You Say Goodbye, I say Hello!

I'll apologize right off the bat to @PeteJHutch for the Beatles reference, but that's only given that you actually know that song...

But consequently, as soon as my dearest, darlingest, visiting Moms said goodbye, I said hello as God threw a few new people into view, and I quickly grew closer with some of the fellow dancers in my program.  At this point, we'd all been here about 4 weeks already, hitting the halfway point.  Surprisingly enough though, this was really just the first time I had started to feel deeper, more meaningful relationships begin to build with other interns.  My Aunt Julie says it takes two years to truly settle into life in a new city (which I have found to be true), so imagine the chaos in just 8 weeks! 

Nevertheless, the Lord provided (weird, right?), and I quickly found myself enjoying some chips and guac with a few great friends over a pleasantly surprising conversation about how, "Yo!  God is the MAN!....Jesus was a THUG, y'all!"  (Seriously....that was a direct quote from one of them.) 

I think we were all just really surprised to have so much fun together in one night!  I mean, why did it take 4 weeks for us to find each other? We laughed a lot, chatted a lot, ate, drank and were really quite merry!  We're all so different, but that didn't stop us from sharing love- hence the reason we dubbed ourselves:

"The Breakfast Club"

Looks like I found some fellow wanderers!
This is us exploring Times Square, late night.

It's funny how that big guy above really just knows what you need and gives it right to ya sometimes! 

Mamas in Manhattan

Wow! Life is still really in full force here, people!  We are moving full speed ahead and I can't believe I have less than 3 weeks left here in this marvelous city!

I'm about 10 blog posts behind all of the crazy excitement the Lord is blessing me with, but will clear the air by sharing about my favorite weekend here: the one when my Mom and her very good friend, Amy, came to visit!  Not only did I get to see familiar faces, but I got to sleep in an AIR-CONDITIONED hotel room for 3 nights!  The attendant in the subway actually asked me if I was running away from home when he saw me lugging my (actually Gabby's) huge suitcase through the narrow gate.  I confidently smiled and responded, "Yes!  Actually, I am!"  (Seriously, I praise the Lord for AC every time I get to experience it...)

Anyway, they actually visited almost two weeks ago now, so I'm just going to put some pics up, which hopefully be pretty self-explanatory.  The 3 of us packed a pretty full schedule in that 3 day weekend and literally danced around my dance schedule to explore the greatness of New York together. 

We saw two Broadway musicals including Mary Poppins and....

Newsies!

Seriously....don't even get me started on my interpretation of the spiritual message behind this BRILLIANT show.  I was crying during just about every song and was truly reminded of the empowerment we should all feel as chosen members of God's kingdom!  Arise and seize the day!

Saturday afternoon, we managed to get some cloud coverage and escape a little bit from the sweltering heat.  The day only got even more refreshing while on our affordable and informative Water Taxi tour!  We hopped on a little yellow boat (literally looks like a taxi...on the water- hence the name) off a pier on the Hudson River and rode all the way down the coast of the island of Manhattan, snapping beautiful pics along the way:

Beautiful Mamas
sporting the "wind-blown look" on the boat!





An alternate view of "My Backyard"



Brooklyn Bridge!




"She's beauty and she's grace...

...She's Miss United States!"



A couple of strong women!
(Mom thought this pose was hilarious!)

As with any moment spent with my mother, there was a lot of laughing... One moment in particular was during one of our dinners out.  I'm sure we've all heard that New Yorkers have a pretty bad rap for not being very nice people, but I really haven't experienced too many locals trying to bite my head off.  At this particular meal, however, I was ready to bite our waiter's head right off...as well as this guy's:

This mac'n cheese
with a lobster in the shell
 really had me in a pinch!
(Get it?)

So despite my corny jokes, this meal choice was not my best.  I tried to be adventurous by ordering the "Lobster Mac'n Cheese,"  but I didn't expect Sebastian to come in the shell!  I would not be surprised if I burned more calories in preparing the food than I did with each bite.  On the plus side, Mom and Amy were laughing their fishtails off!  Amy even asked, "Do you think the cook got tired?" And when the waiter told her that this is how the Lobster Mac'n Cheese Pizza is served too, she got so riled up about it that she demanded he take it off the menu.  Sea-riously....



