the big apple : the start of my journey

Exactly a week ago i started my big journey and headed east..yup you guessed it..

New York City!!

It all started by me signing up for with an agency (sitter city if any of you nannies wanna know). I got a notification one day in my email inbox with a family asking to apply for there job, and i was very interested. I looked over the job and figured, what the heck why not right? (what every 19 year old would do..) I told my parents that I was thinking about being a nanny.. they though that it was great that i wanted to do this, but they didn't know that it would be far away from home. They freaked when they found out that it was in NYC!! My mom was a nanny in NY when she was 17 so she was a little less shocked than my dad was. After lots of emails, phone calls, and Skype with the family..i had to make a decision. Prayers, fasting, temple trips and blessings were the only thing that helped me to make the right decision with such a big commitment. After about two weeks i decided that this was right and that i was going to NYC to nanny for 8 months. (just a little freak out!!!)

I didn't know quite where to start with the adventure..so i started where everyone would start, telling the family. I told all my sisters and little brother and they were so happy that i was going to get this opportunity because this doesn't happen all the time. I not only had to tell my family but i had to tell Josh's family. Everyone was shocked that i was moving, but they were also excited for me!! I told my boss at my dental office that i would be putting in my two weeks notice and the shocked faces just kept coming.. (you can tell no one was expecting me to leave). Those two weeks went by fast..and i just kept getting more and more scared..i don't even know why! I was going to be just fine, i think i didn't know what to expect and so i was scared of leaving everything i knew and felt comfortable with behind.

The last week that i was home i had something every night with my friends and family! I felt so loved by all of them that i was really scared to leave..and the more people asked me if i was scared, the more nervous i would get. Starting with Tuesday, saying goodbye to josh's brothers, sister in-laws and nephew. Wednesday night saying bye to my best friends. Thursday night i had to say bye to all my family. I am so emotional when it comes to my family because i love them so much..so giving each of my sisters brother-in-laws and brother a hug was hard! They all told me it was like a mini mission (but of course i would be able to call, text and Skype ANYTIME i wanted), so i told them to not think of it like that because i would be home soon..3 months for Christmas!! My two nephews were the hardest to say bye too (even though they don't understand..i knew they would grow up so fast and i was scared of missing that. Don't worry i get pictures everyday). As the night went on more goodbyes came. I had to say bye to Josh's parents and little brother (his little brother's my best friend while Elder Stephan is away..so i couldn't not cry, lets be honest). I fell asleep just fine that night because i was exhausted, but the alarm was set for to early...4:00am!!

Friday 9.21.12 came to early! I had to finish packing my last minute things, try and zip my suit cases (i got them zipped with the help of my dad), and load the car. My little brother and sister were troopers..they woke up at 4:00am with me to take me to the airport with my parents at 5:00am! I was so nervous the entire way to the airport. We arrived about 5:45 with a couple of stops that we had to make. I had to say goodbye to my mom at the curb because she had to wait in the car, hardest goodbye yet..she's my best friend (i miss her everyday). My little brother and sisters rolled my suit cases in with dad so i didn't have to do much other than put a smile on and be happy! I checked in and weighed my bags. Hello...I'm moving for 8 months! You have to pack everything!! (okay so they were both over 50 pounds) I took some things out of one and loaded it in the other, the zipper seriously was gonna pop..but we got it zipped!! Now we only had to pay for one..80 pounds and $90 later I was ready! My dad walked me over to security (with the line being a mile long), he made sure i had everything!! I gave my little brother and sister a hug and than a final goodbye with my dad!! I missed my family the second they walked away..but i stuck a brave face on and kept walking!!

My flight left at 7:15 with my first flight of 3 (yesss..2 layovers, i'm insane) to Phoenix, second flight to DC and third flight to NYC!! It was a verrryy long day for me! Jet lag much? As soon as i got to the airport i met my host dad at baggage claim. That was my very first time meeting him so i was terrified. We loaded my bags into the car and headed for the house. When we got there, the kids were all excited to meet me and my host mom was thrilled i was there! We sat down for dinner once i got there and we all just talked about everything. There are 3 kids, Vivian-10, Scott- 6 and Zachary-4.

I have now spent my first week here in Woodbury, NY. Yes it's so different and i miss my family friends and mountains back at home, but i wouldn't change this for the world. The family doesn't know anything about the Mormon church so its so different from how i live my life. They are so kind and genuine, and treat me just like family already! i am so blessed that i got paired with this family, i can't wait for the adventures that i will get to go on while i have this time. I haven't done anything fun or picture worthy other than these (down) but i will be traveling a lot, so i know i will get lots of experiences!!:)

This missionary i met while i was boarding the plane. He was going home to Calgary, Alberta (where josh is serving) leaving the provo mission. His name was Elder Mitchell so i had to get a picture with him!!