Not-so-breaking news!

A few things have happened recently that has made it clear to me that maybe people aren’t aware that I moved to New York...more than a year ago. 

1.     The congregation I attended for church in San Francisco has a new twitter feed.  Two weeks ago I got a notification that they were following me.  Last week, I got a notification that I had been mentioned in a tweet.  Sorry kids, won’t be making it to a church activity in San Francisco.

2.  On my birthday, I got a call from an unknown number.  Since I answer all calls on my birthday, I was surprised to hear my old bishop’s voice on the other line.  To be clear, he did not know who I was when I lived in San Francisco.  Very nice man – but seriously wouldn’t be able to pick me out of a lineup if his life depended on it.  I told Rachael to mention to his secretary that my birthday should be taken out of his calendar.  I’ll let you know next year if this has been done.  Help me, Rachael-wan-kenobi, you're my only hope {to avoid future awkward phone calls with someone who doesn't know me}

3.  A few months ago I went camping in Pennsylvania for a few days.  On my way out to the sticks, I noticed a phone call from a lifelong friend who reads this blog.  I listened to the voicemail and in it, my friend started talking about a restaurant in San Francisco that I have mentioned several times and then he said he was in San Francisco for work and wanted to know if I wanted to go grab dinner.  Yep - but it will take me a few hours to get there.

Moral of the story is: If you have been wondering why you haven't seen me in San Francisco lately, it is because I no longer live there.  I know that I traveled a lot when I lived there, but I have been alarmed at maybe how much I was gone if people don't even realize that I haven't been around for the past year.  I have my moments when I wish I were there with all my friends, but I currently live in New York City.  And I want to kiss it on the mouth almost every day.  Well, every day but last Saturday but that is something that I don't even want to talk about.

Improved Celeb Sightings

A few weeks ago my coworker burst into the office after lunch claiming to have ridden in the elevator with Beyonce.  It wasn't that I didn't believe her, but I figured it was a fluke.  Well, you should know that the two photos below were taken outside my office building in the past week and I have seen Beyonce and her baby bump with my own two eyes on both of these occasions.  Apparently she has an office in my office building.

And my one chance at talking to one of the most famous people in the world?  Of course I said something.  Remember that one time that I sat next to Scott Wolf during the taping of American Idol?  I totally talked to him and only told him that I loved him all through high school in my head.  Back to the story.  About two weeks ago I was waiting for the elevator at the end of the day with two of my coworkers and we were talking about what we were going to eat that night for dinner.  One of my coworkers was complaining that her future mother-in-law was making her corned beef that night when the elevator stopped and three people got in the lift with us.  All of a sudden we all realized that Beyonce was one of them and we just got huge eyes and tried to act totally normal.  So I said to my coworker "Corned beef, huh?"  Then I looked over at Beyonce's fingers texting away on her iphone and said "I like your nails! They look like little watermelons!"  I give myself an F.  Not sure if it is for FAIL or FREAKING AWESOME! For the record, she smiled and said thank you.

If I see her again today I will make sure to tell you what she will be wearing in her PEOPLE photo tomorrow.  She is for sure here again  - Pappa - Pappa - Pappa-RATZI  are all around the building.  Carry. On.

Live from New York, It's Stephanie's Life!

We all need weeks where we hit the recharge button.  This week has been one of those for me.  I went to bed at 8 o'clock on Monday night because I could barely keep my eyes open.  I was crafting while pretending to watch a baseball game with our neighbor and he had to cheer me on so that I could finish my craft before passing out.  Not even diet coke could help at that point.  I surrendered to my bed and it was delicious.

Waking up at 3am was not delicious.  But I digress.

We all know you are here for the photos.

Without further ado: This past week (or so) in photos!!

Slept in a bar.

Went to a floral design class.

Occupied Wall St.

Took a pic of my friend sleeping on the subway while listening to a homeless man sing "If you think I'm sexy"

Spent lots of hours sitting outside at Shake Shack enjoying the weather. 

Bought this fancy thing for my bedroom wall.  It is perfect for my room.

Added some adornments in the living room as well. 

Happy Fall!

Sky writing in Central Park on Sunday afternoon.  I'm glad I didn't see the more "threatening" messages!

Me with my new friend Jill.  She is all sorts of awesome.

Exciting things:

• I am heading to New Hampshire this weekend to do some leaf peeping, apple picking, and dance partying.  Huzzah for Fall!   
• Beyonce has an office IN MY OFFICE BUILDING.  I have seen her twice now.  We should talk about that some time.
• I got the new iPhone.  AEAEAEEAE
• San Franidazzle 2011 is happening.  eeek!

Three months late - San Francisco trip!

A few months ago I went to San Francisco and I just recently realized that I never put the photos up from that great/too short trip.  I was really lucky that my sister and her kids happened to plan a vacation there the same time that I was there, so I was able to see my always adorable niece and nephews and give them too much candy.

