ellen's home

Semi-annual post...not a moment too soon

2011-08-24T08:40:00.009-06:00

Seeing as it has been 6 months, I thought it was about time that I edit my blog. Kinda like those baths that you take every year if you need it or not....

This has been quite a full summer what with my busy work schedule. I even put in 80 hours of work one week...of course I did want to shoot myself after that, but I did it, and no one died or was even seriously maimed...Mist all of this I did manage to squeeze in quite a few trips/adventures, shown here:

Trip to Grand Canyon/Mesa Verde with Nephi, Martha, Aaron and families;

Girls Camp;

Two wedding cake weekend...that I still worked;

Bear Lake with Martha & Fam

I Enjoy Nursinghood

2011-02-15T23:48:00.005-07:00

I have just decided that I chose the right profession. Let me list a few of the reasons:
1. I work 6 days (actually nights) and then get 8 off!!! i.e. vacation every other weekend... ie lots of traveling...assuring that my neipoos get plenty of good attention.

2. I get to listen to awesome, gruesome facts about people's lives that they would be embarrassed/horrified to share with anyone else...usually starting with: "Well, you're a nurse..."

3. I help people to feel better. You may not know this, but I'm kind of a people pleaser. I like people to feel happy because somehow I can feel their emotion and when they don't feel happy, I don't like it.

4. I get to work 12 hour night shifts. Many of you think that this is the largest manifestation of my insanity (and maybe it is) but I really enjoy getting paid to be up all night. I like sleeping all day. I like feeling as if my schedule is so flexible that I won't get too grumpy if someone calls me at 3 o'clock in the morning or at 11am when I only went to bed at 7. I might not remember everything that was said in a conversation at any of these times....but it really doesn't bother me.

5. I enjoy using military time. There is something about calling it 2100 that makes 9:00pm something special and unique.

6. I have a lot of fun zipping up and down the hall on an IV pole. It probably is against more than one code...but it gets me there fast, is easy on the feet, and I look darn good doing it...there is some exotic dancer hiding just beneath the surface...

7. I like the reminder that death isn't in any way, shape, or form, the enemy of life.

I really could be a nurse for free....if only I didn't have to pay for this house....does anyone want to pay it off for me so that I can be a nurse for free....and travel even more to see my neipoos?

p.s. Dawney, I really like being able to work with you!

Lexie's Cake

2010-05-09T07:08:00.003-06:00

So I drove all night to get to Colorado where I slaved over a hot stove...tried not to burn down the Stoehr's house and produced the marvel you see before you. Lexie's lucky I love her so.

Actually it was quite fun and I didn't work as hard as everyone else...in fact, I squeezed in a nap every single day, including wedding day.

Girls Camp

2009-08-11T05:37:00.002-06:00

So I got to go up this year with the 2nd years to girls camp at MIA Shalom near Fairview. It was quite an enjoyable experience notwithstanding all of the work it took to get me there and keep me alive....

I had this awesome camp refrigerator that I made from a 54 gallon trash can lined with wall insulation. I froze the milk, orange juice and basically anything else that would freeze and just stuck it in all together. Then I topped it all off with a bunch of frozen water in 2 quart juice bottles. It stayed frozen. I took ice cream up for a birthday party as well as otter pops and they were good and frozen later that day. I had to thaw the milk and orange juice by the fire the next morning and all of the other days I took it out the afternoon before I was to use it and thus had milk/orange juice with ice floes instead of solid ice blocks. When I went home on Saturday, I still had lots of solidly frozen milk.

I had over-calculated the food, first because there were only 17 people instead of the 25 I had planned for and secondly because the girls ate less than I thought they would. I also had never bought food for that amount of people for that amount of time before and found that I wanted to truss them every second with so much food and variety...well, now I know. Almost everything was successful. We had shish-kabobs and fruit kabobs, breakfast burritos (made with individual ziploc omelets) with bacon and sausages, Hawaiian haystacks, pancakes with bacon and sausages, taco soup and chicken stew, and french toast with...bacon and sausages.

I should have started about 1 hour earlier on the chicken stew because it had only had about 30 minutes on the coals when we were ready to eat, but I figure if that was the worst of my screw ups, then I was doing pretty well. No one starved, and all in all, I believe they enjoyed themselves. The girls performed a very great skit for the skit night and I've included it here... Mary is quite a comedian to be sure.

Another Cake...the biggest one ever...well, yet...

2009-07-11T02:01:00.002-06:00

After slaving for the past two weeks in the hot kitchen (I of course am speaking of my oven. Myself, I was watching seasons 1 and 2 of M*A*S*H) I finally have something to show. Last week I baked all million cakes that I needed for the Smith reception and froze them in a neighbor's freezer. I then carted them all back Thursday and Friday and covered them with delectible frosting. This is the biggest cake that I've ever made, and chocolate frosting is more difficult to work with, just so you know. Well, maybe not more difficult, it is just different. My blood, sweat and tears went into this cake....or maybe just my blood and sweat...or maybe I mopped up the sweat and squelched the blood before it actually made it inside of the cake. Anyhow, without further ado:

A new piano for ellen

2009-07-02T09:09:00.003-06:00

In the four hours that I got to be home between the YCL retreat and the Ward Youth Conference, I went online to KSL.com and found a piano. I then enlisted the help of some strapping young men and some strapping from my friend, along with another friend's pickup to take the piano from its old home in Pleasant Grove to its new home underneath the mirror in my Africa room. It looks quite nice there. I am quite excited for the opportunity I'll have, after my thesis is written, of course, to take lessons. Perhaps I'll be able to play more than the five songs that I've had memorized since I was twelve, or at least that is my goal. Happy playing!

Hail the Conquering Hero

2009-06-15T13:25:00.003-06:00

Samuel ran his very first marathon this last Saturday and did an awesome job. I met him first at the midway point and then at the finish line. He did it in 3hours 12 minutes...a great time for anyone, especially a first timer. He was 5th in his age category, 26th male finisher and 29th finisher overall. He was a bit sore afterward...but no toenails falling off (that I know of) Congratulations bro!!!

