Only in NY

New York truly is a beautiful place, but just like all big cities there tend to be a lot of...well, bums. I usually don't quite know how to handle myself when approached my someone in need...though I wish I could help, I would go broke if I gave food or money to every person who asked for it on the street. Yesterday something happened that made me feel a little better about all the times I have denied needy people of my assistance. I came around a corner and saw a man who looked...well like a bum...and had a sign by his feet that said, "Handicapped, please help." Just as I was noticing how he didn't appear handicapped at all, he pulled his right arm through the sleeve of his shirt and held it against his chest. VOILA....missing a limb. Really? Really? How low it that?
Almost as low as Frank leaving Ali for his ex.

Dear Frank

I'm glad you're gone.
And I knew you would do something stupid like this.

The REAL Housewives

I found this list on a friend's blog (sorry for stealing it!) and just had to post. It is hilarious. Do yourself a favor and read the whole thing. Perhaps there is truth to the idea, but some points are slightly outdated to say the least.

It is from Housekeeping Monthly, 13 May, 1955.

1.Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

2.Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

3. Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

4. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.

5. During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

6. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.

7. Be happy to see him.

8. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

9. Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

10. Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

11. Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

12. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

13. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

14. Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

15. A good wife always knows her place.

By the way, I have been a wife for 11 months today. Still trying to learn my place.

read this

if you have a spare minute...I found it to be very interesting.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/938ff454-8a32-11df-bd30-00144feab49a.html

feet/books

Well here I am, back in the big city! Being at work again has been great, and Ty and I had an excellent weekend together because his hours weren't too bad. He did have to go in for a few hours on Saturday, so while he was at work I went and got a pedicure at this cute little place on 6th and 38th. The girl who did my toes did an amazing job...so methodical and spent such a long time clipping, filing, and polishing. Felt oh so good! The only problem was that my heels were so dry and cracked that when she filed them down they started bleeding. Embarrassing! I have always had this problem. Sorry if this is TMI about my feet. You are free to stop reading if you don't like the image of bleeding feet in your mind... don't worry I won't post pix. When I got home Ty and I had the brilliant idea to put super glue in the cracks to help seal them off (yes, glue on my foot). When we realized the lid to the bottle was broken, we then had our next brilliant idea of taking it off and pouring the runny liquid onto my foot straight from the open mouth of the bottle. This obviously was a disaster. The "super-quick-dry" formula ended up all over both of our hands, the bathroom floor, and numerous other places that should not have super glue on them. Three of my fingers were stuck together for 10 minutes, and the label that was once on the front of the glue bottle was tattoed onto my index finger. The bottle was glued to the top of the toilet. Last time we try that.

Change topic now.

I have never been much of a reader. I always loved the idea of reading, but I just never found a book that I could really get into. Couldn't do Harry Potter, only read the first of the Twilight saga, they just didn't do it for me. Maybe I am just impatient and can't sit still long enough to get into a book, or maybe I am lazy and would rather entertain my mind in other more-veg-out kind of ways. For the most part, I have stuck more to reading for school and less for leisure purposes. My mother-in-law recommended I read a book called The Firm by John Grisham. Have you read it? I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed every page and I could not put it down! All of the similarites between the couple in the book and Ty and I made it both relatable and kind of creepy. I would highly recommend it. It was the perfect mixture of mystery, romance, and action. It inspired me to pick up reading as a more regular hobby, so I have now started the book called The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. So far I have enjoyed it as well. Maybe this is the birth of a full-fledged book worm! Maybe not but I'm doing pretty good, right?

still here.....

SO I am still in Utah! I was supposed to go home on Monday morning, but I just couldn't do it. My mom has really needed my help so I thought the best thing for me to do would be to stay here for a few more days. I changed my ticket to go back to NY on Friday. The people at my internship have been soooo wonderful and understanding, telling me to take as much time off as I need.
Along with helping out at home, being here has been great because I was able to go to my friend Brooke's wedding. She married Jake, her high school sweetheart, who I am also good friends with (and actually "dated" my freshman year haha!). They had the most beautiful wedding and Brooke was even nice enough to invite me to be a last minute addition to her wedding party.

