3D?

I've only seen two movies in 3D, Toy Story 3 and Tron 2. I'm not really impressed and I don't see what the big deal is. I only had the glasses on for about 10 minutes during Tron, it was actually better without. I wanted to see Tron because I thought it was a fun movie when I was a kid, but is was only ok this time. What did you think?

Yummy/Funeral Potatoes

What is commonly called Funeral Potatoes in the Mormon community I call Yummy Potatoes. I refuse to call something so yummy a yucky name! This is the recipe I got from my Mom (I don't know who she got it from):

24 oz. frozen hash brown potatoes

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 small fresh onion shredded

2 cups sour cream (1 container)

1 cube margarine melted

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

2 cups corn flakes crushed

2 TBS melted margarine to mix with cornflakes

Mix all ingredients except last two and place in cake pan. Spread the cornflakes over the top. Cook at 350 degrees for at least 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges.

However, they don't have sour cream here in England, so I saw online to use cream cheese instead. And I had to guess on the cube of margarine equivalent. It still tasted good, but it was runny, so I think it was the cream cheese. I really love Yummy Potatoes, it's one of my favorites, so my Mom always makes it on Christmas day. Maybe she will make it for me this weekend when I get home? ;)

Christmas presents

Dave got me a camera for Christmas. My other one broke. I think I need to wrap the new one in a zip lock bag (got that idea from the missionaries) so the rain doesn't get to it. Fortunately my memory card was still working. There were pictures on it that I forgot about. The only thing not on there was the Harry Potter premiere. That was the night I discovered my camera was broken. I was in London teaching and then had dinner with one of my former mission companions. She suggested to meet in Leicester Square and that happened to be the night of the movie opening. I got to see the Wesley family and other British celebrities arrive. It was fun! Definitely going for Part 2 premiere this summer!!!

Back in November I spoke at the BASRaT conference and this was my classroom.

On the way to BASRaT conference. Changing trains in Mancester. This was the crowd heading to the Mancester United soccer/football game.

The hotel room in Salford. You put your room key into this thing to turn on the lights.

I just thought this was cool. I was standing at one end of the Birmingham train station and you can see all the way to the other side.

Our little tree and decorations with presents. Except I already opened mine.

Thanks Dave!

I did go wedding dress shopping with the Young Women. They did take pictures of me in the one dress they all agreed I looked good in, but after I saw the pictures I realized why I didn't like the dress. It was ugly on me!!! So there is NO WAY I am putting those up! Thank heavens I am going dress shopping with my Mom when I go home on Wednesday.

I found...

... a new blog to read. It feels like my life, just a few months ahead. She is really cute and funny. Ok, I wish I was more funny because sometimes I am just too serious! Dave has a sense of humor. Back in November I missed church for two weeks because I was at a couple of dance medicine conferences. People were asking Dave where I was and he said I had a crisis of faith because of the length of Brigham Young's beard! Good thing we are getting married.

Scripture Reading

I started getting bored a few years ago after reading the Book of Mormon for the umpteenth time. Start to Finish, Start to Finish, blah, blah. So I have been reading with different things in mind. I heard about reading as if it was a novel, just for the story, and that was fun wanting to know what was next. But after that I started reading to look for a specific topic. First it was anything to do with the Godhead, highlighting in pink. Yep, I'm sure Heavenly Father won't mind having His name highlighted in pink. :) Then repentance (green), faith (yellow), prayer (blue), etc, any topic that I wanted to learn more about. But then I got new scriptures (travel size, the old ones were big print so I could read without my glasses), so I had to do all the topic stuff over again for the new scriptures.

Now I have a new calling as 1st Counselor in the Young Women. Normally the 1st C is over the Mia Maids (14-15 year olds), but ours are all inactive and we only have one Laurel (16-17 year olds) and her Mom is the YW Prez, so she asked if we could switch. The 2nd C is a new convert and doesn't really know the YW program, so the YW Prez figured she will help her out more. I love our only Laurel, she is a sweetie. We work on, or try to work on, Personal Progress every Sunday after the lesson. One Sunday she told me she wanted to focus on finishing the Virtue value. I got home and decided that Personal Progress has changed so much since I got my medallion that I needed to read it for myself. There are so many scriptures involved in each value experience now, that it has taken a while, I'm only up to Choice and Accountability. I really like the new Personal Progress, all the

experiences are applicable to the lives of the YW and will help them in the future. And everything is online now to make it easier for the girls when they loose their books, which happens frequently. Here is the new YW Theme too:

Young Woman Theme

WE ARE DAUGHTERS of our Heavenly Father,

who loves us, and we love Him.

