I want to start my relationship over again with my step siblings. I love them all the same. So many of my memories for the last 15 years include them. 3. Because I am human. And letting go was one of the most human things I have ever done.

Letting go is just one step for starting over.

Loves,

sj

Seasonal Candy

Once in my life, when I was much, much younger, a friend of mine taught me one of the most important lessons of life, about food - of course. She taught me about the importance of seasonal candy. Reasons to love seasonal candy:

1. You never have to guess how long the candy has been sitting on the shelf. You know the candy is not from last year because the stores close-out all the candy after the holiday is over.

2. Seasonal candy is special. By special, I mean it only comes out once a year. ONCE A YEAR. To list a few:

• Jolley's Heart Candies. There is no better candy.
• Mini Cadbury Eggs at Easter, although I hear that they have them at Christmas too.
• M&Ms from any season. For some reason, they always taste better when they are colored for the season.
• Mint M&Ms, only at Christmas.
• Chocolate Oranges. I know most people don't like these. But to me, they represent Christmas at my Dad's house.
• Garden Gate Toffee.
• Chocolate covered peppermint Jo Jo's from Trader Joe's. This might be my favorite holiday treat. So hard to say.
• Candy Corn. (side note: I don't love candy corn, but Megan taught me to eat candy corn with M&Ms and cashews. Amazingly delicious.)

Reason for the random post. There is a beautiful square class jar sitting on my desk full of red, pink, and white M&Ms. They are begging me to eat them and I am just trying to show some self control.

So, Happy Wednesday and enjoy your candy. Who knows how long it will be in season.

Weekend Update.

Run.

Chit Chat with Emily.

Union Station (12:30 pm)= Mitch. Homeless man tried to enter my car. SCARY.

Took Dance.

Taught Dance.

Serendipity with Friends.

"The World's Fastest Indian"

Helped Andi Unpack.

Homework for Mitch and me.

Church.

Superbowl with Family & Friends.

Still obsessed with Mary Katie.

Picture of the week.

Thank you Dad.

Love my hair in this picture. But mostly I love Grandma Bev. She is one amazing woman.