Saturday March 29th New York City

After a long exciting day on Friday going on zero hours of sleep I was feeling more rested and ready to spend my day out on the town. It was Aubrey birthday and I was so happy just to spend it with her doing whatever our heart desired. The morning began with a delightful brunch with Brittany, Clinton, Ryan, Aubrey and I at Norma's. After brunch we said good-bye to the others and we walked down to 5th Avenue for a little shopping. We met up with Jackie, Mark and Steve. We spent some time in Rockefeller plaza for a little ice skating session followed up with some food. It was back to the hotel briefly to prep for dinner reservations at Pipa at 9pm. The entire evening was filled with laughs, fun conversations, tasty food and an overall fantastic restaurant. After dinner Erin had an acquittance who invited us to a club for drinks, which we all had to decline and some fun dancing. The evening didn't end when we left the club because we found ourself in a cab ride home that would scare you from getting in another cab for a long time. Saturday was a great day filled with wonderful memories for me and Aubrey. I decided more weekend trips this year are going to be mandatory in gaining life experiences. Enjoy the photos.

Top Three Moments for Saturday

1. Brunch at Norma's
2. Skating in Rockefeller
3. Dinner at Pipa

I realize two of the three involve eating but when you love food and eat wonderful food surrounded with great company the memory is lasting.

For The Beauty

This weekend as I sat and watched conference soaking up all wonderful counsel I couldn't help but notice the beautiful flowers in front and behind the podium. I hope each of you took a piece of each talk and plan to make changes to grow spiritually and heed to the council we have all been taught. I am grateful for my family and the plan of happiness the gospel offers to everyone who will come unto Christ. I love the gospel in my life and the blessing that come from being a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. With love, ke

Friday March 28th 2008 New York City

The trip began with a flight from Orange County 6:45 pm to Salt Lake City Thursday night. Aubrey and I were on the red eye out of Salt Lake and arrived in New York City Friday at 5:15 am. That flight was pretty rough since I was only able to sleep for about 20 minutes. After waiting 45 minutes for the bags to find the right carousel we rushed off to catch a few trains arriving in the city around 7:30. That experience on trains was not the best experience walking thru Penn Station with a large suitcase while it is rush hour for everyone else to catch trains to work. We got off in Time square and walked up a few blocks to our hotel the Crowne Plaza. We were told we could not do an early check in so we sat in the lobby for a half hour till cleaning up and changing before heading up to the temple. Check in was three o'clock so off we went exploring for the day. It was worth the wait since we were given a room over looking times square on the 28th floor. Here are the photos from Friday.

Sitting in SLC waiting to board the flight to NYC

A Session at the Manhattan Temple

Walking around the city

Dinner at POP burger

A Musical

After the show

Hanging out in the W hotel enjoying a few drinks (Diet Coke) and great company.

Top three Moments for Friday

1. Walking up to the Temple and doing a session
2. Seeing the Musical Curtains
3. Getting a room over time square

Grad School Update

For all those that have been reading my blog you might remember my post about applying to grad school. On March 3rd I drove up to Long Beach before work and dropped off my application at California State University Long Beach. I only applied to CSULB since I was set on staying in the area and liked the Master's Program they had. I received an email on March 25th that I had not been accepted. They had 110 student's applying for Fall 2008 and had 25 spots open. The entire process was a great learning opportunity and I am really grateful to have gone through the process of applying. This just means that I have something even bigger and better to accomplish in 2008.

New York Moment

I have been thinking a lot about an experience I had this weekend in New York that I feel is blog worthy. Photos and the rest of the weekend are coming soon. It was all in the matter of about 4 minutes that this took place while walking along fifth avenue. Fifth avenue is packed with tourist, taxi's, large building's and the best shopping. I noticed this family of four just a head of me with two young kids, a boy and girl. As everyone stops at the intersection waiting for the green light this family attempts to cross early not really paying close attention. They get half way across and turn around as they see a car approaching the intersection. The light changes and we all cross the street. Once across the father is very angered and I hear him turn to his daughter and yell "Stupid Girl" and my heart just sank.
I am really not sure why he was so mad at her other than I believe she suggested crossing too soon. He grabs his son hand and rushes off leaving his wife and daughter to follow behind who looks about 9. At this point I am near the mother who is trying to explain to her daughter that she is not to tell him what to do as well as consoling her feelings. She was obliviously not doing a good job because she is in tears. If I might add who would not be sad if your own father just called you a "stupid girl". We begin to separate from them and I find myself deep in thought and with a little tear in my eye. I am thinking so many thoughts by now horrible father, poor girl and wife, and who gave him the right to treat her that way. I am trying to pay close attention to everything else going on around me. I am walking with Erin and Aubrey talking to them, listening to this family, trying to watch were I am walking, and looking at everything going on around me. We are on our way to see a hotel and check out more stores and find dinner at this point. My question for you is how often have you been quick to anger at someone you love and respect so dearly? No need to answer this question just remember that we all need to speak a little kinder to each other. Whether it be between husband/wife, parent/child, sibling/sibling and just our friends. I have a great quote from President Hinckley on the matter of being slow to anger.
" Brethren, let us, each of us, watch ourselves. Whenever we have within us a little temper, go outside, breathe some fresh air, and come in with a smile and throw your arms around your wife and tell her you love her. Look to your children and let them know that you love them. Live with them kindly, and graciously, as Latter-day Saints should do."

