Tale as Old as Time...

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you can just taste it?
That all you can do is think about it and it keeps you up at night?
That you imagine yourself getting that certain something that it makes you so excited just imagining it?

Ya....I'm feeling that right now.
This is going to sound so childish but I don't really care.

I want to be her:

I audition for a Disney princess in 2 weeks.

Nervous?

Yes.

Excited?

Yes.

More nervous?

Yes.

It's a long shot...but I'm going to try.

Heck! I was Belle for Halloween once upon a time!

We'll see how auditions go...

Either way....it will be a fun experience!

Oh....and I love this version of this song by the one and only...Celine Dion!

Living and Loving Life.

Last semester, Aub and I took a photography class together.
Honestly...Aubrey's idea.
I only took it to be with her and to get an art credit fulfilled.
Ya...I learned a lot about photography and it was fun.
But I learned a lot more about life in general.

Jake Buntjer was our lab instructor and boy did we get lucky!
He is a legitimate photography and his work is incredible.

Anyways....it was his birthday today.
He invited us to his party tonight over at The Velour.
There was food, music, photo shoots with crazy hats and sumo wrestling going on.
It was quite the party!
Mista Jake Buntjer know's how to have fun.
We met some of his friends who are also amazing photographers.

Aubrey and I had a blast tonight.
We couldn't stop talking about how amazing those people were.
They find joy and happiness in everything.
I hear about people who just own the camera and take pictures and give themselves the title "photographer".
The people we met today were true artists.
They love life.
Life loves them.
They are accepting of other people.

Aub and I had photography assignments last semester that were nothing compared to Jake's work.
Yet....he loved our pictures and accepted them.
Some even brought tears to his eyes.
I respect Jake is so many ways.
Not only as a photographer...but as a friend.

On our way home, Aubrey said, "Being a photographer isn't just about being behind the camera..."
I finished off that sentence by saying, "but it's about being apart of the story."

I love it when we do that.
Tonight was amazing.
Thank you Mista Jake Buntjer for showing us how to live and love life.

Couldn't have said it better...

I love General Conference.
I love being able to stay in my PJ's and gather around the TV with my family.
I love spending time with my family and eating yummy food.

My favorite talk was by Elder Holland.
I know that I am not the only who felt this way.

"The best part about being God is that you show mercy."

I think that overall, this year's conference was amazing and every talk spoke right to me.

I just love everything that Elder Holland said.
I felt like it was something that I needed to hear personally.
I learned a lot from conference this year.

How lucky are we to be able to hear from our loving prophet?

Attempt to leave the big city....

I honestly didn't want this day to come.
This week at New York was so amazing and I couldn't have been happier here.
Woke up and got ready for the day.

Headed over to some fun cafe with Jake and Jess.
I can't remember the name...
BUT....it was incredible!
It was so much fun spending one last day with Jake and Jess!

Headed off to to the airport...on a bus.
Jess and I were on the bus...for 3 hours.
We hit really bad traffic.
I ended up splitting a cab with some strangers on the bus who needed to catch a flight too.
That's something that I love about New York.
You make friends in the most bizarre ways.
I got to the airport just 5 minutes after the gate for my flight had been closed.
I missed my flight.
I needed to get home because I had Synergy the next day.
This put me in tears and panic.
After phone calls to home and Jess, we came to the conclusion that I would just be put on s
standby for a flight the next morning.
After I pulled myself back together, I started to giggle.

WHY ON EARTH AM I CRYING?!
WHY AM I PANICING?
WHY AM I UPSET??

I get to stay in New York for an extra night for FREE!
I got cab back to their apartment.
Jess was already at a relief society activity so Jake and I got dinner.
Chipotle. His treat. :)
We met up with Jess and their church.
They were having a clothing exchange and so we got some fun stuff!

Got home and Jess put on a fashion show for me with her new clothes!
We popped in some Friends and had an amazing last night!

Woke up the next day....EARLY.
Made it to the airport....EARLY.
Got on the flight....EARLY.
BUT...all that matters is that I got on a flight and I made it home!

It was such an amazing trip and it was hard to leave.
Jess and Jake made it such a special week for me.
They took good care of me and made me so happy.

Sorry it took so long post about the final days of my amazing trip.

I am so happy that I was able to go over there and spend time with some of my favorite people!

Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of...

Day 5:
SUCCESS!
This has probably been one of my favorite days so far!

Jess made a delicious lunch and we packed it up and headed off the Central Park with little Hurley!
It was such a beautiful day!
It was a long walk....BUT I've actually gotten used to walking long distances now.
[plus...I am in better shape than I was last year]

We set up our picnic.
Chicken/Pepper/Pineapple lettuce wraps.
With grapes and strawberries and of course....mini-peanut butter cups :)
Played fun games and played with Hurley!

We headed over to Anne Taylor's apartment.

She is this lady in their ward who Jess visit teaches.

She is hilarious! And so friendly!

Jake and I sang some hymns for her and we ended with a prayer.

This lady is my hero. 

Went to get some doggie food for Hurley.

I ended up buying him a new chew toy...he's like a nephew to me.

I am going to spoil Jess and Jake's kids...once they have them.

Went to Trader Joe's.

Ya...Utah needs one of these.

Got home and Jess got right to cooking....of course :)

She made this butter-nut squash soup.

I had a bite.

Died.

And went to heaven.

It was incredible. 

Just when you think she can't get any better...she makes butter nut squash soup and it blows your mind!

