Cabin Fever and Ice Skating

When not discovering the many beauties that tropical paradise has to offer, I have a long agenda of things to do every second of every day! Er, not. Problem: I haven't had much opportunity to exercise. And even more time to eat. 1+1=2. There is zero canceling out to do in this equation. Solution: Grocery shopping! Actually, there's no joking in that statement. Let's just say that we're not in Kansas anymore, with no Wal-Mart to be found. Grocery shopping is a big event in the household. (We don't get out too often...) I never ever thought in my life that what I would be missing from the United States were the grocery carts! cart [kahrt] –noun 1. A heavy two-wheeled vehicle, commonly without springs, drawn by mules, oxen, or the like, used for the conveyance of heavy goods. 2. A light two-wheeled vehicle with springs, drawn by a horse or pony. 3. Any small vehicle pushed or pulled by hand. In our local grocery store, Carre Four, they take definition #3 to heart and pay special attention to the word "any." These contraptions are very deceiving look-a-likes of a common grocery cart. Yes, I was fooled. I'm sure there must be a handbook on how to properly use it (that everyone else in Tahiti has come across except us, of course.) By pushing it straight, it automatically veers to the left. (Or right. Whichever way has a large stack of cans to knock over.) So you try to steer it the other way, but these carts are determined. Be smarter than the cart... Be smarter than the cart. Methods:

• Take 10-15 steps in order to beat the cart to its destination. (a.k.a. chasing after the darn thing on the replica ice skating rink and look like an imcompetent American.)
• Tighten you stomach muscles, and wait a few seconds before the torque kicks in and it slowly decides to turn.
• Use all of your upper body strength while planting your feet firmly in a ready-position and use the push/pull method.
• Pick the entire thing up, and walk around the store carrying it over your head. With 100 lbs. of groceries inside.

When repeating this ritual for two hours, it adds up to be quite the workout. No lie.

Seriously, so blessed!

Last night, my mom was skimming through some online newspapers, when she came across an article in the Mormon times of this hit blog going around. Essentially, it’s a spoof of Mormon Mommy Blogs. Gave me a few laughs, so check it out at seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com

Takaroa

Sometimes I can’t believe that the experiences I am writing about are actually mine. We had quite the weekend! There was a Youth Conference in Takaroa, an island in the Tuamotus, which we were invited to attend. These islands are actually atolls - meaning they are donut shaped islands built on coral with a lagoon in the middle. On the island of Tahiti, it is made up of tall mountains, but on Takaroa, it is all flat. It is definitely a more primitive area than I am used to. If you want more detail, check out the movie: “The Other Side Of Heaven.” Bugs and all. (Speaking of which, my legs are again spotted with at least fifty bug bites…) This was definitely an opportunity to exercise my French. (As little as it may be.) Everyone was so friendly, but very few spoke any English. I was also greeted with a welcome dance from one of the Tahitian girls. I never realized that in order to live here, you have to literally be able to shake your hips like a polaroid picture. :) On Sunday, I also gave my first talk. I had my lengthy novel written out beforehand, and my dad translated it for me. I stood up there and gave my 26.2 second testimony, in a slur of poorly pronounced words that COULD have been French. Although, I wouldn’t know, because even I didn’t know what I was saying! Some called it courage, while other expressions had “Stupid!” written all over them. That evening, I was again approached with a: “Um, the young women president would like you to give a talk tonight also.” Me, open mouthed, kind of nodded my head in the affirmative. I had to quickly come up with something to say before the end… (I swear the meeting went faster than usual!) I said this one in English, and my Dad stood up there with me to translate. I still am not really sure what I said. Returning, I actually did have the feeling that I was coming home. My shower and clean water are home to me anyway... This is the Brown’s, the family we stayed with Our food… :) A girl, Heitiareii, teaching me to weave coconut leaves I liked this picture of me and my dad Me, on the reef Oh, I almost forgot! (This is for my nephew, Richie, who absolutely adores sea creatures. He will be excited.) We saw a shark! A dead shark, but a shark! We took a boat ride to the other side of the atoll, and found one on the reef. Pretty awesome. :)

Called To Serve

Here are some pictures I took of some of our charismatic missionaries. It's so fun to get to know and be around them

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Bah!

Through many technical difficulties, and lots of figuring out I managed to find a way to put some pictures on here. :) Instead of putting all the pictures right here, I just attached them to older topics so you'll get a better idea of what I'm talking about! Sorry for the inconvenience of scrolling all the way to the bottom of the page and clicking the mouse to view "the retired from the homepage" posts just to see some pictures... it's a very hard ordeal I know... Have fun!

