Halloween in The Village

In New York City on Halloween Night there is a huge parade in ‘the Village’ (near Union Square) where there are some floats and a march of anyone who wants to can parade around in their costumes. We decided to go to this because everyone told us it was a very ‘New York Experience’- boy was it ever. We were packed in the streets (we were up front by the railings- but packed really tight) with about 3 million people (we learnt later). The parade was supposed to start at 7:00 but didn’t actually get going till after 8:00- but it was worth the wait (which we didn’t know at the time). There were crazy floats and even crazier costumes. I have decided that Halloween has become a time when men dress like women and women don’t dress at all- no one cares about scaring others anymore. There were MANY cross-dressers, very-mini skirts, uncomfortable looking high heals and Jason’s (the chainsaw massacre). There was a Gay and Lesbian section, a Circus float (I had to cover Ben’s eyes), a ‘We hate Bush’ section, ect. But there were also some cool and notable costumes- we saw a man in a trash can, a person getting eaten by a shark, the Ghost Busters (won 2nd place on the Today Show), Lego Heads and (Brea’s Personal Favorite) there was a huge group of people dressed up as Zombies who were dancing (in unison) to the Thriller by Michael Jackson (it was soo cool). There were also cool ‘float’ things, like huge skeleton things, flying things and such. There was defiantly a LOT to see.

It was mostly adults on the street (and we were up front) and Brea looked youngest out of all the adults we were huddled and jammed into, so she got picked on- A LOT. Dracula tried to bite her neck, she almost got chain sawed to death, scary people were always lurching after her, instead of candy she got condoms and shot glasses- it became the running joke with the people around us- that everyone picked on her (or gave her a condom- weird).
It was such a fun night- we saw a lot- both that we wanted and DIDN’T want to see (there was a whole group of people just wearing body paint- yuck!). We aren’t sure we would do it again- but it was defiantly a New York experience and we really enjoyed ourselves.

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.