Hey Fantastic!

Well ladies and gents, we're down to just 5 days to launch of Claire's flight home to Ogden... I wonder if those 5 days can go fast enough! Probably not! Things are creeping by, and because I really don't have homework to keep my schedual packed I am having an interesting time occupying myself! But... studying is coming along nicely and hopefully the studying I have done and will continue to do will pay off on the finals I have yet to take! With one put successfully behind me with good results I feel fairly confident about these upcoming tests..we'll see.

And for the record, here are some reasons why I love New York:

There's always room on thr train for one more
Oh Taunenbaum, Oh taunenbaum, how lovely are your 30,000 lights!
Where else can you see any Broadway show you desire THAT night?
T-K-T-S!
The Green Line!
Starbucks!
BN on every corner, next to BR!
People using umbrellas in the snow!
NYU
THe Journey
Harold Square
Times Square
Theatre number 24 in the AMC on 42nd street
Celebrity Sightings
The M102 along 3rd ave
Central Park
Access to any clothing store my heart can desire!
The bag-pipe guy in the Union Square subway station

There are so many more, but there's a start, that's for the lady who " couldn't imagine living here, even if you paid me!" Well lady, we don't WANT you here! GO back to Texas!

And on that note, I'm off to study and silver spurr.!

GOOD LUCK!

Good luck to all the kids taking finals! Study hard, stick to it, Christmas is coming!

Lull.

I am so low energy right now. And the real question is: Do I have MONO? Staci AND Kenzi have it- should i be tested? The fact that am constantly tired and I think my glands are stolen makes me think that I do have it- but the prospect of getting blood drawn makes me feel ill - perhaps worse than any fate mono could bring. BUt then again- it it gets in my liver i could die (I know, that is so dramatic, but its on of those things....). So yes. Who knows. I think I'll wait until I get home and see what happens. Don't drink after me or kiss me- too late love!

On a lighter note- only one more day of classes- Monday and Tuesday and then I have a WEEK before three finals, and home!

I'm off to do some homework and make my Christmas list! Any requests? E-mail me! :)

Star Spangled Dinner.

Well, I am back here in my stale dorm room surrounded by the familiar sounds of roomates and airconditioning. Nice.

Actually, the truth is, it IS good to be back. Well, let's put that in context: it's good to know that in 2 and a half weeks I'll be done with finals and the sooner I get my butt in gear here the sooner it's all over with. So no, I'm not glad to say goodbye to boy, friends, and family, but I am glad to know that I will soon be home for a luxurious stay of more than six days at a time! WOW!

Thanksgiving was great! I am so glad that the Moore family was able to join us! And it was just super to have the sibs all together again- with some great additions (named Elizabeth and Josh). I tell you, it was REALLY wonderful to have the boy there for the family functions. I loved it. So thank you for humoring me love!

I'm looking forward- 2 weeks, 2 days, a few hours, and I'll be back. Don't get me wrong, I love New York... but I'm done with school... and I can't wait until school is done with me (for this semester at least!). The time will fly by I'm sure, but right now it seems to be forever away. Well, maybe not forever, maybe just .. ever. or something.

well, there you have it. My bad, disconnected Thanksgiving reflection entry.

I'm thankful for YOU.

I'm goin' to Disneyland!!!!

Better yet, I'm going HOME!!!
ALL my work and papers (except one on the ninth and the homework for NEXT week...but who's counting?) are done and I have two classes and then I am home to finish packing and off to my place of birth!

I can't WAIT!!! I am SO ready for this break from the city, and more importantly, from school!

See you all SOON!

And Happy Thanksgiving if I don't get a chance to update!!!

Done. And My tongue is NumB.

Four papers. Three extremely long days. FINALLY done. Yep. Not printed yet, but DONE. Completed. Or as complete as they are going to get!

Hey everybody! Go order the new We Are Scientists EP "WAS In Action:!! IT's GREAT! You'll love it! ANd if you don't tell me and I'll sprinkle scientific goodness on your ear-flavored icecream. Ok- really, don't ask. I'm in that numb phase after 3 straight days of homework and looking foreward to another one tomorrow. And the tip of my tongue is literally numb. It feels like I dipped it in Cloreseptic or something. Ew.
Off to bed. Yes. Ahh... and of course, a little reading in the Qur'an. Yep.

Penicillin in my grape.

