DONE

I am officially done with finals and my brain has officially left the building. I am going to go relax in Vernal today and hopefully I don't die on the highway there, however, if I do, that's OK too. Maybe next semester I won't try to kill myself again...

FINALS WEEK!!!!

This morning I taught the last class of the semester for my Portuguese class. The students were pretty excited to be done, not because they dislike the class or the teacher in any way, mind you, but because they are ready to be done with the semester as am I. Just a million more things to do before vacation........

A cute comic for all of you....

Finals!!!!!

Well we're coming up on a very exciting time of year. On one hand it is really crazy because everything is due and everyone is stressed out. On the other hand it is exciting to think that in a few short days the semester will be done. This of course has no reflection on how I like the courses that I am taking, it is more a desire for something new and excitement for the new things to come as well as the slight chance of sleep during the break. I do plan on working a lot and so I'm not quite sure how much sleep I'll get, however....what can you do? Not much for sure.

Yep, that's about all I have to say at this point. Also, just a side note, I'm getting really excited about the thesis I'll be writing here soon. I've been doing a lot of research in that direction. Great stuff! Tamagnini rules!

TWEETY AND SYLVESTER

Watch this until Sylvester catches Tweety.
(this is how I feel in relation to my projects)

Thanksgiving, thank goodness!

Just when I thought I would wallow in the pit of despair, we had a couple days off school and I caught up on some much needed sleep. I had all sorts of good intentions to do a lot of homework and get ahead for this crazy three weeks that I'll have, but...I didn't. So, what did I do instead???? Well, at noon on Thanksgiving, I had a great Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents Jex's house, my parents drove in from Colorado. Then, at 6:00 that night I had another Thanksgiving dinner at a professor's house because I wanted to meet his daughter's fiance and only intended to eat pie, however, since they hadn't yet started dinner.....well, what was I supposed to do?? It was really great food.....


Other things of note: I went Christmas tree hunting for the first time in my life and that was fun. I was reminded of the Berenstain Bear's Christmas Tree where Papa Bear is sure that he can find the best and then they end up going to a tree lot all the same. Anyway, it was a successful tree hunt, and I didn't even have to get very cold as I got to hang out with Sarah in the truck...lucky me!!

Well, back to school for me! I'll surface again in about a month. Oh, I'm also excited about this weekend. Our stake is having this great service project on Saturday serving all sorts of widowed, elderly and otherwise deserving people. I'm excited!

busy me, trying to stay out of trouble....

so, i noticed that i hadn't written in a while, sorry about that. life sure is crazy sometimes. i have a couple of projects on the burners right now. the coolest is the service project that i am part of that we'll be doing on the 1st of december. we're going to be serving a lot of individual households, helping them with projects or cleaning or whatever. with a lot of prayers it will all come together. other than that, i'm just working on homework all of the time. oh, the other thing that i managed to do yesterday is to visit 13 different portuguese classes to talk about the brasil study abroad. i felt very good about that although i was absolutely exhausted by the end.

also yesterday i sang in a talent show. it's kind of crazy how i get nervous talking in front of people, but to sing in front of a bunch of people in portuguese isn't too bad at all...maybe because i know they don't understand exactly what i'm saying and so if i mess up, they have no idea. also i just feel a little bit more confident in portuguese i think, at least most of the time.

yep, it's been a busy but good week so far....

oh, just a note, i think i'm going to get braids over christmas break because i liked them so much and they did wonders for my dry scalp and hair...so...i'm excited.

How to Tell You're Not Mom's Favorite

I just got a giggle and thought you might appreciate this one.  Yes, I'm still alive in school, barely.  Hey, what can you do?  Have a great week!

Busy me and Wedding Cake

I have been hearing complaints, that my faithful following is starving for some news of my person and doings... I can assure you that I am still alive, but I'm not sure for how long, or how exactly I'm managing, it's a minute by minute affair. Funny thing, I was thinking on Sunday evening how nice it was to be caught up, but had a little tickle in the back of my mind like I was missing something...I was. Luckily (for those who believe in luck) I was told today by my desk mate that we had a paper due tomorrow...so, as i always say, "No rest for the wicked!" I've got to work on that. I try to keep myself busy to keep me out of trouble, but...well, you know how it is.


A few notes on my latest doings...My cousin and I made a wedding cake for my aunt, she liked it and there was practically nothing left of it when all was said and done. I felt really good about it and next will be doing one for a friend...but not quite yet. It's really fun and I like experimenting with new designs and things. This is now my third real big wedding cake. I feel more confident every time, so the next time you hear of somebody looking for a cake...I just might want to do it.
Other than that...what have I been doing? Not very much, unless you count getting students ready for their finals, getting ready for my midterms, writing papers, working, reading some great literature and all and all becoming a more well rounded person, and not just my lower end. Oh, and I also went standby to General Conference, which was amazing, but I did just standby, I didn't get into a seat in the conference center, next time I'll make sure I have a ticket...it's way too cold to hang around outside.

Today is a great day!

I apologize for being so remiss in my duties to my adoring public (all three of you who faithfully check my blog) I will use the busy excuse only to say that I really have been trying to do everything and it doesn't work as well as I would wish. It does work a lot better than it should, and for this I am so thankful for the blessings and divine help that I receive on a continuing basis. I attended the Women's Conference this last Saturday and the one thing that I really loved was the comment to "pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then you are the miracle". That's definitely one that I will be using, oh, NOW.

Other fun things...I am so excited for General Conference this weekend!!! I will be attending one of the sessions in the conference center and for that I am grateful and excited.

