Chi Guai (That's Weird)

Day 4: We still have not ever taken a watch with us on any of our adventures (which has been kind of liberating when not stressing about not knowing what time it is), but we’re having the time of our lives. So, today we got into the elevator and a Chinese couple made fun of us thinking we couldn’t understand them and they were right…..about three of us. Sarah turned to them and asked them in Chinese where they were from. :) Their jaws dropped a little bit, it was pretty funny!

Then we walked to the Hong Kong Temple from our hotel. It is closed for cleaning until tomorrow, but it was neat to walk around the grounds and enjoy the courtyard (Jerusalem courtyard-ish feeling). It was a nice 45-minute walk up Waterloo Road. It was neat to see the road change from busy markets to more of a residential and school zone. The temple was beautiful!! It seems different to me than the official church picture-- much smaller and a little different color-- but it is gorgeous. We also saw the stake center/ chapel being built across the street. It is supposed to be done and dedicated within the next couple weeks.

Then we went to a massive monastery with 10,000 Bhudda statues. It was pretty amazing. We walked up about 1,000 steps (again in the humidity). There were so many life-size Bhuddas lining the walkway. Some looked like Satan, some like Dumbledore, some like Magellan, some with very distinct Indian flare. We went to a whole bunch of different courtyards, saw lots of burning incense, gifts of fruit, etc. One room up at the very top had at least 10,000 small Bhuddas just in one room. They were doing construction at the top so we had to go down to hike all the way back up to another area. We also saw a family of monkeys jumping off a hut into a tree (pretty sure this is my first time seeing a monkey not in captivity-- pretty cool). It was HOT! We tried to hike up to a cemetery up at the top of the hill, but it got a little jungly and slippery and muddy. We didn’t see any other tourists at all and thought it would be best to turn around.

There was a mall near the metro stop, so we got McDonalds soft serve ice cream cones. They have never tasted more delicious. We have stopped at home to refresh from the hot day and then our plan is to go see the lights of the city and the light show across the Hong Kong Harbor tonight!

Pictures from the first few days

Hiking down Victoria Peak. Humid.

Foggy view from Victoria Peak.

Heading to church. Seth, me, Sarah, Heather. Had to get a picture before getting all sweaty gross.

Heather and Seth in Kowloon Park (kinda like Central Park)

Hong Kong Harbor from Kowloon side

Me and Seth having a little fun in Vancouver Airport

Whole gang on Vncouver subway. Me, Sarah, Seth, Heather

Seattle was fantastic-- I could totally live there. Seth, me, Sarah near Pike's Place Market.

Nihao from Hong Kong!

Just want to let you know I arrived safely in Hong Kong. We had fantastic stopovers in Seattle and Vancouver with whirlwind tours of both cities. It was a long day. In Seattle we went to Pike's Place Market and in Vancouver we explored the harbor and downtown area for a little bit. We tried to find the Olympic venues, but most were disappointing or not easy enough for us to get to. And I survived the 13-hour flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong :) Actually the flight was fairly productive as I organized 6 years worth of photos plus all my school files! It really has been amazing how well everything has worked out on this trip!

HONG KONG is AMAZING!!!! :) We've had a flurry of activity and experienced what most tourists would only experience in a week. We arrived in Hong Kong about 6:00 am local time. We were able to catch the train to Kowloon (other side of the harbor from Hong Kong where we are staying) and an airport shuttle (that was an adventure) that serendipitously had a stop at a hotel directly across from where we're staying. I was awe-struck at my first sights of Asia. It is very beautiful, green, and HUMID!! I've never sweat so much in my life and my hair is barely shoulder-length since it's curled up so much. It is a complete "mass of humanity" as mom would say :) Definitely high-density population. I'm especially amazed by all the apartment buildings-- they are so tall, but so thin. And dad would love this-- the construction "scaffolding" is all made of bamboo poles strung together. It looks a little precarious to have buildings supported by bamboo, but I guess is very strong.

