life is like.....

....a leather seat. Once you make it warm you have to leave.

....a coin. You can spend it any way you wish but you only get one shot.

....a bicycle. You don't fall off unless you stop peddling.

....a grindstone. Whether it polishes us or grinds us down is up to our ability to roll with it.

....a road trip. There are pot holes, dead ends, and flat tires. We must realize that the laughter that was shared in these moments will be what we remember the most.
so laugh because life is happening right now.

you're still reading my blog....go make someone smile.... ; )

Oh the volume of 50,000 15 year olds

I was able to go to the Jingle Ball concert this year for free! I, however, had not heard of what the Jingle Ball was. I got there to find out that it was Madison Square Garden filled with tweenagers who all would take a bullet for the teen pop idol, Justin Bieber. They showed this enthusiasm by screaming at the top of their lungs every time his name was spoken. I didn't stay to hear him sing but I did get to see Michael Buble sing, which was quite awesome if I must say. I was lucky to get tickets to this and had an grand time!

My experience with new foods have been ample since I have been in NY. Not particularly eating out but more when I eat food from the house. Some things that have thrown me off were tofu hot dogs, cheese, and ice cream sandwiches. But what has struck me as the most odd would have to be the tempeh bacon strips. For your cooking pleasure I will give the steps to making this fantastic food:
1. open the package and smell the wonderful aroma of fake smoke (how do they do it?)
2. pull apart the chunky pieces of "bacon"
3. haphazardly try and piece together the strips that fell apart (all of them).
4. cook until warm or until they start to adhere to the pan (this happens simultaneously)
5. eat what tastes like doggie treats
6. wonder why you spent $5 for them when beggin' strips are only $2.50

SNOW!!!

It snowed, and even though it didn't stick and the snowflakes were tiny, it's still snow and I love it none the less!!! I'm excited to see what the winter season has brought Utah. Only 10 days! Yesterday I was able to be with my ward family and watch the Christmas devotional beside a lit Christmas tree. Afterward we read Christmas stories, I was so happy to be around such loving people and to appreciate the joy and happiness that the Christmas season brings. Christ is the greatest example of how we should act, especially around Christmas time. To all my family...I love you and hope you are safe and happy!

rain, rain, go away....bring the snow so I can play

I am not used to the rain in New York. It seems more like a hurricane to me with the trees being knocked over, the torrents of rain, and the power going out. Ya the power was out from 2pm to 10pm. In Utah this was not a terrible thing but it becomes terrible when it gets dark at 4pm and you lose all water in the house. I started a fire and lit some candles and drank what was left of my cup of water from that morning. I am hoping for snow, even though it will be much different from Utah's snow. By the time it gets here I will be bombing a line down some fresh pow in PC. (for all those non-shredders out there that means I will be snowboarding in fresh snow in Park City). AAAHHH!!!! I just cannot contain myself!

Welcome to no-nanny-land!!

This parenting gig is hard. Day 1-I am scolded when I don't put rain coats on the kids when it is sprinkling. Day 2-I get scolded for putting rain coats on the kids when it is pouring. Day 3-I decide to wait until further instructions to put coats on kids. In my dreams I go to a place where kids get ready by themselves. In my dreams I don't have a job though.

The Rockettes!!!

Two days ago I went to the Christmas Spectacular put on by the Rockettes. I hadn't ever really heard of the show but I was talked into going. It ended up being really awesome! They even threw in a live nativity in the end. I was so happy I had the opportunity to go! Tomorrow I'm going to the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller plaza. Christmas in NY is turning out to be awesome!

Thanksgiving was sick!

I mean this both in the literal sense and slang sense. I had an awesome time at the Macy's Thanksgiving parade where my group started a Christmas-song-singing phenomenon. Then after that we watched people ice skate at the Rockefeller center where it snowed for about a minute and made my day. I had Thanksgiving dinner with my ward family of about 20 people. It was a blast and almost made me forget how much I miss my family. Then yesterday I was sick in bed. I slept for 20 hours and today I feel fine. I'm ready to go see the Rockettes in the Christmas show tonight.

