Welcome to New York

If I quote a Taylor Swift lyric as my post title does that make me trendy and relevant? I didn't think so. Anyways, one of my favorite things to do over the past few years is travel. I guess studying abroad the summer before my last year of college really gave me that wanderlust bug. I also learned a lot about how to travel from some of the girls I went with. David and I have gotten the opportunity to visit a lot of places over the past year and a half. I feel like we've gotten into a good groove of knowing what works for us and what kind of stuff we want to do! It has been awesome for our marriage, and we've made lots of memories. I've posted a few snapshots of travel on the blog before, but I think it would be fun to share more detailed travel posts for those of you who may be headed to the same area sometime soon and could benefit from the information. I know NYC is probably not a good place to start because many of you have spent far more time there than I have, and others have even lived there. But that's ok. I'm just sharing what we loved! 

Our first trip from PA was to New York City! Neither of us had ever been before, and I have always wanted to go at Christmas. So, with just a few days of planning we headed to the city. It really was magical! We rode Amtrak which was incredibly convenient and easy. You could not pay me to drive there. I would take the train again in a heartbeat! We got a super good deal on Groupon for the Holiday Inn Express Times Square. I am definitely a fan of clean and comfort. We don't stay in $45 a night hotels because I want to be able to rest peacefully without fear of contagious diseases. However, we also don't splurge on super fancy or iconic hotels. We would much rather spend our money and our time at attractions and restaurants! This hotel met all of those requirements nicely. It was convenient, clean, and comfy. And tiny. Because everything in this city is crowded. Now that we got those details out of the way, I'll start with..

Christmas-Specific Things to Do in the City

1) Rockefeller Center at night - Duh. It's so iconic and with good reason. It was packed, but it is gorgeous and magical and it was just simply so fun to be standing in the place you see on TV so many times!
2) Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes - Incredible! I didn't really know what to expect, but everyone kept telling me it was a "must see" at Christmas, and I'd have to agree. The whole show was so  entertaining and enjoyable. The live nativity at the end was definitely the highlight! I got tickets ahead of time on their website and I ended up getting a great deal on orchestra seats because I waited for a good promo code.

3) FAO Schwarz and 5th Ave. Shops - this you can obviously do any time of year, but it was especially fun during Christmas. We only actually went inside the iconic toy store, Macy's and Tiffany's, but simply walking down 5th and seeing all the stores and store windows decorated for the holidays was a treat. 

NYC Any Time of Year

1) A Broadway Play - We saw Wicked at the Gershwin Theater. It was incredible. I didn't even know the storyline, so we really enjoyed it. I will say, sitting on the second to last row wasn't ideal in a theater that size. We could hear everything and see all the action, but we couldn't see facial expressions, etc. I think next time we will plan ahead and try for tickets in the front mezzanine, even though it is more expensive.

2) Metropolitan Museum of Art - I am still daydreaming about The Met. It is hard to pick a favorite activity, but oh my was this one incredible. We went late, and only had about 2 hours until close. We spent almost the whole time in European Paintings because that is my favorite. I would turn a corner and see a Vermeer across the room and practically drag David with me. I saw so many classics that I've only studied. I don't even know what else to say. I get excited just thinking about it. If you are an Art History nerd like me, you'll be in heaven. And even if you aren't, it's worth a couple hours of your time. One thing I didn't know heading in is that entry is "Pay what you wish." I know money makes museums run, but just keep that in mind and don't let the $25 entry fee deter you from going!

3) The 9/11 Memorial  - We didn't have time to do the museum, but I am glad we made it to the memorial itself. There are two of these pools on the footprints of the original towers. It was breathtaking to stand there and look at it, and to see the names all around. The people who maintain the memorial place a single white rose in each name on that person's birthday, which I think was a really special touch that really drove home the fact that so many lives were lost that day. 

4) Top of the Rock  - I really like to find a high point in a new city and be able to look over all of it. There is debate in NYC over whether to go to the top of the Rockefeller Tower or the Empire State Building. We decided to go for this one because reviews said it was a more well run experience, and it was convenient. We also thought it would be neat to see the Empire State Building from the top. We had a great time and really enjoyed the way things were set up and the view. If we go back, I want to go up at night! That just didn't fit in this time.  

This view of Central Park in all it's enormity from above is a perfect segway into number five..

