Triad News

Most of the people who read this will have no clue what I am talking about, so I must provide some background information to precede my actual post for tonight.

I have two friends who I love! We call ourselves "The Triad", taken from what Hungry* learned in her Sociology class at school. It means a group of three. Since her class, we became The Triad.

The Triad
(Me, Hungry and Hag Moth*)

With that said, we started shifting the blame of everything that went wrong in one week onto one of The Triad or another one of our friends, alternating people each week. For example, one week it could be Hag Moth's week; the next would be my week. Somehow, Hungry always seems to get out of having her turn!! It's done all out of fun and games, and love. It has been a source of great laughter for all involved!

Well, now to the real subject of this post. For the next three weeks, it is my fault! Usually, the person at fault only has one week of agony, but since I am leaving for four months, it was decided that I would get the blame from now until I leave! It's kind of silly but fun just the same. It might even sound dumb, but that isn't the point. It's a Triad Tradition, which I will sorely miss. I wouldn't want to trade any member of The Triad for anything. I love you both very much!

Love to all!


21 days left!

*Names have been changed.

Merry Christmas!!!

How thankful I am for this time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! It has been a wonderful Christmas, in spite of me being sick. My parents and I exchanged gifts this morning, as well as opening gifts from family in California. Most of the gifts are things I will take to Russia with me: a suitcase, a scarf, chap stick, etc.

More importantly, I want to share my testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He was born on this earth to gain a body just like I have. He lived here on earth, and He lives still! I know that my Savior lives- that He was resurrected after His crucifixion. I am grateful to Him for the great sacrifice that was made. It is though the Atonement of Jesus Christ that all mankind can be saved and return to live with Heavenly Father. I know my Savior; He is my loving friend.

I love Christmas time because of all the lights and the symbols of Christ. May we each remember why we celebrate Christmas. May we all remember to retain the Christ in Christmas.

Much love.


23 days left!

A Ton of Bricks

After months and months of planning, telling people I am going to Russia, and attending my training, you would think that the realization of my trip to Russia in less than a month would have already sunk in. Apparently, it hadn't.

On Wednesday, the realization that I am actually going to Russia hit me like a ton of bricks. I am actually going to Russia for 19 weeks or about 130 days! That's a long time! Oh my goodness gracious! I know I am going to have fun and work hard, but wow! What did I get myself into!?! I'm leaving the comfort of my home to go to Russia in the middle of January! My brother always told me that I was crazy, and I've always agreed with him. However, I must be crazier that either of us knew!

This Christmas is kind of overshadowed with my preparations for my departure. I can't believe that Christmas is just about three days away. Last time I checked, it was Thanksgiving! Where did the month go?

Enjoy the Christmas holiday! Merry Christmas!


27 days left!

The Countdown Continues

I leave exactly 31 days from today! It seems so far, yet I know it is super close! There is so much to do before my departure. I don't know if I'll get it all done!!

Merry Christmas!

31 days left!

A Happy Life

I had the best trip to Utah ever this last weekend!

I was in Utah for a training session for ILP in Provo. I learned a lot about what I'll be doing in Russia! I met two girls who are also going to Voronezh, and I am looking forward to working with them. I will probably teach more than one age group, teaching 15 to 20 hours each week. I'm warning everyone now that I will come back speaking "expanded" English. You might think I'm weird for the first few weeks!

I also had fun down there! I was able to see the lights on Temple Square! What a beautiful sight that was. Temple Square has such a Spirit about it already, so when you add the Christmas Spirit, an overwhelming joy enters your heart! At least, it entered mine! I am so thankful for the blessings of our day! We have temples on the earth where we can draw closer to our Father in heaven.

There were so many people and lights on Temple Square that night. I was there with my friend, Max, and we were trying to take pictures of us by having him hold the camera. (He has longer arms that I do!) That didn't work too well, and I'm sure we looked pretty comical! Luckily, someone volunteered to take a picture for us! Thus, this picture is a little out of focus, but I like it just the same!



I am super happy right now! I know that I am in the right place and that I am doing the things I need to do. And just to show you how happy I am, I'll leave you with one last picture from my trip to Utah!

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

37 days left!

It Starts

Well, the December rush has come at last! I find it amazing how many things can fit into the month of December. Trying to schedule song practices, study for finals, pack for a trip to Utah, decorating for Christmas are all things I'm scheduled to do just in the next five days! Boy, December sure fills up fast!!

I'm going to Utah this week to attend an ILP training session. I'll learn more about what I'll be doing in Russia. Plus, I get to have some fun! I'll report on my adventures in Utah when I return.

My official departure date for Russia is bright and early January 17th and I'll return to the USA on May 31st.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy the season!

