Our Halloween Costumes

For Halloween, Brea was a witch- she wore all black, black lipstick and wore a black hat. For Halloween, Jet Blue was having a costume contest so we had to work very hard on Ben’s costume. Because we did not have very many resources we had to pull out the ‘creativity card.’ Ben decided to be a MetroCard (the Subway/Bas passes). We got poster board and drew out and colored a huge Metro card on it, and Ben wore it over his shoulders. He won a prize for his creative costume on his floor- so we were really excited. His work even wanted to keep it- so they could use it for future things.

The Seinfeld Cafe

Ben LOVES the TV show Seinfeld and we watch it in the evenings together, when we are home. It takes place in New York and has many “New York-ish” jokes, that we are both starting to pick up more, now that we are living here. In the show they always eat at a diner- which we found today- so we took a picture. We didn’t end up eating at the diner, but we ate a couple blocks away at a FANTASTIC pizza place- probably one of the best we’ve had so far, and the pieces were bigger then usual…it was so good. We were both stuffed from only one piece of pizza each!! YUM!

Columbia University

We went up to the North West side of Manhattan today to check out Columbia University. It was beautiful- we were both very impressed by the architecture of all the buildings. We agreed that it would be VERY different from going to school at BYU-Idaho. Across the street from Columbia is a huge cathedral that is getting renovated. Today was the renovation open house- so we went in to look around. It was beautiful and very interesting for us to see and read about the different Orthodox Catholic traditions and religious aspects- we learnt a lot that we didn’t know.

Flushing II Ward- Primary Halloween Party

Brea is in the Primary and today they had their Halloween Party. Brea was in charge of all the games and activities. The youth (1 young woman and leaders) decorated for us and then we had; pumpkin face drawing, cupcake decorating, bobbing for apples, fishing, eating donuts from a string, and trick-or-treating from room to room. There are only about 12 kids in our primary (and not all came) so it was a pretty small ordeal, but we had a lot of adults and the missionaries all came- so it was a good and fun turn out.
(Brea dressed up as a witch, but Ben wouldn’t dress up- the bum!)

My Tuesday Morning Saga...

Yesterday, Monday, I was home sick- I have a very congested head, a sore
throat, and have been coughing flem all night. It was good to stay
home, I slept (a lot) and got a lot of rest, Ben was amazing and
pampered me (he is so great). This morning, Tuesday, I woke up sick
again, but decided I could not miss another day of work so I grudgingly
got up and ready for work. I ate some hot oatmeal for breakfast, took
my medicine and left for the hour ride to work. The bus was a little
rocky but I was feeling okay- I got a seat and so I was able to just
hunker down and rest. The subway was crowded and hot- like always- as I
crammed onto the subway, with no seats to be found, I claimed a pole and
leaned in for the long jerky ride to work. It was at this time that the
knot growing in my stomach began to grow at an exceedingly increased
pace. I could feel myself turning green- I needed to sit but there was
no where to sit- I didn't want to sit on the floor, because who knows
what's covering that. As I grew more and more sick I began shifting
trying to find a more comfortable, less rocky and bumpy, area of the
subway. A man noticed my sickness and offered me his seat. Not more
then a minute after sitting down did I throw up all over the F Train to
Manhattan. You would be surprised at how fast the subway clears out and
how un-willing people are to help when you are covered in your own vomit
and humiliation in a crowded public place. I tried cleaning it up as
best I could with the few Kleenex I had in my purse, then I grabbed all
I could in my hands and rushed out of the subway at the next stop.
There were no bathrooms in the subway so (after calling Ben and crying
at my humiliation) I was forced to get onto the next train and continue
to work. I would like to say that after throwing up I felt much better
but...that would be a lie. Still sick and nauseous I continued the
three express stops, got off the subway and walked 10 blocks, and am now
at work try to catch up from yesterday, keep up with today and trying
not to throw up yet again. And to make this even worse, my boss thinks I
am pregnant (and everyone says he is 'never wrong' about such
things).... so my morning has been a little under the weather. But
hopefully it will pick up soon and I will have a great Tuesday!