Goblin Valley

2009-06-01T02:34:00.017-06:00

Memorial Day was quite fun. I hopped into some borrowed wheels (because mine were bald---but I got them fixed) and drove down with Martha to the beautiful Goblin Valley where we camped and then hiked in Little Wildhorse Canyon. On the way in we rehearsed to the kids the dangers of flash floods in the narrow canyon. We taught them well, because just after lunch (we were at this point as far in as we could go without wading through lots of deep, nasty water) the clouds were gathering and at the sign of the first raindrops the girls started running out of the canyon. They were very scared as the water cascaded down from the sky as well as the surrounding cliffs. Very wet we emerged from the canyon and made our way home. I think the three older girls enjoyed most the lively rendition of "He Jumped From Forty Thousand Feet Without a Parachute" as I maneuvered the van through the increasingly muddy roads, hoping and praying that I would not get stuck or slide off the road.

A kitchen area with shelves full of knicknacks

Some beautiful but ominous clouds....We experienced half of Green River's annual rainfall on our way back through.

Easter Fun

2009-04-13T22:14:00.006-06:00

I got to go up and play with Martha and the kids. We enjoyed a great Easter egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Hayes' house. I spent most of the time helping either Sarah or Charles-man and by the time I got around to the back, Marah had already found about 20 eggs and was headed inside....so I didn't get a picture of her in action...but here are the others

Springtime!!!

2009-03-24T20:52:00.005-06:00

Well, I am loving this house more and more, especially because the lady that lived here before me was such a great gardener and now all sorts of flowers are coming up all on their own. I have given away two or three little bouquets of daffodils. I am so excited to have beautiful flowers, hyacinths, crocuses, daffodils, tulips, forget-me-nots, and lots that I don't even know yet what kind they will be! I also planted peas and cilantro in my garden today....just before the storm. I am going to have such great food all summer long from my very own garden.

I also made a quilt recently. The other youngster in our crochet club just had a baby and the nursery is decorated in a jungle theme. I therefore made the very cutest jungle quilt for a little girl you have ever seen. Little Eva looks very comfortable wrapped up in her snuggly blanket.

I'm not dead yet!

2009-03-08T18:34:00.005-06:00

I have received some rather concerned letters regarding my health and state of existence as I haven't written since December and we've already reached the month of March....Not to worry, I am alive and well.... Let me explain.... no there is too much, let me sum up:

Christmas was great, I worked. It was fun.

Right after Christmas I made a wedding cake for a sweet woman in my ward, I was making it as I left for the airport with my parents so a friend assembled it in it's final location.

To celebrate the new year I accompanied my parents and brother Samuel to Deann's beautiful house in South Carolina where my other two brothers and their wives met us and we had an almost reunion, missing of course Martha and Blair and their five. I got to play fun games (probably my favorite part)

I also made a Hannah Montana birthday cake for my niece, shown here:
Then it was school, school, and January flew by. February started out with a bang...or rather a bit of smoke. Martha came down for a surprise birthday bash for Samuel. He loved the surprise and the being surrounded by friends and family. My dinner group attended of course because we had the largest lasagna I have ever seen, which by the way was not half bad.

Other than that I've been a busy little beaver working on crocheted baby blankets and quilts and just having a gay ole' time. I have worked quite a bit. Maybe that's where they got the whole dead idea....working graveyards does not have anything to do with my own health, or rather I hope that I get enough sleep so that it does not.

So, there, in a small nutshell is my excuse for silence these past months...

Sidelight: I have just finished reading and watching the BBC rendition of Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Glaskell and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Perhaps it is because of it's recent memory, but I could be persuaded to admit that it has taken the place of Pride and Prejudice as my favorite 6 hour movie. My favorite English novel will continue to be Jane Eyre, but this is a very close second, I think.

Christmas lights

2008-12-08T07:17:00.002-07:00

Well, my lights outside are all up...actually I've had them up since the 1st or 2nd. I was just going to buy the colored lights this year and then do the icicles next year, but when I went to go buy them, they sell them all together these days...so I bought just enough to go around the front and then next year will have to find more. Hopefully they'll be on sale after Christmas.

I also, with the help of the Halgren kids and Margo got my tree all decorated last Monday. I even have one present underneath already. I can hardly wait for all of my homework to be done so I can start my Christmas baking. It will be a great year. I also enjoyed the 1st Presidency fireside last night with Mae. It's just the thing to start the Christmas mood on the right foot, to recognize the Light of Christmas.

Tree hunting

2008-12-01T08:20:00.002-07:00

I went up on Saturday to pick out my very own Christmas tree with Martha and Blair's family. I had a lot of fun and found a tree just right for my little house. It was fun to go up hiking and pick out the tree. I even carried it down the hill all by myself.

When I got it home I didn't even have to cut anything else off of it, it was just the right size.

Sarah really enjoyed herself, that is, until it was time to go home and she was absolutely exhausted. Then she was miserable. All in all, however, a great time was had by all and I have my very first real tree. Imagine, only $5 for all of this fun and enjoyment.

Thanksgiving.

2008-11-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have so much to give thanks for, really I'm quite spoiled. I had my parents, my sister and her family and my brother over for Thanksgiving dinner and everything worked out just right. Dad also spent the couple of days he was here to fix my kitchen drawers and rewire the bathrooms and ground the plugs by the kitchen sink. Samuel got a buzz from helping him.

I feel much safer in the kitchen, feeling like I won't burn my house down, and it is also very handy to be able to blow dry and curl my hair in my bathroom. Here is a picture of the guests and the tables...

