Year in Review

So a new year huh? What did I do in 2009....hmmmm....
Well I was still in Zambia,
In January Michi was with me and she had decided to go home and I had decided to stay...but we wanted to go to Victoria Falls together before we left...so we kinda snuck out and went. And I am glad I did! It was fun to go with some one and see it, because the next time I went I traveled by my self the entire 10 hour bus ride. Then the next week Michi left and I was alone...all alone, for a few months anyway. But January, February, March and April where when I really got to work! I went out and taught and it was amazing...I miss it! At the time I really just wanted to come home more than anything, I had a homemade calendar counting down the days. But I really miss it and I want to go back. I taught at 11 schools. And I loved my students! They were so much fun. Some were better than others, Showgrounds was my favorite. It was the poorest school I taught at but it had the best students! There were 4 girls and 1 boy that were always asking questions. Always wanting to know more. The last time I went there one of the girls got up the courage to ask to feel my hair....so I have 30 dirty hands running their fingers through my hair. They gabbered away in Tonga, in excited and awed voices. I miss them.
January, February and March where also the time when I put on the most weight while I was there...I was only cooking for myself and I felt like I could not waste any food I made. Also it was really hard being by myself...so food was my friend, and what did I do when I got bored? I ate food and read books....I read A LOT of books. I brought....6 books and I read those all in the first month...so I downloaded books off of the internet. 10 books from the internet....and then when Hye-Jin came in March she brought 6 more books.
I also had a lot of visitors from other "projects" in those months...which was so nice. A girl from Austria came and stayed a week. A boy from China also stayed a week. Yuskuke, that I trained with, came and stayed a week. It was so fun to meet new people. And have them go with me to my classes.
Then a few weeks before I left I went to Livingstone to see Victoria Falls again. It was amazing both times! But this time even more so. It was after the rainy season and there was so much water! So so so so so much! The first time I went I didn't wear a poncho, but this time I did, but it soaked right through and I was dripping, dripping wet when I took it off! I really want to go back there and bungie jump off of the bridge just below the falls...life goal.
The last couple of days I was there I finally got the package my mother had sent 3 months before. It was full of children books, which I had asked for so I could take them to my schools and to the hospital. So I went to the hospital with Hye-Jin and read to the children in the children's ward. I think that is one of my favorite memories.
The last day I was there was unbelievably stressful. I didn't know how I was getting to Lusaka, or if I was going to be given money to travel....I think I cried harder that day then I ever have before...and ask anyone who was there with me...I cried a ton while I was there.
But finally I got home. After delay, upon delay, lost baggage and almost missing my connecting flight. But I was back on American soil!
I then drove home with my wonderful friend Elyse. And then flew back to Utah. And welcomed home by my wonderful family and amazing best friend.
Being home.....what to do what to do.
Well one thing was certain, I needed to lose my almost 30 lbs that I had gained. I needed a job and I needed something to keep me busy.
I searched and searched for a job, sent out a million resumes, and went to LDS "how to get a job" workshop. I finally got one at Mozy and I started working there Aug. 2nd. I have lost 25 of the 30 lbs that I gained. And over the summer I was in Children of Eden that American Fork/Highland arts council up on. Which was so fun to be in! I love love love theater and am resolved to do more of it. Being in it kept me busy and I was able to make wonderful friendships and renew some so they are even better and I don't know what I would do without them.
So all in all a good year...there is only one thing that is lacking...and that is a boyfriend. I have concluded that I am dating handicap. I have been on some dates, few good, more not so good. But I will just have to keep on trying. I just wish it wasn't so hard. I just want to date a good guy that likes me...someone to cuddle with. Is that too much to ask :)

Feather Head Bands

So for Christmas we choose names, but we buy a gift and also make gifts. So this year I got April and I wanted to do something different, because it every usually does the same things...blankets, pillow cases, pj's...stuff like. Also I really love theses! I made Feather Head Bands! :)
So here is a little picture tutorial. They were super easy to make. I went to Cabala's and got a huge bag of Fly tying feathers and I got some felt from wal-mart, some headbands and a glue gun, and some cute things from Roberts to cover up the bottom of the feathers.













These I ended up give to my cousin for her Auction to raise funds so her and her husband can adopt a baby. But I made a bunch more...and I have lots more feathers!
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!!!! Love you!

Birthday and Thanksgiving

Mmmmm....so I have been 22 for a week and a day. So Happy Birthday me! We went to Wolf Creek for my birthday and for Thanksgiving. It was nice, a bit boring, and a bit cold. I like being at home. My wonderful mother forgot my present at home so I didn't get it till saturday...but she did get me what I wanted. I brought home a beautiful painting from Africa that has 6 woman with babies on it, and I wanted it framed...so I got it framed! Well Mom got it framed for me.
So 22, the big 22...I don't know what to say about that, besides it is the same a 21+1....
But when I was little I always thought I would be married by the time I was 22...ha ha ha ha how naive of me :) All I can say is that it is good to be 22.