I love the Seattle Skyline

Saturday was a rather fun day. I had lunch with my new visiting teacher and then met up with a group of friends to finally see Inception at the IMAX theater in Seattle. Just after the show we were in the car about to head home when we took a brief detour. Thanks to Derek, who knew exactly where he was going, we ended up at this quaint little park with the most amazing view.

Me with my good friend Matthew

Seattle is not just beautiful, check out the majesty of Mount Rainer too. My low res cell phone picture will not do it justice.

I love living here.

Saudi Arabia

Years ago I was aquainted with a few people who had once lived in Saudi Arabia.  That was years ago and none of them live there anymore.  Come to think of it none of them were actually from there, just happened to live there for a few years with their families.

I think it is safe to say I do not currently know a soul who lives there anymore.

I point this out because I have received an abnormally high number of hits on this blog from computers in Saudi Arabia over the last few months.  So, um, who are you?

My 1st Vacation of the Summer

Merry and I have always been close as sisters. We shared a room for most of my memory while growing up. She first taught me to do my make-up, and told me stories about dragons. I make it a point to visit her as often as occasion (and money) permits. As soon as school ended for my students I took off to spend a week with Merry and her family.

I try very hard to be the 'favorite aunt' to all of my 10 nieces and nephews. Her 3 boys are the ones I see the least as they live the farthest away. However we jumped right in to playing around as soon as I arrived. They seemed to think it awesome that I would sit and play Wii Super Mario Brothers for 2 hours with them. (Thanks Brenda for showing me that game ahead of time!) I helped them beat World 1.

We played swords and dress up and blew bubbles in the back yard. I read books with them and taught them a few words in Chinese. We went to the zoo and even did some geocaching with their dad.

They are three of the best boys ever. My only regret is that I could not stay with them longer than the one week.

I did more than just play with my nephews, I also sat around for hours talking with Merry and playing games with her. We found the perfect game for us, it's a card game called "Once Upon A Time...". The basic idea of the game is to tell a story using characters, items, and events on the cards you are dealt. You are also dealt an 'ending' card with the words to the end of your story. It's up to you to make sure the story makes sense and flows correctly to the end. There is a catch, you are also dealt 'interrupt' cards that allow you to interrupt the other in the middle of the story so you can take over. We had a lot of laughs with this game. Prince Mirliflir and Nimrod the Cook were regulars to our tales.

As convenience would have it one of my dearest friends in the world lives 20 minutes away from my sister so I could not fly all that way without a couple visits with Andrea as well. Saturday evening we got together so I could finally meet her finance. It was strange to meet someone I already knew so much about. I'm sure the reverse was true for him as well. We played mini-golf and had a lot of fun. Monday evening Andrea and I went wedding dress shopping and found an absolutely gorgeous dress for her. I still can't believe she's getting married!

My first vacation of the summer is now over and I'm back home preparing for work in the morning. At least I have something to look forward to: Cruise Reunion 2010 is coming this weekend!

Summer Solstice, when the Fairies come out

The Other Kingdom is full of fantastical creatures, tricksters, wee folk, magic and my sister Merry.

Merry called me a few months back wanting to know if I would fly out to visit her if she had a Fairy Party. Um, of course! I mean, who wouldn't want to attend such an event?

I packed my wings, wand and as much glitter as my luggage would hold.

I arrived Wednesday and we got right to work by planning and baking and making the proper arrangements.

Friday evening arrived and the fairies came out of hiding for one night only to dine, tell tales and make merry.

Meet a few of my favorites...

Dori had amazing wings she made herself!

Mindy won the costume contest, she reminded me of a fairy from Disney's Sleeping Beauty

I don't recall her name, maybe Rachel? Her dress is beautiful!

And, of course, Merry herself. She made the entire costume.

We played fairy games, searched for hidden fairies in the garden and made our own fairy wands. I do believe we've started a tradition. Next summer solstice I'll be flying out again for Fairy Bash 2011.

He plays guitar.

Railyard playing at Seattle's Folk Life Festival

I’ve always had this silly school girl fantasy of meeting the lead guitarist of a band just after attending their concert. Of course he would find me amazing and we’d go out together after the show. Tonight it came true. Sort of.

