I love culture!

Thanks everyone for the words of advise, comfort and prayers. It helped...in ten days I would be refunded all stolen money. I was there for two hours and some minutes shorting everything out. I pulled out the red-headed dragon...and made sure everything got done, in my presence...no more promises of "We'll make sure this happens." Nope...I said "I will not leave until it happens" So by the end of the month I will have my last check from work deposited into the account and this it is goodbye cooperate bank and hello credit union...or something like that.
But I must say I had a wonderful Saturday...though there are no pictures from the events, I felt like I went all over the world. I went and walked a bit for the walk for autism event. Then I went to a beautiful baptism. It was a little Samoa boy, PJ. What a powerful hour. Talks and testimonies were given...tears and the spirit were shed. The singing was outstanding...and so were the homemade meal afterwards. I told Nick we should move to Samoa, the love, and culture could be something I would like to get use to. Then came the African event. I was asked to do face painting for a "All Africa" event. With authentic tribal dances, food and drumming...I was taken to a new place. Did I stick out like a sore thumb! For one, I was wearing jeans. And watch out for their drinks! I thought something was a type of ginger juice...the ladies rushed to my side as I poured my cup, trying to stop me. In broken English they said, "This is too strong for little you...this is spicy...for the men" Well...when they called me "little one" and that it was "just for men"...I had to prove them wrong...it came with the meal anyway-get your moneys worth, right? Lets just say I gulped it down and smiled at the ladies. As I turned to leave, then came the tears! It was hot! Now...there was no alcohol, I was assured before I tried the drink...no need for a bishop interview, but it was pure ginger and mint it tasted like ginger on fire! and...wow...that's all I can say...wow. So all in all...it was a wonderful day!

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so frustrated! It feels like my once steady-ish life (lets face it, life is always up and down...hence the need to put the "ish") Has turned upside down!! I work for a living-you get a pay check-steady. Since January I've had to worry about when the thief will strike next, taking money in the hundreds from my account, which is then followed by promises from my bank to fix it and mounds of paper work to help them keep their promises, to basically do damage control. I was told my old account was closed after the last withdraw from the thief...but it seems like the bank is taking money from my new account and transferring money into my old one-WHY!! No one informed me of the said transfer! So now I get to worry about money being taken by my thief and my bank. I've tried calling-I get the ring around, I tried coming in on Saturdays-ring around because no one knows what is going on. I want a new bank because all the money that the thief has taken, that would be credited back to my account, has yet to find it way back home to whatever account they think I have-old or new-who knows. Not to mention the fear of most Utah teacher-unemployment(that will have to take the time of another post...a much longer post). So now I am waiting for the manager to come into my local bank...waiting at home...yes I had to miss work, arrange for a sub.(all teachers know what a bother that is) so that I can get this...what fixed, worked out, resolved...I really don't know what to put here because I thought those words applied to previous times, but it seems to be a never resolving matter. No, it seems like the revolving doors in front of the hotels-I think I make it inside but the doors keep turning and I keep getting spun around-What do I have to do to make it stop!! Oh, door man, a little assistance please! I am getting sick with fear, stress and frustration!!! So now I am back at the beginning-I am so frustrated!! AHHHH!

Rocks, Family, GC, Kidnapping...not in that order

So my husband decided to kidnap me! Well that is the slightly dramatic version. His more sensible perspective would be a surprise weekend vacation, of which the location was unknown by the little wife. I thought we were going to Vegas because of how long the drive was...it was even longer because of the BLIZZARD we ran into on the way down! I am not being dramatic here, we were going 25-35 mph for a good majority of the travel...and we went off the road and pushed our car through slush once. The end destination was Cedar City. It was a great break once there, full of hiking, rest, museums, and fun food experiences. We went to Zion's National Park, and I loved seeing the red rock. I have spared you the endless amounts of pictures a new experience results-I was picture happy! Then we saw all types of historic carriages that Utah EVER had within its boundaries. Even the infamous Wells Fargo Wagon (I hear humming in the background Wheeler family-can anyone say Music Man, or have done it how many times?) It was a great weekend. Then the following weekend came my family!! What a blast!! We had SOOOOOO much fun, little bit too much fun according to some -sigh- neighbors. I have missed laughing, debating, playing and learning from my dear family in person. Plus, I had my adorable nephew all weekend!! So he is the best picture in this post-even with red demon eyes (blame that on the camera-or-the operator who forgot the red-eye reduction button.) April had a great beginning, vacation, family and my favorite-General Conference! How can a few hours in a few days energize my life into, "you can do it, you should do it, here's how to do it, GO TO IT" attitude? Because it is authentic words of God through His chosen mouth pieces...I thank thee for a Prophet. So as April flies by...I hope May can bring just as much good. It will be a hard act to follow!

March

So...I know that it is almost MAY! For those who love Nick and I, just humor us and pretend that you are in March reading this "newly updated" post. So what is in March? Another holiday that I love to celebrate-St. Patty's Day! Yep I have the luck of the Irish (or is it Scottish?) and I am in full green on this day, eating and singing as any good-sober-Irish cultured woman would do. And who else better to celebrate this day with, then our good friends the Shaurees!! We had a blast with our tastes, music and conversations all ringing with Irish love. I even made soda bread. So here is my short but sweet tribute to St. Patty's Day, the Shaurees and March!

This counts for February!

Hello there everyone...so I am happy to say that we came through February with high spirits...and a slight sugar high from the Valentine candy I received from my students. The best thing about this month were the gifts that we gave to one another...warning: these are what we really wanted even if they do not fall into the V-day romantic genre. Nick has been asking for a water filter. Yep...and I have not been completely convinced. He had heard an NPR special on clean water and in order to save us from sickness, disease and cancer, he, being the hero that he is, wanted us to have one. My gift was far more selfish and not as heroic-I am now able to text! Yep that is right-I am part of the texting world! This is a gift that keeps going and going. So in all we got what we wanted and there was joy to be had all round as we drank fresh water and texted other about the good taste.