There's an App for that..

Being that I have a smart phone, I thought it only seemed fitting that I downloaded a Blogger application. You all know that I am constantly on the go, so why not blog on the go?

So here it goes. The beginning of something new. As Kathy (my lovely roomie) and I are watching previews in the theatre preparing to see New Years Eve, I am taking two minutes to blog. Sweatpants and all we braved the two blocks it takes to get here, loaded up on cold meds, forked over the wopping $13 to see the movie. We are those girls.

Until my next two minutes of freedom.

Xo

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full heart

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

New Years Resolution

The amount of blogs that I have started and stopped is simply unacceptable.  I would be lying if I told you it didn't just take me 20 minutes to figure out how to log onto my latest Blogger.  Finally, after a series of setting and resetting passwords I am back on, and for good. 

I could try to sum up the last 5 months I've been incognito, but honestly it is just not feasible.  So much has happened. I also am feeling the massive cold that I seemingly caught from my dad, so typing a novel will not be happening tonight.  But as I was searching for this blog,  I happened to come across my blog from last year.  So about an hour later and maybe a tear or two I had finished reading about my year.  So many emotions, but mainly thankful that I had written down my experiences.  Read for yourself: http://nikikapankainnyc.tumblr.com/

For my future sanity I am determined to keep this blog running, and consistant. Come what may I want to be able to look back at everything and remember what living feels like.  For we truly only have one life to live. 

XO

Tea and Crumpets..minus the Crumpets

Apologies for leaving the blog world for some time.  Getting adjusted to my new, extremely busy life here is still taking time.  The most recent adventure (or lack there of) in my life, well let's just say Trader Joe's was missing me.  Amidst the dancing, job, homework, and workstudy I had been putting off going to the grocery store because I honestly had no time.  It occurred to me on Saturday that I really only had two things in my cupboard; English Breakfast Tea and Sleepy Time Tea.  The food I could lay claim to in the refridgerator consisted of broccoli.  Needless to say I had zero, none, zilch, nada food.  I didn't realize how much I wasn't eating.  Breakfast didn't exist and lunch often fell in the middle of work or dancing, so I just didn't eat.  Supper was either hit or miss, depending if I was too tired to eat or not.  After an extrememly intesnse street hip hop class last night (I was being bold in taking it) I took an over due trip to Trader Joe's.  The two levels of food was a shock to my system.  After spending a good 15 minutes mezmorized by the produce section I moved onto other essential items.  Closing time is 10PM and let's just say I left the store at 9:59PM.  A slight but necesarry dent in my bank account and a replenishing of my cupboard space, I'd say it was a successful trip.

Funfact: Friends is always on tv. Always.  It may be that the only time I see the tv is at 7am or 11pm, but it doesn't change how much I love it.  

Content Heart

I've heard that the trigger of scent is the most powerful sense that humans carry.  I have always felt this to be true.  As I sit in my cozy home, I know I will remember the smell of our place.  The very slight smell of Earl Grey Tea, the smell the city brings in through our open windows, and our Buttercreme Yankee Candle (best purchase thus far).  Candles have always been my mom and my favorite decoration.  When you walk into a room with a familiar scent you feel at home.  I will forever remember this home for the comforting and warming smells we seem to be filling it with. 

Since my arrival here in the city, I have been looking forward to dancing with certain teachers again.  Last night I was finally able to get to a class with one of those teachers.  Everyone of us were able to build a personal relationship with our teachers, and I have the utmost respect for every single one of them.  Class was great.  I could have listened to the music for hours, and to move with it was perfect.  After class we went on a walk, just to talk.  Her words of wisdom and confidence seemed to be the reassurence I needed.  God always provides those moments of reassurence when I need them, and what a blessing that is. 

What will be, will be.

 Safe shelter from Irene

 This too shall pass.

 Junk food Irene 'forced us to buy'

 Home sweet Home

Coloring books, cookies, and candles.  We were all set.

 Assisting Sidra Bell at a photoshoot.

 JoJo was at the photoshoot.  Love that girl.

 Dying to get out of the apartment we snuck into Central Park.

 Shakepeare's Garden.

 Dance friendlies bring me joy.

 Beautiful weather after the storm.  Spent the day in the park.

Reunited and it feels so good.

Dancing Makes Me Feel Alive

I knew that this year was going to bring so many new life experiences, but I wasn't fully prepared for them to happen in the first week.  Hurricane Irene was in full force headed to the city that never sleeps this past weekend, and for the most part we seemed to scare her away.  While for the most part the city seems untouched, there are a few places outside Manhattan that have a different story to tell.  Relieved to have not been effected by the storm, but also a little bummed.  You see Molly and I were fully prepared for the end of the world.  Thanks to both of our loving and worried mothers, we followed direction and stocked up on water, junk food, flashlights, batteries, and candles.  When the news of losing power hit our apartment, we weren't nervous, but rather excited.  Spending Saturday night indoors allowed for our creativity to fill the room.  Needless to say, one very well built fort and three DVD's later Molly and I were ready for anything.  So when we managed to have power throughout it all we were a little bummed.  After 10 minutes that wore off,  still more thankful than anything. 