I was happy that I had cloth enough for the tables and that they looked nice. The turkey also turned out well, it was done by 9:00am and made the house smell great. I just left it in the oven and it cooled just right to be carved at 11:30. It couldn't have gone better. Martha made the potatoes, the cranberry salad, the vegetable tray, another salad and one pumpkin pie, Samuel made another pumpkin pie and an apple pie that Dad quite enjoyed and Mom brought the rolls, some green beans, the ice cream and herself.

It was very nice to have Mom there to help set up the tables and just get everything organized. I always feel very fortunate to have the family I do. Like I said, I'm spoiled.

ZZZzzzzzzzzz! ZZZzzzzzzzz

2008-11-20T08:36:00.003-07:00

I had my first house guests this weekend: LeAnn and John Halgren stayed Saturday night after the BYU choir concert and went to church with me on Sunday. All of their college children either came to church or made it by lunchtime to my house. It was quite fun.

Some of you may be familiar with the Halgren family. They have the unique gift of being able to sleep in any position in any place, regardless of surrounding circumstances. This particular film is only a small demonstration and, to be fair, happened this Sunday afternoon, so David and Kyle have good excuse for their naps, having just eaten a wonderful soup prepared by me. They also are in absolutely normal positions, even though David, in the middle of the floor was stepped over frequently without obvious effect...I'll have to get another picture at some other time to really show their abnormalcy.

Autumn Time

2008-11-20T08:11:00.003-07:00

It was very fun to be able to rake leaves...I got five big garbage bags full and I packed it in, ripping one of the bags in the process. I didn't dare jump in the leaves as I have a catalpa tree that drops pointy seed pods and the leaves were also a bit damp. It was quite a workout and I had sore shoulders for a couple of days, however I did have fun being outside and working up a sweat. Another blessing that I received, referent to the leaves is that they all fell down at once. All of my neighbors have these trees that drop little annoying leaves little by little and so they are always having to rake their yards. My tree, happily, has huge leaves that didn't fall for the longest time, but when they fell, they all went together. It was a cinch to rake them up because they are so big and now I may have to rake once more, for the few that were left, but all in all, I'm done for the year. Blessings, blessings, blessings.

Also, when I was going back inside, I noticed that I had a visitor knocking at the door. I was none other than my friend the wolf..spider. He was about the size of a quarter with his legs and all. I decided to send him on his way...I didn't crush him or anything, just told him that he wasn't invited and he probably entered through another route.

Virtual Tour

2008-10-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

Come! Take a walk with me inside my lovely house.

The house is put together!!

2008-10-26T21:17:00.003-06:00

Africa Themed Front Room

Kitchen....notice the food storage

My Sewing Room/ Office

My Bedroom where I sleep

Goodbye Braids

2008-10-20T21:36:00.000-06:00

The braids recently had their demise after a long three months of life and enjoyment....don't worry, I did wash my hair still, you can still wash it with shampoo and everything, so I don't have lice or anything. Here are some before and after images:

During a Mozambique Reunion

Signing the very last loan document on the 7th of October when I closed my house.

Can't keep my eyes open to take a picture of myself

Another puff ball photo moment

On the left: my hair that I lost...Three months of it. On the right: the plastic hair I took out.

ellen's home....a house?

2008-09-19T16:26:00.004-06:00

Well, you have all been suffering a lot because I haven't been able to write...admit it...you've been weeping. I know you are all very sad. Anyhow, the great reason why I've been so busy and preoccupied, other than the fact that I'm in school and working a bunch, ect., is that I am looking for and very well may have found my new house. Think of it...ellen's home, not just a virtual site but a reality... I'll be closing the 7th of October if not before and am really excited, and scared out of my mind, to be a homeowner. I expect people to laugh in my face when I tell them I'm buying a house...am I mature enough?? We'll see soon enough I guess. Anyway, I'm excited.

Here are some pictures of the new, the real ellen's home

Huge Dead Snake

2008-08-29T14:10:00.002-06:00

Hope you enjoy this huge dead snake found somewhere in South America. It is very like the anacondas that were to be found in Instituto Butanta where I stayed in Brazil.

A little adventure in Colorful Colorado

2008-08-29T01:59:00.004-06:00

So this last week, my last week of freedom, I went to my stomping ground to have a little fun. I visited Mom and Dad and saw their amazing house and then went to Glenwood Springs for a little fun and adventure. By fun I mean spelunking, hiking, camping and whitewater rafting and adventure...well Lexi doing flips off of rocks was pretty exciting.

Here's a beautiful cascade trickling over the rocks near the Paonia reservoir
Clothlike stalagtites...just cool looking.

A little spelunking in Fulford Cave out of Eagle...notice the mud and the beautiful underground river.

A little beaver pond with the trees reflecting on the water...picturesque for sure.

Aspen trees rustling in the breeze with beautiful little white clouds.

Lexi and Vincent climbing the rock...how will they get back down?...Lexi will find a way!
I really like this picture, mainly because of the unfocused sign in the background...I really like my new camara.
Cool red mushroom...looks good enough to eat!

LeAnn and David smiling for the camara...such pleasant hiking companions, well, at least LeAnn is ;)

Curitiba and Sao Paulo

2008-07-26T14:19:00.005-06:00

Pictures of the temples in Curitiba and Campinas. Also enjoy a very well captured photo of a big white bird in the botanical gardens of Curitiba and a panoramic view of the huge city of Sao Paulo...one word...GINORMOUS!!!

Travel travel travel....what a world!

2008-07-20T14:53:00.003-06:00

Well, I have been traveling around Brazil, and I guess I like it...here are a couple of photos...pretty enough I guess...

A couple of pictures from that one time when I was in Rio de Janeiro...at night and one from the soccer game we went to in the largest stadium in the Americas... Maracanã

Picture of Itaipu...the largest hydroelectric dam in the world...

Pictures of Iguaçu Falls from the Brasilian side and the Argentine side as well... a little bit of water there, just a little.

Brasil-sil-sil!!!

