I feel like I'm packing up for college all over again. Most of my belongings will stay behind, while I pick through everything and take only what is absolutely necessary. We've been spoiled with our home here in Austin, and we'll be downsizing to a place the size of our current bedroom. Good thing I don't suffer from serious claustrophobia!
We've been praying about this decision to move to NYC for months now, and I felt like our prayers had been falling on deaf ears. My faith is so often shortsighted. Like Mom says, "God doesn't bring it until you need it." So true! Now that we're at a little over a month left on our lease in Austin, we're finally seeing some visible evidence of God's ever-present hand in our lives. Which makes me feel so dumb for ever doubting that He was listening. We've let work know that we're moving up there, and the responses have been so supportive and encouraging. Right now, we have a few decisions to make regarding when to move and what to do about jobs, but we'll let you know what happens over the next couple of months.
I'll start school in December, right before Christmas. Which means...just the two of us this year for the holidays. I've never been without family on Christmas, and it makes me a bit sad, but I'm also thrilled about being able to spend a snowy (hopefully!) Christmas with my hubby, where we can have a quiet couple of days together before we're tossed into busy schedules again. It will be such a sweet time for us.
God's provision has been incredible during this time, and I feel like He has blessed this decision to pursue my passion and strengthen my gifts at this time in my life. It is a huge leap of faith to move up there, not knowing at this point what our finances will look like while I'm in school. But - the Lord has always provided exactly what we need, and I am confident that He will continue to do so.
We ask for your continued prayer as we prepare for our move up there, particularly regarding jobs, financial support for school, housing (affordable and in a safe area!!), and how long we should stay up there post-graduation.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Road Trip to New York City
Luke and I have been seriously considering moving to NYC for culinary school. He'll hopefully find a job up there, and I will start the pastry program at the French Culinary Institute. We wanted to check out the school in person, so we decided to drive up there with our moms, having a mini road trip/vacation.
It took us 2.5 days to get up there, since we decided to take our time, and I wanted to see Amanda in Delaware. We didn't do a whole lot of sightseeing on the way up there or on the way back, but it was nice to spend some quality time with the moms, and I think they had a great time getting to know each other better. Took Amanda out to lunch on Monday - so good to see her! I'm still not great at documenting my life with the camera, so no pics until we got into NYC.
Major hassle trying to get into Lincoln Tunnel, as you can see below. About 5 lanes of traffic trying to merge into 2 lanes. Luke was a master driver though and pushed his way in like the best of them.
Here is just the girls' luggage - we were quite embarrassed taking this up to our room. We are NOT light packers.
We decided not to do the tourist thing this trip, in hopes of seeing the New York that the locals know. I've become quite the master of hailing a cab, and I think I'll master the subway in no time. Dinner the first night was kind of a flop, but we were exhausted and stopped at the first decent looking restaurant we could find. Dinner the second night was incredible. Pizza at Lombardi's - best pizza I've ever had. Huge yummy salads. Great atmosphere. Kirsten Dunst sitting just a couple tables away. No joke.
We had tickets to go inside the studio of Good Morning America, which we did the morning after we got there. We were up at around 4:30 that morning and trekked through the city streets to Times Square. Grabbed our morning coffee at Starbucks, which thankfully opens before the sun is up and stood in line for a couple hours to guarantee our spot in the studio. While we waited, we were entertained by half of NYC coming to a halt to watch the underwear model show for National Underwear Day. Quite awkward. Here I am with Diane Sawyer:
Tried cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery - they look so pretty, but honestly, don't waste your time. These are the worst cupcakes I've ever had.
And here is Luke not really enjoying them. 
We toured the school on Wednesday, but had a bit of trouble getting there, due to the crazy rainstorm early that morning. It flooded the tracks on the subway, so the whole subway system was shut down. Which meant that all of NYC needed a cab at the same time. But I, master cab hailer, managed to get one and we made it to the school on time, only to find out that half of the chefs couldn't get there and most of the students. What a day for a class audit! Despite the hectic day, it was so good to sit in a couple of the pastry classes and see what culinary school is really like. The chefs were welcoming and pleasant, the projects looked like a lot of fun, and their facilities are phenomenal. We got a full tour of the building and finished up with lunch in their restaurant. Super yummy!
We loved it so much, and we are ready to move up there. We're just praying that Luke will find a job up there and that the right apartment will come along. If anyone wants to move up there with us, let me know! We'd love to share an apartment, since the rents are so high.
It took us 2.5 days to get up there, since we decided to take our time, and I wanted to see Amanda in Delaware. We didn't do a whole lot of sightseeing on the way up there or on the way back, but it was nice to spend some quality time with the moms, and I think they had a great time getting to know each other better. Took Amanda out to lunch on Monday - so good to see her! I'm still not great at documenting my life with the camera, so no pics until we got into NYC.
Major hassle trying to get into Lincoln Tunnel, as you can see below. About 5 lanes of traffic trying to merge into 2 lanes. Luke was a master driver though and pushed his way in like the best of them.
Here is just the girls' luggage - we were quite embarrassed taking this up to our room. We are NOT light packers.
We decided not to do the tourist thing this trip, in hopes of seeing the New York that the locals know. I've become quite the master of hailing a cab, and I think I'll master the subway in no time. Dinner the first night was kind of a flop, but we were exhausted and stopped at the first decent looking restaurant we could find. Dinner the second night was incredible. Pizza at Lombardi's - best pizza I've ever had. Huge yummy salads. Great atmosphere. Kirsten Dunst sitting just a couple tables away. No joke.
We had tickets to go inside the studio of Good Morning America, which we did the morning after we got there. We were up at around 4:30 that morning and trekked through the city streets to Times Square. Grabbed our morning coffee at Starbucks, which thankfully opens before the sun is up and stood in line for a couple hours to guarantee our spot in the studio. While we waited, we were entertained by half of NYC coming to a halt to watch the underwear model show for National Underwear Day. Quite awkward. Here I am with Diane Sawyer:
Tried cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery - they look so pretty, but honestly, don't waste your time. These are the worst cupcakes I've ever had.
And here is Luke not really enjoying them. 
We toured the school on Wednesday, but had a bit of trouble getting there, due to the crazy rainstorm early that morning. It flooded the tracks on the subway, so the whole subway system was shut down. Which meant that all of NYC needed a cab at the same time. But I, master cab hailer, managed to get one and we made it to the school on time, only to find out that half of the chefs couldn't get there and most of the students. What a day for a class audit! Despite the hectic day, it was so good to sit in a couple of the pastry classes and see what culinary school is really like. The chefs were welcoming and pleasant, the projects looked like a lot of fun, and their facilities are phenomenal. We got a full tour of the building and finished up with lunch in their restaurant. Super yummy!
We loved it so much, and we are ready to move up there. We're just praying that Luke will find a job up there and that the right apartment will come along. If anyone wants to move up there with us, let me know! We'd love to share an apartment, since the rents are so high.
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