NYC in 30 Hours

This is my sister.
If you don't know her, you should.
She cracks me up and any time I get to spend a few hours with her, I'm all over it.
Well she was running a half-marathon (go Melissa!) in NYC this last weekend, so I jumped on a train with my roommate Julie and met her for the day.
We shopped, ate, laughed and just enjoyed a few hours as sisters.
I love her.

While Melissa was getting the breakfast in bed treatment from an awesome Hostess; Julie and I ventured over to Alice's Tea Cup for some poached eggs and crepes. I felt so sophisticated. Very pretty food. Oh and it was delicious too.

How charming is this?

While we were strolling through the city, we had to stop and see the Manhattan Temple. I am just amazed at the beauty of the building, as well as the fact that there is such a haven in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world.

Eating some Chinese food in Chinatown. She cracks me up.

Heaven.
I have found heaven and its full of scarves!!

Cupcakes.
You know we had to stop.
Though I have to say it...
Georgetown's are better!

It was such a great day with Melissa.

I was so glad I was able to spend some sisterly time with her.

Julie and I met up with some of my friends in the city, Leslie and Kristin.
It was so fun to be able to just catch up and laugh.
Oh and we ate at 5 Napkins Burger- it was soooo good!

Julie and I really wanted to catch a show before we left the city, so we got tickets for In the Heights and absolutely loved it (seriously if it comes anywhere near your town, check it out!).
Such a fun musical.
Once we finished there we headed back to Kristin's for a bit before jumping on our 3am train back to DC.
It really was a whirlwind.
But it was wonderful and I'd do again in a heartbeat.
Family, Friends and Food- my favorite things :)

Summer is right around the corner...

I love baseball games. Now, I'm no super fan. I'm not even sure I have a team, I support my local club and just appreciate the overall atmosphere of a ballpark. I love it. The people, the noises, the smells and of course the food.
I finally made it out for my first game this season and hope there are many more to come.

Just a few friends enjoying America's pastime.

Even with my "healthy eating", you know I had to grab a hot dog.
Love, love them!

It really was a great night, made me feel as if Summer weren't so far away.
I'm so ready for endless sunshine.

Monterey

This last week of Travel sent me to the Monterey area of California. I've never been to this part of the Golden State, but it was absolutely gorgeous. We drove down to Carmel-by-the-sea and then took the 17 Mile Drive along the coast.
It was breathtaking.
Definitely one of the most beautiful areas I've ever seen.
So as you can see from this post, I was camera happy, but what can I say?
It was heavenly.

Carmel-by-the sea

We went right after the school visit, so yes I'm sporting a suit on the beach. You do what you gotta do.

I love beaches. In all shapes and sizes.

The start of our "17 Mile Drive".

Reminiscent of another heavenly grove.

I sort of love this photo

I'm calmed just looking at this shot.

The Restless Sea. I love that description. Story of my life.

She is a raging.

The solitary life.

Aww...one day this will be the view from my porch.

I loved the coloring of the rocks and hillside.

The Lone Cypress is a must see for all. I just stood there transfixed by the strength of this lone tree and the battle its fought to stand its ground.

I heart this tree. Hence the countless pictures.

Still she stands.

The sun was at the perfect position in the sky as we stood gazing at the Lone Cypress and when I turned around I saw these trees from a distance.
I was so glad I had my camera. Words cannot do justice to the beauty that is the 17 Mile Drive.
What can I say?
It was enchanting.

Things I am currently Loving

It took me two years to get through the novel Jane Eyre. Well really it took me a year to get through the first half of the book and apparently I laid it down right at the best part, so when I finally picked it up again- I flew through it. Go figure.

Anyhow, it really is a great story, it really is, but I've never seen a great film adaptation of it-until now.

I have watched this masterpiece (4 hours running time) twice in the last couple of weeks- and I wouldn't be surprised if I started it again.

Love it.

I have to thank my sister for the great recommendation and I really have spread the love, so I'm telling you if you haven't seen this version, check it out now! I promise you will not be disappointed. I mean just look at that cover! Mr. Rochester definitely got my attention :).

