Terribly Awkward Moments and a Lovely Trip to Connecticut

It feels like forever since I've posted. Things have slowed down a lot, but there have been a few interesting things I would like to share.

First, BYU took us to see Newsies on Broadway. I still haven't decided if I am a super fan of musicals, but I love the movie and the play was amazing! Afterwards, we were waiting for our train and I pointed to a guy and told Charlotte, I think he was in the play. We got on the same train and turns out he was. We all started talking, and I noticed the girl sitting next to me was looking tore up. She had a shirt in her hand wrapped around something, as i looked closer I noticed it was dust cleaner, the kind that has a red straw that you spray on your keyboard. I once saw on intervention an episode about a girl that was addicted to sniffing it, which by the way you can potentially die every time you do so. All of a sudden the train lurches and the girl flies out of her seat, lands half on my legs and slams her head into the ground. Umm..i am not good in emergencies, so i look at her in shock unable to move. The newsies boy, little hero he is, pats on her shoulder asking her if she is okay. She finally responds and yells at him to leave her alone. At the next stop Newsie boy gets out and looks for police in the station, unable to find any he comes back in. The girl gets up and to our horror stumbles in-between the doors of the moving train. We all held our breath, afraid she would stumble over, but she makes it into the next car. I felt guilty for not doing more (or anything for that matter..I was in shock i think) but I was scared she would try to cut me or something. There is always something exciting happening here.

Highlight of my week. Nigel Barker retweeted me...

So...this video is really short I know..but i was hiding behind the tree watching this old man leap like a frog for 15 minutes..he noticed i was watching..awkward..but whatever.

A couple weekends ago I got the wonderful opportunity to visit my family in Connecticut. It was just what I needed. I got to see my aunt and uncle, all my cousins and their sweet babies (puppy Dallas included) and my grandma who was there too! They took such good care of me and it was wonderful to enjoy the beautiful scenery and spend time with those i love.

Penn Station

I can't even handle how cute he is..look at those little suspenders!

Baby Jack has the sweetest smile.

Little Miss Peyton (or Miss P as her mama calls her) Love this baby.

  

The AMAZING view from the back window.

I am obsessed with this picture. They are dang cute.

(Uncle Jack, Aunt Pam, My daddy)

The girls and I went to get amazing pedicures and stopped at the BEST chocolate store...so good.

It was a perfect weekend.

Before everyone left to back to Utah we went to a couple places to eat...of course... This was at a little Italian place around the corner.

the most amazing salad I've ever had. Never tried figs before but this was a cheese stuff fig with mangos and strawberries.

Garlic bread with goat cheese.

Mom, your spaghetti is still better. :)

The boys requested to go to Dino's one last time before they left..of course we obliged. 

 The best wings in the entire world.

Amazing views after dinner on the hudson river.

One day Jessica and I were in El Barrio working and had to go pee so bad. No where has restrooms, or lets you use them. Its real annoying. And even if they do they are so nasty you don't want to. So we go to Goodwill and they point us to the direction of a market across the street. We ask a worker for the bathroom. He leads us to the back of the store, through a door into a back room. He proceeds to lead us down two flights of stairs in a basement and down a corridor. Where we stop in front of these "decorated" lockers and a bathroom. For a second there I thought I was in a horror movie. 

So I know you are waiting for the awkward part. Here it is.

On June 16th I had to work an event in Harlem. To start it out, I had to pull a roll cart with heavy papers on my way to the bus stop. As I was riding on the bus I stood up as we approached my stop. I tripped over the seat/cart and fell over. Everyones head swiveled to stare at me. I lifted my shoulders in embarrassment and no one smiled. Just stared. Weirdos. Would have lightened the mood if you at least smiled at the clumsy white girl. Needless to say I hauled booty out of that situation..It was a hot windy day and community based organizations gathered together, sitting at tables surrounding the local government building.  I was sitting next to a really nice man, originally from Barbados. When he sat down by our table, he had a dolly to carry all of his boxes, about 15 or so. I was wondering what he had there until he opened them and told me "I am the condom guy." To help prevent HIV in these communities they hand out thousands of free condoms from the city health department. My boss started laughing because I turned so red. I know...its not a big deal, but I was caught off guard. I enjoyed my time with the people. I saw an old man with a walker dancing, it was so precious, and some older ladies (Like 65 and 70) who straight up started lifting there shirts up during Nellies "Its getting hot in here"It was really windy and some of our papers were flying around. Next thing I know, the condoms in the little baskets take flight and start flying at my face, hitting me everywhere. I was horrified. My new barbados friend, laughing hard as I ran to pick them up off the ground, was nice enough to buy me a diet coke for my "help."

Later I got to celebrate Jessica's 21st birthday.

 S'MAC. BEST MAC AND CHEESE EVER.

 Sprinkles. I got the Black and White.

 little nugget. Turned 21.

 Thank HEAVEN.

They don't call me dietcokemonster for nothing. Its not a birthday celebration unless i get you a diet coke..and a slurpee. of course i owed Jessica after i lost our bet. Long story short we spent about an hour at least trying to find 7-11. At one point i thought i saw it in the distance and Jessica said if I was wrong I owed her a diet coke. I lost. But of course i paid up, happily.

Before Jessica left we wanted to go to Eataly. It was a little overwhelming at first. It is a "food court" of  Italian restaurants and a market with fresh vegetables and italian candies, meats, cheese and breads. Side note..I saw a foreign man hand his wife a pepper, while shopping in the market. She breaks it in half, licks the center, and sticks it back on the table, and proceeds to put other peppers in a bag. Not sure how they do it wherever you're from, but here if we lick, we buy. Yeah...I am that annoying person that told a sales associate. I wouldn't want to eat a licked pepper, so why should someone else have to. :)

Natural Coca-cola.

Homemade raviolis with fresh ricotta covered in a lemon cream sauce topped with pistachios. 

We explored 5th Avenue afterwards..

 New York Public Library

And of course Rice to Riches one last time..

My favorite flavor? Chocolate chip. 

Since you can't come to New York and get yourself a "souvenir" I got one the dietcokemonster way. Really cool coasters. :)

I have been really indecisive lately and my relationship with my dad has grown over this stressful time for me. He reminded me as we learned at graduation "I can do hard things." He put up with my indecisiveness with the most patience i have ever seen. I didn't post  on Father's Day, and I may be a little late, but I am so grateful for him. (of course i am making up for the lateness by sending him a Dino BBQ gift basket..sheesh he's spoiled) I hope he knows how grateful I am for a dad that takes time out of his busy day to talk to me whenever I call. He helps and pushes me to realize my full potential, he sees what i don't yet see I am capable of. Thanks for believing in me Dad. Love you.