In search for a job, I somehow managed to get a feel for both ends of the spectrom (never was the greatest at spelling).  Once immediately hired on the spot (in a pizzeria across the street) I was asked to answer phone calls for delivery, fine by me.  Until I found out I was the only one to not speak Spanish, and the reputation of the restuarant was anything but reassuring.  After having a mini pannick attack it was by pure faith that I was called into another interview.  This time at a high end French cuisine type dealio.  After a very proper and comforting interview I was told to report tomorrow at 10AM for training as a hostess.  So I briskly went to the closest department store to buy some work clothes (I didn't have a fancy black dress to meet the occasion).  I am equally relieved and excited.  Although I will have to work on finding some clothes to wear to work, I feel much more comfortable knowing everyone working there speaks English.  Praise God. 

I truly an thankful for having a joy that keeps me smiling.  I can not express how much dancing fills me with a joy without words, yes that might possibly be an oxi-morron.  Not only this, but it continually surprises and inspires me as well.  Taking a commercial jazz class tonight left me on cloud nine and a half.  A feeling I could not put a price tag on.  So as I continually worry about the future, I am reassured by the understanding of that all will be well.  And that the joy of dancing in this world won't compare to the joy of dancing above. 

Back where I belong

Yesterday started off a little on the gloomy side by a monsoon at 4AM.  This left me unable to fall back asleep before getting up at 5:30 to begin my journey east.  Little to my surprise the day would bring more than one episode by mother nature.  As I was landing my excitement seemed to be lost amung confusion.  Earthquake? Apparently all of LGA Airport was in mass chaos, or so it seemed.  People everywhere were not happy, to say the least.  As I made my way to baggage it was clear that something went down that I simply missed out on.  Praise God I did! 

Being reunited with a close friend ranks pretty high up on my list of things I cherish.  As we carried my two oversized and bulky suitcases up the stairs I couldn't help but smile.  This was my home.  The night was spent getting organized and laughing at the past year we spent, as well as giving virtual tours VIA skype to our roomies not yet here.  Finally home!

Today we spent roaming the city, being New Yorkers and all.  Central Park was gorgeous, as well as seeing another friend from the past year.  Dancing again with Molly was what I needed all summer.

Today was perfect, all is well here. 

 Sunflower of great magnitude

 Fresh from the garden, soon to be fresh jam.

 Wedding outside in July.  Hello heat and humidity.

 No standing; only dancing. Changed out of wedding dress to dance.

 Miguel, Niki, Ashley, Mary Kate, Alysaa

 Favorite two boys. James Jr on the phone with James.

 I'll miss that smile.

 Precious.

His laugh melts my heart.

Blessings in Disguise

It is so easy to take daily life for granted.  It happens to everyone.  For me, it seems to be the little things that hit me in the face saying 'don't forget, you are alive and well'.  This summer has been full of them.  I find myself looking back (as the summer comes to an end) with a happy heart to have been able to share these memories with my family.  A flourishing garden, 'family of four' graduating to five, and surprisingly a kidney stone.  This summer has been simple, yet forever rewarding. 

It never ceases to amaze me how God provides.  Growing up with my Aunt has proven to be such a blessing, as she has always been a second mom to us.  She has the biggest heart.  Her garden seems to be a reflection of all her love.  Every time I smell that fresh mix of vegetables and flowers I am amazed.  It truly is one of the most gorgeous things. 

I have been blessed to have found a family of friends. They hold a special place in my heart, always will.  Ashley is truly phenominal.  Words can not describe the memories we have made.  Our little 'family of four' has now become the 'family of five' as we welcomed Miguel into our clan.  I can not be happier for Ashley.  I feel honored to have been invited to their wedding.  Gathered in the gardens of a mansion outside of Kansas City, a very small number of family and friends watched as the two became one.  Not a dry eye in those white picket chairs.  One word, love.  That is what that weekend was filled with.

Pain is subject to the beholder.  Kidney stones rank pretty high up there.  This last weekend I was blessed with the gift of a little pebble nesting in my kidney.  As I look back, I am saddened to see how much it took for me to realize how much there is to appreciate in life.  While the pain was very real, so is the pain suffered by homeless, hungry, and sick.  I am alive and well. 

New Beginnings

Here I am, sitting on my couch listening to the neighbor's dog barking, basking in the fresh cool breeze and the smell of fresh strawberry jam.  In one short week my life as I know it will change forever.  I will take that step into the unknown trusting that there indeed is a plan for me.  Last night my mom and I purchased that one way ticket to the city of dreams one more time.  This time it was a different feel, this time we knew it was certain.  Last year at about this time we were at the same place, but under the impression I would be home at Christmas to stay.  But as everyone knows, change is inevitable.  It won't be long and I will see them again, but there was something very exciting and nerve racking this time around. 

As I prepare for yet another great journey life takes me on I can't help but be thankful for where I am from.  The midwest mentality grows deep in my bones, as it was instilled as a child that nothing comes without hard work and dedication.  But let us not forget the love and compassion of my family.  Without them I would be a lost soul on this crazy earth.  But most importantly the faith to be confident that there is a plan that I can't see, and that I am covered in His grace and love.  All of these things make me who I am today, and for that I would not trade grwoing up in small town Iowa for anything, although Hawaii is very tempting! 

I hope that this journey will only make me stronger, which I know it will.  Learning by; trial and error, mistakes, and opportunities not taken... But also by successes, goals reached, and pure luck- I know that this year will be filled with everything one can hope for and more. 

So here goes, ready or not!