The Big Apple

Yesterday I was feeling pretty good so I decided to head to Manhattan with Tom. I don't get to see much of Tom these days since he works so much, so it was nice to go and see what his work days are like. Plus I was feeling a little gypped since I turned the big 24 on Monday but I didn't get to do what I wanted because it was pouring rain and there was a tornado warning!
I have to say that there is never a shortage of entertainment in the city. You don't even have to pay a penny and you can be entertained ALL day! I wish that I could have taken pictures of all the crazy things I saw yesterday, but it probably would have been really rude to take pictures of all the crazy people (of course, they probably wouldn't have noticed), but all I got a picture of was the pigeons, since I figured they wouldn't be hurt.

So, these may be one of those "you had to be there" kinda things, but I still want to share. The first thing I saw when I got off the train was this man who literally looked like the ape on the Geico commercial! He was eating an ice cream cone and was REALLY into it if you know what I mean.
Next, I saw a man singing in the train station who was dressed up like Charlie Chaplin--I thought it was funny.
Then, there was the woman walking down the street wearing nothing but a t-shirt and a diaper...yes, you read right, a diaper! As crazy as this sounds, it's actually not the first time I have seen this! I don't know if it was the same lady, but a few years ago I saw the same sight...only difference was she was walking a dog.
Then of course you have the naked cowboy! He is always a sight to see! Don't worry folks, this picture was taken a few years ago when I was more "adventurous"...I wouldn't go anywhere near the naked cowboy these days! (I cut off the bottom of the picture to save us all the pain!..and by the way if you don't know, he really isn't naked...they just call him that since all he wears are tighty whities!) Oh, and I can't leave out the tin man. If you've never seen him it's just this man that walks around wearing silver and his entire body is painted silver. 

As we were walking to the subway we saw another women who was VERY into her ice cream! She was looking at it as though it was the most interesting thing she had seen in all her life (of course she was on drugs). Someone must have gone around buying the homeless and drug addicted ice cream yesterday!
Anyway, the list could go on and on....and on (if you've been to NY you know what I mean). I hope nobody thinks I am horrible for making fun of these people, it's just very interesting to me. You don't see these kind of things where I am from.
When I first moved here it was a bit of a culture shock...and I must admit I hated it! But now, I just love seeing how different things can be. Living in NY to me is honestly like a whole other country (of course if you ask anyone that is from here they will say that NY is the country).

So, if any of you were worried about me not getting enough culture in my life...come to NY! If I just took you to church on Sunday you would see what I mean. Half my ward ONLY speaks Spanish, one or two speak Korean...and then there are about 3 families like Tom and I who only  speak English. I was very confused one Sunday when I walked  in and in order to hear sacrament meeting in English you had to have headphones through which the missionaries translate. 

Anyway, I  decided to make the best of everything and just enjoy the "culture" of NY since I am probably going to be living here for a good portion of my life. It's not that I don't like it here, it's just that well...if you know me, you know that being here is a little out of my bubble. I love the trees, I love being near family (that is a HUGE help since I am prego), I love how the women in Relief Society at church are so happy I am here (I got called as the music director after one week! I'm surprised out of all the different types of people, nobody plays the piano!), and I love the weather and when the trees change colors in the fall. 

Well...here's to The Big Apple!