2008-06-21T10:55:00.003-06:00

After many long hours in airports and on airplanes...I arrived safely in Brazil. I am staying with two other students in a member's house and we're having fun already. We slept almost 12 hours last night...I think I needed it.

On another note...I finished reading Three Cups of Tea which is a great book about how humanity is all the same...notwithstanding its differences. He is an ex-mountaineer who is promoting education in Pakistan and Afghanistan..especailly for women. I really liked the book and even more loved the way one person can change the world for the better. Hopefully I can also be an influence for good, even if it is only in my little circle.

I will be posting a lot of pictures, etc, on the blog Brazilstudyabroad.blogspot.com, a collaboration between all of the students here in Brazil.

Pictures of Portugal

2008-06-16T22:48:00.009-06:00

I know you are all dying to see some of the great sites in Portugal, so I thought I'd include these...complete with a royal damsel in no apparent distress.

So you want to know what I accomplished as far as research goes???

2008-06-13T20:14:00.002-06:00

While I was enjoying the sun, the beach, the scenery, and the company in Portugal, I also was hard at work on my thesis...or on my pre-thesis research because I haven't written the prospectus yet...I interviewed Colonel Mariano Tamagnini Barbosa, the son of my poetess Maria Anna Acciaioli Tamagnini. I also spent some good hours in the Biblioteca National gathering newspaper articles written about Maria Anna when she published her book "Lin-tchi-fá" in 1925. In addition I found a piece that she had written about Chinese new year. I was really excited. I also got some great tips on new places to look for information and really had a successful time.

My Marvelous Birthday in Portugal

2008-06-13T19:19:00.006-06:00

So, my birthday present to myself this year was this great trip to Portugal...it was also meant to help me with my thesis, but who says you have to be all work and no play... especially abroad. Anyway, the very yummy chocolate and coconut cake was made by Idolina and Elisabete made this great slideshow and there was all sorts of good food and great company and it was great! It was one of the best birthdays ever!!!!

Oh, my Portugal!!!

2008-05-21T10:50:00.002-06:00

I have arrived safely in the land of castles and kings, and princesses...well, me. Anyway, I'm doing just fine, I found everyone alright and had someplace to stay yesterday and everything. The camera is working just fine and I really just love walking on cobblestones and smelling the salty air. Sure do love Portugal!!!

I found a friend on the plane and when we arrived at 8:30 in the morning we went together to visit the city...including this castle complete with moat and what probably was once a drawbridge, but with years of peace was changed into a more permanent entrance. Anyhow, just loving life and doing great. I had a wonderful visit in Colorado on my way here and have decided that at some point I will have to settle down in Arvada because I just love the community. Hmmmm....... Yep, I felt so loved and rejuvinated.

Leaving on a Jet plane

2008-05-14T01:14:00.002-06:00

Well, my bags aren't quite packed, but I'm all raring to go. My new camera will be waiting outside my door on Thursday. Already I'm so excited I could cry... (sorry, that was really stretching it on the song similarity) the facts are all there though. I am just sitting here at work waiting for the doctor to call me back and thinking about how excited I am to go "far from the home I love" because it too is home. Anyhow, I leave on Saturday morning. I've now arranged rides to and from the airport and am halfway through organizing my very messy room so that I feel put together enough to pack my bags. That shouldn't take too long. Then I'll buy any last little things I need, give my leftovers to D the flea, he's got a voracious appetite I assure you, and be ready to go.I have to pick out the books that I'm going to take with me too...ahhhh! a great book, a sunny beach, a very white ellen, a cold bottle of water or a Magnum icecream bar at my side......what a pretty thought!

Another Wedding

2008-05-12T11:44:00.004-06:00

I did a wedding cake this last weekend (between my 4 nights at work) for my cousin Cody and his new wife Tanya. It turned out really nice, of course the professional pictures make it look really good (done by Cody's old roommate Ken Hoglund).

Weekend with Alaina

2008-05-03T22:38:00.005-06:00

Well, I had a great weekend with Alaina. We have done a lot of fun things, but the most important thing we did was spend some great quality time with each other. One of those things we did together was make a Barbie cake for my roommate's 22nd birthday. My first Barbie cake...I was thinking to myself, "I should have picked a shorter Barbie" Anyhow, it turned out good and tastes good too, or will whenever she eats it. Alaina and I also enjoyed swimming, making cookies and then delivering them, going to the bookstore and reading books to each other, going out to eat, and a million other fun things.

Um Poema

2008-04-30T12:22:00.003-06:00

I was feeling inspired the other night and decided to write a poem, basically talking about all of the people that have contributed to my life. It's in Portuguese.

A colcha de retalhos

Uma colcha de retalhos
Bem velha, com a linha solta
Cada pedaço emprestado
Do avô cego mas independente
Da agente pronta para escolar montanhas
Só quando receber os paus dou-lhe parabéns
Da amiga do quarto com três, agora quatro
Colega do trabalho agora meiga, agora brava
Querida presidente prestes a sair
Quantas saudades não deixará
Da mulher que nem conheço duma conversa
Com lágrimas na cara—fala a verdade
Casal longínquo, espero um dia
Chegar convosco ao Shangai
À mesa com a família
Para mim são todas meninas mais uma
Cabelos brancos quantos não emprestaram
Um conhecimento, uma verdade
Avó de Alemanha, whoai Nellie!
Doce para o marido no hospital
Logo chegará a ela
Com o doce cheiro da eternidade
Mas para mim quando precisava, amizade
Poemas, palavras ásperas, ou claras
Pai da amiga cujo ar escapou
Ironia, humor, amiga de perna partida
Ou duas no gelo, na montanha
Dormi lá na cama, a última noite
Feliz por ser útil, madura
Irmão da página virada
Agora doutor, agora chefe, agora anjo
Quase irmão, quase mãe
Manta para me cobrir, para me ensinar a rir
Amigo histórico e nada mais
Irmã que sempre queria
Modelo perfeito pelas gerações
Sete vezes quatro mais três
Quase marido se levasse na cabeça
Estava lá comigo na primeira vez
Sentada ao meu lado, guia do além
Ninguém sabe de ti
Todos os dias o chocolate, a conversa
Escrita pedaço por pedaço, devagarinho
Bolachas de carbónico
Envermelhadas, grandes e pequenas
Gritos na relva
Esta será uma obra-prima
Com mãos postas, abraçando
Emagrecendo, cantando
As duas que não consigo reduzir às palavras
Amiga, ou alma gémea
Mãe, ou alma própria
Quantos pedaços de mim, remendados
Espero sair confortável, sem padrão
Uma colcha de retalhos
Bem velha, com a linha solta

—23 Abril 2008

School's Out!!

