Oh, and this is the view of the skyline across the Hudson from our apartment-
18.9.10
Tribeca
Riding the bus in from the Hamptons I was awe-struck by the beautiful architecture of the city and everything that was going on. It's so alive and quick-paced. It's exactly what I need right now. The Kuchinad's loft is gorgeous. They own the roof of their building so it's fun to go and look out over the Hudson River. Sometimes I sit on the fire-escape outside my window and read. It's magical here. I explored the shops on Broadway and some of the shops on Greenwhich, and it's such a perfect place to live. My schedule's a little random right now because Charlotte and Lucas don't start school until next week, but I usually work 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a two-hour break somewhere in there. But it honestly doesn't feel like work because these kids are so fun to be with and I love everything about it so far. Today there's a Young Single Adult event held near Central Park. I'm excited to go and meet some of my new ward members along with other New York LDS Single Adults. There are classes and a dinner and a dance and tomorrow is a multi-singles-ward sacrament meeting. I think it will be a great way to start out and meet people. Although I do miss everyone back there in UT, I wouldn't trade this for the world. Love you all and hope you feel free to ask me any questions or anything. xoxo.
Oh, and this is the view of the skyline across the Hudson from our apartment-
Oh, and this is the view of the skyline across the Hudson from our apartment-
26.8.10
The Hamptons
So I've been in New York for about a month, and much has occurred, but I'll try to give a basic run-down- I LOVE IT. That's basically the gist of this new adventure- I am completely awestruck and excited about this life experience. (Background info: I'm working for the Kuchinad family. Amar and Rachel, Owen (6), Lucas (4), and Charlotte (2).
Here's the family at the beach. It was quite the challenge to get everyone to look at the camera. AMAGANSETT, NY is where I've spent my last month. It's a small beach town east of East Hampton and it was so much fun! We played at the beach a lot and also enjoyed swimming, kite flying, the children's museum, bowling, and although we were hit with Hurricane Earl, we did see a lot of Mr. Golden Sun.
Highlights:
Our house was on Treasure Island Drive and despite the sign's warning that there's no beach access, we had our own little pathway right down to the beach. The house was beautiful- very open and light. The windows were huge and everything was white. It was stunning. We could see the ocean from the house. The entire strip of Long Island that we explored was just beautiful. I felt like it was a dream. There were vineyards and farms lining the highway and cute little shops in every town. There was also a wide var
iety of animals. We caught a couple frogs, saw several deer, birds, and rabbits, one snake, and one duck in particular came over to our pool for a swim. I loved seeing the kid's reactions. They're absolutely adorable. I was surprised how natural it seemed to just play and laugh and have fun with the kids but am so grateful that I was lucky enough to feel comfortable so quickly. My first Monday in the Hamptons, we went to the children's museum in Bridge Hampton. You might not know this, but I have had many sword-fighting sessions with Henry and am now professional, so sword-fighting with Owen and Lucas was a breeze, although according to Owen, I lost both arms. Owen constantly makes me laugh and will tackle me with no hesitation before engaging in a tickle war. He is so smart, an aspiring pro-soccer player, and is becoming an amazing pianist. Lucas is a doll. He's a little shy sometimes and gets embarrassed if all attention is directed at him, but he is so funny, playful, and good intentioned. He loves to be useful and constantly tries to help Charlotte- something she doesn't fully appreciate sometimes. Lucas is also a fantastic artist and has such creative ideas. 
Charlotte constantly makes me laugh. She's such an adorable, funny little girl. She's also pretty opinionated and intuitive. She probably asks me 100 questions everyday and is taking in so much new information everyday. It's fun to see her learn something and then remember
it later. These pictures were at a farmer's market in Amagansett. It was fun to see such a great harvest in mid- August. The Kuchinads try to eat most things organic, and I love it. It's a lot easier to find gluten-free things here, apparently being a celiac is hip and trendy now. At least that's what John Fortenberry said. And he's a director (Night at the Roxbury), so that's pretty legit. It's crazy to meet people so high up on the fame chain. Rachel saw Gwenyth Paltrow and Paul McCartney while we were in the Hamptons and we drove by Jerry Seinfield's summer home. It's crazzzy. Livin' the life right? I guess I feel like the celebrity connections are fun to hear about, but that's it. It is fun to experience a similar life-style though. I got to take the boys bowling and mini-golfing, both of which were awesome. I bowled a 98-with bumpers. Talent, I know. Owen got a couple strikes bowling, and Lucas got a hole-in-one mini golfing!
Darling Charlotte decided to wear her underwear on her head one morning. It was hilarious. Char loves making people laugh. Her favorite joke that she tells repeatedly is: "Knock Knock.... Who's there? Ya... Ya-who?... I didn't know you were a cowboy!" I genuinely laugh every time because she's so cute.
