Hi, I am missing two hoodies. I don't know if I left them somewhere or if Bret took them with him to HK. If you happen upon either a gray BYU hoodie, or a gray Aeropostale hoodie would you please let me know? Thanks.
tevs
Saturday, August 25, 2007
A Night on the Hong Kong Town
Yesterday after work we had an office get together to say goodbye to Sarah Savoia - who I have replaced here, if just for the short term. She started here 6 years ago when we opened this office and thus has a lot of relationships and respect. I have known her for years as well, and it has been a pleasure working with her and taking over her role.
In Hong Kong, as I have mentioned, they work hard. Well, they also PLAY hard. The city is known for its parties and long nights. Pubs and bars are everywhere and it is not uncommon to stay out past 1 AM even on weeknights. We took a cab over to Kwan Lai Fong, which is the "hip" area that has the streets literally packed until 3 or 4 AM. We went to a club/bar called the Cavern and sat outside (where most people complained about the heat - though it wasn't that bad to me and I was in a tie). Of course everyone drinks. But here they drink even more than in the USA, and so after an hour or two many of the people are quite drunk. I'm not really uncomfortable around drunk people as I have been around them much of my life, but it still amazes me how some people act when they are drunk. I am convinced most of them are faking (not being drunk, but doing the stupid things they do). It was fun to be with the team - we had a group of around 30 or so which continued to grow and diminish in size as the night went on.
For me, I not only don't drink alcohol, but I am cheap. Remember, Hong Kong can be pricey, and even a Coke at the pub was like $4 or $5 - and not a can - but a small glass. So I had my one Sprite and couldn't believe these guys could go on all night without even eating (beer has a lot of carbs, so that must do it). A few of us finally did get some appetizers. People in HK are so friendly. It is almost impossible to pay for something when you order things together. People always volunteer to cover the cost. Even when I was given a bill for Vodka (which of course I did not order), one of the girls just said she would pay for it for whoever had ordered it). It is really neat to see how kind and unselfish people are. Probably because they have so much money - or at least used to spending so much money.
By 11 or so at night our group had gotten down to a dozen or so. Most people went into the dance floor area which I gladly followed and had fun dancing - something I haven't done in years (well, outside of my living room where I dance all the time!). It is also interesting to see the mix of people. In the USA there typically is a separation of ages. People in their 30s don't want to be dancing with teenagers and vice versa. Here there really aren't age limits at the pubs (which adds to the mingling) and so on my one hand I may have a 40 year old woman and on my left a 16 year old little girl. Kinda weird. They had a live band (they must have been from the USA) who were pretty good. Mostly R&B stuff, which I love. I finally noticed it was almost midnight and figured I better call it a night. I was sweaty, hot, and tired. But I had a lot of fun. I can see how this sort of life can be very intriguing to people. It is also very easy to live it here even if you have kids because everyone with kids has a "helper" that lives with them to take care of the kids and clean the house, etc. It was a lot of fun.
During the night at the bar here in Hong Kong I was continually texting with people back in the states on my Blackberry. It is amazing what technology can do. I can chat with Tevia in Phoenix while I sit under the stars in Lan Kwai Fang Hong Kong. It's midnight here and 9 AM there. Crazy.
On another note, I ate at a McDonald's here yesterday for lunch. They are crazy packed all the time. I was in the mood for a shake and was curious to try something. I ordered a McChicken sandwich and a shake. It cost me $13 HK, which is about $1.50. So cheap. And good. It reminded me of the old McChickens that I used to actually like until they made them healthy. :-) I was told that the McDonald's in Hong Kong are the cheapest in the world. Not sure why, when most other things are more expensive. Goes to show you can never predict things.
Last note. I hated Avril's last song (Girlfriend). I was worried she had sold out. But since I have been here I love her new song "When You're Gone" which I am listening to right now on Deezer.com (love that, too). I think I'm a sucker for it since I miss my family a lot.
In Hong Kong, as I have mentioned, they work hard. Well, they also PLAY hard. The city is known for its parties and long nights. Pubs and bars are everywhere and it is not uncommon to stay out past 1 AM even on weeknights. We took a cab over to Kwan Lai Fong, which is the "hip" area that has the streets literally packed until 3 or 4 AM. We went to a club/bar called the Cavern and sat outside (where most people complained about the heat - though it wasn't that bad to me and I was in a tie). Of course everyone drinks. But here they drink even more than in the USA, and so after an hour or two many of the people are quite drunk. I'm not really uncomfortable around drunk people as I have been around them much of my life, but it still amazes me how some people act when they are drunk. I am convinced most of them are faking (not being drunk, but doing the stupid things they do). It was fun to be with the team - we had a group of around 30 or so which continued to grow and diminish in size as the night went on.
For me, I not only don't drink alcohol, but I am cheap. Remember, Hong Kong can be pricey, and even a Coke at the pub was like $4 or $5 - and not a can - but a small glass. So I had my one Sprite and couldn't believe these guys could go on all night without even eating (beer has a lot of carbs, so that must do it). A few of us finally did get some appetizers. People in HK are so friendly. It is almost impossible to pay for something when you order things together. People always volunteer to cover the cost. Even when I was given a bill for Vodka (which of course I did not order), one of the girls just said she would pay for it for whoever had ordered it). It is really neat to see how kind and unselfish people are. Probably because they have so much money - or at least used to spending so much money.
By 11 or so at night our group had gotten down to a dozen or so. Most people went into the dance floor area which I gladly followed and had fun dancing - something I haven't done in years (well, outside of my living room where I dance all the time!). It is also interesting to see the mix of people. In the USA there typically is a separation of ages. People in their 30s don't want to be dancing with teenagers and vice versa. Here there really aren't age limits at the pubs (which adds to the mingling) and so on my one hand I may have a 40 year old woman and on my left a 16 year old little girl. Kinda weird. They had a live band (they must have been from the USA) who were pretty good. Mostly R&B stuff, which I love. I finally noticed it was almost midnight and figured I better call it a night. I was sweaty, hot, and tired. But I had a lot of fun. I can see how this sort of life can be very intriguing to people. It is also very easy to live it here even if you have kids because everyone with kids has a "helper" that lives with them to take care of the kids and clean the house, etc. It was a lot of fun.
During the night at the bar here in Hong Kong I was continually texting with people back in the states on my Blackberry. It is amazing what technology can do. I can chat with Tevia in Phoenix while I sit under the stars in Lan Kwai Fang Hong Kong. It's midnight here and 9 AM there. Crazy.
On another note, I ate at a McDonald's here yesterday for lunch. They are crazy packed all the time. I was in the mood for a shake and was curious to try something. I ordered a McChicken sandwich and a shake. It cost me $13 HK, which is about $1.50. So cheap. And good. It reminded me of the old McChickens that I used to actually like until they made them healthy. :-) I was told that the McDonald's in Hong Kong are the cheapest in the world. Not sure why, when most other things are more expensive. Goes to show you can never predict things.
Last note. I hated Avril's last song (Girlfriend). I was worried she had sold out. But since I have been here I love her new song "When You're Gone" which I am listening to right now on Deezer.com (love that, too). I think I'm a sucker for it since I miss my family a lot.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Harry Potter
Unlike our blog a couple of years ago, we didn't really do much discussing Harry Potter. I believe I already posted that I loved the book, but didn't go into too much detail as some people were still reading and we couldn't spoil anything. For a long time I was waiting for a review from Orson Scott Card (which is linked below) as I enjoy his reviews and I knew he loved Harry as much as me. And if you haven't read the book and still plan to: you are an idiot and you shouldn't read any more of this post. :-)
Here in Hong Kong they have the book on sale (in a cool different book cover) for like $17 - and I think I will buy one tomorrow and read on the way home. I agree with OSC in that this is classic literature that will be remembered for generations. It is like The Lord of the Rings for our generation. Sure, it may not be as deep, but it is great story-telling and does contain the same values that make great works of art (think LOTR, Star Wars, and now Harry).
I am amazed at how Ms. Rowling could finish the tale with such style and emotion. I remember telling Tevia that I couldn't believe she got me to cry when Dobby died (OSC mentions this as well)! I hated Dobby. He annoyed me. But I shed tears in that scene, probably due to the true dread I was feeling that Hermione might actually die - and that she was in pain. It even became believable that Snape was truly acting in the best interest of Harry. This did not make him a "good" guy, but answered questions and yet was not a redemption of his ickiness. (Though I do find it convenient that Harry just happened to be there when Snape was killed - had he not been there we would never know his motives).
I feel bad for the many people who have missed out on this great literature. This includes you MOM! I can't believe you never got past the second or third book. I am happy to be related and friends with people like you who have spent hours reading a story of a young magician. We have laughed, cried, cheered, and loved.
http://www.hatrack.com/osc/reviews/everything/2007-07-29-extra.shtml
Here in Hong Kong they have the book on sale (in a cool different book cover) for like $17 - and I think I will buy one tomorrow and read on the way home. I agree with OSC in that this is classic literature that will be remembered for generations. It is like The Lord of the Rings for our generation. Sure, it may not be as deep, but it is great story-telling and does contain the same values that make great works of art (think LOTR, Star Wars, and now Harry).
I am amazed at how Ms. Rowling could finish the tale with such style and emotion. I remember telling Tevia that I couldn't believe she got me to cry when Dobby died (OSC mentions this as well)! I hated Dobby. He annoyed me. But I shed tears in that scene, probably due to the true dread I was feeling that Hermione might actually die - and that she was in pain. It even became believable that Snape was truly acting in the best interest of Harry. This did not make him a "good" guy, but answered questions and yet was not a redemption of his ickiness. (Though I do find it convenient that Harry just happened to be there when Snape was killed - had he not been there we would never know his motives).
I feel bad for the many people who have missed out on this great literature. This includes you MOM! I can't believe you never got past the second or third book. I am happy to be related and friends with people like you who have spent hours reading a story of a young magician. We have laughed, cried, cheered, and loved.
http://www.hatrack.com/osc/reviews/everything/2007-07-29-extra.shtml
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
God, Sex, And Greed
Yesterday at work while I was waiting for the last donor to finish up, CNN came on with a program called God, Sex and Greed. I only watched the first 10 minutes or so but it sure got my attention and stirred my emotions. It explained how the world has gotten so sex-crazed and greedy for money. The amount of pornography, strip clubs, gambling, greediness, etc has crept into our society and is now everywhere. On our money it says 'In God We Trust' and we have patriotic songs such as 'God Bless America.' They asked should we really be saying 'god bless us,' or 'god save us.'
Anyway, the show explained it a lot better than I can. It made me realize though, how evil this world really is. The reality of it all hit me at once and I almost started crying right then and there at work. (This could be because I also have been more emotional since Jacob and Ellery left me here alone in Louisiana.) It made me feel so bad how awful things have gotten here on Earth. I feel so bad for people who are living these lifestyles. I thought of how sad our Heavenly Father must feel to watch His children live like this. It's made me feel more anxious to become more righteous and serve others and teach them about the gospel. (Even though I'm really not an expert on this.)
Along with these many other feelings, I became overwhelmed with the thought of raising my children in righteousness. Since I was a child the world has become more accustomed to evil, and I can't imagine how it will change when Ellery and my future children are grown. I just hope Jacob and I can somehow raise them in a way to keep the world's influence off them. This blog of course no where compares to my feeling, as I am not good at writing emotions. But I am just feeling quite scared and overwhelmed at this realization.
Anyway, the show explained it a lot better than I can. It made me realize though, how evil this world really is. The reality of it all hit me at once and I almost started crying right then and there at work. (This could be because I also have been more emotional since Jacob and Ellery left me here alone in Louisiana.) It made me feel so bad how awful things have gotten here on Earth. I feel so bad for people who are living these lifestyles. I thought of how sad our Heavenly Father must feel to watch His children live like this. It's made me feel more anxious to become more righteous and serve others and teach them about the gospel. (Even though I'm really not an expert on this.)
Along with these many other feelings, I became overwhelmed with the thought of raising my children in righteousness. Since I was a child the world has become more accustomed to evil, and I can't imagine how it will change when Ellery and my future children are grown. I just hope Jacob and I can somehow raise them in a way to keep the world's influence off them. This blog of course no where compares to my feeling, as I am not good at writing emotions. But I am just feeling quite scared and overwhelmed at this realization.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Emotions on the Surface
Okay, generally I am not an overly emotional person. I don't cry at every little thing, it takes more to make my water works turn on than most women, heck even more than Bret for that matter. But.... since Bret has been gone to Honk Kong, I have to admit that those tears are so much closer to the surface. For instance, on Friday I had a lot of errands to run. On the way to the first place, I had to stop at an intersection as a police car cruised into the intersection and stopped traffic in all directions. He got out and directed a funeral procession ahead of everyone else. As I watched over a mile worth of cars go by, my heart strings were tugged and little tears came to the surface. I was so sad thinking that on this beautiful day a whole bunch of people were grieving. My heart and prayers went out to the family.
At the very next stop light I was again stopped as a fire truck blared its lights and horn in order to get through the intersection. Up ahead a few lights, there was a very bad car accident. You could see it from where I was.
I felt so strange sitting in my van, healthy and whole while all around me peoples lives were changing. I had never had two emergency vehicles stop me at lights like that before. I was wondering if I would see a third as these things tend to come in threes. But I didn't.
Back to the topic at hand. I have been so much more emotional the last few weeks. Small joys, or sadnesses seem to stir up in me feelings of empathy or sympathy or happiness or sadness. It just feels so strange walking around with it so open in my heart and to be so quick to tears. A very strange state of being to be sure. Just thought I would share.
At the very next stop light I was again stopped as a fire truck blared its lights and horn in order to get through the intersection. Up ahead a few lights, there was a very bad car accident. You could see it from where I was.
I felt so strange sitting in my van, healthy and whole while all around me peoples lives were changing. I had never had two emergency vehicles stop me at lights like that before. I was wondering if I would see a third as these things tend to come in threes. But I didn't.
Back to the topic at hand. I have been so much more emotional the last few weeks. Small joys, or sadnesses seem to stir up in me feelings of empathy or sympathy or happiness or sadness. It just feels so strange walking around with it so open in my heart and to be so quick to tears. A very strange state of being to be sure. Just thought I would share.
sean covey
egh, ok, i guess. drove all the way down to yorktown for a fireside by him for the youth. we had youth from every ward go. I was disappointed. I would rather have heard dad or Br. Checketts.
dad thought it was good. oh well. I hope the youth got something out of it. he didnt even mention his book, which I thought he was going to talk about. I guess it is good that it wasnt a media ploy.
but, his material was a 6 at best, he looked at his paper constantly, and had no pep.
dad thought it was good. oh well. I hope the youth got something out of it. he didnt even mention his book, which I thought he was going to talk about. I guess it is good that it wasnt a media ploy.
but, his material was a 6 at best, he looked at his paper constantly, and had no pep.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
2 Years
2 years is a long time. It's how long boys serve missions. It's about as long as it takes for an elephant to have a baby. And coincidentally, it's how long Jacob and I have been married as of about 2 hours from now. :-) It's also how much longer we still need to be married before we've been married for longer than we knew each other before our marriage. Yeah, that may have not made sense, but just think about the timing of it all and it will come to you.
We actually stayed up last night until 4 am just talking with each other. We used to do that all the time when we were dating and engaged, but haven't done it much since we got married. I guess that most of the time, we can talk for short times all the time that we get the same amount of talking in. But lately, I've been really busy with work and friends and Jacob's been really busy with friends and his list of summer chores, that I guess we haven't taken much time lately to just talk to each other with no time constraints.
It was really, really fun. We talked about movies we've seen recently and vacations we want to take someday and how we think we'll handle different things our kids do. Mostly, we just talked about our marriage. I guess the idea of the 2-year anniversary was on his mind too.
The main conclusion that we came to is that we're both very happy in our marriage. Yes, we have things we need to work on and no, neither of us are perfect, but we're both very happy right now. Probably the best thing that came out of that conversation amidst all the patting ourselves on the back for making each other and ourselves happy is just how much I love this man.
I used to never believe my mom when she would tell me that as much as I love Jacob now, I'll love him more after a year of marriage, or 5 or 10 or 30 or more. So arrogant, I assumed that no one could love anyone as much as I loved him when he left on his mission or when we got engaged or married. At that point, I guess I didn't think it was really possible to love someone more than I did right then. And sometimes, it's really, really nice to be proven wrong. :-)
We actually stayed up last night until 4 am just talking with each other. We used to do that all the time when we were dating and engaged, but haven't done it much since we got married. I guess that most of the time, we can talk for short times all the time that we get the same amount of talking in. But lately, I've been really busy with work and friends and Jacob's been really busy with friends and his list of summer chores, that I guess we haven't taken much time lately to just talk to each other with no time constraints.