2008-04-27T20:48:00.003-06:00

Well, after much sofrimento e dor, I made it to the end of the semester. Hooray! I almost didn't think it was possible. So, you may ask, what will she do with all of her time? Well, I'll tell you, read books, quilt, visit friends and work a lot at the hospital. Then I'll be off to Europe and then to South America. I almost have one quilt finished and have things cut out for the next one. It's so much fun! Oh, and I have my first real wedding cake order to fill on May 10th. So, I guess I won't get too bored with all my newfound time. Oh, and I just finished a good book. Quick read and really cute: Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg.

Morte e Vida Severina

2008-04-17T22:18:00.005-06:00

I was part of a very successful Portuguese musical this past month or so...I was in charge of costumes and made about 3/4 of them. The other 1/4 we got from DI. I was so very proud of my ability to make clothes that don't fit. I had a lot of fun. It was a great opportunity to combine many of my talents and loves: Portuguese, theater, music, sewing and being with crazies who like those same things...my poor professor Vanessa. Elizabeth and I also did the scenery. Yes, those are weeds from the side of the road. The band sounded great and we wowed those who doubted we could do it. Maybe that gave the best satisfaction of all. You might also recognize the dead guy...the same one in every scene...except the one scene where he is only dying, not dead yet...that's right, Samuel. What a great dead guy, the star of every show!

Conference!!

2008-04-06T17:34:00.003-06:00

Well, I got to watch conference for the first time inside of the conference center, not only inside the conference center...but in the choir loft. It looks a whole lot smaller from there for sure. Pretty exciting. We sang really well too. It was a great experience and i think my favorite part was hearing my nieces on the phone, "I saw you on TV!" One of those once in a lifetime experiences.

12.32 1.52.23 (the minutes where you can see me....go to www.lds.org to watch online)

BLOWOUT!

2008-03-28T09:23:00.002-06:00

I had my very first experience with a blowout on the highway yesterday. I was just driving along on I-15 in my grandparent's car, returning from our weekly temple trip when the car stopped handling normally and we pulled over to the side to see the tire all thrashed. We called a towing company and they said they'd be there in an hour. We sat there waiting for a little bit and the highway patrol showed up and put a spare on and we were able to get on our way. I drove it home and then in my car followed Grandpa to the tire store. Somebody really loves us because the car didn't lose control or anything, no one was hurt and it all took less than an hour and so I wasn't late to choir again. The small miracles in life are what let us know that someone is watching out for us... of course my poor guardian angel is probably getting his wings a lot faster than most...

My Crazy Life, and How I Love It!

2008-03-05T22:53:00.003-07:00

So, sorry for all of you who kept seeing my ugly face for the last couple of weeks. Time sure doesn't slow down for anyone...especially the wicked. Well, I've been working on my portfolio for cake decorating. Someday I'll actually get paid for the cakes that I make...but for now I'm just having fun. This is the fun basket-weave cake I made for a friend. It was a carrot cake with some yummy filling and it was super moist.
What else am I doing with my life? One might ask... Well, I'm very much enjoying life. I am working on the costumes for the Brazilian musical we're doing in a couple of weeks and memorizing my lines....eeek. I am having a lot of fun doing these costumes. It is a blast!
The other big thing I'm going to do on the 22nd is another service project for the same cute old people. This time we're planning on helping them with spring cleaning. It'll be great!
Hmmmmmm.....I'm not sure if I'm doing anything else or not....I'm writing papers and doing homework and singing and sleeping when I can't do any more. What can I say....life carries me along.

Oh, the one great thing I did this week was get inspired at church. Funny how that happens once in a while. I just really had a great Sunday a couple of days ago and that momentum is carrying me along. I am attending a family ward and really love the chance that I have to be involved. Life is good and the Lord loves me. It may sound cheesy, but His grace helps me get from one day to the next and accomplish a little something in the meantime, it helps me maintain the good works that I try to do.

Lookin hot!

2008-02-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been a busy little bee with my class, which is going well, and my homework, which I should do more of. However, in the midst of all this business, there is always something that comes and makes us slow down. For me that happened last night at work. I woke up and my eye was a little bit goopy, like I had eye bugs, but it cleaned right out. As the night progressed, my eye got really gross and I was excreting green goop and it kind of swelled shut. I had the doctor look at it and he wrote me a prescription. They let me go home from work early and so I went to the pharmacy and got my eye drops. When I got home around 0200 all of my roommates were still awake and said I looked horrible...very nice for them to say...I just can't understand why everyone teases me so much...even at work they were laughing at me. Well, now here we are a couple of hours later and the green goop has stopped, but its still a bit swollen, as you can see. Anyhow, fun stuff, and just so you know, you can't catch bacterial conjunctivitis from my blog, so don't worry about it. You probably can't catch it at all anymore because the secretion of green goop has stopped...so you can't look as gross as I look....hahahaha!

January is almost gone

2008-01-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

All six of us who live in the brick house...only the girls are shown, the dogs and boys who normally accompany us will have to make it on a later date.

Well, I've heard that my readers are starving for news....so to all of you, I'm sorry, don't lose hope, life will continue.

