The Big Apple

A few weeks ago Kaylie and I had a priceless opportunity. A family that I had taught and baptized on my mission in New York was getting sealed! Not only was it an opportunity to go see one of the coolest cities in the world, but I would have a chance to see so many people whom I love so much and to have Kaylie with me! We decided to make a vacation of it and skip a few days of school so we could do some sightseeing too.

We flew in on the overnight flight, which gave us the opportunity to see the city lights as we descended, which was really cool.

Our first stop after a quick nap was the temple for the sealing!!! The E train to the 1 train transition went super smoothly and we made it just in time!

If you've never been to the Manhattan temple, put it on the bucket list. It's right in the middle of the city and is a completely unique experience.

 After the sealing, we took some time walking around Central Park since it was about a block away. Even though I spent two years in New York, I had only been to Central Park once and that was only because we got to walk through it on our way to the temple. So it was cool to get to see it for reals this time. We'll include some pictures down below under the touristy part of this post :)

What a happy family!!!

So glad we could be with the Diaz family. I'm so grateful to have come to know them!!!

It felt good to see the culmination of years of preparation from this special family. They are great examples to me. It is a wonderful feeling to know that this family has been sealed by the Lord and can partake of all of the blessings of the gospel!!! I wish we had some videos of the dancing after the wedding dinner...

Not only did we get to attend the Diaz family's sealing, but we also got to see a lot of other people that I had taught and worked with on my mission. Even though we couldn't see everyone, I was grateful to get caught up with some wonderful people.

Edin Godoy

The Bejarano family

The Elejalde family...love these three kids

I was dumb and didn't take a picture with the Gomez family even though we stayed at their house. But here is a picture of when Juan Carlos got baptized!!! I was chubbier then because I was living on a steady diet of pupusas.

We also got to have a lot of fun! Even though we were only there for four days we got to visit all of my areas (except one) and do all of the touristy stuff on our list too. It's amazing how much you can pack in to just a few days in this city!

Under an archway in Central Park

What a cutie! Central Park really is pretty cool 

Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge. A New York classic!!! In case you can't tell from our blog, pizza is important to our family... 

View of Manhattan from Brooklyn

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

The 9/11 Monument: A chilling reminder of what happened here
 

Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry

Freedom.

Times Square at night is a must. Such a cool city!

I'm so grateful that I was able to make it to the sealing and to get a chance to see so many wonderful people and have Kaylie meet them too! It was so fun and hopefully we can go back soon!!! Until then, stay classy NY!

It's Been Forever Since We Updated!

It has been SO LONG since we updated the blog. Somehow coming back to the grind of school in Provo is not as exciting as our adventures in Chicago...

Anyways, we are back in school! Kaylie and I are both seniors and coming down with serious cases of senioritis.

Kaylie will graduate in December, so this semester is almost exclusively clinical shifts up in Primary Children's Hospital. She loves working in the hospital, but she has gotten stuck with a lot of night shifts. 7pm-7am a couple times of week is not that fun. For either of us. She's also studying for the NCLEX and hoping she's not the 2% of 50 students that doesn't pass ;) Once she finishes her clinical shifts and passes the exam, she'll be a real live nurse!!!

Kaylie's a cute nurse. Also, the baby is cute.

I'm graduating in April and have finished most of my finance coursework, so I'm taking a lot of political science classes (for my minor) and some fun classes like golf and weightlifting, along with a few business classes. The poli sci classes leave me with a lot of reading every night (sometimes over 100 pages per class), but they are interesting and are stretching me in different ways than what I've gotten used to by studying finance.

I'm still spending a lot of time in this building.

So, we will be moving to Alabama sometime this summer!!! I accepted a job offer with Honeywell as a financial analyst. They have a rotation program, and our first stop will be in Mobile, AL. Neither of us has ever even been to the south, so this is a completely new experience for us. We are both really excited, but we still have no idea what to expect. We have been told that we have to choose a team though. I still can't bring myself to cheer for either.

How about none of the above?

Here are a few of the highlights since we last blogged, which hopefully will become blog posts of their own in the next little while. Stay tuned for all the updates!!!

Trip home from Chicago / Weekend in Nauvoo

Our first anniversary!!!

Hiking and Camping

Moving in to a new apartment

New York trip

Football season (and intramurals)

Life is busy, but we try to make it fun! We'll try to get some more posts going so you can all see how exciting we are :)

The Emotional Cold

This post is actually a month or so old.  I waited to publish it until I had a little more time to see where my experiment would lead.  So anyway.  These are my writings from the end of July:  


Before I start, I should say that this post based solely on my feelings and perceptions I have felt this week.  It should NOT be used as medical advice, or anything of the sort.  That's all. :)

This week I've begun tapering off my depression pills.  I've actually been taking these FOREVER.  (As in, since the end of 2010.  A long time.  At least for me.)   I'm very blessed in that I never had very serious depression, but I did have a mild version.  Things that used to be fun weren't fun anymore, I had thoughts of hopelessness and worthlessness, and I was super anxious.  One example I can remember is I was walking home from class and started walking toward the gym.  But maybe, I thought, that wasn't the "right" choice.  So I literally u-turned around and headed towards the library.  No, I thought, I want to work out...maybe I'm "supposed" to go right now.  And if I don't follow this, I'll be a bad person if I don't.  So I u-turned again.  (Like, I actually remember turning around a couple times.)  I did this a few times until I was totally confused, and I hadn't studied or gone to the gym.