It was really, really fun. We talked about movies we've seen recently and vacations we want to take someday and how we think we'll handle different things our kids do. Mostly, we just talked about our marriage. I guess the idea of the 2-year anniversary was on his mind too.
The main conclusion that we came to is that we're both very happy in our marriage. Yes, we have things we need to work on and no, neither of us are perfect, but we're both very happy right now. Probably the best thing that came out of that conversation amidst all the patting ourselves on the back for making each other and ourselves happy is just how much I love this man.
I used to never believe my mom when she would tell me that as much as I love Jacob now, I'll love him more after a year of marriage, or 5 or 10 or 30 or more. So arrogant, I assumed that no one could love anyone as much as I loved him when he left on his mission or when we got engaged or married. At that point, I guess I didn't think it was really possible to love someone more than I did right then. And sometimes, it's really, really nice to be proven wrong. :-)
Hong Kong Temple
This morning I got up early to make the adventure to the temple. Surprisingly, the temple is not found on Hong Kong island, but rather on the Kowloon side across Victoria Harbor. To get there I took the shuttle from my apartment at 7:30, went downtown, got on the MTR (Subway), switched over to another subway line and got off in upper Kowloon at Festival Walk - which is a mall, of course. I was going to meet a couple I met at church last week who have been here about the same time I have been here. I actually ran into them at the mall and so we walked up to the temple. The short walk was hard in full "church" attire as it was super humid and hot this morning. But we made it. I would say I could probably make it to the temple in 30 - 45 minutes easily. That's about the same, if not less, than in Phoenix.
The temple was beautiful. Outside and in. I rented my clothes and went in to the waiting room before going into the endowment room. I'm not sure if they have more than 1 endowment room. The one we went in was fairly small. We had about 10 men in the session, but about 30 women. Most of the women were Filipinas (from the Philippines). They were as amas (or "helpers") here in hong kong. Most of them live with families and are the live-in nannies/maids. Most expats have them - and most people expect me to get one once we settle in. We'll see. So they make a large population here. Many of them are married and their husbands live back in the Philippines. They ship the money back. They get one holiday (time off) per year. Saturdays are typically their days off. There are so many of these women that the church here actually has church sessions (sacrament meetings) EVERY day of the week. I have never heard of this before. But our ward building has sacrament meetings every single day. Very odd.
The session was going to be in chinese (not sure if it was going to be cantonese or mandarin) so I was given a translator. But at the last moment they decided to do it in English and so they took mine away and gave some to some of the others. It was actually really cool to hear different languages during the temple ceremony. As you may be aware, there are moments in the temple where you talk. Of course, the people listening in their languages then talk in their language. So at one point you may be hearing 4 or 5 different languages. Very cool.
It was a great experience and I spent a lot of time thanking my Father in heaven for my blessings. I spent a lot of time on my knees and fasting over the past few months for the Lord to point me in the right direction for my career. I feel this opportunity was a direct answer to those prayers.
Afterwards we went back to the mall. The mall had an ice rink inside it, which was pretty cool. It also had a Toys 'R Us. We ate lunch and then split up. I looked around the mall a bit and then got back on the MTR and got off at at Kowloon Park which is a cool city park that had a pond with ducks and flamingos. I then walked down to take the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong island. This is an old ferry that has been running for years. It is cheap (about $.30) and takes about 10 minutes. It was fun and I thought how much the boys would enjoy the ride.
After returning home I went hiking a bit. I walked down to the reservoir which was so beautiful. The road there is paved, but closed to cars. It is about a mile or so and has picnic sites and BBQ pits. It was gorgeous and I was anxious to bring the family here some day.
In the end it was a fun-filled day with a lot of stuff. I am tired and worn out. I also bought some awesome european bread (baguette) and havarti cheese and pastrami which made one heckuva a sandwich for dinner.
The temple was beautiful. Outside and in. I rented my clothes and went in to the waiting room before going into the endowment room. I'm not sure if they have more than 1 endowment room. The one we went in was fairly small. We had about 10 men in the session, but about 30 women. Most of the women were Filipinas (from the Philippines). They were as amas (or "helpers") here in hong kong. Most of them live with families and are the live-in nannies/maids. Most expats have them - and most people expect me to get one once we settle in. We'll see. So they make a large population here. Many of them are married and their husbands live back in the Philippines. They ship the money back. They get one holiday (time off) per year. Saturdays are typically their days off. There are so many of these women that the church here actually has church sessions (sacrament meetings) EVERY day of the week. I have never heard of this before. But our ward building has sacrament meetings every single day. Very odd.
The session was going to be in chinese (not sure if it was going to be cantonese or mandarin) so I was given a translator. But at the last moment they decided to do it in English and so they took mine away and gave some to some of the others. It was actually really cool to hear different languages during the temple ceremony. As you may be aware, there are moments in the temple where you talk. Of course, the people listening in their languages then talk in their language. So at one point you may be hearing 4 or 5 different languages. Very cool.
It was a great experience and I spent a lot of time thanking my Father in heaven for my blessings. I spent a lot of time on my knees and fasting over the past few months for the Lord to point me in the right direction for my career. I feel this opportunity was a direct answer to those prayers.
Afterwards we went back to the mall. The mall had an ice rink inside it, which was pretty cool. It also had a Toys 'R Us. We ate lunch and then split up. I looked around the mall a bit and then got back on the MTR and got off at at Kowloon Park which is a cool city park that had a pond with ducks and flamingos. I then walked down to take the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong island. This is an old ferry that has been running for years. It is cheap (about $.30) and takes about 10 minutes. It was fun and I thought how much the boys would enjoy the ride.
After returning home I went hiking a bit. I walked down to the reservoir which was so beautiful. The road there is paved, but closed to cars. It is about a mile or so and has picnic sites and BBQ pits. It was gorgeous and I was anxious to bring the family here some day.
In the end it was a fun-filled day with a lot of stuff. I am tired and worn out. I also bought some awesome european bread (baguette) and havarti cheese and pastrami which made one heckuva a sandwich for dinner.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Draft
Ok... So I'm probably never going to finish my draft from a few days ago... To be completely honest, I can't remember where I was going with it and also... next to Bret and Tev's blogs, I'm sure it would seem quite trite.
But reading Tevia's blog about Malik's wish makes me look forward to the days when CJ will be just as clever... I'm assuming she will be... just look at her mommy!
Ellery is growing so fast! She's laughing and smiling a LOT more lately... and since there is opposition in all things, crying a LOT more lately too... I think it's because she might be teething... but we're still waiting for teeths to pop out! Traveling and spending so much time with her has been great, for the most part. She did really well on the plane rides, and in the car to New Orleans and also in the car to Texas (we went to Shlitterbauhn in Galveston - I'm pretty sure she was by far the youngest person there too)... she seemed to like the lazy river, just like daddy! It was a cool lazy river cause it had rapids!!!... but just littler ones. She sure gets a LOT of attention from the yokel locals!!!
Anyway... If any of you were ever thinking about planning a trip to Louisiana (anywhere in Louisiana) don't bother... despite what ever any travel bureau may say to the contrary. New Orleans is a dump - for those of you who have heard the Simpsons take on it in "Oh Streetcar (The Musical)" they hit it right on the nose! As for the rest of the state... well... I can sum it up in one word: Marsh.
Don't get me wrong though, the trip has still been good. Millie got to taste Waffle House, crawfish, and grits for the first time ever, and we both got to eat frogs legs, alligator! So... I guess there is a silver lining around ever cloud, even if lightening does kill hundreds of people who go looking for it! :)
But reading Tevia's blog about Malik's wish makes me look forward to the days when CJ will be just as clever... I'm assuming she will be... just look at her mommy!
Ellery is growing so fast! She's laughing and smiling a LOT more lately... and since there is opposition in all things, crying a LOT more lately too... I think it's because she might be teething... but we're still waiting for teeths to pop out! Traveling and spending so much time with her has been great, for the most part. She did really well on the plane rides, and in the car to New Orleans and also in the car to Texas (we went to Shlitterbauhn in Galveston - I'm pretty sure she was by far the youngest person there too)... she seemed to like the lazy river, just like daddy! It was a cool lazy river cause it had rapids!!!... but just littler ones. She sure gets a LOT of attention from the yokel locals!!!
Anyway... If any of you were ever thinking about planning a trip to Louisiana (anywhere in Louisiana) don't bother... despite what ever any travel bureau may say to the contrary. New Orleans is a dump - for those of you who have heard the Simpsons take on it in "Oh Streetcar (The Musical)" they hit it right on the nose! As for the rest of the state... well... I can sum it up in one word: Marsh.
Don't get me wrong though, the trip has still been good. Millie got to taste Waffle House, crawfish, and grits for the first time ever, and we both got to eat frogs legs, alligator! So... I guess there is a silver lining around ever cloud, even if lightening does kill hundreds of people who go looking for it! :)
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Malik's Wish
Today when I picked Malik up from school and as we were walking to the car, he grabbed my hand and asked me,
"If you could have any wish in the world, what would you wish for?"
I said, "I don't know, I will have to think about it." Then I asked him what he would wish for.
He said,"Oh that is easy. I would wish that you would be five years old and would come to kindergarten with me and we could play together at recess and eat our lunch together."
What a wonderful wish! What a wonderful little boy. I am such a lucky mother.
"If you could have any wish in the world, what would you wish for?"
I said, "I don't know, I will have to think about it." Then I asked him what he would wish for.
He said,"Oh that is easy. I would wish that you would be five years old and would come to kindergarten with me and we could play together at recess and eat our lunch together."
What a wonderful wish! What a wonderful little boy. I am such a lucky mother.
tree of life
for any of those who are in a new spiritual high like me and want to think about this deep thought for a second, is the tree of life just figurative, or is there really one? I was reading in Alma today, chapter 42. it sounds like angels really are guarding the tree.
Observations from Hong Kong
Just some random thoughts from my recent weeks here:
- hot & spicy spam is really good, and I'd never heard of it before
- in the shanghainese restaurants they have a dumpling called xiao ban lao which is awesome; they have soup inside them so you have to eat them in one bite or you get spilled on.
- there are SO many expensive cars in Hong Kong; I see Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys and more daily; I even saw a wrecked Ferrari on the way home one day - it had lost control and slammed into a wall - that's an expensive crash
- the USA needs to adapt how you buy movie tickets here; you purchase your actual seats, which is awesome
- in Hong Kong a 30 minute commute is a LONG commute; yet one of the areas people keep suggesting we live is 45 minutes away
- people work so long here; three are still many people in the office at 8 PM.
- you need umbrellas in hong kong; lots of umbrellas
- if you like to shop, hong kong is the place for you; there are malls in almost every building - seriously
- the movie Serenity is on tonight; I'm going to watch it - Jacob hates that movie! (Wall)
- hot & spicy spam is really good, and I'd never heard of it before
- in the shanghainese restaurants they have a dumpling called xiao ban lao which is awesome; they have soup inside them so you have to eat them in one bite or you get spilled on.
- there are SO many expensive cars in Hong Kong; I see Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys and more daily; I even saw a wrecked Ferrari on the way home one day - it had lost control and slammed into a wall - that's an expensive crash
- the USA needs to adapt how you buy movie tickets here; you purchase your actual seats, which is awesome
- in Hong Kong a 30 minute commute is a LONG commute; yet one of the areas people keep suggesting we live is 45 minutes away
- people work so long here; three are still many people in the office at 8 PM.
- you need umbrellas in hong kong; lots of umbrellas
- if you like to shop, hong kong is the place for you; there are malls in almost every building - seriously
- the movie Serenity is on tonight; I'm going to watch it - Jacob hates that movie! (Wall)
chasing kathy
first a hurricane warning, then an earthquake, then a tsunami warning. who's sending all this stuff to Hawaii in one week? lucky for her, the earthquake was only on the big island, the hurricane went more south and lessened the nearer it got, and the tsunami warning given last night after the Peru earthquake was not as big as they feared. ket's hope they really do come in 3's, and there will be no more natural warnings to report for Hawaii this week....
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
and on my walk I saw..
6 geese, a mama turkey and her 6 babies, a bunny, 2 baby deer, 2 morning doves cooing, and I know that when I go out to read my scriptures, my 3 hummingbirds will come say hi!
I am so blessed.
I am so blessed.
Monday, August 13, 2007
happy happy birthday to Jacob
I don't even know if you read these blogs anymore, Jake. I wish you a super happy day! May you win at every game you play, and smile the whole day through. I am so glad I got to see you so much this year. love, mom
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Camp Director Resolved?
I was called to be my ward's Young Women Camp Director back in January. I think I emailed most of the girls I know for ideas some time after that. I know I emailed my sister Janet because I remember getting a response with about 30 lines of "LOL". :-)
When I got called, I was put into the Sunday teaching rotation by the current YW president. When she got released, the new presidency just kept with the precedent. I was also asked to attend YW every week, attend all the leadership meetings and all the mutual activities. Now, I could definitely be wrong, but I had never heard of a camp director being to heavily involved with the young women before. So, I went with it.
Up until camp, I was relatively happy doing all those things that I considered not really in the stewardship of my calling because it allowed to me get to know our six young women better which I believe was the only way I was able to get all six of them to come to camp. But since camp ended, my discomfort with being so involved has only grown. I prayed about the issue, asking what we be the best thing to do, I talked to Jacob about it a lot and I talked with some friends about it and decided I needed to express my concerns to the YW president in our ward and see how it went from there.
It took me about a week from when I decided to talk to her to get my nerve up to actually do so. I can be such a non-confrontational wuss sometimes. Regardless of that, I did finally talk to her last night. I told her about how I was uncomfortable being so heavily involved and how I didn't feel that it was in my calling's stewardship to be doing the things that I have been doing, especially teaching the Sunday lessons once a month.
So here's the great testament of the power of prayer: as soon as I got blurting out how I had been feeling, she informed me that she had received an email from the State YW presidency earlier that week about how the wards in our stake had been too heavily involving their camp directors in the rest of young women and how that needed to stop. So grateful that my prayers were heard and are being answered!
The complete end of the story has yet to be decided. The YW president is going to talk with the bishop and the Stake YW presidency and decide that if I am not going to be released since camp is done with for the year, what my role should be in the YW until camp preparations start again. Until then, we decided that I should be as involved as I feel is best, which is to say, not at all. So I am going to all of Relief Society for the first time in almost nine months and I am excited. I do have a sneaky suspicion that this break from YW will be short-lived. The one advisor they have called is moving next week, so there's a vacancy and I already know the young women so well.....
I guess we'll just have to wait and see. :-)
When I got called, I was put into the Sunday teaching rotation by the current YW president. When she got released, the new presidency just kept with the precedent. I was also asked to attend YW every week, attend all the leadership meetings and all the mutual activities. Now, I could definitely be wrong, but I had never heard of a camp director being to heavily involved with the young women before. So, I went with it.
Up until camp, I was relatively happy doing all those things that I considered not really in the stewardship of my calling because it allowed to me get to know our six young women better which I believe was the only way I was able to get all six of them to come to camp. But since camp ended, my discomfort with being so involved has only grown. I prayed about the issue, asking what we be the best thing to do, I talked to Jacob about it a lot and I talked with some friends about it and decided I needed to express my concerns to the YW president in our ward and see how it went from there.
It took me about a week from when I decided to talk to her to get my nerve up to actually do so. I can be such a non-confrontational wuss sometimes. Regardless of that, I did finally talk to her last night. I told her about how I was uncomfortable being so heavily involved and how I didn't feel that it was in my calling's stewardship to be doing the things that I have been doing, especially teaching the Sunday lessons once a month.
So here's the great testament of the power of prayer: as soon as I got blurting out how I had been feeling, she informed me that she had received an email from the State YW presidency earlier that week about how the wards in our stake had been too heavily involving their camp directors in the rest of young women and how that needed to stop. So grateful that my prayers were heard and are being answered!
