goodbyes and visits

I’ve known Kate since I first interned out here four years ago and she’s finally left the city as a college grad and is now a married woman (as of Saturday). We’ve had lots of random adventures and tried all sorts of recipes, races and restaurants together. For our final dinner we just went to Justin Timberlake’s restaurant, Southern Hospitality, on the UES. While I generally oppose all things Eastside, it was actually rather cheap and tasty, and I would totally go there again for a pulled pork sandwich. Kate, you are already missed.


Jamie came out to visit in May during her summer break. She came was a great visitor because she mostly just ran errands with me. She came out last year around Easter so she’s seen much of the city. We should have bought tickets in advance to a Broadway show to make sure we did something New Yorky, but unfortunately her only non-chore activities included eating at a Thai restaurant with a co-ed bathroom (weird, even though we were the only people in there) with some of my friends from work, and Saturday brunch below Riverside Park with some of our other friends. Both of these activities were followed by a trip to the store and with her lugging groceries too heavy for me to carry on my own. Also, she introduced me to Bananagrams whichs is like speed Srabble and it pretty much super fun. It was a blessing to have her out here. We love our Jamiefriend.





Next, Heidi left us for grad school in Vegas. We are so sad to see her go, but are excited for all that lays ahead of her. I’m also jealous she’s in grad school. She started as an intern and soon made more money than I did working in the Nielsen Sports department. The office is less fun and less colorful without her. She was family out here for sure – she went on field trips to the Museum of Natural History with us, to the movies, baby sat me when I had a root canal (come to think of it, Kate took a turn at that as well), and even ventured out in search of an IHOP in Brooklyn with us once. A good sport, and a good friend.



Most recently, Jon’s whole family came out for a visit over the 4th of July. Jordan’s family had been out here when he was serving a mission so he’d always felt slighted and wanted to come out so Jen planned the trip as a birthday gift and before ya knew it, it was another Petersen family reunion! This was the weekend following Jon’s Monday appendectomy, so between his sore abdomen, and my swollen feet we were lucky they mostly entertained themselves. We went to a Yankee’s game on the 4th, caught some of the fireworks in Riverside Park , ate at some favorite restaurants and rode the Staten Island Ferry with them. They took the red tour busses all over, went to Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building, had cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery (Darn this diabetes! Magnolia cupcakes are totally on my post delivery must have list), and played in Central Park. I think our favorite part of the trip was the few minutes all of them were in our apartment on evening after we ate at Saigon Grill.






Friends and family are always welcome!