High school pals.

The happy couple stuffing cake in each others' faces.

One thing I realize I have missed from home since being here is the ability to get in a car and drive wherever you want. In NY, you have to plan out this whole subway routine and it's hot and stinky and just not that fun after a while. What a joy it is to have access to a car! Just a side note.

My mom is continuing to get better with each day that passes. Though it will be a long road, she is expected to make a full recovery. We have been extremely overwhelmed with the outpouring of love from our friends, family, and neighbors. We have people bringing us dinner every night this week and next! People are just so thoughtful, and it has really made a difference.
Thank you and goodnight.

Home Sweet Home

It's funny how you can make all the plans you want, but somehow they will always end up changing. My plan for the weekend was to spend the Fourth with my mom, in New York, shopping at LuLu Lemon and seeing the Broadway musical Memphis. Well, my plans changed and I am going home to Salt Lake tomorrow to spend time with my family there. My mom is still in the hospital recovering from her surgery and I just can't stand being away any longer. It was quite the dilemma deciding whether or not to just stick it out and stay here (plane tickets for the holiday weekend are extremely expensive and I have to miss a couple days of work) or go home to help my mom. When I really thought about it, I knew that if it were me in the hospital with a severe injury, my mom would come from anywhere and be there as fast as possible. That's just how she is. SO it just didn't make any sense for me not to go.
Though it would have been fun to enjoy the city with mama this weekend, I am just grateful that she is on the road to recovery and that I get to make a spontaneous trip home to see all of my loved ones.
Who needs plans anyway, right?

Good News/Bad News

The Good News: I had a fabulous weekend playing in the city with Ty's mom and sisters. We packed an obscene amount of activities into the 2.5 days we had here. We made a mile-long list of things we wanted to do and see, and we accomplished almost every single one of them. Highlights of the weekend include but are not limited to the following:

1. Rachel being followed in the MOMA by "Willie."
2. Jodi falling. Twice.
3. Jodi knocking over picture frames in the store and blaming it on me.
4. Dessert for breakfast.
5. Shopping at the ever-so-classy Easy Spirit.
6. Makeuping in Sephora for 2 hours in the middle of the night.
7. Everyone buying the same shirt, shoes, sunglasses, etc.
8. a lot more that I can't even think of.
How lucky am I? The Baldwins are just great. I somehow acquired 5 of the most beautiful, kind, smart, and funny women as my new big sisters. To say the least, it was a perfect weekend spent in the city and I am sad it is over. Hopefully this becomes an annual event. Let's start saving our pennies!

Breakfast at Max Brenner-Chocolate by the Bald Man (Ty got to come too).

Out of all the shirts in Nordstrom Rack, three of us decided to buy the exact same one.

Outside So Good. And yes, it was.

Cute Toni and Rachel.

Eating Shake Shack.

The Bad but hopeful News: I got a call from my dad yesterday telling me he was at the hospital with my mom. She was in a bike accident and broke her back Saturday morning. She is in surgery right now to try and repair the vertebrae. I got to talk to her for a minute and she sounds like she is doing alright. She is the strongest and most positive person I know, so I'm confident she will make a quick and full recovery. I'm sad that she won't be able to come visit me this week, but I just want her to get better soon.
I love you mom!
(She's the blond on the left)

summer storm

While I wait for my toenails to dry, I thought I would write about my adventure last night. Yesterday was a lovely summer day...showed no signs of a storm whatsoever! So to my surprise, when I got off the subway on my way home from work it was POURING rain. Like..POURING. Luckily, being the ultra-prepared wannabe New Yorker I am, and mucho thanks to my ginorm Michael Kors bag, I had an umbrella! But it was raining so hard the umbrella didn't help much! By the time I got home the only spot on my body that was dry was the very top of my head! My pants literally looked like I had jumped into a swimming pool. They were getting so heavy with water that my legs were getting tired walking in them. NOT JOKING.
It was pretty dramatic. I actually quite enjoyed getting caught in a summer storm in the middle of the city. So much that I just might have to do it again sometime.
Tomorrow I am meeting up with all of Ty's sisters to begin our much anticipated girls weekend. I am so very excited to see and catch up with all of them. I haven't seen some of them since our wedding. BTW can you believe we have been married for 10 months? Believe it.
Speaking of Ty... He has been working a lot this week. He worked until 4am on Monday and 3am this morning. Tonight will probably be the same. If you think about it, might want to say a little prayer that he will make it through the night without falling asleep at his desk! If it were me, I'd be a goner by now.

