i have the cutest brothers in the world.

No if ands or buts... I have the cutest brothers. In the world. Period.



















Don't you think?

New York has been wonderful thus far, but I must be honest, I miss home. Especially my family. I can't even begin to tell you how much I miss these little guys.

 These three musketeers sure do make me smile :)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, friends!

Thankful Thursday: little things that make me smile :)

Hi there sweet friends,

It's my first Thankful Thursday post in quite some time! Today, I'm going to share some little sweet somethings from around my neighborhood that make me smile.

This sweet sign made by my WONDERFUL roommate Sarena, welcomed me home on my first day in my apartment.

A couple blocks from my apartment is Love Lane. Can you think of a sweeter street name than that? Just thinking about it makes me smile :)

Discovering the laundromat just two blocks from my apartment made my day--no joke!

This monthly MetroCard gives me unlimited access to the subway system and boy, let me tell you, it's such a relief to not have to worry about how much money is left on my card and trying to calculate how many trips I think that I'll do in the next week. I love this baby! 

And of course, my decorated "wall" in my cubical makes me smile every time I see it (sorry for the blurry picture--I felt a bit awkward taking a picture of desk at work, so didn't go for a better one ;) )

Soo.. what do you think? Do you have those little things that just make life that much sweeter that make you smile too? Bet you do :)

Happy almost Friday, friends!

zooming in--to my room.

Hi Friends,

After a whirlwind of a first week at work, this weekend seems to have flown by. I guess that's how life is though, right? My first working week in NYC was a wonderful though hectic one--lot's to learn--but more on that later.

Today, I wanted to zoom you in to my room.

First off... let's look at how far I have traveled to be here. From Seattle all the way across the country to New York City.

[via]

Okay, now New York. It's a big state! (not nearly as big as Oregon though--don't worry all, I'm rocking my OR pride!) New York City is in the southeastern tip of the state.

[via]

Now the boroughs. I think I have them down now, but it took me a while to sort out what was where.

[via]

Let's look at Manhattan up close. I work in the Financial District... yup at the very tip of Manhattan!

[via]

And, I live right across the East River in Brooklyn, specifically Brooklyn Heights--it is a really beautiful neighborhood, known for it's brownstone buildings.

Pretty sweet commute right?! (Point A is work, Point B is home)

Now, let's see my room (finally!)

The doors to my room!

So technically speaking, in New York terms, I have a "good sized" room. This means that I can fit a full size bed and one other piece of furniture, which I have chosen to be a multipurpose shelving unit from IKEA. Truth be told, I have a small room, but I love it!

The only piece of artwork I have up so far--more to come!

The door opens to a private and enclosed back patio--I will definitely be making use of  that space!

That fan you see? A $23 life saver!

Here I am, sitting on my bed in Brooklyn, NY. Hiya folks!

I love my new room and my new apartment. (I will show more pictures of my apartment in the weeks to come.) The transition so far has had it's ups and downs, but as the sermon of the new church I checked out tonight reminded me, I am here in NY for a reason, and God is with me along the way.

More updates to come--love to you all!

first celebrity sighting!

Hi Friends!

Today, was my first day of work as a New Yorker. It was a really wonderful though overwhelming day. I met a lot of people and learned a good deal about the vision and heart of the organization I work for... but more on that later, and pictures coming soon too!

For now, I just wanted to share a silly bit of excitement! I had my first celebrity sighting in NYC! I saw Ed Westwick, better known as Chuck from Gossip Girl.  He was walking around Williamsburg--the part of Brooklyn that John lives in, also the hipster capitol of the world, second only to Portland and Seattle--with who seemed to be his mom. John and I were walking just about 15 feet or so behind him, I couldn't believe it!

Was I star struck and did I run up to get his autograph? No.
Was I excited? Yes yes yes!

A little bit of fun NYC for you :)



Oh, also, I saw rats on the subway tracks... welcome to New York!

Love,

Transitions, transitions

Hi friends,

Yes, I have made it to New York. I am one week in as a New Yorker... crazy to say that?! The transition has been a transition, carrying with it a bunch of things you can't quite prepare for, but nothing too overwhelming...And I am finally starting to feel settled. My room is coming together, my job starts tomorrow and I am getting lost less and less (at least around my neighborhood that is!).


I will write more soon, but for now, I just wanted to say thank you for all your support... and pictures are coming soon!


love,

Kate