Fall Fun

I am still trying to play catch up from October and November! One of my friends from Russia came to Utah for General Conference. We spent one night at This is the Place Monument and driving out to all of the Temples in Salt Lake. I left work early one day and we went up to Park City with Julie and Dan. Katya loved the Alpine Coaster (even if she did get a little bit scared - the poor lady behind her almost hit her - apparently she stopped in the middle of the ride). After Katya left we had our annual trip to Frightmares - it wasn't nearly as cold as it was last year - no snow this year - but we still had a blast! Especially on our favorite ride - the ladybug drop! And of course - no trip is complete without treats! Julie, Dan, and I wanted to go on a hike to see the fall leaves, but things were so crazy we didn't get a chance to go until Halloween - Dan got stuck in some trees... ..and there was already snow! It was beautiful!

Russia Part 3

Two months later and finally the end of my trip to Russia! Our last stop in Russia was to Tula, the last city I served in. We got up early and raced to the train station. We were really running late, luckily a nice ticket counter agent took pity on us and helped us, even though we weren't at the right counter. Claire had been reading Anna Karenina and wanted to go to Yasnaya Polyana- Tolstoi's estate - or as Cam called him - Toy Story. Of course - since it was Russia - by the time we got to the estate we were told it was closed. They had some kind-of production that night that they were preparing for. After pleading with the guards a tour group came up - and were immediately let in - we finally convinced the tour guide to let us "join" their group - after I told her we didn't want the tour - we just wanted to get in! So, we immediately ditched the group and wandered around the estate. The next day we raced to church - it was so fun to see all my friends at church - although I felt like a grandma - the cute girls that were my little 13 and 14 year-old young women are now married and have children!! We enjoyed a nice LONG dinner (an hour after we ordered they finally put our food on the grill) - but we had a comfy couch at our table - so at least we were comfortable. Then raced to the train (I may or may not have mixed up the time so we almost missed the train) We hated to leave Katya's house in Moscow - we had so much fun chatting with her every night! Sadly all good things must come to end, and after an interesting flight - complete with a drunk Russian harassing Cam, we came back to reality :(

Russia Part 2

After a relaxing weekend in Voronezh it was time to head back to Moscow for some sightseeing. At Church of Christ the Savior Red Square was closed for a big military band concert while we were in Moscow, we tried every entrance, and all the guards told us there was no way we could get in. We tried begging and pleading in Russian and English - no go - until I tried a different tactic - St. Basil's has a museum inside - the minute I asked if we could go in the museum, we were told we just had to wait for a few minutes until a tour guide came to escort us up there! Success. We were so excited to actually get in to Red Square. At a restaurant in Moscow called the Moo Moo cafe - there was one right by the mission home when I was on my mission. My companion and I got to go to lunch with our mission President and his wife there once for winning a clean apartment contest. :) My first area was right by Tsaritsina park. Queen Elizabeth wanted a palace in the middle of this park, but before it was ever finished she decided she didn't like it and it has just been ruins ever since. We would have picnics and service projects there. In the last few years they have cleaned the park up, installed lighting all over, and finished the palace. It looks like a completely different place! We got to meet up with one of my companions while we were there - it was SO fabulous to see her! Poor Cam, we had an hour trip back to our apartment and she really had to go to the bathroom - so we made her use the porta-potties - she had nightmares about it the rest of the trip!

We met up with another companion at an exhibition center - years ago it was used like a world's fair expo center. Each building was for a different region.

Trip to Russia, Part 1

What can I say about my trip to Russia? I didn't loose anyone and we picked up two boyfriends! Basically it was a success.

But who wants to hear about it when you can see it. So without further ado, my trip to Russia.
On the night train to Voronezh. After staying up all night the night before we left, getting minimal sleep on the plane, and running around Moscow all afternoon we were feeling pretty beat - and Cam looked about 100x better than I did, hence, no picture of me on this leg of the trip. The church building in Voronezh - it used to be a theater. This is in the basement of the church - it is basically a dark and scary labyrinth. One of the couple missionaries gave us a tour. At the Slinkovi's home (basically my Russian family). They were making apple juice and let us try some and take all sorts of pictures. Saying goodbye to the Slinkovi's. My favorite people in Voronezh.

