Who knew Sandusky, OH, could be this fun?

What happens when you mix adorable friends + a three day weekend + a road trip to Ohio + and a humongous amusement park filled with some of the biggest roller coasters in the world?

It equals one of the funnest weekends in the world.

This last weekend I went with:

Him (Chris B.)

and her (Kathryn)

and him (Chris M.)

and her (Kristi)

and her (Melanie)

We piled into two cars, drove all the way to Sandusky, OH, and spent two entire days at Cedar Point Amusement park.

I almost died and went to heaven it was so much fun.

Have I mentioned that Cedar Point has the 2^nd tallest and 2^nd fastest roller coaster in the world right now?

The Top Thrill Dragster goes 0-120 mph in 3.4 seconds and reaches 420 feet.

It was crazy fun.

And that was only the Dragster. My favorite coaster was called the Millenium Force which we ended up going on a total of 4 times. A huge climb, an even bigger drop and so many twists and turns to make anyone cry in delight.

All the lines allowed plenty of talking time with my new friends and by Saturday evening we were laughing, dancing, teasing, and crying from fun.

It’s time like these that I can’t believe I have the life I do. I get to associate with intelligent, witty, encouraging, good-influencing, adorable people that I grow to love so quickly.

Thanks friends for the magical and thrilling weekend. Let’s do it again soon eh?

Oh and next time remind me to leave my cell phone in the car so it doesn’t fall out of my pocket on the Millenium Force and fall to its death okay?

Yeah that really happened.

Oh how I love NYC

Have I mentioned that I’ve never had so much fun in my life?

The first couple months after moving here were rough, like moving to a brand new place always is. But then I made friends, and more friends, and more friends. I really started bonding with my roommates and loving them and doing more and more with them. I started feeling good and figuring out who I am in this big crazy town.

The adventures are endless here. Every day there’s some social activity going on. Every weekend people are going on trips to this place and that.

A couple weekends ago my roommates and I wanted to celebrate Katie Bell’s birthday and what better way to celebrate a girls birthday then a weekend trip to New York City? So that’s what we did.

Although I had been up to the city only a month before, this trip ended up being completely different with different sites and new delicious food.

We ate breakfast at Chelsea Market, which quickly became one of my favorite places ever. Not only was our panini-grilled cheese biscuit absolutely delicious but all the little shops selling different flavors of olive oil or sea salt, homemade jewelry and scarves, and homemade cupcakes, was all so fun to look at and dream of filling my future home with.

Other highlights included a quick trip to the Brooklyn flee market, a long stroll along 5^th Avenue where I got my makeup done at Hendi Bendel, and seeing the Addams Family later that night.

However, the best part of the entire trip was a stop at Café Lalo, famously known as the café in You’ve Got Mail where Tom Hanks surprises Meg Ryan when she’s waiting for her online pen pal to show up. It’s the scene where she has the long stemmed rose and Pride and Prejudice waiting on the table. It was absolutely adorable and even quainter than in the movie. I ordered a crème brulee in a heart shaped ramekin. Our legs were tired, our feet achy, but sitting there in that fairy tale café with two gorgeous friends…it was one of those moments of bliss and happiness.

The only thing left to do on Sunday was go for a long walk through Central Park and with one more glance behind us we headed back to DC already planning our next trip to the Big Apple.

Have I mentioned that I’ve never had so much fun in my life?

Taye's Baptism

I had only been here maybe a week or so when I had the opportunity to go out with the sister missionaries for the first time. I was coming up on my two year anniversary of being home from my own mission and had been praying for a long time that when I moved here to DC I would be presented with missionary opportunities.

I walked to the church one weekday afternoon and could see a man standing in front of the chapel before I arrived. He was wearing a nice white collared shirt and nice dress slacks. His skin was as dark as a chocolate bar and as I came closer and introduced myself I immediately recognized his striking eyes.

That was the first time I met Taye (pronounce Ty).

Our lesson that afternoon with the missionaries was amazing. In fact, when it was all over and Taye left I turned to the sisters and said something like, “You’re kidding right? He’s golden!”

And he was.

Although he had his ups and downs, Taye was ready. He was one of those so ready for the gospel that when it was finally presented to him he just ate it up. And eat he did. He started reading the Book of Mormon immediately and didn’t stop. He understood the lessons and already knew how to pray. He didn’t have any problems with commandments like the Word of Wisdom or the Law of Chastity.

Several weeks later we had another lesson with Taye. This time we met him at a bus stop. It was near twilight and we had to teach fast so the sisters could get home in time for curfew. We sat on some cement steps right there in front of the bus stop and taught him from the scriptures. The wind was blowing softly. The sun was setting. The spirit was so strong. It took me right back to Texas and my own mission. I yearned to wear my nametag again, the one with my name right by Christ’s name. I yearned to feel the spirit that strong in my life again. I yearned for more opportunities to teach the gospel so I could feel like this more often. I yearned to be with my Latino people again and be speaking my language.

