Jolly Holiday

In early December, Spencer and I decided to forgo giving each other Christmas presents in favor of a fun night out. This Saturday, we took that night out and went to the city for dinner and a show.

I gave Spencer the job of finding a restaurant. He did some research and made a reservation at Cascina. It was a great little Italian place that we really enjoyed. I had a yummy bowlful of pasta and Spencer simply couldn't stop talking about his red snapper!

After dinner, we headed to the New Amsterdam theatre to spend a few hours with Mary.


I had the job of buying the tickets and I got us pretty good ones. We were on the first row of the mezzanine and they were worth every penny. I had seen Broadway shows before but this one is absolutely amazing! We were expecting exceptional talent but we were very surprised by all the "magic"! I felt like a little kid as I watched props and set pieces appear on stage then turn to Spencer and say, "How did they do that?"

Living in New York, we frequently see commercials for Broadway shows. My mom had also seen the show while here this summer so between the two, I knew that Mary flew at the end. But even though I was expecting it, I was in total awe. She flew right up to and passed our seats. As her head cleared the railing, there we were, face to face! If I had stood, I could have touched her.

We truly had a wonderful evening. As we were preparing to go to bed, I looked at Spencer and said, "Let's do this every year". He said "Let's do it every week". I know he was joking but I also know that he wouldn't mind if it were true!

Inaugural Thoughts

While watching todays inaugural proceedings I had two overwhelming thoughts. I was impressed by President and Mrs. Obama. I thought they were very gracious, classy and eloquent. And just as a friend so stated, our new president deserves our respect and sustainment.

I was however, very unimpressed by sentiments reported by the media. So many are making our new president out to be some sort of savior. He is the same as all other presidents, past and future. Yes, our country is facing some tough times but that doesn't mean that Obama is going to fix them all. In fact, I hope he doesn't! I truly believe that he will try his best, putting his whole heart into the office and doing good for the American people. That alone deserves our respect and reverence, but definitely not our worship.

I know a lot of people were overcome with emotion as Obama took his oath of office. I was not moved to tears until I saw this:

I truly felt sorry for President Bush during today's proceedings. He is a good man. I truly believe, as he has stated in abundance, that he tried to lead with the best interest of the American people in mind. Due to policies instilled by the Clinton administration, President Bush was forced to make very difficult decisions. Those decisions have turned him into a scapegoat for all those in America who don't understand the far-reaching effects of military and intelligence spending, the cyclical nature of the economy and the wisdom in capitalism. I was deeply saddened when I read that distasteful members of the crowd chanted "na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye" to our outgoing president as he arrived on the inaugural platform. He may have made mistakes but just like Obama, he's not perfect. Just as our incoming president deserves our respect, so does our outgoing. No matter if you agree with him or not.

Obama was not my pick as president. But as inauguration day closes, I wish our new president well and I ask my Heavenly Father to guide his hand.

Winter Blahs

This December was the first Christmas of my entire life that I wasn't able to be with any extended family. It didn't go so well. I had very high hopes but in the end, I just missed my loved ones and felt sorry for myself. New Years went well but it wasn't enough to pull me out of my slump. Anna and I have been trying to keep busy by planning outings with friends and we do have periods of light and happiness but when we are alone, I'm pretty sad.

A few things have not helped my mood. We have slipped into bitterly cold temperatures here in New York and much more snow has fallen than I remember from last year. I struggle weekly with my calling. I'm really not enjoying it. I have to re-write every lesson because there is no way 4-year-olds could understand it as is. The actual presentation is such a battle that I come home every Sunday exhausted and hoarse. Spencer has been working quite a lot lately. So much so that Anna doesn't get to see him until Saturday. Top it off with very sad news from Washington and I had a full meltdown.

I've been choking down the Airborne to try and ward off any viruses floating around in the cold winter air but I can't seem to find a cure for this homesickness.

Welcome 2009!

We had a very low-key New Year celebration. We had some friends over, ate some good food, played games and watched the ball drop! It was small and very informal (our friends arrived in their PJ's!) but we had a great time.

I saw a year-end review questionnaire on a friend's blog. In an effort to journal my own 2008 thoughts and feelings, I decided to copy it.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? I had the pleasure of watching my daughter take her first steps. I also taught Senior Primary. If you remember, I really did NOT want to teach Primary. I have since dramatically changed my tune. I love my class and I love teaching them every week. I have since found out that I am being moved to Junior Primary this upcoming year and I am freaking out all over again.


