Concrete Jungle

Well, it's official.... I am now a New Yorker. I have been living in the city since August and am still adjusting to all of the random characters I see on the subway during my commute, the rats that scurry around the streets at night, the dog urine that seems to coat all of the sidewalks, and the seemingly constant rain. BUT, I have to say that I am IN LOVE with my apartment, my neighborhood, Central Park, the INCREDIBLE restaurants that seem to be on every corner, The Shopping!, and all of my new friends here in the city. Yep, I'm falling in love with the Big Apple! It was definitely an adventure finding an apartment here but we got lucky. We found a beautiful 3 BR, 2 BA on the Upper West Side on 85th and Columbus. We're about a half a block away from Central Park and the subway. We have almost completed decorating the place and it finally feels like home.

One of my favorite things about where I live is how close I am to my brother and his family. I've been able to go out and spend a few weekends with him since the move. I am excited to spend Thanksgiving with the whole family in Pennsylvania.

Even though my life seems like it's all work at times, I've been able to squeeze in some really fun things.

During orientation at Citi they took us to the New York Stock Exchange and we got to be on the floor when they rang the bell. I felt really lucky to get to do something that hardly anyone gets to do anymore. I even got to execute a few rapid-fire high-volume trades while on the floor.

I fulfilled a lifelong dream and spent a weekend at the US Open. I took the subway with the Marshalls and the Smoots to Flushing, Queens and basked in some of the most beautiful tennis I've ever seen in person. We saw the men's semifinal matches and the women's finals. I thought Roger Federer was trying to give me a heart attack at times, but luckily I made it out of the match without being rushed to the emergency room... Roger, on the other hand, didn't fare so well... he lost that one.

I survived an earthquake and a hurricane in my first week of work. When the earthquake happened we were at work and I saw something I never thought I'd see... tons of traders on our floor running for the fire escapes. It made an interesting second day on the job, that's for sure. We hunkered down in Libby's apartment in the financial district during Hurricane Irene and watched as the rain and wind beat down on us. We even ventured out to Battery Park during the eye of the storm to see what the damage was like. Needless to say, we got soaked but enjoyed the chance to play in the "big kid size" puddles.

To give you a feel for my new home, watch this video... I LOVE how it really portrays so many different aspects of the city.

A Year in New York from Andrew Clancy on Vimeo.

Trump Card

I just woke up at 3AM... gotta love jetlag! But, I realized that I haven't blogged since last year! That's a little bit ridiculous! I've had some pretty amazing adventures since that last post, but the one that I just returned from would definitely be my trump card. I spent the last 19 days touring the Middle East. We did Jordan, Israel, and Egypt. While the sights that we saw were incredible and most of the time I just stood there in awe that I was actually at these places that I'd read about my whole life in the scriptures, I think that the greatest gift that this trip gave me was the associations that I gained with some of the most incredible people I have ever met. What a blessing!

The scriptures really came to life for me on this trip. As I was reading my New Testament on the flight home I could see the story more vividly and I felt like I understood more clearly. I kept thinking about how I wish I had been able to go there before I taught the New Testament in seminary or before I taught institute and how cool it would have been to have that understanding before I prepared to teach, but I am glad that I have it now. And if anything, I have gained such a desire to immerse myself in the scriptures even more and learn more about the people, places, and principles that they teach us.

Pictures to follow... I still need to get everything on my laptop. AND I still need to put up some pictures from all of my other adventures since my last post. Lots more to come!

Confession

I admit it.... I'm just not a very organized person. THERE- I said it. Don't get me wrong- I don't belong on an episode of Hoarders or anything- but I've been trying to be organized my whole entire life and it's just never really worked. I actually think I need a little bit of disarray in my life for me to feel comfortable. I've always felt guilty about my poor organizational skills but yesterday something just clicked. I was sitting in class and the presenter said "I'm not very organized, I'm not very decisive, I'm a daydreamer". For some weird reason I felt that because he said those things that it was ok for me to feel that way about myself too. I guess i thought that if he could be ok with being those things and still find success in life, then I can to! Here's to unorganized, indecisive daydreamers!!

