New York-ism

"If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere..."

This is what I learned from/about this insanely incredible city:

1) If it's rush hour and there is a half empty subway car, don't get on, it probably smells like poo.

2) A street vendor selling any type of purse probably has a secret stash of fake LVs, Prada's, Fendi's and more.

3) All apartment doors lock automatically behind you...do not leave your keys/keycard inside.

4) At bars, there is never a cover charge because drinks cost $15

5) Every job you apply for, you are competing with MBAs who speak 3 languages.

6) NOT cash friendly...everyone prefers cash from the cab driver to the bartender.

7) Downtown = the street numbers descend; Uptown = the numbers ascend...they are not areas or neighborhoods of Manhattan.

8) Famous actors, musicians, artist, etc. walk the streets like normal people; New Yorkers don't bother them because everyone here is self consumed.

9) Tourist are hated; if you stop on the sidewalk, carry an M&M's store bag or take pictures, you are a tourist and some bitter New Yorker will scoff at you.

10) It only takes a few days to make you a New Yorker. This is barely a good thing.

More to come; this city is super complex.

Home Sweet Home

WE'RE COMING BACK TO TEXAS!!!

I cannot really explain why but I can assure you that New York is not God's plan for our lives. We over came some hurdles to get here but were faced with many more when we arrived. From the tough job market that kept me continually searching to the crazy high cost of living, we always knew that this would be a temporary move. So now, with 8 months of being New Yorkers behind us, we are coming home!!

There have been a few changes with Clint's job so we had about 7 days to pack and get ready to head home...to Austin...where it is 65 degrees!!! Woohoo, we get to miss the most brutal part of New York's winter :)

This situation is bittersweet; I have been obsessed with this city from the day that I got here. I love the public transit, I love the intensity, I love the stores, restaurants and bars. I am so good here but the most important thing in life is lacking and that is finding a church. It is a different world up here in regards to religion; some churches want to be so open and inviting that they almost seem to fall off track. I miss preachers like Ed Young who will preach God's word without worrying that he may "offend" someone. We greatly miss the community of having a church home. Our pastor in Austin, Mac Richard, did a sermon on the importance of community and New York did not have that for us and we are very excited to get back to our Lake Hills family!

It has been an amazing extended vacation. For those who have visited and spent a small fortune, can you imagine how that is our life? It cost more to cook at home that to go out, the average beer cost $7 and those great restaurants that you hear about are filled with $30 entrees, but with a city that has everything, how can you stay in at night? We have had so many amazing experiences: eating at some of America's finest restaurants; going out in infamous bars with histories of housing gangsters or being a speakeasy; being surround by the most beautiful and daring architecture in the world; and mostly, just being constantly surrounded by people and amazing opportunities. I mean, we got married here!! New York City will always hold the most special place in our hearts and we will be back someday, but only to visit ;)

Now, on to Austin!!! Also, one of our favorite places to be!! We have made so many amazing friends in Texas and I cannot wait to get back to them...and to bring my favorite New Yorkers to ATX to see the sun ;)

Cannot wait to see all of our family and friends! Love you all!

-Lacey and Clint

Mackey Makes a Snowman

When Manhattan got about a foot of snow, Clint and Mackey entertained themselves by playing in the snow. Notice the pic with Mackey pushing a ball of snow with her nose; she was literally building a snowman!

F-A-M-I-L-Y

Family means different things to different people; this picture is what family means to me :)

University of Texas, National Championship Game

The Hollywood sign!!

The Getty in Malibu

At the National Championship Game!!

You know you LOVE the orange boots!

On the way from the airport to the game...soo excited!

Clint and I have a growing passion for college football, we love our Longhorns and have had seasons tickets for a couple of years now. This year we were able to get tickets to the National Championship game; although a disappointing outcome, we had an amazing time checking out LA. Here are a few pictures from our trip where we visited Santa Monica and went to the pier, we drove Malibu in all of its glory, checked out Rodeo Drive :) and got to see the famous Hollywood Blvd.

Coffee

I thought this was the cutest thing to ever happen to a latte :) It's a puppy dog!

New Years Resolutions

Well, it is 2010, crazy, and I love to make resolutions so here are my two:

1. To floss...my 'daughter of an orthodontist' friend says that you really only need to do this 2 to 3 times a weeks so that makes this resolution easy!


2. I need to start running again; I used to be an OCD running freak but after knee surgery, I stopped so it is my resolution to get back to my 6 miles a day routine, maybe not everyday but at least 4 days a week, I need to get out there and jog. While I'm living in New York, I will be using a treadmill :)