Watch Hill

Well I've been living in Watch Hill for over two months now. I've been out here nannying for a family this summer. I can't believe it is almost over. I have just a little over a week here and then back up to school. It has been a good experience to say the least. I've learned a TON about families, parenting, and just different ways of living. Nannying is different than I thought it would be, but I've still enjoyed my time here. Despite what people think, it can be pretty hard sometimes. It's difficult to raise someone's children, especially when they have beliefs different than yours. It can be such a blast though too. The girls are so fun and we've had some crazy times. Everyone keeps asking me if this makes me want to settle down, get married, and have children. If anything it has done the opposite. I've been able to see how hard parenting is and we have a joke that nannying is the new birth control... joking... kind of :)

Let me tell you a little bit about Watch Hill. Watch Hill is the most beautiful place ever. It is a little village on a peninsula of southern RI. If I had to describe it in three words it would be - exclusive, seasonal, and resort community. It is crazy here during the summers. With 200 Victorian style summer houses and families flying in all over to stay for the summer, it's a fun and exciting place to live. But, in the winter it is a ghost town. Not one of the shops stays open. The moms bring the kids to live for the summer while the dads come up when they can on the weekends. It is definitely a different lifestyle than I'm used to, but it's been fun. There are constant parties and every club you can think of -golf, tennis, beach, yacht- you name it. I've learned that jeans are always a no and cell phones are never allowed... almost anywhere. I live in a place where people name their boats like I would a dog and white pants and a sweater tied around the shoulder is a must. Like I've said, I've learned a lot. :)
However strange this place is to me sometimes, I feel so lucky to be here. The house we are staying in is amazing-my window looks to the ocean and has a nice view of their pool. I literally walk down the street and I'm at the beach. It's wonderful and the sunsets are absolutely amazing. I have fallen in love with the New England coast. I love the rock cliff beaches, sailboats and lighthouses- they are the greatest things of life. I'm already looking forward to when I can come back.

P.S. I realize I haven't written about any of my adventures out here... so I will be posting a few blogs in the next week. Buckle up... more to come :)

Abbey Rae Maughan Carlson

A few weeks ago my best friend got married. She married probably one of the coolest best guys I've ever met and I couldn't be happier for them... no honestly... thinking about them makes me giddy. They are absolutely perfect for each other. I couldn't have picked a better match. I've been in Rhode Island this summer, but I was lucky enough to come home and witness her big day.

Abbey has been my best friend through it all. From the awkward stages of adolescents, to making that first big leap into college, Abbey has ALWAYS been there. She is the most amazing girl I know. Abbey is thoughtful, spiritual, fun loving, forgiving ,happy, understanding, trusting, a good listener, creative, considerate of others, intelligent, organized, beautiful, talented, unique, and the best sibling, daughter, wife, and best friend anyone could ask for.

Almost every memory I have since junior high involves Abbey. We've done some crazy stuff- making Charlie's Angels movies, collecting shoes in my trunk, taking over "the fort," planning BOM.com meals, seeing wicked in NY, creating the perfect cream puff, riding the sky-coaster, snowboarding, walking the Brooklyn bridge, getting suck in the middle of Bear Lake, getting caught ditching Mr. Westberg's class, bobbing for apples, planning the best pranks, being in Mads together and keeping and starting the best traditions, starting senior sunrise, rock climbing, and much more.

Abbey will go get lemonade with you across the city, just because you are convinced no where else is good enough.  She will stay home with you on a Friday night and read Eclipse. She will go to ROSS or Forever 21 and try on the craziest outfits just to cheer you up. She will fully support your weird ideas to make something crazy-- even stealing bananas from the neighbors so you can have a treat. She will hold your hand during the scariest of movies. She will paint nails with you at 2 in the morning because you are sick to death of studying for finals. She will come over at any hour to hear your latest boy drama. She makes the best PBHs- and strawberry milk I've ever had and she doesn't complain when all you want to eat for the rest of your life are cheesy-melts and broccoli-- or the latest-- apples and saltines. She is always willing to make runs to Bagel Town or Jamba.

