January Blues

January is not my favorite month. The holiday festivities are over, parties are over, family time is over, good food and goodies are over, now what? January is somewhat dull. Especially when you are in New York without your boy and having no fun with the stomach flu. (My sister did come visit me, which made the month really great, but besides that....dull).

So, yesterday I was walking down the street and there on the curb were three bags of books (this is not uncommon in New York, fun huh?!). So I stopped and thought I would peruse to see what I may find. They were all Social Work books! It was one of those moments where I had a little "wink wink" conversation with God. Sometimes God knows just what we need to be reassured and affirmed that what we are doing with our lives is truly what we have been called to do. And I guess I was in need of one of those reassuring gestures. I'm normally not one to think God is to praise, or to blame, for every minute detail of our lives, like finding a parking space, a really nice shower, good chocolate, etc., but sometimes things are just hard to explain otherwise. I mean, out of all the books I could have found on the street, I walk upon my calling. Wink wink indeed.

So I grabbed me some free books right in time for semester two. Here we go.

Sister Visit

My sister Teresa made the trek to NYC this past weekend for a visit. It was soooo fun! I loved having her here! She got to see what I see, live what I live, and see what it's like to be a New Yorker. I gave her a little tour of NYU, Prospect Park, and the Subway system. We had a great time exploring the city and partaking in guilty pleasures. She was on vacation after all, so I acted as if I was too!

Here are some of the highlights!



The first night we went to the Beauty Bar for Manis and Martinis! For $10 we got our nails done while we sipped a fruity martini. So fun!


The next day we ventured to Rockefeller Center and watched the skaters. While we were there some gals approached us and offered us tickets to the Dr. Oz show. They needed people to fill in the audience. So, we went! Although we don't really watch Dr. Oz, being in a studio audience (for free!) sounded fun, and it was! We're gonna be on TV! I'll keep you posted for when the show airs. Look for us! I'm the one that is wearing no make-up and didn't shower. If only I knew I was going to be on Dr. Oz. :)


We weren't allowed to take pics inside the studio, but I'm sneaky!


And of course, the food! We had pizza, donuts, Mexican, and the best brownie sundae at The Chocolate Room. Park Slope's gem. Yum. :)

A fun filled relaxing weekend. We even survived the first NYC snowfall. We had a blast in the Big City, although I must admit I was slightly jealous when she left for the airport to go home.

Christmas in Minnesota

Here are some of my highlights from my Minnesotan Christmas!


The beautiful tree, filled with homemade (often horrendous) ornaments. And I wouldn't want it any other way!


Turkeys on their morning stroll through the backyard!


Lots and lots of Monopoly. Down with the slumlord (aka, my brother)! Grrr.


A beautiful sunset across the country sky on our way to church on Christmas Eve. Perfection.


Donuts! A new donut shop opened in Minneapolis. So of course, I had to try it out! YUM!


Last, but not least, Mr. Bingley! The wonderful addition to the Sutin/Santosa/Nulty/Vance home, which I had the pleasure to crash many nights over my break.

I love Christmas! I love home! I love family! Here's to 2012 and looking forward to Christmas all over again.

Am I a New Yorker?

Back to New York after a long break in my sweet Minnesota. The bright lights, the shiny signs, the advertisements, it's Times Square baby! And it scares the heck outta me. Why so many lights? It's like day time at midnight. And why are the signs so big? They're just too big. Time square is scary for a small town Minnesota gal!

But, for some reason, it also feels normal to me now. I flew into New York the day after New Years. I didn't get that excited "I'm in New York!" feeling I've always had on my trips to NYC. I just had that "I can't wait to sleep in my own bed!" feeling. I guess that means I'm just your average New Yorker now. How weird is that?

Although, give me a cup of joe on the lake surrounded by trees and chirping birds and I'll have all the excitement I'll ever need. It's good to experience both, although I'll always prefer the latter.



P.S. I caught a mouse in my apartment. I think that definitely makes me a New Yorker. I miss you Minnesota!