Fun in the Florida Sun!

So, Brett and I got to have the classic spring break experience! We went to Florida! It was so fun! We went down to West Palm Beach with some friends of ours. Brett left with everyone else on Wednesday and I left Thursday. It was perfect timing because there was a HUGE storm in New York the night that I left. We were afraid we were going to get stuck in Florida... that would have been a bummer:). We had a great time. We basically ate (a lot) and hung out at the beach. It was about 70-80 degrees while we were there. A little more chilly than I like for the beach, but it was a lot better than being in below freezing weather. One of the nights we went to Ruth Chris steak house. It was a mojor treat. I am not a steak fan, but this was GO-OOD! I had an 8 oz. steak and I ate every bite. I think the trick is they cook it in butter! It was also fun because one of the couples has a darling baby girl that was so fun to be around for the weekend. We always tell this couple that we hope we are not disappointed with our children because their little girl is so cute! I am sure we will think our children are cute, too :). Anyway, the point is we had a wonderful time and I am sick of winter... maybe we'll fly back to Florida and just pretend like we got stuck there!

It's the little things!

So, big surprises are great - I really like big surprises. But I think it is the little things that really make me smile. For example, after school today I went to the store to pick up some things for dinner. I really wanted to get some junior mints, which are my current candy of choice. But, I talked myself out of it, thinking that I didn't really need to buy them or eat them. So, I didn't. I was second guessing myself when I went down to get on the subway. They have candy stands in all the stations - so I checked to see if they had junior mints - and they did. But once again, I talked myself out of getting them. A little bummed, I got on the train and came home. However, when I walked into our apartment there is none other than a HUGE box of junior mints on the counter! My sweetie pie husband bought a box for me! I was so excited! So, I thought a little bit about how the little things really do matter the most. They keep marriages and friendships happy and can cheer up strangers. Who ever knew a box of junior mints could make me think so much?

We're Back!

So, after a great Christmas break we are back in NYC. We had such a great time in California and Utah. The pictures are of our day trip to Balboa Island. We went there with Tyler and Christie and rode bikes up the boardwalk. It was a lot of fun! I love December in California! You can still do things like go to the beach and ride bikes. I guess it is pretty cold there now - which is weird. And sad because I love oranges... ( you'd have to watch the news to get that comment).

We took the red eye back to Manhattan and got in around 5:30 am. As soon as we stepped out of the airport the vacation was over. We had car service men grabbing our bags and trying to get us to pay $70 for a car ride. Yeah right! Maybe we looked look like tourists, but we are New Yorkers ( I cringe a little as I type that). Cabs are only $45 back into the city... just so you know when you come and visit. So, we got a cab, drove home and I started my new job at 7:30 that morning. I love it! I am teaching at a private school. It is amazing! I have been working there for 8 days and I am still smiling! What a blessing. Another welcome back surprise was that we have bed bugs in out closet ( luckily not in our bed - so should we call them closet bugs?). We were using a blanket from the closet and got bites all over. So we washed it and the exterminators are coming - but that is just gross, huh. One of the joys of living here.

Last bit of news... Brett is so smart! He finished his first semester at Columbia with a 3.96. 4 As and an A-! Einstein better watch out :). So, now we are back at it again. We'll see what this semester holds.

Our NYC Living Quarters

Welcome to our lovely abode located in NYC. Upon entry, you will find in this northwest wing an array of furniture from IKEA. Couch: $90, Chairs: $12, Table: $12, Rug: $40, Experience: Priceless

In this northeast wing, you will find what most visitors consider to be the highlight of the apartment: our loft bed. Only designed for one (a fact that we discovered after of putting the whole thing together), this full-size loft bed has been instrumental in allowing more space for storage in our 350-square foot apartment.

Here, in the southeast wing, you are looking at our kitchen. A fridge, an oven, a sink, four cabinets, and our favorite item: a dishwasher (something that is greatly coveted from others in the area).

This is our bathroom. Occasionally, we have some small creatures (called pigeons) visit while we are showering.

Brett is getting gray hair!

I guess it is a sign that Brett is almost 30! Last night we noticed that he has a few gray hairs! Maybe it is because he is studying so hard... or maybe it is me that is making him have gray hair! Either way - it's there! Maybe we should put in votes for at what age he will be completly gray. I am guessing 40!

Christmas in New York

Brett and I are are learning that the famous song about New York is true. " If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere!" It is a tough city! However, it has transformed this holiday season. There are lights and giant Christmas trees everywhere. The other day, I was walking down 5th Avenue and it all just seemed surreal! I was walking right past the Rockefeller Christmas tree, there were Salvation Army people singing Christmas songs ( like Guys and Dolls!) and busy holdiay shoppers all around me. I felt like I was in a movie! Brett and I went back down to Rockefeller Center at night with some friends and it was even more beautiful... in a big city kind of way!