The complete end of the story has yet to be decided. The YW president is going to talk with the bishop and the Stake YW presidency and decide that if I am not going to be released since camp is done with for the year, what my role should be in the YW until camp preparations start again. Until then, we decided that I should be as involved as I feel is best, which is to say, not at all. So I am going to all of Relief Society for the first time in almost nine months and I am excited. I do have a sneaky suspicion that this break from YW will be short-lived. The one advisor they have called is moving next week, so there's a vacancy and I already know the young women so well.....
I guess we'll just have to wait and see. :-)
thank you to Bret and Jaocb
As I sat and read my scriptures this morning, I had 3 hummingbirds keeping me company. then I went for a short walk, and there are more babies in the bluebird house. this time, they are not bluebirds. they have white stripes on their tiny heads. this is the third time babies were born in the house this year. It is a beautiful morning, and I am so blessed to live here. if we have to move, I will miss it.
Sundays can be lonely
Sundays are by far the loneliest days when you are alone. These are days when you are grateful church is 3 hours long. Because the rest of the day there isn't much to do. I tried filling in the hours today by taking a short nap and watching the extended version of the Return of the King (which is ending as I type). I looked at pictures of the boys and family in NY and the Grand Canyon, but that just made me miss them even more. I am so excited to see them again. Two weeks should go quickly. I know last week went very fast, so this week should do the same and then the next week I am in Japan which I imagine will be exciting and go even more quickly. Then just another weekend and day or so in the office and I'm back on a plane to PHX.
Yesterday I played basketball for the first time since being here. I had to rent the court (like 1/2 court - but even smaller) and the ball. But it was worth it. I had a lot of fun. In thinking of all the things I will miss by not being in the USA, I can only think of two that I really will have a hard time with: family and basketball. I have heard there are some courts downtown where some people play, so I'll have to look into that. But the reality is I doubt I will get to play as often as I did in AZ.
Church was good today. I went to the actual branch I am supposed to go to this time. This branch is considerably larger. I think there were at least 100 people in sacrament meeting. It was also a new chapel. There are three and last week's chapel was fairly small. This one was larger and shaped in an L shape, so if you sit at the back you can't see the people in the other arm of the L. Kinda weird. I did notice a basketball court while I walked around, so maybe there are some people who would like to play. The branch is made up of mostly expats from around the globe as the branch is an English branch. Everyone, even the young men, wear suits. There were several young men, nearly as many as in our ward in AZ - most of them American. Though I enjoyed last week's services better, I think that is because it was so small that people went out of their way to include me. I mean, when there are only 4 elders in the elders quorum meeting I kinda have to be involved. But with the larger branch I introduced myself to a few people but others stuck to their routines. I met a couple who moved here from SLC two weeks ago. They are here for 3 -4 months. His wife was very nervous as this was her first time outside the USA. I wished Tevia was here to help her out as her husband is at work all day. With no kids or friends yet, she has been lonely.
I look forward to talking to Tevia tonight before I drift off to sleep and then another work week starts.
Yesterday I played basketball for the first time since being here. I had to rent the court (like 1/2 court - but even smaller) and the ball. But it was worth it. I had a lot of fun. In thinking of all the things I will miss by not being in the USA, I can only think of two that I really will have a hard time with: family and basketball. I have heard there are some courts downtown where some people play, so I'll have to look into that. But the reality is I doubt I will get to play as often as I did in AZ.
Church was good today. I went to the actual branch I am supposed to go to this time. This branch is considerably larger. I think there were at least 100 people in sacrament meeting. It was also a new chapel. There are three and last week's chapel was fairly small. This one was larger and shaped in an L shape, so if you sit at the back you can't see the people in the other arm of the L. Kinda weird. I did notice a basketball court while I walked around, so maybe there are some people who would like to play. The branch is made up of mostly expats from around the globe as the branch is an English branch. Everyone, even the young men, wear suits. There were several young men, nearly as many as in our ward in AZ - most of them American. Though I enjoyed last week's services better, I think that is because it was so small that people went out of their way to include me. I mean, when there are only 4 elders in the elders quorum meeting I kinda have to be involved. But with the larger branch I introduced myself to a few people but others stuck to their routines. I met a couple who moved here from SLC two weeks ago. They are here for 3 -4 months. His wife was very nervous as this was her first time outside the USA. I wished Tevia was here to help her out as her husband is at work all day. With no kids or friends yet, she has been lonely.
I look forward to talking to Tevia tonight before I drift off to sleep and then another work week starts.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Typhoon/Orientation
This week, as opposed to my previous week of sunshine, was mostly gray and rainy. This isn't good when you don't have an umbrella, but I was able to get one and that helped. I have now mastered taking the shuttle down to the office and back. The times are very limited. That is one negative of living where I do is that you are limited to the local bus routes. You can always take a taxi, which is fairly inexpensive, but I am ultra cheap and so just try to fit into the limited bus schedule. In fact, we had two typhoons pass by this week. The first didn't do much. They have a typhoon numbering system here in hong kong which is from 1-10, 10 being the most strong. The first got to a 3. The second came through yesterday. If a typhoon gets up to an 8, then everything shuts down. This makes it hard for people that live some distance away. For example, one area I am interested in living is Discovery Bay. It is a 30 minute ferry ride away. If the ferry shuts down, you aren't getting home! So as soon as it looked like it was going to be an 8, everyone was told to go home. In fact, the 8 was hoisted and then all businesses shut down. Now imagine having thousands of people having to go home at the same time: pure mayhem. For me to get home I had to either wait a couple of hours for my shuttle or take a taxi. The taxi lines were forever long, so that seemed a bad idea. What I ended up doing was taking the subway (MTR) downtown and then taking a shuttle from there. It took over an hour, whereas usually it is a 10 minute drive up to the apartments.
Funny thing is, nothing happened. It was a little windy, but not terrible. The rain didn't seem all that bad either. I think they overreacted a little. But it was a fun experience.
Today I had an orientation planned with my settling-in agent. She was going to take me to look at another serviced apartment to see if we wanted to move in there with Tevia and the boys and then show me around the city. She is from Discovery Bay so we were going to go over there, too. With the typhoon we decided to just go look at the apartment (availability was limited) and play it by ear after that. The apartment was great. I decided to take it as it gives the family much more flexibility and options than where I currently am. It is a two level flat with a view over repulse bay so that we can see the beach (across the street) and the sailboats, etc. It is gorgeous. It also has a nice grocery store right in the complex. It will be a little further from work, but not too bad. Still about 20 minutes - less if by taxi and good traffic.
Afterwards we went to the south part of the island called Stanley. This is a little town with a cool street market that many people love. One of my friends that lived here had suggested I live in that area - even though it is a little further. It was really cool. It has a great "boardwalk" where you see the sea (and there were big waves today with the typhoon). We walked around the market where you can buy anything from art to clothes to books, etc. And fairly cheap. In fact some of it is really cheap. They had some cool shorts (quicksilver) for like $5 USD for me. We then went to a restaurant that my friend had suggested and had tapas (Spanish restaurant) on the bay. It was beautiful and serene. It really is such a nice place to live.
The food has just been amazing. I love to try different foods and love different types of foods. Hong Kong has so many foods. Indian, many types of Chinese (Cantonese, Shanghainese, etc.), Japanese and more. Yesterday for lunch I went to lunch with some of the team from the office and we did dim sum. I have had dim sum in the USA, but the team was excited to take me as they think it is funny to see foreigners try odd foods. It was great! I loved it. I think most people were surprised. The only really odd thing was the deep fried chicken feet. To be honest not even many of the native people ate those so they didn't expect me to eat them. But I did! I'll show them. It wasn't bad at all. One thing about the food is that many of the cuts have little bones in them so you have to spit them out after chewing the pieces. Certainly this isn't normal in the states.
I was planning on going to the temple this afternoon, but the last session is at 1 and I missed it. So then I was going to go see a movie, but my credit card isn't local so it doesn't work online to reserve tickets and most of the movies sell out on the weekends, so I didn't feel like just taking a chance. Maybe I will, though. It is cloudy and rainy, so I can't go hiking like last week.
Yesterday was Jarek's birthday. I was a little sad that I couldn't be there for that. I do miss everyone a lot. I am excited. Just over 2 weeks! Not this week but the next week I am going to Tokyo for most of the week - so that will be fun and I'm sure will pass very quickly.
Funny thing is, nothing happened. It was a little windy, but not terrible. The rain didn't seem all that bad either. I think they overreacted a little. But it was a fun experience.
Today I had an orientation planned with my settling-in agent. She was going to take me to look at another serviced apartment to see if we wanted to move in there with Tevia and the boys and then show me around the city. She is from Discovery Bay so we were going to go over there, too. With the typhoon we decided to just go look at the apartment (availability was limited) and play it by ear after that. The apartment was great. I decided to take it as it gives the family much more flexibility and options than where I currently am. It is a two level flat with a view over repulse bay so that we can see the beach (across the street) and the sailboats, etc. It is gorgeous. It also has a nice grocery store right in the complex. It will be a little further from work, but not too bad. Still about 20 minutes - less if by taxi and good traffic.
Afterwards we went to the south part of the island called Stanley. This is a little town with a cool street market that many people love. One of my friends that lived here had suggested I live in that area - even though it is a little further. It was really cool. It has a great "boardwalk" where you see the sea (and there were big waves today with the typhoon). We walked around the market where you can buy anything from art to clothes to books, etc. And fairly cheap. In fact some of it is really cheap. They had some cool shorts (quicksilver) for like $5 USD for me. We then went to a restaurant that my friend had suggested and had tapas (Spanish restaurant) on the bay. It was beautiful and serene. It really is such a nice place to live.
The food has just been amazing. I love to try different foods and love different types of foods. Hong Kong has so many foods. Indian, many types of Chinese (Cantonese, Shanghainese, etc.), Japanese and more. Yesterday for lunch I went to lunch with some of the team from the office and we did dim sum. I have had dim sum in the USA, but the team was excited to take me as they think it is funny to see foreigners try odd foods. It was great! I loved it. I think most people were surprised. The only really odd thing was the deep fried chicken feet. To be honest not even many of the native people ate those so they didn't expect me to eat them. But I did! I'll show them. It wasn't bad at all. One thing about the food is that many of the cuts have little bones in them so you have to spit them out after chewing the pieces. Certainly this isn't normal in the states.
I was planning on going to the temple this afternoon, but the last session is at 1 and I missed it. So then I was going to go see a movie, but my credit card isn't local so it doesn't work online to reserve tickets and most of the movies sell out on the weekends, so I didn't feel like just taking a chance. Maybe I will, though. It is cloudy and rainy, so I can't go hiking like last week.
Yesterday was Jarek's birthday. I was a little sad that I couldn't be there for that. I do miss everyone a lot. I am excited. Just over 2 weeks! Not this week but the next week I am going to Tokyo for most of the week - so that will be fun and I'm sure will pass very quickly.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
A Week in the East
It has been over one week since I have been here in Hong Kong. To be honest, it almost feels like home (sans the family, of course!). Hong Kong is a wonderful place. I think the most amazing part of Hong Kong - and I've read this many times, but just really didn't believe it - is how safe it feels. For a city the size of NYC you would think it would be sketchy in some areas. But I haven't once been on the streets and ever felt uncomfortable (not including the "I hope I am going in the right direction" feeling). I get on buses, in taxis, walk down streets and never feel unsafe. I hardly even worry about my wallet - something I do even walking around in Phoenix. It is an amazing feat that they have such a safe feeling in the city.
The past few days have been a great experience for me in terms of my career and job. Earl Lee, the president of our company, has been here in Asia. I was able to go to a client meeting with him (Morgan Stanley), have dinner with him, and then lunch today. Not just him and I, but with others, too. But having face time with him and getting to speak to him about my thoughts and having him ask my opinion was a great opportunity. Today his great leadership skills were epitomized in my mind when he came in my office by himself and sat down and just asked how I am doing with all of these changes in my life (re: the move to Hong Kong). He thanked me for being willing to do it and we talked for some time just him and I. I was telling Tevia that I feel "important" now. It is weird. I am not one who looks for approval from my leaders (I look for their respect, but I don't need their doting). It has been a great feeling to feel valued by my company in a way that I haven't before. At one point I was taken into a meeting with Earl and my boss here in HK (Stephen Fairn) to talk about a very confidential project that they wanted me involved in and wanted my opinion on. It was a project I had brought up a few years ago and it was nice to see it come back and know that my opinion was important.
The one funny thing about moving "up" in a company is that you actually do "less." You still have a lot to do, but it isn't so much task driven. You get a lot less to do in terms of action items that have to be done today and a lot more long term things that need to worked on slowly. It is an interesting change.
A typhoon is coming in tonight. They label them with levels of danger - 10 being the highest. Offices shut down if they are 8 or above. It is level 1 right now. I'll let you know how it goes.
The past few days have been a great experience for me in terms of my career and job. Earl Lee, the president of our company, has been here in Asia. I was able to go to a client meeting with him (Morgan Stanley), have dinner with him, and then lunch today. Not just him and I, but with others, too. But having face time with him and getting to speak to him about my thoughts and having him ask my opinion was a great opportunity. Today his great leadership skills were epitomized in my mind when he came in my office by himself and sat down and just asked how I am doing with all of these changes in my life (re: the move to Hong Kong). He thanked me for being willing to do it and we talked for some time just him and I. I was telling Tevia that I feel "important" now. It is weird. I am not one who looks for approval from my leaders (I look for their respect, but I don't need their doting). It has been a great feeling to feel valued by my company in a way that I haven't before. At one point I was taken into a meeting with Earl and my boss here in HK (Stephen Fairn) to talk about a very confidential project that they wanted me involved in and wanted my opinion on. It was a project I had brought up a few years ago and it was nice to see it come back and know that my opinion was important.
The one funny thing about moving "up" in a company is that you actually do "less." You still have a lot to do, but it isn't so much task driven. You get a lot less to do in terms of action items that have to be done today and a lot more long term things that need to worked on slowly. It is an interesting change.
A typhoon is coming in tonight. They label them with levels of danger - 10 being the highest. Offices shut down if they are 8 or above. It is level 1 right now. I'll let you know how it goes.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
extra blessings from the Trek
Hi, there is so much to tell you, and to write in my journal, I don't see how I can even write it all down. for now, I will attempt to just say that all the work for this pioneer trek was worth it. I would guess that about 80% of the youth, and all of the 36 adults that went, got something out of it. my goal was that after all the planning, the Lord would send the Spirit to teach and inspire. He did. I never expected myself to get anything out of it. I truly didn't even think of what I would gain, not even once. I enjoyed the organizing part, and wish I could have done better and had more help. there were things I know could have been improved.
but, the Lord truly blessed me for my efforts. all I can say is that some of the 'hidden knowledge' that He promises us was handed to me Sunday. well, it started on Saturday, when our Stake President suggested that I talk to him about the temple, and that he had an amazing revelation in the temple about the organizing of the trek. that was all I needed. the next 24 hours my mind and heart were filled. I was also fasting, so this helped. ideas I never thought of came to me. everything had a different look and perspective. it was like I was lifted to a higher plane. I can't wait to go to the temple again, so I am going next week, to comtemplate and ponder some things. I hope to be able to share some of them as I organize my thoughts. This I know, the Lord helped me and loves me. and He trusts me. how cool is that!
I am very blessed. Kathy is in Hawaii. Bret is in Hong Kong. Tom is preparing to get the priesthood- which, by the way, will happen in Cleveland on his 18th birthday. Jarek gets baptized Sept 2, and I am flying out to AZ for the baptism, wow!
I stand all amazed, for sure! love, karen
but, the Lord truly blessed me for my efforts. all I can say is that some of the 'hidden knowledge' that He promises us was handed to me Sunday. well, it started on Saturday, when our Stake President suggested that I talk to him about the temple, and that he had an amazing revelation in the temple about the organizing of the trek. that was all I needed. the next 24 hours my mind and heart were filled. I was also fasting, so this helped. ideas I never thought of came to me. everything had a different look and perspective. it was like I was lifted to a higher plane. I can't wait to go to the temple again, so I am going next week, to comtemplate and ponder some things. I hope to be able to share some of them as I organize my thoughts. This I know, the Lord helped me and loves me. and He trusts me. how cool is that!
I am very blessed. Kathy is in Hawaii. Bret is in Hong Kong. Tom is preparing to get the priesthood- which, by the way, will happen in Cleveland on his 18th birthday. Jarek gets baptized Sept 2, and I am flying out to AZ for the baptism, wow!