Saturday morning we checked in, showered, and got cleaned up. Then off for a day of sight-seeing. We ventured down Nathan Road (famous shopping district-- Michelle and Natalie would love, minus the insane humidity) to the Hong Kong harbor. The harbor is beautiful and you can see the tall building Batman jumps off in Dark Knight. We were "surveyed' by some elementary school children practicing their English and they gave us postcards as souvenirs-- so cute! We walked down the Star Walk (HK version of Chinese Grummen Theater walk) and visited the modern art museum (mostly for the air conditioning, but I was excited). We tried a fairly hole-in-the-wall Japanese place for dinner. I have duly noted that "seafood" as an adjective entails a different combination here than it probably would at home, including octopus, eel, and a couple other things I didn't recognize and would probably be better not knowing anyway. On our walk back, we explored the Kowloon Park which is like Central Park, Chinese-style and explored a jade market. A lady tried to rip me off by selling me a fake pearl pendant. Pshh, I know what I'm looking for :) We also made a 7-11 run (luckily there are three per block) to stock up on water. I think it was probably about an hour before I was totally out at about 7:00. Granted, I probably had a total of 6 hours of sleep in the previous two days. Our hard-as-a-board beds couldn't have felt better :)

Today (Sunday) has been amazing! We attended an English branch in Hong Kong in a beautiful church building-- it reminds me of the Manhattan Temple/chapel. As we were on the subway, looking like confused tourists searching our map, a girl approached and asked if we were going to church. She showed up the way :) During Sunday School 4 of our Xiamen group showed up-- they've been here since Thurs and leave tomorrow for the Public Administration conference-- which was fun. After church, a sister invited us to her home for lunch with the other Young Single Adults. Turns out she is the wife of Asia Area President (which area that covers more than half the world's population--India, China, Mongolia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, etc.)! They live in an apartment on the south part of Hong Kong island with a Beautiful view of the bay. We had a fabulous lunch of chicken fajitas (so grateful for familiar food after yesterday!) and met many people from all over the world. We chatted with President Perkins afterward and it turns out he was mission companions with Governor Huntsman (who we're trying to visit while in Beijing) and also gave us a great contact for someone to talk to for a perspective of Asian government relations that will hopefully pan out!

After lunch, we took a taxi to the top of Victoria Peak. Unfortunately it was very foggy, but we could see a small portion of the Hong Kong skyline. There is a mall at the top of the mountain and we enjoyed some great piano entertainment. We took the walking trail down the mountain and it totally felt like we were in a jungle. It was very mystically foggy, jungly, and beautiful. Oh and did I mention the humidity? Yeah, it's hot. Pictures to come, but I must say, they don't capture the majesty and beauty. The trail was really steep, but a fun walk. At the bottom of the mountain, we ended up in a city botanical garden with zoo-like exhibits-- so cool. We made it back to our hotel-- we're getting our bearings.

So, tomorrow we're going to go check out the Temple (our Temple) and then Ten Thousand Bhuddas Temple and do a little more exploring around the area. It has been an AWESOME trip so far! My fears that Asia would be too foreign and inaccessible have been dashed and I'm totally loving it here!

Quick Update

The adventure has officially begun! I am sitting in the Vancouver airport, awaiting an endurance-testing 13-hour flight to Hong Kong :). I hope to be able to post pictures and updates to this blog, but have heard it rumored that blogspot is blocked in China.... we'll see.

As a start, today I left Salt Lake around 7:30 am and arrived in Seattle. I'd never been to Seattle before and my impression of the city is resounding approval! We visited Pike's Place Market and I got to see the live version of the motivational organizational behavior movie I have seen about 3 times. I love outdoor markets like that. After that layover, I had the best 20 minute flight of my life to Vancouver. Vancouver is gorgeous. While I was somewhat disappointed in the city, the airport is fabulous and gorgeous!

PS. Please excuse any grammatical errors. I have now accumulated 2.5 hrs of sleep in 48 hours... all in the pursuit of being able to sleep through this 13 hour confinement :) Wish me luck.

Finishing Up

You know the feeling of being sick of being sick? That's me. Since my typhoid vaccine, I don't know if my immune system was just extra-susceptible, but I think I got the cold I'd been trying to stave off since finals week. At least the snowy weather this morning makes me feel a little less out-of-season.

The up-side to sick days/weeks is cathcing up on stuff... here's the post I began a couple weeks ago:

Whew. So the time period from March 19 until now feels like it lasted 3... maybe 4 weeks yet at the same time seems like years ago. So much has happened!

March 19 began the work on a new campaign. Since then, I also finished up school group projects, participated in the UCMA competition in St. George, took finals, graduated from grad school and celebrated a little, said farewells to so many wonderful friends (only after partying with an over-abundance of nacho cheese and in a castle-- not at the same party), welcomed another "niece" who will also have the nickname Gan, went on the job hunt-- though not diligently enough, finalized China trip plans like getting airfare and visa stuff done, moved home, and made it through a successful GOP convention! Some picture highlights...

