12.17.2010

This Week...

So, since Saturday we've done a lot. Saturday we went to the La Cuesta mtg and said goodbye to everyone. I was sad, but I dont think I showed it much, well I dont know. We then went to Bradlieghs house, ate and I wrote on my notebook while she was doing someting on the Net. I talked a bit with Chen and then Jer came back from buying tacos. Once they had finished, we chose to dance the Wii game Just Dance, I had lots of fun! We danced and then my parents came to pcik me up, Ziv stayed. I had to go home and get my maleta ready for our trp back to Cali the next day. While I did so, I played some music and thought about house dirty my room had gotten in 2 weeks. Later I cleaned somewhat and got ready to go to Dinner with the Cash. They picked us up, without Sarah since she had to go to the states, and drove to Puerto Nuevo...nice suprise! We got a nice table near a fireplace and ordered. We all were able to talk and express how we felt about the move. I enjoyed it. I shared a dish with Bradleigh and got a Mexican Combo. We stayed for a while, chatted and took some pictures which I will eventually upload. We got dropped off, got our clothes ready for the next day and slept. The next day I woke up earlier than the rest of my family and wrote on my blog about Fridays Assembly. I cleaned my bathroom and room, and made sure I had everything ready for our trip. My family woke up. We read the Daily Text, ate and picked up. I realized that I still needed some stuff settled before we left, so I started to do that while the rest of my family got their belongings ready. It was about 1pm or so by the time we left. We took one of our cars to my grandparents home in Sta Fe and then ate at a Chinese Buffet. We drove to the border and we had to wait about an hour in a half. We crossed, got some IceCream and I called a friend to make arrangements to attend the frnech meeting that afternoon. We arrived at the K.H. around 7pm, 30 mins late, but I had already dressed in the car (it was already dark, so no one could see me). I was dropped off and heard the W.T. and another 15 min talk, since they had the C.O. that week. I met a young brother from Peru and also others. After my friend Claudia took me out to McDs and took me home. Monday morning I think we did letter writing. We picked up my mom and went to visit a friend who was at the Hospital. I had never met them before, but I know my mom and aunt had known them since childhood. After that we did some other things, I cant rememeber. Oh but that night we went to the Cypress Spanish Meeting and I really liked it. Tuesday we did more letter writing at Starbucks with a friend. My aunt had told a sister shed take her hub to the Dr, so we picked  him up with his daughter and drove him to Irvine. On our way to and back form there we were able to give him a witness. He asked a lot of questions regarding blood and similar topics. Once we dropped them off, we all sighed, but left on positive terms...We drove home and were tired. My aunt still had a meeting that night since she has the C.O. visit.  I went to that meeting too and was asked to do a demo with my aunt and Rachel. Wednsday I did more letter writing and this time Claudia joined us. After I left with her to her French service meeting. We did territory in the Ontario area. I got off a few times and we only talked to a young man who definitley spoke no French. In  our Car group we had Luke, a teacher whos name splis my mind, Gilbert, Claudia and myself. We finished at 12 and then Claudia took me to the KH, where I waited for my aunt to arrive. The C.O. and his wife arrived so we entered the K.H. and waited. I worked with my aunt for about an hour and we chose to visit an old acquaintance of mine who now has a daughter. We tried to encourage her and we arranged to pick her up for the mtg Sunday. We met up again at the K.H. and this time were joined by the C.O. and his wife. We talked about our move and also about my different options. It was truly refreshing to talk to them and see how much they support anyone who wants to learn a different language. When we finished it was about 4:30pm. I was tired,  but my aunt still took us to the Library. I got two book and one about a young girl who lives in Ecaudor. Im almost done with it. I got home, ate some sopita and did my nails. Some brothers ans sisters came over and talked with my grandpa. Then some other brother came to drop off Zivs jacket, since that morning he had worked with them out on service. I got comfy and  read some more and slept. I will write more on what I did yesterday and today. I am doing ok and we aren't going to Mexico this weekend. We are all good, will write tomorrow!
Izmir

12.12.2010

DC Nov 19-21...Friday.

I know that it has taken me a while to write about the DC we had here in Baja for the first time, so I will quickly give an overview of what happened and share some pictures along the way.

Friday: Friday Morning I drove with a sister and her family to get to the Assembly Hall around 7:45. That morning she, some others and I had our last rehearsals with brother De La Mora at 8ish. I got some seats, said hello to some friends and went backstage. I was very excited!! While I waited for our turn, I met a brother and sister from Mazatlan that also had to rehearse for their interview/talk for the afternoon. Since I was in the group of brothers Br DLM was interviewing last, they decided we would go 1 at a time, so I would be left on stage alone! I hadnt planned on that, but everything turned out well...Thanks Jah! Once we were done, we sighed, and then went on greeting friends. I took some pictures and below are a few.



