The Unexpected Ordinary

DMZ

2012-02-13T21:44:00.000+09:00

DMZ tour, early December. I know, I really should download my camera more often...

Looking from South Korea into the North. Freezing cold and very windy, these soldiers only stand guard when the tour groups come. They were very strict about where, when and how we could take pictures.

"You can take pictures if you don't stand too close or touch the guards." We were told over and over again not to make any hand gestures, including pointing, waving, birds or any other that we came up with where the North Koreans could see us.

But I did get this picture at an over look into North Korea. The yellow line was the photo line, as in we couldn't walk up to the edge and take pictures.

Image walking up to tall wall and just getting a glimpse over. That was what this tour was like... just a glimpse into what North Korea was like and a brief snapshot of the history of the DMZ. All the incidents that get glossed over in the sentence of your history class, "And there's been a cease fire ever since."

Holidays

2012-01-20T20:26:00.000+09:00

I came back to Korea and found this at the grocery store the first week of January. Valentines candy. Koreans are amazing at planning ahead. Of course that meant, that they took down the Halloween decorations the weekend before Halloween to put up the Christmas ones... I am not exaggerating. I have learned that the holiday decorations and candy goes to the quick and the prepared.

City Lights

2011-12-04T21:07:00.001+09:00

Merry Christmas from Seoul, Korea. Wishing you a bright and joyful season.

Riding Shotgun

2011-11-23T18:46:00.001+09:00

Koreans do not like to "ride shotgun" in cars. My co-workers regulary hold the back seat door open for me when ever we are driving on errands. Yesterday, I drove my realtor and my landlady to sign the lease papers for my apartment. They both eagerly climbed into the back seat and left the front passenger empty. That would never happen with my family and in fact I'm calling shotgun now, for when I come to visit over Christmas.

Lantern Festival

2011-11-16T14:38:00.006+09:00

These are paper lanterns, larger than life size. We walked along the river, amazed and enthralled.

I'm so sorry that I am not a better photographer. But this is just enough to tease and tempt you into coming and visiting.

Carving

2011-10-29T22:21:00.000+09:00

This is the first time that I have seen people carve fruit for Halloween but when the commissary only has a couple of pumpkins... you have to get creative for the Young Adult activities.

The Beautiful Beach

2011-09-20T08:06:00.000+09:00

Observing US holidays in Korea means that you get a few Mondays off when everyone else has to work. (Of course, everything in Seoul is closed on Monday because the department stores, museums and attractions are open all weekend. It's a catch 22.)
The glitter you see on the horizon is the water. There was probably about a mile of mud before it. The tides in Incheon are huge. And the mud is full of shells so it's not something that you want to be walking through barefoot.
This is the beach that a lady sent us too after telling us that the others in the area were too muddy. But as you can tell, there was no one else on the beach with us.

Hmm...

2011-08-15T16:16:00.000+09:00

McDonalds delivery... not something that you would see in the states. On the other hand I have yet to see a drive thru window.

Learning and Exploring

2011-08-02T22:07:00.000+09:00

Megan and I have been taking turns show each other the sights and tastes of Korea. One of my favorite outings was just to the Korean grocery store. She walked me down every aisle and explain what things were and gave them the thumbs up or thumbs down. Brilliant!

We also have gone to our fair share of museums! I love exploring the history and the art. There was one artist, Whang Inkie, who recreated various famous paintings... like van Gogh's Starry Night in legos.
My kitchen is the cleanest it has been in months and look at the lovely vase I bought at Icheon.
I love these shelves and the pottery wasn't bad either!
Leek pancakes are an excellent way to eat your vegetables!

Visitors

2011-07-20T13:17:00.001+09:00

The hike up the mountain was definitely worth the dazingly light display of a panoramic view of Seoul.

It's great to have family come to visit and even better when they speak Korean! Everyone has been so shocked to have a white girl talking to them...

Summer Reading

2011-07-12T22:22:00.000+09:00

Summer Reading is over, the balloons left with the children and the posters are all down. (Granted there are no pictures of children here, but when you have to entertain 60+ kids a week, you have no time to grab the camera.)
I miss the kids. I miss the silly games and picking books to recommend each week. This week I did penny relay races with the older kids. The under 7 group just practiced balancing pennies on various body parts while walking across the room. 100 pennies, 30 minutes of entertainment and laughter. The best dollar, I've spent this week.
I won't have survived without my two Summer Hires. These girls were great and very willing to jump in and help with the crafts and craziness.

My New Favorite

2011-06-24T10:27:00.000+09:00

I watched the 25th Ann. Les Mis Concert and they did this song as an encore. I love it and have watched it over and over this week.

If that doesn't work try this link http://youtu.be/wcbe4gSoef8

A look at Seoul

2011-05-26T22:44:00.001+09:00

Here's a great time lapse of Seoul that I found on http://vimeo.com/23402375.

