When does 10 times 2 equal infinity? When you add the third element of the Savior.

Ten Ten Ten

Ten years with this man

On a hot August day, Friday the 13th actually, we stepped into this place

And became this

Forever

Now we are this

Forever.

Sunday morning:

The funny thing about the Metropolitan Museum of Art is that unless you do your research and ask every employee you spot about the location of certain pieces you are doomed to miss those that you'd really want to see.

Example 1:

The Scream by Edward Munch

I have loved Munch for a long time and he is best known for his painting The Scream.

Who knew the Met had a lithograph of the same by the artist? Not me. In fact, I probably walked right past it on my way to another exhibit. Example 2:

The Unicorn Tapestries

I have loved these since seeing them in the opening credits of the cult animation film The Last Unicorn and have always wanted to see them. The Met had them. Where? I don't know.

(BTW you may also have seen these in the Griffindor common room)Example 3: Anything Rossetti or pre-Raphelite

Didn't run into a one, but they were there...somewhere. Seriously, there is not enough time in a day!Now before we leave the Met, here's a few things that I didn't know were there, but did see.

This was entitled Joan of Arc and up against the cottage, if you look really closely, you can see images of the saints she saw in her visions.This was the most striking portrait of the Virgin Mary that I've ever seen. Love the direct look of her eyes.Pictures for my kids... This was a picture my kids got the most excited about...don't ask me!We did finally leave and went over to Central Park. Cam took this of me by The Great Lawn.

Self-timer in The Ramble of Central ParkAt an exit/entrance of Central Park.My final act in New York City? Just one last amazing piece of thin crust pizza!Good-bye Big Apple!

Well, then.

Due to three separate issues with two different trains, I missed my plane home. I was bummed because I had never been away from my kids this long when they weren't at least with Cameron (see Education Week), however, I got to go with Cameron back to his new hotel in Morristown, New Jersey. (and I understand why it is called "The Garden State") I also got to meet his boss and a co-worker who are both based in Irvine, CA so normally that wouldn't have happened. Cool!

For dinner that night we had a memorable meal of Colombian food including this odd item called yuca or cassava. Quite tasty!

I left early the next morning and was happily reunited with my kiddos around lunch time.

What a trip!!!

Cameron and I celebrated our approaching 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY by getting away to New York City in conjuction with a business trip he is currently having right now.

We left on Thursday morning together, I came home on Monday morning and he'll be home tomorrow morning.

So, the Big Apple is FANTASTIC!!! I admit I was quite petrified of the place before I went, not really knowing what to expect from the city or it's inhabitants, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. If you think about the city too long, you find yourself thinking that you could just stay and be quite satisfied.

Thursday we had time to get to our hotel, freshen up and eat before our appointment with the Phantom of the Opera. We ate real New York food our whole trip. Nothing was familiar and the flavors were incredible in every single thing we ate. I'm not kidding. My first meal was pastrami on rye from a small deli we found along the way. YUM!
Our initial desires regarding this massive place was simply to see two Broadway shows and the Statue of Liberty, but as I poured over guidebooks the night before our trip it expanded to include much, much more.

Friday morning we hopped on the subway and headed downtown. Our first stop was to see Ground Zero. It's being filled up with a new building now, but the surrounding streets look hauntingly familiar.

We had to get Cam's picture in front of the New York Stock Exchange, of course and stumbled on the treasure of the old Federal Hall and got a nice free chunk of NY and US history.
We were both very touched by seeing the Statue of Liberty. Did I mention that it rained ALL DAY on Friday? It didn't dampen our spirits at all, just our picture taking ability. We both brought raincoats, thankfully and held up just fine.

After the Statue of Liberty ferry experience, we ate an incredible pizza in Little Italy. My side was crushed plum tomatoes, torn basil and fresh buffalo mozzarella and it tasted like warm heaven. Cam ordered barbeque chicken. It was good too, but I definitely won this one.

Next we visited the Museum of Modern Art. This is a really large canvas painting of the USA by Jasper Johns, I think. My favorite here was Hope II by Gustav Klimt, however, we quickly came to the conclusion of what we suspected before: modern art is not for us.

However, musicals are for us! We loved Wicked! For not knowing any music and no plot line before hand, I can honestly say that it was truly entertaining and not to be missed.

Saturday we did a bit of exploring before heading to the Bronx and Yankee Stadium.

We bought huge breakfast sandwiches from a street vendor and sat in these lawn chairs that are scattered throughout a street in Times Square.We hardly had to figure out which train to use as we were surrounded by Yankees fans.

We went the Metropolitan Museum of Art after the game. We ate hot dogs on the steps of this massive place.This BEAST of a place was an absolute dream come true for me. I was in history heaven, art heaven...I was so happy...until they closed the museum at 9 o'clock and I honestly cried because we hadn't even finished the first floor! Cam dried my tears by telling me we could come back the next day, that it was up to me. Before we went home, though, I thought we should hit the Empire State Building since it was open til 2 AM.

Big mistake.

Although the views were spectacular they did little to off-set the 2 1/2 hour wait just to get into the elevator. It was a miserable wait, all on our feet. We only kept our spirits buoyed up by being grateful our kids weren't with us in such a situation. Here's one view from the 86th floor:

Look for Sunday and Monday's photos tomorrow...I'm done for today.

Happy reason number 1:
Ella and Bryce get along so well most of the time.
Happy reason number 2:
I finally cut my boys' hair yesterday. I've only been meaning to for a couple of weeks.

Happy reason number 3:

My magazine arrived in time for...

Happiness reason number 4:

Cam and I are headed to the big apple for our 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Happiness reason number 5:

a shelf full of our latest library acquisitions Happiness reason number 6:

This fish really loves me. Seriously. He flutters quickly toward me everytime I approach his bowl. Yes, I am the one who feeds him each day, but Rosewater and I are connected I tell you!

Happiness reason number 7:
My roses are blooming! I was afraid I would miss them. I've already got one cut and in a tiny vase I crocheted for Ella.

Happiness reason number 8:

We got our new computer! Better still Cam has already set it up and I'm having fun with it while I should really be packing...

I have so many other happiness reasons: Dane and I are being a lot nicer to each other through mutually reached solutions, I have three wonderful friends that seem to like me regardless of me being me, I have food, a comfortable bed, a funtional car, lots of birds around my house and wonderful family willing to stay at our house to take care of our kiddos as we depart.

New York City here I come!

Shortly after the alarm went off this morning, my husband curled my into his arms and whispered, "Happy Anniversary" and kissed my cheek. Bless this man 'cuz as my subconscious had been coerced out of hiding several times already that morning (thanks, Dane) I wasn't going to play.

Then those magical words: Happy Anniversary.

Suddenly, I was ready to take on the day and be happy about it, too. I explained to the kids that this was the birthday of my marriage. Ella thought I deserved a party. Although I am tempted to say "yeah, after putting up with that man for 9 years I do deserve a party!" I won't say that, mostly because he's been putting up with me and I am going to try to do good unto him and figure out a nice budget-approved evening for our date tonight.

Until I do, here's my man and I, currently and counting backward.

2008

2007

2006

2005 2004

20032002

2001

2000

Some from the big day: August 13th, 1300 hours

Mt. Timpanogos Temple