Memories

"Now all that's left, pictures on the wall, memories and stories that are told. The more often told, the bigger they get, create a legacy, lest we forget. . ." - Goodbye by Plankeye


Memory game

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It can also be a family memory - whatever comes to you. Anything goes! (Well, within reason...)

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, no worries. It is, after all, just for fun!

Orlo-Vista

So, I went to Florida this past week for a few days. It was my first ever trip to Florida. I went to the ATA Conference in Orlando. (Left - at the ATA Conference in Orlando at the Disney Hilton. From left to right: Jennie, Carol, Laura, me, Eve, Yuko) The Conference was held at the Disney Hilton, although my group stayed at the Orlando Vista Hotel (Orlo-Vista as our taxi driver called it) which was within walking distance of the Disney Hilton. (Right - Disney World!! Actually, this was the sign we saw on our way to the Hilton every day) It was a great time, the sessions were interesting and helpful.
On the flight there, one of the flight attendants gave us the kiddy books. (Left - Downtown Disney, there were tons of lego creations. This was a lego family with lego dogs! They were really cool. I would like to have one of these some day) It was really fun and we got excited. She later came back and told us that she was so pleased with our enthusiasm that she wanted to give us a deck of cards. (Right - Pirates!!!)
The flight was long with a stop in Chicago. We didn't change planes, so we were stuck on the plane, but oh well. We got in to Florida around 3 pm. We got taxis to our hotel where we checked in, cleaned up, and got ready. (Left - me, fairy godmothers-in-training, and Jennie) We then went to the Disney Hilton for a networking meal. It was good.
The next day we were in conference sessions all day. We went to IHOP for dinner afterward. (Right - a playhouse at Epcot in the Innoventions area. What a tiny bed! Even I have trouble fitting in it!)
On Friday we went out to eat with Kent University, and university with a really good translation program. (Left - waiting my turn to get on a Segway. I wish I had one of these. They are really cool and easy to use) We ate at an Irish Pub. The food was good, but my table had to wait a long time to get our food. We think they burned one guy's (Phil) potatoes, maybe twice. (Right - Jennie, Chip, me, Dale, and Daliana. Somehow, I always thought Chip was taller . . . They fought over us, it was quite amusing) Because of that, we were late getting back for the after lunch session so we just took our time going back, taking pictures all over Downtown Disney. (Left - The Epcot ball . . . there is a ride inside of this, and it lights up with writing at the end of the night) It was a lot of fun.
When we got back to the Hilton, two of the three others from our table (Phil and Jennie) and I went to get a massage. It felt really nice. Then Jennie and I went to Epcot. The Hilton has a shuttle, so we went to wait for it. While we were waiting, I got a text message from Daliana saying she wanted to go. I texted her back telling her she would have to hurry because we were leaving in a few minutes. (Right - a green garbage man. It is a funny picture because it looks like I am wearing mouse ears!!) By the time she called me back, she had literally a couple of minutes to get there. I saw the bus coming, so I told her she should run. Luckily, the driver waited a little for her. So we were able to make it to Epcot around 4 pm.
The rest of the girls came later, but at first it was just the three of us. We got deals on conference tickets which were for after 4pm. (Left - Eve, Yuko, Carol, and I waiting to go to Mars) There I rode a Segway, made a velcro frog, got a picture with Chip and Dale, and several other fun activities. About that time the other girls arrived. We met them and decided what we wanted to do. (Right - Laura and I driving fast in a Corvette) We went on rides that took us to the past and to the future, spent a little time in various locations around the world, and also watched a fabulous fireworks show. It was a lot of fun. The park closed at 9pm, but we took our time leaving. (Left - a nice car) Then we headed back to the Hilton. Jennie, one other girl (Laura) and I decided to not go straight back to our hotel. We went to Downtown Disney where we took more pictures, looked in shops, and got souveniers. We were there until midnight when we decided to head back to our hotel. (Right - Epcot's Norway) On the way, we realized how tired our feet were, but we decided to stop at Denny's for some food.
At Denny's, we had to wait an extremely long time to be seated. Then we had to wait a while for our food as well. But, it was fun. We talked, and when we got the food, it was good. We didn't get back to our hotel room until 2 am. Then we had to pack. I got to bed around 3 am.
We were supposed to have another conference session the next morning, but of the 4 in our room (Jennie, Laura, Carol, and I) not one of us woke up. (Left - Melbourne, Australia. Do they really have giant balls for sale there?) I think we were all thinking that we couldn't go if someone else didn't get up (we were supposed to go places with at least one other person) and so none of us got up. (Right - Laura, me, Yuko, and Carol in front of a fountain somewhere in the world) I slept in until 10. Then we had to get up, get ready, and check out of our hotel.
We got a taxi to take us to the airport, but we got lunch first. The wait in the airport was long, but the flight was longer. We had a non-stop flight to SLC. (Left - Downtown Disney, Winnie the Pooh, Jennie, me, Tiger too, and Piglet) It was 5 hours in the air! It was super boring because we didn't even have a movie on the flight. Jennie, Laura, and I played card games the entire trip. That helped the time to go by much quicker. (Right - one of the most famous cathedrals in Russia, Moscow, made of legos! Now this I would love to have as a decoration! I wonder if they sell patterns for these?) One of our flight attendants was really funny. He also sang America the Beautiful as we flew into SLC. He had a great voice. (Left - riding a Harley. There was a Harley store in Downtown Disney, mainly for clothing and other Harley named items, but they did have two bikes on display)

We took a BYU van to and from the airport. The ride back was interesting because Laura, Jennie, Eve, and I talked about some interesting topics. It was mostly politically oriented, but it was really interesting. All in all, I had a great weekend. I was really sad to come back. I've decided that I would like to visit Florida again sometime.

A family that eats together, stays together

So, I've recently discovered that my cat Gizmo loves spaghetti. I don't know what it is, but every time we have spaghetti, he comes to the table and sits with us, watching us eat . . . willing us to give him our food. It is quite amusing. I'm seriously considering giving him his food at the dinner table with us. Maybe then he wouldn't stare so much.

I know, I know, don't say it

So, it has been an incredibly long time since I have posted. Part of that is described in the picture posted here. I've been so hecticly busy these past many weeks. In fact, I barely have time to sleep, much less even think about posting about my experiences. The main things I've been doing include work and school, and I have a calling that takes a lot of time. Plus I've actually been working on my future. I've applied for a job posting for after I graduate and today I took the FSOT (Foreign Service Officer Test). Now that all that is done, I feel a little more able to take some time, but I still have lots going on in the next couple of weeks.
I am going to Florida this week for the ATA (American Translators' Association) Conference. I've never been to Florida and it should be an interesting experience and an opportunity to network a little.
I've also been working on a programming project for one of my classes. At first I was wondering what I had gotten myself into, but I've figured it out and am close to finishing. I guess that's about it for now. I'll try to be a little better about updates in the future, but I can't promise anything.