Tegwen's spot

Etsy

2012-02-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have decided to launch an etsy business. I am going to be doing custom made costumes and clothing. So far I don't really have much up there, it is in the "construction" stage while I get everything set up.

I will be taking orders for custom made items as well as making duplicates of items I have already made. I will be designing and making costumes in the coming months and will be selling them. If there is anything you would like to see me make send me a message and I will try and get it going. As I make these items I will be posting my progress here, so keep checking here to see what is new.

Go Check out my Etsy shop: tegwenianthe.etsy.com

Latest Piece

2012-02-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

I have been working on a costume for a friend for her trip to Kami Con. It is a Traditional Hungarian costume.
So here are the designs and the progress up to the finished product.

Ok, so the design is hard to see, I will try and upload a new one so you can see it better.

Here I have the body of the blouse done.

Now for the skirt. I wanted to wait to do the sleeves, I just couldn't wait to start on the skirt.

Now to add the vest. I was so excited for the vest. :D

Finally I have the sleeves! at this point we went and had a fitting before I added the embroidery, so nothing is quite finished yet.

Here it is, the fished product! I managed to finish this at 5:45am after an all nighter, so I don't have any wonderful pictures of it to share with you.

I got this to her the night before she flew off for the con. So as soon as she gets back I will get more pictures with better detail. You can't see the embroidery on the sleeves and the embroidery on the vest is a little hard to see in great detail.

Little Squishy Red Sponge

2011-04-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

There once was a little squishy red sponge who was so eager to love everyone and be loved in return. She set off in search for friends to fill her heart and life. The Little Squishy Red Sponge seemed to have an endless capacity for all she met. She happily embraced all that would let her and she shared her heart and life with them. She was so happy with all she had in her little squishy heart. She was content with her little world.

Before long, though, some people she had let in carelessly left taking bits and pieces with them. While some others thoughtlessly picked at her destroying little bits and pieces of her. Frightened and hurt she desperately tried to pick up the little bits and pieces she could find and left, clinging to who she had left, and went to find a place where she could be safe. She built up walls and fences to protect her and went on living and loving those she still had. She was confused but kept on loving.

It did not take long before the few people she had left in her little heart also started picking at her. This time there were not little bits and pieces lost, but large pieces were taken and cruelly crumbled and scattered all around, discarded as not. Again the little squishy red sponge tried to pick up the pieces, but she couldn’t find many of them. The wind had blown some pieces of her far and away, while others were taken by birds, and yet others were lost to time and the elements. She was devastated and surprisingly hollow.

The Little Squishy Red Sponge, hurt and lost, left the walls and fences she had built to protect herself and made the long journey home. She was alone, broken and shriveled, to tired and scared to let any one in. She carefully avoided everything as she made her way back to her home.

To her surprise, her family embraced her and loved her when she arrived home from her long journey. They took her in and started to mend the holes so carelessly made in her and in her heart. Piece by piece was mended and replaced, though some could never really heal. Before long she started to feel like her old self. But she knew she could not stay where she was forever. She was happy, but needed more.

With what little courage she could muster, the Little Squishy Red Sponge set off for a far away place to find more of herself. Her travels led her to a magical place, a place she scarce dare dream existed. The people in this magical place embraced her. They took her in and opened their hearts to her. For the first time she was the one who was embraced and loved. She was needed, and she needed them. They loved and nurtured her and in time the Little Squishy Red Sponge was able to let people in again. She was happy and contented with her life.

But life does not stand still and the time soon came for the Little Squishy Red Sponge to go back to the place she came from. The people who had so warmly embraced her were sad at her departure, but were happy at how far she had come while she was with them. To keep her near and always in their hearts they took a piece of her and as a gift they gave a piece of them to keep near to her heart. Armed with their love and a piece of them she left and made the long journey home.

Once back home the Little Squishy Red Sponge set off to find a place for herself in the world. She was scared, but ready to live her life again. She started to build a life, she started to let people in again, but things did not change. She soon found people picking away at her again. Determine to never be broken and shriveled again she started to build a fortress to protect herself. She soon shut out everyone from her life and only clutched to the piece of her friends that had given to her. She was lonely but safe.

Not long after shutting herself up in her fortress she realized a life of loneliness was not a life she wanted to live. She was heartbroken at the thought of being alone and also at the thought of being hurt. But the thought of forever being alone was too much for the Little Squishy Red Sponge to take. So she decided to take short ventures out of her fortress to try to find someone to let into her life. She was scared but determined.

Before long the Little Squishy Red Sponge found some friends. She was not ready to let them in, but she was glad to have someone to go to when she was feeling too lonely. Little by little she started to let them in, but never far enough to hurt her. Her new friends would invite her to do things with them, but she was unsure.

One day she felt the urge to accept an invitation of her new friends to go out with them. She was excited and scared. But something wonderful happened while she was out. She unexpectedly met someone. He sat by her and opened up to her. They talked and talked. She found someone she could easily talk to and felt comfortable around. He was always so kind and thoughtful. She did not know what to think about this new turn of events. She was scared to let him in for fear of being hurt and broken, but she desperately longed to have him in her life and heart. She started to have hope.

This is a work in progress. I am not sure how this is going to end. I suppose I don't know how it is going to end because it hasn't happened yet.

Projects

2011-01-24T10:11:00.000-08:00

Look! Here are a few of the projects that I did last year and what I have going right now:

(At least what I have pictures of)

This is my current project
-Look! A Red Dress!

I must say, I really like the design of this bodice!

This is the dress I made for the Ball my friend had for here wedding
I altered it a little for Halloween.

Look, a pretty Sakura dress! I had a lot of fun making this one. I did a lot more to this one then the pattern had you do. All of the burgundy fabric is my addition, and there is a lot more you can’t see on the wrong side.

I really like this spring dress. I fell in love with the green fabric and had to make a dress out of it. I am a little disappointed with this dress. I made my dress size, but the pattern sizing was off and did not give measurements for the sizes. So I made it just a little too small. It is the same pattern as the Ball gown.

Stumbling Blocks

2011-01-24T09:29:00.000-08:00

Well, someday I might do better on my fulfilling my goals. But hey, I am actually updating something.

I have gone through a little bit of a tough spot the last month or so. It is amazing what kind of stumbling blocks get thrown in your path. And it is amazing how we manage to get over or around them.

In November I hurt my back, how it happened I am not sure. It happened just before our Thanksgiving trip. At first it was nothing much, just a little pain. It didn’t take long for that to escalade in to something much worse. I spent most of December in a lot of pain and missed more work then I would have liked. My job seemed to make it worse and worse. But with time, nurturing and a well loved heating pad I am on the mend and almost past that stumbling block.

December was a very trying time for me. I had a very busy month working at a Christmas shoppe. The customers weren’t so hard to deal with, even though there were many who were not very nice, but it was another employee who made it difficult. I find it very hard to understand entitlement issues or when people put down others to build themselves up. Well, with the end of December came an end to that and the beginning of a new problem. The owner of the shoppe I worked at almost lost his store and laid off everyone but his sons and the manager.

We have had a few family problems that we have and still are dealing with. There are some too personal and boring to list here. The nice thing is that we have a strong and very supportive family.

In many ways last year has been one of the hardest I can remember, but with many heartaches and trials also comes many blessings. We have been extremely blessed. We have a healthy family. We have been able to keep our home. We have reliable vehicles. We are still self reliant. We have a new and beautiful addition to our family. And many other blessing to many to list.

