Something Good has Gone.

A year ago we had a turn-over in my apartment. My two former roommates moved out, and I had to begin the search for new roommates. Fortunately, my good friend Jake was moving to NYC from LA, so that took care of one room. Unfortunately, after searching for a friend (or friend of a friend) who needed an apartment, Jake and I were forced to resort to Craigslist for a roomie. Now, in any other city, I would have my own apartment (or a house), but things are different in NYC.
Anyway, I was sure I would have to sort through a list of crazies until I found someone who was barely decent. Never did I allow myself to dream that I might just find the most perfect person/roommate/friend to live with.
After some emailing, a few phone calls, and one meeting, it was determined that Chris would be our new roommmate. From the first interaction I knew he would be great.
Not only was he a wonderful roommate, but over the course of the past year, has become one of my best friends. I love this man. I adore his friends. I respect his loyalty. I admire his taste and talents. I envy his tan.
Like all good things, this too came to an end- much sooner than either of us anticipated. Chris was offered a great job opportunity touring with the Bway show "Spring Awakening." Of course, I was (am) excited for him, but it killed me to say goodbye to him.
Chris, this post is a dedication to you. Thank you for making 2007-2008 so amazing.
Come back home soon! 969 will always be extraordinary, but it is not the same without you.


House Warming Party.


New Years Eve 2007/8.


The besties partying it up on a cold NYC night.


Going away party for Chris at Therapy.

Seriously? Seriously!?!?!

So, I made it throught the rough white water rapids of the Balsa River without injury.
Zip lined through the rain forests without injury.
Hiked the uneven hills of Costa Rica and walked across swinging suspension bridges without injury.
Climbed the 10,000 steps (or so it seemed) in the rain to our mountain villa without injury.




On my way to a birthday party on my first day back in NYC on FLAT DRY PAVEMENT, I do this to myself.
Anyone surprised?
(The light fails to capture just how bruised and swollen my ankle is). Just ugly.

You are the one, my True Companion.

Weddings are always a big deal.
When your best friend gets married, it's a really big deal.
When your best friend gets married to another great friend, it's a fantastic deal.
When your best friend gets married to another great friend on the beach in Costa Rica- it is an Absolutely Fabulous Very Big Deal.







Carlos, you are my bestie and have been for nearly a decade. You are extraordinary. Joe, you were part of the 'family' three years ago. Now it's official. I love you.
Carlos and Joe, I love you both so much. I am so glad I was able to be there to celebrate with you. Of course, I/we did provide some pretty amazing music for the occasion. :)

Pura Vida!

I just returned from my much anticipated trip to Costa Rica. It was AMAZING!
This trip was initiated by Carlos as he chose Tamarindo (on the west coast) to be the destination spot for his wedding celebration.
Our group of close friends naturally took this opportunity to have a grand vacation.
Traveling in a group more than 3 people is never easy. However, I have to give credit to Carlos and Joe. We hit three different towns and everything was so well organized- rental cars, drivers, hotels, catered meals, etc...







Highlights include:
Seeing Arenal Volcano erupt
Waterslide and hot springs at Baldi Hot Springs
White Water Rafting on the Balsa River
Private Villa in Tamarindo (with private pool)
Reading in the Hammock
Dance Party 2008 in the pool
Group Whirlpool!
Skinny dipping at Midnight
Sunsets in both Tamarindo and Monteverde
Meeting and becoming friends with Jason and Yoav
Canopy/Zipline tour through the Rain Forest (above the clouds at some points)
Suspension Bridge Walk through the Rain Forest
Birthday dinner for Patrick
... and of course...
The most beautiful wedding ceremony I have ever been a part of!

A few of the things I love.

I love the 4th of July.
I love being home with family.
I love being an Aunt.
I love Rexburg.
Last month, I got to enjoy them all at the same time.





My dad took my golfing for the first time. Turns out... for a first timer... I am not too bad. I can now add "Golf" to the list of things I love.

4th of July- Unexpected Family Time

I love the 4th of July. Next to Christmas, it is by far my favorite holiday. Not because I am all that Patriotic (especially the past 8 years or so), but because it is a time to gather with family and friends without all the hype, cost, and stress of other holidays. Also, there is usually a bar-b-que and watermelon involved.
On Sunday June 29th I got a call from home that my Grandpa had passed away. I immediately made plans to head back to Idaho and left the following day.
It was wonderful to be home with my family- and all the extended family. I got to see cousins, enjoy the 4th with my neice and nephews, and celebrate the life of my extraordinary Grandpa.