This is Ana, my new friend who recently moved from Las Vegas with her brother and dad. I really like her. Do you think we look alike? Some confuse us...lol.



This was a few moments later and by order from left ro right we are: Ana, Myself, Jeremy $, Bradleigh $, and Gus DLM.





These are all from my old hall...Ana, Aimee, Chen, Myself and Brad.


Ok, so after a few pictures, I went back to the Auditorium, texted my mom about the whereabouts of our seats and waited until the Program began. The C.O. told us to go back stage 30 mins before our talk, so right after the prayer..I went to the back. While we waited we all spoke in low voices and prayed...I was gettin nervous! Then, we realized that one brother was missing and we started to worry. 5 minutes went by and nothing, 10 minutes...nada. So, a brother went to look for him, and still didnt see him. We waited a little while more and he finally arrived with a huge smile on his face...we were relieved. We all started to count donw the minutes and then we saw Br. Malet-Veale finish his talk and we knew we were next! We got in our order of appearance and waited in the stairs. Since I was last, I didnt worry yet, but when one by one the brothers started getting off, I knew It was almost my turn. So, the time came, and I felt confident and I dont remember feeling nervous at that moment, I felt happy and good. When it was all over we went back to our seats and I found my family there waiting for me. The rest of the day was great...I was so happy and got great info. I took a lot of notes and was able to meet some of the brothers who gave talks during the Intermission. I wish I wouldve taken some pictures with the friends I saw, but forgot I had my camera hanging on my shoulder...Ugh! Izmir, Izmir....Well, after it finished I saw some more friends. I went looking for Br Loflin and asked him about our rehearsals. The Cast for the Drama met backstage almost an hour after it had finished and we changed into our costumes. We ran through it once, did great on the costume changes and it all worked out...We were all hungry and tired so once we finished we left. We got home and my family was already eating, so we ate then changed and got our clothes ready for the next day. Zzzz....

Oh, heres one picture that I took after Fridays Session.
This picture is of Brad, Ziv and I with Braden, a friend we met at the last Assembly we had. He lives in Puerto Penasco, but was originally from Arizona.


12.10.2010

Not the Most Happy News...

A few days ago my parents announced to my family of a decision they had made. I knew that there was the possibility of them chosing to move back to the States, but I didnt realize it would come so soon. I am still unsure of when we will move back, but I know that for the next few weeks we will be coming back and forth. We are going back to MX today in the afternoon, and will stay the weekend, then return again. But, I am going to think about this move as another door, one that might help me learn another language, or help out in the RBC. I know that I dont want to go back to the spanish. I would much rather go back to the English, or like I said, help out in a foreign langauge. I also think we will have to change Homeschooling Programs. It will be a change that I wish didnt have to happen, but we at least had 3 wonderful years to enjoy service in Mexico and in the English field. I will miss it very much and all the good friends I made. They will definitely be some of my most cherished memories. I know that I will want to come to visit, how often I am not sure. But, please stay in contact!
Love, Izmir

12.08.2010

What we've done...
Sunday: Service, Studying, went to the Claremont Library and Mtg, T.V. Oh and my dad arrived today
Monday: School. We went to Riverside and the Library there. I hadnt gone since I was 6....major flashbacks!! Nah, I just had a few...and very blurry. We went to Trader Joes afterwards and then to on of my aunts job. My gramps were there for a while talking. When we got home we ate and then relaxed a  bit. Read some more. Oh and BTW I already finished the book I took out last week. Then I showered, did my nails and rested.
Today: Early Service. After 1 we took my grandpa to some of his Doctor Appointments and went to the SuperMarket. My grandpa called an said he was finished so we picked him up and came back home. We dropped of my gramps and then went to the Library, there we studied the  Bible Study. When we finished Ziv started to drive the bike and my aunt started to walk. I read some of Anne Frank, but once Ziv finished riding I took the bike. I rode a while and found it to be very pleasant, I wish I had my own. When it started getting cold and the sun began to set we decided to leave. We got home and then I started to help my aunt cook. It was arduous work....hehehe...just a lot of cutting and some crying. I tried to do Camote today but it didnt turn out as I wished. We then ate our homemade tacos. My grandpa started to tell us to get ready for Fam Nite, so we all got together in the living room and watched the blood video for next month.
Now: I wasnt sure how I was feeling a few moments ago, but now after talking to a friend I feel a bit better. I will write more on some developments in the future.
Good nite!!