Friday came a pleasant surprise. A neighbor called me up and told me there was a position available at her work as a bus aid, all I had to do was apply online and call up the supervisor. So I did. When I called I was asked to come in for an interview. When I got there I was told that I had the job. They trusted the person that referred me and gave me the job. They went over the job with me and told me I started on Monday. It isn’t much, but it is a fairly good job and so far I am enjoying it. I work on a bus. ;p I help the bus driver with the kids on the bus. We have 5 special needs kids. Non of them are severe and all are very cute, elementary school kids. I work just over 2 hours a day, but get paid for 4, doesn’t get better then that. It isn’t much, but it is a blessing that I have been in need of.

I have been doing a little bit of sewing the last two weeks, but it has been slow going. I have been quite blue. I am hoping to get a dress done this week, or at least mostly done. I have the bodice done, I just need to sew the skirt up, put it together with the bodice, and put in the zipper. Really it shouldn’t be more then a few hours. I have some pictures, so I will have to post them.

Well, this is long enough!

Best blessing this year:

(Little note: Her blessing dress is made of the same material her mom's wedding dress was made of and is designed after the dress-
designed and made by her Nana.)

haha

2011-01-04T19:59:00.001-08:00

Well, I have failed miserably at my attempts to do more with my blog. But you aren't missing much! I really haven't been up to much the last few months. I have been really sick, injured my back, and have been working. But alas... my job has ended (due to the economy)I am no longer sick, and my back is slowly healing. Maybe now I will be able to get some projects done. I have two coats I am working on, a dragon hoodie to figure out and finish, gloves to be made, a pretty little shirt, and a dress. I have all I need to make each of these things, I just haven 't been able to get to any of them due to all that has been going on the last month or two. We'll see at how well I will be able to get all this done and update on my blog. I hope to update at least once a week and have some progress on my projects.

I hope to have some good things come my way this year. I am going to Cancun, Mexico, with a friend and her husband and my younger brother in March. That should prove to be good. And if all works out my way I will be in Chicago this April going to school for fashion design. I hope that will work out, I just need to get a job and find some scholarships.

Well, That is all I am going to bore you with right now.

Tata for now!

Leap of faith

2010-11-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

Well, It is time for me to take a leap of faith. I have not been satisfied with where I am or what I am doing in life since I have come home from Japan. It seems as thought I have been merely existing in this world and not living up to my potential.

I have been trying to figure out what it is I need to be doing, what it is that would be most beneficial to me and those around me.

I am still not sure what it is I need to be doing in my life, but I have the distinct impression that it is up to me, and whatever I decide to do (as long as it is righteous) will be supported by Heavenly Father. I am scared about what I am about to do, but that is mainly because I will be without any kind of safety net. My family is not in any kind of position to help me out on this if I can not find a place to stay, or a job to support myself with, or financial aid to pay for school, or if something comes up unexpectedly. I do not have a support I can see, and that scares me. I know I have the support and encouragement of my family, but I will only have Heavenly Father there if things don't go according to plan.

Not being able to see my safety net is what is most frightening. It is going to require me to exercise a lot of faith. I will have the best safety net there is out there, but it requires a lot of faith and exercising faith on my part. The unknown scares and excites me. This is probable the biggest thing I have done to date.

So what is it I am planning on doing? I have decided to go to The Illinois Institute of Art Chicago to study fashion design. It is an expensive program, but I would like to take my sewing skills to the next level.

I plan on making custom Wedding dresses and gowns, special event attire, and anything else one might need or want. That is my ultimate goal in this direction. I want to do this for both a career and as a service.

I am sending in my application with in the week and am trying to find a job and a place to stay. There are a few people I know in the area, so I am hoping I can get there help. Hopefully in a few weeks I will have everything settled.

In the mean time, I have a few sewing projects on the table that I am trying to get done before Christmas. Some are personal projects and others are Christmas presents. I plan on posting those, along with school projects, as I get them done.

Keep a look out for posts on finished projects.

And wish me luck!

Halloween

2010-10-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess I have taken a bit of a leave of absence over the last few months. Part of the reason was because I have been busy at work, busy sewing, or have been Internet less (which was quite often... ). But here I am trying to do better.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure:

I was driving home the other day and I found thins wonder!

Yes, they have a shipwrecked pirate ship in their front yard!

I was quite impressed.

This is my carved masterpiece this year. I got around to carving a pumpkin this year and I decided to go with a snake.

I must say, It turned out rather well.

I hope soon to get up some pictures of my costume.... I think some one out there got a picture of it.....

This is my costume for my friend's Wedding/ masquerade Ball.

I made some adjustments to it for Halloween.

(I will have to find pictures of the adjustment)

Don't get too excited.... this is just a friend I took to the wedding.

I didn't know anyone else that was going to the ball

and I didn't want to go alone....

Pictures of me are courtesy of Terra Cooper and Muzo Gul

The woes of being single

2010-07-16T21:55:00.001-07:00

I have been pondering a lot of late the differences between LDS guys and those guys who are not. I know what I want and have been trying to find it in a good catch of an LDS guy, and have found them seriously lacking in one major area: being interested in me. While I see guys who are not LDS, who have great qualities about them and they are very much so not lacking in one category: being interested in me. So, I have been wondering, and have no answer yet, why it is the kind if guy I want to marry is not interested in me? What is the difference between the two.

My mom and I have been discussing this a lot lately, Why LDS guys are not interested and guys who are not are, and we have come up with a variety of different answers, the funniest I will share with you:

1) LDS guys are scared of girls like me and guys who are not LDS are not intimidated easily.

2) I am a curvy girl ( and a tad bit on the plump side), and LDS guys don't like curvy/ plump girls, and guys who are not LDS couldn't care less if I was or not accepting me as I am.

3) (and probably my most favorite) I am a curvy girl and therefore I am a sexual sin, thus LDS guys are scared of me and guys who are not LDS are saying: "Bring on the sinning!"

well, I would go on, but I don't want to take the time to remember it all and then write it down.

So you know, this is all based off of the interactions I have had with the opposite sex. Who had thus far won in regards of interest:

LDS "Boys" Guys who are not LDS
0 35+ (but who is counting)

Oh, the challenge of being a beautiful Single young woman, the guys you want are in hiding (that is if they are actually in existence), and the ones who just don't quite cut it are all standing in line....

Mt. Nebo Loop

2010-07-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

Mt. Nebo Loop Day Trip

On Monday my parents and i desided to take a drive and go on the Mt. Nebo Loop.

It was quite the experience.

Uah is full of Beauty and History, both old and new.

Our first stop was the Sri Sri Krishna Temple in Salem.

This isn't what you would expect to see in Utah.

Next stop was the Salem House. This was built by my

great great grandpa on my mom's side

Next is the Peteetnet School. We didn't have time to stop and

check anyhing out if we were going up the mountain, so

We didn't find out what this school was all about.

This is the first observation point. I liked the fence and flowers. :D

I love the mountains. :D

Ah! The road!

Haha, my dad. :D We were haveing a lot of fun!

Another fence! It seems like they are everywhere on the loop!

Well, what do you expect, this is Utah.

I jut really liked this view with the sun.

More mountains.

I wish we would have gone earlier in the day, the evening sun wasn't the best

for picture taking.

This was about the highest we went, maybe a little higher.

The Devil's Kitchen is in Utah,

Just in case you where wondering. ;P

Oh Utah, the Beautiful!

This is where the loop dumps out,Well if you are a Mendenhall it does. :D

This is where we stoped to have dinner.

We were tourists for the day, so it wouldn't be complete if I didn't take a

picture of my dinner in the Japanese fashion.

