I can't quite explain the feeling I got when I realized Blogger was talking to me in Italian again. I clicked Entra with much joy.

Staying in a hostel with someone who hitch-hiked around Europe. Hardcore.

Well, tomorrow we spend the day in Rome and then I fly out at 6...

More to come later.

Muszeums

Muszeum Number 1 was a dark exhibit of Hungarian Holocaust History (alliteration unintended).
It was depressing, as we all know the Holocaust is, but it was pepper with poorly lit rooms and dark walls and heart beat sounds that had shivers running up and down my spine.
There was a cool synagogue-type room with glass chairs of some of the victims. I thought it was really pretty.



Muszeum Number 2
MODERN ART!!! I just adore it.

We also got a good view of the Hilly Buda Side

A Few of Many

Things I am Thankful For:

-my family
even though i only talked to them for about 30 seconds today, i still felt the love and the fact i am so sad to be missing them right now makes me remember how much i love them
-the oppurtunity to travel
it's been so good for me, i can't even explain really.
-the kindness of strangers
the various guys who have helped us with our huge bags, the countless people who have given us directions, the lady at the bakery who smiled at us despite us butchering the pronounciation. and just the fact that even though we are in a foreign country we don't have to feel completely alone.
also people you can just strike up conversations with just as soon as you figure out if you have a language in common.
-friends
who express their concern and miss me and put up with me on a day-to-day basis.
-my nearly perfect schedule for next semester
which i will probably come to hate by mid-march
-diversity in food.
because i get bored easily and love food from other countries SO much
-different languages
because they fascinate me greatly. i really want to learn them all.
-having a tredmill at home
because i'm going to need it this upcoming month.
-really great roommates (old, current, new, temporary)
because life would be a lot harder without them. without someone to have sleep conversations with. or throw things at from bunkbeds. or dance around with. or to
-living in Oregon.
because no matter where you go, if people have heard of it they think it's beautiful :p
-Jess from Gilmore Girls
i do not know why i love him so much, but i cannot stop
-The fact i don't absolutely love Thanksgiving food
i do miss my mom's sweet potatoes, but everything else i can live without, which is good otherwise i would be heartbroken right now.
-that my computer has a 2 year warranty
Europe did not agree with it.

today for thanksgiving we woke up and ate amazing bakery goods (which we refer to as vanillaicia crossaint and double eyeglass cinnamon goodness and cheesy cinnamon roll thing) we went to an art muszuem (peter would be so proud). this cute little lady led us around and told us all these things we already knew about italian art, but we pretended we didn't know. we also went to the zoo. where we saw your average animals and watched pelicans eat fish for about ten minutes which was actually really entertaining and disgusting at the same time. they trapped them in their pouchy-beaks and then swallowed them whole!! then we wandered around and looked at some castles but almost froze to death.
so we came back to the hostel and ate nutella on toast and cinnamon cereal. not a bad day.

we have had some really good food since we've been here.
i just wish i knew hungarian.

also, got this email from my wonderful little brother:

i now u are in Italy but HAPPY THANKSGIVING

"a glimpse behind the iron curtain"

sharlie wrote i <3>

these monuments used to be up all over Budapest, but were removed from the streets in 1989-90 after the collapse of socialism.

it took us much longer than it should have to get there.

Starting to feel Hungary

I am tired of mediocre looking postcards. Some of them that I’ve found in my travels are 100 times worse than pictures I’ve taken. Maybe I should start making postcards. I might.

After a seven hour train ride and a fifteen minute luggage pulling adventure followed by an interesting elevator and outdoor balcony, I now lay on an Ikea bed in a room decorated with Ikea things (which I am only assuming from what I know about Ikea and the fact that we passed one on our way here, as I have not actually seen the inside of an Ikea in my lifetime). It’s a cute place. It smells like a hostel, but that never hurt nobody. And it’s only costing us 336,000 hufs.