When the sisters told me that his baptism was scheduled for a Saturday morning at 9 am I groaned a little. The fact that the chapel was a half hour away didn’t help either.

I arrived a little late but got to hear the speaker end his talk. Taye was dressed in all white and seated up front. Within a couple minutes it was time for the baptismal ordinance. He followed the missionary into the water, put his arms in the right position, and we all listened to the prayer that was offered. He slid down into the water and rose……a clean man.

I felt that familiar pounding of my heart in my chest, the same pounding I felt every time I saw someone I taught on my mission get baptized. The spirit welled up inside me. The tears started to flow just like they always do for me at baptisms.

After Taye got redressed and the program started again the bishop of his new ward stood and welcomed the newest member, Bro. Akande. He presented Taye with his own quad set of scriptures, something that Taye’s wanted for some time. As Taye took the brand new scriptures and sat back down on his seat he buried his face in his hands and started to cry. Even with his dark skin I could see a glow about him. It was a moment of pure happiness.

It’s funny how sometimes the newest members of the church can have the biggest impact on me. It’s funny how they can be my greatest example of faith and courage and hope. But they are.

Taye has done more for me then I ever did for me. He taught me faith on a level I haven’t seen in a long time. He taught me persistence and hope and love and wisdom.

Welcome Bro. Taye Akande to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the only true and living church on the face of the earth. I know this decision of yours will be one of the most important of your entire lifetime. Welcome.

4th of July in the Nation's Capitol

Is there any better place to celebrate the 4^th of July than Washington DC? I submit that there is not.

Although hot and muggy I went along with a big group of friends to the Capitol in order to experience the Independence Day concert on the West Lawn. Being in a huge crowd with everyone dressed in red, white, and blue, and gathering on the grass at the foot of the Capitol building was a spectacular experience. I loved the concert and the patriotism of the event as we listened to numerous famous singers and performers use their talents to the fullest. Josh Groban was the highlight of the night with a voice so soothing and so perfect that it gave me chills. How grateful I am for my country!

Within seconds of Josh finishing his performance we headed away from the West Lawn and toward the Washington Monument for the fireworks. The crowds, security, and quick porta-potty trip (for me of course) prevented us from getting too close by the time the fireworks started but it didn’t matter.

Oh how I wish I could adequately describe the feeling of standing on the National Mall, surrounded by thousands of my fellow citizens, watching the fireworks erupt just behind the Washington Monument. It was a special ten minutes to be sure.

My chest filled with gratitude for my citizenship in this country, for the rights, freedoms, privileges, and comforts I enjoy. There is no pen that could write nor word that could be spoken that could capture how I felt that night.

Magical might be the closest word for how it all turned out. Exquisite and magical.

A Concert to Never Forget

There are those certain things that cannot be described in words. There are experiences that others can only truly understand if they were there with you in the moment, standing next to you, experiencing it with you, making the memory together.

A little more than I year ago I lived in the grand country of Ecuador. Every day I would hop onto Pablo’s red truck and we’d drive through the rolling hills of the Andes to get to the orphanage where we worked. In those long moments, as I took in the deep green hills, vibrant colored houses, and serenity that that county afforded me, I would remember the hand of my Maker.

It was during those special drives to and from our babies that we would listen to Maná. I fell in love with their songs, the sound of their voices, the strumming of their guitars, and their lyrics. I knew I was hooked.

Attending a Maná concert was put on my life’s bucket list soon thereafter. The problem was that I’d never heard of Maná performing anywhere close to where I’d lived and so I figured that someday I’d have to travel to a faraway country (such as Spain) to be able to attend one of their concerts.

I never dreamed that the day I would attend one of their concerts would be today.

When Corinne heard that Maná had just started their Drama Y Luz International tour and that they were coming to DC those of us who are diehard fans bought tickets together and awaited the day.

It was everything I dreamed of.

To be completely honest, it was ironic and fulfilling for me in some ways as well. The irony is that a year ago tomorrow Chris sat me down on some nice grass, pulled out his guitar, and played me my favorite song called Bendita Tu Luz. It was amazing. He had learned it for me while I was in Ecuador and was finally able to show me all the hard word he’d put into learning the song. He did an incredible job. Little did I know that only three days later we’d brake up and I’d begin the hardest year of my life. Since that very day I have not listened to Bendita Tu Luz. It was just too hard. The tug on my heart strings was too strong.

So I went a year without listening to it.

Then tonight I got over that.

Finally.

The Patriot Stadium was filled to capacity. Me and my five friends were the only gringos in the house. There was a buzz and an excitement in the air that was palpable.

When Maná finally arrived on stage everyone went wild including us. It was deafeningly loud to the point that my ears were ringing. I’ve never been to a concert that loud.

