Cooking with Ashley: Part 4

Cooking Assignment: Cheese ravioli with Pumpkin Alfredo sauce and sautéed spinach with raisins, apples, and pine nuts.

I love ravioli! It’s one of my favorite foods. Ashley decided it was a good idea to teach me how to make an easy yet tasty sauce for me to make for my ravioli . Brilliant idea! Luckily Ashley had a recipe for low-fat Pumpkin Alfredo sauce. It was super easy to make and tasted amazing! (PS. I don’t make my own ravioli. I buy it from the Ravioli King or Fair Way)
We also made sautéed spinach with raisins, apples, and pine nuts. It’s a favorite dish of Ashley’s and a perfect side dish.Jen G (good friend from church) came over to help us eat the tasty food! After dinner we decided that a dessert was necessary, so Ashley and Jen made cookies. They were amazing! I’m a sucker for a delicious cookie.
Next Assignment: Roasted Chicken Roasted Vegetables.

Go, Go, Go, Keila, Go!

Keila ran in the New York Marathon this morning! Ashley and I made a sign and traveled to the east side to see her run before we went to church. It was so much fun. Leslie joined us on 1st avenue around noon. Keila ended up arriving several minutes earlier than expected, so we were lucky that Ashely happen to see her. We started screaming like crazy! She stopped by for a brief visit and then took off again. We actually ended up meeting Liz and walking back to Central Park to see her again. It was beautiful weather and it was so much fun seeing her run. We even made it to church in time for sacrament! The energy in the streets was amazing! Congrats Keila!

First Trip to IKEA

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Yesterday, I went on a little shopping outing with my roommates. We went to the Target in Brooklyn to stock up on some needed supplies. I loved it. It felt like school shopping again. Ashley and I then made our way out to IKEA. Those of you in New York know that we had terrible weather yesterday, so this was quite the trip. It was rainy and windy all afternoon. After several leaky/disgusting subway stops and a bumpy bus ride, we made it to the store. I have never been to a store like IKEA. It was quite the experience.

Unfortunately I had a headache, so I wasn't totally into it. In fact, by the end of our visit I was really really sick. We made it back to the subway station and back into Manhattan, but I felt terrible the whole time. We then had to wait in a hot subway station for about 20 minutes to transfer to another train. When one finally came, we got up to get on and I threw up! I felt bad we missed the train, but I but I did feel better.

This is my second throw up experience in Manhattan, and I will admit that it sucks. Throwing up in general sucks, but it’s taken to a whole new level when you’re 40 min from home and you have to get on the subway. Luckily I was a little more prepared this time (thanks to an empty Target bag). Ashley was really sweet, but I feel bad that I wasn’t the best shopping partner. I hope I get to go back to IKEA when I’m in ideal health and the weather is a little better. We shall see.

P.S. I really want this chair. Does anyone want to buy it for me? I think it would go perfect in my room.

Miss Rhode Island, please describe your idea of a perfect date.

That's a tough one. I would have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.
I know I'm off by one day, but this describes today perfectly. The weather has been absolutely beautiful this week. Spring is here! This is a pic that Kort took in Central Park today.

Queue cheesy dramatic music…. “Cannon Ball”…splash!

Years from now when people ask me what I was doing the night of January 31st 2008, timeless memories of my past will sparkle in my eyes and I will say, “Yes! I remember what I was doing that night.” That was the night were I sat on the floor covered by a sheet-shelter in the comfort of my living room and watched the best show that has ever been on TV. With fellow LOST-lovers, I enjoyed the beginning of what will be a great season of TV. Yes, the season premier of LOST was last night. We laughed we cried, and ate grilled cheese. I can’t think of a more perfect evening.

I have spent the last month watching the last three seasons in preparation for this event. Time wasted? I think not! I was ready with all my questions. Will the people on the boat be good or bad? Why did Naomi have a pic of Desmond if it wasn’t Penny’s boat? Where’s Penny? What was up with Jack in the flash forward? What was up with Kate in the flash forward? Who died in the flash forward? What are the others really about? What’s up with Jacob? And more importantly….where did the polar bears come from? Did the season premier answer any of the questions? No! and in true LOST fashion created a hundred more. Hold onto your socks kids, this is going to be one wild ride of LOST!

Looking Back on 2007

I have spent the past few days going through my room at home and packing to return to New York. As I rummaged through old college things and unpacking here in New York I have realized that this has been quite the year.

I finished my last semester at BYU in April. I completed all my advertising classes and the one remaining stats class that I had been putting off for several years. It was a great way to finish my time at BYU. I had my capstone class, which was so much fun. I had an amazing group and a fun client. Much to our surprise and delight, we won our section of the competition. YAY! I had amazing roommates that made my last year at BYU something to remember.