 

I've never laughed or cried more with anyone else. It doesn't matter where I am- China, Rhode Island, Salt Lake, or Logan... she is there. Abbey and I have the most unique relationship. Whenever we are together, things pick up where they left off. We need each other and rely on each other, but we also have our independence. She understands me the very best. She makes me smile and she makes me laugh. 

Best Friends for LIFE Eternity. I love her.

 If you are lucky enough to know her, feel free to write your favorite memory of her. 

Triathlon + Best Friends = Greatness

When someone says Triathlon, I think of the words endurance, athletic, Iron Man, insane, and jealousy. I have always wanted to do Triathlons and I worship those who do. To me, these are the greatest athletes. If you can swim over a mile, and still ave the energy to go bike 20 something miles, and then run afterwards, well props to you! (Don't even get me started on those crazy people who do the Iron Man.. that is just crazy)

As much as I have always wanted be considered a "Tri Athlete" I never really gave it much thought because well, I have issues with swimming. When I say I can't swim, I really mean I can't swim. Yes I took the typical swimming lessons every summer, but I never got that breathing thing down, which is kind of key. I hate putting my face in the water and I'm always hyperventilating when I come up for a breath. Maybe I should have paid more attention during swimming lessons instead of goofing off and seeing how far I could test my instructor. I must say though, after all those years of lessons I did master the doggy paddle quite well.

My lack of swimming expertise made me think I would never be able to do a Triathlon, but then my amazing best friend Ellen told me about the Olympic Relay. We checked it out and signed up for the St. George relay right after the semester ended. Ellen would run (10 K), I would bike (33K), and Lindsay (unbenonced to her) would swim (1.5K). We got quite giddy thinking about the Tri event and decided that this would become a life long tradition between the three of us. 

We signed up for this in February/March-ish. The race was May 15. That should have been enough time to train right? Ellen ran for soccer, Lindsay swam in her pool a few times and could finish the distance with a break in the middle, and I went on one long bike ride the day before, which Betty (my Dad's old road bike purchased back when he went to college) broke down on.... We were in for an adventure.

We left for St. George the day before. We were excited/giddy/scared out of our minds. With a rented wet suit, borrowed bike, tennis shoes (yes no clip ins), a borrowed jersey, and last minute padded spandex pants we hit the road. We got there that night and checked in. Probably the most intimidating experience. We saw countless athletes with their "legit" equipment. I wanted to grab borrowed Betty and run far far away. We got our packets and  bodies marked and we decided to drive the course. The event starts with the swim. We went down to feel the water and I about died. Brave Linds. Then we drove the bike course, starting out on an endless hill. Yikes. All I could think was... did I really sign myself up for this? Wait.. I actually paid money to embarrass myself? (trust me, that comes easily enough)

"Is this real life?..." Yes... yes it is.

We got up the next morning and headed for the race. I got more and more anxious. Lindsay started off first and did awesome. :) Then she handed the chip to me and I set out on my bike. It was the coolest experience. It was such an adrenaline rush. Betty held up like a champ and I passed the chip on the Ell who finished us up strong. I was so proud of us! We finished!!! With borrowed equipment and lack of training, I think we did pretty dang good. It was a neat experience. I loved watching all of the other athletes. I couldn't believe that some people do all of that by themselves! People of all ages compete. The ages are marked on the athletes' calves for everyone to see. The ages ranged from 9-76! It was insane and very inspiring.

Swim Bike Run

I think we all caught the tri fever. I definitely am going to learn how to swim so I can do my own sprint tri. Ellen and Lindsay plan to do the same. All three of us are planning to do half marathons this summer/fall. Racing is the greatest, most motivating feeling ever. I already can't wait for next summer and more races! I highly recommend doing triathlons, even if you can't do it all by yourself yet :)

Go 490! OR  :)

Viccctory!

Festival of Colors

I used to always argue with my friends.. what is better fall or spring? This question is hard to answer. I love love love the fall, especially since living in Logan. However, the Festival of Colors is definitely giving me something to think about.
What is the Festival of Colors you might ask?  It is a festival held in India announcing/celebrating the arrival of spring and the end of winter. What could be better right? People throw their worries away with the festive dry chalk. In other words, the best chalk fight you have even been to.  Ask any college student and they will tell you that this Indian festival is the greatest thing of life. 
This year was my first year attending the Festival of Colors and I can tell you that it certainly won't be the last. I am already ecstatic about this coming Spring. 
Here is a link to a youtube video. Check it out. Below are some pictures of the day's event. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH5xlZHNm20&feature=player_embedded


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What I miss about China...