Well, one paper totally complete, one paper needing a revision or two, and one needing about 2 and a half more pages. Then we have the proposal for the final paper in the fourth class, and the short persuasive essay and we're done! Oh boy, my heart just pitter-patters at the thought of having this all done! Someone strike up the band!!!
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY (yesterday) to Gavin!
Also: Congrats to the cast of West Side Story- I have heard such wonderful things about the show! I wish I could have been there to see it for myself! I'll be looking for a video in the mail as soon as they come out!....
Thanksgiving in 6 days! I can hear the music from here!
Back to the slave labour.... can you believe I'm (ma and da are paying for this?)

yeah. Me too.

Who frew dat ham ah' me?

Well ladies and gents, if you don't know who Gavin Degraw is, or if you don't love him, love him, say that you love him- TELL ME. Because I will force feed you the juicy goodnesss that is Gavin Degraw and I will drizzle his sumptuous melodies on you and then you will reach the enlightenment that is the LOVE of Gavin Degraw. So you let me know if you need a.... harmonized sugar fix. Where does this come from? The fact that Mel and Josh met the boy and chatted with him for upwards of fifteen minutes, and that he, after 3 hours, remembered their names. This guy is the real deal folks- nice, talented, attractive, and real real well, I already said it but, talented. He's just very very good. YEAH- you heard me!
School is going well, even though my face is attacking in rebellion of the stress my 4 papers are causing. One is done and needs a revision or two, one is in the making and laughing in my face every time I try to add length to it, and two are waiting in the back of my mind to be started (and, let us pray, finished) tomorrow. Once those are done I can relax and get my homework done for next week, pack, and then do my homework for the days after Thanksigiving.... that will be nice. I am really looking forward to this lil' break coming up. And hey, only 3 more Thursdays here at NYU before I am an eighth of the way through my undergraduate experience. I know it's sort of lame that I am counting, but it just sort of occured to me. So much has happened and yet it has only been three months, and yet- IT HAS BEEN THREE MONTHS!
WEird. WeIRD.
WEll, I'm off to bed. Off, off off to bed.
Mel- COME HERE! YES! YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!!!! COME ON!!!
Gavin (The BEST Gavin- my BROTHER!!!) happy birthday tomorrow!!!

Boo to homework.

But I WILL get some done today, even if my brain won't cooperate!
And thank goodness it is Thursday. Whew! Only 12 days until I'm back in Utah for the big T-giv holly-day. I'm excited! J'ai besoin d'etre a ma maison! Vraiment!
Alors, maintenant, j'etudie.

SLEEP.

Oh, how I need you!

I was supposed to go to a church meeting tonight about the new EPIC teams..which are service teams at the church, and also part of the program that the church is starting for missions to NYC, Charlotte, and DC. Chack out the website @ epicnow.org.... pretty sweet dudes! But alas, I couldn't find the freaking building! Grr! That makes me so mad, especially because it is supposedly only like 3 blocks from my place! But oh well, I guess it gives me a chance to get to bed early, even though I am now a flake! Terrible.

Grades have turned out well. The next obstacle is the three papers and one proposal I have due in less than two weeks. Hopefully this weekend will be spend pouring over the keys to produce quality material for these papers. I want to have them REALLY close to done by Sunday.. oh what a dream come true that would be! Well, I must to bed!

I believe in Miracles.


And A grades.


Yay for midterms that go well, teachers that are willing to GIVE A's, and today being Thursday- the Friday of my work week!

Lots of fun things headed my way- I'll keep you posted!

B-leive it.

I have recently come to the realization that I will NOT be achieving all A's this semester and I find myself quite all right. Originally I felt very sad, but after talking to Staci, I feel much better.

After all, this is the first semester of Freshmen year!

And what's more, this isn't the most important thing I'll ever do- this college thing.

But don't worry, that won't stop me from trying my hardest. Just so you know.

Run it, G Diddy! K Daddy! Puff Kitty!

The New York Marathon is quite a sight to behold. 30,000 people running 26 miles- usually in about 4 hours. What are these people on, you ask? Life. That's right. Because if you were on crack, there's no way you'd make it!

Elizabeth and I went to the 23rd mile point (what are you thinking at this point? "YES! Three more miles!" or "God, please give me wings to fly..'cause three miles ain't gon' happen!") and watched these incredible people running their guts out- sometimes literally.
It was inspiring, to tell you the truth! These people made me want to get out there and run- Elizabeth is proposed we do it next year. I would like to do that at some point in my life, what an incredible goal! But, my dear friend, next year?

I met Kevin Nealon (from the SNL cast of the early nineties, I do believe)- he was handing out water and filming for the Jay Leno that will air tomorrow night (monday). Elizabeth and I are standing behind him, so if you watch and see a redhead with a pink shirt and a blondish-brunette with a cranberry colored shirt- you're seeing us! WOW!