I technically graduated in August, but I walked in April. My parents and sister came out to see me walk. It was nice because they helped me pack and load up the car. I’m one lucky girl. My Grandma and one of her friends also came to the graduation. We went out to lunch and had a little photo session. Good times. After the ceremony we took a few photos, jumped in the car, and didn’t look back.

My parents took me to Disneyland for my graduation gift. We drove there from Provo, stopping in Las Vegas along the way. It was fun to spend some time with the fam before I headed our for New York. After two days at Disney my parents dropped me off at the airport and I left for my internship in New York. I remember being very excited, yet very nervous at the same time. It was a dream of mine to live in New York and it was finally coming true.

When I got to the airport I discovered that the airline had lost my luggage. I started to cry. I was just so stressed-out because all my closes were in there. I had nothing. I didn’t really know where I was going and the lady was mean. Luckily they found my luggage before I got in the taxi. I was relieved that they found my luggage but nothing can explain how I felt when my phone started ringing and it was Sarah. “Where are you? When are you getting here?” From the minute I arrived at International House, Sarah and I were practically inseparable. I really enjoyed my internship days. Sarah and I played everyday after work. We went to shows, museums, shopping, and central park. Good Times! I was truly lucky to have Sarah.

After my internship Anna helped me get a job at Wunderman as a freelancer. I’m really grateful for this experience. I learned a lot at Wunderman. If it wasn’t for this short little experience at Wunderman I probably wouldn’t be here in New York still. I really owe Anna. She also helped me get the job at R/GA. I love my job at R/GA. I’m learning so much and have an amazing great team. I’m truly blessed.
I have lived in four different apartments this year: one in Provo, International House, a little place on west 104th and now my current place of residence. I hate moving. I really hate moving in New York. Luckily I had my parents help in Utah and Korts help this last time. I hope I don’t have to move too soon.
Well, this has being a very busy year, but very exciting. With graduating and my fires big girl job, this has been the year to remember. I have two truly amazing roommates that make my time here in New York ten times more enjoyable. I don’t know what I would do with out them. With the big city at my doorstep I’m sure that next year will be just as great. I just hope.

Roommate Christmas Party!

My roommates and I decided to have a little Christmas get-together this Friday night. We had Rice to Riches and Papa Jones Pizza. It was my first time having Rice to Riches and I will confess I love it. Dang it Leah! It’s just one more thing for me to be addicted to. Great! We had a little gift exchange and then ended with what we do best. Roommate photo shoot! We ended up taking 83 pictures in about 15 minutes. That has to be some kind of record. If you want to see some of them you will have to go to my facebook page. There are way too many to post here. We had a good time with lots of laughs. I love these girls.

Gifts:

Leah got a girl talk jenga game. I thought it was perfect because she loves games and she loves playing truth or truth (that’s truth or dare without the dare). This is a nice little combo of both. She also got a beautiful necklace that Kort made. Kort also gave us hand lotion

Kort received a really cute clutch from Leah. I gave her “The 20th Century Art Book,” thanks to my Barnes and Noble discount! She really loves art and there were so many books to choose from. I just hope she likes it.

I got scrap booking paper and stickers! Kort knows the way into my heart. I loved the paper. Good job Kort! She also told me where she got it. Yay, now I have a place to get emergency scrap booking paper. Leah gave me a Leah original. A picture frame with a mate that holds multiple pictures, but she colored in some of the picture spots. She said my walls were very blank and I needed to decorate. Thanks Leah!

Movie of choice: “While You Were Sleeping”

I love these nights were we can sit around and talk and have a good time. We need to do it again sometime.

Attack of the Marshmallow Stuffing Roommate!

I’m a very peaceful person. I really try to avoid confrontation at all cost. Life has so much drama as it is, why create more? Right? Well, I was sitting on the couch in my living room preparing to create a little book/card thing for Leah’s little party. I know, I know I’m a saint! I always try to serve my roommates to the best of my ability. While trying to figure out how I was going to create
this little treasure with the limited utensils that I have I was attacked by Leah. Armed with a marshmallow she threatened to shove it up my nose. Plugging my nose, I fought her off. Unfortunately she decided that the marshmallow to the nose wasn’t necessary, but any opening would do. That’s when she tried to shove it in my ears.

You may not know this about me but I’m a fighter. I may be big but I’m scrappy. Leah failed miserably. Not being able to take defeat she shoved the marshmallow down my shirt and gave up. I don’t get it. Everyone says that Leah is soooo sweet. They just haven’t lived with her! I live in terror in my apartment. All is well and then Leah will strike. It could be anything from a tree hug or jumping on me while I’m sleeping. Kort does it too, but I’m certain the Leah is the ring leader. I have my eye on you Leah! I’m one girl you’re not taking down.

