MOVING ON.

Well, I really haven't had the greatest desire to blog lately, and I think it's due to the fact that my last blog post was epic/monumental/a milestone/etc. etc. ha ha! And I don't think anything else I write will be as exciting or as fun, but I promised myself that I'd keep up with this throughout the summer, so I'm going to keep going - move on. So, you may or may not know that I now live in a new apartment on 108th street. Between Broadway and Amsterdam. I really like the area a lot, I have a Duane Reade right around the corner, a yoga place 3 blocks down, 3 grocery stores within 2 blocks, and the subway is only 2 1/2 blocks away. It's great. I also am about equal distance from both Morningside Park, Central Park, and Riverside Park, which is great for running - one of my newest activities as an attempt to tone up for the wedding, ha! Yoga is a part of that too. Vanessa saw a mouse in our apartment about a week or so ago, ha! I think she blogged about it, so you can go read more there, but we've taken all of the necessary precautions to keep it out/catch it, ha! If you are really curious you can go to http://maps.google.com/ and type in 209 West 108th Street, New York City, NY 10025, click on the street view picture and you can explore my neighborhood. It's a pretty sweet feature on google maps, actually. It's fun.
So, the next topic of importance would be L'Oreal. Maybe you wonder what I do all day at 575 5th avenue on the 24th floor. Well, I work on two brands that are under L'Oreal Paris Skincare within the Consumer Products Division. It's kind of fun because most people hardly know that L'Oreal Paris has a skincare line. I didn't when they assigned it to me, but it's exciting because there is a lot going on to change and strengthen the brands. I work on Skin Genesis, a brand new product that just launched 2H'07 and Sublime Bronze, a self tanning line. (I could seriously use some of that product right now, ha! I don't get much sun in the city...) I work in marketing/Brand managment for both of the brands, which is very different than advertising, but I like it. There are many more numbers, actually a ton of more compared to my last internship, but I really like it. It's fun for me to watch category share, and dollar sales, ha ha! I'm kind of becoming a nerd that way. So, besides all of my work that I have on the two brands, each intern has a project that they work on throughout the duration of the internship and present it around the first week of August to all the higher level managers. I'm already nervous, ha! But I'm way excited about my project. I'll admit, I was kind of worried that L'Oreal would ask me to reasearch out a niche ingredient and understand it's compatability in shampoo, ha! But that's not what my project is at all. My advertising background is going to come in very handy. It's kind of a lot to explain now, but it deals with more non-traditional, event, direct-to-consumer marketing strategies. I'm pretty excited about it. I have also been super impressed with the structure and nature of L'Oreal's internship program. They invest a lot into their employees, and even into their interns. My manager is amazing and everyone on my team is more than willing to help me with my questions - and I have a lot, ha! Plus, the perks are great, ha ha! There's a company store on the lower level of the building where I get 50% off of all L'Oreal product, which is way more than just L'Oreal - they own Lancome, Keihls, Ralph Lauren/Armani/Deisel/Viktor & Rolf fragrances, Matrix, Biolage, Maybelline, and lots more. So, there's a lot to choose from. I've only been down there a few times though, so I'm not going to come anywhere near my $300.00/month limit, ha! They also have a cafe that's subsidized so it's not expensive, but it's surprisingly good. And they have a subsidized Starbucks, ha! Which I wasn't as thrilled about, but it's fun anyway. There has been an update on my project though lately, since I first began writing the post. The head VP of marketing is going on vacation so they moved a lot of the intern project presentatios up! And I'm going to present probably at the beginning of next week. I've been working like crazy on it, and it's probably going to keep me from going home for a weekend to plan wedding stuff. Anyway, I'm going to post this... finally.

One of the brands I work on... I get to look at beautiful Peneolpe quite often.
(Up top) The L'Oreal building... before they started construction. Now it's covered in a big blue box.

ENGAGED!

Well, I know you've all been waiting for this post... Ha! And I've been wanting to write it for a long time, but this week has been busy, and full many more things to blog about but I'll get to them later...

