This week was full of fun surprises, visitors, and some fun in the apartment!  Let's work backwards...Jordan came to visit for the weekend and for Valentines Day.  It was so great to have him here and be in the same city, even for a couple of days.  We decided to not go out on Valentines Day and to cook here at the house and have a special dinner!  It took us a while to decide what to cook but we finally decided on steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans.  Jordan did the steaks because...well let's be honest, I have no idea how to cook them.  I had the rest of the meal and made homemade mashed potatoes and some green beans.  (Yes we wore aprons the entire time.)  I must say, we did a fabulous job!  Dinner was so good and nothing was ruined. 

Me and Jordan in our aprons

The table!

For dessert, homemade chocolate covered strawberries and champagne!

Before Jordan came into town, my best friend Lauren Turner made a quick visit to the city.  She is on tour with Grease and was about two hours from the city.  Somebody in her cast had to move out of his apartment so she decided to hitch a ride and spend a couple of hours here!  It was just enough time to grab breakfast with some people and catch up with Lauren in person and not on the phone.

yay Lauren!

Along with all the other exciting things that happened this week, Maria and I decided to make our own sushi.  She was wanting to make some sushi for her boyfriend for Vday, so we thought we should give it a test run and make sure it wouldn't be a disaster!  We were a little worried that it was going to be impossible to find all the ingredients, but we found them all at our local grocery store!  We felt so successful.  Our menu consisted of California Roll and Sweet Potato Roll.  The raw fish and all of that made us a little nervous so we decided to stick with the cooked items.  Maria was the main chef but I gave her all the encouragement and some extra hands!  I must say, we made some great sushi...It was even better than ordering take out!

Sweet Potato Roll

California Roll

It’s already February…that is so crazy!  I have now lived in the city for exactly five months now.  Since then, I have participated in NYMF, had many different roommates, and experienced three different snow storms.  The thing about the snow up here (and probably anywhere else) is that it takes a while for it to melt.  It just keeps piling up and makes our daily communicate to the grocery store or really anywhere a bit of a hassle.  We have to bundle up in our puffy jackets, gloves, earmuffs, and snow boots.

We don’t really care too much about our style.  We just want to be warm and not fall on our butts!

   
I have been lucky that the snow has not messed up any of my trips or important events (since I have so many).  However, we are supposed to get more snow/ice today and tomorrow and I just can’t have that!  I am traveling to Nashville and Memphis tomorrow night for some things that cannot be messed up.  I have doctors appointments, UPTA, and an interview.  If the snow messes all of this up, I will not be a happy camper. My friend Whitney and I were talking the other day about New York in the winter and how depressing it is.  The snow and cold influence your mood more than you think.  Just going to the grocery store wears you out. (This happens even in the good seasons!)  There are many times that I just wish I could get into my car and drive to the nearest grocery store and not feel worn out when I get home.  I am beginning to feel like this city isn’t made for me.