The Big Apple

As part of the Washington Seminar program they gave us a three-day weekend with no classes or work called an enrichment weekend. My first thought for the enrichment weekend was to just sit home, rest, and go to a few museums. But when I have the option of doing something or nothing, I have always been taught to do something; so I decided to go to New York. Looking back, the low-key weekend in DC might not have been a bad idea. I have been to New York before with my family so I was just along for the ride and was excited to see whatever the group had planned.

We left Union Station at 6:00 am Friday morning and made the four hour journey by bus. I suddenly became very grateful for my gift of sleeping while traveling. We could not have had better weather. We hit the ground running and went straight to Ground Zero. I had not yet seen the memorial built there but it was stunning. I found the two large black fountains stunning and so symbolic of what occurred at that site. I think the place had an even greater impact after visiting the Newseum and seeing their 9/11 exhibit. The event was fresh in my mind and I was truly taken back by the magnitude of the attack and its impact on the entire world. 

Friday night was filled with the Museum of Modern Art and Time Square. When I thought of modern art I was thinking of the super funky art but I was surprised by how many artists I recognized including Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Claude Monet, and Frida Kahlo. I really enjoyed the museum and the variety of mediums displayed. After the museum we grabbed food and ran to a performance of Wicked. I had seen the musical before but it was fabulous.

Saturday was another experience entirely. We started out the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was fabulous. We saw the largest Egyptian temple outside of Egypt and the self-portrait of Rembrandt. I had been tired all morning but during the subway ride towards the Brooklyn Bridge, my body decided that it could not take it any longer and I threw up in the middle of the New York Subway. So gross! I have always passed those throw up accidents in public settings and wondered "couldn't they have made it a few feet further into the trashcan?" It all makes sense to me now. I headed back to the apartment and slept the rest of the day. 

On the way home we went to church in the New York Temple. It was pretty neat!My overall take on New York City was that there were a ton of neat things to do there but I did not like how dirty and crowded it was. I cannot say that I absolutely loved New York City but I cannot say that I regret going. 

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Before the sequestration and cut backs, Ethan got a White House tour. It was actually pretty neat! We had to go through a TON of security to get in and then in every room there were at least two security officers (who also served as tour guides). To imagine that at one point anyone could just walk up and knock on the door - crazy!

Did you know that the president has a whole little village below with a bakery, painting shop, carpenter, barber, florist, etc! He also has a private chef on call and the Obama girls have their own movie theater. We got to see the blue room, the green room, the red room, and a whole bunch of others. 

Matt Kearney

I'm not usually a big concert goer but I have to admit that I enjoy a good concert every so often. A group of us found pretty cheap tickets for a guy named Matt Kearney. I had been listening to a lot of his stuff right before so it was fun to actually go and see him live. Turns out that he went to Elyse's high school! 

Amy, Elyse, Catherine, and I and the people right behind us trying not to photo bomb! 

At the very end we ran down to the front and got a better view. As you can tell, everyone else wanted a picture too! 

An Incredible Woman, Mother, Wife, Grandma, Friend, and Example

My grandma, Betty Jean Christensen, passed away February 13, 2013. She had been struggling for quite some time with various health issues so it wasn't completely a surprise; although the news never comes easy. I was never quite sure how I would handle the news of a loved one's passing away because I had never experienced it. It was remarkable.

My parents called and notified me as I was leaving the office and heading to the temple. As I exited the metro stop there was a street performer on the accordion playing How Great Thou Art. It was perfect timing and a testimony builder for me that Heavenly Father knows where we are. I was able to attend an endowment session and although I cried through a majority of it, I received a confirmation and greater testimony of the incredible plan of our Father in Heaven and that this is not the end. My whole mission I testified of eternal families but I received a witness that night that I will truly see my Grandma again. I cannot wait for the day! 

My parents and Grandpa made it possible for me to fly out from DC on very short notice. Because of prices and other things it was easier for me to fly into Las Vegas and then drive up. 

As a bonus, I was able to stop in Provo and surprise the roommates! It was so great to see them and really hard to drive away. 

The Erickson's, Hannah, my parents, and I all stayed with Grandpa. 

Over the past two years, it became a tradition that the girls would go to Grandma's apartment during priesthood session. One of my favorite memories with Grandma Jean was this night. We got to talk for a really long time, Brittany and Mom taught baby lullabies, and we choreographed a dance. It was a blast and Grandma loved seeing the dance while holding Summer.

All of Boyd and Jean's grandchildren. I don't think we've all been together for a really long time. It was so great to see everyone again. 

The Peter and Toby Christensen Clan!