Rainy Days and Thursdays

Do you know that classic movie moment where the new york city girl is walking the sidewalks on a rainy day and she stops at an intersection, preparing to cross the street, when all of the sudden a car splashes through a huge puddle and drenches the poor girl from head to toe? Well, that exact scenario happened to me just this morning on the way to work. I was already late because of lack of sleep the night before. I was not even thinking about anything but getting to work as fast as possible. Little did I know I was about to be as wet as a kid fresh off a water ride at Hershey Park. Oh man, I have never felt so silly as I did just then. When I told my coworker michelle what had happened, she said "Welcome to New York. That has all happened to us at some point. It's like a right of passage." I think she's right.
After work, I decided to visit the Museum of the City of New York on 5th and 103rd. It was so neat! They had exhibits on the Dutch, the ecology of Manhattan in 1609 and now, toys of the 17th and 18th centuries, history of nyc trade, and performing arts history. It was fascinating! I only wish I could have been able to share it with someone. Oh well, independence is a good thing, right?
I feel much better now sitting in my living room in nice dry clothes. Hopefully this rain will quit soon or else I need to buy a new pair of wellies!

Hello from the Mother Ship!

I am writing this from the Apple Store on Fifth Ave in NYC. When I stepped off the subway steps and turned the corner and that big white apple came into view...I felt like I had come to the mother ship. Here it is: one of the biggest apple retailers in the country. I'm falling in love all over again :)

I actually just applied for a job right here on this very computer. I really hope they let me work here. It would be a dream come true.

Ok, Ok enough about my mac obsession.

Well, job hunting has been a little rough. Kady has no pity for me - she's been giving me the tough love for the past two days. "Oh Bren, it's only your (first, second, third) day! something will come up!" She's even making me make a list of twelve places I try to get a job at today. Harsh? Maybe. But it's want I need - a little kick in the pants to get moving.

...I really want to get a job here!...

I visited a health food store called nourish and they said I could pick a some P/T hours from them. $8 an hour isn't bad, huh? I hope it works out. The store is on Queens Blvd, so only about a 7 or 8 minute walk. However, the second I get a call from Apple I'm outta there!!!!

It seems as though this post will only become more and more about Apple by the minuute, so I think I should just put you out of your misery and finish typing.

Plus, there are a million people waiting for computers so I should stop hogging this one.

Sigh...all these mac lovers in one place...I can hardly stand it!

My First Day

Well, it's finally here. I'm all unpacked and ready to begin my summer living in New York City. The townhouse in Queens (Sunnyside) is very nice. The room I'm staying in with Kady is nice and big; good for two people. On the top floor is an Indian family...well, that's what I gather anyway. The smells that waft down to our floor are very Indian, and every once in a while I can here 'clomp, clomp, clomp' of kids' feet as they run across the apt. Hmmm...is it too soon to invite myself up for dinner? I LOVE Indian food :)
I must admit, I'm nervous about finding a job. Kady has two friends who are living on the Columbia campus for the summer, and they boh got summer jobs within a week of when they got here. So there is hope! I printed out a few copies of my resume (now condensed, thanks to my uncle Gary), and I'm ready to get out tomorrow and pound the pavement! Please God help me find something!
So, things really seem to be coming together. We even have "easy wheels" to help us carry our groceries from FoodLand (or is it FoodTown? FoodCity? FoodFun?) - pictures on that to follow (we both look like bag ladies!). I just hope this week goes smoothly.
God-help me to stay your devoted child in a city full of lost people. Help me find a church to attend while I'm here. Please provide some income so I can pay the rent and see some broadway shows! I love you, Lord.

I'm Flying!

Hello from 10,000 ft.! I am currently flying somewhere over southern CA on my way to phoenix, az. Southwest has this new thing where they have wi-fi on the plane - while we're in the air! Isn't that great? Now, workaholics everywhere can get the job done without even having their feet on the ground. Yay!

I can't wait to be home again. It's been so long it seems...well I guess 5 months. Some days I didn't know I could miss people so much. This year has been one of the hardest times I have had to go through yet. But I have witnessed God working in so many amazing ways. I know I haven't exactly been the most faithful to Him, but he has been more than faithful to me. He has held me close when I felt so tired and weak and wanted to run away. He is truly merciful. I am so lucky to have met the people that he brought into my life. I have really seen the true colors of those around me.

Thank you, to all of you who have been there - those who have let me stay in their extra bedrooms, given me rides, prayed for me, and even gave me $20 for groceries when I had nothing. You are truly God in human form. My California family.

I must admit I am nervous for this summer. I will be doing many new and exciting things while I am in NYC. But I can't wait to just dive in - and I will try to keep this blog updated as I go!