Budapest is a lot bigger than Zagreb…or Siena. When we arrived in Hungary a parade of people came through to check our passports. They lined up and all checked them individually, because everyone looking at it at once would be irrational. And they came in pairs so one could look at the passport and the other could stare at us and speak three different languages. Then they wished Kimberly a happy birthday and asked us if we had, “Cigarettes? Beer?” no. “Cocaine, ecstasy? Heroine?” Nem.
The flags on their hats were Italian flags flipped sideways and I really wanted them to speak in Italian instead of Hungary. And then I felt for a tiny moment like I was the main character in Farewell to Arms (or maybe it was The Sun Also Rises) because he talks about the Italian policemen during the war. And I pictured it as such.

I really want to learn every language. I do not need to be fluent in more than a few, but I want to know a little bit of everything.

Also, wikipedia said Croatians invented the ballpoint pen but it was actually a Hungarian. Good thing I decided to go to both.

and all you see

the morning was spent catching up on sleep as well as a jaunt through downtown and a frantic bread store where we fought crowds for delicious bread products.

our hostel has exploded with luggage. we are in big trouble because we have a 40 lbs limit from Hungary to Rome. but we also don't have to worry about that...for a few more days.

meet at the church like planned.

˝we are going to get food, it is not...fatless.˝

we indulged in greasy croatian delights at the college with our new friends.
and i ate squid.
right now i am at the college and the y and the z on the kezboard are in opposite spots.
then did some exploring around the sites.
and hung out at the church for a while.

then went in search of lavender chocolate, which was recommended to us.
and it just happened to be sold to us by the most beautiful boy in the world.
who accidentally charged us almost double.

because we were so full from lunch we ended up not spending the money we took out so we stocked up on food at the Konzum.

and i am very very sad to leave.

Zaaaaaaaaaaaaagreb!

After saying goodbye to our friends in Venice we went about exploring some more, getting food and preparing mentally for Croatia.

The policija stamped our passports on the train at 3am. We slept awkwardly in the seats and played a bit of musical chairs trying to get comfortable.


A taxi driver gave us directions after we stood on a street corner for a while with our luggages and a map.

Once on the street to our hostel we were met by a guy who greeted us with a "Ciao. Hello." then an "Opa!!" when he almost dropped the garbage can he was carrying.

Our room is orange with yellow and blue flames on one wall and a sun on the other wall.

We got a brochure with a walking tour and went on it, Kimberly guided us through the heart of old Zagreb.


Grocery shopping was an ordeal as suddenly chocolate bars were 8 dollars and other things were in the 100s. When asked if we wanted a bag, Sharlie responded with a "Yes. Si...Ya..." Me: Da. "...Da" Another look to me to which I responded "Hvala" which was then repeated to the lady who was already laughing quietly at us.

I have no idea what will happen when we go to Hungary with its 200 huf to 1 usd. I have no concept of money anymore we have converted things from Konas to Dollars to Euros and back again and still not sure how much we're spending.

Today we found the church and followed the sound of voices up the stairs. We said an awkward "hi" and people laughed and spoke English to us. Sunday School was an intense ping-pong of English to Croatian. The teacher spoke in English while someone translated, then spoke in Croatian while the same person translated to English. Then a guy answered a question in Croatian and then another one in English. Everyone was translating for everyone. And we just sat there and smiled. Singing hymns was fun/difficult too.

But we made two friends who are going to show us around tomorrow.

Everyone in church asked us what we were doing in Croatia. Like, they really did not understand why we sould possible come here. Heh. And they all talked to us and were happy.
"You must come back...I will recognize you by your smiles."

it's cold (really cold) outside, so we're watching Gilmore Girls:
"why are you smiling?"
"i was just thinking about pudding."

Venezia in pictures

quick stop in Padova where we were locked in a temperature controlled room which they then used to adjust the temperature in the church in order to preserve the frescoes...bought shoes.