Sisters?

I went to New Jersey with Kort on Saturday for a youth center dedication ceremony. Kort had volunteered at the church with her youth group when the center was first being built. She helped dig dirt and carry it out of the churches basement. She told me that there were areas under the church where a person had to crawl, but that they had removed all the dirt. It has been several years in the making but they finally finished it. It was so great! Everyone was so excited and you could see that a lot of work was put into it.

While I was there several people came up to us and asked Kort if I was her sister. We thought it was funny the first time that it happened, and by the eighth time it happened we were laughing so hard. Kort and I sisters? Do we look anything a like? I just thought it was so funny that so many people asked about it. What do you think? Could we be sisters?

Wilma, Betty, or Pebbles?

I know that this is late, considering that Halloween was last Wednesday, but I thought it was fair to show the pics of the three roommates together. I thought our costumers were good and that it would be a no-brainer who we were suppose to be. Unfortunately we were asked several times throughout the evening who we were. Leah, (Wilma) was asked if she was Pebbles and I (Pebbles) was asked if I was Betty or Wilma. Seriously people! This shouldn’t have been a problem! Didn’t we all grow up on Flintstones? Wasn’t it one of the cartoons of choice? They’re classic! Isn’t it easy to tell that Betty wears blue, Wilma wears white, and Pebbles the one with the bone in her hair. Maybe our costumes weren’t as good as we thought. What do you think? Ok Leah and Korts costumes were better then mine.

Even though people were having a hard time guessing who we were, this didn’t deter us from having a good time. Yes, I will admit that I did leave earlier then Kort and Leah, but I did stay longer then I was planning. It was a great party, and our hostesses did an amazing job. First New York Halloween down and I hope several more to come. I’m already thinking of my costume for next year. What will I be? We shall see.

Yabba-Dabba-Halloween

This year my roommates and I went with the Flintstone theme for Halloween. My roommates have red and black hair so they were perfect as Wilma and Betty. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to be Dino or Pebbles. As you can see from the pictures I decided to be Pebbles. We had a lot of fun making our costumes and getting ready. Kort had to work so she didn’t get to go to the Halloween dance at church on Saturday, but we’re hoping we get to dress up again for Halloween night. We shall see. The dance was a lot of fun. We even ran into a Bamm-Bamm at the dance. How fun is that?

Other fun facts to know and tell:
1) I changed jobs and I’m now at a new cool company. Last week was my first week and I really enjoyed it. I think I’m going to love the work that I do here a lot more then my last job, but only time will tell. I do miss the people at my other job.
2) I went on a little trip with my roommate last weekend. We went to New Jersey and volunteered at a church. Kort goes there every weekend. I really had a lot of fun. It was nice to get out of the city for a little while.
3) I got a new calling at church. I’m now a member of the enrichment committee. I’m not surprised. It should be fun. I love enrichment.
4) I’m watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles while I’m writing this and I have to confess I truly love this movie. It’s a classic.
5)I went to see the Drowsy Chaperone and loved it! I would recommend it to anyone that loves to laugh. It was really funny.
Well I think that that’s all the latest news in my life. I really need to start writing more. I always forget. Leah also took better pictures of our Halloween costumes and I’m sure we will get good ones with Kort. I’ll post as soon as I know.

"Start of Something New"

I guess you can say I'm one of those people that move to New York and then claim it as their own. I know I'm not a native New Yorker, but I really wish I was. I love it here so much and can't imagine living anywhere else. I'm living a childhood dream here, and having the time of my life.

I come from a small town in Washington (yes very small, there isn't even a stoplight). I enjoyed my small town experience, but knew that I would love the big city more. My parents really don't like that fact that I'm so far from home, but they are very supportive. I'm lucky to have such great parents.

I've been in the city for five months and have done everything stereotypical that one can do in New York. The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Broadway plays, and the works. And to tell you the truth, I have loved every minute of it. Unfortunately I have already become annoyed by the many tourists that happen upon the city constantly. I now have a trained eye, and can spot a tourist a mile away. I know that's not very impressive, because tourists stand out and basically have the Sims diamonds over them as they play in the city.

As I look back on photos from the past five months, I've realized that most of them come from the subway. What is up with that? I guess it's because we spend so much time traveling that it's one way for us to be entertained. I mean who doesn’t like taking pictures of themselves. Luckily I spend so much time with Sarah, because she is the master of holding the camera perfectly to get everyone including her in the picture. I think I will post all my subway pictures over the next few weeks. It will give you something to look forward to I guess.

It looks like it will be another busy week at work, but I'm also interviewing at another company this week too. I'm really nervous. I don't have a lot of experience interviewing, and I really want to make a good impression. I'll keep you updated.