Kudos to all the runners, or maybe just water and Gatorade, and a full body rub-down.

Idiots on Parade

It's interesting how a stupid holiday like Halloween (the Devil's holiday, I am now, more than ever, convinced) can make adults dress up and forget their inhibitions- even without the assistance of a mind-altering substance.Very Interesting.

Things here are great. I did survive Halloween here in the big city- it was interesting, and I saw some things I will not share with you for care of our younger viewers. Yes, New York City is an interesting place!

It's always odd to talk to your really good friends when you haven't talked to them in a while, and feel like a- you're not getting the whole truth, or b- something is missing. It's a disappointing feeling, but I guess it comes with the territory, or distance maybe.

Well folks- it is Sunday, and you know what that means? Three weeks and two days until I am back in the U-T for Thanksgiving. And you know what I love even more? Two and a half weeks after that I am home for Christmas break- an entire MONTH without homework or class... and I'm back in my favorite state (it's true folks, distance DOES make the heart grow fonder). And possibly the best part? It is going to fly- consider lots of homework and cool church activities going on, add in the return of Ian, the premier of several great movies, and several humongous papers due before Thanksgiving...then we have the holiday itself. After Thanksgiving we have registration for spring, finals, toss in a Gavin Degraw concert, and I'm home! I'm really happy that the end of this semester is now in sight. I think I have entered the dangerously apathetic stage of the semester- don't worry folks, the work is being done on time and with quality, perhaps only lacking fervor, and I can accept that. But it will all be over soon!

I saw "Love Actually" last night, and I LOVED it! If you like the romantic comedy scene, and can handle a bit of nakedness and some swearing (not excessive, just that "typical" British kind...) then you should see it. It was really sweet. There were some extremely (at the risk of sounding like Newsweek) heartwarming moments.

What else is going on? Well, let's say congrats to Tommy- have fun in Denmark!!! Also, Jared, Ben, Josh, Gavin, and Tommy all have birthdays this month! So happy birthday to you boys!!!

I guess that's really all that is happening with me! I'm really only stressing over the facts that I have 3 big papers due the 2 days before I leave for Utah for Thanksgiving, and 2 of them I will be turning in 2 days early because I am missing one day to make the trip home. It's going to be interesting, all I really want is the assignments so I can get going on them- but I guess we'll see! AHH!

Ok folks, have a lovely week, and e-mail me if you get an urge!

HOORAY for Gavin Degraw!!

I will write more tomorrow, for it is my time to retire, but HE IS AMAZING! ANd all of you back home, you WILL (yes, you will!) go to his concert on November 18th at DV8! YOU HAVE TO! He is an AMAZING entertainer! WOW! SO GREAT!

I beg you! Go! You will have SO much fun! When else can you see this native New Yorker sing "Let's Get It On"? No where else, I think! GO! GO! GO!

Ok, so more later! Hooray!

Booty-licious, or I am now anyway!

Thanks to Lisa for my fabtabulous birthday gift! If only I could REALLY use it! But for now, it will serve the purpose which you outlined in your card. Many thanks! (And yes, I laughed heartily!)

My parentals are coming in to town, in fact I just talked to them and they are on the bridge comin' to the little Island of Manhattan! It's hard to believe it really is a tiny Island, huh? Yep, you're right! It is!

Thank you for the birthday ideas for Josh! Keep 'em coming! I've got to put something fabulous together- because he's fabulous! (in that not gay sense, of course!)

Here's to Friday being tomorrow, and the weekend with family!

Good luck in California We Are Scientists!!!

Boyfriend Surprise.

WEll folks, it's true. I have the best boyfriend in the world.

The much anticipated surpise was the BEST POSSIBLE suprise- a visit from Joshua for a couple days- the true pleasure of his company right here in River City.

It seemed like the time went by in a blink! He came in on Sunday night, I discovered his presence at promptly 8pm. We stayed up all night chatted etc. and then I had to go to class the next morning. When I got back from class around 12:30 we went lunch, and then went uptown, to Times Square (espn zone- they have REALLY good dessert!), and then saw a little biit of SoHo. We hung out all afternoon, and then went to dinner with Ian and Elizabeth Monday night around 9. We went to a hip little Italian place, and it was really enjoyable. I'm eager to hear what Ian and Elizabeth though of by favorite boy! :)

Leaving him- or rather, seeing him leave, was really hard. The sadness of it all is always heightened by the fact that I NEVER get sleep the night before we part- largely due to the fact that we stay up trying to "soak up" eachother. As hard, and disappointing it was to see him go, I can't help but smile when I think of those few days. It was so great to have him here. It was a little surreal to have him standing in my dorm room, or holding my hand as we walk down the street- something out of a dream.