5) Central Park - I feel like wandering around Central Park gave me a better glimpse of what life as a New Yorker. It was really relaxing to wander, watch the ice skaters, watch kids walking home from school with their moms, and playing at the park. What a gift to have this refuge in the middle of the concrete jungle!

Excuse the poor picture but another highlight of the trip is that I FOUND THE BALTO STATUE!! We walked through the park to the Met after the Rockettes show and just stumbled upon it. David was clueless, but I know some of you watched the 1995 movie. Talk about one of my childhood classics. I even had a giant stuffed husky by the same name. At the end of the movie it switches from animation to a real girl who reads the plaque on this same statue. It all came flooding back to me, and I was embarrassingly excited to find it.  
6) The Subway - I'm sure that there is no way you could go to the city without doing this, but if you do have a good way to get around without taking it, be sure to ride it at lead once. Very stereotypically NYC, and worth it! 
7) Statue of Liberty - We were going to take the Staten Island Ferry but we got there right after it left and instead of waiting around for the next one we decided to walk around Battery Park and get a view of the statue and Ellis Island and then make it over to the 9/11 Memorial. I'm glad we did that, for time's sake! 

8) Times Square - Iconic, incredible. It was so fun to step into view of all the crazy screens and signs. That's part of when it really hit me - "I'm in New York City." We didn't actually do any shopping or anything there, but it was so fun just to take in - during the day and at night.  

Food
(Last but never ever least)
1) Shake Shack - it's isn't popular for no reason people. Yum Yum Yum! Simple hamburger, fries, and a milkshake that were surprisingly delicious. Not to mention fast and cheap (by NYC standards.)
2) Capizzi Pizza - We ate at this tiny family owned pizza place in Hell's Kitchen before seeing Wicked. It was a nice atmosphere and good wood fired pizza with very fresh ingredients!  

3) Junior's Cheesecake - We ate here late after the Met. The hamburger was fine, but OMG THE CHEESECAKE. Having a piece of real New York Cheesecake was on my list because I am a huge fan. The raspberry one on the left was the best. It was great. Also, we saw Bradley Cooper through the window coming out of his play. No big deal. 

4) Vive la crepe! - We ate lunch here in the food court below The Plaza. It was awesome! The crepes were filled with quality ingredients, not just some lunch meat ham and bagged cheddar. It was the perfect quick stop - but good luck finding a seat! 

5) OddFellows Ice Cream Co. - If you've read this blog before you know that we have a married goal to eat ice cream in all 50 states. So, even in freezing weather we had to find our ice cream, and we traveled to an entirely different part of town for this stuff. And I'm very glad we did. This is specialty ice cream, so the flavors were a little odd. But I had an Oatmeal Cookie Dough with hot fudge and I am still thinking about it. So if you're in the neighborhood, check it out! I really enjoyed walking around the East Village as well because it gave us a much better feel for what it would be like to live in New York, rather than just to see all the tourist things. 

6) Mighty Quinn's Barbecue - The hipster who served our ice cream gave us the tip for this East Village BBQ place. It wasn't my favorite of all the meals I had, but that's probably because the meat was the star of the show and I like the sides to be the star. If you are a man, or you just love meat, it is definitely worth a stop. 

7) Ellen's Stardust Diner - This place is a BLAST. The breakfast was average, but the experience was one of our favorites. The wait staff are all aspiring to be on Broadway and they take turns singing while you eat. Some of them even pour coffee while belting show tunes or pop songs. It was so much fun there is no way to leave there without a smile! 

4 Reasons Living in Des Moines is Actually Kinda Nice

So I realize this title may not sound like the most positive thing ever. But I promise it is! I haven't been super private about the fact that Iowa wasn't at the top of my list for places to move, so if you are reading this I have a feeling you already knew that. When my cousin Will asked me what I would miss about it, I said my friends and Trader Joes. We Iaughed, but at the time I legitimately could not think of anything else. I knew that leaving some of the relationships I had formed would be really hard, but I didn't think I would miss much else. Well, as you could probably expect, a little time and distance has changed my tune a bit. I actually missed Des Moines the other day, and not just for the friends. I know that much of what I miss is the familiarity. I miss driving without a GPS and walking straight to what I need in the grocery store. But there is more than that to it as well. So, without further ado, here are 4 reasons that living in this midwestern metro was much better than I expected it to be.