In completely unrelated loves, my new found workout bff is none other than Ms. Jillian Michaels. And yes, here is a shout out to my real BFF Michelle, who made me do this work out with her in Utah- and look Michelle, I'm hooked!

I have told everyone I know about this DVD. It's a 2o minute workout and no joke, she kicks your butt! I love it!

So with the help of Ms. Michaels (available online or any Target or Wal-Mart) and a little thing called eating healthy (and maybe an unofficial following of WW), I have lost 11 pounds and counting in the last two months! What can I say? That high school reunion is around the corner and I gotta get this body in check.

Haha.

Anyhow, as you can tell I really am loving these 2 Dvds at the moment and I just had to share.
What are you currently loving?

Easter

It has been a beautiful Easter weekend.

The weather is gorgeous, the sun in shining and the hope in the air is almost palpable.

I am so grateful for this time of year and the opportunity I have to reflect on my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He suffered and died for me and I know that He rose from the dead that 3rd day. He knows me and He loves me. He lives and because of His atonement I am able to return and live with Him again. I am never alone.

This weekend has also been the General Conference of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Where we are able to hear the words and testimonies of modern day prophets and apostles. It was a wonderful conference.

The link below is to a video of a talk that was given a couple of Conferences ago, that I really feel embodies the Easter message. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

Happy Easter!

Enjoying My City

I went on a date. Calm yourself. It was with this lovely lady below- Kate. Now really calm yourself, it was just a girlie date- though there may be a second ;).

Ha ha. So Kate and I go to church together and we always chat when we see each other and I just think she is great, so finally after a meeting last week we were talking and decided we needed to hang out. Well I was headed to Vegas and she had things going on, so we set up a time and made a plan. Planned, Paired up and Paid for= Date.

This is just how my life is going to go from now on. I seem to never be in town so things just can't really happen naturally, I gotta make plans for the people I want to spend time with. Such is life. Anyhow, Kate is far more adventurous than me (she recently returned from a trip to Malaysia!) so she chose an Ethiopian restaurant for dinner. Here we are with our food. Please take note- There is NO siliverware.

It really was good food, though the bread (injera) did have a spongy texture which kinda threw me. Either way, it was an experience and Kate and I had a great time.
Besides eating new African food, I made it into the District for the National Cherry Blossom Festival with Julie and enjoyed the gorgeous blossoms. Seriously, it really is a site to see.

That would be the Jefferson Memorial behind me.

There are a lot of people everywhere during the Festival. Julie and I headed down Friday afternoon right after work and it was perfect. Though heading home wasn't so much, the metro was backed up forever...so we walked. Yup roughly 4+miles in flip flops.

I love this photo.

I was playing with my new camera and there is a close-up option which is why this shot is so beautiful! (If I can say that about my own photo!)

Another one. These blossoms are no joke.

As we began our stroll home we stumbled upon this stump...

It made me laugh because we endured the same blizzard and it really did take its toll on the city. Luckily though, Spring has come and the memories of snowy days are fading fast.

More Cherry Blossoms, oh and that would be the Washington Monument too :).

Beginning of the sunset on the Tidal Basin.

Walking home.

Random shot I know...but our walk home takes us right by DCA and what can I say, I feel like I live there, so watching this plane land just reminds me of my life recently. (Plus, isn't it amazing that we can be so close to the planes as they're landing?!)

Walking home over the 14th Street Bridge which covers the Potomac River. We thought this was a cool picture because we couldn't figure out what the light was to the left of the sun.

Wow, this looks familiar!

(the shot on the top of the blog is looking out over Paris from the Eiffel Tower-ya this one's not as cool, but hey I was taking in DC)

I really do love this town and the people here. So many great friends and so many great things to do. I really need to make the most of it and with Spring in the air I'm feeling the energy to do it. Amazing how a change of season and a few flowers can just bring the life back to everything.

I love it.

Hello DC, I've missed you.