Concert schedule

I have had a couple of questions recently related to my concert schedule.  I think the best way to answer them is to refer you all to the BYU men's chorus website, I realize that I am not in Men's Chorus and you might all wonder what their schedule has to do with ours...Everytime we have a concert, it will be the mens chorus and womens chorus that performs. (in addition to other choirs at times)  Anyhow, here is the link...let me know if you would like for me to arrange tickets...

http://menschorus.byu.edu/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_cat&catid=14&year=2008&month=1&day=26&Itemid=30

love

ellen

Another week and I'm still alive

Well, you might ask what I've done this week that's of any use to the world...

I would have to reply that I managed to finish a DVD that goes through our very fun trip in Mozambique. That made me pretty excited because it worked out so well.

Other cool things that I've done this week: I made it through and finished all of my homework by the time I got to class. I actually read most of the reading too. I'll tell you that it was extensive. I also have written some pretty cool papers, in Portuguese of course so you'll just have to take my word for it. All in all it was a very good week.

Now I'm off to my weekend job at the hospital being a nurse. It is kind of fun to be a teacher, a student, and a nurse. I sometimes feel like three different people...or one person doing the job of three. Thank goodness for divine intervention!

ellen

Busy Little Bee

Hey all of you faithful blog watchers! Sorry that I haven't gotten around to telling you what's going on, but "let me explain--no, there is too much, let me sum up.."

Labor Day I hiked all 16 miles of Mt Timpanogus on the Timpanoki trail. I was very happy because most of the time I didn't feel like I was dying, which is how I normally feel during those grueling 14ners in Colorado. End of story, I was very tired and slept very well that night.

The first two weeks of school have gone well, I even gave the first test of the term for my portuguese class and they did very well. A's and B's for everyone. I think the lowest was an 85% Yep, pretty cool, could be because they have the greatest teacher...

Other fun things: I got into Women's Choir and so I'll be singing Tuesday morning in the devotional. Pretty neat. I'm pretty stoked about it. I now have to memorize a whole lot of music.

I have my own office with a desk and computer and everything. It's pretty exciting, which is good because I spend a whole lot of time there...

I'm not sure if I'm forgetting something, like I said, there is too much so I would only be summing it up. Yep, good stuff. I do apologize because I had hoped to write sooner. I was going to include pictures of the hike and stuff, but they didn't end up getting to me and I decided that I didn't have more time to wait, so here is the news from ellen's office without pictures.

ellen

News from the Palmers in Singapore

My dear friends the Palmers are serving as public affairs missionaries in Singapore and one of Jane's projects was featured in an article in LDSLiving magazine...Here is a copy of the article:

Little Hats, Big Hearts
Knitting Hats for Premature Babies
by Meagan Brady
Sunday, August 05, 2007



When her husband’s job called for a temporary move to Singapore, Sandy Simiskey knew exactly how she would pass the time. “I knew that I would need something to keep me busy during those two months,” she explains, “so I brought a couple of crochet hooks and a bit of yarn with me. Little did I know just how busy I would be crocheting and knitting preemie hats and encouraging nice ladies to do the same.”
Soon after arriving in Singapore, Sandy discovered that because of a high percentage of premature births, many hospitals in the area had a great need for the baby hats she crocheted in her spare time. Sandy organized a group of Relief Society sisters from the Toa Payoh ward to knit or crochet hats for the babies and deliver them to local hospitals. As her two-month stay stretched to more than eighteen months, Sandy’s hobby grew into a service project spanning at least ten countries.

The Relief Society sisters soon had more hats than the hospitals in Singapore could handle, so they looked for other hospitals in need. “We expanded to other countries by contacting other senior missionary couples. We found a great need in other Asian countries and the hospitals were most appreciative” says Elder Palmer, a missionary serving with his wife at the Asia Area Public Affairs office in Singapore. “No goals were initially set. We just wanted to fill a need at hospitals in Singapore. However, it is turning into wonderful service project, building testimonies and friendships, and blessing the lives of premature babies all over Asia.”

As part of the expansion, several of the hats were sent to the Philippines. “Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came bearing bags and bags of knitted hats for babies and asked if our baby patients would benefit from them,” recalls Dr. Socorro Mendoza, Chair of the Department of Neonatology at the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila. “I am not sure how they found out that we needed them.”

Hospitals use the hats to help premature babies conserve body heat. “The hats will contribute to their warmth and therefore calories for heat maintenance will be conserved and used by the body for growth and weight gain instead,” explains Dr. Mendoza. Conserving body heat is so beneficial that some hospitals resort to using the toes of men’s socks as hats, or even to wrapping the babies’ heads in plastic wrap.

The surprising growth of the service project prompted a local newspaper in Singapore to write a story about the project—a story that elicited interest from several members of the community. “We have been to the JTC government office to teach the secretaries and administrators during their lunch hour,” explains Elder Palmer, “and our key contact there asked us to come and next teach cooking classes after tasting the homemade treats we brought to the class.” Students in local schools are also participating in making the hats.

So far, more than five thousand hats have been crocheted or knitted and delivered to hospitals in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. An ever bigger success, however, has been the friendships that have been formed among those working on the project. “The Relief Society women are developing new friends and camaraderie with ladies of other faiths,” says Elder Palmer. “We have women of all walks of life coming to our church building to be taught. This project is an easy, comfortable way for people to learn about us, and we learn so much from them.”

Sandy Simiskey and her husband are returning to the United States shortly, but she won’t soon forget the time she has spent in Asia. “I am so grateful for the great opportunity that I have had here in Singapore to meet and get acquainted with so many nice ladies,” she says. “I now have over one hundred and fifty new friends.”

End of Vacation

I realize that I haven't written in a while and I half-way apologize. I know you must all be dying with sadness because you have gone more than a week without knowing my every move, and that is enough to make anyone sad. Anyhow, I was on vacation. I went home...to Colorado. Actually I went to both of my Colorado homes. I first stopped off in Arvada and saw my families and went hiking and just relaxed and talked and enjoyed being around my friends.


