An update from Elizabeth

I got an e-mail today from my friend, Elizabeth. She was in Kenya with her daughter, Turi, when a terrible war broke out. They were unable to leave the country. With several friends and family, we were able to raise enough money to get Elizabeth and Turi to a safe place. She said this in her e-mail:

Thank you for everything. We have we did not have any communication facillity. It was very difficult to leave my family behind so I took them all with me and we travelled to Swaziland and have been staying there. They cried their hearts out and we had to do the best we could with the money you sent us. It took my family to a safe haven. I am so very grateful. Peace has returned in Kenya after Kofi Annan intervened. I was in Kenya for a reason. I was taught how we take many things foregranted in the United States. I arrived here last Friday and there are so many homeless people. I have been praying about it and I think as a trained nurse I was commissioned by the Lord to take care. I will stay here and work among the Internally displaced persons(IDPs) and those in camps. I have just done some work with the IDPs and I will stay here and do what the Lord wants me to do. Help these people. I have setted my whole family in Swaziland and that money is going a long long way.Attached please see some pictures I took. My heart bleeds for these people. The Church has taught me a lot and I am humbled. We have very many volunteers from other parts of the world. This was my calling. Karen we all find a purpose to be in this world and I have found mine.

She forgot to attach the pictures, but when I get them, I will put a few on my blog page. I am so happy to hear her family is safe and she is helping others. She really is amazing! Thanks again to all those who helped and prayed for her.

What's in a name?

This is how a web-site describes me based on my name. Accurate or no?

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

I'm slacking already!

I've only had this blog for a few months now, but I am already behind on my posts. I apologize to the faithful readers and promise to do better. Although I'm not sure what to write about in this particular post, it may just become a rambling of thoughts.

I was told that my blog has become quite the topic of discussion at a certain Law School. For those of you who are reading my blog in the interest of finding something to give C a hard time about - this one's for you... (and for the rest of you, find a new hobby)

I am going to recall the experience of my first kiss with C. It's a hilarious story actually, but requires some background information. C and I met while serving as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. While as a missionary, you don't date or really even 'look' at the opposite sex with an inquisitive eye. C and I became very good friends because we were both serving in the same district and had weekly meetings. We were also the only missionaries within about a 150 miles of rural Vermont. C came home from his mission 7 months before I did. I came home from my mission and shortly after, moved to UT to finish my education - we decided to get together. After the first of the year in 2004 we started seeing each other more regularly. I was still somewhat hesitant about getting involved in a serious relationship and to be honest, I felt like C was only hanging out with me because he felt sorry for me. I used to refer to myself as his 'service project', although he consistently reminded me I was not. I believe it was sometime in January, we had gone to a basketball game with some of our friends; to support his team, he was wearing his favorite Utah hat. That evening, we were sitting on the couch at his parents house just talking and watching television. I was going to say good -bye and I saw him turn his hat around backwards, so the bill wouldn't get in the way (not obvious at all). He could tell I was nervous because I wasn't really sure if I ready for our relationship to go in that direction. He said, "it's not against the rules anymore" and kissed me.

We are about to celebrate our 4 year anniversary and it's been a blast. I think the first year was definitely tough just adjusting to living with a boy, but we've really learned and changed a lot and I'm happy.

Bits about me...

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30
2. Diamonds or pearls? I really like both, but I'll go with Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Um... I don't really remember. How about Juno
4. What is your favorite TV show? America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, Grey's Anatomy, Jeopardy, Oprah, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Hills, Run's House, Law and Order, Extreme Home Makeover. If there wasn't such thing as TV, I have no idea what I would do with my life.
5. What do you eat for breakfast? Oatmeal, every day.
6. What is your middle name? Elizabeth
7. What food do you dislike? I don't like mushrooms, tomatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, cheesecake, milk, yogurt, spinach, seafood, and a few more things. I'm a pretty picky eater.
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? I don't really have any CD's, but I love Celine Dion's Christmas album.
9. What kind of car do you drive? Camry
10. Favorite sandwich? Chicken Salad
11. What characteristic do you despise? Smelly
12. Favorite item of clothing? Jeans that I would pay to wear to work, but can't
13. Favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring or Swarovski earrings
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Egypt and Greece
16. Favorite brand of clothing? Banana Republic
17. Where would you retire? Somewhere warm
18. What was your most recent memorable birthday? I've had many great birthdays full of fun and surprises
19. Favorite sport to watch? I like basketball and football, occasionally golf.
20. Furthest Place you are sending this? Someone in a foreign land who finds my blog relatively interesting.
21. Who do you least expect to do this test? Anyone who doesn't want to
22. Person you expect to do it first? No one, actually
23. Favorite saying? Good night.
24. When is your birthday? December
25. Are you a morning person or a night person? Neither, I like to wake up around 8 and go to bed around 10.
26. What is your shoe size? 8.5
27. Pets? No, thank you!
28. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? My parents are moving to Chile.
29. What did you want to be when you were younger? Business woman and Mom What are you today? Business woman
31. What is your favorite candy? Jordan Almonds, but any candy really.
32. What is your favorite flower? White roses
33. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? This week? Friday.
33. What is your full name? Secret
34. What are you listening to right now? My neighbor at work talking on the phone
35. What was the last thing you ate? Hamburger
36. Do you wish on stars? Nope
37. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red or Black
38. How is the weather right now? COLD
41. Favorite soft drink? Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, Coke - depends on the day
42. Favorite restaurant? Parthenon
43. Hair color? Blonde
44. Siblings? 2
45. Favorite day of the year? Christmas!
46. What was your favorite toy as a child? A doll named Lisa.
47. Summer or Winter? Summer - definitely.
48. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
49. Favorite Scripture? Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."
50. Chocolate or Vanilla? Twist

"The Choice"

For those of you interested in learning more about the study on happiness referenced in my last post, go to: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=4086092&page=1

As for "The Choice", it's the title of my new book by Nicholas Sparks. This is my first Nicholas Sparks read and I am enjoying it so far. When I think of Nicholas Sparks I think of sappy love stories like the Notebook. Although I enjoyed the movie, it wasn't my favorite. I decided to read "The Choice" because I heard it was good and because I decided that "don't knock it 'til you try it" phrase only works when you do actually try something and so far - I'm not disappointed.

While I was reading last night, one paragraph really stood out to me. It's on page 111 and says, "It always amazes me that once you cut through the clutter, people are pretty much the same. Especially through adolescence and early adulthood. For the most part, people go through the same experiences and think the same things, but somehow no one ever escapes the belief that his experience in unique in every conceivable way." I think this statement because it reminds me of the title of my blog and also because I agree with it. I know I've mentioned this before, but really, this is something I spend a lot of time thinking about. I know that we are different because we have different personalities, we respond to situations differently and communicate differently, but when all that is worn down and stripped away - we are relatively the same. Not to assume anything and let me know if you disagree, but I would dare to say that everyone is striving for success in their lives. Whether or not success looks the same to me and you is irrelevant. We are both working towards something we feel is important. It requires hard work and sacrifice. We all have wants and needs. And just like success, my wants and needs look different from yours but they are still wants and needs. We all have goals. If your goal is to make it to the end of the day or to become the President - they are goals. We all have relationships: good and not so good. What else? What else do we all have that makes us the same and do you agree that once all the 'differences are stripped away', we really are the same?