Long Time

Welcome to another edition of "when life happens - a day in a life of me". I am over due for a session of me to ramble on so here it goes.

Two days after my blog post we took our dear Miki to the MTC for her mission. She was a very lucky girl because there are two places to drop off missionaries and we just happened to be sent to the side where Miki's friend Sara (not with an H because H's are ew) was welcoming new missionaries. Sara had arrived at the MTC a few weeks prior and is now serving in Thailand. That made leaving her easier for all of us because we knew she was in good hands. Mom still voiced her displeasure in having her children leave her for so long on the way home.

  

Later that day Kelcie and I left for Moab. Mom was very displeased this day because all her kids are rude and leave her. I was able to guide for World Wide River Expeditions and waitress for Sunset Grill for the month of June.  They were both good experiences and really helped me adjust to being back in the States. Some of you may know that I experienced some anxiety when I first got back. I still don't like talking to people if I don't have to but I think it has mostly dissipated. Rafting was lots of fun and I learned a lot. I do enjoy being a passenger much better than guiding though. I didn't like being responsible for stupid people's lives. You tell them not to go through a certain section of rapids and they do it because they think it must be the most fun. No you idiots, you don't go down the river right there because you will DIE. Some people's children. *shakes head* I had an interesting couple at the restaurant as well. They were from England and had been over 8 years previously and had a marvelous experience at the Grill. They didn't think they would ever make it back but when they got the chance the decided they had to come back. They ended up very disappointed because while the food was good, the portions were far too big. This was such a disappointment to them that the man told me that I had been a fantastic waitress and that the food was good, but it was too much and they had tipped so many people this trip that they weren't going to tip me. This surprised me so much I just took the bill and payed for their meal. When I got back the man said to me that his wife had talked to him and told him to give me $10 for my excellent service. I don't know what kind of reason he thinks tipping other people makes up for not tipping me but I found it rather unimpressive. I had a few people who would tell me how great I had been serving them and I would think that I was going to get a big tip and then it would be less then 10% of their meal. I don't know how many of you have every waitressed but I made $2.50/hr. I am glad that you feel like your server served you well but your complements aren't going to help buy their food, don't be stingy on your tips!

I ended my time there with a trip down Cataract Canyon with mom and Shayli. Tay and Kelcie got to guide us down along with a cool dude named Dana (Yes I am sure Dana is a man. That's Idaho for you.) It was a pretty intense trip.  For the first set of rapids we were in the row boat and Kelcie was rowing while getting tips from Tay. We came to this tricky set of rapids and came up with a plan of how to go down them. It went very well, until it didn't and we almost flipped and Kelcie flying squirrel leaped out of the way so strong Taylor could try and save us while my mom's butt dragged in the water as she held on white knuckled the whole time. Despite what my mom thought, none of us died and it was a very fun and exciting ride through the rapids. The rest of the trip went much smoother and Kelcie rowed like a champ.

After that, I went on a few Powell trips with my family and got a job. I am working as a temp right now for a vitamin and supplement company that also makes things like Airwick and Woolite called Reckitt Benckiser. I do pretty much what I did at Almac but I don't test the same products. It pays really good and will be a good experience even if I am not made a permanent employee. Leo also got a job not doing computer stuff but a job is still good.  He just had his first day Monday and because he works nights, it was a long day for him.

I started that July 11 and well, we can see what happened there. Leo hated his job but starts a new job (yay). Ironically, he also got his interview date last week as well (double yay). So far he says that if he likes the job he might stay a few months extra to get some good job experience to help make it easier for him to get a job here (unyayed x3). I am applying for all sorts of permanent jobs. Hopefully I can get one soon. Shayli loves her job at Chocolate Cottage but is exhausted from school, band, and work but no one really pities her that much because lets face it, she eats chocolate all day for her job. Poor Shayli. For those who don't know, Aurora passed away. It was the worst poo of all poos. My dog should have been immortal. At least until I died. She can die when I die. Unless I die early and then she needs to stay and keep mom company. Dumb mortal dog. We recently had a murder mystery party with the Brewer cousins, thanks to Aunt Tara. It was a lot of fun for all who came. Things to look forward to: half day tomorrow, WoK 3rd book release next week, and Bob Ross off on Thanksgiving! Sorry this is so delayed! I will try and be better Sydney!

The Surprise

Hello my lovelies. Just as some might save their fun for Lagoon, I have been saving my stories for now.

It sounds like there has been psycho crazy weather all over the US. Blizzards in the east, lots of rain in California, and record breaking heat for areas of the west.

Work is going better since the last time we had a pow-wow. I have been trained how to do more and I feel much more useful than before. I still won't be fully trained when I leave. It a super busy and hard to get time to be fully trained. There is a new fella starting next Monday so that will be good to have another person in the lab.

