I <3 NY

Last year while living in NY the opportunity came to purchase US Open Women's Final tickets last minute. Being the opportunist that I am, I bought the tickets and was stoked to go. However that weekend, it poured cats and dogs, so it got postpone, and then I was unable to go the follow day... boo hoo! So ever since I promised myself I would go again, most likely the following year, because I thought there was a pretty good chance I would still be in the city.

However, I am no longer living there, but my friend, Sara, was able to get tickets for the men's semi-finals and my other good friend, Thomas, who used to live in NY, who now lives in San Fransisco, bought tickets and encouraged me to come. Well you know me, I hate to miss out on the party, so I was able to find cheap air fare, and bought the tickets. I was so excited to come out for the game, and to return to the city, and reunite with old friends. I didn't realized how much I missed it when I arrived, yet I also was able to see the little things that got old, small apartment, subways, constant chiaos, that I didn't miss. It actually made me feel better about my decision to move and it made me realize, I can still come back and visit, to get my fill of the city.

So of course I arrive late Friday night on Sept. 11 (yeah don't worry about it, watch a special memorial about 9/11, and I was all of the sudden freaked to return to the city, kind of funny), and sure enough it had been raining all day and was forecast to rain on Saturday, when the game was. So I had made no plans for Saturday and all of the sudden my day was free, but it was fun and fun to see where the wind takes you ( I swear that is my motto in life). I was able to meet up with my friend Mark for brunch in midtown, our mutual friend Megan from Cali was in town, so we talked about going to a broadway show, we decided on Rock of Ages, because I LOVE  80's hair bands, we went to TKTS 30 mins for the show and I got 4th row seats, because I sat by myself. I laughed soooo hard, so nostalgic, however it was quite crude (so mom I don't recommend you go and see it). At the end they have a live band and they throw the guitar pick, and I was sending out the secret that I would catch one, and one bounced of my chest... it was MTB, meant to be. We then got pictures with the cast afterwards, yes even Constatine :)

Then my brother Roger and cousin Jake happened to be in town, so I met up with them in Times square we then mozy on over to Union Square, where I met with my friend from NYU, Tierney at my favorite place ever, Grey Dog's for food ( I was wishing my band mates were there, they know who they are). Then I met up with Roger and Jake again, we headed to their one star hotel room in the Meat Packing district, which was worst than a cruise ship's cabin. I then was suppose to meet up with my friend Logan, but my phone died, so stopped by the Single Stake dance and said hello to my old friends from my ward, and then met up with Logan for some yummy Ben and Jerry's ice cream afterwards. So it ended up being a fun filled day without any original plans... that is the magic of NY :)

Next day, went to the family ward, check, then headed to the US open, it was soooo much fun.... I really got into it, and loved that Del porto, beat Naval. I had to leave a little early to catch my flight. It was a short trip, but definitely worth it.

HHS Class of '99 Ten Year Reunion.

Wow, I have never felt so old, that the time has finally arrived that I have been graduated from High School for TEN YEARS!!!! Ouch, I feel a little bit old, I won't lie, especially because I still feel and think of myself as like a 22 year old still exploring the world and experience as much as I can. However I feel like I have done and experienced a lot since High school, so in some ways it feels like it's been longer and past life time. The reunion happened to be at my dad's pond house, so it gave it an elegant and laid back atmosphere with Christmas lights, pot luck dinners and chatting amongst old friends and classmates. It was kind of a blast from the past to see so many old friends that brought back so many old memories that you have forgotten about. It is always good to reconnect with my old roots and remember at the end of the day I am just a small town girl from LaVerkin, Utah. 

Viva Las Vegas.

So I am now an offical Vegasan... is that how it is said? don't know but I have returned to my southwest desert roots to the beautiful sin city of lights. Won't lie, it was a bit of a cultural shock to come back, and things we're weird to adjust to, like no recycling bins in our garbage, not having to eat on the couch due to there actually being a table. There is a laundry room, my own private bath and did I mention QUIET.... it's so nice. My new roommate asked if it was boring compared to NY, and I said "yeah but I like boring." Believe it or not, I have turned over a whole new leaf. I have work from 6:50 AM to 2PM, it's a 20 min commute, yes in my car, not the dirty and over crowded subway...whew! So I wake up at 5:30 and go to bed at like 10:30, I have became somewhat of a home body, I feel kind of like a grandma, but it's just nice to relax to peace in quiet. However I still tap into what my fun get-aways on the weekends. So it's slowly but surely treating me right here in good ole Vegas.  Besides my roommate Hiedi and I have already had two of our friends from NY visit us, so it brings a little bit of NY in our new Vegas environment. Also I am close to home and have been able to spend some more down time with mi familia, like having our regular BBQ's at my dad's.

Hanging with Roger!

My sister Loni allowed my mom and dad to take her four year old son, Roger to come out to Utah for two weeks. Well we stayed busy the whole time which tuckered out the poor little guy. But he was such a riot and has such a spunky and independent personality.  Upon arriving to Utah, we took a 14 hour drive to Montana, then back to Utah, while in MT he got stung by a bee. So whenever he saw any kind of fly or insect flying he freaked. He sang the ABC's everytime he washed his hands and the sweetest was when he acted homesick, he would say, "I miss my mommy," and I would ask why, and he would say, "because she loves me." Then I would ask if he wanted to go home, and he would say, "No not yet, later." Because he was having the time of his life with four wheeling rides, swimming in the pool, and all the time and freedom to himself. He was such a cute kid, we even got permission to cut his precious hippy locks. 

Lichfield Family Reunion

So my family is having our first family reunion since my parents divorce. So this will be interesting... but whenever you add four wheelers, a swimming pool, random animals and yummy food, it's always going to be a success. My dad was so proud and excited to show us his new bird sanctuary. And we took a forever long ride through the back hills of our house to Shady Grove by Leeds. We then took a dip in the pool to cool off, it was so hot and sandy. Then we played a couple of good games of mafia and then called it a night.