MPA Closing Social Ball

Romney love at Amy & Billy's Wedding

Today I read I book that I chose! I've missed that :)

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Dear St. George:

I am disappointed. Your reputation is being sunny and warm but you are anything but. I have been looking forward to this getaway for weeks so please have great, sunny weather tomorrow. I know it will bring us good luck in Jeopardy! :)

Yours truly,
Megan

P.S. Thank you for only being rainy and not blizzard-like as was the rest of the state on the drive down.

Living Color

Wow, I feel super efficient :) I accomplished #1 on my list yesterday: the Festival of Colors. What a blast! We ended up leaving Provo fairly late and parked pretty far from the temple, but luckily a car who pulled off at the same time we did let us all pile in the back seat. Despite passing several cops, none said anything about 5 of us in the back. We made it just about on time to the temple. We caught the tail-end of the pre-show band and were in the middle of the crowd for the cloud of colors. The downside to the experience? Purple snot-- but I consider this akin to my smurf feet, hands, elbows, and knees after True Blue football-- lasting evidence of the fun :)

The whole time during the festival, I kept thinking that the advertising execs at Wrigley really need to know about this event. Everywhere you looked there were clean smiles like in their commercials. Or maybe the Sony Bravia people could do another super cool ad like the bouncy balls and paint with something like this! Now I have the urge to watch that video... thank goodness for YouTube.

P.S. Ok, I'm back. After fulfilling my craving for the bouncy balls, I discovered Sony is ahead of me and already did a Holi festival ad found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXhh6QdgeGQ&feature=related. I knew I was on to something.

Fun Time

I blogged before about my "fun class" I am taking this semester: landscape design. Well I'm sad to report I have all but dropped out. Too many big projects and stuff going on. So while everyone is handing in their final projects, I really haven't started :) But I did go to class today and while lecture was basically canceled, it was so worth it because it was free flower day again! So for the past hour I've taken a mental health break and arranged what I picked up. I'm feeling a lot better :) Also, since my class was canceled, I fulfilled something on my To-Do list: I sat by the BYU duck pond for the first time. I know, it's far overdue-- like six years. But it was great. While there I also brainstormed a list of things I need to do in the next month in Provo. They include:

• Festival of Colors (no excuses and/or distractions this year)
• JDawgs trip with the group formerly known as Trofast
• Hike the Y-- I'm thinking graduation day
• Find a dress for the MPA ball. Yes, a real ball :) In a castle. Three guesses as to who is planning it
• Trips to the creamery (much improved since there are now more than 3 flavors to choose from)
• Sleepover in the MPA lounge

I'm open to additional suggestions of must-do's before moving out of Happy Valley for the final time.

In other news: caucuses were Tuesday. What a fabulous system and great experience. I was thrilled and enthused by the turnout and get-involved sentiment exhibited by so many! Campaigns are going fast and furiously; but I'm totally loving it. I went to the presentation by General Petraeus at BYU today. I was very impressed and am in awe of what our armed forces do in service for all us Americans. Weeks are flying, final project deadlines approaching too soon, and I graduate in one month minus two days!!!

News Junkie is my middle name

If I had a middle name, that is. But I do love news. I've been catching up tonight on like 4 weeks of Business Week, Fortune, and The Week-- that's what tends to happen with many tasks during the Session. But there have been some notable articles so I figure this is my outlet to share (don't let your eyes glaze over!)

"Bored to Death"

"Boredome may be fatal, a new study says. British researchers analyzed a survey of 7,500 civil servants in London who were asked if they'd felt bored at work. Following up, the researchers found that by April 2009, the workers who'd said they'd been very bored were two and a half times more likely than the non-bored workers to have died of heart problems."
What's scary about this? The fact that it was a civil servant survey (sufficient cause to rethink my line of work?). AND that these researchers had to process 7,500 surveys-- I would not want on that statistics team!

"China's Garlic Bubble Hits the U.S."

"The price of garlic is up 605% from a year ago. Blame a market glut that led China to cut output by half, along with swine flu fear that caused demand for its antibiotic properties to soar. There's no futures market for the bulbous herb, but that didn't stop speculators from buying it up and further driving up prices."
Seriously? Buying up garlic? Why? Where would you put it all? I hope they simultaneously bought stock in breath mint companies.