WE WILL “STAND as witnesses of God

at all times and in all things, and in all

places” as we strive to live the

Young Women values, which are:

Faith • Divine Nature

Individual Worth • Knowledge

Choice and Accountability

Good Works • Integrity

and Virtue

WE BELIEVE as we come to accept and act

upon these values, WE WILL BE PREPARED

to strengthen home and family, make and

keep sacred covenants, receive

the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy

the blessings of exaltation.

Mosiah 18:9

It's Official...

Dave and I are engaged! When we first started dating it felt too convenient to arrive in England and immediately find someone. There must have been a reason for me to wait 8 months for my visa and come here for my PhD. So now I find out why.

April 14th at the Jordan River Temple. There will be two celebrations, in Provo and Walsall. If you wanna come to one of the parties go to the facebook event.

Cranky

The best word to describe my mood the last couple of days is Cranky! In no particular order:

1. I hate being cold and it's really cold in England right now.
2. I found out my YOUNGER cousin Jodie, who is getting married in December, chose purple for her wedding colors even though I picked purple before she was even born (yes I am 15 years older than her)!
3. I have some major deadlines coming up with school.
4. I have done a bunch of work since August and have not been paid for any of it and now I have bills to pay!
5. Make sure Dave buys a nice shirt before we take pictures on Saturday.
6. It's my turn to teach the lesson on Sunday.
7. The librarian at school was twitchy today.
8. Find out if I will be working in January when I go home to Utah.
9. I have a lesson to plan and teach on Thursday in London.
10. The Bishop wanted to give me a second calling.
11. I am the grad student rep for my department and the university wants to have the grad student meeting in a hallway! (Yeah, I'm serious.)
12. Schedule appointments for when I go home in December/January; dress, reception, hair, invitations, and flowers all done.
13. Make sure the photographer does not go overboard with wanting to take tons of Christmas pictures for the engagement pictures. Yeah, I know it's a SPRING wedding.

Just a tiny bit stressed.

COLD

It's gotten really cold here in Walsall, it was 36° yesterday. Another thing I have learned about English people: they turn off the heat at night. Does that even make sense? Why would someone do that? Don't they know that if the temperature is lower then you have a higher risk of getting sick (I got that from my biology class in high school)? My roommate rationalized that if your duvet is a certain tog then you should be ok at night. So now I think, what is a tog? The first website I went to said this: "The tog rating is a human-friendly system used to indicate the warmth of duvets, sleeping bags, etc. It is mainly used in the UK." Don't they realize you can die from hypothermia? So according to my roommate if the Donner party would have had a higher tog number they would have survived? I've already warned Dave that we will not be continuing this bizarre practice. Our rule will be, when we are in the house the heat is on.

p.s. Happy Thanksgiving!

You know you are a nerd…

… when all you want to do is spend time in the library.

I was suppose to teach a biomechanics class at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London today, but it got switched to December and since I already had the train tickets I decided to head to the British Library because I have wanted to go there for a while. To get a Reader Card (not Library Card), you have to have proof of an address and signature, I was lucky I had a bank statement on me because all the other bills are in my roommates names.

I have been doing research for my literature review for a while now, but not much writing. It is just too hard to write at home or school, too many distractions. I was glad I had a whole day with no interruptions to write. It reminds me of the BYU library, quiet in some areas and social in others. The whole vibe is conducive to productivity. It may not seem like much, but I got four pages done. I still have about three to five more to write, depending on how much detail I go into. Alright, I did take a break to watch Glee on an illegal website, but there is no way I have the patience to wait until January to watch all the new episodes.


One problem: my camera isn’t working, so I couldn’t take pictures. (I stole these off Google Images.) But in the middle of the library is like an old manuscript room, called the King’s Library. It’s surrounded by glass so you can look in and see the old books. Very cool! I headed up to the 2nd floor (which is really 3rd floor in America) Science room. The chairs are so comfy! It was a good day.


BONUS: Starbucks’ is across the street so I can get a Caramel Hot Chocolate. Yep, it’s cold here.

this weekend

This weekend I had the privilege of speaking at the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT) Conference. I did a Introduction to Performing Arts Medicine presentation. It was at the University of Salford near Manchester. It was fun getting to know more people here in England who are British version of the NATA. I also put my poster up (see the picture on the right) of my Master's research. It was a busy weekend, but I was glad to get home and see Dave.