 Of course His mercies are new every morning, and we all enjoyed a beautiful service together at Hillsong:

God knew mom was requesting this song: 10,000 reasons

And just like that...the weekend flew by.  



My mom and I snapped one more picture together in Times Square before saying goodbye, and within minutes were both sending "Miss you already!" texts to each other. 

Since then, a lot of other exciting things have happened including me getting my hair cut (I told you I'm behind in my posts!).  But the other night I received a picture text from my mom displaying her new do...surprisingly similar to mine!

Hmm, do you think she misses me?!  I guess the Big Apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Love you, Mama!

Dear "Anonymous,"

I apologize for seemingly falling off the face of the planet for the last week!  (Also, sorry Mom...my weekly bests/worsts were a bit neglected once you came to town!)  But life has just been flying by!  So many fun things!
So since I've received a couple subtle requests from an undisclosed individual (see what I did there?) for a post about the 4th of July, I guess I will share about the marvelous Independence Day I had one week ago.  "Anonymous," this one's for you...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Many of us may be familiar with this promise from God regarding our plans for the future.  The unknown path of our lives can often cause a lot of anxiety!  But I was sure that my 4th of July in New York City this year would be very prosperous, indeed, because I HAD PLANS!

To give a little background info, God has been so faithful in providing me with a great new friend here in NYC from Hillsong church.  Her name is Brittany and the best part is she goes to Point Park University, too!  Can you believe it?!  He works in crazy ways, I guess... 

Brittany and her family have been extremely welcoming to me during my summer stay in the city, and they invited me to celebrate America's birthday with them in Long Island!  I was so excited to join them, that I even went out and bought a blue plate so I could bring this little dish I prepared:

Fresh tomato, basil and mozz salad!

I was literally chopping up some basil leaves when I receive a text from a Pittsburgh friend, Gabby, asking if I could video-chat later that afternoon.  I let her know that I had to leave to go to Long Island soon, and before I knew it she was calling me asking, "How would you like to celebrate the 4th of July with ME?!"

SURPRISE!





I packed up that patriotic salad into some tupperwares and met Gabby and her cousin, Paige, for a fun filled day in the greatest city on Earth!

We enjoyed a nice picnic in Central Park....

Then we explored a little bit through Times Square, and I got to be their little tour guide!  Eventually we took a subway down to my neck of the woods in the Financial District...

A visit to the 9/11 Memorial...



...Paige and I in front of the South Pool.







It was only a mere seven hours that we got to spend together, but I was so thankful to have celebrated with Gabby and Paige.  And even though I didn't get to share my latest "cooking masterpiece" with Brittany, it was evident the Lord had plans for me for that day!  I had PLANS! I actually had to choose how I was going to spend my day that day!  What a blessing! ...Sure beats wandering all alone in a huge city!  (Although, sometimes I like that too...)

Ultimately though, at the end of the day...at the end of the week (as I am writing this one week after this visit), the pictures are fun to look at and the memories were made, but it's the immeasurable love that shines through an eight hour round-trip, surprise visit that makes an eternal impact. 

I am so blessed to have you in my life, Gabby!



"...bearing with one another in LOVE.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace."
-Ephesians 4:2-3



My Morning Treat

Honestly, I was thinking all day about what I was going to write for my "worst" of the day...and I really couldn't think of much.  (Which is a great thing!)  But since I don't want to just cop out and not declare anything, I guess I'd have to say that my worst was probably not having coffee today.  Hopefully you're thinking, "If that's the worst you've got, you've had a pretty great day!"  Although I'm sure there are some out there reading and thinking, "Ohhhh no. No coffee?! That is the worst!"

One byproduct of my wandering has included trying to find coffee shops with a name that does NOT start with "Star" and end in "lotta-wasted-BUCKS."  Not an easy feat in New York City! There are Starbucks on just about every corner.  And they are always packed- line out the door, no available table in sight.  That's why I am soooo pleased with the little gem I found along the path of my daily commute through Times Square!  Below are all of the ingredients needed for a day started the right way!

Bring your own mug....