(Only I forgot to take the picture before I started,

so this is half of my dinner. :P)

The Village

2010-07-08T16:04:00.000-07:00

Look! I am actually posting something!

I have been busy/ lazy since I have gotten home from Japan. It has been hard to find something worth posting after the excitement of exotic Japan. But I guess I haven't been looking hard enough.

Ok first off, My job is the perfect job for some one who just loves Christmas. I work at the Village Christmas Shoppe @ a little place called Gardner Village.

Gardner Village is a collection of houses from around the area that are historical pioneer homes turned shoppes. It is a quaint little shopping area.

This is my shoppe! :D It is a lot of fun.
Christmas all year long!

Here is our store mascot, Snowball!
(He is about 6-10 lbs lighter in this picture...)

Not only do we sell Christmas, but we have a little thanksgiving and Halloween stuff.

Come check us out!

wow, it's June!

2010-06-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Oh wow, it's June! I have been very lazy as of late! I have so much to post of my last month or so in Japan. I really should upload pictures and keep on with what is going on right now (though life is much too boring now that I am home). I have to work today, but I will try and get something posted up here for you tomorrow and start to get caught up with life. :D

Hiroshima adventures

2010-03-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

I really don't have anything special to share with you. I just thought I would take the time to post a quick note since I have been neglecting my blog as of late.

I have been to Iwakuni and the Kintai bridge and should get some pictures up for you soon.

Yesterday a friend and I spent the day in Hiroshima, just on a whim. It was really nice.

We decided to go shopping and enjoy the day.

We started off in search of a Japanese burger joint her friend had told her about (she is also an ALT and from America). We asked the information center at the train station where said burger joint was and went to where the lady told us to go, we walked and followed the map she gave us. Well, it wasn't to be. There was no burger joint, only a Mister Donut. So we left the well trodden path and went off in search of a place to eat.

We soon gave up and ate at McDonald's. I tried the California burger... it really didn't taste like California, more like a weak Texas, but that is just me. It was supposed to be a "big American" burger, but it turned out to be the size of a small burger you would find in America. Oh well.

We found a nice seat to eat our lunch on the second floor by the window. We sat there for almost an hour just people watching. It was a lot of fun, though the best thing we saw all day was a lady who looked like Izma from Emperors New Groove. She even had a funky hat on I am sure Izma would have sported, though I don't think Izma would have sported the camouflage pants.

We ended up in at the Hiroshima Peace park and just enjoyed the peaceful serenity found at the park. We wondered to the museum, but it was just closing as we got there, so no crying for me. But we had a good time perusing the park grounds.

Finally we found our way to do some shopping. We went here and there and enjoyed the shopping district of Hiroshima. When we finally decided to go we found that it was raining out. I was glad I had decided to bring my umbrella along in my bag. It was just a light drizzle when we set out walking toward the train station, but all of a sudden it turned into a downpour! We found ourselves in the middle of a thunder storm complete with lightning and thunder! It was great! Funny thing is that my umbrella was not up to the challenge of protecting me from such a storm and I had to do some creative maneuvering to keep my umbrella from being inverted. It made for a fun adventure to end our day in Hiroshima.

Well, that is all for now. I will try to get some pictures up of the Kintai bridge and Iwakuni castle before I move out (which will happen this week) and start my touring before I leave.

Celestia, Over and Out.

Chinese Zodiac

2010-03-11T23:52:00.000-08:00

While at Miyajima we found these cute little guys

with the Chinese Zodiac. I just had to take a pictue of them all!

I hope you enjoy!

Miyajima

2010-03-09T02:01:00.000-08:00

haha! Look! I finally updated!

Here is my lovely trip to Miyajima, What a lovely day it was.

This is Miyajima from the ferry.

It was a rainy day, but lucky for us the rain stopped just as we got there.

This is the first thing we saw when we got to Miyajima,

deer. Japanese are quite enchanted by these furry friends,

All they have to do is spend some time in Utah and that will cure them.

Oh, aren't I so cute?

The famous Tori gate!

Tori gate with my lovely friends, Ashley and Seiko.

I thought this looked cool.

Oh how fun.

Me, Ashley, and Kaori.

ATTACK OF THE KILLER DEER,

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

so, these deer will eat from your hand,

whether you want it or not...

Here I am trying to get my fortune

(Well the stick with the number on it so I know which fortune to take..)

Here is my fortune, I am being told that it is a bad omen...

Well, it isn't a bad fortune, but it isn't a good one.

We both got defective fortunes,

so here we are giving them away.

How fortunate! We were just in time to see

a traditional wedding!

Aren't they lovely?

They were so happy they didn't mind all of the tourists taking their picture,

See? He even smiled for me!

Cool picture.

Tori horns!

Don't you wish you were me?

Here is the whole group.

Look at those hot chicas!
Best looking girls on the island!

This is one steep bridge.

I thought it looked cool.

Seiko showing that she can tough it out and make it to the top,

Funny thing is we went a different rout, I think the other

route was easier.... and it had a lot of cool things we would

have missed.

For example, this little guy. He and others

were hidden here and there along the other route.

There were also a bunch of little men statues.

Oh! Here is another one. They were sooo cute!

Drunk raccoon dog thing...

Here is a temple we went to. We even risked our lives and climbed to the top!

And out the window!

It was great!

He was just in front of the temple.

I think he is trying to tell us something.

Well, what ever it was I am sure we didn't listen.

Oh, isn't he so cute?
He reminds me of my brother.....

Oh what a fun game!

The view from the top of the temple.

Another view...

And another....

Seiko climbing back in the window.

The shrine in the temple.

It is nice having Japanese people with you,

Then you know what you can take pictures of.

Our lunch menu

Lunch.

Oh how yummy it was!

Ok, we are almost done, bare with me a moment longer

Oh, isn't she so cute!

Oh how lovely...
If only that little deer know how much I didn't love him...

Look! Another raccoon dog thing with booze!

This time he is smoking a cigarette!

Then again with aliens as my neighbors I would probably

drink too.

Well, not really...

This statue is right outside the ferry station.

I thought it was pretty cool.

And here is dinner. I am not

sure what it is, some sort of Korean food.

Kaori treated me to dinner. It was really good!

Celestia Over and out!

P.s. Soon to come, pictures of the cute little statues we saw all over the place

Nagasaki

2010-02-21T01:45:00.000-08:00

Good friends and good times,

What more could a girl want?

Isn't this lovely? This is a rest stop about 1-2 hours into our trip
The rest stops in Japan are really cool.
They have restrooms, shops, food, and some have gas stations.

This is at the Nagasaki Peace Museum.

Really, I think it looks like the guy is going to smack those poor

Kids, are we really promoting peace?

I was told that he is supposed to be swatting away nuclear weapons...

I still think it looks like he is going to hit those kids...

This is Ashley by the cool/ funny statue
I made her strike that pose. ;P

Here I am, Ah, I love this picture...

Here is the lovely Yuka. I really love this family!

If you can't tell from the pose, she is a dancer, a good one I might add.

Haha, here is Aiki. I love this kid. If I could I would take him home with me. :D

He is also a dancer.

Here is Aiki with his mom, Yuko.

She is a dancer as well, a family of dancers.

Even the dad is a dancer.

Here is the place for the site of the 26 Martyrs.

I didn't know this had happened....

Here is the monument and part of the Church/Museum.

I am not sure what this is, but you can see it from the parking lot

of the 26 Martyr site. It looks like a lady riding on the back of a Turtle.

I wonder what it is, any one know?

Here is Aiki and his dad

(I never got his name... Mr. Fujii it is.)

This part of town has a European flair to it.

Aiki found a cat!

The family has about 7 cats,

or so they tell me.