I felt like a real dork this morning because as I was walking to school, despite the fact that this day seemed hopeless upon consciousness due to the absence of Josh, I started laughing outloud at the memory of his wearing one of my hats. Just random, and only a flicker of a memory that was NOT a central moment in my life, but a great one. I feel like every time I am with him I have these incredible and lasting experiences.

So yes, there is that (and there is So much more, but how can I possibly tell ALL of it?). But here's the dilemma- now what can I possibly get him for HIS birthday!? I can't fly home, especially because I am going to be home exactly a week LATER for Thanksgiving. So- if anyone has any ideas, PLEASE e-mail me :)

And to My love- THANK YOU. And you know the rest!

Peaches! All my fellow peaches!
It's the weekend!

I'm so glad that I am free from school this week! YAY! Now it's homework time, and birthday celebration time, and GOOD times!!

I love the weekend!!!

Dirty skies here in NYC-- it looks as if it may rain.

It has been a weird week, I'll be honest. And now here I am, still sitting at my computer, just like I have been all evening.

Two of my (used to be) closest friends are now married. One more is to be married in about 8 months. And they are no more than a year older than me... One is less than 3 days older than me. How is it that these people can feel ready for marriage? What a commitment! I am happy for some, and worried for others...And both is good I guess. I just hate to think of a negative outcome.
All of this marriage speak gets me thinking about my life. What is success to me? How do I want to live? What do I live for? What do I want to DO when I grow up? Who do I want to BE when I grow up? Who will I marry? What will he do?
So many questions... Some of them I can answer, some I can't. It's an interesting place to be in life. Very interesting I tell you.

very interesting.

Hi there folks!
Tonight I had my first Growth Group meeting! Growth Groups are bible studies-- just so ya know!
The girls in it are all really cool! We range in age from 18 (19 in less than 2 weeks! yeehaw!) to 24. Pretty cool. Three of the girls are into musical theatre, and each of them has or is studying at a musical theatre conservatory. Very cool. It got my creative juices thinking again...but not fear anyone..I think it will be another year here (finish the GSP program) before any drastic change happens. it seems like that is the best bet for now.
Well, I hope all is well with everyone! E-mail me sometime!
Claire

Well, here I am.
I'm back in New York.
I've been back home, seeing everyone I love.
I tell you, it's hard to be back. It seems natural though.
I dont' know. Can I sat that again? I DON"T KNOW!!!!
That's how I feel about life: I don't know.
I wish someone would just TELL me what is right. How should I feel?
I don't know.

But thank you, all of you, who I got to see and spend time with. What a much needed breath of fresh air. Seven weeks and counting.

Like, TOTALLY!
I'm commin' home folks! It's gonna be great!
I can't wait for mountain air, and water! AHHH! Fresh!
Hope we can all avoid the inevitable "case of the Mondays"--
Sweets and sleeps until tomorrow!
Muh-wah

Shoe shopping today.
Don't go to Macy's on Saturdays.
Especially when they are having a shoe sale.
3 hours.
1 pair of boots.
I need a nap.

Hello!
Today I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was so affected! I walked around, and I was looking at things from so long ago! I saw art by Monet, van Gogh, Cezanne, Rodin.... It was incredible.
The first few minutes I walked around I had tears in my eyes. I don't know why, I was so excited. It was so- wonderful to be there, and be surrounded by such amazing things! AH! I can't describe how much I loved it!
As I walked through the hall with Rodin's works, and sauntered through the galleries with Monet's Haystacks and Water Lilies, and van Gogh's Cypresses, I felt a strange sense of familiarity. I can't quite place it. I've seen some of these pieces before, but it was more than that. I've grown up looking at these pieces, an learning about these artists, and I felt like I was part of what they had done...Like a strange part of it is mine. I don't mean that to sound weird, I hope maybe some of you can relate to what I'm thinking and feeling. Does everyone feel that same connection...Do we all feel a sense of ownership in these classic art pieces?
At one point I was sitting in the middle of a room surrounded by reliefs made of stone from Egypt. They were dates 800bc. I was surrounded by history! Fascinating.
Ladies and gentlemen, today I looked at yesterdays.

Well here it is folks!
The new blog, right here in front of you! I hope that you have all found it alright (obviously you DID find it if you are reading this...), hopefully I'll have better luck with the whole updating/accessing the site thing. WELCOME!