First impression of Venice: Too cramped with narrow streets, too touristy. But the church was really pretty

Friends made: 2 australians, a couple on a cruise, a middle aged world traveller (who has been to the Amazon four times), a bulgarian man and his wife, two girls who work in Utah, and a Californian who speaks perfect Italian

at first playing with the pigeons was really exciting and funny

they kept landing on my head, i didn't even have food on me.

they did crazy tricks like the above-seen double decker pigeons

but it went from being exciting to being less than exciting (see facial expressions):

we took a taxi to Murano where we saw one man make a tiny fish out of glass and gave it to Sharlie. This was after the adventure to find a glass blower that involved hopping fences, walking across a decrepit bridge and hopping another fence.

we all got weird rooms, some without bathrooms and some without showers. we were split into two and threes, but we came up with a plan so we could all be in one room...

tre ragazze...uno letto.


birthdays celebrated: 1

we sang to Kimberly in English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and made-up Croatian

went to Burano where the houses are painted bright colours so that drunk sailors could find their way home.

i fit in nicely.

then gravity disappeared...!

one of my favourite things was the winged lions that gaurd all of Venice.

ciao, Italia!

in honor of my last full day of the program, Lynzie and I showed up to the morning meeting wearing our sheets as togas. People laughed and raised eyebrows but no one was really that surprised. Sadly no picture was taken though.

Top Ten Reasons Not to go Back To BYU

1. boys
2. No Kimberly
3. Sales tax
4. paying rent
5. real classes
6. pizza is not as good
7. climate that kills my skin
8. the testing center
9. dirty snow
10. teachers that don't just bust out in opera in the middle of lectures

Top Ten Reasons To Go Back To BYU

1. boys
2. college life (social)
3. apply to the film program
4. snow
5. no more one-on-one classes
6. having a kitchen
7. Life Club
8. Indian food
9. clean air
10. fort building extravaganzas

Things I Miss About America

. Mexican food
. being in the same time zone as friends and family
. 1 USD=1 USD, no complications
. having several pairs of shoes
. free water
. ice
. Indian food
. Smoothies
. 24 hour grocery stores
. normal toliets

al contrario,
THINGS AMERICA SHOULD EMBRACE
. contradas
. public drinking fountains along the roads
. Nutella
. gelato
. fresh food
. painting houses bright colors
. smaller cars
. 1 euro pizza places

Things I Have Learned From Mamma Luigia

.Stir clockwise. Always
.When doing laundry: if it opens, it is done. if it doesn't, it's not done.
.If it is on the table, eat it, if not it would not be there.
.Non sono i vestiti, sono la persona
.''I don't steal, I don't kill...sometimes it's okay to lie.''
.Cooking should be fast, easy, and delicious
.Before going out or having your picture taken you should put on bright red lipstick

Life Decisions I Made While in Italy

. cut my hair short
. date someone who speaks Italian
. be a filmmaker
. be more passionate about life
. come back to Italy
. work on penmanship
. go on a mission
. Learn more languages
. wink at people more often

Life Threatening Things that May Happen to Me While in Italy

.Hit by a car
.Run over by a vespa
.Smooshed by a bus
.Electrocuted by my adapter (it sparks everytime I plug something in)
.Fig overdose
.Brain explosion from trying to understand
.Second-hand smoke cancer
.Asthma attack from climbing stairs
.Falling over the balcony that is my room

L'Ultimo Giorno

Today is the last.

I spoke in church today. I prepared a legit talk and it went pretty well (the first talk that I have actually written out). Anziano De Ruovo told me I did a great job and that my pronounciation was good, which is really the only thing I wanted to hear, haha. We shook hands while talking and did not realize we were still shaking hands after three sentences and awkwardly dropped them.

I am going to miss him and he sounds exactly like my brother, Tyler, when he speaks English.
Speaking of English, I cannot speak it very well anymore. It is hard to string sentences together.

I managed to pack everything in my suitcase but it is beyond buldging...Poor thing might need to be put out to pasture after this trip.

I still have not really registered that I am leaving tomorrow for good. Why would I be leaving such a lovely place? But I knew all along this was temporary, so it is not really so strange to leave.