Since our last friendly visit, Leo went back to England, but this time he didn't pass. No one passed. Leo said he failed by one question. It was a bummer for our bank account but he said it was a really good experience overall. He is thinking about going back and just taking the exam which is a lot less. He thinks he would pass the second time around. Leo also had a series of interviews the last few months for a company called Black Duck. The company was named after the owners favorite black duck. We heard back a few weeks ago that he did not get the job. It's a bummer because it would have been a really good job to have before moving but he is proud of himself because he was able to get to the last stage and there were people with PhDs in the running. Speaking of interviews, there is still no word on when Leo will have his immigration interview. Our sixty days of waiting is up on April 24th so we should hear about it before then.

Leo has put his notice in and will study the month of May to prepare for his final exams. After those are done he  starts his thesis February 2018. Once that is done, he is degreed! Something he never thought would happen. A big two finger salute to all those people who said he was stupid.

Back in March my lovely parents came to visit with the wonderful Miki. I can't believe how tall she is now! It was so good to see them and have a break from routine. We had a visit with Ronnie and discovered that he says hip words when there are people to impress, not that mom or Miki would know. They just stared and smiled the whole time confused at what was being said.

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That was a post I started back in April but things got really crazy and I didn't have anytime to finish it. What  nice blast to the past :) Hello America. Hello Utah. I am back and boy oh boy does it sure feel weird being back. I have dreamed of this time so much but I think it just started to seem just that, a dream. I got back May 19th and it has been an adjustment for sure. Americans are very loud and can be quite overbearing. I now know to some extent the overwhelming terror of a big loud family like mine inflicted on my solitary Irish husband. Anyone have earplugs?

The crazy all started when Miki got her mission call to Russ, I mean Iow, I mean Ohio. As many of you know she leaves May 31st. A week from today. She is very excited to go and I know she will be a fantastic missionary. I was able to get my last day settled and planned my arrival. My Aunt Tara and cousin Tatiana Alexandria Tovar have been planning for a year or so how we would surprise my family. A surprise is something unexpected causing someone to feel mild astonishment or shock. I hope this clears up some confusion because a lot of people seem confused when my family would tell them that I had surprised them by coming home early. They experienced surprise by not knowing what I had planned. Watch the video down below to see some people's reactions to this surprise.

As I was saying in my old post, my parents and Miki came for a super fun visit in March. It was so nice to see them again, especially Miki. After visiting with Ronnie we drove down to our B&B. It was servant quarters on this big property that had been converted into B&B accommodation. It was very nice and super cool. The next day we took a drive through a section of the Ring of Kerry. You would need a week at least to see it properly. The following day we drove to Galway and had lunch there. After a very quick look around we headed back to the servants shack and had a look around the grounds and then paddled around the "pond" in the back yard. Leo and I were in the same canoe and it was his first real time paddling and had no real notion of how to stir or anything really. We had many paddle smacks, eternal circling, and were both very wet from dripping paddles and such. Good times were had by all.

About a week or so after my family left my friend Amy emailed me and said she wanted to come over for a visit. She works for Delta as a flight attendant and has only the tax to pay for international flights. I was able to get a few days off work and she came over. We didn't do a whole lot but we still had a good time. We got drenched at Scrabo and nearly froze up Slieve Donard (the tallest mountain in Northern Ireland). She was my last visitor before I came home and it was so fun to see her. Thank you to all of you who made an effort to visit us while we were abroad. It was always so nice to see familiar faces and show you around the island. Those of you who wanted to but were unable to make it, thank you for the good intentions and happy times we could've had together. I know for most it is a journey that just can't be made.

Not too long after Amy came for a visit, Miki got her mission call and I began making my preparations to come back home. Most of you know I told my family I would be home June 19th but I lied. Boy did that lie work out well for me ;) If you haven't see it yet I've put together a little video of some people's reactions to seeing me home early. For those of you who don't know, my Aunt Tara and her daughter Tatiana were the only ones who knew I was coming home. I have been planning this with them for nearly a year now. I'd say all our conniving and scheming paid off :)

Being home  has been good but also very different. Somethings have been harder to adjust to then others. I still have a bit of anxiety around lots of people. Americans are just so loud and overbearing at times, but I am slowly getting use to it. Everything is so BIG here. I swear you could fit nearly twenty cars from N.I. on the freeway here, these mountains are ginormous,  and your cups for soda are absurdly large, plus you get free refills?! I can't imagine even finishing a cup let a lone going back for seconds!

Leo is still waiting to hear back from immigration about when his interview will be and then he'll be heading here as well. We've been given an estimate of about the second week of August. Until then he has the last bit of course work to consume his days. He has some exams in June and then he is finished with his coursework. Because he is doing an honors program he has a thesis he will finish before he gets his degree. He will start his thesis in February 2018. After June 12th he will be living with his grandpa for a while until he can come to Utah. It will be good for them to spend some time together. I miss him and love him very much but I know that we won't be apart forever.

It has been good to be home with my family and spend some time with Miki before she leaves. It is crazy she is leaving on Wednesday and will be gone for 18 months.  The day she leaves, Kelcie and I will be going down to Moab. I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to work as a guide for June with Kelcie, Tay, and Mitchy. Taylor has a friend that said I could work at his restaurant as well so I will be making a little bit of money for the month.  I've been told there won't be anymore work for me after June so I will head back to the SL valley and find myself a more permanent (boring) job. I am so grateful to my family for letting me stay with them and providing me with so much while I try and get settled back into the swing of life here.