I then went to the other side of the mountains and enjoyed the beautiful scenery on my way to my parents' house. I really like the new house they are building. The brick just got finished and it looks great!! I am so excited for them. I had a good time. I really needed the break, and now I'm raring to go. I started today orientation for my teaching assignment. I'm getting more and more excited every day. Should be fun. I also am getting worried because I will have a lot to do this semester!! Is it possible to do it all??? We'll see as the story unfolds...the saga that is ellen's life.

Best Headlines of 2006

I'm a sucker for corny plays on words...

The YEAR'S BEST (actual) HEADLINES OF 2006:

Crack Found on Governor's Daughter
Imagine that!

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
No, really?

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Now that's taking things a bit far!

Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
Whaaat??

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
What a guy!

Miners Refuse to Work after Death
No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-sos!

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
See if that works any better than a fair trial!

War Dims Hope for Peace
I can see where it might have that effect!

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
You think?!

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Who would have thought!

Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain: Police Suspect Homicide
They may be on to something!

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?!

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
He probably IS the battery charger

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Weren't they fat enough?!

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
That's what he gets for eating those beans!

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Taste like chicken?

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Chainsaw Massacre all over again

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Boy, are they tall!

And the winner is....

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Did I read that sign right?

v>

Well, I'm done with class for another semester/block, whatever you call it. Good news! I did get an A in Chinese. Maybe it wasn't an A+, but I worked hard for it and I feel like I learned a thing or two, about learning and about Chinese. Anyhow, I also think that I got A's in the 4 other classes that I was in. Note to self, don't take 5 classes on the block. Basically, I am looking forward to this weekend. I am going on a little road trip to Denver-ish to visit all of my great friends. I do miss them a lot over here in Utah. It ought to be fun, even if it's not restful, but hopefully it will be a bit restful as well. Yep, that's my story, oh, and the fact that my i-pod now has 6.7 days of songs on it...maybe that's a bit excessive... Oh well! I do enjoy listening to whatever I want to whenever.

Off to bed with me!

ellen

Still alive, busy, and tired.

I'm sure everyone is wondering if I am still alive...the answer is yes. I am in the midst of finals and for this reason I have not had time or energy to let you know what's going on in my life. I only have a couple more things due and then it's all over!!! Then I think I'll go and sleep. Oh, the one other thing that I allowed myself because I was working so hard is Eclipse. I'm not sure if all of you have had the chance to read Stephanie Meyer's series that starts with Twilight. It's about vampires and other mythical creatures. Basically this human girl falls in love with a vampire...it's a love story, and I liked it. Anyhow, the third book just came out and I allowed myself a study break to read it. I probably should do things like this before or after finals...but I seem to do it right in the middle. I do like to have my hand in about five million things at once...more fun that way.

Ellen Thompson: Professor of Languages

So, as incredible as it may sound...they are going to let me teach a college language course all by myself. Meaning that I am the only teacher, not that I have to invent the curriculum etc. I am really excited and scared at the same time. I already do have a lot of materials prepared from the language instruction class that I am taking, so that will be a big help. I have decided that I will refer to myself in class as Dona Elena, a name with a little bit of ummph and respect. I'll let you know how it proceeds, but I think that I will really enjoy it and will strive to be great. Teaching is one of the things that I do love to do and I can see myself being very happy doing it. Funny link: Why learn a foreign language??


Also, a little side note, the service project did very well. We had about 100 single adults show up and we served 6 schools and the public library. At each school there was a different project, for example: At Rock Canyon they cleaned windows and did weeding/etc. There was another school that also had windows done. One had the participants pruning rosebushes and at yet another they covered books. The library was also very excited to have us there as they had just finished a variety of projects as well as the summer reading program and had had various holidays interspersed and consequently had fallen behind on their shelving and sorting of books, we helped get them ready and organized for the back to school. Overall, it worked out very well. The custodians of the various schools couldn't say enough about how grateful and excited they were. One school actually let us know that they had positions available, so I guess they liked our work. We had breakfast and lunch for the participants and really I feel like it was a great success. Also it is a great relief to be done with it. I love it when a plan comes together.

So, that is the update on my crazy life...The Lord continues to bless me and sustain me through all of my many activities. I know that alone I would fail, but as Paul notes in Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Ammon mentions in Alma 26:12 "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."

Harry Potter!!!

Just a little shout out to all of you Harry Potter fans: I really liked the end of the great story. I have to say that J.K.Rowling did a very good job of making the story interesting, which is difficult at the end of a 7 book series. I appreciated the deeper view at the characters Snape and Dumbledore. I feel as if the plot is the same as would be found in an adult book, but the wording is digestible, it slides right down so to speak. There is something to be said for that kind of brain candy. Basically I am a fan. Oh, on another note, the epiloge reminded me of that sickening twist Disney movies always seem to take...the one that makes the watcher/reader want to find the nearest garbage can. I might even warn against reading it. Basically you find out that those you thought would get married do and they continue...I think the presence of devoted people who are more than fans, but are on the verge of obsession influenced this great writer to put that silly addendum... Personal opinion. Yep, now on to homework....

Quilting, my love

So, I finally developed my pictures and among them was one of the quilt I made for a friend of mine. She had a new baby girl and already has three boys and so I made a great little tom-girl quilt for her with jeans and a lot of reds. I also sewed the pockets on so that she could stash stuff in her little quilt when she gets older. Also I just thought I'd throw up a picture of my mom's quilt, the best thing that I have ever made. I really love that quilt!

I am also working on starting another quilt. I have a couple that I need to do. I need to do a mission quilt still and also have a couple of jean quilts still to sew. I really need to get started again. It makes me really happy to make things. Come to think of it, a lot of things make me happy. I do like being happy.

Awwww! (happy birthday to me!)