Sunday BBQ

Sunday (October 14, 2007) was a long, but exciting, day. We went to church and it was so great, we were able to feel the spirit so strongly. (Brea is in the primary and they are preparing for the program- which is a little stressful but great). After church there was a baptism for a woman in our ward, Jui Ting Mo. Brea was asked to give the baptismal talk, she was very nervous but did a great job. After the baptism we made our way through the weave of busses to the Gomez home (of Austin St). Brea’s boss is Alex Gomez and his wife is Julia Gomez, who is Ben’s boss- so its an interesting connective web. The Gomez family were so great to have us all over (friends, family and co-workers) to their beautiful home for a Sunday Afternoon BBQ. The food was amazing and the company was even better. It was so nice to be able to be there, get to know so many people and eat the amazing food. The Gomez family is amazing and so hospitable to in invite us all over to their home. It was such a fun day!

Flushing Main St

On Friday (October 12, 2007) we were planning on going to China Town but didn’t make it to Manhattan- so we went to Flushing Main St instead. Flushing Main St is like a mini China Town, or should we say a mini Asia Town. It had a lot of shopping, food, people and well….not English!!

Studley Apple Festival

21 years ago Mr Jullian Studley was driving through the country side in Northern New York (New Paltz) when he spotted an old barn on gorgeous land and decided to buy it and all the land around it. Each year since then he has held a party at the barn for his family, friends and coworkers. This year Eastside Rehab (the physical therapist office that Brea works at) was invited to the ‘21st Annual Studley Apple Festival’ this year (October 13, 2007). We were picked up in Manhattan by a big (greyhound like) bus and driven up to northern New York. There was tons of GREAT food, fresh apple cider, entertainment, dancing, pumpkin painting, pony rides (just for kids- Brea asked), hay rides and TONS of fun! Brea’s colleges and their families were there- so it was fun to spend time with them and be with kids again. It was beautiful countryside and so much fun. When the party was over they invited us to take home any of the decorations- so we brought home a pumpkin, two bags of apples/pears and some cider. It was such a fun opportunity and a great experience.

Conference Weekend

For the first time in two years I got to go to my mission reunion. I saw many of the young men I served with and met while in Argentina. It was amazing. I loved seeing all these familiar faces and hearing about lives that have continued since they touched mine. Many of my friends are now married and some even expecting babies. I was able show of the love of my life, Breanne. Many people were shocked to hear that we were in New York, working. Many of them were also a little bit jealous; at least, I know I would be. I loved every minute of it.
Another joy of going to the reunion was seeing the mission president. This man was like a father to me in one of the most challenging and changing times in my life. He saw me enter Argentina unable to speak Spanish, unconfident, shy and a little awkward. He watched and instructed and guided me as I would meet with him every 6 weeks. And when he left the mission he had complete confidence in me, that I would keep working and pushing myself and others even though he would not be there. I love this man – he is one of the most influential people in my life. Jerry Villarreal and Delia Villarreal (his wife) will always have a very special place in my heart.

















Fala Fubeca!!!! This is a favorite phrase for Moses Barreiro, my great friend and former mission companion, to scream at me when we see each other or when we speak on the phone. It means “speak ,…” well fubeca is slang for something not to good, but not too bad, like something useless. Don’t worry it is our term of endearment haha. Moses and his wife Silvia graciously had us in their home for one night of our trip. They are such great people. Both are doing very well learning English since both are from Brazil and are still learning. Moses and I went to the Priesthood session of conference in the conference center and it was great! We also took the time to have an Aargentine Asado. WOW! It was great! The pictures don’t do it justice. The meat was delicious. We had fun cooking and sharing conference together and are very glad we could catch up with each other.

























Jer and Heidi are so much fun. We got to stay at their house for a night and play with the kids. Hannah, Jared, Aimee, Samuel, and Eli are all so much fun. It was so great to be with them. I love seeing family and wish that they could come and see New York and all the fun places that we have been and share in this experience. Jer and Heidi showed us the new house they are building, which is going to be huge. We always eat so well there. Heidi made homemade rolls with soup and then we ate Marie Calendar Pies for dessert. It was Great! Thanks Jer and Heidi.
Jer also got to see his friend Rob from college. Rob and his son Nate came down from Toronto to see conference. We all went to a Thai restaurant and ate great food!

Cool Subway

On our way home from the Bronx we transfered subways and found this beautiful one- it sounds weird, but there aren't many well taken care of, clean and actually pretty subways- so this was cool. And they have been fixing some of the subways so there is a picture of the fixing crew right down by the train- that would so so scarey to stand less then a foot away from a train moving like the speed of light- ahhh.