A Week in Instagram

Sunday brunch with live jazz, bloody mary's and friends at Perch

Reading a new favorite poolside

Husband rearranged all of our furniture

Eaton Canyon hike with Kat

Simple summer meals: fish tacos

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City Hall flags-Los Angeles

New York

New York City is probably one of the craziest yet most exciting places I have been to.  We took a Bolt bus from Boston to New York on Tuesday.  It was only a 4 hour bus ride and dropped us off right at Penn Station.  Immediately, I embarrassed myself (so typical) by trying to go through a turnstile with my luggage...yes, as you can imagine, I got stuck.  So embarrassing! Eventually the security let us through the handicapped gate after laughing at me for what seemed like forever. It was raining in Brooklyn where we stayed on Tuesday/Wednesday, but we still walked at least 5-6 miles around and saw the Brewery and went around Dumbo (probably one of my favorite spots as you are by the water and get an incredible view of the city). 

Late Wednesday, we went to the city to meet our good friends who let us stay with them the entire time (thanks N and Yanessa!!!) and the adventure truly began.  Every day we explored and saw beautiful neighborhoods, historic and touristy sights, took long walks, subway rides, ate delicious food and drinks and ended the night cracking up to SNL skits.  We got to have a picnic in central park with live music, champagne, baguette, cheeses and watching the fireflies.  All in all, it was such a good time. 

{Wall Street}

{My favorite treat: a Orchid Cream Vanilla
and Pear snowball with ice cream from
Imperial Woodpecker in the West Village}

{Rooftop drinks with friends at The Met and the Prada exhibit}
(I wasn't allowed to take photos so I was sneaky with my phone=bad quality)

{St. Patrick's Cathedral}

{Grand Central Station}

{Walked the High Line-my favorite thing I did}

We ended our adventure with the Jazz Age Lawn Party.  More tomorrow on that!

Boston

Hello there! We got back from our 9 day vacation last night and could not believe how much fun we had! As I had mentioned in a previous post, this was the longest vacation either of us had been on, let alone together as a couple (our mini-moon was only 5 days total) and we could have stayed another 9 days.  I fell in love with the east coast with it's history, natural beauty, public transportation and the fact that we got perfect weather! We left late Saturday night on a Red Eye to Boston and of course did not sleep at all, so Boston is a bit fuzzy to me--I'm glad I took pictures to reflect.  Our sister and brother-in-law showed us around the town in a food and history inspired tour which included eating and drinking our way along The Freedom Trail.  =)

Tomorrow I will share our photos from our favorite city we have been to...NEW YORK!

Bittersweet Symphony: Reflections of an Emotional Weekend

"Cuz it/s a bittersweet symphony this life..."  This song has been playing through my head all weekend.  First off, my husband and I had such a good time just relaxing and enjoying each other down by the beach.  We got some long-overdue R&R, ate way too much, had a few drinks, went swimming, to the beach and walked without a destination.  We ended up leaving on Thursday night to see our families first and stay the night with them.  Friday we drove to the Aquarium of the Pacific and had such a fun time.  We then walked around the harbor, had HH food and drinks, walked more and went to out hotel in Newport.  Saturday we had some pool time before I had to get ready for my friend's funeral.  It was so weird as I had never been to a funeral for a friend yet in my lifetime.  It was beautifully done and was more of a celebration of her life starting with a photo montage, her closest friends and family talking about her and ending with the gospel being preached and 'Amazing Grace' being sung as her casket was carried out.  While it was so good to see friends I hadn't seen in years, it was bittersweet.  I had to leave before the burial and dinner to rejoin my husband for our dinner.  We had a great time at dinner despite a few setbacks and when he fell asleep that night, I could not for a few hours.  I did a lot of thinking and praying and came to the realization that this is life.  Death, celebrations, tears, joy, sadness, fear, love, loss....I experienced all these emotions within one intense day, but it was so bittersweet.  We are all here for only a brief moment and death is guaranteed to everyone.  This was a beautiful wake-up call. On Mother's Day, my mother-in-law also had to be rushed to the ER and as we prayed for her and waited to see her test results--again that song just kept playing in my head.  On our anniversary, my husband was feeling the crazy-intense emotions as I did the day before, but thankfully, she is in good health and hopefully the pain will be figured out soon.  (I know I just got much more personal than usual, but moments like these, you just need to share).  Anyways, as I start this week of battling a cold and my own thoughts at times, I know everything will be all right and as a reminder, Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve.

Give Them the Flowers Now!

Yesterday, I received a phone call from an old best friend that I haven't spoken to for a few years.  When these phone calls come, you know they either accidentally butt dialed you or something is wrong.  Sure enough, it was the latter.  One of our close mutual friends from jr. high and high school died in her sleep.  At first I was shocked and really couldn't react, but as I tried to tell my husband what had happened, the words turned into tears.  This was a young, intelligent, funny and friendly girl who had been dealing with issues her whole life and despite recently getting her Master's and wanting to become a counselor to help others, could not find the help or peace she needed here.  As my friend told me the news, she apologized for us losing touch and not talking and mentioned wanting to reconnect and it got me thinking how easy it is to get so busy with life and to forget to be a good friend and family member.  This poem has been going through my mind all night and serves as a good reminder to make time for people in your life and let them know they are loved and appreciated.

Give Them the Flowers Now

Closed eyes can't see the white roses,
Cold hands can't hold them, you know,
Breath that is stilled can not gather
The odors that sweet from them blow.
Death, with a peace beyond dreaming,
Its children of earth doth endow;
Life is the time we can help them,
So give them the flowers now!

Here are the struggles and striving,
Here are the cares and the tears;
Now is the time to be smoothing
The frowns and the furrows and fear.
What to closed eyes are kind sayings?
What to hushed heart is deep vow?
Naught can avail after parting,
So give them the flowers now!

Just a kind word or a greeting;
Just a warm grasp or a smile--
There are the flowers that will lighten
The burdens for many a mile.
After the journey is over
What is the use of them; how
Can they carry them who must be carried?
Oh, give them the flowers now!

Blooms from the happy heart's garden
Plucked in the spirit of love;
Blooms that are earthly reflections
Of flowers that blossom above.
Words cannot tell what a measure
Of blessing such gifts will allow
To dwell in the lives of many,
So give them the flowers now!
-Leigh M. Hodges


To start out this week, here is a new challenge:


Contact someone you have lost touch with and reconnect; either through a phone call, a hand written letter or a get-together.  Make it personal and sincere and just enjoy your conversation/time with them.