After a couple weeks of sunshine, Hurricane Earl rolled around. Luckily it didn't hit our all-glass house, although it came at least 50 feet up the shoreline. Some of the waves were about 20 feet high. It was incredible. The Boys went down to get a better look and this picture describes how they felt about it pretty accurately. We were all feeling a little bit like that because the next day Amar and Rachel were hosting a huge barbecue, but luckily it died down to just being a little breezy and the party was successful. They even had a bonfire on the beach and the kids did sparklers. There were fireworks that night to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It's fun to experience some different culture because in Utah we don't get to see as much diversity. I love it. Owen has been asking Rachel about religion and her beliefs and it's cute to see him so curious about it. He's at a great age where he's trying a lot of new things and learning a lot. 
This picture was taken at a park in Sag Harbor with his friend Liv. She's adorable and they had so much fun together climbing this ginormous rock. We got to go to a lot of parks- which I LOVE! Rachel remembered seeing this cute little duck p
ond and wasn't sure where it was exactly, but we scouted it out and it was straight out of a fairytale. There were just hundreds of ducks along with some swan and geese. There were little trails to walk further in to the trees and it was just a little sanctuary. The geese were at least as tall as Lucas and frankly a little frightening, which is why he opted to watch "The Wiggles" in the car. Charlotte however had no fear. She even got nibbled on by a swan and it didn't phase her. I loved seeing the wonder and curiosity in her eyes. It's precious.
After all of our fun adventures, the time to move back to the city drew near and Owen's first day of school was the Wednesday before we were going to move back, but then no school Thursday or Friday, so Rachel took him on the bus and I got to stay with Lucas and Charlotte.
We went to lunch and walked around town a little bit. It was a blast.
After such a fun Summer, it was time to move back to the city and we've been here for one week. The Hamptons were amazing and the City, although entirely different, is incredible. Rachel and Amar are so great and have made every effort to make me feel welcome and comfortable- which I do. This experience is so perfect for me right now and more than I could ever hope for. I feel like it has already helped me grow. I feel more sure of myself, more creative and fun, and although we may not believe the same exact things, there is a wonderful spirit in the Kuchinad home and I feel so blessed to be a part of it.
Here's the family at the beach. It was quite the challenge to get everyone to look at the camera. AMAGANSETT, NY is where I've spent my last month. It's a small beach town east of East Hampton and it was so much fun! We played at the beach a lot and also enjoyed swimming, kite flying, the children's museum, bowling, and although we were hit with Hurricane Earl, we did see a lot of Mr. Golden Sun.Highlights:
Our house was on Treasure Island Drive and despite the sign's warning that there's no beach access, we had our own little pathway right down to the beach. The house was beautiful- very open and light. The windows were huge and everything was white. It was stunning. We could see the ocean from the house. The entire strip of Long Island that we explored was just beautiful. I felt like it was a dream. There were vineyards and farms lining the highway and cute little shops in every town. There was also a wide var
iety of animals. We caught a couple frogs, saw several deer, birds, and rabbits, one snake, and one duck in particular came over to our pool for a swim. I loved seeing the kid's reactions. They're absolutely adorable. I was surprised how natural it seemed to just play and laugh and have fun with the kids but am so grateful that I was lucky enough to feel comfortable so quickly. My first Monday in the Hamptons, we went to the children's museum in Bridge Hampton. You might not know this, but I have had many sword-fighting sessions with Henry and am now professional, so sword-fighting with Owen and Lucas was a breeze, although according to Owen, I lost both arms. Owen constantly makes me laugh and will tackle me with no hesitation before engaging in a tickle war. He is so smart, an aspiring pro-soccer player, and is becoming an amazing pianist. Lucas is a doll. He's a little shy sometimes and gets embarrassed if all attention is directed at him, but he is so funny, playful, and good intentioned. He loves to be useful and constantly tries to help Charlotte- something she doesn't fully appreciate sometimes. Lucas is also a fantastic artist and has such creative ideas. 
Charlotte constantly makes me laugh. She's such an adorable, funny little girl. She's also pretty opinionated and intuitive. She probably asks me 100 questions everyday and is taking in so much new information everyday. It's fun to see her learn something and then remember
it later. These pictures were at a farmer's market in Amagansett. It was fun to see such a great harvest in mid- August. The Kuchinads try to eat most things organic, and I love it. It's a lot easier to find gluten-free things here, apparently being a celiac is hip and trendy now. At least that's what John Fortenberry said. And he's a director (Night at the Roxbury), so that's pretty legit. It's crazy to meet people so high up on the fame chain. Rachel saw Gwenyth Paltrow and Paul McCartney while we were in the Hamptons and we drove by Jerry Seinfield's summer home. It's crazzzy. Livin' the life right? I guess I feel like the celebrity connections are fun to hear about, but that's it. It is fun to experience a similar life-style though. I got to take the boys bowling and mini-golfing, both of which were awesome. I bowled a 98-with bumpers. Talent, I know. Owen got a couple strikes bowling, and Lucas got a hole-in-one mini golfing!