My grateful list (day 7)

I am grateful for:

-nice mechanics who fix things for free

-when I can help someone

-my dad teaching me how to maintain a car

-my awesome family

-natural medicines

-people who put up with me.....because I know it can be hard

Thanksgiving is so soon. What a great holiday.

My grateful list (day 6)

I am having a hard time mixing my culture with the culture in NY. The discipline (or lack of it) is not the same, the level cleanliness is in two totally different categories, and the money situation is so different from what I grew up with. I have been struggling to put myself in others shoes and see things as they do. I, however, am thankful for the knowledge of this tool because it helps me see that what I grew up with isn't the only way of looking at things. I can take a step back and see things as a 3rd person and get clarity on the issue at hand. I still struggle when the kids yell at their parents and no discipline is put in place. I still struggle when the parents leave things out for me to put away but I realize that we each have our own molded world where things that seem important to us may not be important to others. It's so hard for me to do this because I am a strong willed person and I feel I must control my elements to stay sane and at peace. I need to let go of my ego and be as a submissive child, ready to learn and able to be taught.

5 dolla! 5 dolla!

Yesterday I went to the city with a friend and took the ferry to Liberty and Ellis Island. It was so much fun and makes me want to do genealogy work now, or at least look at my genealogy. After a little mix up in directions we finally made it to Battery park. We saw a guy dressed up like the statue of liberty and wanted a picture. We had someone take a picture with my camera and were about to walk away when the statue said "No! 5 dolla! 5 dolla!" So we reluctantly gave him 5 dollars. That swindler then said "2 pictas, 10 dollas!" I then gave him another 5 dollars. While walking away I thought, We just paid 10 dollars for two pictures on MY camera. I was angry but then I remembered karma and how he was probably going to lose that ten dollars to the wind someday anyways, then I smiled as I pictured him chasing two 5 dollar bills in his green dress and misshapen mask. In conclusion....

liberty ain't free, quite literally.

My grateful list (day 4 and 5)

No one who achieves success does so without the help of others.
The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.
~Alfred North Whitehead

I am grateful for:

-friends

-opportunities available to me

-the atonement

-the gospel and the goals I have with it

-good books

-ability to learn new things

My grateful list (day 3)

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, then at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, then at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful."
~Buddha

I am thankful for:

-ability to exercise (go endorphins!)

-weekend plans (no work!)

-websites like this that make me giggle

http://deals.woot.com/deals/details/6d4e96ca-d49e-46df-9ff4-4fc053ff2e12/space-shuttle-orbiters-full-size-full-scale-replicas#62

My grateful list (day 2)

I learned there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead, others come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready, you see. Now my troubles are going to have trouble with me. -- Dr. Seuss

I must arm myself with gratitude to make it through hard times, that is why right now I need to be grateful more than ever.

I am grateful for:

1.chocolate

2.a dishwasher

3.a supportive mom (which is probably the same thing as #2)

4.chocolate

My grateful list (day 1)

I am (grateful) for:

-being able to pick up dirty socks and underwear (humility)

-being able to endure fights that last all morning (patience)

-being able to wake up at five in the morning to succor a scared child (love)

I know life is hard but if it wasn't would we learn anything? I am also grateful for challenges that bring me closer to who I want to be everyday.

Boredom

Isn't it funny that some days even though I have lots to do, lots of stuff I want to do, and lots of things that are always fun to do and I still get bored. I could do laundry, read, make my bed, or go for a hike and I sit here wanting to do all of them and none of them at the same time. I guess you could call it self-pity. My brain is working against me saying "I have a right to not do anything and you will like it!". So I looked online for a motivational quote to get me out of this slump. I found this:

Stop voluntarily wasting your life! Stop complaining and saying you’re bored! It’s your life. Do something with it!

Brain: "well that's a slap in the face"
Me: "so get motivated already"
Brain: "nice try woman, I'm not budging"
Me: "aaaahhh!"

Yogaaaaaaaa

I have been taking teacher training and the past 48 hours have been nothing but yoga. The first day of the two I am upbeat and conscious but after 10 hours of sitting on my butt learning about breathing I start to drift off. I heard someone say that your mind can only take in what your butt can endure. It's going great, only 6 months to go!