I stand all amazed, for sure! love, karen
Monday, August 06, 2007
A Greater Understanding
We have now completed an entire week without Bret. The boys were so amazing today. I don't know why I am such a lucky woman. Thanks for all the prayers in our behalf. They are very much appreciated.
So, I have learned a few things this week. I have gained a greater understanding and perspective toward our ward and what my function actually is in it. I am still so immature in so many gospel things. For some of you this personal revelation will be old news.
For so many years I have viewed the ward as just something I went to and did my calling in. I have not ever really thought of it as an extension of my life. Yes, I believe that there are reasons we go to a ward. To be spiritually uplifted, to have social contact, because it is what we are supposed to do. I never felt like I actually "needed" those things as I am a pretty self reliant, self confident sort of person. I always was looking at it from the perspective of I don't need all those things to keep me going.
So, for the first time, because I actually really benefited from being a part of a ward family, this made me realize what my part in the ward is . It is not to be getting, but to be giving. I have for so many years withheld myself, my service, my unconditional love, my missionary efforts from the ward because I didn't feel like I needed any of those things so I felt exempt from having to give them. But this is not the way it works. I realized that being part of a ward has nothing to do with what I want or need. It has all to do with what I can give and share. I have been very selfish with my time and talents. I really feel one of my talents is loving others and helping them feel the love of their Heavenly Father and Jesus. (if you don't believe me, read my patriarchal blessing!) I have hidden my talent under a bushel. I am not proud of this, but I am grateful that I have been given this understanding. I feel that this insight wouldn't have come to me if I had continued to be in my happy little bubble. It took me humbling myself to my lowest point and really seeing myself through the love of others eyes to realize that I needed to do the same thing.
The other thing I have realized and come to understand a tiny fraction, is just how much more compassion and respect I have for single mothers and fathers in this world. They have a hard road to walk. I can not begin to fathom what it must be like to know that day in and day out it is you, and you alone trying to make it all work. This also helped me realize the absolute importance and necessity of having worthy priesthood holders in the ward. There are women who don't have that in their homes, and it is a blessing to know that there are men in their wards that can give that comfort and strength when needed. I don't have a talent for humility. It is one of my big flaws, pride that is. These single women and men must be so humble. They truly have to put their trust and faith in others. I am amazed.
Like I said, this is probably not anything new to most of you. But my heart has been filled with an understanding that I have never had before. I know mom was trying to explain this about her trek experience, and I still want to hear more, so I do in a small way know what she was trying to explain.
I have a long way to go in this gospel. I love to learn new things, and to be stretched and challenged. This week has been a great challenge to me, and I have been on my knees more than I have been in a long time. I feel so much more compelled to read the scriptures with the kids, to try and give them strength and security. I am glad for this time in my life, to teach me more gratitude, more humility and more compassion. I miss Bret like mad, but I know that we are both learning things. I am looking forward to seeing him soon. I won't even get mad if he leaves an otter pop wrapper on the counter! :)
So, I have learned a few things this week. I have gained a greater understanding and perspective toward our ward and what my function actually is in it. I am still so immature in so many gospel things. For some of you this personal revelation will be old news.
For so many years I have viewed the ward as just something I went to and did my calling in. I have not ever really thought of it as an extension of my life. Yes, I believe that there are reasons we go to a ward. To be spiritually uplifted, to have social contact, because it is what we are supposed to do. I never felt like I actually "needed" those things as I am a pretty self reliant, self confident sort of person. I always was looking at it from the perspective of I don't need all those things to keep me going.
So, for the first time, because I actually really benefited from being a part of a ward family, this made me realize what my part in the ward is . It is not to be getting, but to be giving. I have for so many years withheld myself, my service, my unconditional love, my missionary efforts from the ward because I didn't feel like I needed any of those things so I felt exempt from having to give them. But this is not the way it works. I realized that being part of a ward has nothing to do with what I want or need. It has all to do with what I can give and share. I have been very selfish with my time and talents. I really feel one of my talents is loving others and helping them feel the love of their Heavenly Father and Jesus. (if you don't believe me, read my patriarchal blessing!) I have hidden my talent under a bushel. I am not proud of this, but I am grateful that I have been given this understanding. I feel that this insight wouldn't have come to me if I had continued to be in my happy little bubble. It took me humbling myself to my lowest point and really seeing myself through the love of others eyes to realize that I needed to do the same thing.
The other thing I have realized and come to understand a tiny fraction, is just how much more compassion and respect I have for single mothers and fathers in this world. They have a hard road to walk. I can not begin to fathom what it must be like to know that day in and day out it is you, and you alone trying to make it all work. This also helped me realize the absolute importance and necessity of having worthy priesthood holders in the ward. There are women who don't have that in their homes, and it is a blessing to know that there are men in their wards that can give that comfort and strength when needed. I don't have a talent for humility. It is one of my big flaws, pride that is. These single women and men must be so humble. They truly have to put their trust and faith in others. I am amazed.
Like I said, this is probably not anything new to most of you. But my heart has been filled with an understanding that I have never had before. I know mom was trying to explain this about her trek experience, and I still want to hear more, so I do in a small way know what she was trying to explain.
I have a long way to go in this gospel. I love to learn new things, and to be stretched and challenged. This week has been a great challenge to me, and I have been on my knees more than I have been in a long time. I feel so much more compelled to read the scriptures with the kids, to try and give them strength and security. I am glad for this time in my life, to teach me more gratitude, more humility and more compassion. I miss Bret like mad, but I know that we are both learning things. I am looking forward to seeing him soon. I won't even get mad if he leaves an otter pop wrapper on the counter! :)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
The Global Church
Today I had the opportunity to go to church. I was going to take the bus, but I was worried it might rain (it didn't, of course, I should have had faith) so I took the taxi. I got there a lot quicker than expected and so sat in the lobby of the building, which is a large building right on one of the main streets here. It even has a steeple. I noticed quite a few people speaking English but wasn't approached by anyone until I had sat for a while. A chatty guy who is from Hong Kong but has lived in Australia the past few years talked to me and let me know that I had missed the English branch for people that live on Hong Kong island (oh, LDS.org, how could you let me down???). It was at 9 AM. The people I heard speaking English were going home. Lucky for me, there was an English branch meeting at 1:30 PM from Discovery Bay (on Lantau island). They have been meeting here since their location (a school) is undergoing construction, so they have been meeting here for a month.
There were 37 people in the sacrament meeting, though I heard they usually have quite a few more. In the summer, since most of the branch is made of expats, many of the families are back in their home countries for home leave - just like we would be for some time next summer if we stay here. It was fast sunday, something I had forgotten. It was a great meeting as I listened to many testimonies in many accents and most of them humble and non-American. Sunday School had about 10 people and the teacher was Brother Suzuki from Japan. We opened and closed the class with a hymn (I loved that). Priesthood was 5 of us. An American from Montana (though recently lived in Manhattan) who moved here 3 months ago, Suzuki-san from Japan, Randy from Taiwann and another brother from New Zealand (Maori). It was probably the best Elders Quorum meeting I've had in years as we read the First Presidency's message for August and talked about Singles in the church. Who would have thought it would be such a great lesson? I loved being with people I knew came from different cultures than me yet believed the same things I believe. I truly felt a bond of brotherhood as we closed the meeting and I exchanged contact details. Discovery Bay is on another island, so I won't see these guys too often. They all tried to sell me on the advantages of Discovery Bay and said we should definitely go there if we stay longer than the 6 months and have to get regular housing at that point. It is on the same island as the airport and Disneyland. There are no personal vehicles allowed in Discovery Bay - which is a little odd. Apparently this helps reduce the pollution and increase the safety. The goal is to attract expat families. I will definitely keep that in mind. It would be a 30 minute commute if we lived there. However, my commute in PHX is about that and I have to drive. 30 minutes on a ferry where I can read/sleep/do whatever doesn't sound all that bad. Of course, being 10 minutes away by taxi/bus isn't all that bad right now.
My testimony was strengthened as I shared gospel principles and discussions with these members. I felt a real sense of acceptance and love, something I haven't felt much outside of the office here yet. It also made me miss my family even more. Of course, all of these expat men have similar situations each summer as their families typically stay back in the home country for a few weeks after the husbands return.
It was a great day to feel the spirit and enjoy the branch. Next week I'll go the branch we're supposed to go to and hopefully will find the same thing. Even so we will most probably do something with the families from Discovery Bay at some point once the family joins us. I believe the Branch President of the branch actually is one of the heads of Disneyland here, too. Pretty cool job.
There were 37 people in the sacrament meeting, though I heard they usually have quite a few more. In the summer, since most of the branch is made of expats, many of the families are back in their home countries for home leave - just like we would be for some time next summer if we stay here. It was fast sunday, something I had forgotten. It was a great meeting as I listened to many testimonies in many accents and most of them humble and non-American. Sunday School had about 10 people and the teacher was Brother Suzuki from Japan. We opened and closed the class with a hymn (I loved that). Priesthood was 5 of us. An American from Montana (though recently lived in Manhattan) who moved here 3 months ago, Suzuki-san from Japan, Randy from Taiwann and another brother from New Zealand (Maori). It was probably the best Elders Quorum meeting I've had in years as we read the First Presidency's message for August and talked about Singles in the church. Who would have thought it would be such a great lesson? I loved being with people I knew came from different cultures than me yet believed the same things I believe. I truly felt a bond of brotherhood as we closed the meeting and I exchanged contact details. Discovery Bay is on another island, so I won't see these guys too often. They all tried to sell me on the advantages of Discovery Bay and said we should definitely go there if we stay longer than the 6 months and have to get regular housing at that point. It is on the same island as the airport and Disneyland. There are no personal vehicles allowed in Discovery Bay - which is a little odd. Apparently this helps reduce the pollution and increase the safety. The goal is to attract expat families. I will definitely keep that in mind. It would be a 30 minute commute if we lived there. However, my commute in PHX is about that and I have to drive. 30 minutes on a ferry where I can read/sleep/do whatever doesn't sound all that bad. Of course, being 10 minutes away by taxi/bus isn't all that bad right now.
My testimony was strengthened as I shared gospel principles and discussions with these members. I felt a real sense of acceptance and love, something I haven't felt much outside of the office here yet. It also made me miss my family even more. Of course, all of these expat men have similar situations each summer as their families typically stay back in the home country for a few weeks after the husbands return.
It was a great day to feel the spirit and enjoy the branch. Next week I'll go the branch we're supposed to go to and hopefully will find the same thing. Even so we will most probably do something with the families from Discovery Bay at some point once the family joins us. I believe the Branch President of the branch actually is one of the heads of Disneyland here, too. Pretty cool job.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Week End
It is Saturday afternoon here in Hong Kong. I just finished eating lunch, waiting for Tevia to get back from the temple to say goodnight. The week ended quickly. Hard to believe I left PHX nearly a week ago. Yesterday at work I had one on ones with the management team that will be reporting to me. They all seemed very nice and I look forward to working with them. It is a diverse group of employees with many from Hong Kong and Australia, the UK and other places.
Friday morning I was going to venture to take the bus to work, but as I was waiting for the bus somebody drove by and honked. It was one of the managers at the office who lives here and was driving in to work. So I rode in with her. Her husband is actually the chef here at the complex and the main restaurant is named after him. During lunch I decided to try and find the church for Sunday. I was able to find it and was surprised at how beautiful it was. There are two chapels and the English Branch I appear to be in meets at 1:30 PM. I am excited to go. I will have to either take a bus or taxi there.
Friday evening I went to dinner with Nicole Paulson who is the VP of China (non Hong Kong). She was in the mood for burgers so we went to a pub-type place and had burgers. It was good. Kinda funny eating burgers in Hong Kong. My burger had pineapple, bacon and jalepenos. Yummy. I then came home, watched some BSG and went to bed.
Today I woke up and chatted with Tevia. I worked out and went grocery shopping. I bought some good cheese and black forest ham from the butcher for sandwiches. Right now I get like $50 a day per diem for food and transportation. But I live cheap and probably don't spend near that much. Interestingly I have found that food here isn't all that much more than in the USA; in fact some of it is cheaper. Travel is pretty cheap, too. A taxi to work is about $5. The bus is $2.
After shopping I ate lunch and then went hiking. Hong Kong is full of great hiking trails throughout the islands. Many of the trails go right next to where I live so I got my backpack and water and camera and went hiking. It was beautiful. I took some pix, but I can't get them off the camera so I will have to wait to post them. The hike was pretty good. Next week I will go even farther. Some of the hikes are miles/hours long. I saw many beautiful butterflies and birds.
This evening I decided to take the bus down to central (downtown) and go to the IFC (International Financial Center) which is the tallest building in Hong Kong. Like most big buildings, including my office, it has a mall inside it. I ate dinner at "Pret a Manger" which is a great french little sandwich shop. They did have a Ben & Jerry's, which I'm sure i will try one day. I did find some Vitamin Water - so that was cool. Most of the shops were of no interest to me as they are high brow expensive shops like Coach or Armani, etc. It is amazing how much money people have here in HK. They have very expensive cars too, like Mercedes and BMWs. I wanted to see a movie, but Harry Potter was sold out. Most people buy tix before time online and you even get to pick out your own seats online in the theaters. Pretty cool.
It is now getting late. I am watching Dune (the original movie) which I got from the apartments' movie library. It really is a lame movie. I had always heard it was, but now that I am watching it, I can confirm that it is quite bad. Good night for now.
Friday morning I was going to venture to take the bus to work, but as I was waiting for the bus somebody drove by and honked. It was one of the managers at the office who lives here and was driving in to work. So I rode in with her. Her husband is actually the chef here at the complex and the main restaurant is named after him. During lunch I decided to try and find the church for Sunday. I was able to find it and was surprised at how beautiful it was. There are two chapels and the English Branch I appear to be in meets at 1:30 PM. I am excited to go. I will have to either take a bus or taxi there.
Friday evening I went to dinner with Nicole Paulson who is the VP of China (non Hong Kong). She was in the mood for burgers so we went to a pub-type place and had burgers. It was good. Kinda funny eating burgers in Hong Kong. My burger had pineapple, bacon and jalepenos. Yummy. I then came home, watched some BSG and went to bed.
Today I woke up and chatted with Tevia. I worked out and went grocery shopping. I bought some good cheese and black forest ham from the butcher for sandwiches. Right now I get like $50 a day per diem for food and transportation. But I live cheap and probably don't spend near that much. Interestingly I have found that food here isn't all that much more than in the USA; in fact some of it is cheaper. Travel is pretty cheap, too. A taxi to work is about $5. The bus is $2.
After shopping I ate lunch and then went hiking. Hong Kong is full of great hiking trails throughout the islands. Many of the trails go right next to where I live so I got my backpack and water and camera and went hiking. It was beautiful. I took some pix, but I can't get them off the camera so I will have to wait to post them. The hike was pretty good. Next week I will go even farther. Some of the hikes are miles/hours long. I saw many beautiful butterflies and birds.
This evening I decided to take the bus down to central (downtown) and go to the IFC (International Financial Center) which is the tallest building in Hong Kong. Like most big buildings, including my office, it has a mall inside it. I ate dinner at "Pret a Manger" which is a great french little sandwich shop. They did have a Ben & Jerry's, which I'm sure i will try one day. I did find some Vitamin Water - so that was cool. Most of the shops were of no interest to me as they are high brow expensive shops like Coach or Armani, etc. It is amazing how much money people have here in HK. They have very expensive cars too, like Mercedes and BMWs. I wanted to see a movie, but Harry Potter was sold out. Most people buy tix before time online and you even get to pick out your own seats online in the theaters. Pretty cool.
It is now getting late. I am watching Dune (the original movie) which I got from the apartments' movie library. It really is a lame movie. I had always heard it was, but now that I am watching it, I can confirm that it is quite bad. Good night for now.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
The Day of Fear
Today was my second full day in Hong Kong. I woke up early again, before the alarm went off, and enjoyed my wonderful shower and sunshine coming into my window. Since I am unable to get the pix off my camera at this time, I can't share any pix, but the apartment I am in is really cool. Tonight after work I went to the gym and worked out for an hour and came back and took a bath in the extremely deep tub surrounded by marble. It was great.