For Interests Sake...

So, I apologize for the excess of words. What this blog needs is some sort of big sparkly balloon, or something that everyone will immediately jump off of their chair in excitement for. So, my sister sent me a few pictures of the airport before I left. So, just thought you guys would like to see something... unboring. Enjoy. :) Also. I've decided to list iTunes top ten on the sidebar, and put my opinions about the songs. Just because I'm not in the United States doesn't mean I don't stay updated! So, you may be totally uninterested, but it's something I, myself, will enjoy doing.

My family at Brookes before leaving

Ashby, Meg, Ben and me at the airport.

Sisters :)

Roosters, Mosquitos and dogs... oh my!

So yesterday, I was noticing my legs were a bit darker than when I left. Happy at the prospect that I was getting some color, I soon realized that the red I was seeing was really just a jumble of bug bites meshed together in clumps. I wasn't terribly pleased. Living in Minnesota, I was used to these little tiny monsters we call mosquitos. They were everywhere with the humidity. Then, moving to dry Utah, they somehow knew I didn't appreciate them, so they never bit me. I probably got ten bites in all of my time in Utah. Tahiti: I swear I'm wearing a sign that says: "My blood is sweet! Sweet like cupcakes! Come and get it, it's free!" If dates came around half as often as these buggers did then I would be busy every night for the next 27 years. And it's not just mosquitos. There are tons of little critters running around. The Mackay's, (genealogy missionaries) both got bit by centipedes, one of them on the lip. Yeah, no bueno. Although I terribly miss our beloved dog Allie, I don't think she would like a lot of the goings on here. Particularly the activities of those that are canines. Dogs are absolutely everywhere! Doing what? Nothing. They just lay in the road, assuming that you are a kind and skilled driver and won't hit them. My dad has often used the phrase: "mangy old mutt..."

Okay, so you also have to know that when I took this picture, it was a very warm day, and the ground was indescribably hot for this dog to just be laying there...

Oh, yes, we also have a rooster. We dubbed him the name of King Henry Franklin III. He tells us when it's midnight (or any other time of day), talks to us when we eat lunch, informs us that the chickens have arrived, informs us that the chickens have left, says hi for ten minutes when we come home, and serenades us while we play games. He and his posterity will continue to live with us for the three years I'm sure.

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Coloring Books and the Ocean, Indescribable Sunsets

I just barely got home from the Iles Sous Le Vent, an outing to meet the missionaries on outer islands. We went to Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahini and Bora Bora during our stay, with a plane ride every day. I'm becoming a pro at flying lol. We had fun-filled days, spending much of our time with the missionaries. They are such a joy to be around, and I have enjoyed every second of getting to know them - even if I can't always understand them. One thing I discovered is that I have a love for the ocean. You know when you're a little kid, and the pictures that you draw of water are always blue? Only to discover that the water is kind of mucky and filled with green gross things and it's not quite what you imagined.... Well, in Tahiti - the water is blue. Pure blue. It is absolutely amazing. Our hotel in Raiatea was situated directly above the water, so you could accidentally take a swim by misplacing a foot. :) It was so delightful! In Huahini, I had the opportunity to witness a Polynesian Sunset on the beach. If there were words to write a paragraph, I would. But truth be told, nothing can describe the beauty of what I saw. All in all, it was such a fun break from... our other island. Yeah... :) Me on the boat to Tahaa Our hotel in Raiatea :) Sunset on Huahini Beautiful Tahiti. Can you tell where the reef ends? Sunrise... ...and sunset on Bora Bora Chillin' on the beach after a fun day

The Tallest and the Palest

Yesterday, I nervously went to church for the first time. Well, I've been to church before. Just not here. Here are some similarities and differences to Springville. Or to any other church I've been to in my life. 1. It was at 11:30, not 9:00. A plus in my book. 2. The center of the building is open. A courtyard with coconut trees. And grass. You go outside to go to your classrooms, etc. 3. No prelude music. I don't know if this is an every time thing or not. But it was kind of eery to walk in ten minutes early, no music and everyone sitting silently in their seats. 4. They don't speak English 5. They don't sing in English. 6. They don't think in English. 7. They don't cough or laugh in English. Anyway... 8. They began the meeting in French - where I could pick a few words out here and there. But randomly they will switch to the language that just sounds like a lot of "aaaauuuuaaa" aka Tahitian. You lost me there. 9. The songs were somewhat eratic. Sometimes they'd sing in French, sometimes Tahitian. Sometimes both. 10. The Sacrament bread was a baguette! 11. I don't know if it's just because I can't understand what they're saying - but it sure seemed like their testimonies are a lot faster spoken than ours. Idk... 12. I didn't know anyone. 13. Did I mention it wasn't in English? 14. I was the tallest, and the palest. Sort of backwards from what i'm used to haha. :) 15. The Young Womens is about an eighth of the size I'm used to. This week anyway. Idk if it's that way all the time. 16. I was probably the only blonde one in the entire building. Not that I'm blonde or anything. It was funny, there was a baby boy who just kept staring at me. Probably because of my hair. :) 17. To go along with that, Tahitian children are the cutest things you've ever seen. Cute chubby dark children. They're adorable! 18. Everything was in French! Did I say that already? Anyway, I met a very nice girl. Her name is Tatiana. She is the president of the Laurels, and she spoke quite a bit of English. (YAY!) She took me to class and explained what was going on and things. I got to know her pretty well by the end of the day. I am glad that there's at least one person I can communicate with! All in all, successful. Scary, but I think I can do it again.