Anyway, probably about two years ago my doctor determined I was okay and gave me permission to try tapering off whenever I wanted to and felt ready.  Aaaand, I've tried a couple times and then I get too scared and I stay on it.  The first day I taper is so hard.  And that's always scared me enough to stay on the full dose every day.

I took a psychiatric nursing class last semester and learned that sometimes depression will only last a couple years.  That I might find I'm all better if I give my brain a chance to produce serotonin on its own.  I've prayed, sought medical guidance and...

I decided to give coming off a real chance.

During this week of tapering off,  I've kind of remembered what it felt like during that time in my life: a cold.  Just one of those routine colds you get during the winter that has your nose stuffed up and your head a little congested.

Like a cold, the way I feel isn't obvious to other people.  When in social settings I'm able to do what is expected.  I smile at those talking to me, laugh along to jokes, and participate in conversations.  Unless I tell someone what I'm feeling, nothing appears to be wrong.  And in reality, I'm functioning wonderfully.  The only problem is that I  just feel a little bit . . .off.

My spirit feels a little heavier, and frustrations have a little bit more playing time on the stage of my mind.  I'm feel myself drawn inward instead of my usual tendency to look outward.

But like a cold, distraction helps me forget I'm even feeling weird.  Exercise helps too.

Like a cold, these symptoms spike at night.  Especially in dreams.  I've found myself waking up surprisingly distraught after seemingly normal dreams of school cafeterias or math class.  (Yes.  Most of my dreams occur in high school.  Or at Lagoon.  It's weird.)

I'm moving very very slowly.  (3/4 a pill the first week, 1/2 a pill the second week, 1/4 the third week.)  My hope is that my brain will figure itself out and realize that it can do what the pill was previously doing.

And you know what?!  So far, so good. :)

Sunday was difficult, but after that, this week hasn't even been bad.  The only difference is I feel a little bit moody in the evening.

We'll see what happens, and if this ends up being the wrong, I'm 100% willing and ready to go back on the medication.

Finally, let's finish with something from Elder Holland's talk "Like a Broken Vessel."  Because it's just good.

Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly “That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve it. It is simply always there.”  Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead.

That one time when I won a dance competition

I know you guys are hoping this post is written by Derek--we all know his amazing dancing ability.  *cue awkward swaying to C'mon Get Higher*

But really.   One time I won a school contemporary dance competition.  Me--Kaylie!! Was I good at dancing?  Heavens, no.  It was just because I'm obsessed with candy.

In my elementary school, we had this thing called the Reflections Program where you could compete in song, art, literature, and so on.  Every year there was a theme (Anything is Possible, Change, Courage, etc.) and students submitted their original work to be judged.  And in my school, no matter how you placed, you were given a huge candy bar for every entry.

So naturally, I decided to compete in every category I had time for.  Art, photography, songwriting, writing, and....dancing.

I vaguely remember taking a dance class when I was about 4 years old but I was too bad at it and never went back. That was the entirety of my dance experience up to this point.  But that candy bar was in sight.  So I talked my mom into filming me.

We drove down to our church building so I could use the stage in the gym.  I didn't have choreographed moves ready, but I did know what soundtrack I would be dancing to:   The Prince of Egypt.

So I turned on the CD and began to dance.  My mom filmed, and then we went home.

The day of the Reflections Assembly we all sat in the gymnasium to enjoy presentations of winners.  One of the cute PTA ladies came over to me and said, "you got first place on your dance."  (I was shocked.  But soon learned I was the only one who entered. . .) "It's ok if we show it to the whole school right?"

Emphatically, and with all the wisdom my elementary school self held, I said no.  No way.  Never.

And thank heavens they didn't show the video.  My life could have been ruined forever.  So thank heavens :)

But I still got the candy bar I wanted :)

And I'm sure you're all curious.  But I think, with the good of future generations in mind, the tape was deleted.

All of Our Chicago Experiences in Twenty Thousands Words or Less.

It's our last week in Chicago!!!  And we have LOVED being here this summer.  We've been able to do so many things we wouldn't have been able to otherwise, and it's just been a really fun adventure.  We're really behind on everything we've done, and we're too lazy to write details on everything.  So since a picture's worth 1000 words, here's about 20,000 words for you.  Enjoy :)

by navy pier

Buzz Aldrin came to speak at Derek's work picnic.  Super inspiring and cool to see someone who's been on THE MOON. In the flesh.  That man is amazing.