After dinner, we played some Dutch Blitz.

Now...if you ever want to be a part of the Larry & Tammy Pinnock fam damily....you must learn this game.

We played for a while.

Made popcorn.

Cracked open some coke and orange soda.

Got the mini-peanut butter cups.

And popped in some Friends.

Jess and I LOVE Friends because it's like a really really really long movie.

LOVE IT!

Jake went to bed and Jess and I took Hurley out to go to the bathroom.

By the time we got back, it was 1:30.

When we got back, Jess came over and sat on my bed.

We talked and talked.

I have really missed her.

It's nice to have someone sit and talk to you when you know you are both tired and they could be sleeping.

Then Jess says, "Will you do one more thing for me?....will you watch another episode of Friends and cuddle with me on your bed?"

Man....it just warms my heart just typing that.

This was a very memorable moment for me.

I didn't even hesitate to say yes.

We did so and ended the night.

I love my sister and I am so grateful for her.

Best friends.

Sisters.

Numero Quatro en NYC

What a day! Man, I am just falling in love with this city.
I can see why Jess and Jake are loving it here and never want to come home.
I told them that I would be okay if they chose to stay here for the next few years.
Then I get to visit more!

Let's see...
Woke up. To the Hurley dog right by my face.
He is a child.
Who I love and adore.
Jess and I headed to Union Square.
This is probably my favorite part of the city.
So open and clean and friendly!

We started out by going to Forever 21...
What's that?
Shopping?
For those of you who know me...I HATE shopping.
Ya. I'm a female of this world who dislikes that activity.
BUT...I was looking for some new shoes.
Forever 21 didn't have the ones I wanted.
BUT...Jess found some heels that made her a whole inch taller than me!
She had to embrace that short period of time.
For it will be the ONLY time she is ever taller than me.
Off to DSW.
Failure.

Annie got a little tired...shopping does that to me.
So Jess and I headed over to Barnes and Noble.
Her and Jake do this all the time.
Grab a drink of Starbucks....Vanilla Frap for me!
Grab a book....Hunger Games for me!
Find a spot....the floor for us!
And read!

After regaining our energy we were out!
We stopped by this market called Dean and Deluca.
A-MAZING!
We sampled some cheese and lots and lots of soup.
People were very generous.

We went into H&M.
Last pair of shoes in the whole store? MY size? $10?....okay!
Last flanel shirt/hoodie in the whole store? MY size? $10?....OKAY!!!
A total that would have come to $46 came down to $20....man I'm good!

Done with shopping.
We found a stand that sold sun glasses.
$5? Okay!
I bought me and Jess some poser specs!

Off we were for more adventures!
I was challenged to find the cheapest street vendor item.
"Let It Snow" wooden Christmas decoration: $1.

I needed some gluten.
Ya....Dunkin Donuts....HELLO!
Hopped onto the subway [p.s....i LOVE the subway]

Met up with Jakie for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
We get into the theater and we are guided to our seats.
We were led to the box seats.
Second row.
Umm....keep in mind...these tickets were $30 a piece.
Box seats are usually about $150-200.
Ya....we  were stoked!

I was very impressed by the show.
Nick Jonas was the lead.
Loved him.
Loved the whole night!

Came home to the Hurls.
He gives the warmest of welcomes!
With a little tinkle here and there :)

Jess made dinner.
A-MAZING...as always.

Jess and I watched some Friends together to end the night.
Couldn't have asked for a better day with my 2 favorite people!

Adios peeps!

Day 3 in the Big Apple.

Day 3.
Monday.
Oh Monday.
I hate Mondays.
But...not in New York!

Woke up and got ready for the day.
Jess and I skyped Aub before heading out!

In "Something Borrowed", there is a place where they eat.
The SHAKE SHACK!
Jess and I went there last year for ice cream but we decided to get lunch this time around.
However....
The line:

As you can see...this is a popular place!

We waited for a while and finally ordered!

We had burgers, fried AND out very favorite....Concrete Jungle shake!
It's tradition!

We took a walk around that park and talked and talked.
Jess is a really good listener.
I updated her on life, friends, family and school.
I love my sister.

We met up with Jake.
He opened up an email with us regarding his application for the PHD program at the U of U.
UTAH MAN SIR! A UTAH MAN IS HE!
We were so excited for him!

Off to Ground Zero.
Such a quiet and amazing spirit there.
It's almost like you can't hear the hustle and bustle of the city while there.
Both of the fountains are complete and they are still working on the museum and the tower.
It was a good time for us 3 to stop and feel the spirit of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

To finish out our 9/11 pondering,
we headed out to Staten Island on a ferry.
There is another memorial there for those who lived on Staten Island.
The theme of the memorial was "Postcards from Staten Island."
Again, a hushed spirit was there.

I love how New York shows their love for those who lost their lives.
It was a day that may have changed the world,
but I think it changed New York City alone.

We were getting Hungry so we headed back over to the city.

Dinner time!!

We went to Jake's favorite place.

Araga.

It's an Indian place that Jake loves.

In celebration of his Ute victory, we enjoyed a nice meal there.

What's a dinner without dessert??

We went to this gelato place called Grom.

It. Was. AMAZING!!

Ended the night the way we do.

Took Hurley out for a walk.

Popped some popcorn.

Watched Friends.

It's a nice tradition Jess and I made last year when I visited.

Why not carry it on?!

Good night big world!