2013-06-16 First week in New York

1) Getting adjusted to the schedule and operations of the Manhattan Temple has been a challenge. We've enjoyed getting to know the Davises who live next door and work the same shifts as we do, but they work longer hours since they are missionaries and we are 'volunteers' or 'seasonal ordinance workers'. The five missionary couples and the presidency do much of the administrative work of the temple.

2) Bike riding and walking in Central Park has been a highlight. The park is beautiful and well maintained and, while full of people, seems rural and sylvan. 3) Biking around Manhattan has been fun, but Paula is sure she doesn't want to venture out on the streets again after we rode over to the East River and back across 20th Street to the west side.

4) A visit to The Frick Collection, which involved two walking trips across the park because of a forgotten umbrella, was interesting and enjoyable.

5) We attended a rehearsal performance by the NY Philharmonic Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center. Tickets were $20 each - a real bargain. The Davises told us about the concert and went with us. 6) We've grocery shopped at a number of stores including Whole Foods, Gourmet Garage, Trader Joe's, Aldi,Western Beef, Fairway Market, Target and Costco spending $425 on food. The trip to Costco with the Davises was memorable including a subway ride to Harlem, a bus across Harlem and a walk to Costco. The return trip was in the rain. 7) We've eaten out at Melissa's Gourmet Deli, Fairway Market, Whole Foods, Burrito Junction (with Janet and Larry Peterson, Wondee Siam II (with the Davises), and two different street vendors. We've also bought a cookie, an ice cream cone, some loaves of bread, and other things at street vendors. Total spent was $150 meaning we've spent $575 on food during our first week in New York.

8) We went shopping at Macy's, DSW, Talbot, Chico, GeoX, Fox, Tani, Harry's Shoes and a department store across the street from us looking for white temple shoes. The pair from the distribution center are too big, the pair from DSW pinches toes. 9) We walked across the park to Sarabeths for breakfast with Blair Garff. This restaurant used to be called Rumplemeyers and we ate there with our family in 1993. Too much food and too pricey for regular eating in my opinion since I have never been fond of breakfast dining. 10) We've also shcpped at CVS, Rite Aid, Duane Reade and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Sue Garff took Paula to Bed Bath and Beyond to find a few items for our apartment including a peeler and mirror. 11) I drove Blair Garff to the airport and he generously granted permission to his car next week while Mindy, Jonathan and Abby are visiting.