One week and one day ago, on Saturday, June 7th it was sweltering hot in NYC. We were going through a heat wave and it was about 99 degrees plus the humidity... gross. I had been up and out in the city, running errands, and street contacting for a stake activity (one of the hardest things I've done, but very enlightening and rewarding). Anway, after that, I was ready for some Pinkberry(like Red Mango) and a little less heat back at the IHouse. I made it to my room and crashed into a deep sleep for almost 2 hours, which was probably a blessing for the marathon of a weekend that followed. Randi, my roommate texted me the night before with the news that she won tickets to the Top of the Rock at work for 9:30 the next night. She wanted me to go with her, and of course I did. If you don't know, the Top of the Rock is in Rockefeller Center (where the Today Show airs from every morning). In just the past few years they've created a formal observation deck on the top of one of the buildings from the 67th to 70th floors and called it "The Top of the Rock." It's a gorgeous 360 degree view of the city, including the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and all of the rest of it. So, I woke up from my nap, jumped on the 1 train down to 59th, walked to 50th where I met up with Randi, Stephen and Vanessa at St. Patricks Cathedral. We wanted to look around but there was a massive graduation going on, so we couldn't. We made our way over to Rockefeller Center and just hung out until it was time for Randi and I to go. Looking back, there were a million clues that I should have caught onto, but I didn't. Anyway, after window shopping, people watching in the plaza, Stephen randomly disappearing for a long 20 minutes, Randi taking tons of phone calls, talking with Vanessa, and waiting until a little after 9:30, we started up.

On your way to the elevators, there is a museum talking all about John D. Rockefeller and movies to watch about the Rockettes, and the history of Rockefeller Center built during the depression, etc. Of course, I was interested in it all, read every word, and watched all of the videos, ha! Eventually we made it to the elevators and went up up up to the 67th floor where we got off and started looking around at the amazing view. It was way high, but a gorgeous view of the sparkling city. We walked outside, then up higher and back down. I wanted to go find McCann, since I was in the middle of blogging about it, and I thought a picture showing where it was from above would be neat, right? I walked over towards the Chrysler Building, reached my arm out around the glass and started snapping pictures. The next thing I know, someone's arms wrap themselves around me from behind and Jeff's voice says, "I think it's more over that way," and he pointed west. AHH! I turned right around and gave him the biggest hug and kiss, and he proposed right then and there. He slipped the ring on my finger, and I said yes! I cannot even tell you how surpised, shocked, elated, and beyond myself I was. It was a perfect proposal, very much like a fairytale, and I consider myself one of the luckiest girls alive. I could go on and on about Jeff, how perfect he is, and how good he is to me, but I'll spare you the mushiness, and let you read it for yourself. Go to his blog at jpetey.blogpsot.com, and read his version of the story. It's one of the sweetest things ever written. Then you'll see how lucky I am.

Jeff and I spend the rest of the weekend marathoning through NYC since he had to leave early Monday morning. We saw Wicked, took in Time's Square at night, ate at Tom's (the Seinfeld restaurant), walked through Central Park, took engagement pictures, went down to the water on Pier 19 at Fulton street, hit H&M, went to church at the Harlem 1st Ward, (worthy of it's own post, ha!), and just loved every second being together. The weekend flew by way too fast, and by 10 AM Monday, Jeff was back in Virginia working and I was at L'Oreal starting my new internship. Life just kept going, of course, but I love it, and being in love with someone who loves me back so perfectly, makes it incredible.

FAREWELL MCCANN

The tall dark building in the back is McCann, I worked on the 23rd floor.