We are still in California!!!!! :/

12.04.2010

L.A..!!!

Friday, December 3rd.

Today I could have been on a plane to Ecuador. Why am I not on a plane traveling there now? I thought about that question today throughout the days activities. More so since I was in L.A., the city were I would have been leaving from. Well, I found this great deal a few weeks ago, weeks, that cost 370$ form LAX to GYE. I so wished I could've made all the plans a once, but it was too soon. And I wasnt ready. But still, you can wish and dream, right? Ha.
 Ok, so today was actually fun. I got up earlier today and had a small incident with a medium sized black eery spider on my pillow. Kinda freaky, but all was fine a few minutes later. We all were supposed to be ready in 15 minutes, but more like an hour later, we all were (including my granmother who still insisted it was not enough time). She makes me laugh. We first went to get some info on some stuff we are trying to soon get. Wont say much till for sure. :) I thought we'd be there a long time and was wrong, since we were out in about 30 mins. The adults in the car were unsure of where to go after so we drove a few mins (like 5) until they all came to the agreement that we'd go to eat..........I was super duper glad! I really was hoping we would go to this yummy delicious Restaurant called Versailles...Its Cuban, and I obviouslly hadnt been there in a while since it had been remodeled a bit inside. Only a few costumers were there when we arrived, since it wasnt exactly lunch time yet, but I knew that would change by the time we left! I shared a plate with my mom, the Versailles Chicken with plantains. By the time we left, it had filled up! My aunt and mom then chose to go to LACMA, after a bit of nagging from my brother and me...hehehe...Not really, but we did go and 4 of  us got in for free but my grandma had to get a ticket. We saw an expo/talk on Edgar Degas, a painter my aunt really likes. And as we walked from room to room, we also got to see some paintings by Claude Monet. At 3pm a tour was to be given in another building on Fashioning Fashion...a topic I am interested in. As we walked to the other building we saw groups of students on tours and also large posters on an upcoming expo on Tim Burton....I really want to see that!! It opens March!! Well, the tour was going to take 50 mins while we saw the different changes in clothing during the centuries. This collection only was made up of 250  or so attires, but the complete one was 1.000!! It truly was impressive. In the same building we thereafter also heard a tour on the Olmec. That also was impressive. They had a collection on the Olmec Culture and I learned a lot more about them. They had original artefacts, from statues to small hunting tools, to figurines, and 2 huge heads. They were amazing. Oh and another cool fact was that they were before the Mayans and they lived in the Oaxaca region, also invented the Religious Calendar and were avid athletes. This is the first time Mexico City has ever allowed this collection to be sent out of the country and LACMA felt very fortunate, as well as I. It was 5pm or so and already the sun was setting. We left the museum and I was in a happy mood... :)
We didnt want to go to the Freeway right away so we chose to go to the Farmers Market and drive around the Grove area. We did get off, and bought some sweets. I got some Frozen Yogurt and my mom spotted out an actress who is really tall and I couldnt really tell who she was, but my aunt and mom could. I loved it there!! So much stuff!!! We got back into our cars and then we decided to go back home. Much to our dismay, there was still a lot of traffic, we got home about an hour and 20 mins later.  My grandpa and uncle were already home and were done with their homework. They also had a good day learning. We ate some tacos and I read my new book..which I am almost done reading now.
 Sat, Dec 4th