This is a story book Museum. I wanted to go in,

but we were leaving...

A Church! How loverly.
It was way too expensive to go in, so we didn't take a tour,

Only pictures.

I thought this looked nice.

It is right by that loverly church.

We took a nice stroll up the street to see what

treasures we could find.

And look what we found!

Don't I make a great Samurai?!

A Loverly park entrance.

I am not sure why we didn't go here....

They were looking for it. Maybe it

cost too much...

Here is the story book museum again....

It only took him seconds to fall asleep in the car,

Which made his mom happy. Just moments before he and his sister

Were being crazy, then the sugar high wore off.....

ZZzzzzzzz

We got to Nagasaki one day before the Lantern Festival,

So there were a lot of cool lanterns out everywhere.

Too bad we didn't get to see if in all of its glory.

Some lantern sculptures at the mall we has dinner at.

They had a cool inflatable dragon at the mall.

Run Ashley, Run!

Save your self!

A cool dragon lantern at the Mall.

Ok, now for the reason we went to Nagasaki,

The dance competition the Fujii family were in.

Mom and dad were in it, partners,

And the kids were in it too, the where partners as well.

AND the kids won two trophies! They are stinking amazing!

The family owns a dance studio, no wonder they are so amazing, they get hands on instructions.

Look! I got a valentine! This was made just for me by Aiki, see why I love this kid?!

He was my little valentine on Valentines day. :D

Ok, mom and dad, they are in the middle,

she has a black shiny dress on.

It was soooo hard to get any good pictures of them, so I only am posting two....

so there you are.

Sorry this is so long and so late....

Celestia, Over and Out.

Hiroshima

2010-02-07T00:28:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I decided to go to Hiroshima. I haven't really done anything
since I got to Otake so I decided to just go and do something.
I called up my IC and she met me at the
Hiroshima JR station and we wen and had some fun.

First thing we did was go and get some Okonomiyaki Hiroshima.

We ate at the station, that restaurant is one of the most famous in Hiroshima,

and we waited a long time to eat, too.

Next we were off to the Hiroshima Peace Park.

Here we see the A-Bomb Dome

This is one of the only buildings that was not completely destroyed

when the A-bomb hit. It is preserved as a reminder and a monument.

If I remember correctly this is a goddess of peace. On the day the Bomb hit Hiroshima there were students there visiting. This is a memorial for them and their lives that were cute short.

There are colorful cranes adorning the sides of the monument.

Children's Peace monument.

This is the story behind the monument.

Also, the girl thought that if she could make 1,000 paper cranes that she would

be healed from her Leukemia, she died before she could finish.

I really liked this monument.
It really reflects the hope children have.

This is the Peace Museum.
I had a hard time in there. The first part of the museum is mostly fact oriented.
But the second part of the museum is very emotional, this is where you see artifacts from after the bombing and read the stories of the survivors. It is heart wrenching. I couldn't see everything there, I had to leave, my heart was torn from me, my heart broke for them.

Here we can see the A-Bomb dome, the fire of peace, and a coffin that holds the names of all the victims of the A-bomb through the arch. This is where they hold the peace convention.

This is the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims

The sculpture in the center represents the time the A-bomb hit

"8:15"

Here I am ringing the bell for peace.

(Oh what a lovely picture....)
I have to tell you, there is a heavy feeling in the park, when you first get there it is mostly a feeling of reverence, but after you go through the museum your heart is heavy.

The entrance gate to the Hiroshima Castle.

Of course I had to go to the Hiroshima castle!

It isn't very big, but it is beautiful.

(It makes me sad that such things were destroyed, but thankfully they rebuilt it)

Hehe, Engrish! I had to stop and take a picture!

I was lucky. The lady who does this isn't there every day, she just happened to be there when I was. This is a Kimono for a princess.

Princess Celestia!

Samurai and archers wore this sort of thing. (at least I think that is what they were trying to tell me...) Don't I just look grand! I totally could kick butt! Whoot!

Last, but not least, Here is a high school that is located across the moat from the castle, I so wish I went to high school next to a cool castle! Lucky kids.

I bet they don't even appreciate it at all.

Slim down?

2010-02-02T01:33:00.000-08:00

(a hair experiment... Fail)

I love my Tuesday school!

My sixth graders told me today that they thought I looked skinnier. They drew a picture of “fat” Tia sensei and then an arrow pointing to the new skinny Tia sensei. I thought it was funny! I loved it! Maybe it was because I wore a dress today and I have worn pants every other time they thought I looked skinnier, or maybe I am getting skinnier. We can always hope, right?

My 5th graders were a hoot today! In one of my classes we sang the alphabet song and played a game with it. There were a few letters that were “special” letters and you clapped them instead of saying them. If you messed up and said the letter then you had to go to the front of the class, face away from the class, and as they sang a song you had to write a letter of the alphabet with your bum, it was great! I really wish I could have gotten that on video! Ah, I love my schools.

Today was a good day. ;p

Stake Conference

2010-01-31T00:24:00.000-08:00

Today was stake conference, it was an interesting experience. The stake rented a conference center near where I have been going to church. I got left once we got to the conference center to fend for myself. Lucky for me my missionaries saw me and welcomed me, my missionaries are awesome. :D When we went in to get seated I was greeted by another ALT, Ashley, and she had me sit by her. It was really interesting. Ashley tried to understand what was being said, she knowing Japanese (she says a little, but she understands a lot), and I knowing not Japanese. Luck for me there was an Elder sitting directly behind me translating everything into Spanish, so while Ashley was trying to understand the Japanese I was trying to catch the Spanish. I got quite a bit, but really only enough to get the idea of what was being said. After the meeting I found out that they had an English Translation, but no one told be that before the meeting…. Oh well.

After Stake conference I was invited to the Stake president’s house for lunch, but first I had to wait for the Stake president to get done with his meeting. So, I got to sit in on the stake president’s new member meeting. Lucky for me my missionaries came in and the one from New Zealand, Elder Heart, translated the whole meeting for me. I really like Elder Heart, he makes sure I understand what is being said and he translates everything for me. :D After the meeting I got to meet the Mission President for the Hiroshima mission and his wife. He and his wife has lived in Orem and went to graduate school. They were very nice and welcoming, I love mission presidents and their wives, they were called to their position for a reason, their great capacities to love and make everyone feel welcome.

Finally, we got going and the missionaries and I went to the Stake president’s house for dinner. As it turns out the stake president and his family live in my ward. I know his kids, but didn’t know that they were his kids until today. I love the Stake president and his family, they are very nice and very a lot of fun. During dinner the Stake president asked me if I needed anything, we I really don’t, so I told him I needed friends, which he replied, “A boy friend?”. I thought that was funny. I told him a boyfriend would be nice, but I just needed friends. I love how everyone here is obsessed with finding me a boyfriend. :P I had a lot fun at lunch.

The stake president had to leave early to go to some other meetings. After we finished lunch the missionaries gave a lesson on humility. I should say the Japanese missionary gave a lesson on humility and the other translated for me. The one of the YSA sisters came over, Seiko, and we all talked with her and took pictures. While we were talking and taking pictures sis. Hayashi (the stake president’s wife) made me a care package, it consisted of oranges, and apple, rice cakes, cheese, caned corn, rolls, and noodles in a cup. What a great lady! Then Seiko and I took the train home, and she paid for my ticket! She is a sweet girl.

It has been a good day. Next week I may finally make it to the military ward. As silly as it may sound, I am kinda hoping to find a reason to stay in Japan, a male reason. ;p But we will see where the wind will blow me.

Celestia, over and out.

