The time has come the Walrus said to talk of many things...

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

So dear readers the time has come… for us to leave New York. Well to be fair the time is coming, we fly to California next Thursday, and will make our way back to Utah a week from Sunday. New York has certainly been a learning experience for us. I know that most of you think we have had a terrible summer, and based on my blog posts you have no reason to think that things were somewhat enjoyable out here. So I have decided to make a list of what we have learned, enjoyed, and all the things we will miss when we head home.

Things we learned:

• Brian is grateful his degree is in Accounting and not non profit management, elementary education, or customer service. Brian has been a trooper… he found a job for the summer working as the operations director at a summer camp in Brooklyn. This is a little bit different from working in the accounting department at Health Equity (a job he really liked), or from working as an associate with PriceWaterhouse Coopers, despite some serious challenges he survived the summer, only 3 days left! 
  
• swearing is not okay- everyone swears here, we were talking to someone the other day and he just threw swear words into normal conversation, the words have lost all meaning, STOP USING THEM!
  
• second hand smoke is a serious issue- this wasn’t so much of a problem in Utah and Texas. In utah very few people smoke (okay not really true), and in texas smokers are a bit more polite, but in New York they blow it in your face, and look at you like you offended them when you cough- I don’t feel bad that cigarettes are $10 a pack- take that smokers!
  
• you can live on less- we each brought one suitcase and a carry on bag out here… and we survived. Granted life would have been easier and more enjoyable with more stuff (or stuff that wasn’t broken), but now we know we can get by with very little
  
• home is where the heart is- I know cheesy, despite calling this little hovel in Astoria home for the last three months, we have wished every day that we were home in Utah with all of you. We have missed all of you tons and tons!
  

Things Ashley learned:

• to use the subway- I am a pro- ask Em and Mug, I can get anywhere in the City with a map. 
  
• Proving yourself is a lot more fun in the movies- there is a lot of grunt work involved with interning- not entirely my favorite experience but one I needed
  
•  Homecooked meals aren’t always possible- in utah I cooked dinner most nights, I used raw ingredients and turned them into what I thought were good meals.. here not so much, it might have been the lack of utensils, pans, fridge space, or the insane cost of food, but whatever it was cooking dinner wasn’t always possible or cost effective
  
• Wymount is a luxury apartment- you laugh but I wished for 881 every single day
  

Things we enjoyed and will miss

•  Chinatown- this was probably our favorite part of the City
  
• Halal food carts- yes eating from street vendors is safe, and yes the chicken and rice is fantastic (assuming you don’t put too much hot sauce on it)
  
•  Staten Island Ferry- best way to see the statue of liberty (free)
  
• Zabars- you just have to go here, I loved this place
  

So farewell New York… we’re off to the next adventure (in 8 days).