I was just looking through emails and I happened across the one I had received on my birthday while I was in Africa. Due to the speed (or lack of speed) of the connection in Mozambique I was unable to look at the cards my cute nieces made for me. When I saw them today it really made me smile. It's like getting a late birthday present and extending your birthday across several months.


Dear ellen,

happy birthday I hope you have a happy day
I love you very much ellen
I hope you have a very very nice day.
I hope you have a nice time at madagescar.

Love Alaina

I survived!!

Well, it was kind of a full week and in the middle I was sure that I wasn't going to live...but with a blessing and divine grace I am still here and was able to turn in all of my assignments. I now am trying to do my best to get a lot of homework done so that next week can run slightly more smoothly and less stressfully. I also now have a new phone that plays music because my dad needed a phone and so I gave him mine because I could get a new one for free with all the bells and whistles and didn't think he'd mind my old one with the basics. I thought it was pretty cool. Now I just have to download my Chinese dialogs onto the phone and I can be more proficient soon! Yep, so that's all that's happening of an exciting nature for me this week. I am still standing!

ellen

pulling out hair

My friend Becca who got her hair done at the same time took it out a couple of weeks ago and these are the pictures she sent...

Also my hair...not quite as puffy as I have less hair but still pretty cool. Oh, and so you know the count...I had more than 230 braids in my hair.

Family is Nice!!

I just had a great family reunion! All of the kids and the 16 grandkids in our family got together for the 4-6th of July and had such a great time. Aaron did a great job of planning and organizing and it was just so much fun to play with all of the cute kids and just to be there with all of them. Samuel kept going on about how great all of our nieces and nephews were. He and I are so excited for the time when we can have families of our own and contribute to the children being raised in righteousness. It is quite encouraging to see parents doing their job so well.

On Wednesday we all got together and had a few minutes to just sit and relax and talk at Martha's house. I particularly enjoyed the afternoon because I got to play games with the kids. It was a lot of fun to invent games and just to see the creative juices moving in the young minds. Joseph and Caleb really got the idea of statues and I probably would have chosen them every time. It was really funny to see them hyper extending their legs and cocking their heads and arms at such weird angles. I was excited to get to know Michela, Mekenzie, Madison, Joseph and Caleb a bit better. After dinner we enjoyed a great fireworks show. Mekenzie kept commenting on how awesome the fireworks were and how beautiful. Marah had fun naming the colors, Red and Purple!! Yellow! I thoroughly enjoyed myself.


Thursday started out with a great sealing session at the temple with almost all of the siblings. It was quite a treat to be in the temple together and I always feel like I've gotten a little taste of heaven, even if it was only a whiff. I then took a nap as I had not slept Tuesady night because I had worked and felt just a little out of sync. The others got to go to Temple Square in Salt Lake and enjoyed the grounds and the new Joseph Smith movie. We then met up again at Martha's for a great grill and then against medical advice, we immediately went to the pool for a swim. I would highly recommend renting a whole pool, especially there in Farmington where the pool was just big enough, but just small enough. It was the perfect place for the small kids and the big kids (i.e. Blair, Nephi, Samuel, and Aaron) enjoyed diving off the diving board. The braids weren't too heavy with the extra water, although that could be because I am becoming accustomed to the weight. I can see how the Africans develop their steel necks.

Friday I had to run down for a quick quiz in my Chinese class and then met everyone at the mouth of the Cottonwood Canyon for a nice hike to the waterfall. Those kids are good little hikers and Keturah even caught herself a beautiful butterfly on the way. By the end all of the kids were pretty good at spotting them. We then had a great lunch...great because yours truly was in charge of it...and Keturah's 10th birthday party. Samuel and I also got a chance to share some of the treasures that we had picked up for the family in our travels. We then rushed over to Grandma and Grandpa Jex's where we enjoyed pizza and seeing some of our cousins for the first time in quite a while. We did get a great family picture and it was just great to all be together for our Family Home Evening singing "Ring Around the Rosie" and "Sunbeam". It was a bit sad when we headed our separate ways. I drove up once again to Kaysville with Naomi in tow. (Grandma and Grandpa Jex)

Saturday I drove back down to Provo and had a good nap before work. Although there is no where else that I would rather be than with all of the darling nieces and nephews, it does take it out of you.

Oh, funny thing...today I was put in charge of the stake service committee we will be having on August 4th. This time I am totally in charge...the things I get myself into.

Basically I love my family more than anything in the world. Each and every one of them! I am so fortunate and so blessed to have the family that I do and to be sealed to them for eternity! Sometimes I wonder why I'm so lucky...

Grandpa and Grandma Thompson both of whom died last year.

Not the winner, but definately the looker!

So tonight I participated in Extraordinary Idol...I didn't win but made a close second. The cool thing...they had a photographer just for the occasion and so I got a picture taken looking lovely. Gotta love the braids--eight hours of pure entertainment! Everyone absolutely loved my hair. It is also funny because most of them think that it is my real hair, but instead I have six whole packages of extensions.

I'm home, busy and disengaged

Well my fine friends...I did arrive safely home after something like 48 hours of flights and sitting around in airports. I went to bed at midnight on Sunday evening and Monday morning got up for 8:00 class--no rest for the wicked. I don't even think that I was more than 5 minutes late! Monday evening I talked with my intended and decided that we weren't really intended for each other after all. Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with homework and scheduling and book buying and such. Oh, I also happen to be in a competition at work...we are doing a spin off of American Idol and I am one of the finalists. Thursday I perform and hopefully win! I've been drumming up supporters so that they will cast their votes in my behalf. (Just like American Idol the winner will be selected by cell phone poll) Yep, so that's what's keeping me busy at the moment and hopefully out of trouble, but I can't always guarantee. Love you all!! Wish me luck!

