The Epic NYC Post that sort of makes up for my lack of posting all summer.

Wow. I fail at blogging in the summer. At least I made one post. but now that the school year is back in swing hopefully I will resume my weekly posts. This one will be a run down on my incredibly awesome summer. I did write a post talking about half of my trip to California. Really though, I am in a New York mood. So I will probably post about that now. And if you're lucky I will finish CA next time.

New York was AMAZING! Seriously one of my favorite trips ever. Mostly because I have been obsessed with Broadway since I was little. So nine days in NYC with two of my best friends, who love Broadway almost as much as I do was a definite win. We all had the same agenda, which was to see as much New York as humanly possible. Yes, we succeeded. We were up late into the night exploring and then in the morning we woke early and hit the pavement. I am proud to say that we really did see almost everything. My feet thought they were going to die after the first few days, but it was so worth it. Discovering the concrete jungle!

 Yes we had to have breakfast at Tiffanys. We took the bagels we bought from the best bagel shop ever and had the classic experience. If you ever want to feel like a wealthy person then go explore Tiffany's in NY and pretend you can buy anything there.

 This is a top Trump Towers. I didn't see Donald, but if I had I would have told him 'You're Fired". He probably hears that a lot....but I wouldn't have cared.

 We found the Temple. Or at least I did. Kaylee and Susan had a bit more trouble locating it. We were standing right in front of it, and Kaylee pulls out the map to try and find it. The Temple is on the first two floors and the chapel part is on the third floor. After we had been to church we left and Susan mentioned that we should try and find the Temple since it supposedly was close. Don't worry, we showed her where it was.

 This was after they found it...

 Central Park

 Empire State Building Observation Deck. This day involved the most walking, so by this point (11:30pm) we really did think our feet were going to fall off. ps Kaylee is picking the binoculars nose.

 The main entrance.

 All lit up at night.

 The first night we were there we went to 'Once'. My first Broadway show on Broadway. It was wonderful. And I maybe cried. Go see it if you ever get a chance. It is completely different from your typical Broadway show. The actors all play the instruments as well as act and sing. Its so good!

The second show we saw was 'Newsies'. We went to the ticket lottery and they didn't draw our names. :( But it had a silver lining, since we were first in line for standing room tickets Kaylee actually ended up getting a lottery ticket someone didn't want. Then Susan and I both got the best standing tickets. And only $30, a steal of a deal! The show was phenomenal! I had a giddy grin on my face the whole time. Seriously, the dancing and singing and everything was so so so great. Funny story actually, after we had won the tickets we had time to go for dinner. We went to Ellen's Stardust Diner, this great place where the wait staff actually take turns singing the whole time you're eating. Being serenaded by Broadway tunes while stuffing my face turns out to be like one of my favorite things ever. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we didn't realize how little time we had to get to the theatre. When we did clue in it was 7:15 and the show started at 7:30, and we were over 10 city blocks away. We ruled out the subway and took off running full speed. Not an easy task running through Times Square with a billion people everywhere. Luckily Kaylee knew where we were going and we got to the theatre just in time. The door ushers cheered us on as we ran down the street and into the theatre. We were so sweaty and out of breath. We got to our spots and I looked over at a lady handing out programs and asked "How much longer until the show starts?"
She replied "Why? Do you have to go to the bathroom?"
Me "Yes..."
Her "Go now"
And I took off running the wrong way. She lovingly hollered at me that I was going the wrong way and I changed directions. I made it back just in time for the lights to come on and the show started. I love Newsies! I would like one please. So if anyone knows how I can get one, just let me know!

 Post show we went Newsie crazy!

 LOVE!!!

Tuesday of the week was a rainy day. So we hit up a bunch of museums. The Metropolitan Museum of Art was lovely. This picture here was supposed to be Kaylee and I pretending to be the statue closest to me. Kaylee had an epic fail in that goal, but I think I did rather well. My eyes match his almost perfectly!