Random

That word summarizes well the feeling of my life right now. Have you ever stood at the divergence of two paths that could both potentially alter your life course-- but you're not the one making the decision? That's kinda how I feel right now and I can't decide if it's better or worse than being the one posed with the decision. As a person who shies at big life choices, it's kind of strange that I can't bear to wait until I know which path I'll be heading down when I should probably feel relief that I don't have to choose. Anyway, I don't mean to be so cryptic, but stay tuned for updates soon (hopefully!)



Since I'm on the topic of random, here is a quote that is given in the newest BBC version of Emma (love it!! see it.) "The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there." I know several of my last posts have been a little on the nostalgic, sappy side, but again, this quote is very appropos as I look back at my experience at BYU and realize how I'm a completely different person than when I arrived as a freshman. I've thought of all the different roommates, experiences, frustrations, etc. I've had over the past six years and I honestly am grateful for all of them!

And just for a good round-out of random and added visual interest, here is one of my favorite pictures from the 2010 Legislative session. This photographer is much braver than I would be. I know the picture doesn't capture it adequately, but his ladder is poised on the landing of a large set of marble stairs as well as just in front of that gap between the stairrail with another very hard marble floor on the level beneath. I LOVE the capitol.

Sweet Southern Comfort

A while ago I subscribed to the magazine Southern Living in an attempt to "rescue" my SkyMiles from expiring. While the incitement was less than pleasing, I have always loved that magazine and look forward every month to a rekindling of my love for everything charmingly Southern. I must say that my yearning for silver mint julip cups is getting a little ridiculous-- they would just be the most fabulous decoration overflowing with gardenia or azalea blossoms :) I may need to move to the South here in the near future...

Every month there are tantalizing recipes. Today I finally tried Traditional (mama's way) lemon bars. In a word: delicious! Here is the recipe should you want to try it-- I would highly recommend it.

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 cup cold butter, cut into pieces

4 large eggs

2 cups granulated sugar

1 tsp. lemon zest

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp. baking powder

powdered sugar

1. Preheat over to 350. Line bottom adn sides of a 13x9" pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil

2. Stir together 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.

3. Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned

4. Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a large bowl until smooth; whisk in ganulated sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir together baking powder and remaining 1/4 cup flour; whisk into egg mixture. Pour mixture over hot baked crust.

5. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes of until filling is set. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. Lift from pan, using foil sides as handles. Cool completely on a wire rack. Remove foil, and cut into bars; sprinkle with powdered sugar.

52 Days til Graduation!!!

I love that my friend Kadi is keeping a countdown.

Yesterday I was talking to my mom while looking through a class catalog.

Me: [clutching my heart] Ugh, it gives me anxiety to think that I won't be in classes anymore!
Mom: Psh, the thought of being in classes is what gives me anxiety.

Story of my life for all those of you who know my embarrassing 1st grade story :)

Pontificating...

I love working at the Legislature. It's so exciting and I have this part of me that being involved in government really makes happy-- if that seems weird, no worries; I don't think my parents get it either.

Yesterday I was sitting in a committee listening to a bill proposed to create a special entity license plate (like the ones you see with a bus or purple heart or BYU logo). It was definitely for a worthy cause. But while the bill was being presented I was thinking 'is this the best way for this organization to garner funds and support? I don't think it is. There are many other strategies that would be much more cost-effective. As the bill sponsor ended, she gave a very compelling (but not convincing) testimony that this is not the best way to help this organization-- funding it would-- but it is something the state can do to help. Then she made the comment: "Should government be the repository for all good ideas? Yes!"

I've been thinking about that statement a lot. Should government? I would say no. It seems private business would be better waters to test. But to what degree is government already that repository? When an inventor comes up with a brilliant idea, he must patent it-- through the government.

I haven't finished thinking about this-- that's part of why I want to record it so I can remember. But if anyone has any comments, please share.

"Be yourself and let the world take notice..."

I'm totally one of those people who "plays a song to death" when it's my favorite. Well my favorite right now is this song from the new version of Fame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsIqcyGrgR4&feature=related

It may be that graduation is approaching and I love the message of this song as the class in the movie graduates as well. I find the first lines so true: "Countless hours of learning more. Countless hours of knowing less." One of the ironies of learning-- you actually learn how much you don't know.

