New York and I are Meant to Be

I am approaching my one year mark in NYC. Sometimes it feels like I just moved here and other times it feels like I have been here forever. I can't imagine living outside of New York. There isn't any other place I would rather be at this stage in my life. Although I don't want to be here forever, it is such an exciting place to be right now. New York keeps my life interesting. 

A year ago I was in the process of making preparations to move here. I had just accpeted an internship and I was searching for a place to live. I was excited to start a new chapter in my life. I had no idea what living in New York was going to be like or how long I was planning on staying here once my internship ended. Life is a constant guessing game. Decisions are overwhelming and the right choices aren't always the obvious ones. I guess I can only speak for myself, but it seems that life changes daily but when looking back over a long period of time there are some things that stay the same. One moment I will make one decision that I am confident in and the next minute I find myself wanting to go in a completely different direction. I find peace and comfort in knowing that things work themselves out but that doesn't stop the unknown from being completely terrifying. 

Somedays I feel confident and happy and other days I am panicking because another year has gone by and I have so many questions that have yet to be answered. Patience is always something that I have drilled into my head but patience, although a virtue, is never easy. I know life is understood only in time, and once we come to one conclusion we face another obstacle of the unknown. Some things take years or even a lifetime to understand. 

Stacey and my dad came into town last weekend during Stacey's spring break from school. The three of us always have a great time when we are together. We shop while dad watches his sports. He loves his March Madness and it doesn't matter what we are doing or where we are, if there is a game on, the world stops. While they were here we explored the city, ate lots of good food and went to the Top of the Rock. The view was amazing! After seeing the city from such great heights, I was just like "Yep, New York and I are meant to be! I never want to leave!"

Japenese Food for Din Din 

Van Leeuwan is one of the best spots to go for ice cream. It has a great restaurant atmosphere and the most tasty flavors to choose from. I love chocolate and coffee ice cream and when the two are put together it is out of this world :)

Dad and I love our coke!

Like father like daughter 

Whenever I eat greasy food, like hamburgers and french fries, I always want a soda to go with it. I love greasy food so so much. I hate that my favorite things in this world are so unhealthy for me. There are two things I will never give up no matter how fat I am and that is french fries, chocolate and cookies. If I die young because of it, then so be it!

Dad watching March Madness... the guy doesn't stop!

I feel like New York and I are meant to be.  I don't know when the two of us will part but I can't see me leaving anytime soon. I know my parents always put a bug in my ear to move back to Utah so I can find a husband. My whole point is this, there are never any guarantees. I think I have to pursue happiness in my own way and things will fall into place the way they should. There is no rush to get to any one point. My life's experiences are significant to me. Comparing myself to any other person would be a mistake.

"Comparison is the thief of joy" 

 I think if we are going to compare ourselves to others it should only be in the way that benefits us and encourages us to be something better than we are :)

Rainy Weekend in DC

Lauren raved about the fish sandwiches and the Eastern Market. After listening to her talk about them  so many times, I had to try one for myself. We ate these while sippin on ice tea! It was the perfect combo. 

My favorite part of people's homes are their mantle and fireplace. Lauren and I have very similar taste when it comes to home decor.

I am about a week behind on every blog post. Time goes by so fast! When I finally get around to posting on my blog the week has gone by.

These pictures were taken last weekend when I visited my good friends Lauren and Jared in DC. I love hanging out with Lauren and Jared! They are married, but whenever I am with them I don't feel like a third wheel. 

Unfortunately it was rainy and cold last weekend. Because of the weather we didn't feel like doing  much other than eating and watching movies all day. It was fine by me. I love cozying up next to a fire. 

Lauren and Jared are the best hosts and their little home is adorable. Saturday night Lauren had the most brilliant idea to make s'mores over the fireplace. The next morning she had another awesome idea to make Eggs Benedict for breakfast. We both love Eggs Benedict! I am proud to say the meal turned out to be delicious. I really didn't think we could pull it off. 

The morning was very calm and enjoyable up until the moment I missed my bus back to New York. We ran into some unexpected traffic on the way to Union Station. I think I missed my bus by a matter of seconds. Lauren and I were running so fast to the bus stop but it just wasn't fast enough.... Lauren and Jared are the nicest people in the whole world. Lauren waited with me in the stand by line and luckily I made it on the next bus back. It was a relief :) I can't wait too see them again soon.