YWs

2010-01-30T04:43:00.000-08:00

I am so a nerd

So I got invited to go to my ward's Young Woman's activity.
I said I would love to go, the girls were so excited.
Well, Friday rolls around and I wasn't feeling to well
but I decided to go anyway,
after all I was being picked up and had no way to call and cancel.
I am glad I went.

The girls were a hoot! They are so cute and
and a lot of fun.
We made some sort of rice roll
You must forgive me not knowing what it is called....
Sarada something (sarada is all I caught...)

So, first you put some rice mixed with vinegar on your seaweed

Oh look at me go!

Next you put on some lettuce.
(Mine is the one in the bottom left)

Then you put on a fried and scrambled egg.
Then put on sliced cucumber and imitation crab.

Put on some tuna mixed with mayo,
Then top it all off with more mayo!

Now put the ends together and make a roll!

And walla! you have a rice sarada roll!

now for the proper way to eat it,

Shove in mouth and take a large bite!

oh how very lady like!

Celestia- Over and out

Life

2010-01-26T02:38:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a lot about life the last few weeks.
It seems like every stage in my life has been hard.
There has always been something that I struggle with.

Life doesn't seem to be life without hardships.

As I look back on my life I see that many of my greatest joys
came from times when I was struggling the most.
One Truly grows out out of trials and afflictions.
As much as I disliked being in the midst of those hardships
I would not change them for anything.

I have seen how I have grown through struggling through the
afflictions that have been thrown my way.
I have risen to the occasion and proven to myself that no matter
what life throws me I have the ability to make it to the top and thrive.

Many of my afflictions have not only taught me about myself
and shown me that I can do anything,
But they have shown me how to trust in the Lord.
I have seen many people come into my life and bless
me beyond measure.

My success in life is not my own, but of all those around me.

To all of you wonderful people in my life,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart
for all the ways you lift me up
and help me fly.

Note: the picture is of a foot bridge that is near my apartment.

Leo Palace, my home

2010-01-23T02:36:00.000-08:00

Leo Palace

So here is a quick look at my apartment.

This is the lovely view as you walk into the

main living space.

Here we have my table on the right side of the room.
My lovely welcome poster is hanging on the wall.

Here on the left side of the room is my desk and TV.

Right now my TV is a hat stand and picture frame,

I don't watch much TV.

On the other side of the room we have my closet

and a full length mirror.

Here we have my door, a ladder, and most important:

My rice cooker!

Everyone should have one.

Now were does the ladder lead?

My Bed room!

I sleep in a little loft. I love it!

The only problem is that I am directly above my door

and directly below my upstairs neighbors door.

When they come in late and I am asleep I think someone is trying to get into my room,

It scares me to death every time.

As soon as I get the rest of my house cleaned I will take pictures of the rest of my apartment. I also have a kitchen, thrown room, and bathroom. This is only half of my apartment.

Celestia, Over and Out.

Atata Island

2010-01-21T03:41:00.001-08:00

Atata and Kono

Yesterday I went to Atata Island to the school there. It was a lot of fun because I got to take a 30 minute fairy ride. Atata is a really nice place and it is beautiful I can see the ocean from the school, there are beautiful views from most of my schools.

It was really misty yesterday. It made for some interesting pictures, but you couldn't really see the beauty of the area

Atata is famous for their oysters, this is an oyster farm. There all over the area. Really soon they are going to have their oyster festival, I will be sure to get some free oysters!

There are lots of fishing boat out in this area. I thought this looked really neat.

Today I was at Kono elementary. It was a wonderful day. When I arrived the whole school was outside waiting to greet me! There are about 5-6 staff and 16 students. They welcomed me in English and in Japanese. Each student had a name tag on and shook my hand. They were all so cute. I got to introduce myself to the whole school for a class period. It was fun to get to know each other. I ate lunch with them in their lunchroom, it was fabulous. During lunch all the kids tried to talk to me, it was a lot of fun trying to figure out what we were trying to say to each other. After lunch I played volley ball with most of the students. It was so much fun! I love this school so much! When I got back to my desk in the teacher's room I found a picture of me and all the children from when we were doing introductions. I love that this school took pictures and gave some to me so I could have pictures of the students since we are not allowed to take pictures of them.

It has been a really good week. I hope tomorrow will be a good day! I am going to a hot springs tomorrow night for a school party, it is their New Years party. I don't know if I will get in, but I will be sure to enjoy the food!

Celestia, Over and out

Skool and stuff

2010-01-19T02:07:00.000-08:00

I guess I better post something while I am somewhat awake... :D

Today was so fun! In my fifth grade classes we played a game. The students got into three groups and they each took turns coming up to front of the class and draw something on the face on the board. I have to say that the first class came up with the best faces, they were really funny! I wish I would have taken my camera to take pictures of the boards! The second class was very creative in their drawings..... they put Picasso to shame! The kids had a lot of fun and they used a little English, what more could you ask for? I love that school's 5th graders!

So, Sunday I actually got to church! I was so excited. I got a ride from Mr. Hayashi, he is from my company. I am glad he took me to church, it is a 400 yen train ride. While that isn't way expensive, about $4, I really don't have the money right now to get to church. When I got to church everyone was soooo nice and introduced themselves. I met a few girls my age and sat with them. In sacrament meeting they had me stand up and Mr. Hayashi introduced me to the ward. Sunday school was fun, it is the YSA program for the single adults in the ward. The bishop gave the lesson and Mr. Hayashi came in and translated for me so I could participate in the lesson. In Relief Society they had a sister who was visiting from the stake translate for me, her English was perfect! It was really nice to be able to understand what was going on in the lesson and be able to participate. After church the stake president's wife, who was visiting our ward, invited me to dinner at her house the following week. I was so excited to get a dinner invitation, I think that made my whole day! After church I ate a snack with the single adults, one girl shared her rice balls with me, and we talked with the missionaries... I think they spent just a little too much time talking with the single girls in the ward... but I'm not judging..... I was glad to talk to someone in English, one elder is from New Zealand. After we ate we went to a fireside. It was all in Japanese, but I wanted to hang out with the girls a little longer. I was glad that I went. We were a little late and the fireside had already started, but after an American came up and talked to me. As it turns out she is an ALT for the same company as me! We talked a while and had a good time. It was nice to meet another ALT and one that is also LDS in my area. She doesn't really live close, and hour and a half ride from where we were, but at least we are in the same stake and can see each other at stake things. I took the train home after the fireside, it was fun. The view of the ocean from the train was amazing! It is a half hour train ride from our church building. At one of the stops a high school girl got on with a longbow, it was really cool. I got up the courage to talk to her right before we got off the train. She said it was a Japanese longbow, that is all she said. Any way, I thought it was really cool.

Next week I will go to the Japanese ward, but they are going to get me the military ward information so I can go a man hunting! Yes, they told me that I am always welcome to go to their ward, but they thought it would be best for me to go to the military ward so I could find a husband! So I guess in two weeks I will be going man hunting at the military ward. ;P It should be great fun, but with my luck there will only be families there.....

Well, I think that is enough for today....

Celestia, over and out.

To my Ladies

2010-01-14T01:59:00.000-08:00

~A shout out to my Ladies~

Ok, ok, so this is a little sappy....

So I was thinking about you girls while I was walking home from school today.

I thought of all the places my feet have traveled

and all the people I have met.

I realized how grateful I am to be here in Japan.

I am not as grateful for the opportunity I have to be here

as I am for the opportunity I have to be your friend.

You girls are the greatest!

You sure know how to make a girl feel loved.

Thank you for making me feel like I have real friends,

like I belong.