1) Outdoor public space
Des Moines wins on this one. The list of expansive parks in the middle of the city is long, the paved trail system is probably one of the best in the nation. If you want to exercise for free - there is no excuse for not doing it in this city. My only complaint is that I had zero desire to go for a bike ride during the 6 months of freezing temps. The above picture is from Gray's Lake. There is a great trail that goes all the way around it. You can also rent canoes and paddle boats.

2) The traffic is incredible
Naturally I included a picture of my beloved Subie for this part since that's what I navigated the traffic in. Don't tell David you like it too, because he will probably try to sell it to you on the spot. I know this may seem like a strange choice for a pro, but this is something I didn't appreciate until I got to PA. You can get pretty much anywhere in the metro in 20-30 min. And that's for extreme times when you live in West Des Moines and for some reason want to go to Ankeny or Pleasant Hill. If you keep your radius a little smaller, everything you could ever need is at your fingertips. There are so many lanes of traffic, and even the interstate at rush hour will only slow you down a few minutes. Also, the traffic lights are incredibly responsive. No more sitting at the light for 5 minutes with no other cars in sight waiting to for it to turn green. I swear they see you coming and change just in time. Also, the city is pretty much a giant grid, so even pre-iPhone SK learned her way around in a heartbeat. This definitely makes everyday life convenient.

3) Downtown is pretty hip
The Des Moines River basically splits the more business oriented, skyscraper side of downtown with the East Village - a collection of fun local eats and shops. My favorites include an adorable knit shop called Stitch,  Porch Light Antiques, and an awesome paper goods shop that is my favorite place except for the fact that I can't remember what it's called. There is a great summer concert series at an amphitheater on the river. The Downtown Farmers Market is awesome. They have free wine samples, tons of produce, yummy ethic food, craft vendors, and a La Mie tent because we all know that calories from that gem of a bakery don't count. The picture above is from when my BFF came to see me and we checked out the farmers' market for the first time! (I am allowed to call her my BFF because we were besties before that acronym was invented. True life. It was added to the dictionary in 1996.) Last but not least, the building you see in the background is the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates and it is incredible inside! 

4) It is chain heaven
I don't have a picture for this one because I don't usually snap pics of the Aldi logo, but this one definitely deserves its place on the list. Des Moines has every chain store you could possibly ever need. I know that is not hip or cool or trendy or local - but it is CONVENIENT. I lived within 5 minutes of a Super Wal Mart, a Super Target, a Trader Joe's, an Aldi (groceries so cheap, it rocks!) and a Hy-Vee (fantastically run midwestern grocery store that also has great chinese food which I miss.) So if you need eggs- you have choices! I also lived within 5 minutes of an Old Navy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Khols, Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks, Williams-Sonoma, Scheels (giant midwestern sporting goods store), the list goes on and on and on and on. I'm telling you, they have everything you could ever need. Except an Anthro. That's my only complaint. But I'll cut them some slack on that one. 

Maybe soon I'll do a "Weekend in Des Moines" post and tell you all my favorite places in case you ever decide to vistit. Because let's be honest, I don't think you'll ever pass through on accident. But if you do go there on purpose, I think you'll have a blast!

2014's Reads

Many of you know that I love to read, but unfortunately, I don't read as fast as I wish I did. Also, things like jobs and dinner get in the way some times. So I only made it through eight books last year, but I want to share with you what I did read in case you are looking for something new! I always love to see what everyone else is reading, so if you have suggestions post them in the comments! You can also check out last year's list here.

These are listed in the order I read them, not according to any sort of preference.

1) Unseduced and Unshaken by Rosalie de Rosset 
This isn't something I would normally pick up, but I read it for a book club and I actually learned so much! The tagline is "The place of dignity in a young woman's choices." It is edited by a Moody professor, and while I don't know if I 100% agree with everything she said, I would recommend it in a heartbeat because she did a great job of emphasizing the importance of intentionality and mindfulness in everything we do. I want to reread it. 

2) Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskill
This is a good 650 page novel spanning many years and set in 1830s England. Gaskill was a contemporary of the Brontes and Charles Dickens. If you like Jane Austen, you will love this novel. Like others from that period, I loved it because of it's depth in subtlety. Often the pace seems slow but you can't help but be sucked into the novel because the everyday thoughts and emotions of the characters are so incredibly relatable. 

