Date Me

• Wednesday, June 26th Day 8

So, since its summer, the kids and I normally get to sleep in. Yesterday night, I was told that the cleaners were coming this morning and it would be smart to be out of the house. But not to worry, because they normally don't come till around ten and sometimes later. Well, this morning I woke up to vacuums and distant chatter at 8:30 in the morning! So much for sleeping in.... So I woke up the kids and told them we needed to go hang outside for a bit. Julia suggested breakfast so... We went to the diner! Perfect solution, Jules(: 

Tommy and I also went to the Library today. Ah, such a darling little library. If you know me well, you know that i'm in love with the library... Like, whenever i'm frustrated or angry or sad or whatever, I head to the library. Books just make me happy, I don't know why. So I got Tommy a book (Micheal Vey. Super good, go read it now.)  And I got these two!

 Normally I get like, eight... But you know. I don't have as much time to read as I used to. So I cut down a little bit. But I let you know how I like them(:

Today's dinner was.... STIR FRY(: Mmm. Sooo yummy, i'm in love with it. I haven't ever really cooked a bunch before cause mom always did for the family. I mean, I know the basic stuff and I can follow a recipe, but cooking was definitely one of my biggest worries about this job. But tonight's dinner was fast and easy and turned out great! It was chicken, zucchini and cabbage teriyaki (how on earth do you spell that?) stir fry. The family was hesitant about the cabbage but GUESS WHAT? They loved it! Hallelujah. I was psyched. Here's a cute pic of me and Jules to show my excitement.

 Doesn't look delish... But it was, no worries(: AND THAT'S NOT ALL! Julia and I decided we needed some chocolate(: So we made some peanut butter brownies creations. Mmm. Delish. Just look at em! 

  

I know, I know. Your mouth is watering(: You don't need to tell me. 

I also got the chance to meet some of the missionaries in my area tonight. They are wonderful and I can all ready tell that they are going to be a blessing for me. I am excited to get to know them, and everyone else out here, better. I am truly blessed(: It's been a beautiful day!

P.S. I bet when you read the title, you thought this post would be about some cute boy. PAH. How wrong you are(: It's really just cause I decided it was time to date my entries(: 

P.P.S. I would love to hear from you all, post a comment telling me what you do/don't want to hear. I would just love that.

You're all brilliant(;

Missing the Music

Day 7
Its funny, most  people say they have good/bad days or even weeks or months. But here, another nanny friend and I agree, its more like bad/good HOURS. I'm sure every mother out there can back me up on this(: Today had its up and downs. I took my first shopping trip in my beautiful car! (2013 Pathfinder AHHH) Gosh, that car is a dream. It was fun! I took Julia with me and kind of just explored. We came home and had lunch and just kind of lounged around today(: I made Tomato soup and grilled cheese for dinner (my comfort food). Then took Julia to practice. I was feeling a little down so I decided to do what I normally do when I feel sad and play the piano. So I went into the piano room and started on a hunt for some music, anything at all. I searched and searched and finally tried inside the piano bench. There was NOTHING. I was pretty unhappy, so I did the other thing that always makes me feel better. I called my Dad. He told me a lot of things that really helped me. But one of the things he said really had an impact on me. He told me that he has days where he gets sad and misses people too. But he can choose whether the memories make him happy, or whether they make him sad. Sometimes, its okay to be sad but I think its better to be happy. So, I have a plan. One of my friends is writing me letter and sending sheet music in the letters, my parents (when they hopefully come in August) are going to bring my guitar and my sewing machine will be shipped to me soon. I will have things to do, and that makes me feel so much better! I may even be starting some online classes. I'm really excited to start doing things.
Anyway, earlier in the day I had text another nanny out here who had had a similar experience as I am having  and asked her if we could talk or do something so that I could get my mind off things. She picked me up after work and we went to PANCHEROS. JUST LOOK AT THIS BURRITO!!