Love ya!

What Nots

2010-01-14T01:36:00.001-08:00

This is me after three nights of going to bed after 10pm,
three days of getting up @ 5:30am,
and being terribly exhausted and cold.
Terrible picture, isn't it?
Some times I think I must not like me to punish myself so.

Funny thing... I crashed this morning after only being up for 2 hours!
It was a struggle to keep going all day today.
I am seriously thinking of going to bed as soon as I am done here.
It is only 6:30pm and if feels like 3am....

Here is my favorite Engrish that I have run into so far:

Fits me perfect, doesn't it?

It is a cute little notebook, so needless to say I bought it.

I use it for my lesson plans and notes.

Well, I'm off to bed.

Celestia, Over and Out

Otake Pictures

2010-01-13T00:48:00.001-08:00

oh man.... my last post was so long! Sorry...

So, here are some pictures I have taken so far in Otake:

Look! The trees are still green!

I love how one side of town has trees and bamboo

and the other side is just factories

This is one my way home from one of my schools

I walk past this almost everyday. There is a stream the passes through this area.

So funny thing, I walked past this and loved it, so I took a picute of it.
Well, there were some workers who saw me taking pictures,
This is right in front of a car repair place,
Well they were worried as to why I was taking pictures, they were so
releived to find out I just like the way it looked.

:D

I love the little person with the big eyes!

This is a really pretty place by my house. I can't wait to see what

It looks like when it gets its leaves, maybe it will flower!

This is for you, Liz!

2010-01-12T23:33:00.001-08:00

Look! I am posting on my blog! It has been a long week and I have been very tired. (I really shouldn't be blogging after a tiring school day...)

I got to Otake a week ago today. When I got to my apartment I found a note left by one of the ALTs in the area. He had helped move out the person who was here before and left me his contact information and offered to take me places I need to go (as long as I don't abuse it :P). It took us forever to get my alien registration and bank account set up done, neither of us had ever done it before. But we had a lot of fun doing it. My IC (internship coordinator) brought her eight year old daughter with her since she was still on holiday. We had a lot of fun together, she was my little tour guide. i love Japanese kids! They are so cute and so nice!

My IC-
Masako and her daughter (I thin her name is Kaho)

I didn't have time to do any shopping before we had to leave and visit one of my schools. It was really funny. I work with four different teachers at that school, three women and one man. The female teachers tried to hook me up with the male English teacher. It was really funny and he was a good sport about it.

When we got done with that school we went shopping. You Me town is pretty much a mall/ shopping center. It has a grocery store, jewelry store, 100 yen store, shoe store, music store, electronic store,Clothes stores, food court, and quite a few cute little boutiques. Most of the stores are in one building with out being separated, unlike it is at home. I got my bed there ( a whole new meaning to "bed in a bag", it was my whole bed in one bag, not just the bedding), a rice cooker, iron, alarm clock, cooking tools/supplies, laundry things, and some food. The whole time Kaho took me around the stores showing me things and telling me their Japanese names.

Thursday was a really interesting day. I met 4 of my 6 schools. I really can't remember much, it all blends in together.... But it was a nice day. I finally met the other ALT later that night, his name is James. He took me shopping. Really I just wanted to get out of the house and hear someone speak correct English, he shopped and I talked. :D I will have to get a picture of him and post it.... as it is I don't have one.

Friday was a nice relaxing day. I hung out around the apartment and put things away... some things. Mostly I washed the dishes that I bought and what James had brought over for me (they were the dishes the ALT before me had....). That afternoon I went exploring. Not such a good thing.... I over used my foot and it hurt really bad. I thought, "Oh, my foot hurts. *Shrug* oh well. I will go home, wrap it, and it will be better before I know it. No big deal, right?" Oh how wrong I was!

Saturday I chilled out, talked to my family on Skype. I went to the store, again, with James. I needed to get a few things... plain rice is ok, but really, it needs something. That is when I realized that my foot wasn't getting better. It felt worse Saturday then it did the day before....

Sunday was really sad. I got up and ready for church. I gave myself an hour to get to the train, take it to the next stop (5 minutes), and find the church that was supposed to be right across the street from the train station.... But I couldn't find it. Nor did I see any non Japanese people in Church clothes, and it is a military/English ward. I walked around until I misses sacrament meeting then i decided to go home since my foot was in excruciating pain and I missed the sacrament. :( I watched movies and hung out the rest of the day and tried to stay off my foot.

So Monday i finally called some one about seeing a doctor. It turned out to be a big deal (for the company), everyone was so worried about my foot. They sent out someone from the Hiroshima office to pick me up and be my translator. He ended up being really nice, though his English was the best (Still his English was really good). On the way over he asked me if I was a Mormon since I was from Utah. I told him I was, and as it turn out he is too! He lives close to me so he offered to pick me up and take me to the local Japanese ward next Sunday. yay! I will be able to go to church!... Any way... So the doctor was really nice and knew a little English, so between him and my translator i got all taken care of! Nothing is broken, which is good, but I have an inflamed muscle... not so good. They gave me a cool patch to put on it, it also has pain killers in it, and sent me on my way. That is right, they didn't charge me at all for my visit. As it turns out that was a very unusual occurrence. Monday was a holiday and they usually charge more on holidays. I was told they weren't charging because I am a teacher at a school near the doctor's house.

yesterday was my first day in the class room! I had a lot of fun, though it was a little awkward. In my first class I had a student, in the front row, fall asleep. The whole while the teacher was trying to get questions for me out of the students. I finally stepped in 5 minutes before the class got over and had them play a game. The other three classes were much more energetic, then again so were the teachers. I have a little admirer in one of my classes. He just wanted to talk to me the whole time. When class was over he told me that he really liked my hair and thought I was beautiful. I think he is my favorite! (shhhh, don't tell anyone!)

Today it snowed! It was really funny because my school was really worried about me. One of the teachers lives close to me and took the bus with me, she didn't want to drive in the snow because it is too dangerous. Funny thing is the snow was only a powder dusting, I don't think the roads were even wet. There are only 4 buses that go out that way a day, and we were on the 9:00 buss that would get to school at 9:27 (the cool thing is that the bus stop is right in front of the school's front gate), so the teacher was really late.... I leave school early, too, because of the bus schedule. The principal came in and escorted me to the bus stop and made sure I got on OK. It was really nice.

I walked around the bus/ train station when I got back from school. I thought it would be prudent to find how to get to my school for tomorrow. As it turns out it is a 30 minute walk from my house, so I don't have to pay for the bus or train on that day! On the way I took some pictures.. it was really pretty. I forgot to take pictures when I was at my school today, it is up in the mountains and it is sooo pretty! Next time, perhaps.

Celestia Over and out

Japan pics

2010-01-02T23:43:00.000-08:00

Here are just a few pictures I have taken so far:

My anime face-

I loved these park benches.

Beautiful fountains. :D

My hotel Room

My bathroom. :D

Todays lunch, Raman! I love Raman.

What Nots

2010-01-02T04:09:00.000-08:00

Wow, I wish I wasn't so tired/lazy, I would love to say so much more then I have. i have had so much fun the last two days! I love the people I am with right now. I am going to be so sad when I leave everyone and I go off on my own. It is inevitable. I guess we will just enjoy it while it lasts.

Today we had a lot of training. The sad thing is that it took us forever to get to our training today because there were accidents. I think one was a suicide and one was just an accident. We found out that the line we go on from our hotel is very popular for suicides. It is very sad. but, on a more happy note, we had a great time in the training. We learned a lot and had a great time together.