...plus a hazelnut coffee with milk
from PAX wholesome foods....

costs just ONE DOLLAR!
(seriously, exactly a dollar)

I cannot tell you how happy I was to discover a quick little coffee stop on my way to class.  It's so easy!  (The other day I paid in nickles and dimes!)  Anyway, the point is, I didn't have this little extra boost today, so I was (and still am...) dog tired today.  (Hi Ruby! Hi Blanche!)

The BEST part of my day today (in addition to talking to my favorite brother on the phone), was that I spontaneously got to see my mom!  Really!  I did!  See for yourself!

Love you, Mom! See you again in a couple days!

It wasn't planned for us to see each other today, but my mom and her close friend and fellow soccer-mom, Amy, made plans to come to New York City later this weekend.  Today they flew into the LaGuardia Airport and planned to take a bus to Ocean City, New Jersey.  They are there to visit Amy's son who is on a cru Summer Project there now (much like what I did last summer) and will return to NYC on Thursday to visit me.  It just so happened, though, that while Mom and Amy were waiting for their bus to New Jersey, I was just across the street, heading to class.  What a blessing that the timing worked out just right, allowing us to snap the above sunny shot and giving me a shot of energy that would out-do any espresso. 

The Show Must Go On!

Want to know the BEST part of my day?

I had the BEST dinner tonight. I stopped at Whole Foods just to get some staples like bread and milk, until...I saw a special sale: "Salmon Burgers! Just $2.99!" Wow! What a deal! That sounds delicious! And boom. Before you know it, I am frying up a delicious patty (sorry, not you, Mom) on our *brand new* shiny, white stove!

Tada!

I feel like whenever I show these pics, they never look as appetizing as the meal actually is. But just humor me and imagine that you can actually TASTE the satiating salmon...with hints of zesty lemon...and contrasts of refreshing dill...so cleverly paired with a side of fresh, Chilean pear...(see what I did there?)

So not only was the end result of this meal super satisfying, but the whole shopping process was a hoot! On my way into the store, I ran into two dancers I know from school at Point Park! It is always such a treat to see familiar places in such a BIG city, making this place feel just a little bit smaller.

But in such a big city, you know popular places like Whole Foods are gonna be bumpin' with people! That's why it's lucky they have invented one of the most simple, yet high-tech methods of check-out I have ever seen. Their system helps people quickly and easily leave with the foods they need. (I just made that up, but it sounds like a pretty good slogan, right?)

I LOVVVVVE super efficient things. Machines, assembly lines, meetings...you name it. I just love maximizing efficiency by utilizing logical organization. And let me tell you, this Whole Foods location in Union Square does exactly that because it has THIS invention!...

"Come on dowwwwwn!!!
 The price is right at register number two!"

Say hello to the virtual "Bob Barker" machine! In the background of this picture are all of the checkout registers...all 20 of them actually. In the foreground, partially depicted by the yellow and green (GO PACKERS!) arrows hanging from above, are the checkout lines. Basically each customer picks a side (either express or not, depending on how many items you have) and then you pick a color line (the express has fewer lines because it goes faster). Then when you get to the front of your line, you look up at the monitor and wait for your color to receive a number, directing you to the next open register.  So ingenious, right?! Ahh, it is simply music to my ears... And a little order was really what I was craving after a day like today...

I guess I'll jump right into my "worst" of today....

It was just a crooked kind of day. Yeah, crooked. Do you know what I mean?  The same kind of phenomenon that leads people to look at a surprisingly matured hour on the clock and say, "Wow, time flies when you're having fun!" was in reverse effect for me today.  Well, sort of.  Time was sure flying, but the part about having fun...not so much.  I just felt like everytime I looked at the clock I realized I was going to be late to my next appointment.  And I'm not talking like, "Oh shoot!  I'm gonna be late! I've got to hurry!"  No, it was more like, "Welp...I am already late for [whatever I had going on at that time...literally.]"  I walked into my morning rehearsal 15 minutes late, no make-up on, and sweating (as usual these days).  After that I had some time (or so I thought!) to go grab some food, but practically had to sprint from the restaurant to ballet class when I realized I had just 9 minutes to get there, put my tights on, and find a spot at the barre for pliés.  THEN during my last break between classes, I somehow managed, in a half-hour, to get to the Post Office, stuff 5 different packages, address them all, wait in line for what felt like a century, pay for them and again sprint through Times Square to sneak into my final class of the day. 

