Crazy busy!

So in all honesty... I completely forgot about this thing they call "blogging." Maybe because my life just isn't that interesting and I do not feel compelled to share the monotony of it all with the world. But working in the industry that I do... hospitality and food service (Hotel and restuarant/bar) I have a feeling I will have many-a-tale to tell.

Just to give you a heads up, I work 40+ hours at the Marriott, and another 20-30 at Cisero's in Park City... that is alot of people contact throughout the day/night and man oh man... are people stupid! keep an eye out for the interesting tales that I will have as the winter progresses... especailly during Sundance!!

Piper out.

Utah Man I'm I!

I've officially been back in Utah for 3 weeks and it is a little weird. Its weird driving. Its weird not hearing constant traffic outside my window. Its weird seeing mountains. Its weird not taking an hour commute for an 8 mile trip. But it is all weird in a good way. I'm getting settled nicely into my Park City home and I absolutely love it. Its spacious and much nicer than my Brooklyn home and sooo much cheaper. I'll post some pictures soon. (these are for you Candice and Keith!!! This is where you should be spending your holidays!!)

Goodbye New York

The past two days it has been raining, and raining hard. New York must be sad to see me leaving. I am sad to see me leaving too. But I am ready to go. I was thinking last night what memories will stick out in my mind when I think back to the time that I spent here, and I think that riding my bike around the city will stick out. Nothing was more fun and I got to see so much more of New York from my bike verses just walking. It was excellent.

Throughout my time here, I have learned a lot about myself and what it is that really matters to me and what I want out of my life. For years I thought that I wanted to live and die in New York, it was always so glorious to me. Once I moved out here, I realized that all the hype about this city, while indeed intriguing and at times exciting; was just that, hype. Maybe not for other people who are trying to get onto Broadway or take over the financial world (oh and good luck with that one!) but for me, New York was a very eye opening experience. I never felt intimidated by the city or out of place, in all reality, I fit right in. As good and wonderful that feels, it doesn't hold water to how good and wonderful it feels to be surrounded by the people you love. and that is what Utah has then New York doesn't (let us not forget the mountains!!!)

I will always look back at my time living here as a real growing up experience, because in the past 7 months, I have grown up a lot and learned a lot about myself... I really cannot emphasize that enough. Some people can't wait for summer, others can't wait for a change. As for me, I just can't wait.

Things I'll miss the most

Well its down to the final days of me living in Brooklyn. And like it was in coming here, it is also bittersweet in leaving. Here are a list of some of the things I will really miss about New York.

~The sunsets. I can't explain it, but the sun sets differently on the east than it does in the west
~Prospect Park. An Oasis even in this overcrowded city.
~Not having to worry about a car. A luxury I'm sure I will never have again.
~The cornucopia of people. Even the crazies provided great amusement.
~The food. So much to chose from, at all hours.
~Black and White Cookies. Yum!
~Chinatown.
~Bike rides along the shoreline.
~Express trains.
~The attitude that everyone has, "I own this city!"
~Coney Island
~The opportunity to always do and see something new.

Only 4 more days in NYC... how do I feel? I don't really know...

Whilst the parentals visited...

Me and mum in on the boat on our way to Ellis Island
View from the top of the Empire State Building... we waited in several different lines before actually getting up but it was well worth the wait!

On the Brooklyn Bridge
View of lower Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge
Me and Mum on a rock at Central Park!
Me and Dave at Times Square
On the Brooklyn Bridge with Midtown in the background
Still on the boat...
(we all had a good laugh at the above sign)
Doesn't it look like it was fun!? This is just a sampling of the pictures taken and some of my favorite. Enjoy

The Phantom of the Opera

All dressed up for Phantom!


Last night I treated my mother and step-father to "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway. It was spectacular! I have never been to a Broadway show before and neither had my mum or Dave. We had amazing seats, just 10 rows back from the orchestra pit. All the performers did an incredible job, particularly the man who played "the phantom." There were several parts during the performance where I got chills just from the shear grandness of it all. I encourage everyone to go to a live performance and look all spiffy doing so. Even if you can't go to one on Broadway, just go and enjoy!!

