We're from Utah

We took a day trip up to New York on Saturday for our Valentine's celebration. The funniest part of the trip had to be on the subway. It was totally packed, and we were standing next to a group of guys hitting on a group of girls. One of the guys asked the girls where they were from. “We’re from Utah,” was the reply. It was classic to watch them do small talk until the girls got off. Then we got to see what happens after you tell someone you’re from Utah and leave! They started going on about Mitt Romney and how hooking up with some girls from Utah was not a possibility. Such opinions these guys had!

So, what's a trip to New York without a musical and some good food? We stopped in the East Village for some sushi and a teriyaki chicken bento box, and then we saw The Color Purple. The voices were amazing, of course. In my opinion, it was an extremely deep message for a musical – maybe one we weren’t exactly prepared for. I read the book for school, but didn’t remember it very well and Alex had never read the book. I guess that it was just a part of opening up our minds to the struggles that African American women faced in the rural south, and continue to face.

After the musical we stopped for some fine Italian food at Trattoria Trecolori. The food was excellent, as was the atmosphere. Highly recommended – but I’d suggest making a reservation before you go!

Our last stop in New York was Toys ‘R’ Us. We made the best find there. For Christmas, my mom bought my two-year-old nephew some wooden cutting food by Melissa and Doug. He LOVED it! After opening that present, he wasn’t interested in any other presents. This is what it looks like.

Anyway, so in the Toys ‘R’ Us store, we found the most perfect thing by Melissa and Doug – a wooden sushi cutting set! This is definitely on our list of ‘must-haves’ for our baby girl!

Home Buying 101

So lately Alex and I have had our TV permanently on HGTV, where we watch shows about buying your first home, remodeling homes, and selling homes. This is a bad idea for people who are house hungry! We are firm believers in living close to where you work, and so far we haven’t accomplished that since moving to Philly. Alex’s commute is about 25 minutes by train, and mine is about 45 minutes by car (ugh). So yes, we are definitely leaving an environmental footprint.

We’ve found a few houses that definitely have potential, but they a) are too expensive, b) are in a not-so-safe neighborhood, c) need remodeling, or d) are too far away from Alex’s work. We both know that at some point we’re going to need to reach a compromise on what actually is the most important to us. So, for any of you out there who have bought a home, please, we need your advice!

Here are two houses that we like. Both have pros and cons, as I'm sure most houses do.



PS - we've been preapproved! Let the buying begin!