The Land of the Rising Sun (a.k.a. Japan)

I got to go to the land of which I love,

the land of Japan.

My sister wanted to take her new baby and asked for volunteers to go with her. I had to jump on I really wanted to go. I am always homesick for my parents and really wanted to see them. 

I am so very happy my sister invited me to go. We got to watch some of General Conference twice and got to see friends we had met from our previous trip. We ate dinner with the Yamaguchi's who every family in the world should meet. And meet with the missionaries.

Here are some fun events we had. Warning there are a lot of pictures. 

POTTERY MAKING:

The day after we arrived my parents took us to make pottery. It was hard and kind of stressful, but at the same time I loved the experience. I don't think the guy who helped us left my side. ha ha. My mom watched the baby (nora) as we made our pottery. I'll have to post pictures later of the finished products. But we each made 3 to 4 things. 

 Takayama: 

We went to a festival...kind of. It was all pretty much done when we got there.

We had delicious hamburgers and shakes. YUM! 

You don't find those often in Japan, actually never.

We saw cool things. The second day in Takayama we went to a village and had fun looking at things, and of course buying things!

 HANG TIME:

We had some fun relaxing time, even if there was a few frustrated words said trying to find puzzle pieces.

 Kanazawa:

We had an opportunity to go to Kanazawa over night to attend Sunday meetings.

Saturday we stopped in at one of my mom's favorite parks. Here are some more fun pictures.

 GLASS BLOWING:

One of our Japanese friends (Megumi who is amazing) told us about glass blowing. We decided to give it a try, and here are some pictures. Just to let you know it is a lot harder then it seems. But I can't wait to get my glass. My mom said it turned out great. I'll post an after along with my bowls/cups when I get them.

I can't wait to go back and take Micah with me! He will love it I know it.

The Dears...

Dear Sara Bareilles, Your videos have entertained my family and I the past 2 weeks. Your "Gonna Get Over You" is hilarious. We all laughed and admired your sweet dance moves. We were also very impressed with your cover of "Single Ladies". Did I mention part of the crowd was my dad. You have a great talent. I love listening to you! What great lyrics you have to your songs. 

Dear Nicki Minaj,  Thank you for sharing your talent and creating a song like Super Bass.

Dear Sophia, Thank you for sharing your video on you tube so you got on ellen. Your video makes me so happy. 

I did it.

Last year, when my sister and I were in Japan our first night.

In a hotel that was so nice. We met with the Area Authority of Asia.

With all of their efforts and their wives, they tried to keep our poor tired selves up (mom, dad, whit and I)

We had a seven course meal. It was like the seven course meal of death.

We were so tired. We wanted that sleep so badly. 

When we got to sleep it was late. They were good to keep us up.

We actually slept in late, Whit and I. Being in our own hotel room. 

We got a phone call, me picking it up wondering who could be calling me. 

It was a voice telling me that we were being loud that we needed to be quiet.

I apologized and then realized that voice was my mothers. 

She laughed and laughed. 

Well...

Yesterday morning. We went to Takayama for a festival and some fun. 

We woke up in the morning, early because we are still on that time frame. As in we I mean Lindsay, Cydne and I. 

I told them the hilarious story of our mother and that phone call our first morning.

One of my sisters thought it would be funny if we did it to her.

So I called her, I practiced my line I was going to use. That I have perfected.

Watashi wa ondori ga dai kiri des.

(I hate roosters)

When my mom answered the phone. I lowered my voice and made it raspy.

I repeated my line I had practiced several times to say it fast like the Japanese. Which lets be honest...it wasn't that fast.

After I said it to my amazement my mom bought it.

She replied with her "Oh one second".

My dad then got on the phone saying "moshi moshi" (how you answer the phone here)

I was dying of laughter. I couldn't stop. My mom bought it more then I did last year.

My sisters and I were are all dying of laughter and my dad put my mom back on the phone.

Where my mom said how she believed it because she is so use to answering the phone and hearing Japanese. That when she does she just passes it off to my dad.

But I did it. I got the prankster. Wa ha ha ha

SHOUT OUTS!

 SHOUT OUTS!

WHO: Sierra Baird and Kimball Manning!

Sister-in-law and Nephew

WHEN: October 5th

SIERRA:

1. Loves what she does for her career.

2. Very creative, hands on person.

3. A nice personality

We love you Sierra! Happy Birthday!

KIMBALL:

1. He always makes me laugh.

2. Is so sweet and welcomes me with hugs.

3. Loves to play.

We love you Kimball! Happy birthday!

JAPAN!

"I'm here with my dad (and mom) and 

I love ('em) I love ('em) 

I LOOOOOVEEEEE ('EMMMMMMMM)"

You've guessed it, ( I hope) 

I am in Japan!

With my sisters Lindsay and Cydne

and new little niece Nora.

The fun has already begun.

SHOUT OUT!

TO: McKay Manning

A.K.A. My Nephew

WHEN: TOMORROW

The BIG 1-2!

He gets to participate in Young Mens now.

1. Such a sweet older brother, cousin and nephew.

2. Still welcomes me with hugs...even if he is getting to big for them.

3. He is giving and loving. He will do anything for you.

I am lucky to have this guy in my life. Even if he makes me feel older every year he gets older.

WE LOVE YOU MCKAY!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

We'll be thinking of you on your special day!

Sick Day

This is how I felt last night and today

So last night at 8 the throwing up began. I can't even remember how many times I threw up.

All I know is I didn't get ANY sleep last night.

