Friday, December 30, 2011

Flashback Friday: SoCone Cinco!

In February of 2009 Chelsea, Sarah, Mike, Kevin and I (aka the SoCone Cinco) went to Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. It was a fabulous trip for so many reasons. I was able to see my mission president and his family at the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple, Chelsea met up with a family from her mission in Chile, we ate of the most delicious meals, saw all three of Pablo Neruda's homes, added three more stamps to our passports and so much more! Here are a few pics - there are so many to choose from!

 Ariel, Hna Wajchmand, Me, Pte Wajchman, Pablo (missing Matias and Melisa)

 Mike and Sarah in Bs As.


 Street performers in Bs As playing some classic Argentine folk music

 Tango dancers in the street

 No trip to Argentina is complete without a visit to the Casa Rosada! (I think we are listening to Evita)

 Downtown Bs As.


 Chels and El Che in Colonia, Uruguay


  The streets of Valparaiso, Chile. We loved ValPo (especially our new friend Bart the Dutchman)

 The girls in Villarrica, Chile

Santiago Chile Temple

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

I am a Chemistry Genius....

This is the mantra I am repeating each day this semester. Chemistry has never been my strong suit and so I decided when I registered to take chem that I needed a motto of sorts to get me pumped up.

"I am a Chemistry Genius" - it just evolved organically.

Although after finding these two jokes hilarious I wonder if I should change my mantra to "I am a Chemistry Nerd".

Joke #1:

Two men walk into a bar. The first man orders H2O. The second man says "I would like some H2O too." The second man died. (**H2O2 is hydrogen peroxide**)

Joke #2:

If you aren't part of the solution you are the precipitate.


No matter what the mantra is by the end of the semester, I am happy to report that I am actually enjoying chemistry. No joke!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

#14 Read a church book - DONE

For book club we read Mary, Martha and Me: Seeking the One Thing that is Needful by Camille Fronk Olson. The basic premise of the book is to look at the scriptural account when Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the good part (Luke 10:38-42).



The author talks a lot about how women compare themselves to each other because they don't feel spiritual enough or that they aren't the best homemaker, mother, wife, etc. She uses the scripture passage to illustrate that what is most important is the we choose the good part - The Savior.

I think what I liked most about the book was the appreciation I gained for Martha. Something that stood out to me when I re-read that passage of scripture was that the Savior says that Mary has chosen the good part - not the better part. Up until now I always thought that Mary was better because she was sitting at the feet of the Savior. When in reality that isn't the case. The scriptures never say that Martha didn't value the words of Jesus. In fact that passage says that Martha "had a sister, called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word." To me that indicates that Martha was a disciple of Christ and had listened to his words before. In fact I think the scriptures suggest that Martha really did understand the Savior and his mission. In John 11:20-29 Martha is the one who runs to the Savior seeking the his help after Lazarus had died. I really appreciate Martha and the way she lived her life (as far as we can tell from the scriptures). She appears to have been a multitasker, a hostess, a homemaker, a sister and a disciple who strived to keep the Savior at the center of all she did.

Jesus' gentle reminder to choose the good part is one that I'm sure we can all hear every once in a while, especially when life gets busy. I like every so often to reflect on my life and the priorities that I have. Do I choose the good part? Is the Savior the center of my life? Do my actions reflect my testimony?

I am grateful for opportunities to evaluate my life and the things I am doing and how they affect my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the Atonement and the principle of repentance. I know that each day we can try to be better individuals and followers of Christ. I echo the testimony of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. I know the Savior loves me and I am grateful for each day that I can strive to be more like him.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Expedition Impossible


If you have not watched this show yet this summer you are missing out! It is an extreme version of the Amazing Race. Do you love travel, adventure, challenges, drama, suspense and truly inspiring stories? If the answer is yes, then this is the show for you!

The teams of three are crossing the surprisingly varied terrain of Morocco and doing some pretty intense challenges. The beginning episodes were fine but as the weaker teams have been sent home the episodes have really been exciting.

Some of my favorite teams are:

The Fab 3 - for their endless supply of drama! Two gay guys with all their flare and a sibling rivalry....it doesn't get much better.



The Gypsies - for their savvy travel ways and their mustaches!


No Limits - for their mad skillz! They are consistently in the front of the pack and they have a blind man on their team plus other challenges that I won't reveal on my blog....but you have to watch them. They are incredible!




Friday, June 24, 2011

Flashback Friday: A Philly Fourth

Fourth of July 2009 was spent in Philadelphia. A group of us decided to celebrate our independence and great country with the Founding Fathers. The weekend was filled with tours of the city and historical sites, food tours (we ate a lot!), singing patriotic songs, fake tattoos, endless game of "Would You Rather...?", watching "17 Again" (two times in a row) in our hotel room, and quality time with the girls I love the most!

Preferred photo pose in front of Independence Hall


City Hall




LOVE these girls!




Patriotic tattoos!




Patriotic medleys performed all over town






Betsy Ross


Monday, June 20, 2011

Happy Father's Day to my dad....the triathlete!



I am so proud of my dad and his positive outlook on life. Over the last few years he has endured some pretty hard health challenges and has never once complained or given up. He has remained optimistic and always strived for the best outcomes. He battled diabetes for years, went to dialysis for over a year, lost the majority of his eyesight, had gastric bypass, suffered an extremely painful back infection and had a kidney transplant. And through it all he remained his same crazy, silly, fun-loving self. Thank you, Dad, for being such a great example of faith and patience. I love you!


To celebrate one year with his new kidney my dad and Uncle Chris participated in a sprint triathlon.



400 meter swim


11.5 mile bike (on a tandem bike)

3 mile run

They are both such great examples to me. Happy Father's Day and Happy 60th Birthday!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Paris, J'adore



A trip to Paris would be magical! My sisters and Mom are all entering this contest in the hopes one of us will win. Wish us bonne chance!