Last weekend I had a couple of girlfriends visit me. Well, technically they were visiting NYC and each other, and I horned in on their plans. Jenny Reeder and Jennifer Brinkerhoff were roommates back in AZ about 10 years ago. We all used to hang out. What inspiring and beautiful women! They are both working on their PhD's. JB teaches Institute in Tempe, AZ (she taught Seminary in the East Valley for nearly 10 years and her students rave about her). She's currently on her way to Ethopia for the third time this year! She's helping to bring a water pipeline to a village there so that the women don't have to walk 8 miles round trip daily to carry 40+ pounds of dirty water on their backs. She's also doing research for her dissertation on women and rituals. Jenny got a master's degree from NYU a few years back and currently lives in DC, where she is in a PhD program. Her area of study is women's history in the LDS church. Both of these gals are sassy, educated, funny, witty, and spiritual.
We ate at the much anticipated, highly awaited hamburger and custard place - The Shake Shack (make sure you request pickles on your hamburger to enhance the overall burger experience. JB got pickles and I did not; she raved and raved about her burger and I can't say that I did. Just saying is all). There's a Shake Shack in Madison Square Park and also at 77th/ Amsterdam. Yummy! The Afghan food restaurant was better, actually, and that one is located on 51st/ 9th Avenue; I can't wait to take Peter there.
On Friday night, I was having eye problems (I randomly tore my cornea and had to rest it as it was flaming red). So, I encouraged them to see Memphis on Broadway without me. The next day they got pedicures, toured China Town, and we met up at the Manhattan temple for a session. We saw Glenn Beck come out just after us... which was... interesting. I'm not necessarily a fan, and haven't formed a conclusive opinion about that.
Later that night we saw "In The Heights" and I was blown away. WOW! What a fun show. I loved it, even slightly more than Memphis. Living here in NYC, I got the quirks, the neighborhoods, the references (some in Spanish), etc. I highly recommend this one.
On Sunday evening we went to my friend Sarah's for a get together. Sarah used to live in Kenya (taught two years at a university there), so I wanted her to meet JB and to swap notes. It was a successful connection. Got home at 1am... what an excellent weekend!
5 comments:
It sounds like you had a blast. What amazing women! I want to be like you. :)
So fun Ally! I've heard "In the Heights" recommended several times but I haven't heard it yet. Christmas CD for Cope? Missing you!
So much fun was had by all! It was GREAT seeing you again, Allison!
Thanks for the re=cap. For the record: YOU were absolutely part of the plans, not an add on. LOVED being with you!! LOVE YOU!
Excellent weekends or the best!
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