One month, 13 days

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you remember the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon you!

There are many, many things that I am grateful for! I am thankful for my wonderful family and my marvelous friends. I am thankful for the rain that falls to keep Washington green! I am thankful for all my blessings. I can truly see the hand of God in my life!

What a wonderful time of year this is when we have the chance to remember and give thanks for all our blessings!! I love life and all its joys! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

One month, 26 days!

Is It Time Yet?

Although it has been only two weeks since I learned by departure date, it seems that I've already left. There are still roughly two months until I physically leave, but my mind has already drifted across the ocean! In one of the college courses I am taking this term, we are studying learning styles and effective ways to learn. One section of the textbook is titled "Be Here Now", meaning to be in class both physically and mentally. I am finding it more difficult each day to "be here now" in Vancouver as time draws nearer to drastic change!

Things are slowly coming to a close in preparation for a new beginning! I am finishing up the last few immunizations I need before I leave. I'll be spending a December weekend in Utah for my training session! Boy, am I going to return from that on fire- the fire of anticipation!!

I cannot put into words how excited I am! I am excited to be in a new place, to venture out of Vancouver, to have this grand opportunity to teach English! I am especially excited to spend time with the children of another culture. There are things that I will teach the children, but I know that they will teach me one hundred times what I could ever teach them! Such are the things to look forward to!

Two months, one day!

Start the Countdown!

Hello all!

I have just received my tentative date of departure. As far as I know, I will be leaving on or around 16 January 2008. I am super excited!

Enjoy the week!

Two months, 14 days

There's a Cold Front Moving In!

This morning on my way to school, I was reminded by the nose-bitting cold that I am soon going to be in very cold weather! I'm slowly getting ready for the Russian snow by assessing the clothing I have and what I will need to stay warm. I've decided that I'll need more than what I am wearing in the following picture.

This is my niece, Chickadee, and I on our trip through the Cascade Mountains in June 2007. It was really exciting to see snow in June!

The next time I see snow, I'll surely need a coat, gloves, a hat, etc. I'd better get a move on to beat the cold!

A Note of Gratitude

Hi all!

I want to thank all those who have contributed to my trip to Russia. It would not be possible without your help.

Thank you ever so much!

Where Am I Going?

Well, time has certainly flown. It is now well into October- close to the end! January is just around the corner, and so is my departure from Vancouver. I am super excited for this big adventure!!

I will be in Voronezh, Russia from January to June teaching English in a school. The map below shows where Voronezh (the yellow tack) is in relation to Moscow to the north and Ukraine to the southwest.

(Click map to enlarge)

I'll be living with a host family and learning to speak Russian. I know a few words currently: please, thank you, good bye. I'm hoping to learn more basic words and phrases between now and January.

I hope this gives you an idea of where I am going!

Is there a goalie in the house?

I have a goal! This probably sounds pretty dumb for those who don't know that I haven't been able to state one goal for my life for the past three months! Anyway, today I talked to a counselor at SVU, where I've been toying with the idea of attending. This counselor encouraged me to apply for a Talent Scholarship on the flute, so today I dusted off my flute for the first time since putting it way in May. I'm really excited to start working on the pieces I have chosen/will choose to showcase my playing. I already have one piece chosen, and I am in search of a second.

I had forgotten how much fun it is to work towards a goal. My hope is to have a polished recording of my pieces sent in by December or January (before I flee the country!). So, for the next four months, I'll be practicing and practicing. If I'm not available to do something, the reason will most likely be that I am practicing. I really want to finance my schooling without my dad's help, and a scholarship would be a wonderful start!

I'll keep you updated on my progress!

Watch out, again!

This is a video of my nephew, Roadrunner, demonstrating how to play in the Ball Room. How many balls can you count?

(Your sound isn't turned off. This is a silent film!)

Watch out!

Today, my nieces and nephew took me to OMSI (The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). We had a ball of a time! Literally. Take a look.


It was a war zone in this room! Balls were flying everywhere.

Speaking of flight, I made a flying contraption out of a Dixie cup. This picture shows what it looked like as my niece, Bookworm, holds it. I think it flew very well; it flew up at least ten feet. I'm really bad at estimating, so that is my best guess.

What trip to OMSI would be complete without a visit to the Earthquake Room? None! My niece, Pixie, comforted me when the earthquake started. She was as cool as a cucumber on a hot July morning!

All in all, today was a fun day!

Testing, 2, 2, 3

This is a birthday cake that I made in January. It tasted as good as it looks!

Testing, 1, 2, 3

I just want to test this out to get a feel for how blogging works. I'm mostly going to use this when I go to Russia, at least that is the idea.