Squatter

I feel like I'm squatting in my own home. I have sold most of my furniture, my table/desk. my dresser and nightstand left today, and my bed box left yesterday. So now the only thing in my room is my mattress and rug and a lamp. Its crazy! and I still have three weeks before I leave!! Guess I'll be packing and shipping a lot very soon just to get it out of my way!! Moving across the country is fun!!.....

Here kitty, kitty, kitty!

Kitty Bath!!! Oh how the cat hates it! and after, she looks like a drowned rat! Thought I would post these because it is funny!!

Teetering on insanity

The other night I rode my bike to Chelsea Piers for gymnastics. I only intended on doing my normal class of just the floor, but then I stayed and did the apparatus class. It felt so damn good to be back on the bars and beam! I even caused a rip in my hand (were the skin literally rips), but I was able to do some old tricks and am excited to keep going and doing more!! After my 3 hours of gymnastics, I rode my bike home... an hour ride. Normally I don't think it would have taken me so long, but about 1/2 way across the Brooklyn Bridge, my legs refused to work. Its as if they said, "we're done Piper. Later." but my pride wouldn't let me get off and walk my bike, oh no. So I continued to pedal at speeds that even an injured turtle would laugh at, but I eventually made it up and over and safely home... I mean really, who does that!? Exercises for 5 hours while getting over walking pneumonia?? I do, that is who. So maybe I am teetering on the edge of insanity, but this much I know, I enjoyed every minute of it!!

Piper out.

Friends! Friends! oh the glorious friends!!!

So for one whole week I had visitors in my lovely Brooklyn apartment!! Teeny, Emily and Chanda came and we painted the town!! Well just shy of it at least! It was very humid for a couple of days but overall nice weather. (Except for the fact that it POURED friday... plus I had to go to the dentist... ) but it was great!! We did so much and saw so much including, Empire State building (I missed that, due at the dentist, but my teeth are nice and clean!) Shopping like you wouldn't believe, Central Park, Boat Cruses, Elis island and eating like you wouldn't believe!! Delicious steaks! Amazing chocolate fudge! Great Italian!! On of my favorite things was in Chinatown searching for a bag for Chanda and getting lead a couple blocks by this tiny Asian woman, down a corridor, locked behind a gate, up pitch-black stairs (yes there was a point where I thought for sure I would die...) and buying knock off purses!! such a good time!!

Emily and Chanda

Little Italy
The Girls outside of Tiffany & co.
Statue in Central Park
Sept 11 remembrance lights
Teeny striking a pose (unintentionally) at the Central Library
Sign from the Brooklyn Bridge
This is one of few pictures of me... and I'm eating an apple...
Elis Island

A return

After two nights of no sleep due to thinking, (and coughing)  I've decided that the things that really matter to me are being around the people I love the most, being my friends and family.  I left Utah in search of something, and in that, I believe it is time to return home to find it.  I love New York and will always look upon this time in my life as a time of learning and discovering  things about myself. Coming here was something that I always wanted to do because I thought it was where I belonged.   I've made a life here, I life that I could call my own, I worked for my money and made my way around on my own.  Everyones journey is a different one, full of joy and sorrow, although mine has just begun, I have found that I need not travel alone, because to experience the loneliness of the soul, is the hardest thing in the world.  So why continue on this way.  I'm glad I left Utah, because now I will never wonder, "what if" because I know, not to say that I can never leave again, because chances are good that I will, but at this point in my life, all I need is right where I left it.