So, Friday was my last day at McCann Erickson, and I think it deserves a post in my blog. I also think that everyone is probably wondering what I really have been doing in NYC these past 6 weeks too, ha! Let me first start with this, I feel super lucky to have interned at McCann. The work Matt and I have produced, which was no small quantity, has been treated as anything but "intern" work. The account we spent the majority of our time working on was Verizon FiOS. It's Verizon's television, internet and phone service. The internet is extra fast, and the television picture is extra clear. It's funny the things that you become expert through the different accounts you work on. I could probably spout a whole post on the benefits of FiOS and fiber optics in general, etc. etc. and how it relates to Verizon, but I'll spare you. Anyway, we've successfully sold a TV spot which will be shot in LA the 17th-20th of June. We tried to find a NY based director so Matt and I could attend the shoot, but no dice. Anyway, as soon as it's finished, I'll have it posted on the blog for all of you to see since it will probably only air in the eastern U.S. and wherever FiOS is. So, it'll be great to have a reel in my portfolio. FiOS is also digging up all of Manhattan to bring the NYC FiOS, so we helped with the non-traditional part of that, so some of that work we did is moving on, and some more stuff for Verizon and Intel... Anyway, It's taken me a few days to write this post, and a lot has happened since then! So, I'm going to attach some McCann pictures and then move on... Ha! I can't wait to blog about my weekend!

This is what I saw when I walked into the building.
This is McCann's tag, motto, etc.

LEGALLY BLONDE & THE GUGGENHEIM

I love Legally Blonde the Musical. Ever since I saw Wicked the summer of 2005, there hasn't been a play that I have loved quite as much as Wicked, but Legally Blonde comes pretty dang close. About 8 of us bought student rush tickets for $26.50 and ended up with front row seats right behind the orchestra. It was almost awkwardly close, but still great. I've never seen the movie Legally Blonde all the way through, but I think the play followed it pretty closely. It was very funny, very blonde, and very pop culture. It wasn't anything deeply inspiring or thought provoking like other plays - it was what it is - Legally Blonde, but very well done. At intermission, I was smiling and laughing, and so excited for the last half of the play. Maybe I just related well to the blonde who wants to go to Harvard Law and loves pink, ha! So, that was our adventure Friday night. Stephen, Rachel and I decided to take the long way home. We walked from 47th, where the play was, all the way to 86th, only because it was a beautiful night. I love taking in the city at night.
Today, the Guggenheim called our name. I think that it is my favorite museum thus far. The meseum is renovating, so about 1/3 of the galleries were closed, but what was left open was just enough to take in. For some reason, the times I've been to art museums here, in D.C., or even at the MOA in Provo, they often turn into spiritual experiences. The first time I saw Starry Starry Night by Van Gough at the MOMA, it gave me chills. It's gorgeous in real life. The Guggenheim had other works by Van Gough, Monet's, Picasso, and others, but I decided that I always love to see Van Gough. The piece that caught my attention this time was Mountains at Saint Remy (I'll put a picture below). The museum was featuing Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang. I hadn't ever heard of him, but apparently he's really well known in China. He had some really neat installation pieces. I'd try to describe them, but I think it would just sound wierd if I tried. The hanging, lighting cars (up top) is one of his. It's called, I Want to Believe. Anyway, quite the mix of culture this weekend, but that's the latest!