We went to a Cubs game!  Wrigley Field is a great place to watch a baseball game.

One of the few remaining classic ballparks.

Oh.  And they won.  That was cool :)

And unexpected.

. . . .

We found a cupcake ATM!!  Sadly they were filling it so we didn't get to give them our money for a cupcake.

Derek was ecstatic to find Bandeja Paisa, his favorite Colombian dish.

And we found about a zillion cute houses.  I was obsessed.  

We went to the museum of Science and Industry.  Super amazing!  This picture is in front of the U505 submarine that the US captured from Germany during WWII.  We got to go inside for a tour and wow!  So neat to see the inside of a warship.  Also, so humbling.  Soldiers did not have very comfortable living conditions.  At all.  

Newspapers from the war

Derek found a John Deere tractor in the museum and had to jump inside. 

This little guy went to the moon! [Insert cheesy maiden name joke here.]

We got to go to the Chicago Fire vs. Tottenham game.  Awesome to see a top flight European team in action.

We walked around University of Chicago campus.  Oh my, these buildings were beautiful.    

in front of the water tower that survived the fire of 1871.  My favorite part was seeing the fire escape on the back of the building.  That was just funny to me for some reason.

Aside from the cool explorations we loved experiencing a new city, becoming part of an amazing ward, and having such a great experience with Derek's internship.  He learned a ton, worked really hard, and had a really enjoyed his time with Honeywell.  Thanks everyone for helping to make this experience amazing!

Songs I love: My Blessed Canyon Home

I've decided begin featuring some of the songs that mean a lot to me.  The first song I decided to do is "My Blessed Canyon Home" by Jay Richards.

During my time in Cache Children's Choir, I was able to learn this song and begin falling in love with it.  Actually to be honest, I didn't really love the song at first.  It was the choir's theme song and we sung it a ton. The adults would cry, and I always felt a little awkward.

But as I've grown up, I've really come to love it.  A lot.

This song represents so much of what I love:  family, home, beauty, music.

And now, every time I make it to the end of Sardine Canyon to my blessed valley home, this song comes into my head.

My blessed canyon home
Waits long for my return
For long now have I been away
Until my eyes behold
My blessed canyon home
My heart will never rest
For there is waiting the end of journying
The long lonely road I've known
A heart is weary and longs for my return
To my blessed canyon home

In restless youth I longed
To see the world beyond
I heard the fair horizon call
Then left I far behind
My blessed canyon home
To seek my fortune there
I wandered mountainsides green and blossoming
But never did I behold
A valley lovely and ever as fair to see
As my blessed canyon home.

There's just something about home that tugs on your heart.  And brings back memories.  And makes you want to show everyone in the whole world how wonderful it is.

My attempt to show everyone in the world how wonderful it is:

photo cred to bottom right corner :) 

Thanks for reading and appreciating with me.   I'm in love with my blessed canyon home!

Kyra+Joseph+Chicago= :)

Kyra came to visit!!!  It was SO much fun to have another person to hang out with here in Chicago.  

And, she brought Joseph!

We had a good time  :)  

We went on a walk.

This was only one of the MANY puddles Joseph insisted we stop to play in.  "Get in puddle?"
This boy LOVES to put his feet in water.

Joseph is a really smiley boy :)

We went on the Blue Line to downtown.

 Joseph discovered the pigeons.  He was in love.  

We made our way through the city and over to Millenium Park

Fun with reflections

We made our way back on the Blue Line and Joseph just passed out fast asleep.  He was one tired boy. 

Joseph loved hanging out with his uncle Derek.  This was on our way to the swimming pool.  You can bet Joseph was excited :)

(In fact, we actually went swimming twice.  The first day Kyra was here, it was pretty cloudy.  But this didn't stop Joseph from wanting to swim.  So we went out to the pool and it actually started raining!  Still, Joseph played happily through the sprinkling.  Eventually it began to pour pretty heavily and it was time to go in.  This made for a very sad Joseph.) 

We went again the next day and this time Derek got to come too :)

Matching swimsuits!

It's always really sad when you have to come in after swimming. :(

We loved having Kyra and Joseph here!  I was able to learn a couple things:

-Swimming is way more fun when you don't move past the first three steps.

-Nap time is great for two-year-olds, and even better for adults.

-Kyra makes amazing breadsticks

-Movies are better when you watch the same scene multiple times.  "Again?"  "Again?"  But seriously...Joseph had dance moves each time so it was awesome.

-To ride the bus is to have your wildest dreams come true.

-One can be entertained for hours when watching for planes. (good thing we live right by the airport!)

-Sometimes you have to be sneaky and spell certain words like P-U-D-D-L-E or G-R-A-P-E-S

 -Bedtime is a tragedy.

Thanks for everything you taught me, Kyra and Joseph!