3) The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
Oh Pat Conroy. How I love and hate you all at once. His work captivates me but it also doesn't quickly leave me because of the intensity of the evil and sorrow. This one is dark, but expertly crafted and fascinating. It tells the story of a low country family through a series of flashbacks as the protagonist works through it all with his sister's psychiatrist. If you are not easily shaken, I would definitely recommend this because it makes you think so much and is such a work of art. However, you have been warned. 

4) Life Together by Deitrich Bonhoeffer
I flew through this classic, which happens to be the first thing I've read by Bonhoeffer. Sometimes I think he gets a little intense about things that are his own opinion rather than founded in Scripture (for example, that you may ONLY sing in unison in church and anyone who sings harmony is out of line.) But if you can take those things with a grain of salt and read for the overarching principles this book will open your eyes to the place and practice of Christian community in a way that can't help but be impactful. Ironically, I probably enjoyed the chapter on solitude the most.  

5) Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt
I think I cried almost every time I read this book. It is about "The Titus 2 Model For Women Mentoring Women." I read it and The True Woman below as part of my preparation to teach Susan's curriculum for high school girls to a group from my church. Maybe that's why it moved me so deeply, because I saw in it what so many women gave to me and saw my opportunity to do the same for the next group. Some cultural references are definitely 90s (it was published in 1992), which creates for a few laughs. But overall I want to give it to every woman I know and I want to be best friends with Susan Hunt because her writing is so real and so clear and so bold. 

6) His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F. Harley, Jr.
I read this on the recommendation of a woman from my church in Auburn who I really respect. I know that people can write this one off because Dr. Harley definitely sees his method for having a happy marriage as the right way. But, I respect that because he developed it over years of practicing as a marriage counselor, and he sells it. I don't take is as a perfect formula for marriage, because I don't think the main purpose of marriage is having our needs met. However, I did think it was extremely insightful and helpful on a very practical level and it does really help you think about how to love your spouse well. So, I would recommend it in a heartbeat, as long as you read it with Keller's The Meaning of Marriage or something along those lines. 

7) The True Woman by Susan Hunt
This was the other book I read as part of the leaders curriculum for the Becoming a True Woman While I Still Have a Curfew study. I loved this one as well! I want to read everything she has written. Above all I love that she pushes women to the Church time and time again. It is a beautiful picture of embracing God's calling to us as women and using that to usher in his kingdom. 


8) Notes from a Tilt a Whirl by N.D. Wilson
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which I borrowed from a good friend. It is different that what I usually read in that it was about philosophy, in a way. It was mainly just about getting a big picture view (which is ironically often brought about by close attention to detail) of what God is doing in the world and of being in awe of it. I liked it so much that I actually want to buy it so that I can read it again. Also, I didn't know until after I finished it that he is Doug Wilson's son (although I'm clearly pretty dense because I knew they both lived in Moscow, Idaho and I thought that was weird. Ha!) I bring that up to say that it doesn't read AT ALL like anything Doug has written so don't let that influence your decision on whether or not to pick it up. 

Resolved

Wow. It's already 2015! I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season. We had some incredible time off - more on that and some catch up from the fall coming soon! (I hope. Clearly my blogging consistency is spotty at best - anyone still out there?)

I am currently sitting at my kitchen table in my new home in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The sun is just starting to go down and if I sit just right all I see is a picturesque scene of trees blanketed in four inches of fresh snow. I'm drinking a big mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows and a candy cane. It's actually pretty wonderful.

But that's not what I sat down to write about. I actually want to share a quick word on new years resolutions. It seems that they can get a little controversial. Around the new year there are inevitably a slew of posts that try to convince their readers that you can't make resolutions and understand grace at the same time, or that building habits works and making resolutions doesn't. I'm sure they all make good points, and I am not trying to argue that there are many ways to address this common practice. I, for one, have wavered back and forth between a thousand different views on new years resolutions. I think I've made them more years than I haven't. They have taken as many different formats as years and were largely ineffective.