VIRGINIA BEACH

Well, I spent the long Memorial Day weekend in Virginia Beach to visit Jeff, and since I'm writing a week late, I'll just give the synopsis. I had a blast! I flew in Friday night on a very quick flight, and then flew out early early Tuesday morning. While Jeff worked, I spent my time with "the wives" at the pool, the Norfolk Botanical Gardens which are beautiful , shopping, and working on my portfolio. All of the time with these younger wives taught me a lot, ha! I learned a lot about budgetting, and spending as little money as possible, and what your husband does when you spend more than you should. Jennie, Jeff's sister and Emily, another wife are both pregnant. So, besdies exposure to issues of early married life, I helped decide on a pair of maternity jeans, and familiarized myself with the different aches and pains that come with pregnancy. For example, leg cramps in the middle of the night, random stretching feelings across your tummy, inability to sleep, and the excitement of a miracle growing inside you. Wife time was definitely educational, but I really did enjoy it. Sunday, thought, was probably my favorite day, probably because Jeff didn't have to work. After church at 9, we made a full loaf of French toast. A while ago for Sunday dinner, Jeff and his family introduced me to putting hot applesauce and syrup on top of French toast. It sounds a little wierd, but it is so good! Especially when Jeff's little brother makes homemade cinnamon syrup. So, we had French toast with all of the toppings. Sunday night, Chris and Jennie (Jeff's sister and brother-in-law) had us over for dinner - very yummy. Jeff and I then spent the rest of our night at the beach. We rented bikes, (yes... broke the Sabbath) and rode along the walkway, walked to the water waded in the cold ocean. We rode the ferris wheel on the beach and began to fill out this book I got for us at Urban Outfitters. It's called "The Two of Us", and it asks a bunch of random questions. I'll have to dedicate a whole post to the book later. Anyway, we ended the night with oreos and milk at Jeff's. It was a wonderful day, and the goodbye wasn't too bad, ha! I'm heading back for the 4th of July, so that will be fun. Here's some pics from the weekend. Jeff took pictures of us while we were riding bikes, and on our way out to the beach, we saw a Statue of Liberty, ha! We had to take a picture, since Jeff can't come to NY, this will be good enough, ha ha!

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MORE OF ME

Here's a taste of life as it stands. . . Brother on a mission, Jeff in Virginia Beach, Family at home, and me and my friends in New York. There's a little bit of the past year in here too.

BRINGING IT UP TO SPEED

So, now I'll catch up on the past 3 weeks that I've been here, and give you a little taste of my New Yorkness, ha! I live in a very small NY room on the Upper-West Side, north of Colombia, and almost to Harlem. I take the subway to work every morning, with only transfer. I get off at Grand Central station and walk a few blocks to about 40th and 3rd avenue where I work at McCann Erickson (An advertising agency, if you didn't already know) on the 23rd floor. Matt Miller, my partner, and I have been spending our days working on Verizon, brainstorming and creating campaigns. Lately we (the 3 other McCann interns and I) love eating at this little street cart for lunch. It's called Rafiqi's, and it's Halal food. Halal food, is that right? Well, it's spicy and yummy, and not too expensive, which is great. I've been keeping our nights full. Last Monday, Randi, V, and I took a random trip out to Queens searching for this little shop that I'll tell you about as soon as I can. . . ha! Randi and I went to Little Mermaid Tuesday. I can't quite remember what we did with Wednesday, Thursday. . . We went to the Museum of Natural History on Saturday where I met Thumbelina, the world's smallest horse. She weights 57 lbs, and is 17.5 inches tall, crazy! I'll even attach a picture to prove it.

Saturday night we saw a Julliard dance concert, and then discovered this little Italian place called Pisticci's not even a block away from the Ihouse, where we live. I've met a lot of fun people here. I live on the 7th floor, which just happens to be a social one. The Sunday trend has been to walk through Central Park before or after church and just enjoy it. Well, that's a pretty quick summary. Hopefully I'll keep pretty on top of it from now on.

THE BEGINNING OF MY BIG APPLE ADVENTURES

So what better time to become a regular blogger than while I'm spending the summer in New York City? It's a perfect time, I know. So between my brainstorming and campaign-creating at McCann Erickson, I have some fun. Let me fill you in. I'll start with today's adventure at Good Morning America.

My alarm went off at 5:00 A.M., hit the snooze 5 times, up at 5:25, shower, get ready, and out of the door by 6:05 to catch the subway to 42nd street. Then off the train, walk a few blocks and we arrived at Bryant Park and started our hour and a half wait in a big line to watch Josh. I feel like I was close enough to him that we can be on first name basis, ha! Yes, Josh Groban. He is just as good live as he is on each of his CD's, but he was also very nice, and very funny. Oh, and did I mention the rain? Nope, not yet. There was a nice rain, then mist, then rain that showered us all morning, but it only added to the experience. Overall, it was definitely a blast. I just might be back next week for Counting Crows, we'll see.

(That's Billy, Vanessa, Me, Randi & Stephen up top, then V and I again down below.)