But earlier in the day I had one of those moments that I'm sure will happen again and is normal. It happened many times in Brazil. Since I am in the business of international relocation I am well aware of the many phases of relocation. Theres the excitement phase, honeymoon phase, regret phase, and more. Today as I went to get lunch and exhange my USD into Hong Kong dollars I felt how different things really are. Of course I KNOW that, but then I started to feel like this "different" was about to become permanent. The doubts began to swirl. Then I read an email from Tevia about Enok missing me and it brought tears to my eyes. Why would I put my family through this? Will they hate it? As I sat and thought about it, I think the fear had less to do with moving to HK and more to do with my "new" role. They really want me to be the Vice President of Hong Kong and Asia International Operations. I feel flattered, but of course that is a huge responsibility. So mix the self-doubt of "can I really do this?" with the anxiety of living in a new country and it really hit me hard.
But later on my thoughts returned positive. I met with the consultant who will be helping us find schools and housing and it went well. I had been a little nervous about the schools. We are going to apply to about 4 schools. One is the Hong Kong International School which is based on American curriculum. This school tends to be full and has a long waiting period, but since we are American we could "make it." We decided to apply to schools close to the two locations we will most probably be living (either in the same complex I am now in, which is great; or a similar complex on the other side of island called Repulse Bay which is right by the beach - I was looking for places that would be out of the "downtown" to avoid pollution for Malik). The other schools are two British schools and a Montessori school. I don't know much about Montessori schools, but it is brand new and I know a few people who love them. So we added it to the list. Hopefully we'll get into a couple of them and then we can choose. I learned that all schools bus, so they would come and pick up the kids each day and drive them back which would be very convenient. All 4 schools would be within 15 minutes of our apartment. The apartment I am in now which is up on the mountain is only 10 minutes from my office by taxi.
Tomorrow I meet with the managers that will be reporting to me. One other note - the food has been awesome so far. I absolutely love it - and it is fairly reasonably priced. Tonight after working out I went to the super market which is in our complex and bought milk and cereal. Fun, fun...
But earlier in the day I had one of those moments that I'm sure will happen again and is normal. It happened many times in Brazil. Since I am in the business of international relocation I am well aware of the many phases of relocation. Theres the excitement phase, honeymoon phase, regret phase, and more. Today as I went to get lunch and exhange my USD into Hong Kong dollars I felt how different things really are. Of course I KNOW that, but then I started to feel like this "different" was about to become permanent. The doubts began to swirl. Then I read an email from Tevia about Enok missing me and it brought tears to my eyes. Why would I put my family through this? Will they hate it? As I sat and thought about it, I think the fear had less to do with moving to HK and more to do with my "new" role. They really want me to be the Vice President of Hong Kong and Asia International Operations. I feel flattered, but of course that is a huge responsibility. So mix the self-doubt of "can I really do this?" with the anxiety of living in a new country and it really hit me hard.
But later on my thoughts returned positive. I met with the consultant who will be helping us find schools and housing and it went well. I had been a little nervous about the schools. We are going to apply to about 4 schools. One is the Hong Kong International School which is based on American curriculum. This school tends to be full and has a long waiting period, but since we are American we could "make it." We decided to apply to schools close to the two locations we will most probably be living (either in the same complex I am now in, which is great; or a similar complex on the other side of island called Repulse Bay which is right by the beach - I was looking for places that would be out of the "downtown" to avoid pollution for Malik). The other schools are two British schools and a Montessori school. I don't know much about Montessori schools, but it is brand new and I know a few people who love them. So we added it to the list. Hopefully we'll get into a couple of them and then we can choose. I learned that all schools bus, so they would come and pick up the kids each day and drive them back which would be very convenient. All 4 schools would be within 15 minutes of our apartment. The apartment I am in now which is up on the mountain is only 10 minutes from my office by taxi.
Tomorrow I meet with the managers that will be reporting to me. One other note - the food has been awesome so far. I absolutely love it - and it is fairly reasonably priced. Tonight after working out I went to the super market which is in our complex and bought milk and cereal. Fun, fun...
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Since you've been gone...
We are now on day three of Bret being gone. Let me give a run down of how things have gone since then.
Day one. We drive Bret to the airport. We chat and laugh and make small talk. On the way there my mind is already starting to break down. I have been telling people for the last two weeks that I am not really going to think about the implications of all of this until Bret leaves. I am amazed at just how capable our minds are when we tell it to do something. We pull up to the drop off curb. I get a cart for him, as he has three pieces of luggage and only himself going into the airport. He gets the luggage. We hug for a minute and then he steps into the van to tell the boys goodbye. He hugs and kisses the older boys, and they hardly notice since their noses are glued to their D.S.'s. He leans over to Enok and kisses him. Enok starts to cry. He steps out of the van and I hug and kiss him. My emotions are almost too big to contain and tears trickle down my face. My heart is racing and I am overcome with too many feelings to keep them in check.
"I love you".
"I love you too".
"Call me when you get to San Francisco".
"I will".
I get back into the van and start to drive off. I look back once and see my husband pushing a cart full of luggage that will keep him from me for a month. I can see that he looked for me looking for him. I hope he doesn't see the tears streaming down my face and the panic that begins to overwhelm me. Enok is screaming and crying at the top of his lungs and I am getting agitated. He cries the whole way home. So do I.
At home I completely fall apart. Who am I? I am not this weak, sad, out of control person. Enok continues to cry if I hold him, cry if I put him down, cry if I look at him, cry if I don't look at him. I have to pull myself together to care for him. The older boys are glad I am a basket case because I tell them to just play Nintendo. I go in my room with Enok and just hold him. He wants to be close to me. He has cried himself out to the point of no energy. He lays his head against my chest and my heart beats in time with his baby hiccups that you get after crying so much. He clings to my arms with his and doesn't want to budge. Slowly, he falls into a restless sleep and I put him in his crib. He sleeps for three hours.
I don't remember if I even fed Jarek and Malik that day. I think Jarek took care of things. He is a good boy. I just sit and fall apart. I am not a functioning person. I don't know how this happened. I notice three hours have gone by and Enok has not stirred. I begin to worry so I go in and check on him. He is just laying there. I pick him up. He skin is clammy and cool to the touch. I try to get him to drink. He does.
The rest of the night he is very listless. He responds to my voice, but won't sit up. He falls over, either on the ground or, if I am holding him, against my chest. I am worried and call both mom's, and two nurses. Nobody knows what is wrong. I call Risa and she comes over. I am so grateful for her strength. She walks in and says I look terrible. I would have to agree with her assessment. I am still worried and can't seem to think straight. She convinces me to call someone to give Enok and myself a blessing. This is so terribly hard for me. I am so bad at asking for help, but I need it. I am lost. I get a hold of a brother in the ward and he is more than willing to come and assist us. He finds another brother and the first one brings his wife. I am a blubbering mess and too distraught to care about my appearance. First they bless Enok. A sweet blessing and already I feel peace creep into my heart. Enok seems soothed too. As they lay their hands on my head, I feel something dark lift from my heart and my mind begins to clear. When they finish I feel lighter, and more myself. I hug them both and the wife of the first brother hugs me. I hug her with an intensity that portrays all the emotion that is pouring out of me. She lets me cling to her as long as I need to, and she strokes my hair and tells me she loves me and everything will be fine. I am grateful for her strength.
Today is now Wednesday. Three days since Bret has gone to Hong Kong. We are more or less back to normal. More or less. Enok is still feeling Bret's absence and is very clingy and emotional. Night is the hardest for him and he just wants to be held and comforted. I sing to him and tell him I love him and that we will see daddy soon. It is amazing to me that one so young can be that affected by one parent gone out of the house. We miss the priesthood feeling in our home. We are trying to keep the spirit here by praying together and being kind to one another. The boys seem to be more helpful and loving to me and each other. They are good boys.
I have to admit, I can not believe that I fell apart. But I also know that it was my own doing. Perhaps if, instead of shunting all my feelings to the side until the day Bret left, I had let myself think about it a little each day, I would not have been such a wreck. But then again, maybe it was good that I let myself hit rock bottom so that I could build up from the bottom and move forward with all the things that I need to get done. Either way, I am excited for our adventure. I am glad for this opportunity and feel great peace that this is the time in our lives to be doing this. Our boys have such a wonderful opportunity ahead of them, and I hope that I can be a good example to them and show them a positive outlook.
Now I will be focusing on all the things that need to get done. Look out August, I am on the move!!!
Day one. We drive Bret to the airport. We chat and laugh and make small talk. On the way there my mind is already starting to break down. I have been telling people for the last two weeks that I am not really going to think about the implications of all of this until Bret leaves. I am amazed at just how capable our minds are when we tell it to do something. We pull up to the drop off curb. I get a cart for him, as he has three pieces of luggage and only himself going into the airport. He gets the luggage. We hug for a minute and then he steps into the van to tell the boys goodbye. He hugs and kisses the older boys, and they hardly notice since their noses are glued to their D.S.'s. He leans over to Enok and kisses him. Enok starts to cry. He steps out of the van and I hug and kiss him. My emotions are almost too big to contain and tears trickle down my face. My heart is racing and I am overcome with too many feelings to keep them in check.
"I love you".
"I love you too".
"Call me when you get to San Francisco".
"I will".
I get back into the van and start to drive off. I look back once and see my husband pushing a cart full of luggage that will keep him from me for a month. I can see that he looked for me looking for him. I hope he doesn't see the tears streaming down my face and the panic that begins to overwhelm me. Enok is screaming and crying at the top of his lungs and I am getting agitated. He cries the whole way home. So do I.
At home I completely fall apart. Who am I? I am not this weak, sad, out of control person. Enok continues to cry if I hold him, cry if I put him down, cry if I look at him, cry if I don't look at him. I have to pull myself together to care for him. The older boys are glad I am a basket case because I tell them to just play Nintendo. I go in my room with Enok and just hold him. He wants to be close to me. He has cried himself out to the point of no energy. He lays his head against my chest and my heart beats in time with his baby hiccups that you get after crying so much. He clings to my arms with his and doesn't want to budge. Slowly, he falls into a restless sleep and I put him in his crib. He sleeps for three hours.
I don't remember if I even fed Jarek and Malik that day. I think Jarek took care of things. He is a good boy. I just sit and fall apart. I am not a functioning person. I don't know how this happened. I notice three hours have gone by and Enok has not stirred. I begin to worry so I go in and check on him. He is just laying there. I pick him up. He skin is clammy and cool to the touch. I try to get him to drink. He does.
The rest of the night he is very listless. He responds to my voice, but won't sit up. He falls over, either on the ground or, if I am holding him, against my chest. I am worried and call both mom's, and two nurses. Nobody knows what is wrong. I call Risa and she comes over. I am so grateful for her strength. She walks in and says I look terrible. I would have to agree with her assessment. I am still worried and can't seem to think straight. She convinces me to call someone to give Enok and myself a blessing. This is so terribly hard for me. I am so bad at asking for help, but I need it. I am lost. I get a hold of a brother in the ward and he is more than willing to come and assist us. He finds another brother and the first one brings his wife. I am a blubbering mess and too distraught to care about my appearance. First they bless Enok. A sweet blessing and already I feel peace creep into my heart. Enok seems soothed too. As they lay their hands on my head, I feel something dark lift from my heart and my mind begins to clear. When they finish I feel lighter, and more myself. I hug them both and the wife of the first brother hugs me. I hug her with an intensity that portrays all the emotion that is pouring out of me. She lets me cling to her as long as I need to, and she strokes my hair and tells me she loves me and everything will be fine. I am grateful for her strength.
Today is now Wednesday. Three days since Bret has gone to Hong Kong. We are more or less back to normal. More or less. Enok is still feeling Bret's absence and is very clingy and emotional. Night is the hardest for him and he just wants to be held and comforted. I sing to him and tell him I love him and that we will see daddy soon. It is amazing to me that one so young can be that affected by one parent gone out of the house. We miss the priesthood feeling in our home. We are trying to keep the spirit here by praying together and being kind to one another. The boys seem to be more helpful and loving to me and each other. They are good boys.
I have to admit, I can not believe that I fell apart. But I also know that it was my own doing. Perhaps if, instead of shunting all my feelings to the side until the day Bret left, I had let myself think about it a little each day, I would not have been such a wreck. But then again, maybe it was good that I let myself hit rock bottom so that I could build up from the bottom and move forward with all the things that I need to get done. Either way, I am excited for our adventure. I am glad for this opportunity and feel great peace that this is the time in our lives to be doing this. Our boys have such a wonderful opportunity ahead of them, and I hope that I can be a good example to them and show them a positive outlook.
Now I will be focusing on all the things that need to get done. Look out August, I am on the move!!!
On my way
Written on the plane:
July 30, 2007
It is 9:30 PM. I’ve been on this plane for over 6 hours. Halfway there! It was difficult trying to sleep last night, though I was able to better than I expected. As I woke up at 5, and then every half hour until 6:30 I realized I was nervous. I also realized that I was feeling sad. I had been so excited about going to Hong Kong I hadn’t thought hard about the fact that I will be alone for almost a month. And Tevia and the boys will be without me. That is a long time. I hope Tevia forgives me. I hope that this assignment turns out to be everything I expected – or even half – so that Tevia knows what a great opportunity this is. That it will pass quickly and soon she’ll be sitting here next to me with our three boys sitting on a plane for 13 hours.
I think I’m nervous due to a couple of things. Going to Brazil I was nervous and excited, too. Though I spoke Portuguese pretty well by the time I flew down there, my Chinese, and in particular my Cantonese aren’t nearly as good. I worry about simple things like will my ride be there waiting for me. Will I find a money exchange place. Will I get to my apartment okay. All these things will work out fine, but I worry about details like that. I like to know how things will work. But with all travel, and even more so with international travel, there will always be some flexibility required.
Tevia dropped me off at the airport this morning with the boys. She had tears in her eyes as she hugged me goodbye. I hugged and kissed the boys and felt tears come to my eyes, too. Poor Tevia. I don’t think she realized what was really going to happen. I have never been away from her or the boys for so long. This will be much harder than living in a new country. The flight to San Francisco was brief and then I had to get onto a small shuttle bus which drove me through the underworld of the San Francisco airport. I arrived just in time for boarding and got on. Last time I traveled internationally I went to Paris and sat in coach. This time I got business class and I recall seeing the seats with jealousy and coveting a few years ago. It really does make a huge difference. I bought a book at the airport (Dune: Hunters of Dune) to keep me occupied. I also have an arsenal of electronics to keep me busy. I read for an hour or so and then watched a movie (Disturbia) while they served dinner. Both were surprisingly good. I then broke out the Nintendo DS and played some “New Super Mario Bros.” Then I did some Sudoku until my brain started hurting.
I looked around to watch another movie and watched a few minutes of “300” in Portuguese. I don’t think it was edited like some of the other movies, so I turned it off (though it looked really cool) and broke out the lappy to record some of my feelings. I had purchased an electronic connection for my laptop and other electronic items which seems to work, so that made me happy.
While driving to the airport with Tevia I related to her how I feel like I’m starting a new life almost. I will be in a new country. I will have a new job that I’m not entirely sure what it is I will be doing. I have spent years building an ideal team environment and team and now I am back to square one. I will be in a new apartment. For the first time in my life I will really stand out. Even in Brazil I passed for Brazilian if not Argentine since I had dark hair and skin and spoke well. I can’t really pass of Chinese though. Though I am happy to be able to go a little earlier to get things ready for Tevia and the boys, I wish they would have come with me. It would be a lot to ask, but I will miss them. I have determined to focus on working out as I will have a gym and hiking at my disposal. And seeing those guys on 300 with their abs gave me some inspiration to get ready for when I see Tevia again.
I think it is good to feel stretched from time to time in life. Everyone knows that remaining static is not good. Even in the gospel we talk about growing each year, every day. This will be a good stretch for me. At the same time I will be getting something I have really wanted: an opportunity to live again outside the USA. I am excited to have my wife and kids experience some of what I did in Brazil. Obviously there will be large differences, but many of the same themes will hopefully come across. Themes like how spoiled we are as Americans (though living in a resort-like community home won’t be quite as effective as living in a shack in Brazil) and how wonderful we have life. Learning to love God’s children around the globe. Learning to accept and even love diversity. That is what I hope to get out of this. That and some awesome food!
I am watching the little map screen and see that we have passed the international date line and I can see Japan on the map now. The flight has been wonderful. I have been amazed at the service. Definitely much nicer than I anticipated. The one thing about traveling business class is that we won’t be able to lay the kids down as the arm rests don’t go up. But they recline pretty far. Hopefully that will help. With their DSs and movies and sleep, I think they will do great. We’ll see how I feel a few hours from now when I start going crazy. Tchau for now.
