#911Remembered

10 years ago something horrific happened to our country, our people and our mindset. People said America would be forever changed because of 9/11 and it has.

American flags line the area of Wall Street in lower Manhattan in the summer of 2011.

Having lived in New York City this summer, the feelings surrounding this anniversary are a little more dear and close to me.  No, I didn’t have to suffer the loss of family or friends in the attacks. But I have friends who survived them and live with the horror every day. But NYC is a strong, resilient city. New Yorkers are tough with unyielding will, the will to survive. And because of this tragedy we are all a little more compassionate. A little more united. And hopefully this “will to survive” will transform into a will to live. Fully. Happily. Fearlessly.

10 years ago I was sitting on the gym floor at Staley Middle School in Dallas, TX. As a 12 year old, I listened to the announcement over the school intercom. The World Trade Center had been hit. Everyone seemed crushed. Scared. Did I truly understand what had happened? No. Did I wonder why my parents didn’t take me out of school like many others? Maybe.

The rest of the evening was spent entranced by the TV, replaying clips of the planes diving into the buildings. Over and over and over again. Until my head throbbed with physical pain.

While our troops are some of the only ones that suffer physical pain now, I hope we can all remember, not only on 9/11 but every day, how blessed we are to live in the United States of America. A land of freedom. Be grateful for this nation.

So, I issue a challenge. For myself and every person: Be concerned to share your thoughts and vote, in appreciation for our freedom.

BYU's Daily Universe: Wave of emotion

My article on the celebrations at Ground Zero Sunday night was published in BYU’s student paper The Daily Universe today. Check out this link to read my full article featured in The Daily Universe today or visit universe.byu.edu or newsnet.byu.edu/pdf.

Tales of Working in the Bronx:First Day Jitters

The Riverdale Press is located off Broadway in the west side of the Bronx.

DAY 3: 


I have successfully made my way through NYC for three days now. I began my internship at the Riverdale Press this morning at a bright and early 11:45 a.m. They are a weekly paper, and it is printed on Wednesdays (hence the late arrivals). 


There is a small in-house staff of 15 people or less. Ther are … drum roll … four reporters. It amazes me. They crank out around four stories each week to fill the paper along with columns, briefs, etc. I think that’s amazing. 


Luckily, they found a desk for me to work in. I am currently working on putting together next week’s “What’s up,” which is essentially a calendar of local events. 


The Riverdale Press is a small, community newspaper. Yes, I know it seems odd that I would travel all the way to New York to work at a small paper when I have job opportunities at larger newspapers in Utah. BUT New York news is different. The police beat doesn’t cover fake cougar sightings, water balloon attacks or other pranking. ( I love BYU’s police beat, truly.) And while working at a huge, upscale national magazine would be awesome (and I would love to do that) this experience is just that: experience in the real world. 


I miss designing already. I can’t wait to design for The Press.


Designing is my passion now. I hope I can perhaps do some things with my internship before I leave at the end of the term. 


Tonight I’m off to enjoy takeout with Maria and Institute at the Lincoln Center Building. 


And I continue to search for a fan…or air source of some sort. I need a hardware store. I’m open to suggestions.


CONTINUED…

The Shake Shack is a popular ice cream & burger joint.

Tonight I attended institute in the Lincoln Center Building which also houses the LDS temple in NYC. It was wonderful to be able to sit and discuss the scriptures after working all day. The teacher was enthusiastic and funny. I was so glad Maria encouraged me to go. I was able to get some other girls from the program to attend as well. Afterwards, we went out for dessert at the Shake Shack off 77th with Jim, a guy we met at institute.


A perfect ending to an odd day.

I am lost: Day 1

Day 1 proved to be more overwhelming than I could possibly have imagined. New York is huge. And the subways are an awful maze. I hope I can learn the system in the next couple weeks. Luckily, a longtime best friend, Maria Alexia, was able to guide me and Tiffany (my travel buddy in the same program) around the city with our enormous suitcases. While I really do need the contents of these suitcases, I do not think I will return with both. Perhaps I will just … ship them. 

After arriving into JFK early, we sat on the tarmac for a good 30 minutes while the airport sought a way to get us to the actual terminal without being docked at a gate. Then we had to walk one terminal over to find our luggage. And maneuver the air train to the subway station. Holy moly. 


The I-House (Columbia’s International House) off 125th Street is really lovely. I had heard that it could be dirty and not that great. But I have no idea what those people were talking about. Yes, my room is quite warm. (Why do they think they don’t need air conditioning?) I’ll post pictures later of the I-House and my quaint room.

As soon as we dropped off our bags at our new home, we hurried to the Harlem Church building for FHE. (Maria is a co-chair.) We passed the Apollo on the way to the building. I can’t wait to go to an amateur night. Tiffany and I stopped at Sylvia’s Soul Food for dinner since we both had only eaten breakfast (and it was 8 p.m.) 

Sylvia’s is a popular restaurant in Harlem serving their famous chicken and waffles. It was delicious. Because we stopped for food, we missed most of fhe, but we did get the chance to meet several people in the ward. 

Well Toto, we’re not in Utah anymore. New York couldn’t be more different. I hope I will love it here. And the Bronx.