I have a friend that plays in a band called Railyard. I’m using the term ‘friend’ somewhat loosely here, really he is an acquaintance. We met because we have a handful of mutual friends, we have talked once or twice, that’s it. What is important is that he plays guitar. And he plays in a band.

Tonight I headed into Seattle to check out Railyard for the first time and I was impressed. They are a little mellow in comparison to what I typically get into, but still very enjoyable. My music tastes have altered quite a bit in the last few years since I learned to play guitar for myself. Talent matters a bit more to me now. I would say this band has a lot of talent in it. It was a fun experience and I’m glad I went.

After the show I said hi to my guitarist friend. As it would turn out we were both heading to the same place after the show, to one of our mutual friends’ birthday party. I gave him a ride.

I seem to remember my day dreams turning out slightly different. So really it didn't come true at all.

But the band was great, check them out at http://railyardmusic.com

Death By Math

Words cannot describe the awesomeness of this picture drawn today by one of my students. Notice the detail, the pi in place of the 't' in 'math'. And the sigma for a mouth.

Pure. Awesomeness.

I walk alone.

Tonight I attended the adult session of Stake Conference. I don't actually feel as if I'm old enough to attend this, but technically I've been old enough for 12 years now, so I better learn to deal with it. Afterward I was standing in a group talking with a number of guys all of whom I consider my friends. It came time to part ways and we all said bye to each other.

As I walked out the door and headed to my car I suddenly felt uncomfortable. It was dark, very dark as some of the parking lot lights were out. I was alone. My body tensed and I changed into my single-girl-alone-in-a-dark-parking-lot mode. This means full alert with my eyes darting around to take in my surroundings searching the shadows, making sure to make clear eye contact with each individual around me, purse firmly tucked under my arm and my keys already in my hand ready to quickly open my car door so I can climb into safety. Girls, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

I cursed myself for being so stubbornly independent that I did not ask one of those guys to walk me to my car. I was sure it would be an inconvenience to them, so I didn't bother. In a scarier part of town I would have swallowed my pride and asked.

If I could have things the way I want Chivalry would not be dead. Gentleman would think to escort a lady outside in the dark. Among other things.

I'm not writing this to belittle any one of those guys tonight. I think very highly of each of them. I just think guys need an occasional reminder that girls need them. There is no longer a code of Knighthood they are bound to obey, but they do have something more important. The Priesthood. And Heavenly Father would have his daughters looked after.

Cousin Amber

Friday morning I received a surprise message from my cousin Amber on Facebook. She said she was coming to Seattle and would be here for the afternoon/evening so we should have dinner.

It had been about 5 years since our paths last crossed, so it was great news to know I would see her again. Here we are just after dinner with my mom.

Amber was full of stories about my Uncle Tommy, and all of her many siblings. It felt just like all those summers we spent at the Lake House (minus the house) sitting around talking. Amber also recommended a couple bands to me as we share a love of music. I'm on my way to becoming a fan of The Foxes. Check 'em out (I recommend the song 'Get Me').

Great to see you Amber, come back and visit soon.

Tengwar or Elvish for the English Tongue

As a follow up to my last post on Runes I am happy to report that my efforts in learning the Elvish Alphabet are going well. As proof of my hard work I offer you this.

In English it reads,

Proverbs 3 : 5 - 6

Trust in the Lord with all

thine heart and lean not unto thine own

understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge

him, and he shall direct thy paths.

This is my Mother's favorite scripture and I put it together as a Mothers Day gift for her. As many of you know my Mother was born in Middle Earth and her heart has always been partially there. Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

Runes

When I was in elementary school my older sister and I used to write notes to each other in code. Having a mother who was obsessed with Lord of the Rings this code was, of course, the dwarf runes used in The Hobbit. We wrote to each other so often in this alphabet I easily memorized it and still use it today.

On Sunday I was caught doodling on the back of a piece of paper in this language. My friend Brenda noticed and just laughed at me. I'm glad she finds humor in my more geeky side. She said that if I found a guy who could read it then I would have found the right man for me.

So I'm just gonna throw this out there, can anybody else read this?

Once my geek has been let out of the bag I am then often asked if I can also write in elvish. Sadly no. Or rather, not yet. This morning I looked up the details of Tengwar, the elvish alphabet. It is much more complicated but I'm going to learn it anyway. Just this morning I wrote my name in Tengwar. And it made me very happy.