Seoul Time Lapse 2011 from Oh Choong Young on Vimeo.

Dad's Visit

2011-05-25T09:59:00.000+09:00

Dad stopped by for a visit on the way home from a business trip to western China.

It was great to spend time with him, show him my fabulous life... where I work, live and worship. He was a very good sport as I dragged him to my various activities. And he enjoyed my GPS just a little to much. (It's Korean and the English translations are just a little off. For example: every time you approach a large intersection it says, "Approaching danger zone." And it beeps at you if you go just one km over the speed limit. My favorite is when you are in bumper to bumper traffic, it announces that "You are in a parking violation zone.")

Note to self

2011-05-19T22:32:00.000+09:00

Check to see if the car is in park when you can't start it. It's way more embarrassing to call a tow truck for a stupid mistake like that in Korean. (Mostly because you have to get a translator involved too.)

Quirks of Korea

2011-05-15T08:43:00.000+09:00

You have to love the fact that there are photo zones in Korea.

And they were right, it was an excellent place to take a picture of the Korean War Museum.

Cherry Blossoms

2011-05-08T14:44:00.001+09:00

Okay, so I two weeks late, but last month the cherry blossoms were everywhere. It was fun to walk in the wind, because it looked like snow and smelled like heaven.

Specially Delivery

2011-04-27T09:33:00.000+09:00

My car won't start, so I called the Roadside assistance number and they sent a guy on a motorcycle with a battery to come jump start the car. It was pretty awesome.

Move over Princess Leia

2011-04-21T09:08:00.000+09:00

You are not the only one who can send a message with R2D2.

Outside of my apartment

2011-04-09T13:44:00.000+09:00

Spring is here and they turned on water and fountains all around my apartment, so let me take you on a tour.
This orange piece in the front is a teeter totter that you stand on. Lots of fun!

Gyeongbok Palace

2011-03-31T10:50:00.001+09:00

Originally built in the 1300s, the Japanese razed it in the early 1900s. Today they are rebuilding it and it is open to the public. I went on a brief tour with a group from base.
Right in the middle of Seoul, so from some angles you catch the high rises that have been built around it.
The details are what make it amazing. The five colors represent safety and power and are only allowed on royal palaces and temples.
State receptions and dinners were hosted here at the Pavilion.
Main palace throne room. Unlike European palaces, this should more be described as a complex because there are multiple buildings instead of just one big mega-building that houses everything.
What's the advantage of having smaller buildings? Central heating. Yes, the Koreans had central heating under their floors in the 1300s.
My camera skills are not doing justice to the magnificence and attention to detail that they built into this palace. So you will have to come and see it for yourself.

With the push of a button...

2011-03-17T11:40:00.000+09:00

I moved into my new apartment yesterday and my realitor gave me 8 remotes to make my life "easier." Air conditioning, lights, tv, cable, laundry rack... I'm just glad that the toilet doesn't have a remote!

Girls Night Out

2011-03-13T15:03:00.000+09:00

Aida was just as fabulous in Korean... if just a little harder to understand. I can't wait to get my shipment and listen to it again in English. It was a Broadway worthy production, I forsee many more musicals in my future.

Korean barbaque cooked at the table. It was called Gumbai and lots of fun to cook and eat.

Missing you!

2011-03-11T08:45:00.000+09:00

Bob, I see reminders of you all over. Koreans love onions. You will fit right in. I'm serious, there have been onions in every Korean meal that I've had... multiple varieties in each meal.
Onions, the gift that keeps giving.

More Options

2011-03-06T10:37:00.000+09:00

Time to go shoe shopping. All the apartments that I looked at had closets like these.
These toilets are seriously high tech... I'm afraid that I will start WWW3 just by pressing a button.

I love the details in this apartment. They are the reason that it is the most expensive.
All the apartments that I love have great views. I just have to pick the view that I want.
Do I want to be closer to downtown and further from the base?

I looked at apartments with 3 realitors and they all took me to a new complex that is just openning.

Apartment Hunting

2011-03-03T20:48:00.000+09:00

Two different apartments in these pictures. Which do you like better?

Finding my Church

2011-02-22T20:48:00.001+09:00

I look up the ward information and carefully copied down the address before heading to the taxi stand. When the taxi driver found out that I was going to church he tried to convince me to go to the church on base. I was insistent on my church, and he was convinced that I was crazy.

The English Seoul Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is in a church building that is tucked down a back alley and is very hard to find. We circled the general area, asking passing pedestrians. My driver continued to point out other churches that I could go to. In my life, going to the right church is more important than going to the closest one. And I can tell you, that it was worth it on Sunday. I walked into the building I was home surrounded by friends.

First Day

2011-02-17T07:55:00.000+09:00

View from the hotel room. I'm off for my orientation meetings. So far, so great! (And boy am I glad that I off the airplane!)