Our host family at lunch said, ''Why don't you stay another month or so?''
The missionaries told us we should just stay...The branch will be half as big once we leave, which is really sad.
When I look at the tower in the Campo I think it is telling me to stay as well.
We wrote a song about this feeling, but never finished it.

I really cannot put today into words...
Tomorrow we are off to Padua and Venice.
The next few posts will be some of the lists I have made here.

ciao -- it means hello and goodbye

Yesterday they threw us a goodbye lunch full of delicious food. We signed our names on the wall.

Then we saw James Bond...and I have to say the first few minutes are the best because they take place in SIENA!! My home sweet home. I still have no accepted we are leaving.

Today we kept running into people on the street as everyone attempted to do last minute shopping. I, however, am so on top of things and did not have much to buy...But I did get some sweet jeans for =drumroll please= TEN EURO. dingdingding.

It has been a long day and now we are going to hang out in the Campo....Yes, that very one you may have seen in James Bond.

You Remind Me of Home

Yesterday:

Today was exceptional after we escaped from the school and I left my horrible drawings behind.
As it was Thursday, Life Club was in order. We hit up our most favorite hot chocolate place with our friend (who today we found out her name is , after the Princess). We had a two hour long discussion about how we’ve changed in Italy and how to keep those changes in ourselves when we get back. We laughed and we cried…and I realized just how amazing Life Club is/will be. We’re talking about changing lives here.

And I adore people. A lot. Every single person I’ve ever encountered. And I love putting things into perspective and realizing what really matters in life. Loving, Inventing, Frolicking, and Enjoying.

Then our dear friend came to the table and asked us what we were all up to. Elizabeth tried to explain it was a Club of Life and she smiled and asked us what our names were. She left again and came back with a chocolate for each of us!! So sweet. And then we watched a few old men play a strange version of billiards. So, while the pasta is microwaved and the panini have too much mayonnaise, it is still the greatest place to hold Life Club meetings or gatherings of any kind.

Then we went to see if the rumor that Koppa Kabana was giving out free gelato was true. And it was!! Three scoops each, on the good cones. The only thing better than gelato is free gelato. I got chocolate-coconut, panna cotta (sweet cream), and fuori di latte (which I had no idea/still don’t really know what is is but its a good milky thing).

We were all very full but managed to find room because Luigia made our favourite dish of cheesy pasta with zucchini mixed in.

Then we were good and studied for our finals. And I washed some clothes for the first time in a long time…

Today:
Finals are over...This semester is over. My teacher hugged me when I turned the test in. I wish I didn't suck so much at meaningful goodbyes. I wish I could've said in Italian how great she's been.
This is the last time we'll hang out in this common room struggling with ancient internet.
We got certificates with our name on them.
And I officially have my middle name in writing spelled three different ways.

all yellow

Today I woke up around 5am to the sound of rain on the window.
I had a dream I was an actor on The Office, I was doing a scene with Jim, Dwight, and Pam.
Some of the episodes this season have been really great, by the way.

I consider myself an artist, I like to create...But I cannot draw representationally for the LIFE of me.
I try and draw things and they do not look like what I was drawing.
We just turned our three final drawings in and it was a humbling experience for me...Because a lot of people's looked better than mine.
And, so I can't draw...But that doesn't make me a total failure in life.
Just feels like it sometimes.

After tomorrow, no more school until January!!

I need one more three credit class for next semester.
And a job.
And a place to live.
But other than that we're good to go.

I don't know if everything will fit back in my suitcase.

i've got to go away

I'm trying not to think about the lasts, but today is the last Wednesday.

Happy Veteren's Day yesterday. I hope you all celebrated. Sometimes when I'm wondering the streets of a new city in Italy I wonder if my grandpa was here when he served in Italy during WWII. Probably not, but it's fun to think about.

Last night we started writing a song that was good, but then we got stuck.

I am going to miss my Italian teacher because she is the nicest person ever.

It is finals week for us. The other day I convinced Sharlie to see how many pretzels she could fit in her mouth and then I realized it MUST be final's week, because there is always people doing weird things in the library. Today we wrote a song about ratemyprofessors.com.