Side Note: My Mom sent my winter clothes and they finally arrived. I had her send some clothes that I haven't worn in a while. One of the capri pants use to be my favorite to exercise in, but I haven't been able to wear them in 4 1/2 years. The best part about not having a car is walking everywhere, which means I burn more calories, which means I have lost weight. I don't know how much, but it is enough to fit into some old favorites. Yippee!!!

today's adventure

I had forgotten to get the super glue from Dave last night to fix the wheel on my luggage. He did a drive by to give me it. I went outside in my pj's, grabbed the super glue, then turned around to notice the door had locked behind me. Dave had driven off, so I stand there staring at the door wondering what am I gonna do to get in.
It takes about 20 minutes to get into the back yard (don't ask, it's just another weird English thing). The back door is locked, and so is the door into Rachel's room. I figured I could get into my bedroom window because I know it is not locked, just shut tight. We have no ladder, so I put the garbage cans together to try to climb up onto the roof of the kitchen. No luck, too short.
Next dumb idea, break a kitchen window. Here's the logic behind which window to break, which one is the smallest. The door window. Not a good idea because the kitchen door is not locked using the handle, it's locked from the top and bottom of the door on the inside.
Next idea, ask a neighbor for a ladder. It was too short, but I did get to see the roof was made of slate. This means, even if I was getting on the roof I was going to slide off.
Next smart idea, call a locksmith. The neighbor was nice enough to call a locksmith he had on speed dial, I think he has done this before. I went to wait for the locksmith at the front of the house. I don't know how long I had been there, my watch was upstairs, because I got the idea to send a message to my roommates on facebook about being locked out. I knocked on some doors, and no one answered. Bummer...more waiting. The mailman walked by, I asked him what time it was, 1:30pm.
A while later, I honestly don't know how long I was out there waiting for the locksmith, I saw my roommate Rachel walking down the road! Yippee!!! I was so glad to see her.

netball?

I went to watch my roommate play in a netball game. Yes, she is on the University of Wolverhampton's team. But from the pictures you can tell I was the only fan there.

From this picture you can compare a netball basket and a basketball basket.

The referee didn't even have on a uniform.

And yes they wear skirts to play in. After watching for a few minutes it just made me cringe because it looked like someone invented the game during the Victorian Era as a wanna be basketball sport. Like they didn't want women to exert themselves. I went to wikipedia to check out the history of netball, and sure enough I was right. The original rules were "designed to accommodate the social norms regarding appropriate conduct and attire for women, and contemporary notions on their limited physical capacity." I had seen netball when I was in South Africa and knew I didn't like it immediately because of how limiting it was. Of course I will continue to go to support my roommate.

Halloween weekend

I didn't celebrate Halloween because the IADMS conference was here this year. And on Sunday I went to Coventry for the Biomechanics Day.

The clock on the big tower, next to the Coventry City Hall.

This is the Coventry City Hall. Apparently Coventry was bombed like crazy during WWII because this is where they built the airplanes. Coventry is like the Detroit of England because this is where they use to make cars, but not anymore. I only got to see a little bit because campus is close to the train station.

This way to the biomechanics lab! It was really good to go because I learned tons for projects #3&4.

October

It's been a little busy. I've been recruiting for survey #1, doing the final touches for survey #2, fixing the wording for #3 (this one is going to be painful), and writing the literature review.

Since I was called as the 1st Counselor in the Young Women's we were mostly working on a movie for a stake activity. We ended up winning to top award! (I don't know how to load You Tube videos, so if you want to watch it ask Dave on facebook)

The video is of the camping scene. A weak attempt at Blair Witch Project.

It was my 36th Birthday this week. Yeah, I know I am weird because I love birthdays and getting older. Except finding white hairs, not cool! Plus another excuse to wear the tiara!

My Birthday Cards!

It got really cold here last week and we had to turn on the heater, or the joke of a heater, on. My Mom has finally sent my winter clothes, but I haven't received them yet. But I did buy my ticket home for Christmas break. Mom decided it would be better to fly me home to do wedding planning while I had a little time. Instead of trying to do everything last minute later on.

Dave took me to a craft store close by that a woman at church suggested and sure enough they have everything, even model train/planes/etc. So I can do some jewelery making when I have the time.

I'll add some pictures of hiking. It's not that big of a hill, but it is rehab for Dave's ankle. He actually made it to the top this time!

Yep, this sheep stopped and stared.

The trail had pretty parts

Elie Saab

It wasn't until I watched a few seasons of Project Runway did I become a fan of fashion. My favorite designer is Elie Saab. I feel like it is a guilty pleasure because I should like an American designer, but Elie Saab's designs are just awesome. He is originally from Lebanon with his main workshop in Beirut, but he does have workshops in Milan and Paris. He shows his work at Paris fashion week. I absolutely loved his all white collection of Autumn/Winter 2009-2010 (here is a link to Kristen Stewart wearing Elie Saab to the Eclipse premiere from the white collection). He just debuted his Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 collection with red, silver blue, and taupe and I couldn't wait for it to be put up on his website. One day I would love to watch his show at Paris fashion week, just put it up on the bucket list.