The movie is pretty good as well. The performances are amazing and we all know I'm a sucker for a good musical :)

Two things today:

Number 1:

As I'm in my last semester at BYU, I am finally taking the 'fun classes' I have wanted to do my 6 years spent here. I am taking Landscape Design and loving it. The added bonus: Thursday during our break I walk into the hallway and there are buckets with a sign 'Free flowers. Take as many as you want.' Yay. I did and here's what I got... unfortunately I couldn't squeeze the Floral Design class in or it might be a better arrangement. I think my last two flower posts may indicate I'm ready for spring!

Number 2:

Lately it seems a lot of figurative doors have been opening and closing. It actually makes me excited :) My favorite: I am about 90% sure this is where I'll be living this summer....

Xiamen University in China. The MPA program is starting a study abroad program to work with local Chinese governments. This is me jumping up and down inside :) !!!

In case it's as blustery and cold where you are as Provo is now...

I got these today and their bright cheerfulness is making me happy, and I want to share that with you :)

I Jumped the Pond!

I'm obviously slow to post even my most exciting info. This past summer my mom and I visited Zan and Ben while they lived in London. Here's my post that's partially so I can feel like I've completed something from my to-do list and partially to reminisce. Thanks for indulging me :)

This trip of a lifetime began with a day in New York City. I love NY! Home of Broadway, Wall Street, and the best pizza! Mom and I had a great day touring Liberty and Ellis Island, enjoying front row seats to The Little Mermaid, and reveling in the excitement of Times Square. It made the sleepless nights at Newark airport so worth it.

[Very] early the next morning, we departed for London! Honestly, it scared me to fly over the ocean. But I must say, I much prefer international to domestic flights-- hands down, so much better. On the way, I saw an aerial view of the cliffs of Wales and Windsor Castle. We landed at Heathrow around 8:00 pm London time. We navigated the airport and London Tube and arrived at the Westmister station in time for a torrential downpour. Seriously, it was like a river into the Tube station. But I was super excited to see the quintessential sites of London and insisted we go out the furthest exit just to see Big Ben. I was not disappointed and happy my first sight of the city was an illuminated night scene. We were able to find Ben & Zan's ideally-located flat fairly easily. I have to say that between her great hospitality and keeping the idea of visiting London alive in my head, I totally owe this experience of a lifetime to Zan!

Day 1: Our first venture was to the half-price tickets booth at Gloucester Square (our priority was pretty apparent). Next was a walking tour of the royal gardens. They really are lovely! We caught a glimpse of the changing of the Buckingham Palace guard and then toured Westminster Abbey. The abbey really is spectacular. As a general observation, I have to say that everything in London is OLD. It truly makes our American antiquities look like babies. We did a fast walk-through of the British Museum. Our first day was topped off with traditional English fish and chips (underexceeded expectations) and a performance of Billy Elliot (far and away exceeded expectations). We took a chance in picking that show as neither of us knew much about it other than it won musical of the year, but I'm happy to report, we came out winners on that one :)

Day 2: I fondly remember this as "Jane Austen Day." While it was hectic and last-minute getting our transportion to the city of Bath, it worked out. We found available bus tickets, which afforded a much-needed and welcome sleep opportunity. Jet lag is rough. And we made it to Bath. It was different than what I expected-- I had envisioned a small, quaint village, but it was a bustling tourist hub. It still wreaked of Austenesque Enlish charm. Mom and I caught our tourbus to Stone Henge and enjoyed a narrated guide of the English countryside. Stone Henge is amazing. Seeing it is awe-inspiring (and might I add conspiracy theory inducing). Our tour also took us to Lacock Village where BBC's Pride & Prejudice was filmed as well as parts of the Harry Potter movies. I saw the house where Harry's parents were killed with my own eyes. My one regret about Bath is that I did not get to see the Royal Crescent or the Jane Austen visitor center. Guess that means I will just have to go back someday, right?

Day 3: Sunday in London. Zan, mom, and I enjoyed a walk through Kensington gardens on the way to church. The ward is located just south of the park. After church, we checked out the Vitorian and Albert museum conveniently located just south of the church and were amazed at the collection of furniture, tapestries, jewels, and artwork. I love museums.