The Travels of the Amazing Dryer Sheet

A month ago my family and I took a trip. I discovered as I was handing my suitcase off to the security guy at the airport that I had a stow-away - a dryer sheet that had been on my floor (yes, my room was a mess at the time) had gotten itself stuck in the wheel of my suitcase. Oh well, I thought, it will fall off as it is going through security and being put on the plane. Nope, this was a tough little dryer sheet and I was amazed to see it still clinging to the wheel of my suitcase when we pulled our luggage off the carousel at the Long Beach airport. In honor of this tenacious dryer sheet, I am including the following pictures of its trip. First, it survived a car ride all over Los Angeles (it didn't complain nearly as much as our Gorgeous Grandmother). Then it made it on a choppy boat ride twenty-six miles across the sea to Catalina Island. Then it hung in there during the trek from the boat dock to our house. I think I offended it slightly by not including it in our very important trip to Big Olaf's! But apparently I was forgiven since it stuck in there on a return trip to Long Beach and another car ride to the cemetery to visit my Great Aunt and Uncle's graves. It enjoyed a little rest in Ontario while we checked out Lauren's new home... and Grandma practiced her paper boat making skills. After giving Lauren her "Old Maid" cards for her birthday, I (as usual) spent way too much money at H&M to refill my suitcase (that will teach my family to get a hotel right by a mall with an H&M). After 10 days of fun in the sun and being lazy on Catalina Island, it decided there is no place like home and returned to Salt Lake City, dirtier and a little more ragged. A FABULOUS trip was had by all.

I Am a Bad Blogger

Surprise! I'm not dead! I can't believe it has been over three months since my last post. I only have one excuse, but I think it is a valid one, I was called to be Relief Society President in my ward the last week in April. Apparently I didn't learn enough the first time around. I am actually really excited because this is probably my favorite calling. It forces me to be social and meet new people - which I normally don't do. Having said that, I knew maybe 10 sisters in the ward - so the last few months have been pretty crazy trying to figure out not only what I am doing, but who everyone is!

So, to get caught up, here are just a few things that have been going on in my life.
1. Park City get-away with my family, which resulted in a bruised foot (mine, courtesy of my brother and a wii controller), and a sprained ankle and shoulder (Dan, courtesy of him running outside the pool - when they say that is dangerous, they mean it)
2. Swine Flu - I don't think I actually got this, but my cousins had it while we were watching them
3. A second trip to Park City with Lauren during her too short visit to Utah
4. Internal bleeding and an overnight stay in the hospital (Dan, he has had a rough summer)

I also decided to splurge and take myself on a trip for the birthday I am having this year that I am trying to ignore. So, I am going to Russia in September! I get to see one of my college roommates (now living in Holland) who is meeting me there - I can't wait!

Jeopardy

Cue the Jeopardy music.

Answer: Can I play you a song on my saw?

Question: What not to say to a girl who has just met you and is stuck in a car with you.

In my on-going efforts to find Mr. Right, I am bound to meet some Mr. Wrongs, I get that - but I never thought I would be slightly afraid for my life at an institute activity! Unfortunately such was the case last night. The 25-30 group puts together these 8@7 activities once a semester, they create groups of 8 (hopefully 4 guys and 4 girls) and they meet somewhere for dinner, then get together with another group to play games after dinner. You get to meet new people in a smaller group setting - what could be wrong with that?

Apparently, lots.

I had a CRAZY weekend and really just wanted to stay home and watch a movie last night, but I am trying to be more social, and I was in charge of making reservations and contacting everyone in my group, so I figured I had better show up. What I didn't realize was that it was Prom, a Jazz Game, Young Women's conference, and the Ballet - all on the same night downtown, so I ended up parking about two blocks away. (Lesson learned #1 - take advantage of valet parking)

Our group was slightly lopsided - 6 girls and 2 boys. But I survived dinner. After dinner I started the trek back to my car, one of the guys from our group volunteered to walk me to my car, which I thought was incredibly thoughtful and nice, and I gratefully accepted. Then we decided since he was parked a lot closer he would just drive me over to my car. (Lesson learned #2 - don't get in the car with someone you just met - even if it was at an institute activity)

During our dinner conversation this guy had mentioned that he played the saw - but I thought he was joking. Imagine my surprise when he brought up the subject again as we were driving to my car! Only this time - it was to introduce me to his saw - which he had wrapped up in some kind-of case and was sitting between us on the front seat! Yes, he has named his saw. I was slightly freaked out and incredibly relieved to see the Ballet just getting out and lots of people and cops on the streets nearby. Especially when he made the following statement,
"She makes really pretty music when I stroke her"

WHAT!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Apparently not, because he proceeded to ask me if he could play something for me on it. (Lesson learned #3 - never accept a ride from someone who considers a sharp object a musical instrument)

I have never been so grateful to see my car, I jumped out of his car and jumped into mine and locked the doors - not before he promised to play something for me when we got to our next activity. I seriously considered ditching the group at that point and just going home, but once again, felt an obligation to at least make an appearance. I am eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father that this poor soul got lost on the way and never made good on his promise (although he did call me later that night to let me know he would have to take a rain check since he got lost - at least that is what the message he left on my phone said). Don't get me wrong - I am sure a playing the saw is a perfectly legitimate talent, but for me, I am not answering any calls from unknown numbers from now on!