Poisson Cru

Well, in tribute to my blog title... Last night I had dinner at our friend Arthur Perry's house. They served a delicious feast, and the pineapple is TO DIE for. One of the main dishes, however, was "poisson cru" or "raw fish salad." It wasn't bad to be quite honest! As most of you know I'm not much of a seafood person, and I'm not like Lyse who will just east ANYTHING. But this was okay. I'm learning to be daring. :) Now I just have to learn how to eat the COOKED fish.... lol.

My dad eating poisson cru at a restaurant (the following day)

First Impressions: TAHITI

After a wonderful visit in New Zealand, it was time to go to our new home. Throughout my life, the discussion of Tahiti has always been present. My dad served his mission and it has always been dear to his heart. But no matter how much I have heard about this place, NOTHING could have prepared me for what I met upon arrival. Immediately walking out I could feel the humidity. It was if there was a light mist of water being sprayed directly in front of me. Walking into the airport, the ladies were given a small flower to stick behind their ear, and joyful music was being played with different Tahitian drums. We got our baggage, and proceeded down to where we were to be picked up. I remember smelling flowers. I soon found out why. There had to have been thirty people ready to greet us. Each person came up to us with a beautifully flowered "hei" to give to us. I was draped in smell-good-beautiful-ness. As I met people we all hugged and "beezed." It was so wonderful to meet so many good church people that we would be working with for the next couple of years.

The very tired us.

Our greeters. The Mackay's, the Lewis', the Faerber's, the Tarati's (former Tahitian Mission President) Elder Kirk and Elder Cummings (assistants)

Pictures courtesy of my sister Brooke, who happened upon these through the MTC. Thanks!

New Zealand

Before I ventured into Tahiti, our family along with four other Mission Presidents, had the opportunity to stay a few days in Auckland, New Zealand. This is the part where everyone's brains registers *Lord of the Rings!* No, I didn't see where Lord of the Rings was filmed. But where we were was absolutely beautiful. My parents had a lot of meetings, but during that time, Marie Cook (the former Mission President in Auckland's daughter) took me and the other teens out to see the city. (Jessica Porter age 17, David Porter age 12 and Hyrum Jolliffe age 16.) We had a wonderful day exploring. We went up onto Mount Victoria to see the most breath taking view of the entire town. We took the Ferry across the waters to see the main parts of the city. One of the highlights of my day was walking into a gift shop only to hear "Violet Hill" by Coldplay being played. Felt like home. :) One funny moment while staying in the hotel... My parents were at meeting #4232, and I was alone in the room. When it was time for church, I went downstairs only to realize I had forgotten my scriptures. Earlier, my parents had locked the doors by pushing the latch over the door so you couldn't get in even if you had a key. Well, somehow when I closed the door upon leaving.... the latch seemed to bounce somehow locking me out! Both of our rooms were locked that way, so there was no way that we could get in! Later on an engineer came and somehow fixed it for us. Talk about klutzy!

The tired me. Straight off the airplane.

The view from our hotel room

The Sky Tower

All the new Mission Presidents of the area, Elder Baxter and Elder Hilbig

Me, David and Jessica Porter. (Not picturing Hyrum Jolliffe)

No, I have not dropped off the face of the Earth...

Iaorana! I am pleased to say that I now have internet access and am quite alive in Papeete, Tahiti. However there is, of course, LOTS to talk about! I have been through some crazy adventures already! One note of bad news, due to the delay in our visas - we will not receive a lot of our possessions for two more months or so. That means my beloved iMac. :( So unfortunately I won't be able to post pictures until that comes, but once I do I will add everything onto what I have already written about. Hope all is going well in the states. Love to all!