The Cupcake Culprit

Yesterday I made some cupcakes for the kid's bake sale. It was really fun. I decorated them with marshmallow leaves. I did a few things and then put the kids in bed. After that I went downstairs to put the finished cupcakes away. One cupcake was missing a leaf. I went up to the kids room and tried to get it out of them which one had taken the leaf. Tati had been with me so I was sure it was Ian. I finally got him to admit it. He then tried to convince me that he really hadn't taken the leaf (because consequences for lying are Halloween candy taken away). I said I believed him and put another leaf on the cupcake. This morning I was investigating and I found claw marks in the frosting around the leaves. I knew the little paw prints to be those of a mouse. I wish now that he would have been lying. I don't like knowing there's a mouse crawling around my toes. I also owe the little guy an apology. Hopefully he will help me catch the critter.

I'm here....and I'M SINGING!!!

Six Flags was so much fun. Thank you Clarence, whoever you are, for the free tickets. I loved every ride we went on. After all that excitement I headed to the city for a YSA party. Everyone had great costumes some of which were Avatar, facebook page, Taylor Swift and Kanye, and my favorite, Buddy the elf. He was fantastic! After that we traveled over to North central park and found another mormon party there. We got there a little after the police had broken up the party. I am pretty sure a mormon party is the last of their worries on hallows eve in NYC. We found another mormon party (mormons are taking over the world, it's GREAT!!) and danced for awhile there. Overall, Halloween was fun but I would rather spend my night curled up in a blanket watching a spooky movie with friends.


update: I recently found out Clarence is the cousin of Snoop Dogg and recently got us into a club in NY VIP. We got free bottled water and everything. Ha!

NY is on fire

Now if NY really was on fire would I be sitting at my desk updating my blog? mmmm....no. Even though there are some people out there who would do so while they gaze out the window and watch their gnomes melt , I'm not one of them. Let me rephrase it....[metaphorically] NY is on fire. The leaves are the most beautiful reds, yellows, oranges, and gold. gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I am loving the fall atmosphere. I'm most excited for Halloween though. I love everything scary and creepy. My friend got free passes to Six Flags so we will be spending our Saturday peeing our pants(with excitement, fear, and thrills). I'm excited!

and it goes a little something like this....

I made my first turkey last week. Didn't try it but I heard it was good. I now know why my dad calls my neck a "gizzard".

I am absolutely loving it out here. My I heart NY t-shirt I'm wearing doesn't even begin to describe. The weather is amazing. Cool, crisp, and sunny. It looks as though the trees have caught fire in a rainbow of leaves above me. The walks down Chapman road feel like a scene from a movie. Everything is picturesque. The gentle breeze, the dirt road, the golden trees and the only sound is my feet touching ground. At the corner of Chapman Rd. and Old Albany Post there is a stream with a waterfall that runs through a patch of cat tails. The frogs find place to rest on lily pads in a pool of water. I sit there on the wooden bench under a big tree and wait for the sound of the school bus rumbling down the dirt road. I love the way the trees and hills hide secret spots. I still drive down the road and find new green fields, rock bluffs, and hidden ponds. New York is beautiful and I'm so lucky to get to experience it first hand.

deer nicole,

I don't know if anyone knows about the fawn that was gutted and cut into pieces on the kitchen counter. If not, well I just ruined the surprise. But I don't like surprises. It might be because surprises intend for me to wait. Also, I don't like waiting. So if you want to surprise me don't tell me you will be doing it, however, today is the exception. I would have loved Indigo (the dog) to tell me that he had carried a deer head in front of my window before he had done it. That goes without saying. I also loved the surprise visit from the skunk (that sprayed Indigo), the vultures, and the coyote.

When I was spinning Ian and his friend on the tire swing today they kept saying "Faster! Faster!" I gave in to their commands and spun so fast that they flew off like rag dolls. They were a little stunned but got up and said "That was FUN!!.....but we don't want to do it again." I was just glad that the people who design playgrounds knew that such things would happen and covered the ground in soft woodchips.

A Spiritual Smorgasboard

This weekend was conference and it was just what I needed. I love hearing our prophet and listening to all the good uplifting stories. I wish it could be every week. I don't have t.v. where I live so I traveled to a friends house and watched 2 sessions there. For those first two sessions a bunch of people from the ward got together to make breakfast and watch conference. I was really struggling to keep my eyes open and I guess I fell asleep because when conference was over I was shown a beautiful picture of me with my mouth hanging open. I have a feeling it has already been put on facebook.