We went to a Karaoke box tonight, we went because it is Ashley's birthday, one of the other interns. We had so much fun. We ROCKED Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, we all sang it and it was amazing! My voice is a little weak after rocking out. Though, I have to say I am really sad that a few of the songs I forgot the tune and totally botched the songs! So sad. As soon as I can I will post out Karaoke pictures.

Tomorrow we are going to go to Church and then we are going to a park and see everyone dressed up as their favorite anime characters. It should be a lot of fun. We only have a few more days left together to have fun and see the sights. Liz and I leave for our areas on Tuesday. I have to say that I am really nervous about going out so quickly. I meet my schools on the 6th and 7th, if I remember correctly. It should be real nice to get started. I am nervous, though, about being a good teacher. I hope I can do it and be everything they want me to be.

It is late. More for you later.

Celestia, over and out.

Greatings from Japan!

2010-01-01T02:22:00.000-08:00

Look! I am finally in Japan! This is so exciting!

The flight over was a nice but long flight. We even had some turbulance and had a bit of a scar, it felt like we were on a roller coaster. We arrived yesterday at 4:30, Japan time, got settled in, and went touring the local temple, the Sensoji Temple. We were too tired to do much so we

turned in at about 9:30, it was New Years eve for us, so that was kind of lame. But hey, we did manage to take some pictures.

This morning we got up and went to a family mart to pick up breakfast. We then decided we would eat it by the river at a little park they have there. it was realy pretty and we had a great time.

This is the lovely park we ate at. It was a nice view.

Well, I do have more to say and more pictures, but I am tired so that will be all for now.

Celestia, over and out

What Nots

2009-12-27T20:42:00.000-08:00

Well, I had a wonderful Christmas. I hope all of you did the same.

I leave for Japan in two days. That is I have two more full days left. I leave on Wednesday in the morning. I haven't packed yet, in fact I haven't given it much thought. I better get going! I have finished my dress and I wore it today, I really do like it. I am trying to get a jacket done to go with it. I hope I can finish it in time!

Well, Wish me good luck!

Celestia over and out.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T14:50:00.000-08:00

It has been a good Christmas. We haven't had much this year, so our Christmas was small, but small things make for wonderful experiences. I got woken up today by my favorite 2 year old, he jumped on my bed (with grandma's help) then he cuddled up with me. He went and woke up his parents and then the party began. It was really fun to watch him open his presents, even if he lost interest after only two gifts. He didn't want to finish opening his presents, he only wanted to play with his cars he opened first. But after being forced, and crying the whole while, he finally opened all of his presents. He had a good time playing with his present. I have to say that was the best part of Christmas, especially since I practically new all I was getting. It was nice having my brother and his family here for Christmas and spending it with my Bub (nephew).

I hope all of you are having a good Christmas. So far I have.

5 more days! I am excited to be going! I can't wait. I am still nervous, but I am sure I will get over that as soon as I get in the swing of things. I can't wait to see the school(s) I will teach at.

I have to laugh. My grandmother, when she found out I was going to Japan, told my mom that she has enough money to get me home, just in case. I think she is worrying that something will go terribly wrong and I will get stuck in Japan. No worries Grandmother, I have a return ticket!

Celestia, over and out.

What Nots

2009-12-21T17:28:00.000-08:00

I finally got my passport back last week. Really it only took a few days, but it seemed like forever. I just worry to much.

I got some training done for my internship. I have to say that I am so excited to be going over with people who are so fun and exciting! We are the best group of interns ever, well, at least we are the funnest! I am so excited to be going to Japan! We have 8 days left! i still hold that I will be found in the fetal position somewhere in the airport in Japan when it finally hits me that I am in another country to live and work. Then again maybe I will surprise myself. :D

I started a dress today. I cut it out a few days ago, but started to sew it today. I would have finished it, but I had a 3 hour training. Oh well, I have plenty of time to finish it later today. I think I might even have time to sew a few other things too. Mostly I want to get a jacket and vest made and fix a few items. i think I might be able to do that. Then again if I want Christmas p.j.s I will have to make them myself. Maybe I am biting off more then I can chew... But we will see.

Celestia out.

Bla

2009-12-13T22:58:00.000-08:00

I really should be going to bed. I was ready for bed hours ago. But last minute before I went to bed I got a message that I needed to send in a new resume to the company I have the internship with. They needed it before tomorrow to give to the school I will be teaching at. I am not sure why they can't use the one I sent them earlier.... of well. i finaly got it done and here I am waisting time online as my brain melts from the need to sleep.

19 more days!

2009-12-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

Crazy! I only have 19 more days before I fly off to Japan! I am so excited and scared! I sent off my passport and visa application yesterday. I think I am going to have heartburn until I get it back, it is nerve racking sending something so important in the mail even if it was sent securely! AH! There is so much to do and so little time to do it in! Not to mention that Christmas is only 14 days away. Wow…. This is going to be a crazy month! At least I am home and done with school! That is a relief.

Yesterday I went with my parents and my grandma to the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert, it was a lot of fun. Natalie Cole was the guest performer and it was a beautiful concert. I love going to the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concerts, they are so fun, beautiful, clean, and entertaining not to mention the spirit is there.

Well, I’m off to get ready for the season and my trip over seas!

Finals and more

2009-12-01T12:45:00.000-08:00

Wow, finals are upon us! I just realized today how close I am to being done! I leave to go home a week from tomorrow! I have a final project due tomorrow and two next week. Really they are spaced out quite nicely and I can worrie about one at a time instead of all at once.

My first final, due tomorrow, is almost finished. I need to hem, put on the waist band and button on the skirt, stitch up the neck band and put the buttons on the shirt, and finish up the vest. The vest is the least done, but it is also the easiest one to do. I have to fix the darts and sew in the lining then put on the buttons, but that will only take an hour or so. OH! I still have to make the hat and fix up a few other things.... oh well, I am feeling pretty good that I will be able to finish up everything today. Then tomorrow I will take pictures of my model in the costume and post them. I might even post some pictures to show you how far I am right now.

30 more days! I will be in Tokyo, Japan in the late after noon on the 31st this month!

I finally got back to my blog...

2009-11-21T19:25:00.000-08:00

I have been out of it for quite some time! I got home from my mission last Thanksgiving! I have almost been home for a year! I can hardly believe it! I have been so busy that I am now finally getting back into the swing of things and picking things up from before my mission.

I am almost done with the semester at SUU. Finals are going to be tought to get them done just how I want them. I have two final projects and only one test. Both of my projects are going to be hard to get done! My 2D design class will be hard since my artistic talants are not what I would want them to be, my costume construction class will be hard because I have don't have the time I would like to have to do all I would like to do, but it will be fun all the same.

I am going to Japan in a little over a month, I think 40 days from now is about how much longer I have. I am so excited to be teaching in Japan for a few months! I am even staying an extra two weeks to travel and have fun. I will be traveling with a fellow intern. I am way excited and I have a count down going. :D

I am so excited, I splurged and bought a new camera today. I needed a new one since mine took about 30 seconds to a minute between shots, it was a pain. Now I have something decent to take with me to Japan. I really wanted to have something good to take good pictures, and I finally got it! yay for me.

Six More Days

2007-11-29T21:35:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am six days until I leave on my mission. I think that I finally have everything that I need! It was getting really scary up until Tuesday. Now I just have to pack everything and hope that my luggage will loose weight before I leave the MTC! I am just over the weight capacity, but I will be getting a backpack in the MTC, so hopefully I will be able to distribute some weight and be good to go.

