Whirlwind NY Trip (updated 1/19/10)

Everyone has been texting, calling, messaging... writing on my wall "How did it go?" or "How was New York?".... so I am answering you all now :-) (update: did not get the job, but I am okay with it :) ) This was a great trial run of many runs I will have until something bites. My love for the city increased, I got a taste of a day in the city, and seeing a need and a need for hope!

Started with a very turbulent ride on a red eye flight that landed in JFK at 5:30am EST... so given.... sleep did not happen as I was hoping. The trip went way too fast. Only had the chance to spend 1 day in the city. Now, I didn't see it from a tourist perspective, but as a perspective resident. I wanted to see the areas I am most interested in living in over in Manhattan. I wanted to explore more of Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown, and I have heard conflicting things about the bottom of East Harlem (where alot of celebs are moving these days), but there was just no time. I flew out of Burbank Thursday night at 9:pm and with the time change in effect landed in New York (JFK) at 5:20am. Went right to the city. Got to see some Today Show action, and alot of the downtown (Times Square) and Garment District. So, I got a small peak. I interviewed at 2 and met with 3 people. I first met with the HR Coordinator/Director and she was wonderful and very sweet. We talked about my goals professionally and personally and she told me more about how well the company treats its members and whatnot. It was all good information. I next met with Kristen who is the Director of Events/Conferences and her assistant i.e. Manager. Both sweet girls. In their 20's, and have been with the company awhile. It is a not for profit company called Association for National Advertisers. They put on conferences, meetings, and events to assist in the marketing efforts of over 400 companies that are in their membership. It is a growing company in Manhattan in Midtown East. They actually have two positions open. The Coordinator position, which is the original one I applied for would also be traveling out of town up to 10 times a year, and the other is mainly based in New York and the events and conferences that take place there. It is an entry level position. The interview went pretty good. Couple of questions still catch me off guard like "What are your weaknesses?". No matter how many times I am asked "Um" is the first word to proceed from my mouth. So, this week I may hear something about them. I did write my thank you letter too. I took the taxi from downtown area on Madison and 50th over to the interview at 3rd and 44th. I felt all super savvy like I have done this a ton of times and it was coming naturally. Then walked back from there to Rockafeller Center. Along the way I was just observing my surroundings. My heart was so there. I was also going a bit further. The song that came to mind as I passed some of the neediest people in the most affluent area of the city was "God of this City". And it is so true. With the many, many churches in the area there are still people who need to be reached out to. People who are looking for hope. And my heart just tugged for them. My time in the city also included a walk by the Today Show and getting a wave from the Today show team... through some glass of course.

Saturday was laid back and did go to the outlets in Riverhead out in Long Island and then out to the fam to spend the rest of the time with Patti, Dennis, Jayden, and Rebekkah. I got to see Krissie too, so it all worked out well. Dinner at Chili's, and just hung out and didn't do a whole lot. Got to meet my absolutely adorable baby cousin Rebekkah who just turned 7 months old and she is absolutely precious. Yesterday was a long one. Breakfast, some hanging out and then Patti made sure I ended my trip with some New York Pizza so went to a place and got some amazing pizza. And yes Patti, next time I am there we so need to eat there for dinner. And then off to the airport. I didn't freeze the whole weekend. The city was 47 degrees most of the day Friday and Long Island was not too bad. It was hailing and raining when I left, but it was good prep for the California weather I was returning to. Got through some of the easiest security at JFK. Check-in, with bags, and security all in under 15 minutes. Killed some time in the terminal getting some phone calls in and watching the Office. The plane that was Burbank bound (my flight) was late boarding 30 minutes, and when we did board.... we were told we would be taxi'ing for an hour before we could take off because there were about 80 planes delayed as well that have flight times before us. So after all that, watching the Golden Globes on the plane (Go Direct TV), landed back in stormy and rainy California in one piece at 11:pm. Made the drive home and was in Arroyo Grande at 2:30am. So it was a too fast trip. I missed everyone so much. Wish I could have seen Ashley and Astro.

Leaving NY was hard. I had the same sinking heart like when I moved from SLO to SD. My heart is definitely in that place. I see a need as well aside from starting my career. I see God having big things in store, and I hope that is where he puts me. The people I observed and feeling this overwhelming burden of things... I know God can use me there. No matter where he puts me into a church... He has big plans. He has big plans for my life.... and they are there. When? I don't know. The job I won't find out til this week or so if I will be having a second interview (by phone) with the CEO. So definite prayer for that and prayer for NYC. Prayer for HIS hope and HIS comfort on the people. That the whole city would hear and come to know Jesus! The looming darkness is great.... and it definitely needs lights of the world.


"God of this City" -Chris Tomlin
You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

There is no one like our god
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here
fittin' like a glove in New York City!
Meredith Viera, Matt Lauer, and Al Rucker is behind in the studio
Notice the left of this pic Kim and Kristi (Chuck commercial between the two billboards)
Another Empire State Building Shot



update: I did find out that I did not get the job as of 1/19/2010 and I am okay with it. I have a peace about that knowing God has something else for me... and my heart is still there... and I don't think the direction has changed. Maybe just how I get there and when :)