Here's hoping I remember everything I've learned and Peter doesn't hate my art.

I really, really like writing songs.

Amo, amo

So I already failed NaBloPoMo, but it came at a really bad time when we are travelling a lot...It really should be in December when I will have plenty of time to write about absolutely nothing.

Yesterday the missionaries came over for dinner (to my family who are not members) and so we ate way too much good food. Though the new one, Anziano Canada (not his real name, but where he is from) was sitting next to me and halfway through dinner says, "I just swallowed a chicken bone." to which my automic, unhelpful advice was, "don't do that." He kept trying to say things in Italian, which was impressive and kind of hilarious to me, but I suppose I shouldn't laugh because he speaks better than me.

But we also had an entertaining discussion about music (Italian and American) which involved singing and a discussion about Micheal Jackson in Italian, which I never would have anticipated happening.

Spent all day today drawing because I have three HUGE drawings due Thursday. Am going to die.

You know what would be cool? If we could all respect people for what they believe and not attack people for their beliefs one way or another. I understand there are probably a lot of misunderstandings, where feelings are hurt unintentionally, but I don't think there is ever need for vicious backlash.

Anyway, we should just get along.

I don't know what you heard about me..

Pictures never work on here, but I put some on facebook if you're interested.

This morning I woke up in a very good mood despite the early(ish) hour and rolled out of bed (after wishing Bersky a good morning and untangling myself from the sheets that had somehow ensnared me in the night).

Last night we had a wonderful rendition of fortune telling in which everyone realized what their true fates in life were, all regarding love, of course. And the cards don’t lie. We videotaped a bit of it and it is so hilarious to watch the things we do. My friends are hilarious.
We met at the train station to get to the hotel. At said station Lynzie and Elder [de Rove? Can’t remember because it’s Italian] had a mini rap off in which Lynzie was hilarious and he rapped in Italian. Elder White is trying to teach him lots of gangster lingo, which is really not necessary. Also, though he is Italian he speaks perfect English and actually kind of sounds like my brother Tyler. We also met the new missionary who is fresh from the MTC as of Tuesday. He is from Canada and was bragging about the great raps he’s written in his day.

Then we went to the district conference which was awesome because we saw every member of the Church we have met in the Siena area (which really isn’t that many, just so you know). About a third of the audience was missionaries, but we also met this super cute girl named Isabella who walked up and asked if we spoke Italian and when I said, cosi cosi she spoke to us in perfect English. Then Anziano Welch came up and tapped her on the shoulder while she was talking and she turns and gasps then turns back to us and said, “excuse me” and then starts talking to him in rapid Italian. And all the missionaries were finding old companions and people they went to the MTC with. It was just a very happy reunion. The members from our branch we saw were happy we made it. All the talks in the conference were amazing. The mission president for the area was left with hardly any time so he talked for about three minutes but it was so good and to the point. Anziano White introduced us to him afterwards and Lynzie asked him if she should go on a mission and he responded, “if you think you should, then go…it is what it is, a mission is one of the greatest things ever but, va bene. You’ve really got to make that decision yourself.”

And I’ve decided I’m definitely going on a mission because missionaries are the coolest people ever and serving people and the Lord is the greatest thing ever. I just wish I didn’t have to wait a year and a half because I want to go right now.
Then we said goodbye to Anziano Welch because he got transferred to Rome. But he was just like, see you in March.

And then an adventure ensued that involved jumping on a bus that we didn’t really know where it was going without having a chance to buy tickets and jumping off, trying to find tickets, and jumping on again. And somehow looping around so that a bunch of missionaries we had just seen got on several stops later.

Then we got off the bus that stopped in front of the building that everyone was walking out of at the exact moment we got off the bus! Kismet.

Went to a gorgeous garden…you’ll have to just look at the pictures.

Super exciting moment in a museum when I was looking at a Jean Miro reproduction and saying how much I loved him when I realized…I WAS a Jean Miro painting, because I was wearing the exact right colors. Yes!!

Sweet.