Darling Charlotte decided to wear her underwear on her head one morning. It was hilarious. Char loves making people laugh. Her favorite joke that she tells repeatedly is: "Knock Knock.... Who's there? Ya... Ya-who?... I didn't know you were a cowboy!" I genuinely laugh every time because she's so cute.
After a couple weeks of sunshine, Hurricane Earl rolled around. Luckily it didn't hit our all-glass house, although it came at least 50 feet up the shoreline. Some of the waves were about 20 feet high. It was incredible. The Boys went down to get a better look and this picture describes how they felt about it pretty accurately. We were all feeling a little bit like that because the next day Amar and Rachel were hosting a huge barbecue, but luckily it died down to just being a little breezy and the party was successful. They even had a bonfire on the beach and the kids did sparklers. There were fireworks that night to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It's fun to experience some different culture because in Utah we don't get to see as much diversity. I love it. Owen has been asking Rachel about religion and her beliefs and it's cute to see him so curious about it. He's at a great age where he's trying a lot of new things and learning a lot. 
This picture was taken at a park in Sag Harbor with his friend Liv. She's adorable and they had so much fun together climbing this ginormous rock. We got to go to a lot of parks- which I LOVE! Rachel remembered seeing this cute little duck p
ond and wasn't sure where it was exactly, but we scouted it out and it was straight out of a fairytale. There were just hundreds of ducks along with some swan and geese. There were little trails to walk further in to the trees and it was just a little sanctuary. The geese were at least as tall as Lucas and frankly a little frightening, which is why he opted to watch "The Wiggles" in the car. Charlotte however had no fear. She even got nibbled on by a swan and it didn't phase her. I loved seeing the wonder and curiosity in her eyes. It's precious.
After all of our fun adventures, the time to move back to the city drew near and Owen's first day of school was the Wednesday before we were going to move back, but then no school Thursday or Friday, so Rachel took him on the bus and I got to stay with Lucas and Charlotte.
We went to lunch and walked around town a little bit. It was a blast.
After such a fun Summer, it was time to move back to the city and we've been here for one week. The Hamptons were amazing and the City, although entirely different, is incredible. Rachel and Amar are so great and have made every effort to make me feel welcome and comfortable- which I do. This experience is so perfect for me right now and more than I could ever hope for. I feel like it has already helped me grow. I feel more sure of myself, more creative and fun, and although we may not believe the same exact things, there is a wonderful spirit in the Kuchinad home and I feel so blessed to be a part of it.
A Fond Farewell
I received so many amazing "bon voyage" messages and visits from friends and family. I feel so blessed to have so many people rooting for me. Thank you all so much!!! My sweet amazing Mama packed everything for me since I had so much to do, and I don't know if I would've made it without her help! My family took me to dinner and my dear beautiful friend, Juliette, came. It was so great to have her support, but hard to say goodbye. After dinner my parents and Lillie Jane took me to the airport. My daddy helped me check my stuff in and then I was on my own, with no direction home, like a rolling stone! I flew from Utah to Denver, stayed there for 3 hours, flew to Philadelphia, stayed there for 3 hours, and flew into New Jersey around 10:15 a.m. on Friday, August 20th. The sunrise in Philly was breathtaking.
24.8.10
The Choice.
Well hello! I'm pretty ecstatic about this whole blog thing. Hopefully I'll be able to keep it up to date. About six months ago my amazing dad helped me make a profile on an "Au-Pair/Nanny" agency website. I thought it might be fun but couldn't imagine actually obtaining a job through this. In fact I felt pretty hopeless about finding a job at all because my past experience in the employment market had not been very successful, hence my dad's urging. But to my surprise, I got about three interested prospects within a week. By April I had offers from New Zealand, Denmark, Michigan, Kentucky, Vermont, New Mexico, and New York. Although living in Europe would have been incredible, I didn't feel quite right about it. In the end I had it narrowed down to New Mexico and New York. I felt so good about both of them and it was a very difficult decision, but after much meditation and some good advice from friends and family, I decided to go to NYC. So far, it's been magical and I truly feel like this choice was a great one. I am incredibly blessed and can't wait to write about it!
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