What a week!!

What a week!!

I spent Monday morning and afternoon with Katie and Ashley before they left.  I so enjoyed their visit and hated to see them leave.  We had some fun adventures.

Kids and puddles!!  What are we to do with them.

We took refuse from the down pour and wind for about 45 minutes
in a delivery tunnel under the Natural History Museum.

Monday morning it poured but Ashley's last request was to go to the turtle pond in Central Park.

Ashley at Turtle Pond

Small feathered friends looking for crumbs which Ashley lovingly dispensed

The turtles couldn't compete with the ducks for the bread but Ashley discovered that the ducks
only went for the big chunks so by crumbling the bread, the turtles were able to get their treats.

 

Looking across Turtle Pond

Belvedere Castle

Because ticks are problematic in this area, the mission department asked us to provide permethrin, which is a tick/insect insecticide, and OFF Deep Woods insect repellent for each set of missionaries.  (I told you last week about my adventures in purchasing 100 cans of OFF.)  The permethrin is applied to clothing, not the skin.

I received the order of permethrin concentrate and bottles from church distribution, so Tuesday was "mix the permethrin day."

Permethrin concentrate

Bottles ready to fill

Task completed ready to deliver by zones

Wednesday I went to Brooklyn to deliver permethrin to 2 different zones and then to Staten Island.  I arrived in Staten Island just as the district was ending a meeting.  I offered treats so we went to an ice cream store that happened to be offering buy one and get one free for shakes and sundaes.  Love these missionaries!!  They take me to all kinds of great eating establishments.

Verrazano Narrows Bridge

Staten Island Missionaries

I have been invited by several sets of missionaries to go to lunch or dinner before I leave, so on Thursday I had lunch in Flushing at my favorite place, Airang, to get chicken noodle soup.  The noodles are of two types, flat and long.  They are thick, handmade, and delicious in the soup.  I also love the kim chi and especially the pickled daikon at this restaurant.

Kim chi and pickled daikon. (I know there is a Korean name for the daikon but I can't remember it.)

The soup!

Sisters Yu and Larsen

I can't go to Flushing without getting a duke.

in The French Bakery

Then for dinner I went to Astoria to Jackson Diner, an Indian restaurant/buffet in Little Bombay.

Various curries, chick peas  and
a fried dumpling of sorts. Had my first goat curry.

I saw this unusual fruit (Jackfruit) at a street fruit/vegetable market.
I would like to know what it tastes like. Maybe I'll buy one....

74th Street in "Little Bombay"

Sisters Panoussi and Kim

Friday I drove out to Long Island to deliver permethrin to two more zones.  I had lunch in New Hyde Park and dinner in Hicksville.

McDonalds Mansion in New Hyde Park. Yes they have a drive-through and EVERYTHING
just like your average McDonalds except it is more magnificent!!

Lunch crew. While I was eating lunch with the zone leaders, 4 more elders came unexpected.
Nice to see all of them. Elders Brown, Weisler, Casares-Lauritsen, Asplund, Stoker, Budge

Dinner with Elders McConkie and Barker

Saturday I went by subway (75 minutes) to have lunch with sisters at Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge.

When I got on the subway and sat down, I notice a tasty aroma in the air but I couldn't quite identify it.
Then I noticed the lady next to me was eating a plain boiled potato. I wanted a bite. I must have been hungry.

Cute passenger.

Plague on the wall outside the door of Grimaldis Pizza Restaurant.

Grimaldis from across the street.

My lunch companions Sisters Ashford and Jofre

Saturday evening I went with Sister and Elder Williams and Jay Stonehill who attends the William's branch in Flushing.  Jay is a New York City native.  He has never ventured farther west than a point, I believe he said, in Maryland.  He has not been far from his home.

Jay is most knowledgeable about the city and is an excellent teacher.  He gave us a tour of the buildings on 42nd Street in Manhattan.  It was fascinating.  I have a few pictures to add but if you really want to know what I learned, I have added links that you may read.

Bryant Park. Free movie night in the park is Monday.
The park is behind the New York City Library. Below the park is the book stacks for the library.
The library is not a lending library but you may read or study books on premise

The Chrysler Building.  One of my favorite buildings in the city.

A small original building on 42nd Street not torn down to build skyscrapers.

 

Mailbox

Doorway and lighting

In the foyer looking toward the door

Mural in the foyer

Mural on the ceiling in the foyer

Difficult to see but the elevators and walls of the foyer are inlaid wood.

 Grand Central Terminal (Station)

This is a vital part of transportation now and more so in the past. (Interesting read)

Grand Central Market. One of the numerous shops, stores, and eating establishments in the terminal.

Interesting facade

Stainless steel exterior closeup

Stainless steel building

The Daily News Building. Read this article to find out about the globe and some Super Hero information...

I just liked this roof top

At dusk looking west on 42nd Street into New Jersey from a bridge

Same view with light adjustment.

We saw other buildings that are important such as the United Nations Building but I talked about the UN in a previous blog so I will not discuss here.

After our street tour, we took a bus to China Town for dinner at Joe's Ginger.  Last week I had soup dumplings with Katie and Ashley at Joe's Shanghai.  That was our original destination on Saturday but Joe's Shanghai had a LONG wait to get in so we went down the street to Joe's Ginger and walked right in.  Both restaurants are owned by the same person and the food is equally good but for some reason, Joe's Shanghai is more popular.

We had soup dumplings. Since I described them last week
I won't describe again except to say they are always delicious!

After dinner we went to the waterfront and took the East River Ferry from Lower Manhattan to Long Island City/ Hunter's Point on the Queens side of the river.

We passed under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges.
In these pictures I can't tell them apart.

Empire State Building from the river

The Pepsi Cola Sign in Long Island City is a landmark.
It can be seen at great distance. Read about this icon.

It was an educational, food filled, fun evening!

Sunday was an emotional day for me as it was my last day as the chorister for the Primary in the Rego Park Ward.  The children made cards for me and sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me".  Of course I cried buckets.  What a sweet experience.

To end the day, after the missionaries ate dinner and before they left, I asked them to carry the 3 folding tables and 16 folding chairs to the storage area downstairs as that would be the last Sunday I would be preparing dinner for them.  I was so emotional and trying hard not to cry that I forgot to get a picture of our dinner.  My memories will be cherished.

To make the week complete, some sweet sisters left roses for me.  I feel especially blessed.

The song that the Primary children sang to me today fills my heart with love and gratitude for my Savior and all that he has done for me:

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure?
Would His presence give me strength and hope, and courage to endure?
Would His counsel guide my actions? Would I choose more worthily
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I often kneel to pray?
Would I listen to the Spirit's voice, and hasten to obey?
Would I count my many blessings? Would I praise Him gratefully
If I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I comfort those in need?
Would I try to show the Savior's love in every word and deed?
Would I give to those who hunger? Would I serve more willingly
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

He is always near me, though I do not see Him there
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care
So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.

I love you my family and friends.