Things have been going very well for me. I am teaching again and have a great class full of wonderful students who are anxious to learn the art of the Portuguese language. I also am working at the hospital still and I really do love all of the people that I work with on our unit and yep, I do love being a nurse on the weekends.

I am also getting really excited about my thesis. I am writing about Maria Anna Acciaioli Tamagnini Barbosa who wrote in Macau and have been in contact with her son. I'm getting tons of information and my thesis is forming in my mind. Everything is falling into place and I feel as if this opportunity has been given to me on a silver platter.

So...plans for the future....I'll be going to Portugal in the end of May to do research on my darling Maria Anna and conduct a personal interview with her son Colonel Mariano Tamagnini. In June, soon after returning from Portugal, I'll be traveling to Brasil where I'll be the instructor for the Study Abroad. I'll teach Portuguese 201/211 to those students we take with us. I'm really excited about that opportunity....think of that, I'll get paid to travel....this is the life!

Yep, and that is the news from me. Have a great day!

DONE

2007-12-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

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!!!!

2007-12-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2007-12-06T23:39:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-11-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

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....

2007-11-13T23:21:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-31T21:18:00.001-06:00

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

2007-10-22T21:35:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-10-02T21:31:00.000-06:00

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

2007-10-02T18:03:00.001-06:00

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

2007-09-22T15:26:00.000-06:00

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

2007-09-16T14:58:00.000-06:00

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

2007-08-27T22:51:00.000-06:00

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

2007-08-27T21:28:00.001-06:00

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

2007-08-17T01:03:00.001-06:00

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>

2007-08-17T00:50:00.000-06:00

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.

2007-08-11T17:05:00.000-06:00

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

2007-08-04T19:12:00.000-06:00

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!!!

2007-07-31T18:20:00.000-06:00

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

2007-07-26T20:00:00.000-06:00

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!)

2007-07-19T23:02:00.000-06:00

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!!

2007-07-13T18:19:00.000-06:00

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

2007-07-10T23:04:00.000-06:00

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!!

2007-07-08T12:58:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-06-28T22:08:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-27T20:51:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-20T01:00:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-06-19T06:20:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-07T06:49:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-04T05:36:00.000-06:00

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

2007-05-27T06:16:00.000-06:00

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

2007-05-16T07:39:00.000-06:00

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

2007-05-06T06:51:00.001-06:00

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!!!!

2007-05-03T06:18:00.000-06:00

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

2007-04-30T04:44:00.000-06:00

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

ellen

I'm home!

2007-04-28T05:20:00.001-06:00

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!!!

2007-04-24T21:54:00.000-06:00

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

2007-04-15T21:43:00.000-06:00

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

2007-04-12T22:05:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-04-08T03:10:00.000-06:00

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

2007-03-19T23:57:00.000-06:00

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!!

2007-03-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

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

2007-02-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

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


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

[Fwd: Hello Aunti]

2007-02-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

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:

2007-02-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

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]

2007-01-20T22:25:00.000-07:00

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

2007-01-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-01-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

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

2007-01-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

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

To Samuel

2006-12-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

Hey there my brother, and the rest of the family!

So, sorry that I have now turned into a writing slacker. It's kind of
different when you don't have a schedule to follow. Being a real person
is good, but it is also a bit wierd and different. I'll get normal soon
I'm sure. Anyhow...life is going well: I have an apartment (actually it's
a house and I have the basement room in the corner); I have everything
lined up for a very full year of portuguese study at BYU and am currently
in the middle of some "light reading" borrowed from one of the professors;
I got today an offer for a part-time night position at Utah Valley Medical
Center paying 21.17 hour, I may accept this, but I'm kind of waiting for
the American Fork people that I also interviewed with to give me an offer
and then I'll accept the best of the two.

Other news...I don't think that there is any. It's fun to be able to
live. I'm so grateful for the Lord's continuing blessings. Everything is
just falling into place, which can only mean that the Lord is watching out
for me. I love you and hope everything is going well in the greatest two
years of your life!

love you!

ellen

I'm home!!!

2006-11-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hey there all of my good friends!

This is just a little note to let all of you know that I am back in the
states safe and sound from my mission in Portugal. I had an awesome time
and I can't even express how much it has made me happy and how much I have
been blessed and have learned. I love the Portuguese people and could
spend my life there happily. I am absolutely loving also the opportunity
to see all of my 14 nieces and nephews and their pregnant mothers, and
expecting fathers and I know more than ever that the Lord lives and He
loves me through my family. I don't think that there is space in an
e-mail to really express the depths of my feelings, so this will be short.

Plans for my life at this point: I plan on attending BYU in Provo, Utah
this January and working toward a masters in teaching (history, languages,
arts, musics and nursing) I will be working as a nurse to support this my
school habit as I love school and I can see me spending the rest of my
life studying. I am extremely excited to be able to do this.

I would love to see and talk to you all! I am going to be spending this
month of December galavanting around the country and would love to hear
from you and talk to you all when I am in the area.

My location schedule is the following:
Dec 1-8 Georgia
Dec 9-14 Utah
Dec 15-20 Denver (I will be speaking in the Arvada 4th ward on the
17th and you are all invited)
Dec 21-28 Home in Austin CO.

