New Jersey

As I mentioned we were so excited about moving to New Jersey and felt like everything was really working out in our favor until we received the news that there might not be a position open for us after all at the studio. However, we already had our travel arrangements lined up and it was too late to back out now, so off we went. We arrived at laguardia around 7 PM on Wednesday August 18th where we were met my Bro. Bridges (the father of the wonderfully generous family). It was so comforting arriving at Laguardia knowing that someone was there to help us find our way to Fairfield.

When we arrived at the Bridges' home we called Gary just to get an idea of when our lesson's were scheduled and also to get an idea of our schedule for the weekend. During the phone call Gary proceeded to tell us that we no longer needed to look at the other studio because he for sure had a position avaible for both of us (such a relief), then he proceeded to tell us that for our lessons we would receive the employee discount (another relief which saved us about $60) and also that we were free to use the studio to practice as much as we wanted while we were there (another relief since usually there is a floor fee per hour you use the studio so we saved some more $$). Needless to say we slep really well that night!!

The next day we went to the studio where we were able to practice for about 5 hours (which felt so good since we haven't practiced all summer we have been so busy with work) after practicing we went and looked at an apartment in Lincoln Park called Beaver Brook. It is really nice place with a pool and your own garage and we really liked what we saw. The only thing we weren't crazy about is that rent is $1100 a month plus you have to pay for the electric. However, by this point we were resigned to the fact that that was a good price. so we took an application and told them we would be faxing our information to them. That night we went bowling with some friends from the studio (BYU alumnists) it was so fun and nice to just relax and not worry about working. It was also really great to catch up with Natalie and Dawid and just spend some time with them before they move.

Friday was also a great day. we went to the studio and practiced for a few hours and then had a lesson with Gary followed by one with Diana. Both of which were extremely helpful and we are excited to begin working with them on a regular basis, they are really great coaches! That night the studio had a social, which was fun to just go chill and see how the studio works a little bit. After the social we went out to dinner with our friends. During dinner we were lamenting about housing prices etc when Dawid proceeded to tell us about how he lives in the basement apartment of a home owned by the studio owners and what a great place it is. He suggested we move into the apartment after he moves out. After dinner we drove to West Orange to check out the home and decided we would ask Gary if that would be available for us to move into.

Saturday was another great day. we had another lesson with Diana (we are now half way through our new foxtrot, which is SO much better than our old one). After our lesson we spoke with Gary about the West Orange house. He said it would be available and he would charge us $800 a month (which by now you can tell is a steal!). The great thing about moving into this home is we don't have to sign a year lease, $800 includes all utilities, and we don't have to pay a security deposit (which saves us around $2000 up front).

After our meeting with Gary we went back to the Bridge's home to say goodbye before we headed to NYC for the evening (more to come). All in all it was such a perfect weekend and we are so excited to move to new jersey now that we have all the foreseen kinks worked out and we are going to be able to keep our expenses much lower than anticipated. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Bro. Bridges dropping us off at the Bus Stop before we left for NYC for the night. What a great person!! we can not say thank you enough to this family! (can't you see how excited travis is about everything)