PICTURES OF AFRICA

I know you all have been dying to see how things really are here in Africa. Here are a couple of pictures from our trip to Swaziland and Kroeger Park. The animals were just feet from the road!!






This is a picture of the safari vehicle with all of us in it. It gets pretty cold with the wind blowing on you. Shown here are: Maggie, Becca, Brady's hand and hat,Yours truly, Brian, Professor, Mrs. Professor, Amy, Karen, Paul, Elyssa, Yvonne, Jackie (hiding behind a piece of paper)


The huts in the native Swazi village. The floors are made with cow dung--gives new meaning to freshly polished floors!


Also a picture by the beautiful waterfall that everyone swam in. The water was bone chilling cold! I am the one taking this picture, so that's why you don't see my beautiful self. I also hate to make them feel bad in comparison, so graciously didn't insist upon being photographed.

The last week in Africa!

Well, I am just so excited! This trip has been awesome! I have now
finished the course work and all of the other students in the program have
left for South Africa to go exploring. I am staying for a couple of days
with the two senior sister missionaries here in Maputo. They don't speak
Portuguese, so I can be of help to them as they would like to get to know
some of their neighbors and such. It is also cool because I get to feel
like a missionary again for a couple of days. On Friday I will be taking a
bus to Johannesburg and will be able to attend the temple there on
Saturday before catching my flight to London and back home.

It was kind of sad to say goodbye to everyone. Sunday, was especially
special. The Primary children sang in sacrament meeting and the spirit
that they brought was almost palpable. It was so beautiful! I was sad to
have to say goodbye to all of those cute faces. They are so like little
sponges and they learn so fast and just soak up all the love you have to
give them, much like everyone I've met here.

On Saturday we went to this beautiful beach where a river meets the ocean.
It was spectacular!! I feel like I'm in paradise.

I am also very excited to start summer semester. I am taking chinese 101,
techniques of teaching (portuguese), choral, piano lessons, and voice
lessons. I love school!!!

Anyhow, I am so excited to talk to you all and all of that. I love you!

ellen

Safari Revisited

So, my friend Becca also has a blog and while reading her account on our
trip thought it was good enough to share:

Kingdoms and the Animal Kingdom...


Oh my goodness I don't even know where to start!! We spent this last week
traveling with Professor Williams and his wife and daughters and 2
daughters-in-law to South Africa. And Swaziland, which is a small Kingdom
inside of South Africa, and then Kruger Park, which is a wildlife reserve,
where we got to see many creatures from the animal kingdom, up close and
personal.

First of all, Swaziland was beautiful. It really looks like southern
California but there are only black people. We rode a Greyhound bus to
Nelspruit, South Africa and then we rented vans (like the one we rented in
Portugal) and drove to Swaziland. We had some unfortunate events including
long lines at the Mozambican border (we were in three countries in one
day!! talk about stamps in the passport!!) and 2 flat tires at the same
time on the same van. That was due to the awesome potholes on the road to
Swaziland. Great experience. But we were riding in comfort. Because the
vans we were in are the same size as the ones they use as mini buses here
that could fit 15 people, but they cram in 25...not joking. It is a sight
to behold. And we only had 8 in ours, so we felt like royalty. That
feeling only increased when we arrived at our destination which was a
lodge with little cabins. Each room slept 2 people and had a bathroom with
a shower and flushing toilet!!! Need I say more? But the luxury doesn't
end there. Walking out behind our cabins reminded us of the movie dirty
dancing except that there was just a pool instead of the lake. But there
was the side walk with the lodge at the top all lit up with little white
lights. And when we got there (after more than 12 hours of traveling) we
went straight to the restaurant where the proceeded to serve us the most
delicious 3 course meal...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I
slept better that night than I have since I got to Africa. It's amazing
what a comfortable bed and bathroom can do for a girl!

The next day we got up early and continued with the royalty treatment with
breakfast...so scrumptious. We spent that day in a little cultural village
learning about the Swaziland traditions and swimming in a waterfall and
then buying souvenirs. There is so much more I want to include but I just
don't have time! I love the culture here and our group is just so much
fun. Everything we do is great. That night when we got back we played the
IPOD game, which is stinkin hilarious and we must play it when I get back
with our whole family. We were all falling off of our chairs with
laughter. But the next day we headed out for Kruger park. Which was
everything you ever imagined Africa to be and more. We camped in these
little tents and we went out on an African Safari at night and early in
the morning to see all the animals. I felt like I was on the Indian Jones
ride at Disneyland!! We saw giraffes, rhinos, monkeys galore, hippos,
lions, zebras....and the list goes on. I now understand what inspires
people to make those National Geographic documentaries, I could have sat
and watched those animals forever.

Well, my time is almost up and I'm sorry I don't have pictures to post.
Maybe next week. I hope everyone is doing great.

AFRICAN SAFARI

Well, we just got back from what may have been the most exciting trip of
my life! We saw so many animals! It felt like we were on Jurassic park
or Jumanji or something with all the animals running around. It was
great! We saw zebras, elephants, ardvark, lions, hippos, leopards,
monkeys, water buffalo, and many more, we counted about 30 different
things that we saw. It was just so much fun and so unreal as well. Once
in a while I would giggle to myself and think... I'm in Africa!.... it
was fun! We also got to see a traditional village in Swaziland and watch
some dancing and stuff. Basically it was great and I have some great
pictures of the animals and us swimming under a freezing waterfall. Not
to be missed, love you all! I'm so excited to see you Samuel!!!

ellen

Hello

Well, just to let you all know I'm still alive and having the time of my
life. We get to go this week to Swaziland and go on safari!!! I'm really
excited and promise that I will try to keep out of the way of angry or
hungry animals! I love you all!!

ellen

here in africa

Well, it has been a hectic week here in Africa, we are always doing something, and when there is a free moment, it is the perfect time for a much needed nap. I have tried all week to get on the internet, but the computers were all down and it just seemed like all of my efforts were not going to ever pay off. Anyhow, I am still alive here in Mozambique Africa and am quite enjoying myself. We got to take a very stuffed minivan ride to the district of Changalane one hour out of Maputo where we are staying and we attended a big parade kind of thing and then the president of Mozambique, Gabuzo, spoke. It was quite an expirience and we also got to see some traditional dancing and things like that. I have also had the opportunity to teach about AIDS prevention in some schools and in the communities. We are getting to be kind of experts. We also taught the school of teachers how to do country dancing which was really fun and exciting. They absolutely loved it and taught us a couple of their dances.


