Tedi's Visit Down South

Tedi came down to visit me a couple of weeks ago, and I took a couple of days off to show her around. We did a little sight seeing during the day, and hung out in the evenings watching movies, exercising in the apartment's fitness center, and swimming in the pool (I've been here for 2 years and this was the first time I've swam in my pool!)

Anyway, I picked her up from the airport Wed. night and took her to my favorite Thai Restaurant, Pimon Thai. Poor Tedi ordered her food "Hot" and it turned out to be too spicy to eat!

We got up early Thurs. morning and drove to New Orleans (which is about 2 1/2 hours east of where I live). We took turns driving, but I made Tedi drive once we were in the city. We only went the wrong direction on a one-way street once, so I think we did pretty well for the first time being there! We went to the French Quarter and walked around Jackson Square, went into St. Louis Cathedral, and took a carriage ride tour of the Quarters. Then we wandered around the shops and walked along the levee, before having lunch at The Market Cafe. We listened to a live Jazz Band play while eating Muffulettas, a New Orleans sandwich. Finally, we went to Cafe Du Monde, so Tedi could have biegnets Yummy! Friday, we stayed around New Iberia. I took Tedi to the library to show her where I work and then we walked along Main St. so she could see all the beautiful old houses. We did a tour of Shadows-on-the-Teche (I learn something new every time I go there). Next we go Po-boys from Bon Creole's, before driving out to Avery Island, to the Tabasco Factory. (she was excited to find Tabasco salt). Finally we drove to Delcambre to see the shrimp boats. Tedi liked the houses on stilts.

Saturday, I had to go to Baton Rouge for Seminary Training. Tedi came with me and hung out until I was finished. Then, we took a drive down Highland, past all the mansions (I wish I had taken some pictures!) and then wandered down Perkins Row (an outdoor strip of trendy shops and restaurants). It was finally. We stopped and got ice cream at Hershey's Ice Cream Hollywood, before driving home.

Sunday was quiet. We went to Church and watched a "Tru Calling" marathon. This was the first vacation I've had this year and it was nice and relaxing. Thanks Ted!

I've uploaded more pictures on my Facebook account, and Tedi has a whole bunch, too.

Summer Moving Right Along

I can't believe it's July already! Where did June go? I spent the last weekend in June in Baton Rouge. On Sat. I went to the Temple, and then stayed and went to a YSA Conference. Sunday we had Stake Conference.

*If you look closely, you can see my car :-)

Stephanie and I went and so Eclipse on opening day ( I was going to go to the midnight showing, but I was too tired!). I liked the music and some of the scenes shot, but the movie was just okay. However, I thought Dakota Fanning did an awesome job.

It's been raining and on Tues. New Iberia got flooded. This is a picture from my parking lot and the next one is a picture facing Lewis Street on my way to work.

I bought Stephanie and Jared's washer and dryer and they hauled it over and set it up for me. No more lugging laundry up and down the stairs. Thanks you guys!

Also, I acquired a futon and a leather chair from their friends that are moving. My apartment's getting crowded! :-)

They're both way nice and comfy!

Day in the Swamp

It's only taken me two years, but last Saturday, I finally went into the swamp! Grandpa Bill and I went out on the Atchafalaya Basin in his boat. We launched at Bayou Benoit and went up the G-A Cut, passed house boats and fishermen.

It was a gorgeous day and we saw a lot of snowy egrets.

...and blue dragonflies.

We then turned into Buffalo Cove Canal. The cove is a beautiful spot with cypress trees and lily pads (?) so thick, you couldn't get through them. It was neat to see the guys with their crawfish cages. (Too bad I didn't get any pictures of those!)

On our way back down the G-A Cut we found a narrow water way, that led back to a Lake (I can't remember the name of it). The water looked almost blue.

Bill pulled into an inlet to show me an old oil drill and we ran into an alligator. We spent a few minutes following it, so I could get a picture.

It was fun! (Racing dowing the bayou, I felt like I was flying :-)

Birthday Fun!

I had the best Birthday! Stephanie and Rosie brought me balloons at work.

Then, Barbara picked my up and took me to lunch. We feasted on all-you-can-eat pizza at Gatti's. That afternoon, we had the Kumbuka African Drum and Dance Collective come and do a program at the library. It was fun...I love the drums! After work, I went to Catherine's for FHE and Barbara showed up with a gigantic cookie she had made and they sang "Happy Birthday" :-) Barbara, you are a sweetheart!