July 30, 2007
It is 9:30 PM. I’ve been on this plane for over 6 hours. Halfway there! It was difficult trying to sleep last night, though I was able to better than I expected. As I woke up at 5, and then every half hour until 6:30 I realized I was nervous. I also realized that I was feeling sad. I had been so excited about going to Hong Kong I hadn’t thought hard about the fact that I will be alone for almost a month. And Tevia and the boys will be without me. That is a long time. I hope Tevia forgives me. I hope that this assignment turns out to be everything I expected – or even half – so that Tevia knows what a great opportunity this is. That it will pass quickly and soon she’ll be sitting here next to me with our three boys sitting on a plane for 13 hours.
I think I’m nervous due to a couple of things. Going to Brazil I was nervous and excited, too. Though I spoke Portuguese pretty well by the time I flew down there, my Chinese, and in particular my Cantonese aren’t nearly as good. I worry about simple things like will my ride be there waiting for me. Will I find a money exchange place. Will I get to my apartment okay. All these things will work out fine, but I worry about details like that. I like to know how things will work. But with all travel, and even more so with international travel, there will always be some flexibility required.
Tevia dropped me off at the airport this morning with the boys. She had tears in her eyes as she hugged me goodbye. I hugged and kissed the boys and felt tears come to my eyes, too. Poor Tevia. I don’t think she realized what was really going to happen. I have never been away from her or the boys for so long. This will be much harder than living in a new country. The flight to San Francisco was brief and then I had to get onto a small shuttle bus which drove me through the underworld of the San Francisco airport. I arrived just in time for boarding and got on. Last time I traveled internationally I went to Paris and sat in coach. This time I got business class and I recall seeing the seats with jealousy and coveting a few years ago. It really does make a huge difference. I bought a book at the airport (Dune: Hunters of Dune) to keep me occupied. I also have an arsenal of electronics to keep me busy. I read for an hour or so and then watched a movie (Disturbia) while they served dinner. Both were surprisingly good. I then broke out the Nintendo DS and played some “New Super Mario Bros.” Then I did some Sudoku until my brain started hurting.
I looked around to watch another movie and watched a few minutes of “300” in Portuguese. I don’t think it was edited like some of the other movies, so I turned it off (though it looked really cool) and broke out the lappy to record some of my feelings. I had purchased an electronic connection for my laptop and other electronic items which seems to work, so that made me happy.
While driving to the airport with Tevia I related to her how I feel like I’m starting a new life almost. I will be in a new country. I will have a new job that I’m not entirely sure what it is I will be doing. I have spent years building an ideal team environment and team and now I am back to square one. I will be in a new apartment. For the first time in my life I will really stand out. Even in Brazil I passed for Brazilian if not Argentine since I had dark hair and skin and spoke well. I can’t really pass of Chinese though. Though I am happy to be able to go a little earlier to get things ready for Tevia and the boys, I wish they would have come with me. It would be a lot to ask, but I will miss them. I have determined to focus on working out as I will have a gym and hiking at my disposal. And seeing those guys on 300 with their abs gave me some inspiration to get ready for when I see Tevia again.
I think it is good to feel stretched from time to time in life. Everyone knows that remaining static is not good. Even in the gospel we talk about growing each year, every day. This will be a good stretch for me. At the same time I will be getting something I have really wanted: an opportunity to live again outside the USA. I am excited to have my wife and kids experience some of what I did in Brazil. Obviously there will be large differences, but many of the same themes will hopefully come across. Themes like how spoiled we are as Americans (though living in a resort-like community home won’t be quite as effective as living in a shack in Brazil) and how wonderful we have life. Learning to love God’s children around the globe. Learning to accept and even love diversity. That is what I hope to get out of this. That and some awesome food!
I am watching the little map screen and see that we have passed the international date line and I can see Japan on the map now. The flight has been wonderful. I have been amazed at the service. Definitely much nicer than I anticipated. The one thing about traveling business class is that we won’t be able to lay the kids down as the arm rests don’t go up. But they recline pretty far. Hopefully that will help. With their DSs and movies and sleep, I think they will do great. We’ll see how I feel a few hours from now when I start going crazy. Tchau for now.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
4 More Days...
4 more days. I can't believe it. Today was my last day in the Phoenix office - for at least 6 months. It was weird packing up my desk. Nobody told me to pack up my desk, but I figure they are replacing me, so I should clean out my desk, right? Nobody from management came to say goodbye, except Jimmie. Good ole Jimmie. My boss' only communication to me today was from his blackberry. It was a question: when do you leave? I replied Monday. He replied - good, I'm probably going to need you to go to Singapore in the next couple of weeks. No "goodbye" or "good luck." Kinda weird. In fact, for all I know few people even know I left.
My team did a great farewell "soiree" for me though. We had pizza and they bought me a bunch of books on Hong Kong, Lonely Planet China, maps of Hong Kong and some basic Cantonese and Mandarin phrase books. They also go a big picture of my team and framed it with some comments on it. They definitely spent way too much on it. But it was nice. I never feel comfortable in those situations. I don't like being the center of attention (hard to imagine, huh?). Many people said goodbye with teary eyes. It was sweet. One of my employees - a guy from NY - said as he left: "I remember when 9/11 happened and I was on the Tappan Zee Bridge and could see the buildings falling that tears came to my eyes and I knew it was a dramatic moment. Seeing you leave is very similar - but on a lower scale of course." I thought that was very touching. Now there are rumors that all of these people will quit with me gone. I hope not. A good leader shouldn't cause a grand exodus.
So I have no desk, no idea what will happen in 6 months, and an $8,000 ticket to HK on Monday. Here I go...
My team did a great farewell "soiree" for me though. We had pizza and they bought me a bunch of books on Hong Kong, Lonely Planet China, maps of Hong Kong and some basic Cantonese and Mandarin phrase books. They also go a big picture of my team and framed it with some comments on it. They definitely spent way too much on it. But it was nice. I never feel comfortable in those situations. I don't like being the center of attention (hard to imagine, huh?). Many people said goodbye with teary eyes. It was sweet. One of my employees - a guy from NY - said as he left: "I remember when 9/11 happened and I was on the Tappan Zee Bridge and could see the buildings falling that tears came to my eyes and I knew it was a dramatic moment. Seeing you leave is very similar - but on a lower scale of course." I thought that was very touching. Now there are rumors that all of these people will quit with me gone. I hope not. A good leader shouldn't cause a grand exodus.
So I have no desk, no idea what will happen in 6 months, and an $8,000 ticket to HK on Monday. Here I go...
Monday, July 23, 2007
Full House, but lonely~~
Well, I guess I wouldn't be lonely if I were still reading Harry Potter! Bret, Jacob and Millie all have their noses plastered to the pages of the last installment of the book. Having already finished the book, it is fun to think about how they may be feeling as they turn the pages and learn the fates of all the wonderful characters in this book.
I will just sit here and think about finishing up the primary program, but will probably go read the book mom let me borrow by Mitch Albom. Or, maybe I will just go rest my eyes. That's right, I will just rest them..........
I will just sit here and think about finishing up the primary program, but will probably go read the book mom let me borrow by Mitch Albom. Or, maybe I will just go rest my eyes. That's right, I will just rest them..........
Friday, July 20, 2007
Hong Kong Bound?
Tuesday morning I went into work after two wonderful weeks of vacation in NY. I still want to blog about that trip. It was fantastic. I had an email on my blackberry from my boss saying to see him first thing in the morning. I was hoping that it had something to do with the new job I had kinda created for myself as I had asked him to work on it while I was out. He said he had some bad news and some good news. Optimistic as I am I thought, "oh great, no luck on the new role!" But the bad news was one of my good friends in the Hong Kong office was leaving Prudential. The good news was that they wanted me to go over and take her spot - at least for a short period of time.
I was almost shocked. For years I have desired an expat assignment and have asked for them and to be honest was close to leaving Prudential due to the fact that I just didn't see a possibility of getting one. I am an international person who went to arguably the best international school in the world. I had started at a company with great international opportunities and in the short time frame of a few months this year my role had actually diminished in the international field as I was asked to help with the US domestic business. Now all of the sudden it was being given to me.
It is amazing when something you have wanted so long, or dreamed about for so long, really happens. It is almost like when something terrible happens: you can't believe it is really happening. All week my mind has been distracted. Work has been tough as I think about what might be in store. I signed my letter stating that my assignment won't be more than 183 days (due to tax reasons), but I know in speaking to my new boss in Hong Kong that his idea is for us to stay longer, if possible. Prudential has provided me great benefits while I am there including allowing my wife and children to come with me.
I am so excited. Hong Kong, from everyone I have spoken to who has lived there, is an awesome place to live. Most people speak a little English, which is helpful. I am hoping to be able to learn some more Mandarin (even though Cantonese is the main Chinese spoken in HK). I am excited to be there with my family and experience a new life for some time. There is a temple there and they even have English-speaking wards. I am hoping we will also get to see other parts of Asia that I have always wanted to see like Japan and Thailand.
Who knows what will happen in the next year or so. If it truly turns into a longer term assignment we may not be seeing too much of the states for a while. We'll be back for Christmas, even our Mexico trip in August. It feels almost like Christmas. It is even hard for me to sleep. I am theoretically going over on July 30 on my own and then will return at the end of August to go to Mexico with the family and then bring them back with me after Labor Day.
I am so excited. I can't wait.
I was almost shocked. For years I have desired an expat assignment and have asked for them and to be honest was close to leaving Prudential due to the fact that I just didn't see a possibility of getting one. I am an international person who went to arguably the best international school in the world. I had started at a company with great international opportunities and in the short time frame of a few months this year my role had actually diminished in the international field as I was asked to help with the US domestic business. Now all of the sudden it was being given to me.
It is amazing when something you have wanted so long, or dreamed about for so long, really happens. It is almost like when something terrible happens: you can't believe it is really happening. All week my mind has been distracted. Work has been tough as I think about what might be in store. I signed my letter stating that my assignment won't be more than 183 days (due to tax reasons), but I know in speaking to my new boss in Hong Kong that his idea is for us to stay longer, if possible. Prudential has provided me great benefits while I am there including allowing my wife and children to come with me.
I am so excited. Hong Kong, from everyone I have spoken to who has lived there, is an awesome place to live. Most people speak a little English, which is helpful. I am hoping to be able to learn some more Mandarin (even though Cantonese is the main Chinese spoken in HK). I am excited to be there with my family and experience a new life for some time. There is a temple there and they even have English-speaking wards. I am hoping we will also get to see other parts of Asia that I have always wanted to see like Japan and Thailand.
Who knows what will happen in the next year or so. If it truly turns into a longer term assignment we may not be seeing too much of the states for a while. We'll be back for Christmas, even our Mexico trip in August. It feels almost like Christmas. It is even hard for me to sleep. I am theoretically going over on July 30 on my own and then will return at the end of August to go to Mexico with the family and then bring them back with me after Labor Day.
I am so excited. I can't wait.
beautiful morning
Sometimes when we are busy, it helps to just sit down. I took my healthy bowl of granola with fresh raspberries from our garden and blueberries from Adams out to the front porch swing at 8am. the beauty of the morning overwhelmed me, and I couldn't help but be grateful for the area we live in, the peace and quiet, the deer walking way back in the distance, the hummingbird that flew over to say hi, the bluebird eating bugs in the front lawn, Tommy raking the grass in the back, Kathy already up and going to Borders to get in line for the 'book', etc. although I am quite busy today throwing a party for the DeMoura's, and have tons to do for trek, this 15 minutes gave me what I needed to cheerfully get ready for the party, and cheerfully work on the trek. Bret, I love my hummingbird feeder! It will remind me of you every time I see it, just like my bluebirds do Jacob. miss you all!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Booger face
Here are some picts of the lil stink butt! Sorry I'm not very good at getting them out. Maybe I'll have to show Millie how to do it and pass it off to her as her job... maybe as a bimonthly thing! :)
Monday, July 02, 2007
A.R.K.
So Millie and I had a date night last Friday and since there's really not much out in theaters right now worth seeing (in comparison with the anticipation of Harry Potter and Transformers!) we went to Evan Almighty... I had heard mostly bad reviews, but since the source was less than reliable we thought we'd give it a shot; after all, it did look "good."
And it was good. I liked it. It had a great message. I think Millie tends to see most movies/books/forms of entertainment as just that... entertainment (you can correct me if I'm way wrong Bean) but I love looking for messages in almost all that I'm exposed to.
Of course the story is LOOSELY based off of the story of Noah and the ark... and coming out of Hollywood (and considering it starred Steve Carell) they didn't seem to be TOO far off on the POINT of the story. There's even a part where God (played by Morgan Freeman) says to Evan: The story of Noah isn't a story about God's vengeance or wrath, it's about love... it's about the animals walking side by side, two by two into the ark... it's about Noah and his family working along side each other, supporting each other and trusting each other... and that no matter what Even is put through, God does it because he loves him. Another point made was how Evan had been elected to Congress and set out to "change the world"... God (Morgan Freeman) explained that the way you change the world is by simple and small Acts of Random Kindness (A.R.K.).
Which brings me to my next point... The short story "Homeless In Hell", by Orson Scott Card, tells of a man who dies and was not good enough for heaven and not bad enough for hell, and so, like many other "lost souls" was forced to wander the streets of hell. In the streets he meets a man who gives him a "job." His job is to help living children. Mostly to bring them comfort (for those that are lonely or scared or being abused) or to help in anyway they can. The story is a Christmas story so it talks about how the Christmas holiday is the busiest and that's when they try to find ways to "pick the pockets of the wealthy" and find ways to "get the money into the hands of children in need." He explains how being dead and without a body makes this VERY difficult since there are VERY few dead souls that are able to affect the living world, and those who can have VERY limited abilities. The point of the story is this: He explains how it is SO easy for the living to make a difference in the lives of others (children specifically in the story) yet so few take the opportunities to do so. He reflects (as a dead person) on how much more he could have done in life to make a difference and maybe make it into heaven had he just acted once in a while.
My third (and last) point is this: This is really more for me than anyone else, but I call myself to action. Sure I don't see many opportunities to really help someone in "need"... my life is very routine. But I know there are people in the world that could use a hand and I hope to do better at providing that hand and serve. Sure it's just a movie, or just a short story, but I believe truth can be found in all mediums and I support anything that is in line with the gospel of Jesus Christ and serves to make the world a little better. It's easy to be overwhelmed and forget, but truly, by simple Acts of Random Kindness, I think we can change the world.
And it was good. I liked it. It had a great message. I think Millie tends to see most movies/books/forms of entertainment as just that... entertainment (you can correct me if I'm way wrong Bean) but I love looking for messages in almost all that I'm exposed to.
Of course the story is LOOSELY based off of the story of Noah and the ark... and coming out of Hollywood (and considering it starred Steve Carell) they didn't seem to be TOO far off on the POINT of the story. There's even a part where God (played by Morgan Freeman) says to Evan: The story of Noah isn't a story about God's vengeance or wrath, it's about love... it's about the animals walking side by side, two by two into the ark... it's about Noah and his family working along side each other, supporting each other and trusting each other... and that no matter what Even is put through, God does it because he loves him. Another point made was how Evan had been elected to Congress and set out to "change the world"... God (Morgan Freeman) explained that the way you change the world is by simple and small Acts of Random Kindness (A.R.K.).
Which brings me to my next point... The short story "Homeless In Hell", by Orson Scott Card, tells of a man who dies and was not good enough for heaven and not bad enough for hell, and so, like many other "lost souls" was forced to wander the streets of hell. In the streets he meets a man who gives him a "job." His job is to help living children. Mostly to bring them comfort (for those that are lonely or scared or being abused) or to help in anyway they can. The story is a Christmas story so it talks about how the Christmas holiday is the busiest and that's when they try to find ways to "pick the pockets of the wealthy" and find ways to "get the money into the hands of children in need." He explains how being dead and without a body makes this VERY difficult since there are VERY few dead souls that are able to affect the living world, and those who can have VERY limited abilities. The point of the story is this: He explains how it is SO easy for the living to make a difference in the lives of others (children specifically in the story) yet so few take the opportunities to do so. He reflects (as a dead person) on how much more he could have done in life to make a difference and maybe make it into heaven had he just acted once in a while.