Here we are with our neighbors at Changalane, very patriotic with our flags and all, and we did sing their national anthem a couple of times.

On Sunday we got to teach the Primary. Elyssa and I are basically totally in charge, and it was so much fun to sing and just to be around these darling children. There are also a couple of kids who speak english and they are really excited that we're here to explain things to them once in
a while. I love the fact that I am able to have missionary experiences as well where I work and just in general in the community. Africa is a beautiful place and i am really enjoying learning about the culture, literature, and just getting to know the people. I love you all and will write again in a couple of weeks probably, when I can get to the internet again. Kisses!

ALSO NOTE MY FRIENDS' BLOG: www.hayniesisterssummeradventures.blogspot.com with photos and everything

ellen

Re: Africa

My dear family,

Well, things are going very well, we have kind of gotten into a schedule. I work at an AIDS prevention and testing center until noon every day of the week and then in the afternoon we have classes. We have a cook who prepares our meals for us and so I will probably come back with another couple of pounds in remembrance of Africa. Sometimes we are doing stuff
and so we don't get around to our class until after dinner, but it is really awesome. I really like the classes, they are edifying and fun at the same time. It is also very nice because we are really needed here and so everywhere we go there is a lot to do. For example we performed in a
presentation put on by the students at the college and I will be the Primary chorister at church. It will be a lot of fun to help the kids learn, and I do so love the songs! It is a good feeling to be needed and useful to someone. On Saturdays we do cultural things like going into town and seeing the sites. We are very careful, and it is great to have Professor Williams around who knows a lot of people and knows where everything is. It is such a great opportunity. I do so love the people here, they are just people, and I love people! Yep, and that's all for today...Love you all and hope you're doing well!

ellen

Here we are with one of the authors Malangatana at his studio/home.

I'm in Africa!!!!

So, after a whole lot of traveling and not sleeping I made it to Mozambique, Africa. I have got to talk to a lot of people and am really going to have a great learning experience. I also am learning some cool songs and traditional dances. Fun stuff! I get to work in an AIDS clinic and help do teaching and prevention as well as testing, and whatever else I can teach them. It is great! Love you all and see you soon!

ellen

a note

on my way to mozambique...I love Portugal and have been having a great
time! I'm still alive!

ellen

I'm home!

Well, I made it to Portugal safe and sound and this morning as I was in the train going north, as soon as we got into familiar territory it really felt like I was home. It was a good feeling. I do so love this beautiful country! Last night I sang in a fado club. It was really fun and the guy who plays the funky portuguese guitar said that any time I was in Lisbon I would have to come sing with them. It was nice because I also met a very nice couple from the united states and they picked up my tab...and so it was an excellent night because I got to sing fado with the backup band and I didn't even have to pay a cent. I was blessed all along my trip, it looks like someone would like me to return safe and sound, so thanks for all of your prayers, because they are helping. Well, sure do love you all!

ellen

Other exciting news!!!

Well, I leave for Africa in two days...but even more exciting that that...I went and got myself engaged. Hyrum from Arizona has asked me and even more crazy...I said yes! So, it won't be until December that we tie the knot, so hopefully you all have time to meet him. Clear your calenders before Christmas.

ANOTHER BABY

Yes, once more I am an aunt...that bring the count to 16. Ten beautiful girls and six handsome boys. Martha and Blair, along with Keturah, Alaina, Marah, and Charles are pleased to welcome SARAH to the world. She weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long! Beautiful baby!

Yet Another Baby...this one a surprise

Yesterday the 11th Deann and Zac had their fourth girl, after an emergency C-section. Monet Isabela is doing really well for being in what was her predicted 34th week. Hopefully she'll return to her Mom tomorrow (great birthday present for Mom). Everyone's healthy and we just can't wait to see her cute little face.

NEW BABY!

Here are some great pictures of my newest nephew born Saturday, March 31 at 11:something. He weighed 9 lbs 5 oz and was almost 22 inches long. He's sure a cute kid! Also note the adoring older brothers Joseph and Caleb.

this week

Well, have had a great week and am just loving everything that I'm doing.
I'm not doing anything too exiting...but am keeping out of trouble. I
went to a temple wedding on Saturday, that was a beautiful ceremony! I
had never attended one before, live so to speak, and I really enjoyed it.
It made me realize that it's worth whatever wait that there may be. This
weekend I am going to be pretty busy with the service project, but we'll
see if we can't arrange a little time and find a date, just a date, not an
eternal mate, unless he just happens to show up...Sempre as ordens!

Samuel, eles me mandaram a coisa para o scholarship de Shining Mountain
entao vou submeter isso ja, se posso. Tambem um dia destes vamos receber
a informacao sobre os taxes e depois posso submeter todo o resto das tuas
coisas. Tambem uma coisa fixe...acho que podes receber um SMART grant
porque a tua area e precisada ou qualquer coisa assim. Entao, vamos ver.
Bom trabalho o meu irmaozinho. Te amo e sou muito orgulhosa tambem. Es
um grande homen!! Continuacao!

ellen

Yipee!!