When I got home, I had a package from Elyse. She had sent me a snow globe from Barcelona and these beautiful carved wood bookends (they were literally books with elephants carved out of them :-) from Kenya.

Then, my mom called and gave me the good news that they got an offer on their house (it's been up for sell for a year now!). Finally, Elyse called and informed me that she's serving on a jury for the New York Supreme Court. How exciting!

Fun in the Sun (and in the Rain)!

I can't get any of my pictures to load on Facebook, so I just wanted to post some pictures from Seminary Graduation. Marteena, Andrew, and Tara all completed the year. I'm so proud of them. We had fun, and, as you can tell, Andrew likes to show off!

Since Seminary's ended I have just been relaxing. I've read about a book a day :-) Right now, I finishing up the Percy's Jackson series so I can read Rick Riordan's new book. I've been to the movies (Anyone see "How to Train Your Dragon"? I loved it!) One night I took my friends, Stephanie and Tina, out for dinner. We went to Tokyo Live, where they have a Hibachi Grill. It was so fun!
We had our annual Summer Pig Out with all the staff at the library. This is Jessica (one of our Summer Workshop workers). The second picture is with Denise.

We also had our Summer "Splish, Splash, Kickoff Bash" at the library for the Summer Reading Program. This year's theme is "Make a Splash, Read!" We had carnival games and I helped the kids make flying fish. It was fun!

Don't Ashley and I made good looking pirates?!

Winding Down Down South

I can’t believe it’s already May! This year is just flying by. You may have guessed how busy I am based on my lack of communication since New Year's. I have a few minutes, so I thought I’d give you the highlights of the last few months.

First, I started a Family Home Evening Group with the single sisters in my branch. We get together every Monday and rotate who hosts each week. It’s been a great way to get to know each other better and to learn the gospel together.

I also started attending Institute class. There’s one that meets in Lafayette at the Church on Tuesday nights. I discovered there’s a whole bunch of YSA, just not in New Iberia! I have been blessed by the insights from our teacher, Br. Nelson (which have helped me in teaching Seminary) and in socializing with other people that share the same standards as me.

In addition, I took the Missionary Challenge, which is to have someone taught the Missionary Discussions in our home this year. I met a lady named Catherine, that had some questions about the church, and I invited her and her boyfriend over for dinner and a discussion with the Elders. The first one went so well, that we made it a weekly occurrence. So, for the past few months, I have had everyone over on Saturday nights for “Dinner and a Discussion.”

My friend Barbara (and “Temple Partner”) and I, are trying to get a regular group of temple goers with us each month and we had a delightful time with my friend Linda and her mom, Doris, this last month. We made a day of it in Baton Rouge, by going shopping, doing a session, going to lunch at Chili’s, and then for ice cream at Baskin Robins. Then, they dropped me off at the Stake Center, where I met up with my Seminary girls, Tara and Marteena, and their mom, Chelsie, and we attended the Seminary Bowl. It was a Muti-stake event with all the seminary kids from Baton Rouge Stake and Denham Springs Stake. I've never done anything like that before and it was so fun! They just had different games and competitions (like Hollywood Squares, Pyramid, Jeopardy, ect.) but all based and the Book of Mormon and the Scripture Mastery. Then, they fed us pizza and had a dance. Tara ended up meeting a guy and we met up with them at Cold Stone for ice cream afterwards (Ice cream twice in one day!)

It is just amazing all of the opportunities I have had to feel the Spirit.

On the home front, my Dad came down for a weekend in March to visit. I love when he’s around…I discovered some treasures in my own backyard! We watched the sun set over Vermilion Bay, canoed down the Bayou, chased alligators in the Jungle Gardens, and took a stroll down historic Main Street. It was a nice relaxing weekend for me. Elyse took 2 months off of work and went and volunteered at a hospital in Kenya for 6 weeks and the spent two weeks exploring Barcelona. She was over there when the volcano erupted and everyone was trying to get out of Europe through Spain. Crazy…(all of these natural disaster back to back have been crazy) And, can you believe it, my baby sister is graduating from High School this month…Yeah!

Finally, my old college roommate had a baby boy last month. They named him Spencer David Bingham. Congratulations Sarah and Cory!

Stay tuned for more pics...