what to do, what to do

So here I am, at another crossroads... truth be told it isn't really a crossroads at all but more a a bunch of squiggles all smudged upon an uneven canvas and I am suppose to unscramble the mess and figure out what to do with it.  I've lived in NYC for just shy of 7 months and had my first visitors come last week.  It was absolutely wonderful.  I got to play a host and tourist of this fantastic city.  but at the same time, I realized how much I miss my cozy city of SLC nestled nicely in the Wastach mountains.  When my friends left, I thought it would be nice to get back into my routine, but I found myself sobbing once I sent them on their way in a shiny black sedan.   I wanted to chase them down and tell them to take me with them.  At that, I don't know what to do... is Utah really so bad?  What about Houston?  But I want the mountains.  I haven't heard from Vail yet... but i could stay in NYC???  Alone??  What should I do?  I have plenty of job offers in Utah that I could take, but wouldn't that be taking a step backwards?  Or would I be moving forward because I realized that there is no place like home??  what to do, what to do....

gymnast once again!

so i started taking gymnastics classes again tonight... every muscle in my body is SCREAMING. But it was wonderful! after 4 years of not tumbling, I was still able to pull out a few tumbling passes and really feel alive again! I had no idea they had gymnastic classes for adults and wish I would have known about this sooner! Oh well, better late than never to get back into my game. Hey, if a 32 year old German could win her first medal (silver) in the vault, that I can get back into and even improve some old moves!! wish me luck!!

Thirsty Kitty

This is my adorable kitty. She likes drinking out of cups and glasses.

How can you not love her!?

favorites

Here are a few of my favorite things:

Favorite food: sushi

Favorite color: red (crimson red)

Favorite shape: star

Favorite holiday: July

Favorite pass-time: stretching

Favorite season: Fall

Favorite place: the mountains

Favorite drink: milk

Favorite song: Trouble by Dave Matthews and All I Need by Radiohead

Favorite feature of mine:  my hair

Now leave me your favorites as a comment!!

RIP LeRoi Moore

This amazing sax player for the Dave Matthews Band, (my favorite band which everyone I come in contact quickly learns) passed away Tuesday, August 19. He was forty six. Makes you really appreciate when someone so young passes so unexpectedly, your life and all you have. I am very sad for this loss even though I never knew him. The music he helped create is an inspiration to me and so many other people. My good friend Robyn told me that now he can play the sax for God and that he must be very happy doing so. I agree with you Rob!! May God enjoy one amazing sax player. See ya in Heaven LeRoi!

Things that must go

One of my favorite radio stations X96, has a feature on the Radio from Hell morning show entitled things that must go... Here are some of mine for the week.

-people who saunter and take up the entire sidewalk (tourists.)
-loud cars outside my window
-people who talk on their cell phones in libraries.
-the cab that hit me the other day on my bike
-the math portion of the GRE
-the french
-people saying "hey baby, looking good" as I walk down the street, do they really thing that I'm going to turn around and give them the time of day? COME ON!!

Piper out.

Central Park

I spent the an entire day last week at Central Park, just wandering around, watching people, and laying in the grass. It was a perfect day. The weather was great, not too humid and not too hot. I took several pictures so enjoy!

I like the architecture of this building.
The main "lake" in the park, people boating and stuff.

View from in the park to the city outside of it.

yours truly, sitting on a rock... like a lizard.

I thought this tree was freak'n sweet!

Busy, busy, busy

well I've been working a ton which is a good think because where I work is going to be laying most of the wait stay because of the slow winter season... not good. Hopefully I won't be involved in the cut but ya never know. I have also started applying to new grad schools because I am changing my course of study from social work to hospitality management... I am also preparing to take the GRE at the end of September which is a fact that I am terrified for, I HATE standardized tests. It is really ridiculous how much those people make who created the test; I mean, $140 to just take the test and I just spent another $50 on study materials!!! OUTRAGEOUS!

anyone with any life advice please pass it my way... for I am confused.

Things I miss

Here is a list of things I miss in general... not listed in any particular order...
Mountains. Stars. Being in love. Grass, good grass. My SLC crew and B-town boys. Dancing. Gymnastics. Not having financial obligations. Different friends from my many different jobs. A grid for a city... it just makes so much sense. My mum. My whole family for that matter: Papa, Dani, Emy, Buddy, Callie, Candice, Dave, Catherine, Caleigh, Ryan, Frudder, Remington, Keith, Roger, Mulder, Mai Jai, Niles, Baxter, Oscar and Odi. Red Sands. driving a stick shift. The U...

ok this is getting depressing, off to the park!!