2cute2B4gotten

I saw this dog on the street today and fell in love. His name is Muggles. Um..cute! I look like a Chinese baby but I just really like this dog. I maybe sorta want one just like him.

perfection.

Guys...my ideal night: Gym, slice of pizza from Zaytuna, NBA Finals, the latest InStyle, and a pint of Ben&Jerry's Phish Food ice cream.

Ahhhhh. Relaxation.
I love when I feel tired and sore from working out... makes me feel accomplished and like I deserve to snarf lots of goodies.

The only thing that would make it better is if Ty were here with me. BUT tonight will be an early night for him...supposed to get off at like 10 (not normal, I know). But believe me that is early!

I randomly went to a Toby Keith concert today at Fox. It was kind of awkward because there were like 30 people there.

The only song I really know of his is that old one. I think it's called "Wanna Talk About Me," but he didn't sing it.
This is one thing I really love about New York. You can just be walking around, minding your own business, and run into the most random and exciting things.

upcomings

Is it normal to have gray hairs as a 21 year old? I have two of them. Seriously. I'm letting them grow out to see what happens.

We have some exciting things coming up! On Wednesday, Ty's mom Jodi is coming. It will be so fun to have a visitor and to catch up with her. I warned her it will be like camping when she stays in our apartment...we have to put her in a tiny corner to sleep with a blow-up mattress. The very next week, all of Ty's sisters (and sister-in-law) are coming for a girls weekend! Last year Jodi said that her dream has always been to take a girls trip to NY with all of her daughters and daughter-in-laws (or daughters-in-law...?). For Christmas, a "Surprise Fund for Jodi's NY Trip" was created in which everyone contributed money. We also put in for her birthday and Mother's Day. We have finally racked up enough cash to make the trip happen. We will be staying at a hotel in Times Square and we have already started planning our activities. All of the Baldwin women are amazing... couldn't have married into a better family!
The following week MY mom is coming to visit. I am very excited about this. This is the longest I have ever been away from her and my family! I make up for being so far away from them by averaging about 6 phone calls home per day. I can't wait for her to get here, we will surely commit some serious shopping damage.
Ty officially started working with his team on Friday. He didn't get home until about 2am. Poor guy! Last night was a little better, he got off at about 8 (yes, on a Saturday night). Lucky for me I have a lot of spare time to catch up on politics, reading, The Bachelorette.

Mi madre with my niece and nephew....Miss them!

Best Job Ever! and stuff

Ok, so it's not a job it's an internship, but it really is the greatest! I work the with coolest people ...so intelligent, funny, and just great to be around. I have learned SO much since I started. I'll be a new woman when it's all over in a couple months!


The control room-- where all the work goes into putting on the show.

Studio D--Where the GB magic happens.

Sorry the pictures look like they're from 1902.
I love New York. Sometimes I just look around and still can't believe that I am here doing what I'm doing.
Although my tasks at work are usually intellectually stimulating and enlightening, at times I am asked to run random errands. Today I was asked to get a 'congratulations' gift basket for Judge Napolitano. I got a hold of the company credit card and headed to this amazing little Chocolate shop in Rockefeller Plaza called La Masion du Chocolat. I bought $130 worth of chocolate for this lucky guy! Then I went to the Morrell wine store and bought a bottle of Chianti. That was a first! I had no idea what I was doing but it was fun to pretend like I was getting all of it for myself. Oh...and they didn't even I.D. me! Cool huh?
Ty FINALLY started his internship this week. He worked until about 9pm every night, and who knows how late he'll be there for the rest of the weekend. He has already made some good friends and said he has learned a ton.
Don't have any pictures of his work.
Sorry I've been lame about posting regularly. Sorry I'm apologizing about blogging. But I really will be better, I promise : )

