New York

Wow. I am a lazy fool.

I have been back from New York two weeks already and I haven't even posted anything about it! So, here you go, boys and girls. New York. Andy-style.

I went to New York with my friend Katrina and her husband, Aaron. Lindsey also came with us. In fact, this entire trip was Lindsey's idea! She went up to go to the BlogHER Conference and she invited us to go, too! Obviously, I didn't go to the conference. I went to experience the city of dreams and see shows.

New York is a beautiful city. The skyline is spectacular.

When I was there, I got to see Central Park. It was crazy being in a forest-area in the middle of a huge city. We rented a boat for $12.00 and boated around. It took me a while to learn how to row again, but after 3 minutes, I got the hang of it and refused to let anyone else row. It was fun!

I also ate a lot of New York food. But, I didn't gain ONE SINGLE POUND! That was most likely due to the fact that I was walking everywhere, and that it was super hot and humid, too.

Visiting New York, for me, meant a lot of shows. I got to see three shows.

I saw American Idiot. The set was amazing! It actually won the Tony for best set. I spent $37.50 for a ticket 5 rows away from the stage and off to the right.

On Friday, I spent $40.00 for Mezzanine seating to see Phantom of the Opera. Andrew Lloyd Webber is a musical genius. Even if you don't like his music. Just listen to "Primadonna" from Phantom and tell me that he's not brilliant.

Then, on Saturday, I broke the bank to see Wicked. I spent $201.25 for the BEST SEAT EVER. I was directly in the middle of the Orchestra level, and in the middle of the row. I mean, when they told me it was a premium seat, I didn't realize that I would have the best seat in the house!

The trip also included a trip to the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art. Both of those museums are FREAKIN' huge. I couldn't see the entire museum in one day if I wanted to. My favorite museum was the modern art museum. I just love art that really makes you think about life.

So, in a nutshell, that was my New York trip! I loved it!

And, to close, here is a video of me freaking out because we went under the bridge from Disney's "Enchanted".

Festival of Colors

Today, March 27th 2010, I went to the Festival of Colors cultural celebration at the Krishna Temple...with about 7,000 other people. That was just the first session. There was another one at 4:00 PM. I can't even imagine how many people went. On Facebook, the total guest list had over 13,000 RSVP (between the two event pages). It was amazing!

Here I am, all clean with Clarise at the temple.


Here is a shot of all 7,000 people. I tried to get them all in there.


Then, the countdown began and the hill erupted in a blast of color.


Afterward, Clarise and I posed for some color shots.



It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. The Krishna priest gave a talk before and he spoke of a universal love that encompasses all. He made mention that this event started 5 years ago with 8 people, 4 of which were BYU students. Now, it brings people from all over the state, nation, and world. The event is about relying on God and loving other people regardless of race, religion, gender, and personality.

We were all one people today, relishing in the joy of each others presence. It was amazing.

A secret that no one knows...except the Swedish.

Watch and enjoy.



P.S. Since I've embedded the film, just make sure to hit "fullscreen" so you can get the full effect.

The Biggest Loser-Andy Foree Style

I've been watching "The Biggest Loser" on TV and Hulu. It makes me cry. I see these people, old and young, who have thrown away the best part of their life: life.

Being overweight takes you away from sharing the best parts of life with your friends, family and loved ones. I dedicate the next three months to becoming healthier. I have constructed a shrine out of notebook paper and old Men's Fitness magazines. I have a graph where I can enter my BMI, my Body Fat percentage, and my weight. I bought a new scale that sends an electric shockwave through my body, testing all those.

These are my stats:
263.3 LBS
34.9 % Body Fat
32.1 BMI
140/90 Blood Pressure

I just got my blood pressure checked today and it was 140/90...pretty bad. That's hypertension right there. I haven't been treating my body the way it needs to be treated. I have tried so many times before, and I have started a new eating plan and workout regimen so many times.

What does it come down to? Dedication. Determination. Failure is not an option.

I cannot say, "Oh, well...I have to get ready for failure." That's what losers say. I am not a loser. I am a winner. I have overcome crazier things before.

I can do this.

Dear Glee

You do many things to me:
(1) You make me wish I was back in high school.
(2) You make me want to try out for the MDT program at BYU.
(3) You make me smile.
(4) You make me laugh.
(5) You cast the skinniest kid I have ever seen to play in your football team.
And yes, that's a screen capture of last weeks Glee. Really? He would be pounded to bits.

That's all for now.

BYU vs. UofU Football Game

I can't speak right now. My voice is terribly hoarse from all the screaming, shouting, and yelling I did today. I saw my first BYU football game...and it was amazing!

I was able to snag a ticket from my roommates girlfriend who had a friend who had another friend who wasn't able to go to the game who was willing to give his ticket away. So, after snatching the free ticket, Tim (roommate) Megan (girlfriend of Tim) and I, head to our seats in section L of the stadium and proceed to watch a game that turned out to be one of the best, if not the best game of the season.

BYU was ahead for most of the game, and then Utah scored a touchdown and a field goal. Somehow the score was tied and we went into college football overtime. Utah scored another field goal which took the tied score of 20-20 to 23-20. Tension filled the stadium.



BYU had the ball and it was third down and we were about ten yards away from the goal line. The quarterback snapped a pass right down the middle and the running back gracefully waltzed over and caught the ball taking the final score to 26-23, with BYU winning the game.

Fans screamed and shouted and rushed the field.
It was an amazing experience, one that I will never forget. What a great first football game of my BYU career. It was fun. It was fantastic. And it was memorable.

Thanksgiving

I haven't posted on this blog in a very long time. I don't post here as much as I used to. Sorry, folks.

Of course, since this week was Thanksgiving, I have decided to write what I am most thankful for.

(1) My family. My loving parents who cherish and honor me, no matter what I do. I love the love that my father has for my mother and the love my mother has for him in return. My dad is the perfect example of humility and patience. I admire him greatly for that. My mom is a great task manager, but more importantly, she loves her children. I love my older sister, Erin and her husband Dustin. Dustin is the perfect husband for my sister. He is a great father. Erin is the best older sister, ever! She loves me and makes me laugh every day. She is the best. (CARROTS!) I love my little niece, Kate. She is so beautiful and I can't wait until she is old enough to appreciate me so I can start spoiling her! I love my younger sister Jennifer. She has so much talent. She has a talent that needs to be shared with the world. She is a good little sister, who could ask for a better one? I love my little brother, Jared. Jared has a good head on his shoulders and he does what he is supposed to. I like to talk to him and plan outrageous road trips that we hopefully will take one day. I love my little brother, Alex. He is the jock of the family; which is good. He is strong and independent, and very loving and Christlike.

(2) God and Jesus Christ. I don't know where I would be today if it weren't for these two wonderful men who have helped me through every single challenge in my life. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world who atoned for my sins and loves me unconditionally. I love my Father very much. He understands me and wants me to be the best that I can be. I try to do that.

(3) Work, School, and a House-after a while of not having a job or a place to stay, the Good Lord decided it would be best if I had those things. I currently live in a tiny house right next to campus in the best ward in Provo. I love my bishop and I love my roommates.

(4) Friends-where do I even begin? I love my friends as if they were family. Currently, they all decided to get up and leave me stranded here in Provo, but thank God for the internet. I still know exactly what they are doing. I love them terribly. Geoff, Clarise, Katrina, Aaron, Lindsey, Stephanie...love you!

(5) And lots of other things...but I am too lazy to write them.