Thanks to all those who have welcomed me back. It has already been an adventure and I can't wait to see the thrills and spills life has in store in the US of A.

Tag, you're it!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Happy 2017 too! This is it. THE year. When it all happens. Are you ready? It is going to be awesome. Like unicorn poop. If I had to shovel any animals poo everyday I would prefer a unicorn. I am sure their poo is like rainbow cotton candy. All those colors in a magical mess.

Last time I wrote to you Leo was in England taking one of his certification exams. He passed it with flying unicorn poop. He was the only one there that didn't already have an IT job. All the others had been working in the industry for 5+ years and he got the same score as them. Good job Leo :)

Our Christmas was good but quiet. Leo worked Christmas day and so I would've spent it alone but someone from my ward invited me to have Christmas dinner with them after church. So I had my first real Irish Christmas dinner. It is something people here talk all about. Everyone loves Christmas dinner. It was kind of like a British version of thanksgiving. There was turkey, ham, brussel sprouts, turnip, carrots, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and this weird cheese and leek casserole of sorts. It was pretty good and I tried everything. They actually made brussel sprouts edible, something I never thought was possible in this universe. They also have these things called crackers that are shaped like the cardboard bit of a toilet paper roll wrapped in paper. You pull one end and it pops open and who ever gets the biggest half gets the little toy, paper crown, and joke inside. It's like a super fancy wish bone pull. After dinner they have pavlova and also made this ice cream cake. The ice cream cake was a different thing for them. You can't get ice cream cakes here and Anytime I have mentioned them people ask what they are. A few hours after, they brought out a bunch of cheeses and crackers(real cracker). Holy crap! And they say Americans eat a lot! Maybe my family is different but we don't eat that much.

New Years Eve we had a quiet nice at our place with Mick and some pizza. About eleven they started talking about bikes so I went to bed. They continued to talked about bikes until Mick left at one. I didn't know there was that much to say about bikes but by Bubba Gump I sure was wrong!

I am sure everyone knows by now that little Gooey Gooey (good one Lil's) was born January 6, 2017 weighing  9lbs 14oz. Trist said that when she took him in to get de-sheathed the nurses couldn't believe that he was only two weeks old because he is such a big boy.

I had Tristan's family this year for Christmas and one of the things Lilja wanted from Santa was a mirror so I bought her one. If you haven't seen the video of her opening it, you really should.

The other day she said this, "Look mom! I attached my mirror to my want and put my want through this on my bed (her mirror is now fastened to her bed so she can look into it). So now I can see it. So I don't for get how pretty I am!" When I talked to them, Lilja confirmed it for me that now she can look at how beautiful she is from the comfort of her own bed. No more waking up at all hours of the night in a fright wondering if her beauty has already faded. I am sure if you'd like she'd be able to install a mirror on your bed so you don't forget how pretty you are either.

Leo leaves for England tomorrow for another exam. Hopefully he'll do just as well with this one as he did the last.

In this new lab that I work in one of the groups works solely with this laxative called Laxido. Just before Christmas, I'm pretty sure I must have accidentally ingested some because I sharted myself more times than I ever have before in my life. I would shart myself and not ever know I had farted until I went to the bathroom and realized why I was so uncomfortable down there. I brought extra underwear and everything to change into. It was Laxido or I had some weird bug that made me have liquid poo for a few days, either way I now know why Tristan was so upset all those years ago at the bus stop.

Work is going well, apart from pooping myself. I am slowly being trained how to do things. It is interesting but I can see why there is such a high turnover rate. I can't imagine doing this stuff for more than a year or two at the most. You just do the same set of tests on the same stuff every day. It would get dull pretty quick.

Immigration stuff is coming along but still have a few more things to do before we are ready to some over. Hopefully in the next few months all that can be wrapped up so we can hopefully get that packet before June.  Leo and I have had a look at the job market and it makes us excited to come home. Tons more  opportunities than here. We also were looking at cars and found one we really like.

My dad said to keep dreaming big but it will totally be affordable once Leo lands that awesome job ;)

I would like to encourage any who would be interested to give yoga a try. I know people like to set lame goals that they don't really intend to keep for the whole "new year, new me" crap but I would highly recommend trying some yoga out for size. I promise if you keep at it you'll feel so much better. I have always been really tight and for the first time in my life I am starting to feel like I could try and touch my toes and not crack in half, even with my knees bent. I do my yoga through a gal on YouTube. She has a bunch of videos and targets different parts of the body. For January she has been doing 31 days of yoga. It has been really good so far. If you don't believe me, ask my ma. So what are you waiting for? Check her out here.

In a nutshell that's you now up to date with us. We are very exciting people who live a very exciting life, so I understand why you're white knuckled and holding your breath but you can relax now because this post is over.