Their songs sounded exactly like the recordings only better because they were right in front of us. There they were on stage and I couldn’t believe it.

Some songs I could sing along to because I knew the lyrics and others I would just listen to because they were from their new album.

And I waited, I waited for Bendita Tu Luz.

More than halfway through I heard the familiar guitar cords at the beginning and I scrambled to my phone’s camera to take a picture. Then I just listened and thought about what that song has meant in my life. I loved it. I hated it. Now I love it again.

Three minutes went by too fast and they moved on to different songs. But now I’m here writing this blog post and I’m still remembering. I’m remembering how I listened to it riding through the Andes, I’m remembering how I felt and the smile on my face when Chris played and sang it to me on that grassy knoll, I’m remembering the pit in my stomach that plagued me for so long and not bearing listening to it anymore, and finally I’m remembering tonight and the grin on my lips being surrounded by friends and listening to my favorite Maná song once more.

I guess you could call tonight EPIC in every way. I crossed something off my bucket list. I overcame a hurdle. I got through this extremely tough year.

I never dreamed I would get this lucky.

Thank you Maná for putting on a fabulous show. I will love you forever. Here’s to the next time I see you in concert. Let’s hope that next time I will be in España!!!

(the crowds were crazy but somehow I felt right at home with 15,000 imbibed Latinos)

(I bought a t-shirt. I never buy concert t-shirts. That's how epic this concert was)

(Thank you gentleman for the fabulous show)

(If you'd like to experience the magic that is Bendita Tu Luz you can go here and watch the music video. It's great.)

"One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years."

I traveled to New York City when I was 11 years old to compete in the New York City Dance Alliance National Competition. It was a dream.

I remember from that trip:

- The Trump Tower apartment we stayed in which was on the 32^nd floor. It had really modern architecture and styling complete with a black and white kitchen and really boxy furniture. It was then that I determined I don’t like modern. My house will not be modern like that.

- Competing at the Waldorf-Astoria and dancing on the carpeted floors.

- Riding on the subway in the front car and trying to go a whole ride without holding on to any bars.

- Visiting the tall buildings and riding the elevators.

- Taking the ferry to Liberty Island and taking a picture with New York City in the background. Coincidently, that picture has both of the Twin Towers right behind me.

- Wishing I had enough money to buy a pair of white platform flip flops and a portable dvd player (both brand new items on the market).

- Getting my caricature done by some random man on the street and struggling not to bend the paper for the rest of the trip.

- Going to all sorts of high end restaurants with the family I stayed with and eating escargot for the first time.

- Performing on the large stage our Grease dance routine we had practiced for months. We lost first place by less than a point. I was sorely disappointed.

I was only 11 years old at the time I made my first voyage to the great city of New York. I wish I remembered more. I wish I could remember more of the smells or thoughts I had along the way. But alas, I can’t seem to make my memory any clearer.

I guess that means I had to go back, right?

$21 and a duffle bag later and Marissa and I were off to the great city once more. The amazingly attractive single young man sitting on the bus seat right in front of us made the 5 hour trip a lot more enjoyable and in no time we arrived. It started coming back to me. The look and feel of the subway, the dirty tiles and grey steel subway trains. The signs, the lights, the buildings. I could feel it again.

A short walk and we arrived at her aunt and uncle’s apartment, conveniently attached to the back of the Manhattan Temple.

Day 1:

Friday encompassed a run in Central Park which was so completely entertaining to me I could have sat on that bench afterward and watched people for the entire trip. I met up with my dear friend Britton and we headed to the Met for a couple hours of glass case watching and label reading. You know you have a great guy friend when you can go to a museum together and entertain each other delightfully for several hours. We saw some Picasso’s, laughed at the modern art pieces, tried to understand the modern art pieces, got in trouble for standing next to a painting too closely, were amazed at the age of the Greek sculptures, marveled at the Oceania costumes, and took some crazy cool pictures. After more than two hours we’d only gone through three sections of the entire building!

A stop at Carnegie Deli was next on the list and the rumor came true that horrible service is the norm. I was dead thirsty and had to ask the server four different times for a water refill. Good ole New Yorkers. Sure do love them. The hot pastrami sandwich was giant and a good taste of what Carnegie is all about and the dearly intelligent Canadian man who chatted with us about world politics made our day after telling us that we were the hope for the future. God bless him.

Highline Park was a definitely a highlight (haha get it? Highline was a highlight) but even better was chatting with Britton for a couple hours about life and its delights and difficulties. Here’s to you Britton for a fantastic day and for being such a great friend.

To top off our first day of vaca Marissa and I had a picnic on the top of our apartment building in celebration of Marissa’s birthday and well, because why not have a picnic on the 38^th floor of a building in Manhattan, stuff yourself full of New York pizza and Crumbs cupcakes, lay on a blanket and enjoy the sunset and a light breeze, and dream about the day when we can do the same with our lovers? Can I just say it was a grand night? Surely it can’t get a lot better.