During each of these rushing moments today I recognized that I had two options for responding to my dilemma.  I really wanted to go along with the first one and just say, "Ehh, I guess I'm not going to make it today.  Oh well."  But from some supernatural fire inside of me I told myself, "NO!  You've gotta make it work! You are going to make it to this class!"  And that's not just show business lingo, folks!  Sometimes we've just gotta ask for strength that we do not have, and most times, God will give it to us.  As I finally journeyed home tonight after a 10 hour day at dance, I was in complete wonder as to how I made it through this entirely crooked day today.  Thanks, God, for straightening it out a bit for me. 

Mother Knows Best...

In true motherly fashion, my mom has discreetly requested MORE posts from me by suggesting that I share my "best and worst" moments of each day- therefore writing everyday.  "...what about the infamous wheeler family's 'best and worst'? You could do it for the next upcoming week and then post 7 days worth?"  Cute, Mom.  And very subtle!  (Do you think she misses me?!)  Love ya, Mom.

My mom really does make what is truly the best suggestion yet!  (and the ONLY suggestion yet...ahem!)  But in addition to our family's monthly "White Rabbit" (GOTCHA!) competition this family tradition of "best and worst" is something us Wheeler's like to do while on a vacation.  Usually over a beautiful dinner with each other, we go around reflecting on the day and sharing what we each would consider our best moment and our worst moment (aka: highs and lows, favorite/least favorite, rose and...thorn- no buds in this game I guess, sorry.)  So on that note...

My Worst...

...would probably be the fact that I literally NEVER stopped sweating all day.  Not only is that disgusting, but the only food I wanted to eat, therefore, was really really cold stuff- (i.e. ice cream...i.e. I could not stop eating ice cream and now I really feel sick.)  And the subway stations....UGH, the stations are just the worst!  The heat literally just festers down there- no breeze, no ventilation, nada.  But if you can bare it until your train comes, God will then prove his faithfulness yet again and blow a fresh, icy cool breath of AC into your face.  Yep, the trains are air-conditioned- praise the heavenly Lord above!  So that helps, and also (shout-out to my Nica 2012 friends), I'm taking cold showers everyday again- like a pro!

So I guess the lessoned learned with that is, Summer is here, everyone!  At one point while walking down the street today, I actually thought to myself, "I'M BAKING LIKE A TOASTED CHEESER!  IT'S SO HOT OUT HERE!"  And for those of you who don't know the reference, please, take four minutes to introduce yourself to the men of my dreams:

(complete with subtitles, too!)

My Best...

Because I'm new to this BIG CITY and don't often have predetermined, daily plans (other than dancing my butt off!), I have picked up a new hobby, which has quickly become one of my favorites: wandering.  After dance classes I find myself on this spiritual high, causing me to just want to simply celebrate life and all the abundant joy that can be found in it!  I find myself not wanting to go home right away, with a certain inkling that there is something else...some other exciting happening...waiting for me out in Midtown Manhattan.  So I just start walking!  ...and walking!  ...and looking around...  In these moments I think to myself, "I couldn't tell you what I am looking for, but I'll know it when I see it!" 

Last night, I wound up sitting in Central Park sipping a Jamba Juice smoothie looking at this view:

And today I found myself purchasing little gifts for loved ones at this happenin' street fair!



There's just so much life and fun at events like this in the city!  There is really cute jewelry, unique clothing, funky artwork and the best part is that the air smells like chicken everywhere you go!  I can't wait to bring my mom to one of these fairs next weekend when she visits! 

In the meantime, thanks for keeping up!  Until tomorrow! :)

Mystery Meat

Hello again! 

Another week has gone by in the city, and (CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!) tomorrow starts JULY!!!  Summer is just flying by!

So due to an overwhelming response of extremely detailed requests for posts you'd all like to read from me...NOT!... The real story is that I didn't get a single one!  So it's chef's choice again and tonight's special is mystery meat!  No, but seriously, I thought this time I'd share about...dun dun DUN... my apartment!