Spring... is not quite here

2011-02-15T06:57:00.001+09:00

The weatherman said that today was suppose to be 50 degrees. What a wonderful reason to have a picnic!
I don't think that it was that warm... Andrea froze but we still had fun!

Blessings and Miracles

2011-02-07T23:23:00.001+09:00

While I was driving through Wyoming on Saturday with my Mom, hours from home, I hit some black ice. The gusting wind prevented me from correcting the fishtails. One 360 later the car rolled in the median.
The miracle is that both, my Mom and I, walked away with out a scratch. Nothing. Not even seat belt bruises. Let me just say now, always wear your seat belt! We had several great Samaritans that stopped to help us before the State Patrol and the tow truck arrived.

Dad and Christa drove up to rescue us. It was a modern reenactment of the rescue at Martin's Cove. (Martin's Cove is only 127 miles away from Wamsutter, where we were stranded.)* Christa renamed Mom and me, Willie and Martin.

Looking at the pictures again, just reminds me of how blessed we were. And that we have exceeded our roller-coaster quota for a foreseeable future.

*The Willie and Martin handcart companies were stranded in Wyoming by the arrival of an early winter. Brigham Young sent wagons and men from the Salt Lake Valley to rescue the distressed pioneers. My great-great grandfather, Robert Taylor Burton, was among the rescuers.

Mammoth Cave

2011-02-07T23:12:00.001+09:00

Last weekend I asked my Midwest siblings to take a small trip with me. We went deep into the earth... well, kind of deep.
This was our chance to say goodbye before we all split ways. Richard is leaving too this year... final destination unknown.
It's amazing how going two hours south can result in a radical temperature change. It was in the high 40s and felt great after our teen temps further north.

Mammoth Cave was lots of fun, and I would suggest visiting in the winter. The cave is the same temperature year round and there are no crowds in January.

Snow Storms

2011-02-02T10:46:00.000+09:00

I was welcomed to Indiana with a snow & ice storm. This week, as I say goodbye, we have a record breaking snow & ice storm.

Procrastination and Moving Across the World

2011-01-24T09:42:00.000+09:00

I've learned this month that moving across the world is not easy and that I have no time to procrastinate. I've also learned that for everything that you cross off the list, you think of two other things that need to get done too. This week the Army is coming to pack my apartment. It's kind of like finals week. I have a huge list of things that I have to do, and it looks ugly... but I know that all I have to do is make it through the week.

New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-02T12:32:00.000+09:00

I love New Years. It is one of my favorite holidays. It is a time to reflect, to plan and above all to write lists! (Said lists, usually doesn't last the whole year, as life has a way of changing your plans mid-river.)

I wish you all the best this year, may you have the strength and time to work on your resolutions and goals.

Christmas Moments

2010-12-30T08:21:00.001+09:00

Random pictures of my family and celebrations in no particular order...

Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year!

Sunday Night Tradition

2010-12-27T12:57:00.001+09:00

I know that I am home when I here the happy sound of tiles clinking.

It's been a while since I laughed this hard... I shouldn't have eaten so much popcorn!

Snow Day

2010-12-13T21:58:00.000+09:00

With the huge storm this weekend... that is still gently falling and the wind, keeping the roads plowed is a distant hope in Columbus, Indiana. All the schools and the library is closed today.

Things on my list today:
1. finish Christmas shopping online
2. label scrapbook pages that I have been avoiding
3. iron & cut fabric strips for my quilt
4. clean out files and organize my "get to later" pile
5. hot chocolate & good book

New Name

2010-12-10T00:55:00.000+09:00

Dear Mom & Dad,
I know that it is family tradition that your daughters don't have middle names but the federal government cannot handle that. I have filled out the same form 3 times as they tell me exactly how the want me to write my full name, and my maiden name. Silly me for thinking that these were the same thing. To make things simpler for them, they gave me a middle name to use, NMN. We have now sorted out the confusion and corrected your mistake.
Your welcome. Love,
MNMNC

Big News

2010-12-05T03:55:00.001+09:00

I have accepted a 3 year position on the Yongsan, South Korea base library. I will move after I pass a background check and fill out all the necessary paperwork.

Thanksgiving

2010-12-01T08:16:00.001+09:00

Hanging out with family...

Newly named "Bob" and the 3 pies, he contributed. Pumpkin eggnog, pumpkin cheesecake & apple. Fabulous!

The coolest part of the train museum for the Friendly Hero was the model trains. We took turns, thrilling with him at the magic of the moving train.

I also learned this weekend, that if you are going to steal your neighbor's Blizzard it is necessary to be charming, darling and young.

Tender Mercies

2010-11-22T22:52:00.000+09:00

I am a bread snob. And I was thrilled when Panera opened just two blocks from my gym. They have been in business for just two weeks and I have already stopped there 4 times. I love it!

Successful Failure

2010-11-05T04:25:00.001+09:00

Richard and I drove to Florida to see the space ship launch.