Almost Reality

NYC has quickly turned into our home away from home. I feel like it has been so long since I've seen my family, friends, or even familiar face. Though slightly intimidating, New York is an amazing place to be and I have loved our time here so far. This has been the longest period of time since getting married that we have had just to ourselves without school, work, swimming, etc. I have been so spoiled to have Ty all to myself...but now I am starting to realize that come next week...it's all over and I will rarely get to see him! I started my internship last week, but he is going to be working ridiculously long hours when he starts on June 7th. All of this play time will soon be over and the real work will begin. I was secretly hoping that all of this one-on-one time with Ty would make me get sick of him so that I wont mind when he starts work, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen ; ) Here is a list of random things we have learned since coming to the city:

1. Longest line=best food.
2. Birds and squirrels in NYC are just like the people who live here, they have no awareness of personal space. (see figure 1)
3. Most of the people who are overly nice to you are trying to sell you something.
4. Roller blading is cool again! Who knew? ( see figure 2)
5. We would not survive without GPS and the iPhone
6. It's not normal to go to the grocery store anymore, you have to order your groceries online and have them delivered. duh. (Fresh Direct)
7. If we hear of someone who lives in a one bedroom apartment opposed to a studio, we are envious and think they are oh so established.
8. 2 grand/month for rent is reasonable.
9. Being married in your twenties is stranger to most than the guy digging for a treat in the garbage can at the subway station. (wish I had a pic for this, it is common.)
10. Ty needs a haircut. (figure 3)

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

˙Just us˙

First Day!

Today was my first day of work here in NYC! I didn't get much sleep last night because I was laying awake stressing about it. I wish I wouldn't have stressed so much because it turned out to be so exciting and fun. I loved every second of it! I was definitely nervous when I was walking into the Fox News headquarters. I didn't know who I was meeting or where I was supposed to go. I felt like a kindergartner being dropped off for my first day of school when Ty said goodbye to me at the door (yes, I made him take me).
After meeting my team and becoming more acquainted with the building, my nerves all went away. Everyone there was so sweet and nice to me, they really welcomed me into the group. It was definitely exciting to meet Glenn Beck and find out what I will be doing from day to day at the show. My hours are a little long (8-6 Mon-Fri) but I can honestly say I am excited for it and can't wait for the experiences I'm going to have. Yay!
This past weekend Ty and I went to Brooklyn and ate at the famous "Grimaldi's Pizza". Hands down the best pizza I have every had. Ty and I ate an entire large pizza on our own in about 10 minutes. After we ate, (by the way, we had to earn our meal by waiting in line for over an hour!...told you it's famous) we got ice cream at The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and then walked back into the city on the Brooklyn Bridge. This is something I will never forget! The views of the city and the water were beautiful.
Line at Grimaldi's

This picture does not do the Brooklyn Bridge justice, but at least you get an idea!

BIG apple

The past two days we have spent in the city doing nothing but playing, enjoying, and discovering. It's always fun to see such famous places in person, and it's even cooler now that we get to see them all the time. This is our first and last week in the city together before our jobs start : ( so we are living it up and doing everything we can while we still have time.

First stop was Fox News, of course! I am making Ty take me there every day so I can get the subway route down before I start on Monday and have do undergo the commute alone.

Then it was off to Times Square. What a crazy place! Fun to visit, but I am glad we live on the other side of town where things are more quiet and "normal".

We then made our way up to Columbus Circle on the south end of Central Park and shopped around at the mall up there. I love Central Park, it really is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city! I'm looking forward to running, picnicking, and just hanging out there more this summer.