Day 4: Zan & Lydia joined us for a great boat trip down the Thames to Greenwich. Even though it's a river, the Thames is a big character in several Dickens stories so I was excited to spend some quality time on it. The Thames really has been a lifebood throughout London's history, so there are many amazing and notable sites that can be seen on its shores. Greenwich is also a great location. I stood in two hemispheres at the same time on the Prime Meridian. I also loved the observatory view, Maritime museum, and olde-time candy shop. Oh yeah, and the meringue cookie that was as big as my head.

Day 5: The thought of flying over the ocean didn't thrill me, but neither did passing through an underwater tunnel, but I did. Mom and I took the Chunnel to Paris. This was mom's dream. I have to admit that I was fairly apprehensive about visiting France because of the stories I had heard about Parisians hating American tourists and because I knew exactly two French phrases (au revoir and bonjour). I guess three if you count the French lesson from Friends (je m'appelle Claude-- that would get you far!) :) But I was pleasantly surprised. The French people we intereacted with were all so patient, friendly, and helpful, even though we acted like silly Americans, I'm sure. My favorite thing was whenever we told a Parisian we were from Utah, so many of them replied, "oh yeah, I've been there before when I went to Las Vegas" I find it hilarious that Utah is a stop on the world tour trip to Vegas.

Day 6: Paris site-seeing. First stop had to be the Eiffel tower. When we were on the subway, I remember asking my mom if she thought the real one would be bigger than the Las Vegas version. Um, definite affirmative. Much bigger. We also saw Notre Dame, various [incredibly]old churches, botanical gardens, and the Louvre. Now one of my aims in this Europe trip was to see as many things on the 'Things to See Before I Die' list from my AP Art History class. I even lugged my notebook half way around the world. My funny Louvre story is that as I was intently focused on my map in the midst of Babylonian artifacts, I heard someone call my name. I look up and who should it be, but my fellow MPA'er, Heather Pack! Yeah, seriously, running into a familiar face in Paris-- Provo is a small world even outside of Provo.

Day 7: What is the best way to truly experience the French culture? I would argue watching Disney Channel in French. No, not really, but Mom and I took a much-needed morning of relaxation and slept in/lounged that morning. From French tv, I learned that two American things are bigger in France than they are in America: Hannah Montana and Obama. After checking out, we explored the area along Champs Elysees. We found a fantastic market and had a little French feast picnic with every quintessential French food we could find (quiche, cordon bleu, baguette, brie). We walked down the high-end fashion street, saw the Tour de France finish line, and gawked at the Paris Opera House before catching our return Chunnel ride. For the record, if you ever take the chunnel, it's so worth the extra 10 euros to upgrade the class. We did it only because they were the only tickets left, but wow, the ride was so much better.

Day 8: Tour of the Tower of London. One of the most haunted places as well the home of the royal jewels. Those were spectacular. We tried a traditional Enlgish meal of ale pie with mush peas. Surprisingly tasty. We squeezed in some last minute London sites like the Globe Theater, St. Paul's Cathedral (my fav-- I love Bernini's style), and a walk across the Millenium Bridge. When Ben was off work, we headed to Heathrow to pick up our rental car and drove to the Cotswolds. I didn't drive, but it was still an experience. Thanks to Ben's expert driving and the constant GPS reminder to stay on the left side of the road, we made it to our Bed & Breakfast.

Day 9: Awoke to a traditional Enlgish breakfast. Delicious, but it took me a minute to get over the fact they served baked beans for breakfast. I was not adventurous enough to try the "black pudding." We explored several Cotswolds villages with Rick Steves' writings as our guide. This was my favorite part of the trip. The Cotswolds is an area of villages that were once fluorishing wool industry cities. They are classically English. It was a lovely day with great walks, antique shopping, and another visit to an olde-time candy store. After the best day of the trip, we made the drive back to London.

Day 10: Mom and I were incredibly lucky to have the opening of the Buckingham Palace state rooms opening coincide with our last day in London. We were all over that. We had a fabulous experience touring the mews (where they keep the carriages and horses), Queen's gallery, and parts of Buckingham Palace. No photography was allowed in the palace, but just know that it is ornately spectacular. We celebrated with one last Cornish Pasty (favorite food in London) and stocked up on digestives before making our last Tube trip back to Heathrow and a flight back to Newark then on to Salt Lake.