I learned all sorts of neat things. Like NASA prefers to call the shuttles "orbiters" instead of space ships. And that a launch stirs up the alligators and snakes for 4,000 feet around because the vibrations make them aggressive.

We were reminded just how concerned NASA is with safety.

Like it was said in Apollo 13, our trip was a successful failure because while we didn't accomplish our main goal, we had a lot of fun, learned cool things, and made it home alive.

Grandma's Visit

2010-10-31T08:21:00.000+09:00

Time to play catch up... When Grandma came Math Hero decided to walk out her baby. We came along for moral support.

Corn mazes are serious business in Indiana. The one that we went to combined 5 mazes into one giant maze.

It even had sponsors. There were different stations in the maze where you can punch your entry pass and earn coupons and free stuff from local businesses... like free Blizzards and such.

Grandma wins an award for rewarding patiently reading and rereading Friendly Hero's favorite book.
(It has a bus, which means it is the coolest ever.)

It was great to see you Grandma!

"But I don't want too!"

2010-10-29T10:43:00.001+09:00

Some days the best thing you can do to change your attitude is to go to bed and sleep for eight hours. Because sadly temper tantrums aren't just for two year olds.

Not my news...

2010-10-20T05:26:00.000+09:00

...but I couldn't resist sharing. More information to follow through proper channels.

Decisions... Decisions

2010-10-10T08:13:00.001+09:00

When you place several audio books on hold on the same day...

they get delivered on the same day. Then you are left with the problem of deciding which one to listen to first.

Ode to Kleenex

2010-10-01T10:04:00.001+09:00

You saved my life this week... I couldn't have breathed without you. And as gross as you are, I think you are 100 times better than a handkerchief.

You know you work in a library...

2010-09-15T09:28:00.000+09:00

when you look up from your book during lunch and realize that all your co-workers are reading too.

Carnegie the Farting Cat

2010-09-10T09:40:00.000+09:00

My library adopted a stray kitten. Carnegie is very active, so much that I couldn't get a good picture despite the 40+ photos, I took. (Thank goodness for digital cameras.)

It would be pure pleasure to play with Carnegie if not for one smelly problem.

She is on some medication for worms that makes her fart. Drive past a dairy farm and you will know what this small charming kitten smells like.

Sometimes the marvels of modern medicine are just too powerful.

Corn

2010-09-02T00:45:00.001+09:00

Darling help and hinder.

Finished delicious product.

What we started with.

Some things are worth it!

Good Habits

2010-08-25T11:25:00.000+09:00

I joined a gym last month and having been pushing myself to go before work each morning.

Yesterday, I decided that I would finish another project before work and then go to the gym after work. My day dragged and I realized that as hard as it is to jump out of bed, I have developed a health habit that is necessary for my mental and physical well being at work. I can't function without starting the day at the gym.
From now on all projects will be done after work... my mornings are full.

Family Vacations

2010-08-21T08:53:00.000+09:00

Traveling with family can be scary. (Unfortunately my scared face looks more stoned. I will be practicing in the mirror and will be better prepared next time.)

I was lucky enough to spend two weeks with my family, traveling, playing and learning. We of course took loads of pictures. It's fun to see my siblings so grown up.

Of course, no matter how grown up you are playgrounds are still tempting. Not to mention they are great breaks from all the driving we did. We started our tour in Nauvoo, hit West Lafayette, Colombus, Indiana and Columbus, Ohio before heading to Kirtland. Yes, we needed lots of snacks, audio books and other toys to entertain everyone.

Good thing that the younger members of the family earned their drivers licenses this year.

Wait, "I was a joking" (you must read that with a bad Italian accent), wrong picture... these young members earned their license.

I learned that spending time with my family is like sharing a shake. It's delicious, refreshing and finished way too quickly.

Wild Life in Indiana Part 3

2010-07-23T04:25:00.000+09:00

Okay, okay this is not part of Indiana's wild life that I have experienced but I thought that it was a fun video.

Wildlife of Indiana Part 2

2010-07-18T10:17:00.001+09:00

Another prolific wildlife staple of Indiana is the jack rabbit. They are really cute, unless you have a yard that they have chosen as their home. Or a garden that they have picked as their grocery of choice. Or a car that they run in front of.

Go Libraries!

2010-07-17T10:42:00.000+09:00

This was passed along by some of my library colleagues from Maryland.

The library should look familiar to a lot of you.

Wildlife of Indiana Part 1

2010-07-12T08:14:00.000+09:00

This year I have spiders coming out of the Wazoo! For example, I had a spider set up shop behind my driver side mirror. Each morning I would come out to find that he had built a new web all across the mirror. We battled for about two weeks. I didn't win. One the other hand, I was the only one left standing when the temperatures climbed. I can only assume that he was baked alive.
In addition to my out door spider issues, I have indoor spider issues. I combat them with bug spray and my vacuum cleaner of death.
(I have a strict two leg policy for all potential roommates.)