My Grandpa, William Alexander Henderson grew up a Montana Cowboy who later served in the Navy and was at Pearl Harbor the morning of December 7, 1941. He loved rodeos, parades, and time with family. I would like to think that having his Memorial Service on July 5th and giving the entire extended family a chance to spend the 4th of July together was just one more gift for his family.

As one of the grandchildren, I was asked to speak and share some personal memories of my Grandpa. It was a great opportunity to reflect on my memories of him and share those with my family. I am sorry that I was not able to see him and say goodbye, but I am reminded how lucky I am to have such a supportive and loving family.

life is hard without my PC

To my TWO faithful readers,
These past few weeks have been packed full of events... the 4th of July, an unexpected trip to Idaho after the death of my dear Grandpa, preparing for Costa Rica, etc...
However, I foolishly left my laptop charger in Idaho and am unable to upload any photos (and we all know how dull blog posts without photos are).
Trust that there will be TONS of great pics and stories (posted in roughly 7-10 days).

Becoming more Self-Aware

So, most of the time I am pretty docile. I like to chill at home, hang with friends, generally roll with the punches. Sure I get impatient and frustrated at times... we all do. However, I am becoming more aware of my inability to back down when I feel like I am being attacked. Unfortunately, my instinct is to fight back and not hesitate to hit below the belt. Recently, this has back-fired and I may have hurt some feelings along the way. All I can say is I am sorry- I am trying to think before I speak, but if people would just GET OFF MY BACK AND ACT LIKE NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM!!!
Also, if everyone around me could never make mistakes, read my mind, and overlook my many many imperfections, I think we would all get along perfectly.
Am I being irrational? :)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!

Yesterday was Father's Day. To celebrate my amazing dad I found a few minutes to call him on my way to the grocery store. A few days earlier I ordered a gift from Amazon.com- I did not even have to wrap or mail anything. Now, I know my dad appreciated the phone call (and especially the gift), but it does not seem quite enough for the man who worked a second job so I could go to Ski school, drove through the night with no sleep on family vacations, and now that I am WELL into adulthood, continues to take me grocery shopping and slip me cash whenever I go home to visit.
This cyber shout out goes to Chris Mann. Husband and Father extraordinaire. I love you pops.

Grief and Memory Lane

A dear dear frient of mine recently endured what must be the most horrible experience a parent can face- losing her two year old daughter. Molly and I grew up together and while I still consider her a close friend, years and distance have made it impossible to see much of each other anymore.
Over the past three weeks, since I first heard of little Lucy's death, I have been thinking of Molly and her family every day. Thinking not only of Molly, but of all my friends and experiences from those magical Toeshime days. This tragedy has generated the gathering of so many people that I had lost contact with, and an overflowing of memories and love for the time I spent with the old gang back at college.
This post is a tribute to Molly NNNOOOoooo McButter Bice Jackson- one of the most loved and adored gals I know.
My dear Molly, please know that I love you and think about you every day. Know that your strength amazes me, the love you have shown lifts me, and your faith inspires me. If you stumble across this post, I hope you enjoy some of these pics from the old (old old) days.

Feels like a heatwave... only hotter.

NYC 'enjoyed' its first heat wave of the season this week. Ironicially, we are on day 4 of no A/C in my office. I am miserable. I have refilled my water bottle about 12 times today already. I look something like this....

VEGAS BABY!

For Paul's Bday this May, it was decided that we would celebrate this year in Vegas.

Carlos and I flew into town a few days before the rest of the gang and had some great time just the two of us. I loved being there with Carlos, and (with one brief exception) we did not fight at all. I especially enjoyed hanging out with Carlos and my parents. My favorite quote of the weekend was "Jeez Karyn! Now I see where you get your impatience. You are your dad are exactly alike."

Now, growing up in Idaho and going to school in Utah, I have spend PLENTY of time in Vegas. However, this was not the Vegas of my college years.

We had two enormous suites at the Venetian hotel, 5th row center orchestra seats to Cher, and more amazing meals in three days than I usually have in several months. It was wonderful!

Besides the events already mentioned... highlights include seeing my parents (who just happened to be in town), Bellagio Fountain views from Jerry's hotel room, seeing old friends, and spending the day at the pool. I am OFFICIALLY a fan of destination birthdays!