On Love

Love is strange. It is like being struck by 1,000 arrows.

Sometimes it feels like you radiate light.

Dear California Drivers

While living in Boston, a city know for its notorious drivers I faced one automobile-related brush with death. Was I jay-walking? Most likely.

Now all you California drivers out there. You brag about your logical city blocks, and your six lane freeways, and your good drivers. I have heard you scoff at Bostonian drivers. If I may be so bold, I would like to contradict you. Since living in California, I have been hit by a car once. Was I crossing legally? Of course! Only lunatics jay-walk in this place. (Luckily I was on my bike and sustained no injuries.)

As for brushes with death, I have had many. Tonight, for example, I was crossing on a green light, I was wearing light colors, and I looked both ways. And yet the person turning left felt no need to slow down and missed me by inches. If he/she could not have seen me, he/she should not be driving. If I had a dollar for every time this happened, I could buy more people Christmas presents this year.

Now I realize that wherever you are going is far more urgent than where I am going. But it is really in your best interests to wait for me to briskly cross the street before turning left. I promise you I will walk fast enough that you won't get stuck at the light. If nothing else, think of the cramp an accident would put in your schedule.

Warm Regards,

M

World Peace through Postcards

Lately, I have been working on a number of projects. I've been creating homemade gifts for family members, reading the Bible, attempting to sew a skirt, etc. When my sister asked me how I have time to do these things I replied that it is what I do while I am waiting for the phone to ring. These days that is much less pathetic than it sounds.

I have also found a hobby in The Postcrossing Project, a website devoted to sending snail mail postcards to strangers around the globe. I love it! The site generates addresses for me to send postcards to, the recipients register their card, and then a different person sends me a card. I've received cards from China, Canada, the Netherlands and more.

I picked up this replica of a vintage card while in Sacramento. I chose to send it to someone majoring in history in hopes that she will appreciate it.

I have had this beauty since my mission, but decided to send it on to Oregon. The recipient loved it! Who wouldn't really?


Just when I hit my peak of autumn withdrawals, I received this card from Quebec! It is wonderful to get something besides bills and Trader Joe's ads in the mail.

Some might think this is a waste of time. Admittedly, I have found a geeky pastime. But think of it this way - I am spreading the love of culture and positive international relations around the world one postcard at a time.

A Post About Books

I decided to post about books because it has been awhile. For those of you with young children, you may find this interesting. Enjoy!

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Bear’s friends party at his house while he sleeps through the winter. Rhymes and repetition make this a fun book to share.

Bubble Bath Pirates! By Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Kids celebrate bath time with this fun filled pirate rhyme.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Kids love to say “no” to this selfish, but fun-loving pigeon.

Don’t Worry Bear by Greg Foley

Bear is a faithful friend and watches anxiously while his caterpillar friend lives in a cocoon and turns into a silk moth.

Guji, Guji by Chih-Yuan Chen

This is great story about the power of family. Mother duck hatches a crocodile and eagerly accepts him. It’s up to him to save the day when the mean crocodiles want to hurt the duck family.

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Rhyming, counting, and beautiful illustrations make this book fun to read over and over.

Llama, Llama, Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Llama, Llama loves his mama and can’t wait for her to tuck her in at night, but he goes a little too far. This is a fun, bedtime story.

The Magic Hat by Mem Fox, illustrated by Tricia Tusa

A magic hat floats into town and starts turning people into animals. Use the rhyming text to guess what animal they will be transformed into.

Move Over, Rover by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by Jane Dyer

Rover is feeling very lonely until a rainstorm hits and the doghouse becomes a little uncomfortable. Have kids chant “Move over, Rover,” along with the text.

Sacramento

So I am just finishing up my weekend conference in Sacramento. I arrived Friday and had one of the best meals of my life at the Firehouse in Old Sacramento. Delicious, including sorbet to cleanse the pallet. I spent most of Saturday anxiously awaiting the time to five my presentation. I heaved a sigh of relief when it was finally over and people said they really liked it.

The rest of the trip, I have spent waiting to go home. I am sitting at the airport now. This morning, I went to the train museum and took these photos on my cell phone which accounts for the poor quality.

One on the trains in the museum

This is the postal train car. Without stopping the train picks up the mail and it all gets sorted as teh train is moving. Pretty cool!

This is a golden spike such as was driven into the ground in Promontory, Utah. It was very shiny.

Fall Things

Laura has very politely reminded me that it is time for an update to my blog. I have dexiced to oblige with a couple updates. In late August, Jerry came for a visit to LA. Luckily it wasn't too hot, but we had sunny weather. He took me to Solvang, a tourist trap Danish town with windmills and pastries.
He took me to Sea World for my birthdayday. I LOVE WHALES! We had a great time and saw the Shamu Show twice. We sat so close that Shamu literally spit on us. We also saw the dolphin show, fed dolphins, and got very wet.
Next my parents came and we went to Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks. The trees and overall beauty were stunning. I loved them almost as much as the whales. I did not get tired of all of the trees and beautiful vistas.
I think that every should go there. It was truly an example of God's masterwork.
Since then, I got to go to conference. Jerry met up with me Utah and it was fantastic to be in the Conference Center and see family.

My Best Friend's Wedding

My best friend, Emilysa, got married in August. I had the privilege of being the maid of honor and wearing orange. I had a friend make me the dress.
The night before the wedding, we had a small shower for her. Each of us had our photo taken with the star of the show. Eventhough we were laughing, we decided this was a cool picture.

This is a nice picture of me in my dress.

I really had a great time with Emilysa's family and friends. This is Emilysa's friend Lora, who I got to spend a lot of time with.

It was such a pleasure to be a part of the wedding. It was wonderful to be in the San Diego Temple for the sealing and to be a part of the weekend.