Art Museum

2010-07-08T11:38:00.000+09:00

Meet the Superheros at the Indy Art Museum. It's great to have a middle ground with lots of things to do.
We took pictures on these odd chairs. Partly because that was when I remembered to take my camera out.
And partly because this was the only time that Friendly Hero was stationary. He has learned to walk and is very confident in approaching complete strangers with his smile.
Ironically, family members, such as aunts take a little more to warm up to.

Good News!

2010-07-05T10:43:00.000+09:00

I found my camera cord! It was safely packed away at the bottom of my pajama drawer. Under all my winter pjs. I will work through the month of pictures that I took in the coming weeks.
It's fun to live close enough to Richard to spend the weekend with him. We are such nerds that one of our favorite stops is the used bookstore right by his apartment. Other highlights include, talking, laughing, having a buddy to watch movies with, and Reese's Puff cereal.
I spend way too much money whenever I visit my brother!

Safe Places

2010-06-14T09:54:00.000+09:00

I have been thinking about the importance of safe places recently. Places where you can be yourself without fear of reprisals. Places where you can hear the still small voice. And not the least safe places that you put your camera cords so that you won't lose them... Where can I find these places?

Spring is...

2010-05-10T10:59:00.001+09:00

a congregation of tulips.

Zoo Picnics

2010-04-27T10:58:00.001+09:00

Have you every been at a private picnic where a complete stranger walked up and expected to be fed?
She had no shame and no fear. And was eating right out of Bug Hero's hand!
Baby Hero struggle with the concept of sharing with the duck and ate everything given to him to give to the duck. On a side note, ducks do not like grapes. They won't touch them. They prefer bread and chips.

Old & New

2010-04-16T22:25:00.000+09:00

So I bought a new camera to replace my trusty sidekick of six years.

14 megapixels vs. 4 megapixels

8x optical zoom vs. 4x Goodbye old friend, thanks for all the good times!

The eternal question...

2010-04-04T08:31:00.000+09:00

What's for dinner? And I have no idea what the answer is tonight... I'm out of ice cream, eggs and tortillas. (Essential ingredients to all the recipes that sound good tonight.) Time to head to the grocery store!

Loot

2010-03-27T00:35:00.001+09:00

I have been playing in Portland at the Public Library Association Conference. Publishers and authors have gathered together in the exhibits to give copies of their books away. YEAH!!
I have two more days to collect even more. Good thing that I brought an extra suitcase!

New Apartment

2010-03-12T01:02:00.001+09:00

Here are the requested pictures of my apartment. Before, during and after the great apartment painting. (Thanks Beth!)

This is my new bedroom, before paint.After:
Mom, the blue does work with my red couch.
During the middle:
The end:

Early Morning Seminary

2010-02-23T03:05:00.000+09:00

Sometimes the alarm goes off way too early.

Day Planner

2010-02-21T07:03:00.000+09:00

I love colors and I love lists. My day planner combines these two in marvelous ways. I may not always do what I had planned but it sure looks pretty. If you can't get inspired with your list there is no way that you will do any of it. And trust me, I need all the help that I can get these days!

Life In Indiana

2010-02-13T07:27:00.000+09:00

People are amazing. Some will amaze you with how much they do or how good they are. Others amaze you from the other direction. Life in Indiana has been eye opening at times. After talking to patrons at the library, I find myself amazed... I thought that attitude or attribute was only a stereotype... or something that only happened in history books.

For example: I hosted a Charles Darwin taste testing event at the library today. Food, science and a movie tie in... perfect. My small town was shocked. I had a lady come to the library to tell me that she was disappointed that the "library was celebrating this anti-Christian theory." She wanted permission to come to the event and protest it. She was disappointed that the library was leading children away from God and thought that there were lots of other good people that we could honor. She felt that it was her duty to speak out. My internal reply was "What is so dangerous about potatoes, apples and oreos?" Followed by "The public library is not the place to defend Christianity, or any religious perspective exclusively." Externally, I thanked her for her opinion and told her that she couldn't protest in the program.

In every science class that I've had, when the teacher talks about evolution we spend some time mentioning all those who oppose this theory. But they are discounted and proved to be ridiculous. In my mind it has always been abstract. Those silly people who didn't take the time to study the theory, who have such a narrow view of their religion. Evolution to me has never been an issue of belief. I believe that God, as master of the universe, follows the physical laws that he has set forth. Evolution is a lot like gravity. The proof is all around us and isn't something that I need to protest about. I really don't care how He created the earth, I'm more interested in the why.

I had a great program, and this stereotype lady handed out flyers in front of the library instead of inside. More power to her. Today's high was 27 degrees. She had every right to protest and no right to ask us to not host the event.

New Haircut

2010-02-11T06:57:00.001+09:00

Inspired by an aunt, I too chopped off my hair this month.