Ignore that I look awful(:

Well, she's wonderful and talked me through all the anxieties and stresses I have been having. Shes really a blessing to me! I'm excited to get to know her better(:

Speaking of blessings. HEAVENLY FATHER WATCHES OUT FOR US AND LOVES US. For example. My dad works with a lady who has a sister who lives about 15 min. from me. She was told that I was here, and my dad gave me her number. I called her and talked to her and she invited me to dinner on Sunday. I was so thankful! Its been a very crazy day. Super up and down. Good hours and bad hours. And even if I really am missing the music, I can make my own here, ya know? And its going to be beautiful.

Jersey is Calling!

Days 1-6

Whoops, my bad(: I just got the time to sit down and type this out.... So, you know, six days in one post.

• Day One

Probably one of the saddest days of my life. I have the most wonderful, supportive family and having to leave them was SO HARD. But, everyone moves out yes? So, it will be good for me. I just know it. My plane left at 8:30 am. I had a stop in Chicago and then landed in New Jersey around 5 pm and got to meet the family (whom I love) It was a hard day, but a very good day. 

I love these people A LOT. One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was leave them. (And my cute Daddy who was taking the picture) But i'm going to try my hardest to stay here and love it. 

• Day Two

Goodness, the roads here are weird. First of all, NO grid-like patterns. Not even close. Also, there are no numbers. All the roads have names.Then there is stuff like jug handles (turn right to go left) no turning on a red light and little two lane roads. So literally, the only way of getting around without knowing where you're going, is by using a GPS. Its insane. So, Angie (The previous nanny that was training me) showed me all around everywhere. Granted, I hardly remembered any of it, but i'm sure i'll get the hang of it. Later that night, we went to institute. It was my first time ever! HOLY COW, EVERYONE HERE IS BLACK. Its kinda great actually. They are all so hilarious and have such sweet spirits and stories. I'm excited to get to know them. 

• Day Three

ROLLER RINK! I know, its been a while since you've heard about one of those. It was sort of Angie's farewell party. It was pretty crazy. Again, i got to meet some new people and I loved it. I actually had a lot of fun. After, we went to a Diner called Broadway Diner. I was glad i got to spend some time with the other nannies and get to know them. I know it will be a horribly long year if i don't have any friends. I am excited to get to know them better. I'm sorry, no picture with this day either):

• Day Four

OHMYWORD NYC! Its crazy wonderful, everything i had hoped it would be and MORE! I saw times square, union square, a couple parks, went to street fairs and flea markets and just had a blast! It was actually a very bittersweet day. Its really tough for me to love something so much and have no one to share it with. I was really missing everyone that day because I just wanted to share my love for this new city. I had a blast though, i really did! Here's a picture to prove it(: 

Hello Red Stairs(: So fun!

• Day Five

I had been really excited to go to church and meet my new ward. I was also really looking forward to getting to sing. I hadn't done that in a while and have really been missing it. Especially because I love Hymns. But I woke up to the reality that I didn't get to be with my family this Sunday. The first Sunday in... like, ever. Well, I cried right through all those hymns. I was so depressed. I know memories are supposed to be happy but heavens, they just hurt me. I miss my family SO. MUCH. But, it can only get better from here, right? Right. So i'm going to get better.

• Day Six

This was a good day. I was in good spirits and was having fun with the kids and the family. We went out to lunch as a send off for Ang, just kind of hung out all day. I got to skype my family and have FHE with them (again, bittersweet) and i got to chat with a couple of my best friends. I was in really good spirits and it turned out to be a good day.

I know some of these entries are short and boring and you probably don't read them. That's fine, no worries(: I just want to keep track of all the things I do while i'm here, I don't want to forget everything that I have learned. It's important to me to keep updated, so I will try my hardest. Hopefully this will turn into a more happy blog. I'm really shooting for that. The next couple posts may be a little iffy, but i'm really going to try. Keep on keeping on, ya know? (;