It literally is relative to the quality of mystery meat...who knows what's all in it, but when pickings are slim, you just gotta take what you can get!  I found this place through the friend of a girlfriend of a friend's brother...no joke- that's really how it happened!  It may sound sketchy to you, but I consider it a blessing!

The apartment has a completely open floorplan with a loft above, where my 3 roommates and I sleep every night....on our air matresses.  I'd be lying if I said us 4 girls weren't starting to feel the lack of walls, bedrooms and privacy after living here for nearly a month.  But as we know, nothing in this world is perfect, and my apartment, or "Feisty 5C" as I like to call her, has some flaws, too.  (Actually, I literally just made that nickname up right now, but I think I like it!)  Yes, my key sticks in the lock so sometimes the door won't open, and the oven is "missing a part," (according to the flakey maintenance man), and one of the towel racks in the bathroom fell down, and the toilet won't stop running (I know... "better go catch it!"...good one), and we have no dishes to eat off of or chairs to sit on, but it's still home!  At least for now!  And, as I've learned from my mother, any place is simply as cute as you make it. 

So let me invite you to see my living space for the beauty it deserves...

The place is located in the Lower Manhattan in a neighborhood known as the Financial District.  The 9/11 Memorial is literally RIGHT across the street from me.  And as you may have seen from my last post, a BEAUTIFUL panoramic view of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Jersey City skyline lies right on the Hudson River (i.e. what I like to refer to as "my backyard").  I've enjoyed many relaxing sunsets there on the water, including this one:

In our luxury loft apartment, all of us have designated our own little corner to keep our belongings.  Even the girls we are subletting from are storing their stuff here! Hehe ;) And since I don't really have a dresser or a closet here to store my clothes in, and living out of my friends Vera Bradley suitcase that I frantically stole mere MINUTES before I boarded the Megabus to come here didn't seem like the best option, I decided to be proactive and buy a storage....thing. 

So after an interesting experience of doing THIS:

(lugging a giant box on the subway back to my apartment)

and trying to channel my inner handyman (or lack there of), I somehow, by the grace of God, managed to turn THIS:

Aye yi yi...

into THIS:

Voilà!

which, on a GOOD day, usually looks like THIS:

"...in my own little corner, in my own little chair..."
(oh wait, we don't have any chairs)

So again, no mansion or 5-star hotel, but beautiful in its own way!  We do actually have a few chairs now- three to be exact.  One is a bright blue folding chair that any soccer mom would love to covet.  Another is a wooden, spinny office chair that I literally wheeled right up the elevator and into our room from the garbage out on the street in front of our building. And the third chair was left here by our sublessors.  (Why do I feel like I just started telling you my own rendition of "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears"?)  Regardless, this chair is seriously the most comfortable chair I have ever sat in, in my ENTIRE LIFE!  (I'm sitting in it now as I type!)  It's one of those round chairs, and the cushion is covered with this really soft velvety material and it just hugs your whole body right up like a warm embrace!  I got some weird looks from my roommates after saying this, but I imagine that sitting in this chair is comparable to what it would feel like to literally sit in the hand of God.  So glorious.  Plus, it's so cute too!  See for yourself!  (Annnnnnd *cue* angels singing "Hallelujah Chorus")

Another one of my favorite things about living in the "Feisty 5C" (oh yeah, it's really startin' to stick now!) is my sudden interest in cooking.  Yes you heard me, COOKING!  I've recently discovered the majesty that is Trader Joe's grocery store (more on that in a later post) and have since expanded my comfort zone to include making meals like these:

Couscous, chicken, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and craisins

Good ol' stir-fry! (veggies from local farmer's market!)

Just kidding...
I bought this deluxe salad with
grilled peaches and watermelon at a restaurant.

Hopefully you don't think my cooking looks like mystery meat.... Plus I just told you what each meal was, so no mystery there!  But seriously, I hope you enjoyed the Chef's Choice tonight and appreciated hearing a little bit more about my "city-living" experience!  More comments from ambiguous followers who choose not to clearly identify themselves by name are always welcome! Just kidding... But seriously.  (Maybe just include the initial of your last name or perhaps even your ACTUAL first name to help me out a little bit?)  ;)  Love y'all!