However, in 2014 I made some resolutions and actually followed up on my progress throughout the year. I may not have successfully completed them all, but I found them to be very practical in helping me to pay attention to my growth without becoming either apathetic or overly self-analytic. I think that resolutions can be a useful tool. We should always be seeking to become more like Christ and to serve him better in a myriad of ways during our time on this earth, but sometimes life just gets crazy and it's hard to keep that in mind. It has been beneficial to me to have something in writing that I can come back to time and time again. There is no reason these have to be done on January 1, but it's a logical time, especially if you have a touch of OCD in you like I do!

So, here's how I write new years resolutions - I am sharing because I hope it might be practical or encouraging for someone. If you tackle this idea of measuring your progress in a different way, please let me know! I would love to learn.

The most important thing to remember about New Years Resolutions is simply what they are - things we decide to do for a season that we think will make our lives better and more worthwhile. They are not commands from God that we have to live up to in order for him to love us. If I fail - I fail. I cannot and must not condemn myself for failing to live up to my own made up standards. True, we could resolve to do things that are in fact commanded by God, and if we fail at those we need to address the issue as the sin that it really is. The bottom line is that if I am in Christ, I am completely and wholly accepted by God based on the record of Christ and not on my own. Nothing I can do can change that. So, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will use these goals a tool to move me towards Christ-likeness, and not another measuring stick to look at and then beat myself up.

That all being said, I find it most helpful to keep the resolutions simple, ambitious but still attainable, measurable, and concise. I like to come up with 10-12 resolutions in the categories of spiritual, social, physical, and personal. I have one major goal, and then I will write some ideas or explanations. The whole thing took up no more than two small journal pages. Also, many of them were consistent from last year. I took out a few that didn't meet the adjectives I described above, and added a few as well. However, don't fix what ain't broke.

Throughout the year, at the first of the month (don't panic if you skip one or two) I write out the numbers of my resolutions with a short title and add one or two sentences about what progress I've made towards them.

So, to make this concept practical, and as a way of letting you know what I'm working on and learning these days, I'll share mine for 2015. I give you all permission to ask me about one of them when you see me - accountability is always good! Here goes.

SPIRITUAL
1. Finish reading through the Bible
{This was a goal last year, but I didn't make it so I'm making it a two year goal!}
2. Grow in prayer
{Here's where I would list tangible ideas of how to do this. So far I've ordered Tim Keller's new book on prayer, and identified some specific times in my day when I can turn to the Lord with focus.}
3. Study and write
{Many of you know I have hopes of some day going to seminary, so I want to do some more serious study through online resources and write through what I learn in order to discern if this could be something in my future.}
SOCIAL
4. Have 5 phone conversations and write 5 letters a month
{This only counts for out of town friends and excludes parents and grandparents and a select few friends that I talk to weekly! I have found it is a great way to hold myself accountable to being intentional with long distance friendships.}
5. Creatively serve others
{Learn to look for ways to serve in a season that could easily be selfish. For example, today I shoveled snow for the first time ever, and I did my neighbor's sidewalk while I was at it. Simple! But can be habit forming by God's grace.}
PHYSICAL
6. Pursue health
{Not going to get specific here, because that's boring and let's be honest - I'm not exactly sure where to start. But I have an overall goal of increased health rather than picky diet and exercise plans.}
PERSONAL
7. Get to 3000 gifts
{Continue to cultivate gratitude in all things by adding 1000 blessings to my list. If you haven't heard of this, check out Ann Voskamp's blog and book.}
8. Read 10 new books and reread 3 old ones
9. Challenge and stretch myself
{This is another form last year, where I look for chances to learn new things, do hard things, and get out of my comfort zone. Maybe publishing my resolutions can count for this!}
10. Finish projects
{I made a list of all the things I've started and haven't finished and I'm tackling them!}
11. Be a better housekeeper
{Having no kids and currently no job, this is a great chance to figure out what works for me as far as cleaning and cooking schedules and organization. Also it's a hugely practical way to love my husband well.}
12. Give away 2015 things
{This has a dual purpose - cultivating generosity and living simply! I'm counting things I clean out and give to goodwill, gifts to others, and dollars. Don't panic, each loaf of bread and each dollar counts as one. So I don't think the number is crazy.}

If you made it to the bottom of this post, congrats! I hope this was somewhat interesting or encouraging to you. Don't forget to comment if you have any awesome resolution making practices!