My third (and last) point is this: This is really more for me than anyone else, but I call myself to action. Sure I don't see many opportunities to really help someone in "need"... my life is very routine. But I know there are people in the world that could use a hand and I hope to do better at providing that hand and serve. Sure it's just a movie, or just a short story, but I believe truth can be found in all mediums and I support anything that is in line with the gospel of Jesus Christ and serves to make the world a little better. It's easy to be overwhelmed and forget, but truly, by simple Acts of Random Kindness, I think we can change the world.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Water World
Wednesday I took off of work for my flex day (we have a new flex working schedule where I can take off 1 day every 4 weeks if I work 30 minutes more each day) and we packed up and went to Waterworld, which is a water park near our home. It was a lot of fun. It is nothing like Raging Waters or Seven Peaks in UT (which I don't understand since Utah only has summer for a few months), but for our kids it was a lot of fun. Enok didn't complain all day. Jarek and Malik had a lot of fun. Malik especially enjoyed the wave pool. I enjoyed the weather, being in water, and having a day off with my family. We were careful with the sunscreen so none of us burned or anything. They had a small area where the pool was about 2 or 3 feet deep with little slides for kids to go down. That is where we spent most of our time. It was so much fun.
Monday, June 25, 2007
day one of roof
I am already a stress mess. so is dad. he tried to be happy and cheerful, and did so all morning. the problem came when he realized we need all new wood under the shingles, and not just shingles. the 4 day job just turned into an 8 day job. Poor Jacob and Tom, and dad. and dad's arms and hands are already numb. they do that after he works hard for a few hours. like if he does chain saw work, after an hour, the hands just can not hold the saw anymore. weird. and jacob came tired from the red eye, so he had to sleep during the afternoon. they really needed one more guy. I told dad to call duncan campbell, or scott sleater. they are strong and both hard workers. he is afraid of what would happen if they got hurt. I think our home owners would cover it, but I guess we shouldn't take a chance. so, needless to say, it is going up t 94 tomorrow, hottest day of the year, I will be gone at girls camp, so I can't even make them lunch or drinks, kathy will be at work, tom has to work 4-9, and they are in a bad spot. I really wanted don to have someone do this job. this is so stressful to me. and him. he is not mad, just frustrated and worried. so much for jake's vacation. and Kathy already had a nail go thru her ididas sandal all the way up thru her toe. and I had to go get groceries and tons of gatorade, and carry it all in myself, so my back now hurts. and I have to pack for camp and drive out there and none of them can help me do that either. I hope tomorrow is a better day. ;(
Friday, June 22, 2007
the new Jake
we met Stacie's finance last night. he is really an all-around basic nice guy. he speaks Korean, I guess from his mission. he is not asian. he is polite and cute around Stacie, of course. he slept here last night, but will go to the father-son campout tonight, and then is staying in the city tomorrow night. we won't see much of him. they asked if he had to check in when he comes over, as it will generally be late. :) he is easy-going, and doesn't seem to be too stressed about living here with people he never met. he is working with Bill doing tree work all summer. yikes. that will be hard.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Lonely in Detroit
I'm in Detroit, Michigan (Troy to be exact) in a Marriott as I am visiting one of my clients tomorrow (Delphi). It is a nice hotel, but I miss my wife and kids. I will see my wife and one kid tomorrow, but probably won't see Jarek and Malik for a few days as they are going up to Show Low tomorrow (another attempt after last week's delay). I did have a great dinner. We ate at a steakhouse called Shula's (named after the NFL coach). I ordered the filet mignon and lobster bisque. It was fantastic. I don't usually order steak, but since it was a steakhouse and that was really all we could order, I went with it. Now I am finishing up some emails and might go down to the gym and sauna.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Spare Tires, Shampoo and Fathers
This last week Tevia ran over a nail with the Kia Sedona (van). We have had the van over a year now and love it to death. But I have now found one thing I don't like about it - but I don't think it is just for Kia Sedonas. To change the tire was a major ordeal. I remember sitting down to change the tire and thinking of A Christmas Story movie when the father talks about changing the tire in record time. Well, you can't do that with spares these days. First, the spare is under the carriage and has to be released by unscrewing a bolt under a mat on in front of one of the chairs in the back. I happened to remember this from when we bought it, otherwise I would have been really confused. That took time to get off since I couldn't figure out how to get it off. Then the jack and lugnut remover were these tiny things (I guess to save space?) that you hooked together and took about 10 minutes just to lift the van high enough to remove the tire. So what I thought would be a 10 minute job took over 30 minutes. But Tevia took it to Discount Tire the next morning where they repaired the tire and put everything back in less than 15 minutes for the unbeatable price of "free."
My hair is at that odd stage where it isn't short enough or long enough to do anything. So recently I decided I was just going to use conditioner in my hair to style it. It was hard to find some, so I looked under the sink and found a small green bottle. I put it in my hair and noticed it got all sudsy. I was confused and just kept working it in and finally it was fine and worked. The next morning I looked at the bottle more closely and saw that it was shampoo AND conditioner. So I had used shampoo in my hair all day to style it. It made me laugh.
Yesterday was Father's Day. I listened to the talks in church and thought they were great. The speakers, of course, spoke about their fathers. This made me think of my father(s). I realized that out there somewhere is a man who has a child and has no idea what that child is doing with his life. He has no idea that he has a beautiful daughter-in-law and three amazing grand children. He lost his blessings of a father. And then there is another man who was willing to take a young boy along with the girl of his dreams. He tried his hardest to fill that role of a father and probably never realized how well he did. He wasn't perfect, but he did his best and now can enjoy all the blessings a real father deserves. I am eternally grateful for this man and the joys he has brought to me, my mother and my brothers and sister and my wife and children. I hope he knows what a great father he really is.
My hair is at that odd stage where it isn't short enough or long enough to do anything. So recently I decided I was just going to use conditioner in my hair to style it. It was hard to find some, so I looked under the sink and found a small green bottle. I put it in my hair and noticed it got all sudsy. I was confused and just kept working it in and finally it was fine and worked. The next morning I looked at the bottle more closely and saw that it was shampoo AND conditioner. So I had used shampoo in my hair all day to style it. It made me laugh.
Yesterday was Father's Day. I listened to the talks in church and thought they were great. The speakers, of course, spoke about their fathers. This made me think of my father(s). I realized that out there somewhere is a man who has a child and has no idea what that child is doing with his life. He has no idea that he has a beautiful daughter-in-law and three amazing grand children. He lost his blessings of a father. And then there is another man who was willing to take a young boy along with the girl of his dreams. He tried his hardest to fill that role of a father and probably never realized how well he did. He wasn't perfect, but he did his best and now can enjoy all the blessings a real father deserves. I am eternally grateful for this man and the joys he has brought to me, my mother and my brothers and sister and my wife and children. I hope he knows what a great father he really is.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Children's Prayers
Well, I know I have said it before, but I just love listening to the prayers of my children. It is so amazing to watch their world open up before them and what things they are thankful for. Malik loves to pray that people (including Heavenly Father, Jesus, dead prophets etc...) will be "good". I think it is great that he wants things and people to be good. He is now praying for the moon and the stars and the clouds. His prayers stay consistent for a few weeks, then he mixes them up a little, but he always prays for everyone to be good.
Jarek's prayers, when he is taking the time to really say them, are so thoughtful and heartfelt. I believe he is so much like Bret in that he knows he is praying to God. A lot of kids his age still just pray because that is what they are told to do.
Jarek was taking a walk with me yesterday and we were talking about praying. For some reason we started talking about when he gets married (oh yeah, he wants to get married before Malik and that is what sparked the conversation). I asked him what kind of girl he wants to marry and he said that she has to be a Mormon and pretty. I asked him how he would know if he should marry her. And he thought for a minute and said "well, because I will be in love with her". I said that is good to be in love, but sometimes we don't always marry the person that we are first in love with. Then he said, "Well, I will pray about it then." I told him that is exactly what he should do. He asked if Bret and I prayed about getting married and I told him we did. I asked him what he thought would happen if you didn't pray about who you should marry. He said that probably we wouldn't be as happy as we should be. We talked about how even when Bret and I get mad at each other, we can always think back on when we prayed to the Lord if we should get married and know that our prayers were answered. I think he was thinking about this because I had a friend over who's marriage isn't doing too well. We were talking and you know how kids can listen in! She was telling me how neither her nor her husband had really prayed to see if they should get married. They both just figured that it was the next step they should take and wanted to get married. Anyhow, we (Jarek and I) talked about how when we don't ask the Lord about very important decisions, we have a higher chance of not being as happy as we could be. He was a little worried because of the love thing, but then he said, and I was amazed that he would think this at his age, "Well mom, I guess we can love a lot of people, and I should wait to find the one I love and that Heavenly father wants me to love, there has to be a perfect match for me and I will get her."He is amazing. :)
I love talking about these important things with my children. It is an amazing experience to be a parent.
Jarek's prayers, when he is taking the time to really say them, are so thoughtful and heartfelt. I believe he is so much like Bret in that he knows he is praying to God. A lot of kids his age still just pray because that is what they are told to do.
Jarek was taking a walk with me yesterday and we were talking about praying. For some reason we started talking about when he gets married (oh yeah, he wants to get married before Malik and that is what sparked the conversation). I asked him what kind of girl he wants to marry and he said that she has to be a Mormon and pretty. I asked him how he would know if he should marry her. And he thought for a minute and said "well, because I will be in love with her". I said that is good to be in love, but sometimes we don't always marry the person that we are first in love with. Then he said, "Well, I will pray about it then." I told him that is exactly what he should do. He asked if Bret and I prayed about getting married and I told him we did. I asked him what he thought would happen if you didn't pray about who you should marry. He said that probably we wouldn't be as happy as we should be. We talked about how even when Bret and I get mad at each other, we can always think back on when we prayed to the Lord if we should get married and know that our prayers were answered. I think he was thinking about this because I had a friend over who's marriage isn't doing too well. We were talking and you know how kids can listen in! She was telling me how neither her nor her husband had really prayed to see if they should get married. They both just figured that it was the next step they should take and wanted to get married. Anyhow, we (Jarek and I) talked about how when we don't ask the Lord about very important decisions, we have a higher chance of not being as happy as we could be. He was a little worried because of the love thing, but then he said, and I was amazed that he would think this at his age, "Well mom, I guess we can love a lot of people, and I should wait to find the one I love and that Heavenly father wants me to love, there has to be a perfect match for me and I will get her."He is amazing. :)
I love talking about these important things with my children. It is an amazing experience to be a parent.
Friday, June 15, 2007
men and books
did you hear on the news the report that most men after high school don't read a single book? and 85% of books are purchased by women. I am glad my boys all read! keep jarek and malik in the habit. :0
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
St. Louis Trip
So I thought I'd tell everyone about how my trip to St. Louis went and then this'll count as my journal entry for it and I can stop feeling guilty that I haven't written in my journal about it yet. :)
So Nicole and I arrived in St. Louis Thursday night after an uneventful flight. We got the grand tour of my parents' new kitchen, planned our activities for the next day, and then everyone but Nicole and I went to bed. Dang time difference. So I set up the Wii (I took our's with me to show it off to the family) and played Paper Mario until I was tired enough to sleep.
Friday morning we were off to the zoo with my parents, Nicole, my sister Wendy and her four kids. We met my sister Karen and her husband David and their four kids at the zoo a little later that day, which was when I learned that I was the last to find out that she's pregnant again. Apparently what happened is my mom told Nicole and just assumed that Nicole would tell me. Well, Nicole thought mom would tell me and didn't think to mention it. Needless to say, she's due in October. And then while we were on the subject, I also learned I was the last to know that my brother Michael's girlfriend Sarah is also pregnant and due in August. Same train of miscommunication for that information. So yeah, basically, everyone in my family with functioning reproductive systems is having babies except for me. Meh.
Ok, it's really not that bad and this post is supposed to be about my trip to St. Louis and not my lack of fruit in the womb, so I'll stop whining now. I really am happy for all my siblings to be having babies and what-not. So the zoo actually was pretty fun. It wasn't too warm and it was cloudy, so for St. Louis, it was a pretty nice day. After the zoo it was back to my parents' house for lunch and then some clothes shopping with Nicole and my mom. Found some cute shirts at a second hand store that I like. After that we introduced the family to the Wii. My parents had already seen it at my oldest brother's house but the kids loved it. I think my brother-in-law David loved it the most though. We spent the rest of the night relaxing and playing with the kids.
Saturday morning we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese, half of which was the first time for them. Let's just say I went there to compete for the best aunt in the universe award and I think I won. :) It was really fun for the kids and for us to see them having so much fun. We got some cute pictures and made some really good memories. After that, all of us non-grandparents and non-grandkids went to see Pirates (which was the first time I saw it). Some of us loved it and some of us didn't. I think everyone knows how I feel about it already. If you don't, here's a clue: I cried. A lot. And they were not happy tears. Moving on, my sisters and David and I went to dinner at Chipotle! They finally got a Chipotle in St. Louis, which might actually tip the scales enough for Jacob to consider going there with me sometime before my parents move or die. Then Wendy and Nicole and I went shopping at the cooler mall (i.e. the one with the store where I have a gift card) and I found 3 adorable dresses at the Macy's dress sale. Since I couldn't pick, I just got all 3. :) I very much had the intention to take 2 of the 3 back after I had some more time to think about it and after Jacob had seen pictures of me in them, but well, those intentions took a permenant vacation.
Sunday we just lazed around (my parents have afternoon church) and Nicole got to show off her plumbing skills. My mom dropped some random peice of jewelry down the sink and Nicole got it out. In the process, she discovered that my parents' sink had a leak. I think that was the part that most impressed my dad considering he hadn't even noticed it. Since my mom is now in the nursery, I got to just hang out in there with my youngest nephew, Jesse. I think the other nursery leaders (who didn't know me before I left home) were a little confused because I wasn't his mom and yet I was there...it was more fun than Sunday School though, I'm quite sure. :) Sunday night we sang around the piano for about four hours, which might not sound like fun to some people. But of all my memories from my younger years, singing around the piano on Sunday nights is one of my favorites. That was a lot of fun. Then we just sat around and talked until about 2 am (which is very, very late for my parents).
Monday Nicole was busy fixing the sink where she discovered the leak and my dad was helping her, so I played DDR and just relaxed and packed. We left Monday afternoon and after another uneventful flight, I was safely back in Jacob's arms. Overall, it was a very good trip. I missed Jacob, obviously, but it was fun. I am very happy to say that despite precedent and Jacob's predictions, we watched no movies at home. The only one we saw was Pirates and that was a planned activity and at the theater. Though after I found out that the last time my parents were at the movies was the see Return of the King, I'm really wishing I would have made them come with us.
So Nicole and I arrived in St. Louis Thursday night after an uneventful flight. We got the grand tour of my parents' new kitchen, planned our activities for the next day, and then everyone but Nicole and I went to bed. Dang time difference. So I set up the Wii (I took our's with me to show it off to the family) and played Paper Mario until I was tired enough to sleep.
Friday morning we were off to the zoo with my parents, Nicole, my sister Wendy and her four kids. We met my sister Karen and her husband David and their four kids at the zoo a little later that day, which was when I learned that I was the last to find out that she's pregnant again. Apparently what happened is my mom told Nicole and just assumed that Nicole would tell me. Well, Nicole thought mom would tell me and didn't think to mention it. Needless to say, she's due in October. And then while we were on the subject, I also learned I was the last to know that my brother Michael's girlfriend Sarah is also pregnant and due in August. Same train of miscommunication for that information. So yeah, basically, everyone in my family with functioning reproductive systems is having babies except for me. Meh.
Ok, it's really not that bad and this post is supposed to be about my trip to St. Louis and not my lack of fruit in the womb, so I'll stop whining now. I really am happy for all my siblings to be having babies and what-not. So the zoo actually was pretty fun. It wasn't too warm and it was cloudy, so for St. Louis, it was a pretty nice day. After the zoo it was back to my parents' house for lunch and then some clothes shopping with Nicole and my mom. Found some cute shirts at a second hand store that I like. After that we introduced the family to the Wii. My parents had already seen it at my oldest brother's house but the kids loved it. I think my brother-in-law David loved it the most though. We spent the rest of the night relaxing and playing with the kids.