Good news!!(no, I'm not getting married and don't have a boyfriend--sorry)

After weeks of holding my breath and being on good behavior (you all know
how hard that is for me) I made it into the Masters of Portuguese program
at BYU!!

I start in September with the masters classes and it will take about two
years, so I should be graduating in April of 2009. My acceptance is of
course contingent on my completing the courses in which I am currently
enrolled and in which I will be enrolled during the spring and summer
semesters. So, with the 16 credit exam (testing out of the lower division
credits) I will gain more than 46 credits of portugues in a nine month
period. No wonder I feel tired!

Also, in connection with the portuguese department, in order to attain my
goal, I will be attending a study abroad/internship in Moçambique Africa
(country just north of South Africa, just west of Madagascar) I will be
teaching English and AIDS prevention among other things as well as taking
9 credit hours. I leave 26th of April right after winter finals and get
back 24th of June, just before the summer semester. No rest for the
wicked!! It will only be 80º there as we are going during their winter,
so I won't have to swim in the India Ocean every day, maybe only every
other ;)

And I think that is the only exciting news that I have....I love my
classes and love work and am envolved in church (I am chairing a committee
that is in charge of a 400-600 person service project on March 24, should
be fun). Hope everything is going well with all of you! Drop me a line
anytime! (if I don't respond right away be assured that I will soon)

Film of Life

A very thought provoking, introspective clip that you're sure to enjoy.


<http://www.thedashmovie.com/> http://www.thedashmovie.com/

[Fwd: Hello Aunti]

Dear Aunt Ellen,

h aw was your mishin and who did you trch i am going to
have a flamly ronyronly and you and your flamly will came
to and my moms flamly will to i hop you will came the
and it is the nunbrs the 14 42 36 54 that is it.
Love
Naomi

Dear Aunt Ellen,

Listen to your family and always help your dad when he calls you. Any
time you want to visit Aunt Hillary just go there. Anytime you want to
visit me again you can. And whatever you want to do you can do it by
yourself. poiujhhyui .,';lkop=-098iuytrewqasdfghnm,nnb
;lkjjhgfdssaqwwertyuiop[';,.nmnbhyuuiiop[ouuyy0098765432ddsfdghuhjmkk,kkk
.,mk
opohj.h,jjjjjkljjuhhghhjhjghjhjgfrswaqckhnjnbbnnbbbnfdfddvbvbbvbmbmbmmbmn
bmbngvngfvdcbjhnjhjhjmmnhmnbgbnbnhnmbnbnbh
jkhiyyyyy7tt64eeertdjghhjhjhmjkjhkjkjhjhbgg;lhnj;mkklkkj.kjkljkl.j,;kpjo
joipipoujyouhiiulikkhklklukhuhjjhjjbjkkjhghhftrghghghjkjkkl

Love,
Rachel

Re:

Mama,
Thanks for your example of endurance until the end. I am always so proud
to say that my parents are really building their own house and shed with
their own hands. I know now where I get that itch in my head telling me
that there is nothing that I cannot do. It may take me a while, but I can
do it. I am so thankful for that legacy that definitely was left and is
being left by you and Dad. Yep, thanks also for the quote.

One cool thing in my gospel studies: I have been reading five minutes
every morning and then later on in the day I read more when I have time
and carry my Book of Mormon with me in my backpack. Anyway, I decided
that I would study for 5 minutes each of the scripture masteries. I read
today 1 Nephi 19:23 and after pondering all day wondered what makes the
writings of Isaiah different than the books of Moses. It says he
preferred Isaiah because it helped to persuade them to believe in the Lord
their Redeemer. I have now decided to, during those other periods of
study in the middle of the day, at night, and on Sundays, put some study
into the book of Isaiah. I plan to read it from beginning to end and
catalog all of the attributes of the Savior, and really make that my
study. I am really excited, and already I love it. I have only studied
the first 4 verses, but it is already awesome.

Classes are going well for me, I really am having fun learning. I get
excited when I have to do research, even though it is time consuming, it
is a lot of fun....so I guess I'm doing the right thing. I got my
graduate application in this week, which was a huge relief and got the 9
page research paper in. I have a couple of fun things due this week and a
test or two, have to keep myself out of trouble.

Socially things are going well, I did go on two separate dates this last
weekend. They were fun. No, I didn't get revelation as to who will be my
husband, sorry to disappoint. I also went up cross-country skiing with
Elizabeth Lewis. It was a full moon and we were up there at night. It was
beautiful and I didn't even die or anything, although I did have a very
graceful and lucky fall as I neared a grove of trees. My tail-bone has
been a bit tender since then, but it reminds me and always brings a grin.

So, yep, that's me. Love you!!

ellen

['The Mormons' on PBS]

I hope it's good press!

Deseret Morning News, Sunday, January 14, 2007 'The Mormons' on PBS
takes aim at stereotypes By Scott D. Pierce
Deseret Morning News PASADENA, Calif. - Award-winning filmmaker Helen
Whitney has one over-arching goal for her four-hour production "The
Mormons," which airs this spring on PBS.