Today I haggled for the first time ever. I was pretty proud of myself. But I had the same problem I have with Ebay where it ended up being more of a competition than actually wanting to buy something. So I ended up with a ring I might not have really wanted originally. But it is real sliver and I got it for only 7 euro. Could’ve got it down more, but his desperation was a bit sad so I took pity on him. Also realized that one of the most amazing things in the world are cashmere scarves. They are SO SOFT. Things I am always drawn to in stores: soft things and red things. So, appropriately, I got a soft red scarf. Yesss!!

We are staying in the most amazing hostel with beds that are actually comfortable!! (Not like my springy cot at home) and we all get to share double beds so…cuddle time!! There are 8 of us staying in an apartment type thing with a kitchen and two bathrooms and I’m ready to move in except it kind of smells funny. In the refrigerator we found: eggs, kiwis, beer, lemon juice, and liquor. Pretty good combination of stuff. We got lost trying to find it, but it was a fun adventure.

We went to Santa Croce and each of our tickets had a picture of something in the museum. So I told everyone they had to find it in the museum. It was a fun game…um, very religious too.

And I had mascarpone (cream cheese-ish), nutella, and pear gelato (all one flavor) sounds crazy but it was great. Also Lion gelato which is this really good kind of weird candy bar they have here.

Then we spent FOREVER in Promod and I was done looking after about thirty seconds in the store when I almost took someone out rushing to a red hat (remember how I feel about soft and red things?) and then fifteen more minutes of walking around wearing the hat and telling myself I shouldn’t buy it when everyone else said I should. Then I bought the hat and was waiting for everyone else to finish but they had this HUGE black guy acting as a security guard. And he kept walking past me, like I was suspicious looking! So of course I got nervous and started acting suspicious and he came around more (and it grew exponentially). He was big and scary. I can see why they hired him.

V is for Vampiri Vanquishing Volterra

For our trip to Volterra Elizabeth and I decided to be vampires. It all unraveled in the morning when I asked what vampire-y clothes she was going to wear. Then at the .99 euro store we got gummi animals (because we are vegetarian vampires) and also some gummi hearts. When we got to where we were meeting everyone we decided that Iz could see the future and I could read minds. But no one caught on!

Me: When is Kimberly coming?

Iz: Three minutes.

Shar: Are you guys magic 8 balls?

Me: I want to know all your theories...

Shar: Um.

Me: [brushing Sharlie's arm] Sorry my skin is so cold.

You smell good Kimberly

Iz: Get your arm out of the sun

Needless to say it entertained us much longer than it should of. We looked up where the place was in the book. And reinacted the scene (not really, we made up our own scene because we didn't remember the book).

Shar: Edward! No! Don't kill yourself!

Me: Bella! What are you doing??

Then a vampire-like storm came over us...

We stopped in another cute town with the world's best gelato. And then we spoke in British/Scottish accents all the way home.

there is comfort in the sound

Got an e-mail from my little brother today:

soray i don't check this often thanks for the card if you want to now we have a new president barack o. bama he is the rirst black president.

I adore my little brother a lot. He's the greatest.

Last night at the dinner table my host family was entertained for a few moments trying to pronounce our new president's name, without a lot of help from me.

He's African American, is that okay with you?
Yes it's okay!! It's a great thing, haha.

Also, I'm pretty excited to have a president with public speakings skills. Yay!

Then they were skeptical as to why I haven't been to New York. And Luigia entertained us with a short rendition of New York, New York. She could give Sinatra a run for his money.

We ate tomatoes filled with rice and then tomatoes and mozarella.
Good think I like tomatoes now.

Disappointment of the day (yesterday): The word for robot in Italian is...robot. :[

BYU, YOU NEED TO TAKE THE HOLD OFF MY ACCOUNT SO I CAN SIGN UP FOR CLASSES BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOUR HEALTH PLAN AND NEVER HAVE.
thanks.