Afterthoughts: I realized I'm wearing the same hoodie in like every picture. Nice. Mom and I went to London totally expecting warm summer weather. This just is not the reality. London is cold. And so rainy. While I remembered my umbrella, I impressively left my jacket on the driveway in Utah as I was rushing to get to the airport. Luckily Mom took two jackets on account of her propensity to always be cold. Thankfully she let me use one since I literally hadn't even packed a long sleeve shirt. Learn from my experience and when going to London, take warm clothes, even in July.

Ode to a Miracle Product

How miraculous, you ask? Miraculous enough that I am taking my break between class and homework to share my news with you-- even after realizing I still haven't posted my summer trip pictures yet!

The story begins last weekend when I had a finger nail polish disaster. Disaster is an understatement because you're likely envisioning knocking over an open bottle. It was a fiasco. I'm talking I went to shake the bottle, but the lid was not screwed on, so nearly half the bottle flew out in a long stream of dark, dark purple/red. All over me, clothes, table, and the carpet (shhhh). In a panic, I tried the age-old trick of finger nail polish remover, but it really did nothing except smear the problem.

I turned to the internet for help and found a forum post about a product called Motsenbocker's Lift Off #3. It's usually available at hardware stores, so I looked up the closing time of Lowe's and was relieved I had 20 minutes before closing (for future reference, it closes at 10:00). I rushed there. No luck. Rushed to Wal-Mart. Again, no luck. My last chance was Home Depot, but it was closed by then, so I went there Monday after class and finally had some good luck-- they had it.

As summed by the title, it's a miracle in a bottle. It took the smeary mess right out of the carpet. The jury's still out on my jeans, but I'll let you know the results.

So here's to you, Motsenbocker! Thanks for a great product.

Why Didn't I Think of That?!?

First day of school and I'm avoiding homework and work by blogsurfing.... I'm just proud to be able to say it's not Facebook Tetris-- that addiction is so last year :) Anyway, whilst checking friends' blogs, I had on of those "No. Way. moments."

As a preface, for several of my former roommates or friends who hung out at my parents house while in high school, you may recall a mildly strange/bizarre habit I had/have of playing in melted candle wax. When I moved to BYU and my roommate, Amy, had a candle warmer, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven-- an invention that provides greater access to melted wax without the pesky, burning flame getting in the way!

Anyway, back to the story, Stephane's post includes a trip to San Antonio and a trip to (duh nuh nuh nuh) a place where you go to make wax molds of your hands!!! Seriously, why did I never think of the business opportunities stemming from my favorite pasttime?!

Now I have just one question: who wants to go on a roadtrip to San Antonio to fulfill with me a life dream I never knew I had? :)

Hold On To Your Seats...

This is going to be a whirlwind.... lots of catch up, but I gotta get through this to get to my favorite post :)

* Made it to the half-way point in grad school! Amazing how fast it goes. One more year to go...

* At the end of the semester, I participated in the Utah City Managers Association case competition. UCMA releases the case, your team has two weeks to do a crazy amount of work and prep and you present to the case Board and other city managers. The BYU MPA team was amazing! Lots of collaboration and contribution and the happy news....

We brought home the trophy!

* June brings graduation and my youngest sister Natalie made that big leap out of compulsory education. For the family party, I wanted to make cupcakes. I don't get creative bouts very often, but I love how they turned out. I felt like Rachel, Suzannah, and Martha Stewart all in one (these are the domestic divas I look to in my life)

* Memorial Day (guess that's out of order as May precedes June, oh well). I made a last minute trip to Vegas with my mom and Michelle. The purpose of the trip: get away for the long weekend, but primarily to see The Lion King which just opened at Mandalay Bay. It is spectacular! I'm also happy to report that I no longer hate Las Vegas-- it's growing on me.
* June also brought a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Selin. Someday I may learn my lesson that when Grandma is town, stay away from the Quilt Shops-- better for my time schedule and bank account. However, this was not that day. I went intending to find some cute flannels, and instead fell in love (again) with a new Moda line.... and a pattern. Seriously though, I love quilting with Grandma. I love learning from the best. Here's my quilt top (still needs a red border-- I'll get to it someday)

* Summer brings internships. I have been interning for the State at the Division of Housing and Community Development. I have certainly learned a lot about affordable housing initiatives and assistance programs the State provides. I will have to post later about the many lessons I've learned. I also continue to do administrative assistant work, too. With everything that's happened this summer in Utah politics, it's definitely been exciting.