Have I mentioned recently how hard it is to take pictures of yourself?

Cousins

2010-01-13T06:17:00.001+09:00

One of my first stops during my Christmas trip home.
It's nice to have someone to take pictures of me.

Very contemplative... poised and dignified.

It's great to spend time with my cousins. And the pork salad was fabulous too!

Good Intentions

2010-01-01T03:46:00.000+09:00

I sat down this afternoon with great intentions of updating my blog... too bad I didn't bring my camera cables with me. So I have no proof at how fun Christmas was. I'll try again soon.

I am my mother

2009-12-22T10:47:00.000+09:00

I made salsa deviled eggs for a library program. They were great, and surprisingly festive looking with the green and red chunks.

The reason that I am my mother... the recipe I used for these devil eggs was actually for relish devil eggs. Yes, after years of complaining how Mom changed the recipe without trying the original, I did the exact same thing.

Laura's Visit

2009-12-22T10:32:00.001+09:00

Laura came to visit and I had a blast spending time with her.

I drove Laura out to visit Richard.

We spent time exploring the local museums.

We stopped for a stagecoach photo shoot.

See ya later, partner!

New Moon

2009-11-24T02:33:00.001+09:00

I was one many who rushed to see New Moon on opening night. I went with girls from the stake and we had a blast. We watched Twilight while in line waiting for the theater.

There was even matching shirts for the event. (Reason #35 that I'm glad to be a girl. Matching shirts & outfits = okay)
Teaching Seminary and going to work on 1 hour of sleep was rough... but worth it.

My work here is done...

2009-11-14T06:19:00.000+09:00

I really enjoy the webcomic Unshelved. All about the joy and humor of working in a public library.

What are you trying to say?

2009-10-30T01:05:00.000+09:00

Yesterday a patron asked my co-worker if I was pregnant. Kate said no, and his response was to ask if she was sure. She told me that she wanted to say that there was a greater chance of our other co-worker Ed being pregnant... but she was a little more polite to the patron.

We've been laughing about it all day.

Visiting Family: Part 2

2009-10-22T22:16:00.000+09:00

The true story in which our heroine swears up and down that she does not know where the hero's phone is and then finds it one state later in her jacket pocket.

Went to visit my brother this past weekend. We had a great time and the only hiccup was that he couldn't find his phone at the end of the weekend. I had left it in his car, when we were unloading it from our successful Ikea run. He didn't believe me, and went as far as to double check the bag that I had already searched. I indignant, forcefully told him that it must be somewhere in that large, overflowing pile by the couch. I found it on the way to early morning seminary when I put on my jacket. Great trip and I promise that the phone is in the mail!

Visiting Family: Part 1

2009-10-22T22:08:00.001+09:00

The great thing about having family close is that you can drive up and spend the day with them.

Sharing your talents, supplies and indoctrinating their young. Yes, that is a punch that he is holding.
You also have someone willing to take your picture.

New Calling

2009-10-14T01:47:00.001+09:00

I am the new Freshman early morning Seminary teacher for my ward and the ward that we share the building with. I start on Monday. Wish me luck!

Chocolate Debate

2009-09-17T00:44:00.000+09:00

I just received an email to join a chocolate co-op to buy chocolate at a discounted rate. However, they need to buy alot of chocolate... How many cookies can I make in a year?

Indiana's Children's Museum

2009-09-15T02:39:00.000+09:00

Caught ya! Here are some random photos of last Saturday with my dad.
Posing in front of the Star Wars props.

Playing dress-ups is a family affair.

I love the back light in this photo... and we'll all pretend that I did that on purpose.

Serious respect for the Star Wars display.

A Day with Dad

2009-09-05T10:55:00.000+09:00

After Dad's business trip, all the midwestern family members converged on Indy.

We had a picnic by the Canal.
Look Mom, orange cheese all over our hands. Yum! Dad swears that it's not his fault.
After walking to the war memorials, we toured the Indiana State Museum.
While there day showed off his great fishing skills. Very impressive!

77 Dozen in One Day

2009-09-01T05:10:00.001+09:00

A couple from my ward invited several families over for a corn party. We husked and husked.

And husked some more...
Just to get to the good part.
I'm grateful for the generosity of this family... I will think of them often this winter as I enjoy the fruits of our labors.

Hi! My name is...

2009-08-28T02:54:00.000+09:00

Sometimes I feel like an alcoholic working at a bar...

Commuting

2009-08-22T02:42:00.000+09:00

My daily drive to work has two major components:

My car cd player and the Indiana cornfields.

Wordle

2009-07-31T07:05:00.000+09:00

This is a fun new website to play around on... http://www.wordle.net/

I'm excited about the possiblity of making my own scrapbook paper. Check it out!

Namesakes

2009-07-08T04:59:00.001+09:00

My family, like others, recycles names every couple of generations. Recently we had the namesakes for my grandma (pictured below) and her husband (who incidentally, is my grandpa and not pictured below) together.

