Blue Angels

While sitting at my desk at work yesterday morning I suddenly heard a really loud airplane fly by. It was alarming enough that 6 or 7 of us immediately stood up and asked each other "what was that?" We went to the window and watched a large plane fly right by our building so low that it was at eye level (I'm on the 11th floor of a 40+ story building) within blocks of wall street and ground zero. We watched as it flew away from us over Brooklyn, but then started making a huge loop heading towards the Statue of Liberty and right over our neighborhood again. As it got closer someone recognized it as part of the Blue Angels. Apparently this is a Marine Corps arial stunt team that was either having a show or practicing. Maybe I was alone in this thought, but I didn't really enjoy the experience! The top picture is the plane we initially saw, the other pic is of the 6 fighter jets we saw during the second loop. For the record, I did not take these pictures, but it felt like I was about this close.

Our new apt

I went to North Carolina last week to spend time with mom while she attended an event for her doctoral program. While there, I spent most of my time apartment hunting. I saw 12 apts in two days, and through much consultation, Sarah and I decided on this great two bedroom apartment a few minutes from campus, easily accessible by bus. It's cheaper than some of the two bedroom apts we saw and will be a great place to start our life together. I'll be there on my own until she gets the paperwork to come to the States. I can't wait! Here's a picture of the apt complex and also of the model apt's living room.

Sheffield Down

Dad and I went to a Yankees game a couple weeks ago, but I'm late with this post up cuz I've just finally uploaded the pictures to my camera. We had great seats in the loge, my favorite section to work when I was a vendor selling pretzels at the stadium. Gary Sheffield got injured in a crazy play at first and I got some nice pics. The Yanks scored in every inning and won big.

Engaged!!

You heard it here first (unless you already read her blog), Sarah and I are engaged! I can't believe it's really happening but it feels fantastic. We basically made the decision last Tuesday in the Manhattan Temple, but it wasn't until Monday morning on the grounds of the Boston Temple that I gave her a ring and we decided to go public with our decision. Because there are some immigration issues to be worked out, we're not sure exactly when it'll be, but we're thinking it'll take clear until the end of the year to sort it all out, so we're considering a January wedding. Govern yourself accordingly (I guess Kent and Sarah will be the only people laughing at that line). What I mean is you should start thinking of your gifts... I mean travel arrangements. Seriously though, drop me a line sometime to let me know what you think. I love you Sarah and can't wait!

Elder & Sister Jones

Sarah and I stayed last Thursday at Bonnie & John's (and Liz and Grace's) house in Bronxville, NY before heading to visit my Jones Grandparents on their mission in Boston for the weekend. I couldn't resist posting the bottom picture which Sarah took of B&J's pug. Elder and Sister Jones are working in the Mass. Boston mission office, taking care of the cars, referrals and supplies as well as a myriad of other tasks. I'm so proud of them and am so grateful for the incredible example. It was a blast to spend a weekend with them and to introduce them to my sweetheart.

Sarah in NYC, again

Here are some pics from Sarah's recent trip to NYC last week. The top is from a wonderful day we spent with my dad at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's an ancient Egyptian Temple brought over in the 1960's. The next one is after the wonderful conversation we had about our future on the 6th floor of the Manhattan Temple. During the dedication of the Temple in June 2004 I was serendipitously at the cornerstone ceremony and got to put mortar to help seal the stone in place. Here I am pointing out the spot I spread my mud. The bottom picture is in my bedroom the day after our trip to the Temple. In the midst of a very intimate conversation we noticed that the sunset had made the entire sky red and orange and so we took many great pictures. If you've already read the above posts, then you know what the conversation was about, if not...