eat pray love movie

I've already mentioned that I have read the book Eat Pray Love. So now I will pronounce that I have seen the movie. Some critics have said, "It’s touching, enjoyable and inspiring...as long as you’re female." A distant cousin of mine said, "The whole time I felt like I was just watching Julia Roberts instead of her character." Rotten Tomatoes gives it an overall approval rating of 38%. And click here for the info from wikipedia. I think Dave took me to see it because I said I wanted to go, but secretly I think he really liked the part where Felipe's son goes back to Australia or he really hated it because he was squirming in his seat. I personally liked it. It made me want to eat lots of yummy food in Italy, learn to have more peace and quiet in my life, and be really grateful that Dave wants to go ring shopping without me even asking. Plus it reminded me of our family vacation last year in Waterton. One day Caimon and I were walking by the lake and stopped to sit on a bench to stare at the water. It was great being in the moment and peaceful, who knew a 2 year old could do that, I love that kid!

more house pictures

Since the last blog I figured I would put up pictures of other things that make the house old, besides the fact that this is an old Victorian home.

This is the sink for the downstairs bathroom (a pretty rare thing for a Victorian home to have, 2 bathrooms). I like the design, it's pretty.

The door window has a pretty etching.

Yes the washer is in the kitchen and it is small.

This is the water heater.

This is the bathroom doorknob and lock. The lock doesn't work and yes that is a bobby pin that is keeping the knob together.

Kitchen sink. I told my roommate Rachel that we have two sinks in the USA and she says, "Why do you need two sinks?" Why don't you need to sinks? English people do not rinse the soap off the dishes after they washed them. Gross!

This is the upstairs bathroom sink. It looks exactly like the bathroom sink in my Grandpa and Grandma Riding's house, which was built in the 1930's. It's time to upgrade.

This is the shower water heater. Don't ask how it works, I've read the instruction manual and it made me more confused. Anybody seen one of these before?

Yep that is a radiator! Not only that, but my landload calls this central heating.

Friday night Dave and I babysat for our friend's kids. One of them was sick, therefore Dave and I got sick. Saturday was bad for me and today is Dave's bad day. Since my roommates refuse to turn the heat on, I had Dave pick me up so I could stay warm at his flat. So I took a picture of his tv. Another example of "boys and their toys".

oven/stove

I had to buy matches to start the oven and stove. My Mom says her Grandma Amy had one of these. One of the drawbacks of living in England, they are behind in technology. They still use radiators to heat houses. About 2% of the population has a dishwasher, Dave doesn't even know how to load one. Most people still hang their clothes up to dry instead of using a dryer. #1 reason I am not staying in this country after I graduate.

I like this quote

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

- Mark Twain-

Day Trips Saturday Peak District

Saturday Peak District

Dave had to sleep on the air mattress in the playroom, it was funny when I made the kids go in and wake him up. It was like being at my brother’s house with kids waking up early to play before breakfast. After breakfast we headed to Hathersage. I had found online a walk that covered the Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen and Little John sites. Unfortunately Dave’s ankle was bugging him, so we just walked up and down main street, which has the George Inn where Charlotte Bronte used the pub owner’s name, Morton, in Jane Erye.

A look up the main street in Hathersage.

Street sign in Hathersage. They actually have a swimming pool, there's not too many of them here in England.

We were in time to go to the Farmer's Market, but they are not the same as in the US.

We didn't stay for the show, but we will have to come back next year.

Which way? Hathersage or Eyam?

After that we went to Eyam. When the plague came to England in 1665 the town of Eyam was wiped out except a few. I saw a PBS special about this town and a genetic mutation the survivors had. They happened to have a town festival and it was busy, so we didn’t stop we just drove through and took pictures.

They had floats and everything.

I think the Peak District is my favorite place in England so far. Now I know why the Brontë’s and Jane Austen wrote about it!

We have more adventures planned, Dave wants to go to Paris in October.

Day Trips Friday Nottingham

Friday Nottingham

Driving into town we drove by this big factory. I've never been this close up before, so I took a picture.

So we have been meeting Dave’s friends, now it is time to meet mine. Karen and Duane. Karen was the first person I taught the gospel to in South Africa that got baptized. She was already dating Duane (my Mission President’s nephew), so a few months later they got married and now they have four kids and live in Nottingham. They took us to Rufford Abbey, which has some pretty walks and playground for kids. Then we went to dinner with Karen and Duane and Dave’s friends, Ross and Katie. We went to an American style diner close to Ross and Katie’s house. Since Karen and Duane have two cats and I am allergic we stayed with Ross and Katie.

Wandering though the forest.

Finally got a good picture of Dave.

The red head on the left is the boys friend, because red is not Karen's natural color.

The boys bugging Karen while she is trying to take a picture.

Aren't we cute? :)