2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t ever remember making a resolution. So I guess that's a no.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth? We had a lot of friends in our ward give birth this year. One of them was my good friend Lynita who had her third. A few far-away friends had babies as well: Jessica, Felicity and Amy all had their second...and all in different states!


4. Did anyone close to you die? A good friend in Delaware passed away from liver cancer. I didn’t go to the funeral because I was nervous about making the drive with Anna alone. I now greatly regret that decision.


5. What countries did you visit? Sadly, none. We did however get to Utah and California.



6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? A house, or at least a bigger place. I would like to have a second bathroom and a place for guests.


7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The entire month of November. I truly lost respect for a lot of my fellow Americans during this election process. Have you seen the statistics on how many people actually think that the Republicans have the Congressional majority? Or how many people thought that Sarah Palin actually said, “I can see Russia from my house”? Come on people, use your brains, do a little research and don’t let the media control you.


8. What was your biggest personal achievement of the year? Establishing an exercise regime and losing weight. It’s a constant battle.


9. What was your biggest failure? Not keeping up with my scripture reading. It’s something I struggle with and I started off really well but then got a little lazy. But I would also have to say that this has been my best year yet.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just Bronchitis…no big deal.


11. What was the best thing you bought? My stepper machine and our food storage. We also just purchased a fabulous desk for a steal on CraigsList.


12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I guess I would have to say Anna since she made so many strides this year.


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Again I would have to say Anna. I'm sure you can all relate.


14. Where did most of your money go? To the State of New York and the County of Westchester. It’s tough living out here. I adamantly maintain that people who have never lived in the East have absolutely no clue.


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? I guess Anna’s first birthday although I didn’t go all out for it. I did get really excited for our many visitors.




16. What song will always remind you of 2008? I don’t really keep up with new music…I’m a classic rock girl. But if I had to choose something from what I’ve heard on the radio it would have to be “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles or “Mercy” by Duffy.


17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer? a) Oh man, this is really hard to answer. There are a lot of things I like about where I am right now. But I can also find a lot to be sad about. I’m happy but I’m not sure I can say that I’m happy-er. b) Thinner. Thank goodness! c) I guess technically Richer since we are very strict about saving at least a little bit every month. But thanks to said New York expenses, I sure feel Poorer.


18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Travelling. I always want to do more travelling.


19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Eating, Watching TV, Sitting on my tush!


20. Did you fall in love in 2008? I hope I never stop falling in love with my husband over and over again, every year!


21. What was your favorite TV program? I love the crime shows: Criminal Minds, CSI: New York, Cold Case and Law & Order. I also love the reality stuff: Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance and Survivor. My only soap opera-y addiction is Grey’s Anatomy.


22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate? No.


23. What was the best book you read? I read some great books this year. I really enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Glass Castle (I think everyone should read this book) and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.


24. What was your greatest musical discovery? I should have been in a more traditional choir instead of Melody Lane Singers. Although it was fun, my voice is much more suited for traditional choral music instead of show choir.


25. What did you want and get? A Dustbuster! Yes, I love the simple things.


26. What did you want and not get? I have a very hard time distinguishing wants from needs. I think it's mostly because I don't have the space to put things! So, whenever I want anything, I have to stop and think if I really need it. And I would have to say that I didn't have to do without most of my needs this past year.


27. What was your favorite film of this year? I went online and found a list of all movies made in 2008. Of that very large list, I’ve seen a whopping 12 (Only 4 of those were seen in the theatre). I guess the one I liked the best was Mamma Mia! Probably because I went with my friend, late at night and had a great time.


28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 31 and I did nothing. It was a very depressing, lack luster birthday. I'm sure hoping that 32 is better.


29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More weight loss for me and a raise for my extremely dedicated, hard-working husband.


30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Trying. I try to look nice and somewhat fashionable but I fear that I fail most of the time. Someone please nominate me for What Not To Wear!


31. What kept you sane? Mostly my husband. He always brings me back to reality whenever I start flipping out. I also met and formed great friendship with wonderful people this year. They are great supports.

Here's to a great 2009!