 Walk Like and Egyptian

We went to try and win Wicked lottery tickets. After our Newsie experience I was feeling pretty good. Until we got to the theatre and saw how many people were also hoping to win the tickets. We did not win. So we were a little bummed, but had decided that we would see a show regardless. Not winning Wicked turned out to be a blessing that night because we ended up going to see Cinderella. I went in not knowing much about it since it wasn't the traditional Disney version. The actual theatre was beautiful with chandeliers and gave off a palace feel.

 The show itself was incredibly magical! I was in awe of everything that was happening right before my eyes. I absolutely loved everything about it. And it definitely became one of my most favorites. So funny and heart warming and delightful.

 The Prince and I. I was thrilled meeting him!

 This guy plays the Raccoon, and is the Prince's understudy. Also awesome.

Us with Cinderella, aka Laura Osnes. She is probably my new favorite actress. She has a video blog that goes behind the scenes of Cinderella which is hilarious. Watch it. You will love it.

We saved Top of the Rock for a beautiful morning so that we could see everything. It was totally worth it. Such a gorgeous view and fun time.

 Birds eye view of Central Park

 Light sensor room. I want one of these in my house one day.

 One of our nice pictures.

 Now bring on the mo-delling pictures.

 Top of the Rock...Stars

Even though we didn't win lottery tickets I was not about to leave New York with out seeing this show. Wicked pretty much changed my life.

 In the lobby

After it ended I almost cried, just because I was so sad it ended.

Us with Katie Rose Clarke the actress who plays Galinda!

 And Lindsay Mendez who plays Elphaba. Her voice is pretty killer. She also has a video blog on broadway.com which is also awesome. Wicked awesome.

 Oh Wicked. How I love you.

Playing at FAO Shwartz toy store.

 This picture was taken outside Rockefeller Center right before the security guard told us we weren't allowed to sit there. We had to stand and eat our bagels.

 I went to an exhibit called "The Art of the Brick" while Kaylee and Susan hit up the Body Worlds exhibit. Pretty much after this all I wanted to do was build lego. If only I had an endless supply. I feel like I could make some cool stuff too. Maybe not quite as cool as this guy though...

 At the end I got to write my name on a piece of lego, and when the exhibit is done the artist is going to take all these pieces and make a new sculpture. I will be immortalized.

 The first three shows I saw in NY

 Times Square!!!

For Susan and Kaylee this was a leisurely bike ride in Central Park. For me it was beautiful but also proved how out of shape I was while attempting to pedal up the hills.

 Papa Bike, Mama Bike, and Baby Bike

 Brooklyn Bridge, view from the cruise we took.

 Liberty. The Lady.

 Susan and Lib.

Thursday night we went to Matilda. Incredible. The kids in this play were amazing. I don't know how they dance and sing so well at such a young age. The little girl who played Matilda was way beyond her years and oh so cute!

 This sign says it all.

 Happy after Matilda.

Coney Island. The real deal.

 What up Coney Island?

 Kaylee was crazy excited to be at the beach. And she voiced her disappointment more than once at not having her swimsuit. In the end that didn't stop her. I'm pretty sure she danced like this the whole time we were at the beach.

 Its almost like they're high fiving!

 This summer I went in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Pretty sweet I'd say. This photograph was captured by the oh so talented Susan, documenting our frolicking in the water. Or actually just above, seeing how our feet aren't even touching the ground. Win.

 Walking the High Line. It was this old rail way above the ground that hadn't been used in decades. They wanted to tear it down but the public appealed and so they turned it into a beautiful garden path that you can walk.

 Complete with art and shrubbery. 

We saw Annie on Friday night, but for some reason I didn't take any pictures. Saturday afternoon we went to Lion King. I had seen it before in Edmonton on tour and it was just as incredible as I imagined it. Such beauty and creativity in everything about that show. This picture of Scar, Rafiki, and I isn't real....they are wax. But it was pretty cool since we had seen it that day and I had my Playbill with me. So it looks real. If I didn'y tell you, then you probably wouldn't have even thought twice about it.