Helen Whitney
"I hope that most of the stereotypes - ideally, all of them - will be blown
away," she told the Deseret Morning News on Saturday. "Because so many of
them are just based on ignorance. Ignorance about Mormon history, ignorance
about Mormon theology. Ignorance."
The two-part, four-hour documentary, a presentation of both "American
Experience" and "Frontline" - their first co-production - is to air
nationally on April 30 and May 1.
After spending three years on the project, Whitney is well aware of the
stereotypes and ignorance that's out there.
"Most of the time when I bring up what I'm doing and I talk about it with

people, the first word that comes up is polygamy," she said.
Indeed, introducing the documentary to a gathering of television critics
from across the country, it took only moments for the subject to be raised.
It was addressed in the first question asked of Whitney and a panel that
included KUED's Ken Verdoia and authors Will Bagley and Terryl Givens.
(And, interestingly, in addition to asking about the Osmonds, television
critics - learning that the men have Utah ties - assumed all three are
active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; only
Givens is.)
Whitney has no illusions that "The Mormons" will answer all questions
about the LDS Church.
"It is not exhaustive. It is not comprehensive. It is thematic," said
Whitney, who worked with both LDS and non-LDS consultants. "I have chosen
what I felt to be the defining ideas and themes and events in Mormon history

that would help outsiders go inside the church."
It's not altogether chronological, but "roughly so."
The first night, on "American Experience," addresses LDS Church history,
with themes that include revelation, persecution leading to exodus, polygamy

and "the great accommodation" when the church renounced plural marriage.
The second night, on "Frontline," deals with the modern church -
missionary work, family, temples, dissenters and "the extraordinary
transformation from a people who are outsiders and pariahs to the
mainstream. It is one of the great, neglected narratives of American
religious history," Whitney said.
Also timed to air in April in conjunction with the two-part documentary
are three "Antiques Roadshow" episodes filmed in Salt Lake City, looking at
memorabilia from the West and early days of the LDS Church.
"The Mormons" is not a film about Utah. Whitney traveled across the
country, from New York to California; she sent a film crew to Ghana.
"Mormons are everywhere, and I wanted to make that point," she said.
"There are more Mormons outside of America than in this country. And even
within America, there are many Mormons outside of Utah. So only a small part

of it was shot in Utah."
She spent three years working on the film, interviewing "hundreds and
hundreds of people" ranging from LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley to
everyday church members to those who are openly antagonistic toward the
church.
She attended ward meetings and made visits with home teachers; she spoke
with people who had been excommunicated.
"The Mormons" will no doubt displease anyone who doesn't want to hear a
negative word about the LDS Church. At the same time, it's going to anger
those who don't want to hear anything good about it.
The LDS Church was "absolutely cooperative" in the making of the film,
said Whitney, an Emmy and Peabody Award winner who profiled monks in "The
Monastery," profiled John Paul II in "The Millennial Pope" and looked at
religion in the wake of terrorism in "Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero."
"They had seen my films. They realized ... that I was not going to
approach them and be uncritical but I would be respectful," she said. "And
it would be an intelligent film and searching."
Whitney's goal is not to recruit people to become Mormons, nor is it to
discourage current or prospective members. She is hoping, however, that "The

Mormons" will prompt viewers to examine their own beliefs.
"I would also like them to take a deep and searching look into their own
religion and see the ways in which there are commonalities as well as
uniqueness and difference," she said. "I think that by looking into the
Mormon heart, you look into your own."

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good week

Well peeps, been a good week. Really enjoying what I'm doing. I was
really impressed yesterday by the orientation at work. It was the best I
had ever attended and I think I'm going to talk to the people at work back
in Denver and give them some tips. I really was quite impressed. Also, I
am excited about all of my classes. It's going to be a great year I
think. So, yeah. Otherwise, life is just pretty busy. Oh, and I did meet
my new roommates the other day. I think I'm going to like them. It is a
little bit different to be among so many people. I am kind of in culture
shock a bit, but it's good for me. I went snowmobiling yesterday
afternoon. That was fun! We got up to 80km/hr on the straightaways and
had fun sliding around some fun corners. I was very careful and was
wearing a great helmet and everything, just so you know Mom. Um, yeah,
and I think that's just about it. I'm excited to be alive.

ellen

my great week!

Well, today is Thursday and it has been a great week for me...Here we have
a couple of highlights:

Sunday December 31- January 1
I got to hang out with Martha and Blair at Blair's parent's house and
really loved every minute of it. I had fun with all of the little
girlies, and Charles. The fireworks on the street were also fun. Happy
New Year!!!

Tuesday January 2 - Wednesday January 3
After a great visit to the temple and taking care of business I had:
The First Day at my new job! I even had a personal phone call at the
beginning of my shift from Jane and Doug in Singapore (how he managed
it, I'll never know) It was kind of fun. The work is just like I
remember it and the staff is great. I'm really excited to be able to
work there. The Lord always knows what He's doing. It is also fun to
be able to walk to work (10 min) and school (15 min) from my house, got
to keep those cute calves in tip-top shape.

Wednesday January 3 - Thursday January 4
Another great night of work...wow, this week I was really a night owl.
Three big nights and that's all that I have to write about. the rest of
the time I was having all sorts of sleeping fun. Oh, and also during
this week (I believe it was on Monday) I read the 6th Harry Potter book,
just getting me geared up for the 7th...in all it's glory, and I
finished the Ensign already for January. It was fun to have it done on
day one.

Well, that's probably enough for one day....Have a good one! It's great
to be alive!!!

ellen

january 2nd

It has been a good day. It got up to 46 degrees so I did my wash and hung
it on the
line. It always smells so good--sunshine fresh. Then I hear about the
snow in
Denver and south to New Mexico--3 feet plus drifts up to 6 feet. It's
hard to
believe. So I am happy that I live in the "banana belt".

I have been working in the house cleaning, putting my material in totes,
working on
projects for nursery. Dad has been at the new shed. He is putting gravel
on the
roadway, measuring and cutting things for the shed wall, bending rebar for
the brick
ledge and getting ready to work. I'll been busy in a few days unless it
turns cold
again.

Tonight I am going to a Relief Society activity. I haven't done that for
awhile.
It'll be good to socialize with some of the sisters.

I haven't made any New Year Resolutions. I think I'll just let things
happen and do
my best this year. I need a year without so much stress. I did finish
the Book on
Mormon on New Year's Eve. This year I want to read it in English and French
(together so I can understand both better.)

Well, Happy New Year!
Love, MOM