I do not really have a phone at this point, so the best way to reach me is
by e-mail which I will do my best to check regularly. Hope all of you are
finding yourselves well and do forgive if my english is rusty at best. My
mind now thinks in portuguese. Love you all and wish God's greatest
blessings on you and yours. I am excited to come and see you all.

ellen

the last day

2006-11-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

So, the last day here in my Portugal....I am the mission president's wife's companion to keep me out of trouble (they thought I would do something bad on the last day of the mission) No, actually I am feeling really lucky because I asked her last week if I could help, because I knew I needed to do something of worth, and I was the first one that asked. Since then the rain came down and all the other sisters are wishing that they had the same opportunity...I get to make pies and everything, we're having a blast, and it's good to serve. I said goodbye to Portugal on the train ride here by humming the national anthem a whole bunch of times. It has been hard to say goodbye to all of the people that I love so much. I LOVE PORTUGAL!! I am nonetheless very excited to see all of you and love you all too. But for now, back to the kitchen with me...

ellen

Fw: Energizer

2006-11-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hey there family,
Another week has gone by and the work goes on. In missionary work the same thing happens again and again but it never seems to get old. You are always finding new people and trying to baptize them. It is very enjoyable work. What is even more neat is that you change so much as well as the people that you teach. It is really a lot of change. We are planning to have another baptism in two weeks. João Gabriel is a great 15-year old boy. He is a great example to his family. He is intelligent but also has a lot of talent. We are very excited about his baptism. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that through my diligence and faithfulness many people will come to a knowledge of the truth. We have to endure to the end. It is the hardest thing to do but it is needed. It is just like the quote of President Hinckley. Put your trust in God and move forward w/ confidence and faith in the future. The Lord will not forsake us...He will never forsake us. We are to Go Forward w/Faith.
Well, my sister is coming home I just can´t believe how much time has gone by. It really is incredible. Happy Homecoming to you Ellen. May your days be lovely and bright. I love you all.

Elder Thompson

another busy week

2006-11-16T04:04:00.000-07:00

So,the work continues at an ever increasing pace... This week was a full one for sure. We had a funeral yesterday of a little 4 year old boy. He was really a joy and the way in which he went showed the family that it was Heavenly Father calling him home and so they were comforted. I also tried to translate what I remember of your butterfly poem Mom and I gave that to them, I hope it helps a bit. The day before that we had a great zone conference and I found out that on my last day here in Portugal I will be helping to prepare our Thanksgiving dinner, so that makes me happy. It's good to be doing something of use. Also, our music lessons and english lessons are going along lickety-split and it is like the people have come alive again. It is an encouraging feeling. This work is the Lord's and really He will do miracles. I really like the passage in Luke 5:5 and it is helping me to give my all to the end.

Hopefully I have been admitted to BYU, I still am not sure, but am working on it. If all works out as I hope I will be a student there in January, which will be all sorts of fun. yep, so that's the news from here. The Lord's plan is perfect and He cares for His children. Of this I am certain.

Love you all!

ellen

Fw: Here Comes the Sun

2006-11-16T03:18:00.000-07:00

Hey there,
What a fast week this is. It is already the middle of November. I can´t believe that the time is just going by so fast. Sometimes I just wish that I could stop time.
It has been a great week. We received some outstanding referrals this last week and we have some baptisms planned for the first of December. We are so excited about it. João Gabriel is a great kid. When we first taught him and his family everyone rejected us except him, his mom and his brothers. He stayed firm and said that he would read the book of mormon. Now he has already been to church three times and we are planning his baptism. We are also teaching another family that is outstanding. Some years ago Heloide would run to the other side of the street because she had fear that the Mormons would get her as they were walking down the street. Now, we are talking about baptism with her. We are planning to mark her and her daughter´s baptisms this week. It is interesting to see the change that comes over people. I really feel that with we have faith in the Lord and we work hard following the spirit. We will have success. Part of our success here is that our investigators have a friend who is a member of the church. It helps so much because the friend can follow-up when the missionaries can´t, they answer questions and give support. The key to having a lot of baptisms is working with the members to baptize their friends and family. It is just like President Hinckley said. A new member needs a responsibility, a friend, and nutrido by the word of God.
I am so excited about the work and know that trusting in the Lord is how I will receive the blessings that he has in store for me. I love you all and know that if we do what is right(read the scriptures and pray everyday and go to church every Sunday) we will always be blessed.

Love,
Elder Thompson

Yeah! Yipee! Yahoo!

2006-11-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS AARON, BETHANY and MICHAEL ANDREW!!! I'm excited to tell people that I have 13 neices and nephews. I am a blessed aunty! Health and all of that to you and to all of the other expecting mothers in our family!

Another week full of stuff... fun, funny, and hilarious. We got to do a division on monday to tuesday...I got to teach with Irmã Andelin who is serving now in Matosinhos and we really had a blast talking and stuff. She is an amazing missionary and I'm greatful for the opportunity that I had to work with her. She has a lot of qualities that I would like to emulate. It was good for Irmã Karren too. She had never seen the way anyone else worked and so it was a good experience. We are really having a good time together and the work is moving forward because of that.

We also at times become a hinderance, like on Monday when we brought a huge slug to district meeting. We called him Babe Ruth the Grand Slugger because he was about 7 inches long and quite large. We needed a little something to spice up our lives and about which we could giggle incessantly. The elders were quite impressed, and we did use it to teach an object lesson, so maybe it was alright.

Other fun things for the week...I picked up nits from an otherwise respectable looking dog owned by one of the members and Irmã Karren had fun picking them out...when the shampoo from the pharmacy didn't have the immediate results I wanted I just decided to get it over with quickly and dunked my head in bleach, killing all of them as Irmã Karren can attest. Hopefully I did not kill all of my hair follicles and I still have hair the next time all of you see me. However, it is a quick way to kill the nasty things. That is probably the most nauseating experence that I've had, including having to eat the recognizable heart valves and lungs of the ox in s.j. da madeira, which was pretty bad. Yuck!

Samuel, recebeste já a minha carta? Parabéns no sucesso vocês estão a ter lá. É sempre bom ouvir. És um missionário espectacular! Porta-te bem e tudo. Continuação con um bom trabalho!

Mais coisas....acho que não há nada.. amo vocês todos...oi english! Nothing else to report for right now. Love you all and a big love and a squeeze for Michael!

ellen

Subject: It's a Boy!

2006-11-09T04:17:00.000-07:00

Subject: It's a Boy!

No name yet but working on it--probably today sometime. 8lbs, 6oz----20 ¾” long. Bethany is doing well and both should come home today. Enjoy the pictures but remember they are copyrighted and can be reproduced or sold as much as possible with a 10% royalty.

