brand new in brooklyn

Brand New is Klane's all-time favorite band. He's been a fan since their beginning, and saw them way back in 2002 at a tiny club in Lindon when they were first starting out. When Klane and I met for the first time, we were getting together to exchange music. I remember that night he told me Brand New was his favorite band ever, and he even told me he limited the amount of time he spent listening to them so he'd never overplay their music and get tired of it. (I thought he was so cute.) He gave me an assignment to listen to their music and tell him what I thought. I still remember that was one of the things that propelled our first few conversations with each other. I guess I passed the test, because I love their music too. Brand New holds a special place in my heart. :)

The band started here in New York, on Long Island, so Klane was so excited when he heard they were playing a show here. He magically snagged some tickets to the small venue (something to do with being on their email list), and on Saturday night we took the L train out to Brooklyn for the show. It was awesome! We stood on the mezzanine and had a perfect view. Of course the music was great and they even played some new songs from their soon to be released album. We loved it.

Waiting in line... so excited!

our feets

They are awesome!

A little vid of Jesse Lacey playing the intro to "Yeah"

We got rained on walking back to the subway, but it actually felt really nice. Here we are on the train home.

We also loved Bedford Avenue and the quieter atmosphere in Brooklyn and are planning a trip back to wander around the shops out there. Fun!

saturday baking

It's maybe a little bit unfortunate that I find baking so entertaining. Because I've been bored a lot the last couple months. I'm sure there are a lot of really productive things I could be doing. It's just that when I'm trying to think of something to do, none of those things occur to me. Baking treats does. Eating usually follows.

And I don't know, there's just something about mixing up the ingredients, the familiarity of the steps, putting something in the oven and waiting to see how your creation turned out.

...and the reward at the end isn't so bad either.

Today my excuse for baking these peanut butter chocolate chip cookies was that we're teaching our youth Sunday school class for the first time tomorrow, and I wanted to bring the youth some treats so they'll love us. Think it'll work?

the today show

Rascal Flatts performed live on the Today Show this morning, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see them for free. Especially since I transfer subway trains at the Rockefeller station anyway, so it was pretty much on my way to work! I'm not a really avid country music listener except for a couple artists that I really like. These guys are one of them. I love their music. Some of their songs actually make me cry because of the memories they bring back. (Embarrassing, right?) Klane was awesome and got up extra early to come with me.

It was so much fun! We got there just before 7:00, which is when the concert supposedly "started", and they were already playing a song. But after that first one, they didn't play again until 8:20! It was still really fun to be there, watch the show being filmed live, share our breakfast of blueberry muffins on the plaza, see some famous people, and observe all the crazy tourists with their signs scrambling to get on camera. (It's hilarious how people transform when they think they might be on TV.) The one song we were able to watch them perform was great!

Rockefeller Center at 7:00 am. Can you see the window-washer suspended up there? He looks tiny!

Cute husband who woke up at 6:30 for me. :) He's nice.

Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer chumming with the fans.

The crowd to our left suddenly started screaming and taking pictures, and we looked over thinking it might be a member of Rascal Flatts signing autographs. We could only see the back of this little short guy, and I told Klane he wasn't in the band, he was way shorter than any of the members. Then he turned around and I exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! It's Harry Potter!"

Turns out Daniel Radcliffe was a guest on the show today. He was so small in person! I swear, he couldn't have been taller than 5'5". He was really cute with the fans though, signing autographs and smiling for pictures and talking with people. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy. Here's a link to his interview on the show today.

And... Rascal. They're so good! We didn't bother fighting to the front of the crowd, which turned out well since they only played one song and I had to get to work shortly after. I'm so glad we went, it was such a fun way to start the day!

angie's first day

Today was my first day at the orthodontic office. It was overwhelming and exciting and exhausting and frustrating and fun all at the same time. I knew working at a new office would be different from working at my dad's, but I had no idea just how different it could be. Just like pretty much everything else I've encountered in New York, they do things completely differently than what I was used to in Utah. I am so lost there, I swear you would never know I've been doing this for four years and have pretty much mastered everything at another office.

But, having said that, it really wasn't bad. I still possess the basic knowledge and skills to do the job. So while I've got a ton to learn about their software, policies, procedures, instruments, materials and employees, I've still got all the basic principles down and I'm sure I'll pick up the details quickly enough. And though some of the girls were totally unfriendly and no help at all, a lot of them were so nice, friendly and willing to teach me things.

And now a little note for all you lovely SmilePerfect girls.

I just have to let you know, you have the best job ever!!! Holy cow, you do not even know how good you have it. That job is amazing. I always loved it, but I didn't fully appreciate it until I had something to compare it to. And the thing is, the office I started at today is seriously the most successful, largest practice in Manhattan, and is supposed to be known for a really positive experience and good customer service. They are great, don't get me wrong, but honestly, they don't even compare.

At SmilePerfect, there is such a great feeling and everyone works together so well, gets along and is so friendly and nice. That is a huge blessing. Having staff huddle every morning, all the free lunches and treats brought in, and staff meetings and play days and showers and parties together, the way we welcome and integrate new employees into the team and train them, how we emphasize being a team and working together and helping each other out all the time, everyone getting along and actually being friends outside of work... all of that is so incredibly unique.

And the way we treat the patients, how we emphasize customer service and being friendly and going the extra mile, all our contests and the warm chocolate chip cookies, the x-box and gameboys, the drink fridge, movie tickets, singing at debonding... the list goes on and on. I didn't realize how unique our office was until now.