Saturday morning we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese, half of which was the first time for them. Let's just say I went there to compete for the best aunt in the universe award and I think I won. :) It was really fun for the kids and for us to see them having so much fun. We got some cute pictures and made some really good memories. After that, all of us non-grandparents and non-grandkids went to see Pirates (which was the first time I saw it). Some of us loved it and some of us didn't. I think everyone knows how I feel about it already. If you don't, here's a clue: I cried. A lot. And they were not happy tears. Moving on, my sisters and David and I went to dinner at Chipotle! They finally got a Chipotle in St. Louis, which might actually tip the scales enough for Jacob to consider going there with me sometime before my parents move or die. Then Wendy and Nicole and I went shopping at the cooler mall (i.e. the one with the store where I have a gift card) and I found 3 adorable dresses at the Macy's dress sale. Since I couldn't pick, I just got all 3. :) I very much had the intention to take 2 of the 3 back after I had some more time to think about it and after Jacob had seen pictures of me in them, but well, those intentions took a permenant vacation.
Sunday we just lazed around (my parents have afternoon church) and Nicole got to show off her plumbing skills. My mom dropped some random peice of jewelry down the sink and Nicole got it out. In the process, she discovered that my parents' sink had a leak. I think that was the part that most impressed my dad considering he hadn't even noticed it. Since my mom is now in the nursery, I got to just hang out in there with my youngest nephew, Jesse. I think the other nursery leaders (who didn't know me before I left home) were a little confused because I wasn't his mom and yet I was there...it was more fun than Sunday School though, I'm quite sure. :) Sunday night we sang around the piano for about four hours, which might not sound like fun to some people. But of all my memories from my younger years, singing around the piano on Sunday nights is one of my favorites. That was a lot of fun. Then we just sat around and talked until about 2 am (which is very, very late for my parents).
Monday Nicole was busy fixing the sink where she discovered the leak and my dad was helping her, so I played DDR and just relaxed and packed. We left Monday afternoon and after another uneventful flight, I was safely back in Jacob's arms. Overall, it was a very good trip. I missed Jacob, obviously, but it was fun. I am very happy to say that despite precedent and Jacob's predictions, we watched no movies at home. The only one we saw was Pirates and that was a planned activity and at the theater. Though after I found out that the last time my parents were at the movies was the see Return of the King, I'm really wishing I would have made them come with us.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Cinderella
Yesterday I was doing laundry and cleaning the house and in the middle of making lunch for the kids when Malik looked up at me and asked "mom, are you Cinderella?" I asked him why he would think that and he said, "because you do all the work." It made me laugh. He is so cute.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
My Birthday and the Gila Monster
Friday was my 33rd birthday. What a wonderful day it was. I didn't take off of work, but I did leave a little early. The night before I had opened my gifts from my parents. They gave me a wonderful adidas shirt, a great button up shirt and tie and a Paul Cardall CD, who happens to be a friend I grew up with in Utah. They were generous and personal. I am actually listening to the CD right now and it is beautiful. Thank you mom and dad.
We were fortunate enough to have Jacob Webb and Mille and their daughter down so Friday night we ordered some Taco Bell and had a fun evening. Tevia got me some adidas Indiana Pacers shoes. They are awesome. Jarek got me some coupons which were hidden all over the house for giving me a massage and helping me with stretches. I am so lucky to have such a great family. We played RAGE with Jacob and Millie and Risa and I was able to pull off a win on my birthday. It was fun. We topped off the night with some Dairy Queen cake and Simpsons.
Saturday we got up early as it was Tevia's grandmother's 70th birthday. She was having a party up in Globe, AZ so we got up and on the way stopped at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. It was beautiful as we saw many birds and plants. The coolest part of that trip was hearing Jarek say, "hey, I see a gila monster." Most of us were incredulous as we had never seen a gila monster, but sure enough there was a gila monster! We went down to get a closer look. It was so cool. Tevia took some pics and I'll try to post it on here later. Gila monsters, though poisonous, are extremely slow, so we weren't too worried. It was a lot of fun.
The birthday for Tevia's grandmother was nice as we saw a lot of family we haven't seen in a long time. It was a great birthday weekend.
We were fortunate enough to have Jacob Webb and Mille and their daughter down so Friday night we ordered some Taco Bell and had a fun evening. Tevia got me some adidas Indiana Pacers shoes. They are awesome. Jarek got me some coupons which were hidden all over the house for giving me a massage and helping me with stretches. I am so lucky to have such a great family. We played RAGE with Jacob and Millie and Risa and I was able to pull off a win on my birthday. It was fun. We topped off the night with some Dairy Queen cake and Simpsons.
Saturday we got up early as it was Tevia's grandmother's 70th birthday. She was having a party up in Globe, AZ so we got up and on the way stopped at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. It was beautiful as we saw many birds and plants. The coolest part of that trip was hearing Jarek say, "hey, I see a gila monster." Most of us were incredulous as we had never seen a gila monster, but sure enough there was a gila monster! We went down to get a closer look. It was so cool. Tevia took some pics and I'll try to post it on here later. Gila monsters, though poisonous, are extremely slow, so we weren't too worried. It was a lot of fun.
The birthday for Tevia's grandmother was nice as we saw a lot of family we haven't seen in a long time. It was a great birthday weekend.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
unprepared for test
I administered an 8th grade social studies 2 hour statewide test yesterday at WJ High. there was a fairly good-looking boy, who just sat and stared most of the time. when one of us 4 teachers walked by, (yes, 4 to a class of 28, how ridiculous), he would kind of pretend to write something. I took a look at the test. soooo easy! I could answer every question, and I haven't read a s studies book in years. there were pictures of lots of people standing in line in 1929 or so, and the question was, "what are these people standing in line for?" now, I have seen that pic hundreds of times. it was a soup line in the depression, and, they are studying the depression. duh. who wouldn't know that.
back to my topic. the poor kid looked pretty sad. I think it hit him that he was now suffering the consequences of not preparing for the test, even in the smallest way by paying attention in class.
later, I administered a math test. same reaction to another cute, athletic type guy. he looked lost, not bored. he looked sad, not rebellious. all his friends were busily writing away. he didn't know any of the answers.
I quickly paralled this to our life. we are continuously being tested. we are here to prepare. the next world is just a continuation of what we have learned. if we don't prepare now, we are going to look and feel so stupid when we pass on to that world, if we pass.
the boy's look of confusion and bewilderment was sad to me. he had the same chance to prepare as the others. he had the same teachers, the same books, albeit, maybe different trials at home. we all have different trials here, but we all have the same opportunity. the Lord makes sure of that. he had to face the consequences, and for the moment, they were sad for him,... but I would bet not much later he was over it.
we will all have to face our consequences. what will we say when some angel at the next gate says, why didn't we read our scriptures? etc.
this could be a great talk. I want all of you to know the answers. I want all of you to pass!
back to my topic. the poor kid looked pretty sad. I think it hit him that he was now suffering the consequences of not preparing for the test, even in the smallest way by paying attention in class.
later, I administered a math test. same reaction to another cute, athletic type guy. he looked lost, not bored. he looked sad, not rebellious. all his friends were busily writing away. he didn't know any of the answers.
I quickly paralled this to our life. we are continuously being tested. we are here to prepare. the next world is just a continuation of what we have learned. if we don't prepare now, we are going to look and feel so stupid when we pass on to that world, if we pass.
the boy's look of confusion and bewilderment was sad to me. he had the same chance to prepare as the others. he had the same teachers, the same books, albeit, maybe different trials at home. we all have different trials here, but we all have the same opportunity. the Lord makes sure of that. he had to face the consequences, and for the moment, they were sad for him,... but I would bet not much later he was over it.
we will all have to face our consequences. what will we say when some angel at the next gate says, why didn't we read our scriptures? etc.
this could be a great talk. I want all of you to know the answers. I want all of you to pass!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Disappearing Bees
Colony Collapse Disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This has been pretty big news in AZ and now I saw this in Wikipedia today. Interesting article. I also found it odd that beekeepers make more money renting their bees for pollination than for honey. Makes sense, but never thought of it.
This has been pretty big news in AZ and now I saw this in Wikipedia today. Interesting article. I also found it odd that beekeepers make more money renting their bees for pollination than for honey. Makes sense, but never thought of it.
My quick two cents
About Pirates, I liked it... for the most part. I can see how some people would fall asleep, and there were some parts that were entirely too cheesy (the wedding)... ALTHOUGH... it would probably be a wedding I wouldn't mind being at... better than any other bore-fest I've had to attend (don't worry Millie, I'm not talking about our wedding).
I too have heard several people say how they had a hard time following the plot and understanding the accents... not sure how that's possible... they are all speaking English after all... meh.
Anyway... I agree overall, it was a good movie. But... the end scene after the credits was not worth staying for. bleh.
I too have heard several people say how they had a hard time following the plot and understanding the accents... not sure how that's possible... they are all speaking English after all... meh.
Anyway... I agree overall, it was a good movie. But... the end scene after the credits was not worth staying for. bleh.
Monday, June 04, 2007
birthday ideas and hints,
Not that I expect anything, but., there are a few things I want. new scripture case, but a really cool one. money for a hanging flower basket, $15. will do, a new toaster, or a small toaster oven that fits well on the counter, or money to buy one, $33. target, 29. kmart. Gift certificate for Borders or Barnes and Noble.
Tevia, did I tell you that the one necklace you made me, (brown), is too tight. if you could bring some (or buy some here) additional links to add to it?
Bret, hope you are having a good birthday week!
Tevia, did I tell you that the one necklace you made me, (brown), is too tight. if you could bring some (or buy some here) additional links to add to it?
Bret, hope you are having a good birthday week!
Jarek's just keeps growing up.
So, yesterday Jarek decided to fast for the first time. Neither Bret nor I put the idea in his head and I told him he really didn't have to if he didn't want to, but he was determined. We told him the when we fast, we fast with a purpose, not just to go without food. So he fasted for my sister Risa. He wants her to get married. While we were in sacrament meeting, I passed a water bottle to Malik and then Jarek accidentally took a sip. He realized what he had done and got very upset and worried that his fast wouldn't count since he took a drink. He got very teary-eyed and my heart was so sad for him. I explained that sometimes we forget and make a mistake like that (I told him that sometimes Bret forgets and will accidentally take a drink after he brushes his teeth) and we just apologize to the Lord and then start from that point on with a new resolve not to forget again. He was comforted after that and did a good job fasting.
It is so amazing seeing him grow up. We just switched the rooms around and let him have his own room for the summer. Malik and Enok are in the bigger room and Jarek is in Enok's old room. Jarek loves it and Malik hates it. Malik has been so sad that he has nobody to talk to and he is so lonely. Jarek loves not having Malik in the same room to pester him. I can understand how they both feel. So last night, after Malik was particularly sad, Jarek went into his room and gave him a big hug and a kiss and told him that he loved him. Malik was still sad, but I think it meant a lot to him. Jarek is a very good big brother to Malik.
And I have to say that Malik is a very good big brother to Enok. He really takes good care of him.I have the most wonderful children ever!
It is so amazing seeing him grow up. We just switched the rooms around and let him have his own room for the summer. Malik and Enok are in the bigger room and Jarek is in Enok's old room. Jarek loves it and Malik hates it. Malik has been so sad that he has nobody to talk to and he is so lonely. Jarek loves not having Malik in the same room to pester him. I can understand how they both feel. So last night, after Malik was particularly sad, Jarek went into his room and gave him a big hug and a kiss and told him that he loved him. Malik was still sad, but I think it meant a lot to him. Jarek is a very good big brother to Malik.
And I have to say that Malik is a very good big brother to Enok. He really takes good care of him.I have the most wonderful children ever!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Pirates and Food Wars
So we finally got to go see Pirates III (Tevia and I). It was a great date as she got the babysitter and we headed up to see the movie. I was excited to see it, but had read some of the mixed reviews (including ones right on this blog!). I had loved the first one, enjoyed the second one even more, and so had high hopes for the third, but was cautious seeing how some people hated it and I heard of more than one person falling asleep in the movie.
In the end: I loved it! I am not sure if all of us are seeing the same movie. First of all, a few people including Tommy and Risa, had mentioned it was a hard plot to follow. I didn't find this to be true. It seemed to flow very well for me. I think that perhaps some people literally just don't understand what is being said due to the accents. I was captivated from the first scene and loved so many of the performances. Johnny Depp was fantastic as usual, but in this film he had some competition. Geoffrey Rush was amazing as Captain Barbosa - even better than in the first film. I loved, once again, Tia Dalma as her persona steals each scene she is in. Even Davey Jones is amazing and performs well in his dramatic scenes. Hey, I even enjoyed the monkey Jack after hating him in the previous two. I see today that it retained its #1 ranking this weekend which I think will be a surprise to most people. But I thought the film was entertaining and, for a sequel, different. Each film brings new things in this series and this film adds an air of mystery and "Alias-ness" to it. Keira Knightley, after not being impressed with her in the second film, returns in this film with flair and some hotness. She looked mighty fine and tan in this movie which adds a nice dessert for the fine meal that At World's End was. I liked the ending as it was not predictable and made sense. I also enjoyed the setup for a possible fourth film which I am sure will happen. If you stayed til the end, which I doubt most of you did, I also enjoyed the final scene with Will and Keira's kid. Orlando Bloom will never be a great actor, but he certainly does well in fantasy roles where he has to look brave and confident. Legolas and Will Turner were great roles for him.
Last week, or perhaps the week before, Jarek was in a play at his school. The play was called Food Wars and was a spoof on Star Wars that takes place in a food shop. They had tryouts for the parts and Jarek tried out for Dark Chocolate - the equivalent of our fallen Jedi. He did not get the part, but was then asked to be Fruit Juicedrinker (Luke Skywalker). I was so proud of him and saw how he practiced his lines so hard. As I attended the performance the morning before I went to Dayton, Ohio, it was so fun to see him perform. Tevia did a great job on his costume. He was the only one who had all of his lines memorized (with a substantial part) and, besides Darth Chocolate, was really the only kid who understood how to use his voice as a tool to show emotion, humor and emphasis. He got the most laughs from the audience. Later that day apparently he was asked to give his autograph to a few people, which when he told us said that people had given him their autograph. He is a talented child and I'm so glad to have him in our family.
In the end: I loved it! I am not sure if all of us are seeing the same movie. First of all, a few people including Tommy and Risa, had mentioned it was a hard plot to follow. I didn't find this to be true. It seemed to flow very well for me. I think that perhaps some people literally just don't understand what is being said due to the accents. I was captivated from the first scene and loved so many of the performances. Johnny Depp was fantastic as usual, but in this film he had some competition. Geoffrey Rush was amazing as Captain Barbosa - even better than in the first film. I loved, once again, Tia Dalma as her persona steals each scene she is in. Even Davey Jones is amazing and performs well in his dramatic scenes. Hey, I even enjoyed the monkey Jack after hating him in the previous two. I see today that it retained its #1 ranking this weekend which I think will be a surprise to most people. But I thought the film was entertaining and, for a sequel, different. Each film brings new things in this series and this film adds an air of mystery and "Alias-ness" to it. Keira Knightley, after not being impressed with her in the second film, returns in this film with flair and some hotness. She looked mighty fine and tan in this movie which adds a nice dessert for the fine meal that At World's End was. I liked the ending as it was not predictable and made sense. I also enjoyed the setup for a possible fourth film which I am sure will happen. If you stayed til the end, which I doubt most of you did, I also enjoyed the final scene with Will and Keira's kid. Orlando Bloom will never be a great actor, but he certainly does well in fantasy roles where he has to look brave and confident. Legolas and Will Turner were great roles for him.
Last week, or perhaps the week before, Jarek was in a play at his school. The play was called Food Wars and was a spoof on Star Wars that takes place in a food shop. They had tryouts for the parts and Jarek tried out for Dark Chocolate - the equivalent of our fallen Jedi. He did not get the part, but was then asked to be Fruit Juicedrinker (Luke Skywalker). I was so proud of him and saw how he practiced his lines so hard. As I attended the performance the morning before I went to Dayton, Ohio, it was so fun to see him perform. Tevia did a great job on his costume. He was the only one who had all of his lines memorized (with a substantial part) and, besides Darth Chocolate, was really the only kid who understood how to use his voice as a tool to show emotion, humor and emphasis. He got the most laughs from the audience. Later that day apparently he was asked to give his autograph to a few people, which when he told us said that people had given him their autograph. He is a talented child and I'm so glad to have him in our family.
Friday, June 01, 2007
cape cod!
I am so excited about the upcoming trip! it will be great being together. I have some fun ideas for the kids.
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