This morning, I heard noise around me but didnt want to get up. But that is sorta difficult when you are sleeping on the couch in the living room where all the commotion is going on. My grandpa and uncle were already ready and almost ready to leave to their classes. My aunt was showering, my brother was already getting ready for service and in the kitchen oh and my mom was also up. My grandma and I were the only ones still in bed and it was barely 7:35!!!  Ok, maybe I should have gotten up earlier, but I did then and was ready and out the door by 7:55. We started street witnessing and  placed a mag with a man that seemed pleasant. We werent  out long before we went to Rachels house, a sister that I mentioned before, who was moving today. We helped her load some of her belongings onto the truck. I waited a while in the car and then we went to her new place and un loaded. Her new place is in a city I very much like, Claremont. I love it there...sigh. Ok, so by then we were late for the field service mtg and chose to drive by the house to see what my grandma was up to. Well, she was up and already writing some letters. She said she had called us several times, but my aunts phone has been acting very strange and was in that particular mode this morning. So, we stayed and had some breakfast ( I read while I ate) and then left once again. We did some Return Visits, but then it started to drizzle a bit, so we chose to finish up. It was 1pm or so and my brother and I had some Dentist/Orthodontist appointments to go to, so we headed there. At my first appointment, which was with the Ortho Dr., they told me I definitely need Braces..which I already knew. I hope I do get some, but I dont think it wil be any time soon. I then walked to the Dentist, signed up, waited, was called in and had some Xrays done. Then I spoke a bit with the Dentist, they called my mom in, said I had no cavities (Yay!!!) and again confirmed that Yes I do need Braces. Ok, so after all this, they did my cleaning while in the background I heard the peaceful, relaxing (not) sounds of a grown man who was obviouslly not enjoying himself and was crying and choking with his own saliva...and complaining...not pleasant!! Ha, but I almost pictured my dad being that man....:) Ziv also got good news, he had no cavities!!! A relief for him and me...hehehe. We had to wait about 30 mins for the flouride to do something, and my mom chose to celebrate by eating, so while we drove to Wahoos, the flouride kicked in. We spit a lot on the way...eeww..:P We soon arrived and I only had to wait another 5 mins, by then the food arrived and all was good. I got some cool Vans Stickers too. Before driving back home, we stopped by Food4Less and bought some water and milk. Now, Ive been home and we talked with my grandpa who said he enjoyed his class today. I still havent changed and have been here trying to finish this. Hehehe...I have to go now and finish studying for the W.T. Talk to you later!!!



PS: Here are some pictures from my grandmas computer that she took of the Assmebly and stuff...

Ziv playing Ziph

My granparents

Me (blurry) but me...being interviewed

My mom with Ziv after HIS baptism. :D

12.02.2010

In Cali...

Hey Ya'll,

  All last week I was in Rosarito with my dad otherwise alone, since my relatives that had come for our Convention had gone back to the States taking along with them, my mom and brother. I had fun, cooking, spending time with friends and service. I was able to join my other Congregation in field service and I went to their mtg on Saturday. It was very very cold that week and especially more in our house...I was so cold! Saturday I went to the mtg with the Blackwell's and  afterwards got my maleta (luggage) ready for our trip north. Once I was done my dad and I ate and then headed to the Movies. I told a few friends about it, but only Tanna and Titus showed up. We had planned on seeing Tangled, but it was already full and we chose to watch something else. Afterwards, we headed to the Jones, were the DLM family and Cobb fam were already enjoying a game of Scrabble. We ate some Turkey and then watched a video of Titus' travels to Uganda with his mom. How exciting!!! It was very enjoyable. We then went home, slept and woke up at 3:50 a.m. Yes! That early! We crossed in about 15 mins. Another cold morning. When we arrived at our destination we slept some more and just hung out at my aunts house till the mtg. I went again and saw some old friends. After we went to eat at a friends house and had more turkey. We watched the Chargers game....hehehe....Ok, so then my week began Monday with me sick!!!! Ugh!! Now, im sorta ok, and today was my first day going out on service, but the rest of my family is sick too..Not cool! I got to see my cousins this week and go to the Library, which is something I love!! Sadly my mom only allowed me to take out 2  books....Sigh. I also heard from a few friends, and I know that some are visiting the Dominican Republic and others are in Ecuador. Tomorrow, my grandpa and uncle are going to the School for Elders. What a privilege!! I am really happy for my grandpa especially. =) I think tomorrow, we are going to L.A. and I always look forward to going to L.A. YAY! Something fun always happens!! A sister from the Rosarito has been hospitalized and tomorrow be operated on, she is the same one that needed the surgery about a month ago. Lets pray! Oh and some pups had come into our yard last week and I loved them...all week we have had this on going discussion on what to name them..The girl pup is Chula and the boy pup is still unamed. Chewbacca, Chico, Nano, JarJar, Romeo, Chamaco and others were the options....they look as if they are Samsons puppies, but we arent sure...All week we had tried to return them back to their yard, but it seemed like the people had suddenly left. We gave up on returning them, but this morning they were gone! Back in their yard, definitely not by choice...since we later heard noise again from that yard. I miss them! I hope they can come back, but dont know what'll happen.
 Well, all day I've been coming back and forth trying to finish this post and a few funny things  have happened. For Example, my first interruption was my aunts dog jumping the fence and going to the next door neighbors yard. It seemed funny but was not for those outisde trying to pull back a huge Mastiff into our yard. Then, we left to the DR. and to the library. We passed by to see some girlfriends of ours who just this week are moving into their own place. They were painting...Later, I came back, wrote some more and had to go eat Dinner were we each shared some jokes and riddles. I had to send my Avon order and now I have to go take a shower. Hehehee..Will write on my weekends adventures....  

Later! :)