Spring Break 15'

So.... being out of college and all.... I don't technically get a "spring break" But, seeing all my Utah State friends post pictures of their spring break festivities this week inspired me to post some of my own vacation pics. 

These pictures were taken not too long ago. They were taken during Presidents Day weekend when I went to Laguna Beach for a few days. 

I flew a long way for a short trip! However, no matter the distance and travel time, a trip to Cali is always worth it. 

This was actually a relatively spontaneous trip. My friend Stephen has a beach house in Laguna. He called me a few weeks prior and asked if I wanted to go. I was like, "um yeah, I am totally there!" I had the winter blues in New York. The cold and gloomy weather was really getting to me. 

Sunsets always take my breath away and looking at them immediately puts me in a happy place. I am a beach girl. I love being near the ocean and I love digging my toes in the sand. I am going to move to Cali someday! I don't know when....but it is definitely happening!

Just hours before we all headed home, our friend Billy took us to a secret beach spot. I don't know the name of it and if you asked me to take you there, I would have no clue how to navigate myself back. It is unfortunate but it is the truth. 

 I will probably never see this particular beach ever again, but it was beautiful and we all had a lot of fun snapping pictures and hanging out for a few hours. 

Good times at the beach house 

On our way to Disney Land in this picture. 

Can you tell how excited we all were by those smiles?

This was the best planned group photo I think I have ever been apart of!

The last time I went to Disney Land, I was a Senior in high school. I forget how much fun it is. 

Disney Land really is such a happy place! I guess it was worth the $125 I had to fork over.... haha

On our way to the airport :( always sad when a vacation ends....until next time 

Winter Weekends in the City

Last weekend Yourdanos came to New York. 

I visit him in LA, he visits me in New York... it is a pretty good trade off. 

Yourdanos arrived late Friday night. His bus was suppose to get in at 6pm, but because of bus malfunctions 6pm became 10pm and 10pm turned into midnight. I was bummed! I had made some fun dinner and dessert plans. Instead, I watched four episodes of House of Cards while I waited for him. 

Whoever said New York is the city that never sleeps is lying because I had the hardest time finding a restaurant that was open past midnight. The only place open by my apartment was The Meat Ball Shop on 81st and Amsterdam. I was happy though, because this is a restaurant I have been wanting to try for the longest time.

Although Yourdanos was only in town for a short time we had a lot of fun hanging out in the city together!

La Colombe in Tribeca 

On Saturday we did what everyone should do on a Saturday. We slept in and went out for brunch.  I took him to Max Brenner in Union Square. We ordered Cande's Killer Breakfast Skillet (comes with a side of chocolate sauce) and the Whipped Ricotta Crepe!! If you mix chocolate with anything I will fall in love. In this case I am referring to food, not the cute boy sitting next to me. 

Later on in the afternoon, when we needed shelter from the cold, we stopped in La Colombe coffee shop. It is located in Tribeca and they have the best Lattes! 

Hands down, Krispy Kreme donuts are the best!!! Now that I have discovered them in Penn Station, I am going to be paying it a visit often. I am not joking Yourdanos and I finished this whole box in less than two minutes. 

9/11 Memorial 

 Obviously there is so much to see in New York, but in the winter it is hard to be outside. Yourdanos could have picked any other time to visit but he picked the worst month! haha who comes to New York in the winter? No one... it is a really bad idea!

However there was one place in particular I wanted Yourdanos to visit and that was the 9/11 memorial. I knew it would be a special experience for him. Yourdanos has been serving in the military for the last few years and was in Afghanistan for nine months of it. 

Ethiopian Fried Eggs for Sunday Breakfast 

Thanks Yourdanos, I love birthday presents!!! :) 

Our last day together was Sunday. It snowed so much Sunday morning, there really wasn't much for us to do. We both agreed that hanging out in our sweats and watching Netflix was the best option. Later in the day we grabbed some Ethiopian cuisine at a restaurant a couple blocks up the street from my apartment. Too bad I didn't take any pictures of the food, because Ethiopian food is the best. 

I said goodbye to him Monday morning on my way to work! It is always fun to see people you don't get to see often. I wonder what fun the place the two of us will visit next :)