If you took the SmilePerfect practice and plopped it down in the middle of Manhattan, people wouldn't know what to do with themselves they'd be so blown away. Honestly, people would be absolutely floored. It is amazing. I'm not advertising SmilePerfect, I'm just reflecting on observations and realizing how amazing it is. I didn't even realize it till I saw something different.

Anyway, love your job and be grateful because it's the best!! I miss it and I miss all of you! (Employees past and present!) You girls are the best. After all the time and experiences we've shared and after helping each other in working for a common goal, you are some of my closest friends. I just wanted to thank all of you for touching my life for good and for being part of the SmilePerfect team. I learned things from the experience of being part of that team that will stick with me and help me be successful for the rest of my life.

fhe with my man

After hours of laundry, ironing, cleaning, meal-planning, and grocery shopping, Chinese takeout for dinner sounded fabulous. There's a great little place around the corner, which could eventually prove to be a little too convenient, if you catch my drift. :) I love cooking, but i also love the nights I get a break when Klane takes me out. It was fun to take a walk with him in the absolutely perfect weather to pick it up, and enjoy a meal together.

Between hosting Danny Mason (the Calle CEO) for three days, our trip to Utah, and our awesome week with Mike and Sara, we haven't had much alone time for about two weeks. Although we've loved all the time we've been able to spend with family, it was really great to have Klane all to myself. I think it's so important to take advantage of time you can spend together, because life is so busy and things easily get in the way. I love this man I married.

We finished off dinner with a favorite treat. Have you ever tried this? You should. Just dip strawberries in sour cream and then in brown sugar. Delish!

highlight of my day (i love you, mom!)

Mom knows just the right time to send a package filled with treats. I needed some of my tan pants sent out to wear to work, and aside from getting all the plaster stains from SmilePerfect out of them (a small miracle in itself), she turned the package into a treat extravaganza. That woman, she really goes the extra mile. It came today, while I was doing huge loads of laundry and feeling a little sorry for myself about being thousands of miles away from my family as they prepare to go on my favorite summer vacation (to Lake Powell) this week. The package really brightened my day and couldn't have come at a better time. I love her so much. Thank you mom!!

i think i'll eat a lot of ice cream for a few days

Mike and Sara are gone. I am sad.

Now it's back to real life, where Klane goes to work and I'm alone all day. Real life isn't as fun as life when Mike and Sara live with us. We all decided that someday when we have houses we're going to live on the same street. Seriously.

The good news is I'm starting my new job this Wednesday. I picked up two days at an ortho office on Park Avenue. They like to hire hygienists to do their assisting, which is fabulous since I love ortho assisting and have a ton of experience, and this means I can do that and still be paid a hygienist's salary. I'll be filling in the other two or three days of the week at a dental office when I finally get my license.

In other news, Klane and I got callings today. We are team teaching a Sunday school class for the youth, and Klane was also called as an assistant Scoutmaster. He is so excited since he loves the scouting program. We're excited to work with the youth in Harlem. This should be interesting!

4th of july in nyc

We packed an awesome picnic and found a great spot to eat, chill and watch the fireworks. We got a perfect spot on a pier at about 70th street. Lots of good food, good company, perfect weather, relaxation, surprisingly not too crowded, and a spectacular fireworks display to top it all off. It was a ton of fun.

mixed berry parfaits. we got fancy.




entertainment



scotcheroos




gorgeous sunset. it got even prettier later.



the main event

I was surprised there weren't more organized events happening in the city for the Fourth. In Provo there are a ton of things happening July 4th with Freedom Festival. It made me a little sad to know all the traditional things our families were doing together all day: wake up early for the hot air balloon festival, watch the parade, go to breakfast, set out blankets to save a perfect spot by the Marriott Center to watch the fireworks from Stadium of Fire, have a BBQ, light fireworks, get KFC. Here in NY, there didn't seem to be a ton going on besides the fireworks in the evening. And the thought of people in NYC trying to save a spot by leaving a blanket on the grass is laughable. Guaranteed, your blanket would be long gone within a couple hours. It is such a different mentality here in so many ways. It was still a wonderful holiday and it was cool to spend it somewhere so different but still feel proud to be an American.

a walk in the park

Maybe we're ignorant, but we didn't really know what to do in NYC on the fourth. Coney Island or the beach seemed too far away. So we slept in, had a relaxing day, got cheap pizza and ate it on a pier, and took a walk through the park. Although it was different than what we would've done back home, I'd say it was still a successful day. We had a great time.

The day before, Sara and I bought the same shirt in different colors, and we both ended up wearing them.
We totally matched, in an opposite kind of way. It wasn't planned, but it was awesome.


BFF's


we watched this kid juggle in the Mall for a few minutes


mike and sara were shocked


and amazed.

evening on the hudson

After a long day of walking, we went to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for dinner. There was an hour wait, and the restaurant is on Riverside Drive, so we gladly took the opportunity to chill out in a little park by the water. It was so relaxing to take off our shoes, sit on the grass in the setting sun and feel the wind on our faces. They had these fun fountains that we played in a little. The water felt so good.

Mike

Me and Mike

Me

Klane

I think he's cute.

When we did get into Dinosaur, the food was amazing and totally worth the wait. I should've taken pictures but I was too busy eating. We'll definitely be back to enjoy the delicious BBQ. We might not even bother making a reservation, since the wait was so pleasant.