These two are first-cousins once removed who meet for the first time in a graveyard in Indiana. Family reunions can be strange... not to mention the people who you meet there. (I love you all!) We couldn't resist taking pictures of them.

Baby I* is particular about his personal space. No one gets in unless he wants them in. Baby B* is almost a year older than I* despite the fact that they are the same size.
It was great to have cousins and siblings to search for Garr graves with!

Unfriendly Neighbors

2009-06-25T08:27:00.000+09:00

I came home from Brazil last month to some new neighbors.
We've spent the past month scaring each other as I walk in and out of my front door. Unfortunately, my front door also doubles as my only door.
Every morning the screen door swings and wings flutter frantically. Both of us mutter under our breath about the other. I'm sure that the robins have been complaining about my arrival... from their perspective they were there first.
This week's variation has included the parents dive bombing me as I try to unlock and lock my door. And the mutter has turned into angry yelled insults. Robins are vocal and protective birds.

Not to mention messy... my porch is gross! Bless the mailman's heart for putting my package right under their nest.

Greetings from Minneapolis!

2009-06-18T22:37:00.000+09:00

Claes Oldenburg & Coosje Van Bruggen's Spoonbridge and Cherry

JCPL New Website

2009-05-30T04:52:00.000+09:00

Our library recently, as in today, updated our website and yours truely was involved. In fact I took 3 of the 4 photos that are on the home page.

Cuidado Lambado

2009-05-27T03:02:00.000+09:00

For all those computer travelers here are some of the big differences between Brazil and home:

Lombado: Speed bumps are bigger and more common in Sao Paulo. They are also common on the highways out of town because they are cheaper to install and maintain than a traffic light. Sometimes they are well marked but sometimes the paint has worn off. Just before you hit a hidden speed bump the driver usually yells "cuidado lambado!" which means "Careful of the speed bump!" This phrase is the one that I used the most and heard the most... Lombados are not to be confused with the potholes that are also very common in Brazil.

Toilet paper: Brazilians are convinced that their sewer pipes cannot handle toilet paper without clogging. This means that in all public restrooms they have the thinnest ply paper and a huge garbage can next to the throne for you to throw away your used toilet paper. Gross!

Fruit: They have the best fruit in Brazil. My favorite was the Cawki (spelling made up by me). It looks like a tomato, has the texture of an apple and tastes kind of like a nectarine. Fabulous! Not to mention all the limes, pineapples, starfruit and passion fruit.

Parking: When ever you enter a parking lot, there is a guard waiting to give you a token. Hang on to the token! Without it you can't prove that it is your car, and that you haven't just snuck onto the lot to steal it.

Pizza: It is always eaten with a fork and knife. And don't even think about snagging a second piece for yourself. The waiter will serve you the second piece just like he served the first.

Wild Animals

2009-05-27T02:47:00.000+09:00

On our last day, Katie and I, spent the day with the family at the Sao Paulo Zoo. Perhaps some of the scariest animals were not in cages, but just hanging out in the trees.
Or at the cafe.

We had fun making faces back at the poor animals.

I'm going to be practicing this face in the mirror, before I add it to my regular repertoire.

Favorite picture: This is the new turtle hat, all the coolest alligators have them. We watched this brave (or foolish) turtle crawl right up the alligator's head. And then crawl back up again when the alligator brushed him off after more than 5 minutes.

It was when I was screaming back at the parrots and toucans that we had a couple come up to us and ask if we spoke English. Turns out that they're from Utah. I spent the entire conversation pretending it was perfectly normal to egg zoo animals on to screaming matches.

This is one of the many reasons why I love my sisters!

Parent Free Weekend

2009-05-11T21:43:00.000+09:00

Mom and Dad flew home to support Richard at his graduation. Congrats Richard! Those left behind had a peaceful weekend, where we all sat around and held hands singing...Wait! You didn't see that picture! I promise that everyone is fine.
Andrea stole the show in her role as maid in the school play of Blythe Spirit.
Between Katie, Christa and I we attended every performance to let her know that she is loved. Even if her parents left the country.
McDonald's in Brazil is a different experience. This was the first time that I've ever been to one with a guard in a business suit protecting the parking lot. Notice how excited Matthew was to have his picture taken.
Not to mention one that had artwork on the walls.
McColoso is one of the kids favorite treats. The chocolate sauce is better here and Mom's theory is the lack of corn syrup.
Playing in the freezing pool. It's autumn here and the temperatures are dropping... well as much as they do in Sao Paulo.

Juquehy Beach

2009-05-04T07:39:00.000+09:00

The jungle went right up to the edge of the beach. So beautiful!
I loved wave racing on the bogey boards. There was a couple of waves that we rode all the way, landing like beached whales. So fun!
My favorite kind of day at the beach, cloudy and warm. You laugh but when you burn as easily as I do it's not that fun to spend a day in the sun.
Wish you were here!