Senza dubbio

My election experience was very different than what I’ve heard/read so far from those in America.
We went to bed wondering who it would be, our host dad said, “Obama, é certo.”
We slept while Americans got to poll watch and experience the excitement.
On the way to school we looked at a newspaper, but it had been printed before anything was certain.
Emily’s host mom had woken up in the morning and told her who had won and she told us on our way to school.
Then those of us not in 101 all had a discussion with our teachers in Italian about the presidential changement.
The Italians all think it’s a really big deal that he is African American and that it will unite America. But it doesn’t matter what the color of his skin is, that’s the whole point. The point is what his policies and plans for America are. I do think it’s great that America is not afraid to vote for someone who is not the typical Caucasian, but that should be expected, not a big deal. It was only a matter of time.
That aside, I think he’ll do good things. I know he has some ideas that are scary but so does everyone. And do presidential candidates ever do the things they say they’re going to do, anyway? Besides, all we can do is play the hand we’re dealt and he is president now so I plan on supporting him.
I think the fact he got such a margin of people to vote for him says a lot about his character, which can actually go a long way for a president.

Yesterday:

Sad Things That Happened:

.Backpack got soaking wet in the rain
.Found out our Branch President Missionary is getting transferred
.Peter told us a story about a dead baby bird
.Told me the last drawing I drew was my worst one yet
.Can’t sign up for classes because of some stupid health plan misunderstanding
.Missing poll watching for the election

Happy Things That Happened:

.Wrote songs that ended up being ridiculous
.Got to talk with the missionaries and this amazing girl who is investigating the church
.Talked to my mom
.5/5 on online religion quiz
.Asking the Magico 8 Ball questions with Luigia.
Will Luigia come to America to visit Kendis? Senza alcun dubbio.

Also, really sad to find out that I'm missing the Diantha's Crossing premiere.
If you go, just know that it is me (and Whitney) pulling the wagon that has dead Joseph and Hyrum in it. AND that I made some of the ballots that get lit on fire. AND that I assisted in feeding everyone you see (or don't see) in that movie. Oh, and I was a voice extra in the mob scene too.

My advice for the day:
stick it together with tape, the tape of love (it's sticky stuff)

'Alloveen 2008

PICTURES!!!

Well, we have a lot to thank Kimberly for.

First of all, I went as a garlic. Yes, garlic. Peter has forced us to draw four a week and I knew it would make people laugh. And it did. No one could take me seriously though and kept punching me in the stomach. And looking back at the pictures it was really quite ridiculous seeing as I was surrounded by people in actually flattering costumes.

I helped Anziano Welch make chocolate chip cookies!! I miss chocolate chip cookies so so much. He mixed it all together with his hands while I put stuff in but he kept freaking out that they wouldn’t be good enough. It was quite hilarious because he kept gesturing with his head at the stuff that needed to be added. The chocolate chips were in these bags filled with tons of air so I thought it would be cool to pop it over the bowl. It really was a great idea in theory because the second time I did it the bag popped and they all poured neatly and impressively into the bowl. Well, the first time some (a mere few, I assure you) ended up on the floor, which I got a lot of sass about. We didn’t really have the recipe. First we forgot the salt. Then the first batch got burned on the top and was still mushy on the inside. Turns out the racks were weird and there were only numbers 1-11 for the temperature so I had to guess on what was equivalent to 350 Fahrenheit. But I solved the problem, with the help of everyone’s input, on the second batch and the cookies were quite good. Not as good as my mamma’s recipe though.
Lynzie and Sharlie both decided to be Christmas trees which was hilarious.

Kimberly made caramel corn which we all got fat off of. Amazing. Also great baked potatoes and chili. The chili and cheese sauce were not exactly American so it was even better. Yum. And we got bags with American candy and them. Thanks Kimberly’s mom!

Sharlie and I had the best time because we got to be in one of the classroom for trick-or-treating. We made people knock on the door and then we’d jump out and (unsuccessfully) try to scare them [which was not as successful as the time I scared Chris when he was standing behind the arts and crafts counter]. And then I was the old lady who commented on how cute everyone’s costumes were.

Came home and watched Nosferatu, the ultimate Halloween movie.