While we were in Times Square yesterday, this guy came up to us and said, "Do you want free tickets for the David Letterman show tomorrow?" Ty and I looked at each other and then said, "Uh, Yeah..." we had been looking for a way to get tickets to a show taping. Then the guy told us there was a catch, of course. We had to answer a trivia question. I thought we were done for. I pleaded to the guy to ask us an easy one, so he asked, "What color of hair does the announcer on the show have? It's unique and natural." I said, "red?" Good thing he gave us the hint because I had no idea! And we got the tickets! It was so cool! Today was the perfect day to go to the show because it was pouring rain all day. AND...P-diddy was there! We couldn't have cameras in there so I don't have proof, but he really was there! If you watch tonight maybe you'll see Ty and I in the audience. Probably not. The funniest thing about the show was the producers reminding us like 50 times to make sure we laugh as hard as we can after every joke Dave says. We had to practice laughing and everything. They told us that even if we don't think the joke is funny at all, we have to laugh like it was the funniest thing we've ever heard. So next time you watch the show or one like it, remember that the audience is being forced to laugh! Just sayin.


After the show we stopped by this cute bakery and got a PB & J cupcake. SO GOOD!

New York is fun.

24 hours

The past 24 hours have been nuts. After we arrived to our new apt yesterday morning, we threw all of our stuff on the floor and headed out to grab lunch and groceries. It was such a beautiful day and we had so much fun walking around and seeing what surrounds our building.While out and about, we ran into Ty's work building. This is the place he will be spending all of his time starting June 7th. He will literally be there twice as much as our apt.

You can't tell here but this building is 43 stories high!

Our friends Mary Martha and Andrew Checketts invited us to head out to New Canaan, CT to go to Andrew's little brother Ben's wedding. The wedding was last night and we decided we wanted to go to see the Checketts and also to see New Canaan. Ty lived there when we was little so it seemed like a fun opportunity to check it out. I am so glad we went! The almost 2 hour commute to New Canaan by subway and train was totally worth it. The reception was absolutely stunning and it was great to see our friends out here. Tyler was able to reconnect with a ton of old family friends.

Me in Grand Central Station catching the Train to Connecticut.

Us with Mary Martha and Andrew.

Beautiful flowers at the reception.

Classy peeps at the shin dig.

New Canaan is the most adorable, charming place. I loved the beautiful homes surrounded by woods, and everything is so green there. I would highly recommend stopping by if you're ever on the east coast!

We didn't get home until about 1:30am...we were exhausted! Church today was at 10am, but we were excited to go and see our new ward. It did not disappoint! The people were all so welcoming and sweet to us. I can't wait to get to know them better.

This is for real our ward. We would have walked right past it, but we met a member on the subway who thankfully showed us the way.

So far I'd say things in NY are going pretty well! I might be a little home sick though...I feel far away from normal life!!! The biggest shock so far was going to the grocery store and spending $5.50 on a gallon of milk! We might starve!
Please send help ; )

Here!

We just made it to our apt in New York! We had a perfect view of Manhattan when we flew in this morning. It is a beautiful day here in the city and we cannot wait to unpack and then figure out our surroundings. Though our place is a bit smaller than we were anticipating, the views are incredible. We can see the water on one side and Trinity Church on the other. Ty is blasting the Empire State of Mind song. HAH. More to come.

FUN in Raleigh

So here is an update of what we have been up to in North Carolina!

We went to this amazing beach house last week in Topsail Beach, NC. The house where we stayed was adorable...looks like it came right out of Pottery Barn.

Ty had fun skim boarding.

Us hangin in our whiteness.

The pantalones I made! Go me! Don't know how to turn the pic around unfortunately.

This it Ty's group of friends from high school. We met up with them for dinner last night. It was great catching up and reminiscing on old times.

Only 4 more days until New York! We have had so much fun in Raleigh, but can't wait to get to the city. I feel like we are homeless right now.

NC so far...

Ok so I don't have any pictures YET of North Carolina, but so far it has been great! We have just loved spending time with Tyler's family. We have been staying up late playing games and watching Glee. Last night we played Speed Scrabble...I was terrible at it but it was still fun.
Also, I am actually making something! Ok, I haven't really started it but today I went to a fabric store and bought pretty fabric to make these cute PJ pants! I know, amazing right? My sweet mother-in-law is teaching me.
Tomorrow we are going to Topsail Beach to visit Ty's brother and his fam. I'm so excited to go to the beach! Imma get my tan on.
I will try to remember to take pictures and put them up.