Oh and also...for my two readers (Hi Mom and Lindsey!) I found an amazing christian singer who adds a new style to gospel music. Not sure if she is mormon but the messages are good. Her name is JJ Heller (Like Helen Keller put together) (I never heard Hellen sing but I'm pretty sure JJ is better). Anywho, check her out I think you guys would like her style.

Time to rhyme!

Ian is learning how to rhyme at school. Rhyming is great, it introduces rhythm, poetry, and music to a child. Ian was actively learning when he decided to try out his new rhyming skills. We were on our way into judo (which is at a military academy) and he started playing this game. He said buck tooth...**** tooth. (I'm gonna leave ya hangin on that one). Yes, we were surrounded by military men in uniform, yes there were also kids from the judo class around and yes, I failed at trying not to giggle while telling him he that's a very bad word.

"nicole, I don't feel good"

This morning I heard these words. First by Tati, then when Ian realized this meant staying home he joined in. They were confined to their rooms to rest. Tati was fine with this but Ian was bored and asked to draw. They found out there was pizza for lunch today and were suddenly better! It was a miracle! I told them that they need to eat my butternut squash soup to get better. They confessed and will be at school in twenty minutes. I don't think I will have any problems with "fake" sick kids anymore.

whats awesome and rhyms with ding-dong?

...ping-pong! I had forgotten what a joy ping-pong is until my friend invited me over for a match. The match turned into 6 hours of the joyous game. Only to be interrupted by tired legs and growling stomachs. If only it weren't raining I would be on my way over to play some more (its an outdoor table).

from the mouth of babes....

Ian and Tati have a judo class every monday and wednesday that i take them to. I was watching last monday as they learned how to fall when someone pushes you. Ian looked at his sensei and cleverly asked, "what if someone pushes you off a cliff?". I guess he believes he will need this information someday. The sensei was totally caught off guard. It gave me a good giggle.

After the sun the rain will come

I love rain. I also like to clean. But when compared, sun and cleaning breaks are always better. I went to NYC this weekend for a YSA conference. There was a dance, speakers, and tours around the city. I was so happy to be in the city with friends that is, until I realized what happens when nanny nicole is away for more than 5 hours. The house turns into a hard-hat required area. I came home Sunday evening to find piles, yes PILES (as big as me) of winter clothes that I was to sort and put away. The dirty dishes in the kitchen were piled up making use of every space on the counter and the tent they had used for camping was downstairs ready for me to put it away. Well, I guess there is always good in every situation (like a rainbow) and....

I will never have to worry about overtime.

C.C. art

There is a field not far away that is home to an art gallery. I rode to it on my bike with my camera on my back so I could snap some pictures. It was amazingly beautiful (except for the innumerable cow pies, but I guess that comes with the atmosphere). anyways....here are some photos. enjoy!

All ye rejoice! It's the renaissance fair!!

I had the opportunity to go to the Renaissance fair with the kids I nanny. It is something that I would usually call dorky and giggle at the thought of me attending but I guess I don't get out enough and it sounded like quite a ravishing good time. It was really fun to go and see the different booths and costumes and try my hand at archery. There was a mini show towards the end with horses and jousting and such. I have seen a better performance at Young Living family farms. All in all it was something I would want to do again, in like five years.

travel, travel, travel

I absolutely love to travel! Anywhere with anything new I haven't experienced is so exciting to me. Some recent places I have been able to see while being in New York are Iowa, Chicago, and Maine. Iowa is gorgeous, flat but gorgeous. Chicago is full of shopping malls, at least the part I saw, and Maine is picturesque. I love picturesque, its a great word. When we were in Maine we stayed on a beach house in Kennebunkport. We were about a half mile away from the Bush residence. While we were there George W. drove to our beach on his boat with secret service trailing behind. I guess it's kind of cool I can say I have seen George Bush but, not really. I also got to eat a lobster roll, its a hot dog bun filled with lobster and drizzled with butter. It was pretty good. Fall has arrived in NY. The trees have started to change colors. SO EXCITED!!