Wow, It is getting so close! I can hardly believe this is all happening. I know that next Wednesday I will be in the MTC, but it doesn't feel like it is going to be any different then any other day. I am nervous because I don't know what to expect, but over all I am at peace with everything. No worries. I know the Lord will watch over me and my family and everything will be fine.

I have to laugh. My mom and my little brother both got jobs today. It sort of just happened. My little brother will go back to work with Kennocott and my mom will be working as an aid at a local charter school. Now we just need to work on my dad's job.....

Well it is late and I better go... Maybe before I leave I will post some pictures, after all I have a ton to post.

2007-11-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought I would post something.... it has been a while shince I last updated.

Things are going well and I am getting close to being ready for my mission. I have my shoes and a few clothes. Really all I have left to go is the last minute things, and a few more clothes. The clothes are what I am most worried about. We are having a hard time finding clothes that are appropriate for a sister missionary. Has anyone ever heard of long skirts?

I am a little nervous! My farewell talk is this coming Sunday. I worry about talking in front of people, and my family and friends are going to be there. Oh well, I will get through it.

I have some new pictures of my nephew that I need to get posted, he is two and a half months, but he seems older since he is so long. He is about the size of a 5-6 month old baby.

Well, that is about all that I have right now for you.

Tootles

Life updates

2007-10-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well, here is a quick update for everyone. Last Thursday was my last day at Morris Murdock Travel. I was scheduled to work until Nov. 16, but the upper management wanted to make room for new employees. It just would have been nice if they would have given me more then an hour to clean out my desk. I found out on Thursday at about 4pm and was out of there by 5pm. It was a bit of a shock, really, but it works out better in the end. Now I have time to get things ready for my mission. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to get everything I needed and put it all together while I was working, and now I don't have to worry about it. My mom isn't too happy, money is a little tight right now and it would have been a great help to have my last few paychecks. Oh well, we just have to take life as it comes to us.

Yesterday I went mission shopping with my mom, my sister-in-law, and baby Arthur. It was a lot of fun. My mom and I got to take turns holding the baby, and he was sooo good. He hardly fussed the whole time we were there. It is so much fun to do things with family.

Any way, there is my update.

Mission Call

2007-09-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

I got my mission call today! I am going to the Illinois Chicago North Spanish speaking mission. I am way excited!

I stayed home sick today. It was about noon when my younger brother got home from school (he is a college student) and he knocked on my door and told me that a white envelope came in the mail today that might interest me. So I got out of bed to open it. Every one was home except my dad, I tried to call him, but he was out to lunch, too bad for him I wasn't about to wait. I opened it with my mom and brother there. It was exciting. I called my grandmas, two of my aunts and my neighbor who is a really good friend. I know there are a lot of people I need to tell, but I am having a hard time remembering who I need to call and let know. I am posting on line and sending e-mails, which should get the word out to most everyone. We will see. How exciting! I leave Dec. 5 for the MTC.

Bear Lake

2007-09-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

The lake was a lot of fun. So much fun, in fact, that I got really sun burned! Haha. Go figure, I had to be dumb and not put any sun screen on. I am still suffering from the red burning flesh. Oh well. I went up with my family and my friend Jessi. We had a lot of fun. It was like a mini family reunion, there was a lot of my family up there for Labor Day. Jessi went on a motor boat for the first time and tubing for the first time. We went out in the canoe and went around part of the lake. it was great fun. I have a few pictures of our trip.

There were a lot of tide pools along the edge of the lake.

Sand sculptures, like this lizard, dotted the beach were we were at.

Jessi and I took a walk along the shore and we found a sand castle some boys had just finished. It is supposed to be like Hogwarts. I think they sis a pretty good job.

The clouds were so beautiful while we were there.

This is a picture of Jessi, I really liked how the sun was hitting the water, and having the sun behind her made a really neat effect.

There were quite a few sail boats and catamarans on lake.

I really like the effect of the sun silhouetting everything in the foreground.

Comming Weekend of fun

2007-08-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

Woot! We are headed to Bear Lake tomorrow! A weekend of fun. We don’t get out too often as a family, so this will be nice. I will have to get a lot of pictures while I am there to share with you.

First tomorrow my mom and I will go up to Swiss Days. It is a nice festival up in the mountains we love to go to. They always hold it over Labor Day. I am planning on getting my mom her birthday present while I am there. Her birthday is on Tuesday. :D
After we explore Swiss Days we will pick up my dad, younger brother, and my friend Jess and we will go up to Bear Lake. Every year my Aunt and Uncle invite the family up to their cabin for Labor Day weekend. We have a nice party and have a great time with everyone. This year will be fun because they have just built a new cabin up there. I don’t think it is quite finished, but it will be nice and fun none the less. I get lots of pictures and let you all see!

Tuesday I have work off, so I will have to post all of my pictures, those of my new nephew and of the trip this weekend.

~Tootles

Baby

2007-08-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

Oh, here is my baby nephew!

Big yawn!

He looks just like my older brother!

Sleepy baby!

I am so excited! I just became a first time aunt! Arthur John Mendenhall V was born today at 10:41 am, he is 6 lbs 13oz, 21” long and has dark hair. Mom and baby are doing fine, in fact baby Arthur is sneezing (he is his father’s son!). I can’t wait until I get off work so I can go up to the hospital and see the family! I love babies and can’t wait to spoil my little nephew! A.J. (my brother) and Chelsea are going to be cute parents! Any way… I will have more of an update later.

I’m going to have to come up with a fun nick name for the little guy, Arthur just doesn’t fit! It may down the road, but right now it doesn’t work for him. It reminds me too much of my dad. But who knows, when I go to see him tonight I might change my mind.

When I get some pictures I will post them for you to see!
I will edit this after I go see the baby.

~:~Edit~:~ Oh Little Arthur is soooooo Cute! He has his mother's nose, or so it seems, and his mannerisms already seem to mirror his father. It is funny, he will cry for what seems no apparent reason and stop mind cry and fall asleep, as if he is in protest of something and then not care. He had a hard time staying awake while feeding. He likes to cover his face with his hands. Chelsea told me that when he first came out he had his hands covering his face and he continued to do so all day yesterday. He is so precious! When I got to the hospital both Chelsea and her mom were so tired I was able to hold Arthur for about an hour and a half, I got him all to myself while they got some rest. Chelsea is keeping him in her room and not in the nursery, so when Chelsea is resting her mom is helping take care of the little one. Poor A.J. is so busy, he has to go to classes today teach classes and go to his part time job. At least he was able to be there most of yesterday. What a busy guy. He is in his masters program, teaching a few classes, and has a part time job. He may be busy but he is going to be a cute daddy! I can't wait to get the pictures from Chelsea's mom with A.J. and his baby! I will have to post some pictures as soon as I get them!

Blog erlogel

2007-08-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

As silly as I think this is, I am going to do it all the same. A Little blurb about me.... nothing special, just a little hello.

This is my first "blog", which is about time since I have done things similar to this in the past. I don't have a lot of time since I work full time and have a two hour commute every day. I won't make any promises that I will update very much or that often, but I hope that I will post something worth while to everyone. This blog is mostly for those who know me, but i also would love to make new friends.

I work at a local travel agency as a travel specialist. It is the biggest travel agency in the area. It is fun and I learn a lot, but I don't know if it is quite for me. Maybe I just need to get used to the job and gain a clientele before I can decide if it is for me or not. After all I have only been with this company for just under a year, I started last October. Well... we will see what happens.

I am planning on serving a mission for my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have turned my papers in and now I am just waiting to see where I am called to. I am really excited to see where I will go. I am really excited to go out and serve the lord.

Well, that is about it...

Bla bla bla....