Day 2:

Out of all the places I would love to go in NYC I’m glad we found ourselves in the temple on Saturday morning. What an incredible experience. It was even more special to us when both Marissa and I got to listen to the session in our mission languages. Oh what a glorious learning experience. My heart was simply filled to the brim with gratitude for my ability to speak Spanish and the talent I have in doing so. It is a gift I will never be able to repay the Lord for.

Vacations mean eating a lot of great food. Let me repeat, a LOT of great food. Saturday meant eating at the famous Shake Shack and then proceeding directly to La Vian bakery for grotesquely good cookies. You all know that my favorite dessert is the cookie. I’m sure they will be my downfall.

Times Square was just brimming with people as usual, and even more, most likely, because of the holiday weekend. The lights, billboards, signs, excitement, thrill, busyness, and commotion just excite my soul and make me hyper for more. We made our way to Canal Street in honor of my mom where the black men whisper in your ear bating you to buy Coach, Gucci, or Kate Spade purses. Tempting as it was we stayed on the crowded streets and baked in the afternoon sun but I came away with a very stylish white purse that I’m sure will be fantastic for the summer.

A trip to H&M naturally came next but with the crowds and the rush I found shopping more of an inconvenience than a pleasure. A wrap-around belt and light airy shirt was all that was found in my shopping back upon leaving.

Tickets to a show were next on the list and a return to Times Square was in order. Then came the best conversation of the trip:

us (to a random guy in Times Square): On a scale from 1 to 10, for really naïve girls, how bad is Mama Mia?

random guy: serious?

us: um, yeah. Like, how much profanity does it have?

random guy: um, are you guys Mormon?

us: um, yes!

random guy: Oh I love the Mormons! I grew up in DC and we always drove by your temple and when I was little I thought Superman lived there.

us (in our heads): (Well Superman, THE Superman does kinda live there)

random guy: well then I wouldn’t see Mama Mia. It’s a bad show. What other options do you have?

us: we were thinking about Catch Me If You Can.

random guy: Oh totally see that. It’s really good, great cast, great production.

us: um, thanks so much!!!

Best two minutes of my life ever. We laughed about that one for a good long time. (oh and btw, there are TWO, count them, two billboards in Times Square from our church, more specifically Mormon.org. Can I just ask what other church is cool enough to have two billboards in Times Square?)

Well Catch Me If You Can was absolutely brilliant. I loved every second of it and the best part was rushing home to look up the super attractive male lead and finding out he’s straight. Thank you heaven. He’s available. I’m available. Let’s make this work!

Day 3:

I sat in Sacrament meeting on Sunday morning and it completely dawned on me that exactly 13 years ago THAT day I had been sitting in the same chapel. Remember how I talked about my first trip to New York? It was 4^th of July weekend. This past weekend was 4^th of July weekend. How crazy is that? I loved going to a slightly smaller singles ward for a change and actually felt more comfortable there than I do sometimes in my own ward here in DC.

I took a blessed nap afterwards and was only awakened by the aromas of Marissa’s masterful dinner. Let me just say, this girl can COOK! She is a natural born chef. We had salmon with crème fresche, rice with craisins and almonds, roasted asparagus, and a green salad with homemade dressing. Did I mention that she did all that in ONE hour? This girl is nutsy good at cooking. Heaven bless her soul it was so delicious.

Well one stroll around Central Park later where we got to listen to the wise words of Marissa’s aunt and uncle on how to have faith as a young single adult, we packed up our bags and headed to the bus station. Unfortunately there was no handsome bus mate to look at this time but our bus driver did book it on the road and we made it back to DC in four hours arriving at the tender time of 12:20 am.

Whoa what a trip! What a blong (that was me being confused in my head and typing blog and long together) post this has been. You want to know the best part of all? I live here in DC. Marissa’s aunt and uncle will have their Manhattan apartment for two and half more years. Bus tickets are $20 a piece. I don’t work Fridays.

I can guarantee there will be a bazillion more New York trips to come.

Um, life is so good.

Blessed Marissa

I prayed really hard before moving here (and continued once I got here) that I would find some friends that I could connect with. You know, a couple of girlfriends that seemed to “get” me. My roommates were an answer to prayer and are still till this day but I still wanted to find someone to really talk to, someone who just seemed to know what I meant, who understood my heart. There are only a couple people who’ve I’ve been able to connect with like this. Amanda, Monica, Kiersten, Natalie, Courtney…….and now Marissa. Thank you Mars for “getting” me when it feels like no one else does. You are grand in every way.

Sexy Supermodel (yes she's single my friends, have at her!)

(she will hate me for putting this on here. I couldn't resist. I love it. I love her)