Can you blame me?!  Hannah - age 4.

My Uncle Mike.  He is the best.  I am his number one niece, after all.   

I asked Hannah to smile for the photo and this is what I got.  I would like to put her in my pocket so I can take her with me wherever I go.  She is a hoot.  

"Daniel, be sad!"

Sam & Ryan climbing in the tree outside Gram's house.  Lots of generations of Zundels have climbed those trees!

Me and my sis.

Gram & Hannah

Hannah is also the only child who will sit still long enough for a photo.  Can you tell?

Auntie Ilene & Daniel

My awesome Gram.  She is going to be 98 in December.  Can you believe it?

Deb & Blair.  Aren't they darling? 

Andrea!!!!!!

I already had this photo on my blog in the last few months, but I love it so much, that here it is again.  Cannot wait to see you in a few months!

Silvia drove up to see me from Santa Cruz - at the time she was about 7 months pregnant.  Isn't she the cutest pregnant lady?  Sil - thanks again for making the drive.  Gold star.

I'm not sure how well you can see this photo, but it is the fog rolling over the hills off the 280.  Oh, nostalgia.

Making the familiar drive over the Golden Gate Bridge on the way to my Gram's house. 

 Breakfasting with Jane.  

Lunching with some of my favorite old coworkers.  These ladies are the best.  

I will fully admit that when I walked into the lobby pictured below (my old office), I ran into an old coworker and started crying when she hugged me.  I think I just realized how much I really loved working for the Academy.  I still feel like they are my family and I am now for sure an eye doctor snob.  Walking down the hallway, people would say hi to me as if I was there every day and then a few steps later they would stop and say "Wait! You don't work here anymore!"  Speaks volumes for a company where hardly anyone leaves.  I miss you guys.

And last but not least, the view from Rachael's apartment at night.  I'm considering quitting my job and just occupying Rachael's living room.  I hear she makes good desserts, too.

 I'm going back to San Francisco in approximately 2 months and I can't wait.  Just, you know, visiting the pieces of my heart that I left behind.

Split Screen Sadness

You know in the movie "500 Days of Summer" when Tom is going to Summer's party and you see the split screen of reality vs. expectations?  I have felt recently in my life that a split screen like that would be applicable in many aspects.  As you can probably tell from my last post, I have been extremely frustrated with dating recently.  With LDS guys, with non-LDS guys.  Yep, I have been on dates with both flavors lately.  And now you want details.  I can tell.

The hard thing for me in this aspect is that you, my readers (fans), aren't all LDS or not.  So let me paint a picture for you of what some aspects of a given date are like:

Greeting with an LDS date:
We see each other and there might or might not be a hug that is definitely not super affectionate.  Things that might be said at this time - "How are you?"

Greeting with a non LDS date:
We see each other and there is a hug and a kiss on the cheek followed immediately by a "You look great!"  Then possibly a "How are you?"

During dinner we both have good conversation.  There might be an awkward moment with the non-LDS guy when I don't order an alcoholic beverage.  I will also say that in my most recent experiences, the LDS guy paid for me and the non-LDS guy didn't.

We leave dinner to go to our after-dinner activities.

LDS guy either has a plan that for some unexpected reason doesn't work out or hasn't made a plan and is now fumbling, trying to figure something out.  I make a suggestion.  We do that.

Non-LDS guy asks me if I want to go get another beverage.  I agree and we end up at a bar where we watch "the game" on TV and talk more while he puts a very G-rated move on me.  I am now drinking sparkling water, just to be completely clear.  Still awkward for my date that I am not drinking something a bit harder.

Saying goodbye with LDS guy: In my head I am wondering if he is going to escort me to either a) my home or b) the closest subway station.  Neither happens.  We have a very awkward goodbye that feels very much like "See ya, buddy!"  I walk myself to the subway very confused.  And upset.

Saying goodbye to the non-LDS guy: He has already asked me out on a second date while he is holding my hand walking me to the subway station without being asked.  He gives me a nice kiss goodnight and I go into the subway station and go home, not wondering what just happened.

The funny thing about BOTH of these scenarios is that they both ended up in the same result.  A few days later, it was either "I don't think that we are a great match" or "I didn't feel our relationship moving to the next level."  I will let you guess which response went with which scenario.  What I'm saying is that the result was the same in the end, but the delivery was totally different.  I think that both of the guys are really nice and I had fun with both of them.

There is a singles conference this weekend here in New York and let me tell you in my most monotone voice how excited I am to go to it.  Get me to a nunnery, STAT.  I think that I am just in a funk but it is nothing that a bunch of hummus and games of hearts can't cure.  Good thing I have a plethora of those in my life thanks to Costco and a very social roommate.  Thanks, friends.