The last show we saw was Phantom of the Opera. 25th Anniversary cast. Beautiful. Magnificent. Fell in love with the Phantom all over again.

Last pic in Times Square. Sunday before we left to the airport.

 Next are a bunch of random pictures that I just don't feel like dragging into order.

 NY Pizza!!

 The NYC Public Library. I want one!

 On the Library steps

 Biking

 Beach

 Peace out NY! I can guarantee it will not be my last time there. I had such an awesome trip and an awesome time with these lovely ladies. We had a blast. And now I need to end this. If anyone actually made it this far, I am impressed. Turns out this is my longest blog yet. Maybe this makes up for all those summer weeks that I skipped.

Summer is in full swing!

Yes it has been a long time since I actually wrote on here. And that makes it a lot more work to update on everything that has gone down since my last post in June. So I have decided to just post a bunch of pictures of my super crazy busy awesome summer so far. :)

First up was the end of choir for the season. I had my last rehearsal with Shumayela before they headed to Newfoundland and I went to California. I had a blast working with these people this year!

I drove to California with my friend Susan. In Utah we picked up two of my old mission companions Riena and Kelsey. It only took about 28 hours of total driving time. We left Thursday after my work and drove down to Stirling to stay with my Grandparents. After a short little visit and sleep we woke early Friday morning and drove to Utah. A nice visit with some more mission people, including dinner with the Curtis', a missionary couple that served while we were in Ventura. Awesome people! By 11:30pm we were almost ready to hit the road again and head to CA. Riena took the first driving shift while I had a nap. After 2 and a bit hours I took over. A highlight of the drive was going through Vegas at 4:30 am, right down the Strip. It was not crowded or anything so we could leisurely look at the sites from the car. We got into Ventura at about 9:30 am Saturday morning. I was totally exhausted. So after a quick nap we did what anyone would do and headed to the beach. Magic. I love oceans!

Before the day was over I drove to Walnut, CA about two hours away to see a drum corps show. It had been years. But so so wonderful!!! I was in heaven. All the performing corps were amazing! Seriously the talent in these groups really astounds me. And makes me miss my time spending all summer working harder than i ever have, perfecting 11 minutes. My favorite of the night was Carolina Crown. They seriously kicked butt! And it was cool because I actually knew someone performing with them, Aubrey, who marched Cascades with me in 2007. Probably the last time I will ever see someone I personally marched with perform at a DCI show. Here is a shot of the encore. Pacific Crest and Carolina Crown. Power!!

Sunday brought lots of visits with friends from the mission. It was so good to see lots of people again. Ventura is top notch. A highlight was dinner with these wonderful people. My mission president, President Castro and his awesome family. I can't believe its been two years since they started!

Canada Day Monday was spent at the beach. Tide pools in the morning and then swimming in the evening. A bunch of families from Ventura 4th ward came out, so we had an awesome time visiting with everyone. Also had a blast playing in the waves. I get insanely happy whenever I am swimming in the ocean. Its the best. Here is Tressa enjoying some beach time!!

Riena and I with some of the awesome Ginn girls. This family rocks!!

Tuesday we headed to Los Angeles. We hit up Hollywood Blvd and had fun looking at all the stars and also the hand prints in front of the Chinese theater.

Walt Disney

 Group shot with our new $5 sunglasses!

 Since it was Twilight I was trying to be a vampire. But seeing how it was a very sunny day and I wasn't sparkling, its obvious I was an imposer...

Waiting in line for ice cream at Diddy Rieses. So yummy! Tressa is way cool!

A couple weeks ago I saw that Josh Groban was performing at the Hollywood Bowl while we were there. Of course we had to get tickets. I was psyched. And these two here enjoyed their first big concert at the Bowl. The guy behind looks a little unsure though...

Susan and Riena. Riena thinks she is going to marry Josh, but he was obviously in love with me.

Complete with firework show afterwards! Best concert ever!!!!

Alright I am going to stop here for the night. More of my trip and summer to come next time!