-teaching my students
- hand pulled noodles
–being the “fat Americans.”
-English Corner
-cooking popcorn with Sam in a walk
-having church on skype or on a cell phone at the beach, in an apartment, in a hostel, or wherever I happen to be
–cooking with my students
–learning Chinese with Susan
 -Other Chinese Horizon teachers
–Alice and Lillian
–buying fruit off the streets
–Jiao Zi
–cheap living
–not having to go to college
–traveling
-talking in “Chinglish”
–experiencing the crazy things that happen EVERY day by living in China
–motorcycle taxis
-Chinese music
-watching my students do their eye exercises and listening to their exercise routine at 6 a.m.
–train rides
–awesome shopping
-drinking hot water ALL the time
-having 2 hours for lunch
- being one of the only two foreigners in my city
-funny Chinese culture (slit pants, squatters, going to the bathroom wherever and whenever, spitting, drunk Chinese men, farmer blows, yes ALL of this I will miss)
-hearing “hello beautiful girl” everywhere I go
-being a movie star, getting starred at, signing autographs, and getting pictures taken everywhere
-having awesome conversations with my students
-Rocking out on the guitar with Sam (Sam forcing me to practice bar chords)
-“snakes” a.k.a. snacks
-cheap massages, pedicures, facials, you name it
-learning things every day from the Chinese people
-having to rely on my Savior constantly
–wearing the same clothes every day because it is SO COLD!
–Tai Chi and Ping-Pong
-the friendly and generous people

What I Learned in China

There are so many things that I’ve learned by being here in China. I feel like the Lord taught me something new every day. Here are just a few… 

-Heavenly Father loves ALL of his children. He has a plan for them.

-In spreading the gospel, the who and where is just as important as the when.

-We must put faith in Christ and follow his will. If we have faith, we will trust his will and accept his time table.

-Christ not only died, but he lives.

-Give thanks everyday

-God gives all of us different talents to build His kingdom

-Atonement is real and accessible to all.

-God is aware of me specifically and my needs no matter where I am

-the BOM is the word of God and was brought forth in our day to testify of Christ

-Joseph Smith was a prophet of God who translated the BOM

-It is important to obey the Laws of the Land no matter where you are.

-Service brings true happiness

-Generosity

-We must first act if we want answers. 

-God hears and answers my prayers daily

-Even if I can’t share the gospel verbally, I can share it by my example.

-How important it is to keep the Sabbath Day Holy.

-how important it is to do the small and simple things every day.

-how important the sacrament is

-how lucky I am to have grown up in America where I have the freedoms and rights that I have.

-I took upon Christ’s name when I was baptized and therefore also have a duty to share the gospel.

-we have so many resources through the church that can give us aide when we need it.

-We have the Word of Wisdom for so many reasons.

-The Relief Society was inspired of God

-God is aware of our struggles and knows our sacrifices.

-God knows the desires of our hearts. He will bless us with opportunities beyond our wildest dreams if we let him.

Chinese friends, the greatest ones to have!

The Chinese people are the most generous people I've ever met. They are constantly giving me gifts, food, and inviting me over to their homes.  Jason and Sam like to make fun of me because I am constantly getting free stuff. It is kind of ridiculous and sometimes i feel like the biggest moocher.  I don't think I've gone a week here without my students giving me something.  Susan is one of my good friends here.  For my birthday Susan's sister crocheted me a shrug and her daughter painted me a beautiful cheery blossom painting.  When I go shopping at the market in my town the shop owners give me gifts-bracelets and food. I am so grateful for my friends here. They treat me like gold. They are such good examples to me of what it truly means to give. They are so generous. I am constantly being looked after here. I feel so lucky. These people will always be apart of my life.

Susan and her gorgeous daughter.

Laura and Me before I left... miss her so much.

Vacation and his mother on Christmas 

Students

Me and Window.

Students

Adolf and Lebrone James...

Freda and her friends

Sophie

Kobe, King, and friends.