I took a sick day at work.....

I think I am a work freak, because I about died of boredom.

Micah was nice to stay with me. I know I couldn't of stayed home alone. 

I felt gross and couldn't move, unless it was to use the bathroom.

Micah says I have the stomach flu...

I am excited to go back to work tomorrow.

Still have to take it easy with food.

Which is BOOOOOO!

Thank you Micah for playing games with me (even if you made me sanitize my hands before touching anything) and watching Sense and Sensibility and Andy Griffith. I am lucky to have you in my life!

I love you!!!

SHOUT OUT!

To: Cydne Evans

Relation: Sister (older)

When: Sept 17

the big 2-5

1. Strong in the Gospel 

2. Hilarious sense of humor

3. Always good to call and check up on family members.

We love you Cydne S. Baird Evans! Happy Birthday, even if the BYU killed it on your birthday!

Table

Micah and I have been working on this table this past week.

We found the table at DI's for 15 dollars, we bought the paint I believe both paints were in the 7 dollars range. And the chalk was 2 dollars. We started drawing on our chalkboard table this last weekend. 

We've already had tons of fun with it. :)

Another fun project done.

The Death March.

Tuesday....is a day I want to forget.

But at the same time, it was one of those humbling days. The ones Heavenly Father decides to give you a message that you are nothing close to perfect.

Tuesday started out to be a great day, no lie. I woke up giddy that I was jumping on my bed. I knew it would be a good day. I love my job, I love my husband and I love my family (both sides).

I have the job of many jobs. I am office manager/education specialist/anything anyone wants me to do job. 

Today I was working on the Education Specialist part of my job, by going to school with the girls. I decided to go with the school where the girls fight with each other. 

It is pretty easy to sit in the back of the class keeping busy while the girls actually learn something.

I was happy all was well. I even remembered to take my sack lunch this time to lunch.

I got to play dodge ball at the last class. Where I tweaked my knee somehow. But didn't notice. I was having way to much fun! My team rocked! 

Well I should mention the part about school where you drive 16 passenger vans to school, shoot me!

I hate them, they are huge and in charge.

Well leaving school dealing with a little snot in the back seat. Trying to weave my way through all the impatient teachers, parents & students making their way home. I got between two cars, for a car to cut me off. Making me stuck and and the truck to the side of me stuck. I tried to get through, but unsuccessfully. I ended up hitting it, I've never hit a car in my WHOLE driving life. I was scared. I didn't show this to the other girls. I got out confronted not a happy man about the car situation. I don't think he was expecting me, a girl age of 22 that looks like she could be a student there at the jr. High, with my badge with where I worked on it. 

I apologized millions of times, I know the man was sick of the apology.

" I am so sorry, I've never hit a car before. Do you want my information? Are you sure?"

We had a talk that felt like FOREVER.

He made a comment how I should learn how to drive a 16 passenger van.

I know how, but its easy to forget how large and in charge it truly is sometimes.

He didn't want my information, he only had 2 scratches that were in the shape of small circles. 

I am glad it was a truck not a mini van. I am sure that huge nasty green 16 passenger van would knock another car right over.

I was great on the way home. I knew my body was intense. I had one goal in mind, that once I get back to the program I was going to tell the bosses (aka my in-laws) right away.

I wanted them to hear it from me, not some other staff or girl in the program.

When I got out of the car the scratch wasn't...that bad. It really wasn't. 

I went to the office one goal in mind. Thankful that it was just Terie (my mother-in-law) and told her.

She asked, "what" and that is when it happened.

The tears, where did these come from?

You know when you are going to tell your mom something and its like your perfectly fine. But when you start telling her the tears roll down, she's got that motherly connection and cares about you that you just can't stop it.

Well that's what happened to me. I feel that connection with Terie, she is so awesome. Always giving me advice. Helping me out. I know she truly cares about me and that's why I think the tears started. I think if I told someone else in the program (besides Paul, because he is a father figure to me) I would be just fine. 

Terie was so nice, gave me hugs and told me to sit down and just relax. 

I started feeling fine, making jokes, until... Paul asked me how work was.

The tears came up again.

When I was fine I made my way back over to the girls house (Paul and Terie are located in the boy's house)

Many of the girls asked me questions, "Did Paul and Terie get mad?" "Am I going to get in trouble for chasing that girl down the hall?" "I need an appointment?" "This girl swore at me." "Are you going to tell so-and-so how they are suppose to do their chores?"

I then saw Micah(as I was walking with another girl)... oh great I thought, I don't want the tears to come again. 

I then looked down, (I was wearing my cute gel shoes that I got in Japan. 

It's a swirly pattern that doesn't cover your foot) there was goat poo on my shoes, and on my toes.

My knee started feeling all this pain from when I tweaked it earlier.

I was just thinking to myself, I hate this day. When will it be over.

I went in, I told Micah about the car accident. He asked millions of questions 

 "When did it happen, why?, what was your situation?"
He then realized that I was emotional about the situation, and told me I didn't have to answer.

Tears rolled down the cheeks one more time, to have our new program director come out and ask how I was. 

The tears really ended after that. I worked on a project that I am doing for my apartment.

Which helped me a lot.

Went home and iced my knee. 

What a day it was, that I had no energy.

But, as I sat there I realized one thing, Heavenly Father was sending me a message.

I was getting to comfortable in my pattern that he decided to spice it up and tell me, fun things won't happen to you.

And I am learning from it. 

I am grateful for everyone who comforted me about the situation. Meant a lot to me.