Wedding reception's in March

Amanda and I March 15

Amber, Zoe and I

Annie California Reception March 8th

BBQ & Long Boarding

Using the timer doesn't always have the best focus

Not the best at holding the camera out but I didn't cut any heads off

Laying on our long boards

In the elevator on our way up to skate

This was another fabulous weekend in the OC. I began my morning with a 4 mile run down to Target and back. With gas prices reaching over $3.50 a gallon I decided to get two things done at once by working out and picking up a gift for the baby shower. I headed off to the baby shower for Tracy followed by a few short errands and home to read my book followed by baking a few goodies for the BBQ. After this perfect day I headed out with friends up to Huntington for a little BBQ followed by a 2 hour session of long boarding in a parking structure at the University California Irvine.

Friday Night

After a super stressful week and my transcripts not showing up I needed to get out of Irvine. Aubrey and I headed off to LA after work to see our friend Henry play at the Roxy on Sunset. Henry is a very talented musician and he put on a sweet show. It was a fabulous evening!

Let there be light

Today was another 10 hours of work. I am ready to relax and catch up on reading for book club next week. I have spent the last month working on my application for grad school. The degree would be Masters in Counseling in the Student Development Higher Education Option. I finally submitted my application to CSULB and just need to finish up my letter. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my transcripts show up in the mail tomorrow. Everything is due Monday. I am really cutting it close. Work has become more stressful then ever. I am so grateful that my training for a second triathlon in April is keeping me sane. I have wonderful friends who love and support me! Off to read my book in time for book club Monday night. Hope February ends on a great note for the rest of you!

Long Beach Aquarium

My newphew Jack was left behind while his parents play in Hawaii for 9 days. I had free tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach so I spent my day off on Friday helping follow him around for the morning. I invited my friends Rachel and her two girls, Hillary & Avery along with my parents.

Happy Birthday Becky

Kristin,Laura,Andrea,Becky

Andrea,Becky,Laura,Kristin

The first photo is at Andrea Wedding and the second was taken at Laura Wedding 2007. I met Becky sometime during my first semester at Utah State in 1999. Besides her being a great friend to me she is also a great wife, mother, and talented business women. She has been a huge blessing in my life and opens her home every time I head up to Utah to play. I appreciate her kind heart and fun loving personality. I hope you had a very Happy 27th Birthday and all continues to go well for your family.

My 1st Triathlon

Rachael and I just before the race

And we are off!

We are just finishing the run

Transition Zone

Walking bike down to start line.

On the road

I am taking this corner pretty fast

We are just about done riding and feeling good.

Running bike into transition zone.

I am glad to be done as I wipe the water off my face.

This was as easy as 1-2-3. My number was 123 and it took me 1 hour 23 minutes to finish a 3.3 mile run, 10 mile bike and 250 yard swim. This morning at 5am it was a chilly 39 degrees but the weather warmed up during the race. This race took place on University California Irvine (UCI) campus. A huge thanks for all the best wishes. There was a nice little crowd cheering Rachel and I on the entire time. Thanks to my special photographer for the day. Dad you are the best!

Rock n Bowl

Tonight was great night of bowling while the rain came down in the OC. I did manage to break 100 on the first game. Great group of friends and a fun evening.

February

Aahhhh! I can't believe it is already February. This weekend I threw a party at the house with about 50 guest showing up to mingle and dance. It was a great way to start the month off with my parents out of town. I had the best upcoming DJ spin the music. THANKS Messick!

I had some productive long days and January flew by. I am expecting this year to move along just as quickly. This month there is something going on each night after work and I am excited for life and all that I will be able to accomplish. I have been really diligent about my training for the triathlon in two more weeks. I am working out almost 5 days a week when time permits in the morning for 30 minutes to an hour. This morning at 7am the sun was shinning and the sky was a beautiful blue. My bed was so warm but after 5 minutes of laying there I headed out to the pool for a swim. Just another Great day!

A loved Prophet

Writing my personal thoughts on this blog is something I will be doing very little sharing on. I do feel it is appropriate to share my brief testimony and experience Sunday evening. As I sat down in the fireside Sunday evening I received 4 text message and the first coming from my dad. It was the news that President Hinckley has just passed away in the last hour. My heart became a little softer at that moment. The fireside began and the after the opening remarks the sister conducting turned the time over to President Emmett. Many us already knew the news he was about to share. I watched my father tear up and become emotional in sharing with the group of 500+ young adults how the beloved President of the church had passed away in the last hour at home. His family members and close friends were with him. At that moment I was so grateful for my father and his example and testimony of a living Prophet here on earth. For the last 12 years I have tried to soak in and follow the Prophets council. I truly know that he was a man called of God to lead and guide us through many world events and natural disasters. He always encouraged members to stand a little taller, be a little better, a littler kinder, a little more generous, a little more courteous, a little more thoughtful, a little more outreaching to others. I have been blessed to be in his presences a few times in the last 12 years. While attending college I made it into a few conference sessions and other events in the conference center. Most recently being able to attend the Newport Beach Temple Dedication and him waving hello into the room I was sitting. My love for the temple and testimony is strengthen each time I attend. I am grateful for my membership in the church and my testimony that God lives and that he sent his son to live and die for me so I can return to my Father in Heaven. Funeral Services will be on Saturday February 2, 10:00 am broadcast in most church buildings and KBYU TV.