PS- so what did I do when I got home last night????? cleaned my room, of course- Finally admitting that made me have a sudden urge to clean all night.... yeah- I might have some issues!

What's Up?

So- It's been a while. My life lately has been filled with school, fun, and traveling. It's my last year of grad school and I intend to live it up. Here are a few pictures of what I've been up to lately...

Went to lunch with Stevie and James... LOVE THEM!!

James has such a rough life!!

At the Suns/Jazz game with Janessa & Malorie

Went to the haunted house at Sleepy Hollow with Libs

More Sleepy Hollow

Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken, NJ... home of the Cake Boss!

Libs and I at the Yankees game... game 5 of the AL Championships

Crazy woman at the game

Flag Football- we are HORRIBLE, but it's fun!

BPC Team.. all dressed up for All Saints Day

Golf day!

My fabulous roommate, Michelle, has been patient enough to agree to teach me how to golf. Last weekend we went to the driving range and I learned how to hit the ball and then this morning we went up to Cascade and hit 9 holes before the morning session of conference. It was so much more fun than I thought it would be. I always thought of golf as a bunch of stuffy people walking around the golf course talking about their yachts, but now I can see why everyone loves it so much. We've decided to go every week until it starts to get snowy. My putting leaves lots to be desired, but I had a few good drives. We might have gotten so frustrated with hole 6 that after we both lost our golf balls for the second time on the same hole we just decided to give ourselves par and go onto the seventh. OOPS! At least we only broke a few rules, right?!? The seventh hole mad us feel really good- Michelle got a birdie and I would have gotten a par if the stupid ball didn't jump back out of the hole when it was supposed to be in there! (I know I'm a whiner!) I think I hit every single sand trap possible! Michelle kicked my trash but tried to make me feel better by saying, "It's only your first time". At least I know it can only get better from here. AND I think that the most important skill that I acquired today was skidding the golf cart to a stop. I think that if I could just drive the golf cart around all day, I'd be a pretty happy girl! They would probably kick me off the course for reckless driving, but at least it'd be fun. :)

Here are a few pics from my first round of golf!

Definitely my favorite part... golf cart skidding! (Don't get me wrong- I liked hitting the ball, too, but there is just something about a golf cart.....)

I think I was in the sand more than on the fariway!

YAY for Golf!! :)

Happy to Be!

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about how fragile our lives are and how fortunate I am to have my health, a great education, the best friends I could ask for, my wonderful family, the gospel and everything else in life that I enjoy. I think I take it for granted too often. So- even though I may get a bit out of control and over-excited at times, I am SO grateful for how happy my life is. I'm one lucky girl! :)

When I think about how happy I am, my pre-school picture always pops into my head for some reason- maybe because I look like I'm just happy to be!

More Hawaii....

I clearly couldn't get enough of Hawaii! Here are the rest of the pictures to prove it!

Love this temple! Too bad it's closed until November for renovations!

Beautiful View of Waimea from the top of the mountain. We met a "preservationist" man who I'm pretty sure now is a scam artist- I'm so glad I gave him that $10 bill!!

LOVE Libby's souvenirs. She had the weirdest bumps all over

Laie Point. Probably my favorite place in the world- honestly!

Dinner at the PCC- yum!

Justin took us on a little canoe ride around the PCC- Kayce was so excited to get to park the canoe! THANKS JUSTIN!

Night show at the PCC

Libs and the ever-present Diet Coke

WHAT?!?!? So glad we took this pic when we did, though. They changed it the next day!

Laie Falls. More like a trickle. I remember it having more water. The hike was beautiful, though!

AMAZING view from the hike to the falls.

You will be Shot????

the girls+ Justin+ Pineapple Macadamia Nut Cheesecake from Ted's+ beach+night pics of the point= greatest night ever!

Why do I live in Utah again?

So Pretty! I love full moons

Justin, Heidi, Libby & Kayce

Heidi and Justin on the beach
Heidi, Britt, Kayce & Libs
ALOHA!

Kayce, Justin, Heidi & Libs

All of us by our cheesecake!

Waikiki- the girls quickly understood why I kept us away from this place during the day. WAY too many people. But what can you do when you have to get to the airport quickly???