Cats and Dogs

Why does it have to be one or the other? People always ask, "are you a dog person or a cat person?" I'm both. so beat that. I grew up with cats and dogs... and birds and fish and hamsters. but cats and dogs have always been at the top of my list for favorite pets. Cats are independent and graceful and studies have shown that cat owners have healthier hearts, something about the calming effect a cat has. And well dogs, dogs are man's best friend! They are loyal and comforting. I would love to have a dog right now but its like having a kid, so a cat will do for now. But for the record, I will not be pegged as "a cat person" or whatever.

I want to believe

and I still do... I saw the X-Files movie today. It was like an episode. I liked it, but I'm biased because I LOVE the show. I've read reviews that it was terrible but I thought is was good.

The Dark Knight

This is not a blog reviewing a movie because no one out there cares about my opinion on the matter nor should you... go out there and see it for yourself!!! I mean it!! why are you still reading this really? There is a great Batman movie to be seen.

Ok so you are still reading, I feel the love. Speaking of love, I loved this movie. Superb acting (and yes, Heath Ledger is amazing, may he rest in peace.) I was a very dark film and I do not mean in terms of lighting, but in terms of the story line. There is no hope for Gotham. That is my review.

The End.

Piper out!

Brookyn Bridge

Ah the Brooklyn Bride (bridge rather...). An architectural marvel and the longest bridge at its time of construction. There is something incredible about that bridge and about being on that bridge... except for the pedestrians. You see, it is actually quite simple that I find myself giggling at the un-complex nature of it all. There is a large white line painted the length of the entire bridge, one side for pedestrians, one side for cyclists; and on each side of the white line, probably every twenty feet, is either a picture of a walking man or a guy on a bike depending on the lane you are in!... Maybe this is a magical line? Maybe this white line is only visible to cyclists? Because NO ONE on foot seems to respect the cyclists (and believe you me there are plenty of us on this bridge) who are parading at/toward these careless pedestrians at anywhere from 10-20 miles an hour!! Now I understand if you are walking and would like to past the slow movers in front of you, that is fine, or if you move when you see a bike flying towards you. What gets me, is when a pedestrian (usually tourists or teenage punks; and believe me, you can tell) sees you coming, and does nothing about it... why?

Well other than the stupid people on foot, the bridge was a very nice experience. It provided nice views into both Manhattan and Brooklyn and there was a nice cool breeze in the midday summer heat. And it is less steep than the Manhattan Bridge. I think I shall ride across it more often.

Featured below is my version of the Sex and the City intro bit, and behind the arches is Manhattan. Pretty cool huh? (oh and... see the white line??)

Another view into lower Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge.
Don't mess with us in Brooklyn.

My B-Town Boys

When I was 15 I got my first job working at Gat y 8 Cin (Gateway 8 Cinemas with the lights that were constantly burned out). This theater was always (and I sure still is) corrupt in management, dirty, smelly, and all around ghetto. But I think I can honestly say that I had some of the best times there or because of that hell hole. It is this at theater, that I met the loves of my life, my Bountiful Boys. Dallen, Ryan, Robyn, Jeremy and Chad.

Dallen has always been someone that I consider my best friend. Someone who has always been there for me no matter what. Love you man!

Ryan is just an all around great guy; funny, caring, and always a blast to hang out with.






Rob is someone who I can talk with about literally anything.

Jeremy is just Jeremy, those who know him will know exactly what I'm talking about. (picture not featured, sorry jer) and Chad is the work hard play hard kind of guy.

For the past 7 years, they have been a constant in my life and now, Ryan is getting married!!! Guess I'll be in Salt Lake in December for his wedding!! I'm so happy for him and just baffled at the whole thing, this isn't the first time one of the boys married, but that isn't worth talking about.

We have all been there through thick and thin for each other and people have come and gone into our lives, but we have always been there for each other. I love My Boys!!!