Love you all,

Aaron

I forgot the date but most of you would’ve figured that out. November 2 @ 2:40 pm.

Quick November

2006-11-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

Today a quickie...spent all sorts of time on a letter to Mom (aren't you all jealous) No really, we have had a great week. We had a cool experience this week where our neighbor contacted us by way of the window and asked us to come and visit her, she had been impressed by the way we live and could see a 'light' as it were radiating from our apartment. Good thing we don't let down our guard even in the house. A good missionary is a missionary always. We now have special care with how we act and things. Anyhow, other great things from this week, we have more family nights planned than we can ever accomplish and invites coming out our ears. We have a great english class going and now have started a music class to help the members, and anyone else who wants to attend, learn the ins and outs of music, especially as found in the hymnal. It is going to be really fun I think. Yep, and otherwise it's work as usual. It is amazing how it gets better all of the time, just when you think it is too good to be true, you go through another trial and get even more blessings. I love the letter I got from a friend of mine that said: I have definately come to see that His blessings come in greater abundance than our pains, and way beyond anything we could ever deserve. This is the Lord's work and He is inc charge. Love all of you and Happy November!

Update on the Hayes Family

2006-11-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

Well,

For the big news! We're expecting #5 in April. That
has us going through a lot of changes right now. We
are re-painting our house, 2 rooms at a time to fix it
up in order to sell. And that means a lot of
de-wallpapering, which is a lot of work. We haven't
even come to the kitchen and dining room yet which
will be even more work. We've just outgrown our
little house. Charles is still sleeping in a
port-a-crib which rotates room to room depending on
where we're working.

Charles is now not just walking, but running
everywhere. His favorite toy is the phone. He's
always talking on it - the real one of course is
preferred, but remotes and other flat, retangle
objects also work well - sometimes they're by his ear
and sometimes on the top of his head, but he's talking
on the phone. He also loves reading books. His
favorite birthday present was the board book from mom.
He carried it everywhere and had the binding broke in
less than a week.

Marah was finally potty trained the 1st of September.
We kept trying to convince her it was a good thing,
but when Grandma Hayes got her some cool big girl
underwear that's all it took. No diapers ever since.
She's even a lot better than the other girls had
hardly any accidents. We did have one when we were
hiking in Zions a couple of weeks ago along the
Riverside walk and that wasn't much fun. Marah loves
to read books as well -- I could spend all day on the
couch reading to her. She always has to go if
anyone's going anywhere. She just likes to try to be
like her big sisters - she loves to play computer
games when they're at school. It's hard to believe
that I will have 3 years let before she goes to
school.

Alaina is in 1st grade and is learning to read even
more. She is our drama queen - already at age 6 - we
have our hands full when she gets even bigger. This
was her 1st year of soccer and she did really good.
She was always right on the ball and very much in the
middle of things. Alaina is very responsible and
always makes sure her things are in her backpack for
school, her library books etc, I don't have to ask
her like Keturah, she takes care of it herself.

Keturah is in 4th grade this year. It's hard to
believe. She has a male teacher which is kind of fun.
She still struggles with math - it seems to be her
fate and she often has a lot of homework because she
daddles or daydreams in class so has to do it at
night. One night this past week we were up until
10:30 getting all her assignments done because it was
the last day of the semester. She is enjoying piano,
though. Her favorite song so far as been Edleweiss.

Blair is enjoying his work. He's been setting up a
webserver. He had it all finished and then they
wanted it set up more user friendly so he had to
re-program things and make changes. It's been hard
but he's really enjoyed it and is getting a lot better
at it.

I've just been helping everyone with their stuff - the
kids with homework, Blair with fixing up the house. I
did get some canning done though, 66 quarts of
applesauce 1 weekend and 36 quarts of pears another
weekend with tomato sauce another.

Hope everything finds you families well.

Martha

information...

2006-10-27T05:22:00.000-06:00

Interesting tidbit that you might want to know...It appears that I am flying to frankfort, then to Denver, and then to grand Junction...Or at least that is what I hear from one of the elders who is leaving at the same time...I guess his mom called the travel company and got his itenerary. Anyhow, I really don't know much about what is going on when and how..I'm the type that doesn't like to meddle too much or get too organized--It's bad for your heart. I like to take things as they come so then everything is a welcome surprise--Or something like that. Anyhow, I'm not sure if I'll be giving a homecoming talk or if I'll get to see any of my family, or what is going on...the best bet is to plan it all out with my Mommy. She knows what's best. Take care and love you all!

ellen

Re: Wednesday? Already!

2006-10-26T04:18:00.000-06:00

Well family!!!
This was a great week in the life of sister missionary Irmã thompson. We had some really great teaching moments and the work is really going forward. We have been really working hard to help the members and everyone with whom we come in contact feel that we really love them and have prepared a message especially for them. Yesterday during my studies I studied the topical guide entry about families and it was really great. Then we were able to really have some great lessons with some people who are the only members in their family (which is about everyone) What I learned is that the gospel really does bless families and makes it able for them to really be eternal. The gospel is constructed in generations and each generation is so important. For example, even though Joseph Smith's great-great-grandfather did not have the fullness of the gospel, he made choices and tried to do what was right which helped his posteirity be prepared to make choices and with every successive generation the restoration was closer and more possible. Anyway, just that our choices really do influence those before and after us and that the Lord has prepared a perfect plan whereby all of our families really can be made eternal. THE PLAN IS PERFECT. Anyway, sorry to run, but we have to catch a train to Porto today...luncheon for the sisters :) I made ginger cookies last night too...Thanks Janie...they'll be so yummy.

Love you all and I promise that one of these days I'll write a nice long, thought out letter. I just know that the gospel of Jesus Christ really makes people happy (ie. me) and it brings so much hope, responsibility, but hope and joy. Take care and keep warm.!

ellen

Samuel....há uma carta a vir para ti...Sê amado! oro por ti sempre.