City of Extremes

2009-05-01T19:07:00.000+09:00

Tall: 22 stories up is just child's play. It's the average height of all the other surrounding buildings. Of course the hills that the city is built on make some of them appear lots taller.
Colorful: Every apartment building and even every apartment is a bold bright color.
European: Walking down the street in the Centro district is a lot like walking down the street in Europe... I'm sure there's a reason for that. Mom and Katie in front of the National Theater.
Crowded: Ten lanes of traffic, that can easily be at a stand-still during rush hour.
Dangerous: Mom or Dad has to pick up the kids from school everyday because it is unwise for them to walk the half-block home alone. The dots on the sidewalk are Dad, Christa & Matthew. Trust me.
Peaceful: Inside. Outside the parrots were imitating monkey calls at the top of their lungs. Parrots are louder than you think.

Tropical: The city park is so dense with plants, that you don't hear the busy street.

Greetings from Brazil

2009-04-29T09:00:00.001+09:00

Day Two of my trip and do I have some Touristic Information for you!
It is a long trip! Katie was a trooper. The worst part of the trip was lugging around all the treats, breakfast foods and other American things that our family requested that we bring. Between the two of us, we had 200 lbs plus 4 carry-ons.

Here is some great Touristic Information about my trip to Brazil. The city is huge! 22 million residents in Portuguese means "tons of people, cars and buildings!"

Our first stop this morning was the MASP art museum. I love the architecture of this building. There are exhibit halls above and below the open air street entrance. Look up the Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. He is famous for doing art is perishable media like chocolate syrup, peanut butter, tomato sauce, plastic toy soldiers and trash. The pictures that he takes afterwards were incredible!

Katie was fascinated with the telephone hats that are all around the city.
From the car, she is convinced that people look like space aliens when they are innocently (or not so innocently) talking on the phone.
My parents kitchen is so small, that there is only one sink. Mom's solution was to buy a large plastic tub to use when washing the dishes.

Civil War Rewritten?

2009-04-28T09:09:00.001+09:00

The city of Vernon, Indiana hosts a Sassifrass Festival every year. They celebrate their Civil War history and brew vats of Sassifrass tea. (Nasty stuff that smells like cough syrup.)

The highlight of the festival is the two reinactment battles that are staged for the public, one on Saturday afternoon and then one on Sunday. The fighting is fierce, the black powder rifles and cannons are loud and smokey. Thankfully there was a stiff breeze that quickly cleared the field after every volley.

Not all of the dead, actually stayed down. Figeting was common, except for this guy. He died and stayed dead for the rest of the battle. Props, to him.
I was very confused and concerned when after 20 minutes of fierce explosions, advances and retreats the North was routed and several divisions surrended to the South. Last time I checked, Indiana was a Northern state. And while I was concerned about the historical accuracy of the mock battle, I hated to think that they missed the vital fact about the outcome of the war... the North won. Then the announcer invited the crowd to come back the next day. Sunday was scheduled to be the day of deliverance for the North.

The battle was great fun! I highly recommend that you attend a mock battle if there are any in your area. It takes a special kind of crazy to want to wear a wool uniform during the summer.

Ouch!

2009-04-16T03:19:00.000+09:00

I had a YW last night express surprise that I was that old (27) and not married. She's planning on being married by 22 with kids by 24. I took the high road and said nothing but went away thinking... "Plans are great. Don't be surprised when it doesn't work out like you think it will."

Young Womens' Service Project

2009-04-08T05:58:00.001+09:00

It's not often you hear the words scrapbooking and service project in the same sentence. Last week before the YW General Meeting our stake got together and made cards (2000+) which we donated to the Riley Children Hospital. Patients and their parents have people to thank and those to keep in contact with.

The project was set up in the cultural hall. Each table had the supplies to make 100 presdesigned cards. Here are some of the master pieces that our ward worked on.

Feed Me Money

2009-04-02T05:33:00.000+09:00

This is Al the Allosaurus.

He lives at Utah's Natural History Museum. When you drop coins down his throat he talks. This is just as cool now as it was when I was in elementary school. "Ahh! That makes me feel good. My name is Al. What is your name?" Pause. "I am hungry. Feed me money!" Then he ends with a roar. Delightful!

Over Christmas I visited the museum with my family. Unfortunately we forgot our cameras. I made Richard promise to come back and take a picture with our good friend Al. Mom laughed and told the younger kids about how sometimes she would bring us just to visit Al. Sadly the talking dinosaur in the lobby held more appeal than the rest of the museum. He is the coolest part of the museum hands down.

Al may have a new body, which is lots smaller than we remember, but his voice, his roar and his hunger for coins is still the same!

Disclaimer: Richard was a lot more prompt in sending me the pictures than I have been in posting them. Thanks Richard!