Changes

On Sunday evening I had the privilege of attending the going away party for a good friend of mine. I am sad (for myself) to see Chris leave the city but as he is pursuing his goal of law school I can't help but be super excited for him!

It was great to get together and realize how far we've come since we met. You see, Chris and I both came to NYC as interns for the same company in January of '06 from BYU-I. It was extremely comforting for me to have a friend who understood the struggles with the change. I think its great that he has accomplished what he came here to do and is now moving forward to achieve additional goals!

Green-Wood Cemetery

I was invited to join some friends on an excursion to visit Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. I know it is a bit crazy but I love walking through cemeteries (during daylight hours) and reading headstones. So I gladly accepted and enjoyed a lovely afternoon wandering through approximately 600,000 graves. My favorite part is that you can simply wander and wonder about people's lives . . .

When we arrived at the entrance, Collin shared with us that a colony of monk parakeets who got loose at JFK while being transported from South America (during the 1960's) have made their home in the tallest spire. I thought for certain he must be teasing me, but sure enough, we were able to see the nest and many green birds! The landscape of the cemetery is beautiful, rolling hills dotted with tombstones and trees.
We were very near the site of the Battle of Long Island, fought during the Revolutionary War (visiting this site was the reason for the excursion I believe). Lovely view across the meadow.
Nature won.
I'm not so certain the guys were all that excited about posing for a photo, but after feeding them lots of brownies and cake, I think they may have felt obligated. I know how to get people to do what I want :)
Collin, Ryan, Jared, Brigham, Gabe

This was my favorite headstone. It looked like an unrolled scroll and there were no names or dates that I could discover.
I was surprised to see a CAUTION sign in the cemetery. At least they wouldn't have to move you far if you ignored the sign.
One of my more favorite path markers . . . I think it reminded me of home.
I kept getting distracted reading headstones . . . but they would slow down when they realized I was missing.
I Y cemeteries in the springtime!

Daffodils

I am aware that many different varieties of daffodils exist, probably thousands, but who knew that four could be found in a single walk? And in NYC none-the-less. It cheers me to be reminded that even in this not-so-clean city that true beauty can be found. After a bit of Google research, I have tentatively identified the following dafs that I noticed during my Sunday-afternoon stroll.

Trumpet Daffodils - White corona (trumpet or cup) on White perianth segments (petals)
Split-Cupped Daffodils - Yellow on Yellow
Split-Cupped Daffodils: Yellow on White
Poeticus Daffodils: Red-tipped Yellow on White
I know this isn't a daffodil, I find it interesting to observe trees too . . .

Hinckley Challenge

Finished this morning . . .
http://www.hinckleychallenge.com/

Riverside Park

The weather was beautiful on Saturday so a group of us went on an excursion to Riverside Park on the Upper West Side alongside the Hudson River. We wandered through the park and ended at Grant's Tomb. A long promenade in Riverside Park
Watching baseball. Joe, Jenna, Heidi, Whitney, Brigham, Collin, Ashley, Lyndee
There were many many trees

Heidi overlooking a baskeball game. In the background of the picture there are ball fields full of Little League teams playing softball.
I didn't recognize this flower, it looked like a type of groundcover but may have been a weed
Our intent was to see the trees in bloom, but there were actually very few with flowers
These flowers were on a bush - I really liked it and want to figure out what the name is

More daffodils!

G - R - A - N - T. Our tour guide (Collin) shared with us that Grant's tomb is the largest mausoleum in the United States and that General Grant and his wife Julia are entombed there.

"Let us have peace"
Ulysses S Grand and Julia D Grant
Eagles flank the front steps
I love stars!
Brigham, me, Collin, Ashley, Lyndee, Jamar, Joe, Jenna

It was such a lovely day in Riverside Park!

Best Part of Spring

Tulips and pansies and daffodils

I Y spring flowers!

Conference Tradition

Brigham Young doughnuts are a General Conference tradition in my family. Even though the family is 2000 miles away, it is still possible to carry on traditions with great friends!


I Y General Conference!